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Only 12 ICOs Opening This Week | Welcome to the 30th issue of Token Report’s investor newsletter. We’re building the global financial data layer for crypto. This newsletter is based on the information flowing into our ICO database. Check our website to find out more about our product and our token.
We’re taking another dive through some of the information on ICOs in our database. In this issue, we’re looking at the SEC’s action against Munchee, a tokenized restaurant review startup, which the regulator detailed in a press release yesterday. We’ve been on the lookout against projects that promise returns for token holders, flagging that as a regulatory risk. Here’s our summary of what that looks like. Below that are all 12 ICOs opening this week, including one presale and 11 crowdsales.
Promise or even suggest gains? Your token is probably a security.
Cease and desist your offering of unregistered securities, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) last month told Munchee, a San Francisco-based food review app that had an ICO planned for early November before it was approached by the regulatory body. Munchee was seeking to raise 15 million USD in an offering of tokens (MUN) that would be used to reward users for posting restaurant reviews, selling advertising and promoting in-app purchases.
The order, which can be read in its entirety here, spelled out how Munchee told investors they could expect that efforts of the company and others would lead to an increase in the value of MUN. It also went through a laundry list of other statements Munchee made, like touting its team’s expertise, for example. But the SEC emphasized Munchee’s promises to investors, as well as the company’s outlined plans to create a secondary market for the tokens; these combined would give investors a reasonable belief that their investment in MUN could generate a return.
Munchee’s discussion of investor returns was explicit. But what about projects that don’t make an explicit promise, and yet the expectation of returns is understood? NEO (formerly Antshares) may be a perfect example. We’re not aware of any occasion in which issuers of the NEO token used the word “dividend” to describe its companion token, GAS, which was issued to NEO holders. A cursory search reveals how consistently commenters are viewing it that way (here and here, for example).
So what does the promise of gains to token buyers look like? In Token Report’s database of ICOs, we have identified 30 projects where the issuers have emphasized some kind of return to investors, whether in the form of dividends or a future increase in the price of the token. These are only the ones we have identified to date.
Here are the ICOs opening this week:
Appcoins (APPC) Retainly (RETN) Lendoit (LOAN) Aidcoin (AID) ARNA Genomics (ARNA) Ignite Ratings (IGNT) Gatcoin (GAT) Epsilon (EPS) Unolabo (UNLB) Propify (REAL ESTATE) BmyBit (BMYC) Bounty0x (BNTY)
Appcoins (APPC)
Documentation
Forum
Open Date: Dec. 13
Hard cap: 15.3M USD
Appcoins is a distributed open protocol for app stores, providing a platform for developers to advertise their apps and pay tokens to users for two minutes of attention. Appcoins is also building a payments and billing solution that works across all app stores once integrated once. Appcoins is supported by Aptoide, an independent Android app store that has 200 million active users.
Retainly (RETN)
Documentation
Forum
Open Date: Dec. 15
Hard cap: N/A
Retainly is building a customer loyalty platform for internet-based businesses called Collie that will give customers automatic reward points that can be exchanged for cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies. On it, customers will be able to create custom events and set up rewards for each event. These points are then associated with the RETN token which can be exchanged for cash or traded for ETH or BTC. Collie will be supported on the backend by Retainly, an existing email marketing automation platform.
Lendoit (LOAN)
Documentation
Forum
Open Date: Dec. 13
Hard cap: N/A
Lendoit is a peer-to-peer lending marketplace connecting borrowers to lenders on a platform that is integrated with third-party scoring and verification providers, and collector companies. Loans can be given in any ERC20 token.
Aidcoin (AID)
Documentation
Forum
Open Date: Dec. 15
Hard cap: 100,000 ETH
Aidcoin is a payment gateway that aims to allow charities to accept donations in cryptocurrency. The platform will convert cryptocurrencies into AidCoin and provide a tax deduction receipt to donors. It’s a project by charity auction fundraising platform CharityStars which has raised 10 million USD since 2013.
ARNA Genomics (ARNA)
Documentation
Forum
Open Date: Dec. 15
Hard cap: 40M USD
The project has two components: ARNA BC, a breast cancer test; and ARNA Panacea, a healthcare platform validating test results and medical records. The company envisions the Panacea platform to be a reference point in the future for cancer treatment for patients, doctors and healthcare insurance companies. The ARNA VIP Rewards program will allow individuals who hold at least 500,000 ARNA tokens to sign a “futures contract” granting them the ability to purchase shares at 0.00001 USD if ARNA Genomics conducts an IPO. The beta version of the ARNA Panacea platform is scheduled to be released in mid-2018. ARNA tokens will be used to pay for ARNA tests, fund breast cancer treatment and access research data.
Ignite Ratings (IGNT)
Documentation
Forum
Presale Open Date: Dec. 15
Crowdsale Open Date: Jan. 15, 2018
Hard cap: N/A
Ignite Ratings is a crowdsourced ratings platform and investment index for cryptocurrencies, aiming to be a reliable source of information for tokens. Ignite token holders are promised with a source of income from the crowd-managed index linked to digital assets.
Gatcoin (GAT)
Documentation
Forum
Open Date: Dec. 15
Hard cap: 3.6M USD
The Gatcoin token is a cryptocurrency that powers a system in which merchants may issue their own branded tokens that can be used towards discounts, gift cards and promotional offerings for its customers. It aims to create a platform on which merchants can easily and quickly issue digital tokens. The system will include a wallet, marketplace and cryptocurrency exchange.
Epsilon (EPS)
Documentation
Forum
Open Date: Dec. 13
Hard cap: 21,000 ETH
Epsilon is a targeted search engine and task platform to connect users with the right people who can answer their queries. The goal of the website is to find an executor for the customer, and to reward the executor for performing a certain task or answering questions.
Unolabo (UNLB)
Documentation
Forum
Open Date: Dec. 15
Hard cap: 71,238 ETH
Unolabo is a freelance marketplace with a built-in payments system. It aims to be a jobs platform that also provides financial services for the self-employed in order to aid with taxes, insurance and entrepreneurial risk assessment.
Propify (REAL ESTATE)
Documentation
Open Date: Dec. 14
Hard cap: 50,000 ETH
Marketed as an alternative to Zillow, Propify is a real estate marketing platform with property updates on the blockchain with a social media user interface.
BmyBit (BMYC)
Documentation
Open Date: Dec. 15
Hard cap: N/A
BmyBit enables automatic trading across multiple digital assets exchanges. BmyBit’s so-called Personal Automated Trading System (PATS) is a cloud-based web application using predictive analytics, interconnected with digital exchanges through APIs. The software is governed by a control panel, which embeds trading functionalities to enhance usability and performance. BmyBit’s token, BmyCoin (BMYC), is a multi-chain-based token. A key design principle of MultiChain is maximal compatibility with Bitcoin Core, the reference client for the bitcoin network. The token allows users registered at bmybit.com to pay fees to use the platform’s services as well as to hold a portion of the PATS platform. Since holding BMYC gives users a portion of the PATS platform, holders are entitled to dividends on a quarterly basis from the platform.
Bounty 0x (BNTY)
Documentation
Open Date: Dec. 15
Hard cap: 10M USD
Bounty0x is building a platform for the management of token bounties to allow projects to host bounty campaigns, disburse payments, post listings, and submit reviews. It will host a verification process and reputation system to ensure that bounties get completed on time and successfully before any payment is made.
Token Report is an independent financial information service founded by Galen Moore and Peter Vessenes. Galen is a financial journalist with a background in startups, venture capital and launching news sites. Peter is a co-founder of the Bitcoin Foundation, and launched the first VC-backed Bitcoin company in 2011. He is managing director at New Alchemy, a boutique consulting and investment group based in Seattle, Wash., that is making a pre-seed investment in Token Report.
Nothing contained in Token Report materials or posted at tokenreport.com constitutes an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell a security, financial instrument, or other category of asset, or investment advice or recommendation of a security, financial instrument or other category of asset. Tokens involve risk and are not suitable assets for everyone. Token Report believes its information was obtained from reliable sources but does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness and accepts no liability for losses arising from the publishing of this information. The information provided by Token Report is not a substitute for financial, legal and other professional advice. Each individual should always consult his or her own financial, legal or other professional advisors and discuss the facts and circumstances that apply to the individual. | https://medium.com/tokenreport/token-report-whos-been-breaking-the-rules-only-12-icos-opening-this-week-c6820bff9602 | ['Seline Jung'] | 2017-12-12 23:29:25.625000+00:00 | ['ICO', 'Blockchain', 'Cryptocurrency', 'Ethereum', 'Bitcoin'] |
Get started on your #finfreedom with our Investing 101 guide | Investing is one of the best things you can do for your money, but taking the plunge can be a daunting one, especially if you’re new. That’s why we created a beginner’s guide — to help you along, step-by-step, to become a savvy investor equipped with the basics to make an informed decision about how investing can help you reach your financial goals.
Taking control of your financial future today starts with understanding your financial goes and what you’re doing to achieve them.
We created this investing guide for the average young Australian who has little to no investing knowledge. We’ll look under the hood of the investing world and provide you with the basics you’ll need to become an informed investor and make your money work hard for you.
So get ready to dive into the investing world. We promise, you’ll never think about your finances the same way again. | https://medium.com/clover-au/get-started-on-your-finfreedom-with-our-investing-101-guide-640aef110587 | ['Clover Editors'] | 2018-04-17 23:06:26.385000+00:00 | ['Etfs', 'Adulting', 'Exchange Traded Funds', 'Finance', 'Compound Interest'] |
The Case Against A $15 Federal Minimum Wage: Q&A | President Biden and the Democrats in Congress have proposed gradually increasing the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2025, with the stated intention to raise the pay of low wage workers. Sounds like great news for the low-paid, doesn’t it?
An old saying from economist Thomas Sowell is that “there are no solutions, only trade-offs.” That is as true about the minimum wage as anything else. The Congressional Budget Office summarizes the mainstream economic consensus on the effects of the Democrats’ proposed aggressive major minimum wage hike fairly well — and I don’t think the trade-off is worth it.
Yes, for those workers affected who are lucky enough to maintain their jobs, hours, and existing perks, an enforced minimum wage hike — through raising hourly wage rates — will increase their overall compensation. The CBO estimates that 0.9 million people will be taken out of poverty as a result. But a consequence of raising the mandatory wage floor that aggressively, the CBO predicts, will be that 1.4 million fewer workers will be in employment.
That’s because if you raise the wage rate that companies have to pay by government diktat, businesses will tend to only hire people whose productivity can command that rate, reducing job opportunities or hours available to young, inexperienced, or poorly educated workers.
Now, there’s a debate around the scale of this effect on employment (although the vast majority of the academic literature finds a negative impact of minimum wage hikes). Individual companies will react to the wage slightly differently too, with some able to pass-through costs onto their customers or adapt their businesses to find ways to get more output out of their workers.
But even in situations where companies do not cut employment directly in response, a minimum wage hike is not an “unalloyed good.” Unless we suspect that there are a ton of businesses out there currently forgoing free money from getting more productive workers by paying more, then the profit-seeking businesses affected will respond by adjusting to the higher wage in some way. This may come in the form of laying off workers, reducing their hours, curbing future hiring, trimming non-wage benefits, sweating workers harder, reducing scheduling flexibility, raising prices on customers, or even closing the business entirely.
All these reactions can evidently harm at least some of the low-wage workers that a federal minimum wage increase seeks to help. There is, quite simply, no free lunch with minimum wage hikes. What’s more, the first step on this path to a $15 federal minimum wage will occur at the worst possible time: during a global pandemic that has partially or fully shuttered prominent low-wage industries.
2. Are you sure all that is right? I thought that I’d read that the newest evidence suggested minimum wages didn’t cost jobs.
Liberal economists, such as Paul Krugman, often claim that “There’s just no evidence that raising the minimum wage costs jobs, at least when the starting point is as low as it is in modern America.” But that is not a fair reflection of the academic literature.
In a recent working paper, economists David Neumark and Peter Shirley assembled the entire set of papers that examine the impact of minimum wage hikes on employment outcomes at the subnational level in the U.S. since 1992. Their overview of the results was clear: the overwhelming majority of studies showed a negative effect on employment of minimum wage hikes (79.3 percent of them). That impact was stronger for teens, young adults, and less‐educated workers.
It’s true that studies which assess the impact of the minimum wage on individual industries, usually restaurants or retail, have been less likely to find negative impacts. But this can reflect employers substituting low-skilled workers for higher-skilled workers, which still harms the employment prospects of the lowest-skilled. Neumark and Shirley summarize their findings by saying: “our evidence indicates that concluding that the body of research evidence fails to find disemployment effects [job or hour cuts] of minimum wages requires discarding or ignoring most of the evidence.”
Indeed, in a Cato Policy Analysis analyzing the overall body of recent research, economist Jeff Clemens concluded that the “new conventional wisdom misreads the totality of recent evidence for the negative effects of minimum wages. Several strands of research arrive regularly at the conclusion that high minimum wages reduce opportunities for disadvantaged individuals.”
He highlights how results on specific historical episodes show a negative effect of minimum wages on jobs. His own research with Michael Wither examining the impact of the federal minimum wage hike during the Great Recession found that states where the minimum wage hike “bound” saw employment among minimum wage workers decline more strongly, costing hundreds of thousands of low-wage jobs. In other words, in states where the state minimum wage was not already higher than the new federal level, there was significantly higher job loss from the wage hike.
Yes, a significant minority of studies, particularly those assessing the impact of modest minimum wage hikes in growing economies, find little overall impact on jobs. And it’s true a lot of results hinge on methodological choices, such as timeframes examined and how one defines the counterfactual — that is, what control groups are used to judge the impact of the policy. This and the fact that data is often incomplete, with researchers not having full access to data on worker hours, productivity, and benefits, means it is impossible to fully observe all the margins through which companies might adjust. So it is unsurprising to hear controversies and disagreements.
That’s what made a paper by economist John Horton so interesting. He analyzed an online labor market in which firms contract with workers for tasks including programming, data entry, and graphic design. In contrast with other papers, Horton identified an opportunity to deploy a randomized controlled trial to study the effects of minimum wage increases. As the designer of the study, he could impose differences in firms’ minimum wage requirements through random assignment.
His results were clear: firms make significant shifts in the workers they employ when they are required to pay higher wages. They move away from the least skilled workers and toward workers who demonstrate higher productivity on past jobs. High minimum wage rates thus reduce the employment opportunities of workers who are less productive.
So, yes, there is plenty of evidence that high minimum wage rates reduce employment for groups of low-wage workers. Though economists are perhaps less sure on the scale of these impacts on jobs than they were 20 years’ ago, a recent IGM Survey found that 50 percent still agreed with a statement that said “A federal minimum wage of $15 per hour would lower employment for low-wage workers in many states,” against just 16 percent who disagreed (34 percent were uncertain).
3. You mentioned that now might be a particularly bad time for raising the federal minimum wage. When low-wage workers are suffering through the pandemic, wouldn’t it be the perfect time to try to boost their incomes through raising wage rates?
Workers in industries hard-hit by COVID-19 are obviously suffering right now. That is why Congress has passed extensive relief packages, including emergency supplements to unemployment insurance, support to small businesses and specific industries, and sending checks to most households. But the underlying difficulties these industries are facing shows why now might be a particularly risky time for raising the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour, even if the initial jump in 2021 is only to $9.50 per hour.
COVID-19 reduces the demand for workers across sectors requiring in-person interaction. Firms require fewer worker hours to staff in-person services, because consumers are less willing to attend venues with an elevated risk of catching COVID-19, and because government mandates have forcibly closed or restricted certain venues. On top of this, due to explicit regulation or consumer demands for them, lots of venues such as restaurants are having to impose social distancing requirements too, including table spacing or more regular cleaning. Such requirements make the operations less efficient, reducing the productivity of these industries’ workers.
These factors would be expected to reduce underlying market wages (notwithstanding that the occupational risk of COVID-19 itself may also reduce the supply of workers willing to work in certain sectors). How far above the market wage minimum wage rates are set matters, however, in terms of the scale of the negative effects on jobs or hours. If market wages have fallen, then a minimum wage hike to $9.50 now is likely to result in a greater impact on employment than in a “normal” economy, manifested through greater job losses and fewer hours worked.
This is particularly likely because other ways businesses could potentially adjust to increased hourly wage floors are less relevant right now: businesses in most affected sectors do not have profit margins to eat into, they can’t easily raise prices given consumers are arguably more sensitive to price changes, and the absence of customers makes it difficult to think of obvious ways of making their workers more productive.
A Bureau of Labor Statistics analysis from April 2020 confirmed that occupations with lower wages are more common in the worst affected sectors of the economy from COVID-19, including restaurants and bars, travel and transportation, entertainment, and personal services. Three-fifths of workers who earn at or below the federal minimum wage, for example — those likely to be directly affected — are employed in the leisure and hospitality industry, almost entirely in restaurants and food services. So, the workers where an aggressive increase in the minimum wage to $15 per hour in the coming years will bite hardest are employed by those businesses suffering most from the pandemic.
There’s another reason why a recovery from a recession may be a particularly bad time to hike the federal minimum wage. As noted, economists Jeffrey Clemens and Michael Wither estimated that states experiencing the largest rise in the wage floor lost several hundred thousand more low-wage jobs than they otherwise would have when the minimum wage was hiked after the financial crisis. One reason for this is likely to be “dynamic adjustment.” During economic expansions, fewer firms are dying and the focus is on ramping up production to meet high demand rather than cost-cutting. But when we experience a large shock, this often generates an unusually pronounced/sharp cycle of firm death and birth. Businesses with old production technologies will disappear and be replaced by the new, capital/technology intensive firms. A minimum wage hike increases the risk of exit for these older firms which are heavily labor dependent, because it is a policy that raises hourly labor costs.
4. A lot of places have increased local and state minimum wages already. What can we learn from their experiences?
Yes, 29 states have higher minimum wage rates than the federal minimum, and a host of (mainly higher productivity) cities and localities have much higher statutory wage floors still. New York City, for example, has a $15 minimum wage, and the minimum wage is $16.69 in Seattle, Washington. Economist Ernie Tedeschi estimated back in 2019 that, as a result of recent aggressive increases and the weight of the population living under different wage floors, the average effective minimum wage across the whole United States was already $11.80 per hour back then.
Studies attempt to exploit this variation between states to isolate the impact of minimum wages on jobs or hours. Evidence on the effects of these increases have been mixed. Those areas that have seen small increases in minimum wages from low levels do not appear to have seen large, direct employment impacts, especially when implemented in a strong economy. But it is important to remember that a $15 federal minimum wage will be extremely high relative to median hourly wage rates in some lower productivity parts of the country. That means the evidence that gives us the best indication on what to expect comes from places that have raised wage floors to very high levels.
In 2014, Seattle city leaders voted to increase its minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2022 in steps. Researchers at the University of Washington have used the state’s unemployment insurance database to assess the impact of the first two rate increases on jobs, hours and earnings, comparing outcomes to what would have happened via tracking a weighted-average of other Washington regions with similar employment trends prior to the ordinance.
Their results were striking. The increase from $9.47 to $11 in 2015 resulted in no significant change in labor market outcomes. But the increase to $13 reduced overall hours worked by 6.9 percent. Employers both cut back on the number of low-wage employees and the hours they worked relative to the control region.
So big were the measured effects on jobs and hours that, even though the minimum wage hike raised wage rates significantly, low-wage workers as a cohort were worse off. Subsequent work by the Seattle team found evidence that employment fell only a little, if at all, for workers with prior experience in low‐wage jobs, however. This suggests that employment declined primarily because of reductions in hiring rather than increases in firing — a finding that echoes economists Jonathan Meer and Jeremy West’s work on the longer-term consequences of minimum wage increases.
The original Seattle study also showed why other types of research may underestimate the impact of minimum wage hikes on jobs. A rival paper found no negative effects of the minimum wage hikes in Seattle when examining food service employment, for example. The University of Washington study replicated this finding by examining restaurant employment alone. But they found large negative effects on employment when focusing exclusively on low-wage restaurant employment (those earning less than $19 per hour). This suggests Seattle’s minimum wage increase shifted employment from lower-wage to higher-wage restaurant workers. The results for restaurants in both studies suggest that examining the restaurant sector alone as a guide to impact of minimum wages, as many studies do, can hide bigger economy-wide negative impacts on employment levels across all sectors.
In interpreting all this evidence to think about the Democrats’ proposal, we have to bear two things in mind. First, economists believe the level of the minimum wage still matters, and that the larger the “bite” of minimum wage (its level against median earnings), the more deleterious the impact on employment prospects is likely to be. Second, that notwithstanding, a very high minimum wage can still have big relative consequences on lower productivity workers within a state, even if the aggregate impact in some places appears small.
To put it another way: a $15 federal minimum wage would likely have a much bigger impact on Mississippi, where a $15 wage rate is currently around 100 percent of median hourly wages, than New York, where it is 66.8 percent. Even within Mississippi, it’s likely to have bigger impacts on job prospects in certain industries.
A crude, blanket high minimum wage across the whole country is therefore incredibly risky. As economist Tyler Cowen has written, even if you think the trade-offs of having a relatively high wage floor are worth it, economics would suggest setting them at the local level, given this huge divergence in productivity levels across the country.
5. OK, but a lot of economists seem convinced that minimum wage hikes will not have the sorts of negative effects you outline, even with a $15 federal minimum wage. How do they explain this?
There are two broad reasons why some economists support aggressive federal minimum wage hikes. The first is a standard “market failure” argument — the idea that lots of low wage labor markets are characterized by businesses having power over workers that can depress wages, which a skillfully set minimum wage can help correct. In this view, minimum wage hikes might enhance economic efficiency. The second is that minimum wage hikes represent a good distributional social policy. That is, they have desirable social consequences, such as in reducing poverty, that outweigh any impact on employment or worker’s experiences that worsen inefficiency.
Let’s take the efficiency-monopsony argument here, because this is extremely fashionable. Proponents of minimum wage hikes highlight that some minimum wage studies show few job losses from minimum wage hikes and therefore need a theory to explain this result. One theoretical explanation is that many low-wage labor markets are characterized by a degree of monopsony power — a situation where one employer has significant market power to determine wages for the sector. In this scenario, we might not see significant job losses even if a higher minimum wage rate is implemented.
In a monopsony model, employers have the power to set overall hourly compensation rates below market rates and they tend to employ fewer people than they would in a competitive labor market as a result. That’s because the businesses’ labor market power enables it to pay lower wages when it hires fewer workers, such that the benefit from lower labor costs outweighs the cost of foregone output and revenues. In theory then, if such a market exists, a minimum wage that is carefully set so that the wage rate is closer to what we would see in a competitive market can bring the double-dividend of higher hourly wages and more employment.
But is such a theory a credible justification for believing a $15 federal minimum wage wouldn’t have significant negative consequences for the U.S.? It seems unlikely.
First, low-wage occupations are often in highly competitive product markets. Previous Bureau of Labor Statistics research has identified “food service; housekeeping; low-level healthcare positions, such as nursing assistants; and low-level retail positions, such as cashiers” as the most prominent low-wage industries. Few would argue businesses in these industries have enduring market power in the markets for their products or services. Yet if they do not, then any monopsony power they have in labor markets would be competed away through lower output prices, meaning the monopsonist would not be making significant profits from this labor market power. A minimum wage hike in this scenario would therefore risk causing some businesses to become unprofitable even with monopsony power, causing offsetting job losses through business failures.
Second, very few studies find that minimum wage hikes increase employment, which is what we should expect to see if a monopsonists’ wage rate was being corrected by skillfully set minimum wage policies. David Neumark and Peter Shirley’s literature review on the state-level impacts of U.S. minimum wage hikes has found that just 5.8 percent of studies actually found positive effects of minimum wage hikes on employment. Indeed, academic economists don’t seem to buy the widespread monopsony argument: they overwhelmingly reject the idea that a $15 minimum wage would increase economic output significantly.
Third, all this suggests that, rather than being a free lunch, companies adjust to the minimum wage hike in other ways. The monopsony model, remember, says that companies have the power to keep overall compensation rates below competitive levels. But the minimum wage only affects hourly wage rates. Firms might adjust employee benefits or other aspects of the workers’ overall compensation package to compensate for the higher wage rate. In a review of recent research for the Journal of Economic Perspectives, Jeffrey Clemens discusses a substantial body of evidence on this and other margins along which firms can adjust (more on that later). In markets with monopsony power that are in non-competitive markets, theory predicts that businesses will tend to pass on the higher compensation costs to customers in the form of higher prices. This is indeed what Peter Harasztosi and Attila Lindner found when they examined the impact of a large increase in the minimum wage in Hungary.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, even if monopsony power did exist in certain markets, it would differ in degree by location and industry. The level at which the minimum wage was set would therefore matter a great deal, lending itself to favoring policy at the very local level. It would be incredibly convenient if a $15 federal minimum wage could perfectly correct for the monopsony power of businesses in all sectors and locations. A crude application of a $15 minimum wage across all states and regions would instead likely raise the level of the minimum wage beyond the level associated with competitive markets in many areas and industries. Again, this would lead to the usual reduction in worker demand in lots of places.
6. Wow, that all seems very theoretical. If monopsony can’t explain why some companies do not reduce hours or jobs in the face of a minimum wage hike, then what does?
Well, in reality, every company affected by a minimum wage hike will react to it differently depending on their specific situation. But in the absence of some costless productivity free lunch, businesses will have to find some other “channel of adjustment” if they don’t cut jobs or hours, many of which might still be damaging for workers.
What might these entail? One possibility, as mentioned, is that some companies will pass some or all of the cost of the higher wage onto consumers in the form of higher prices. Previous research from Jonathan Wadsworth in the UK has found that prices of “take-away foods, canteen meals, hotel services and domestic services” increased significantly more quickly in the four years after the country’s minimum wage increase than prices in non-minimum wage sectors. A recent study by two Princeton economists examining how McDonald’s reacted to minimum wage hikes found evidence “consistent with near-full price pass through of minimum wages in McDonald’s restaurants.” This chimes with research by Sylvia Allegretto and Michael Reich on a wage hike in San Jose, California, which estimated that almost all of the cost of a minimum wage hike there was passed on by restaurants to consumers.
Not every business or industry will react this way, of course. University of Washington research into the impact of the Seattle minimum wage hikes found no such uplift in food prices from supermarkets and that child-care centers adjusted both demand for labor and fees. But when assessing the net impact of a minimum wage increase, one must also consider that consumers might face higher prices, and that poorer consumers will be impacted by price increases disproportionately in some sectors. Jacking up the price of takeaway food, hospitality services, and others clearly means that a minimum wage increase is not an unalloyed good for low-income households.
We know that poorer households, for example, spend a far larger proportion of their budgets on food. And we also know that many of those who do benefit from the federal minimum wage hike will not be poor: those earning the federal minimum wage are much more likely to be under-25 and part-time workers than the rest of the working labor force, for example. So, considering who bears the higher prices and who benefits from the wage increase, minimum wage hikes are likely to be less progressive than we might expect.
Some companies may decide, of course, that, at least in the very short-term, it is best to try to tough it out by bearing the higher labor costs on their bottom line. But that’s not economically costless at the societal level either. Weaker profits will increase the likelihood of firm deaths, risking jobs if companies die. A study of Yelp data, for example, found that minimum wage increases in San Francisco predict increases in exit among restaurants that are lower rated. What’s more, lower profit rates in certain sectors will discourage business start-ups and entry into them, reducing future job opportunities, or else consumer welfare. Again, there is no free lunch.
Given businesses are not charities, it is more likely that businesses will adjust in other ways, such that the pay uplift for workers is offset by other changes to their compensation or work conditions. Non-wage aspects of jobs, as Clemens outlines, such as the convenience of schedules, security of work hours, health insurance quality, retirement benefits, payments-in-kind, and workplace conditions, are important determinants of how much workers value jobs. There are theoretically a whole host of margins that businesses could toy with to recoup some of the increased labor costs.
The economic literature on these adjustments is less advanced. But some initial studies highlight its potential importance. Analyses of more recent minimum wage changes tend to find negative effects of minimum wage hikes in terms of the generosity of employer-funded health insurance, for example. Evidence from the UK suggests successive minimum wage hikes have seen companies in labor-intensive industries putting affected workers onto contracts that do not guarantee hours so that companies can better control their labor costs. There have been examples around the world of fast-food outlets stripping staff of free food benefits after major minimum wage hikes too, one of a number of other ways businesses might change non-cash compensation.
Now, quite often minimum wage proponents respond to these potential trade-offs by claiming that firms can adjust to minimum wage hikes by “raising productivity.” But unless the change in the law suddenly made companies realize that they were leaving free money lying around beforehand, then “raising productivity” is not costless.
Boosting productivity might require replacing inexperienced low‐skilled employees with more experienced, higher productivity employees, or else making longer-term investments in labor-saving machines. This comes with search, turnover and investment costs in the short‐term and reduces opportunities for low‐skilled workers in the longer‐term.
We know this can have a scarring effect on young workers, who lose entry‐level job opportunities that provide basic skills and habits, including punctuality, and dealing with customers and colleagues. David Neumark and Olena Nizalova found that, even in their late 20s, workers who had been exposed to high minimum wages when they were younger worked less and earned less. This effect was especially strong for black Americans.
“Improving productivity” might instead entail putting pressure on workers to produce more during their contracted hours. This impact was noted as early as 1915, when workers’ experience following a minimum wage increase was described as “…constant pressure from their supervisors to work harder; they are told the sales of their departments must increase to make up for the extra amount the firm must pay in wages.”
More recently, a Financial Times article on the impact of the rising minimum wage in the UK found that fruit picking had intensified a lot since the minimum was introduced there. It said “the harvest [used to be] brought in by students, Welsh miners after the strike and ‘local ladies from Ledbury’ who wanted summer cash…‘the slow ones could just be slow and nobody minded.’” Now, there’s training and pressure, with people being told “’…through the day, you’ve got to get faster, you’ve got to hit the target of however many units it is….it’s a mental and physical discipline.’”
This is important. Minimum wage proponents often talk about the promise of high productivity as if it is a win-win for workers and businesses. By raising the minimum wage rate, it is claimed, firms will benefit from reduced staff turnover, with happier and more productive employees. But if this were a net benefit to the firm, wouldn’t they be raising wage rates already?
That some firms do raise wage rates voluntarily, and observe benefits, does not mean you can generalize that effect to the whole economy. Nor, indeed, is it clear why it is assumed that reducing turnover at an economy‐wide level would be good for overall productivity. The higher wage for low‐skilled workers might reduce the incentive, on the margin, to leave the company, seek promotion, or invest in human capital, especially if one consequence is a reduction in the gap between low-wage earners and those higher up the income scale. This could actually reduce economy‐wide measured productivity over time.
Recently, people have added a new argument: talking up the minimum wage as a macroeconomic tool. $15 minimum wage proponents sometimes claim that low‐paid workers’ higher propensity to spend additional earnings means minimum wage hikes boost demand and raise the level of GDP, boosting economic output through a consumption effect. But this ignores contractionary impacts from lower profits reducing investment, higher prices reducing other spending or reduced employment opportunities cutting some people’s incomes. Standard economic theories suggest that, overall, tightening the impact of a price floor like this is likely to reduce overall output. An overwhelming majority of economists (69% to 4%) disagree with the idea that a $15 minimum wage would substantially boost output.
7. OK, you’ve mentioned the importance of the link between productivity and the wage rate a few times. But didn’t I read that while productivity has continued rising over the past five decades, the minimum wage has failed to keep up? Isn’t there a case for increasing the minimum wage to make up for this lost ground?
Economy-wide labor productivity has undoubtedly risen faster than federal minimum wage rates over the last fifty years. But it’s a huge leap to suggest this shows employers are somehow exploiting workers and paying them below what their productivity commands.
The mistake here is to consider productivity gains among all workers as if these reflect what should have happened to hourly wage rates for minimum wage workers alone. After all, different industries experience different productivity growth rates over time.
Sadly, a productivity growth series solely for minimum wage workers is not available. But just look at the long-term data for the food services industry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics data series from 1987 to 2017 shows that labor productivity in the food service sector rose by an average of just 0.4 percent per year (with unit labor costs increasing by 3.2 percent per year) over those three decades.
If the minimum wage had been pegged to this productivity measure, it would have increased by 13 percent in real terms — from $7.16 in 1987 (2017 dollars) to $8.06 in 2017. The actual 2017 federal minimum was, of course, $7.25 in 2017 and state minimums in much of the country were much higher than $8.06. Using this productivity series and start date then, many state minimum wages, and almost certainly a $15 federal minimum wage by 2025, would be far higher than justified by food service productivity improvements since 1987.
This does not prove, of course, that all workers are paid at their productivity levels, nor does it tell us what the “right” level of the minimum wage should be in each market. But it does show the danger of making spurious comparisons between economy-wide productivity and minimum wage rates. Pegging minimum wage rates to aggregate productivity trends might lead us to deliver much higher wage floors than justified by the productivity of workers in certain sectors, causing significant job losses or the other downsides to workers that we’ve already outlined.
8. So let’s say you are right that the $15 federal minimum wage is not great economics in terms of efficiency. You said a lot of economists favor minimum wage hikes on the grounds of social policy. No firm should pay wages that leave people in poverty, should they?
Well, President Biden’s goal that nobody working full time should live in poverty is a laudable ambition. But even though, as the CBO suggests, we’d probably expect a big minimum wage hike to reduce poverty somewhat, it’s a more of a blunt instrument than you’d imagine.
First of all, one consequence of federal minimum wage hikes can be job or hours loss for low-wage workers, as we’ve seen, which can create poverty. Second, a lot of people who earn the federal minimum wage or just above it are not poor, or will not be poor in the longer term (think of working students, or second-earners in relatively affluent households working part-time).
Meanwhile a lot of the price increases resulting from pass-through of the minimum wage costs will be on products that the poor buy disproportionately or which might affect them most harshly — imagine what a big rise in child-care costs would have on poorer parents’ labor market opportunities, for example.
A full picture on the distributional aspects of the minimum wage would need to take this all into account rather than just looking at the impact on earnings for those who maintain their jobs or hours. This is a classic case of there being a clear “seen” (the minimum wage increase) that we’d expect might reduce poverty, but with a significant “unseen” (the adjustments to hours, worker benefits, price, and more) that could increase poverty.
As has been alluded to already, who bears the cost of an increase in the federal minimum wage will be affected by a vast range of business and region-specific factors. But, in principle, putting the full costs of meeting any societal anti-poverty ambition onto the shoulders of some combination of the employers of the low-wage workers, those who consume their products, or other low-paid workers seems misguided. Especially because there are other anti-poverty policies — not least undoing the damage of regressive government regulations — that could reduce poverty without some of these negative effects.
To circle back to Biden’s anti-poverty mantra, a lot of Democrats talk about the federal minimum wage as if policymakers or employers have a duty to set a wage floor such that each and every worker, often in very different circumstances, can live comfortably. But companies pay workers for the job they do, not some arbitrary figure based on how many children someone has, their housing costs, food bills, and more.
Every family’s situation is different and what matters in covering their living expenses are households’ overall incomes, not just hourly pay rates. A government that was serious about an anti-poverty agenda then would focus on improving productivity growth to raise wages, eliminate regulations that inflate the cost-of-living, and then have government support families who really fall through the gaps, but explicitly raising the funds through taxation and then targeting those in need. | https://medium.com/@ryanbourne/the-case-against-a-15-federal-minimum-wage-q-a-abdb2ab6cf8d | ['Ryan Bourne'] | 2021-02-25 20:04:06.853000+00:00 | ['Unemployment', 'Labor Market', 'Living Wage', 'Joe Biden', 'Minimum Wage'] |
Gertrude Stein: A Woman With an Unparalleled Drive for Art | The American writer befriended many of the most important artists and writers of the time when she lived in Paris, accruing a significant art collection and becoming a driving force for their careers.
Bianca Spaggiari /MutualArt
Gertrude Stein sitting on a sofa in her Paris studio, with a portrait of her by Pablo Picasso, 1930, © Courtesy of My Modern Met
When searching Google for how to start an art collection, a multitude of answers will come up. “The Five Top Tips to Start Collecting Art” or “Millennials and Art Collections: how to start yours” are just a few examples of those, but treading the footsteps of men and women who actually made the history of art, looking at the past can elucidate the basics of collecting, the foundation of which is amassing a fortune and be blessed with foresight.
Few collectors throughout history had such an impact on art as Gertrude Stein did on Modern Art. Living and liaising in twentieth century Paris, most of the artists she commissioned and was a patron for are now reckoned as geniuses, masters of Post-Impressionism and pillars of the avant-garde. She furthered the careers of many of them, just by being a curious character, and her impact on the arts cannot be overstated. Born in 1874 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she first travelled to Europe as a child; her parents wanted the Stein siblings to receive a European education. Years later, Gertrude and her closest brother Leo returned to Europe, this time to stay. In 1902, the siblings spent a year in London, as Leo was determined to acquire broad knowledge of art history, as well as to develop his artistic skills. In 1903 they ventured to Paris, thanks to connections Leo made, and they settled permanently in the French capital. However, thanks to her ground-breaking literary works — among them The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas, Gertrude’s lifelong partner, in which the subject is intrinsically Gertrude herself — she was always known as a genius in her own right.
The Steins, Leo, Gertrude and Michael, 1907, © Courtesy of Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY
Around 1906, the Steins had settled in 27 Rue de Fleurs in a picturesque environment overlooking the sumptuous Luxembourg Gardens and the left bank of the Seine. The house soon became a meeting place for artistic and literary circles, as they never missed a chance to host artists and writers. Among those were artists like Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Paul Cézanne, Paul Gauguin, Georges Braque, Henri de Toulouse Lautrec, Pierre Bonnard and Pierre-August Renoir, and writers such as Ezra Pound, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Sherwood Anderson, Edith Sitwell and Harold Acton, most of whom belonged to the “lost generation” as Gertrude defined them. The Stein house presented humble interiors, but the siblings would stack rooms with paintings from floor to ceiling. The house became a living collection, an everyday exhibition, and what the New York Times termed the first Modern Art Museum. At some point, Leo and Gertrude allegedly aimed to dial down the bustle and instituted the Saturday Salon, whereby a single day per week was open to visits and literary discussions.
Pablo Picasso, Gertrude Stein, oil on canvas, 100 × 81.3 cm, 1905–06, © Courtesy of 2020 Estate of Pablo Picasso, (ARS), New York
Stein’s art legacy is transmitted in the many commissions to artists of her time. Picasso’s portrait of her is probably the most famous one. Notorious, as Gertrude sat for it almost ninety times, according to records it was carried out in gratitude for the Stein siblings purchasing one of his works. When the canvas was finally completed, it is said that Picasso scraped away the face and repainted it all over again without seeing her. The thickly layered, polished painting can be ascribed to Picasso’s Rose Period with its warm and earthy tones. It carries a great sense of movement, visible in the way Gertrude slightly leans forward, controlling of the situation. The canvas instills a sense of presence as well as an austere predominance that reads between the lines. Stein’s entourage claimed Picasso’s portrayal looked nothing like her, but the sitter insisted “for me it is I,” elucidating that the oeuvre was more about her strong personality than her physical appearance.
Francis Picabia, Portrait of Gertrude Stein, oil on canvas, 140 × 97.5 cm, 1933, © Courtesy of 2010 (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris
Strikingly, Stein inhibits a similarly imposing posture in Francis Picabia’s portrait realized several years after Picasso’s. Here, she is presented almost as a statue, a sculptural figure of other times, emphasizing her firm personality, thoroughly felt by the artist. Picasso was likely inspired by two other paintings already present in Gertrude’s collection, namely Paul Cézanne’s Portrait of Madame, and Henri Matisse’s Woman with a Hat.
Henri Matisse, Woman with a Hat, oil on canvas, 80.65 x 59.69 cm, 1905, © Courtesy of The SFMOMA and Succession H. Matisse, (ARS), New York
When Matisse presented the painting at the Salon d’Automne, the committee encouraged the artist not to show it if he wanted to retain his reputation as an artist. They were struck by the haste — as they called it — used to carry out the work. On that same occasion, a critic termed Matisse a fauves, wild beast, ignoring it would have turned into a movement. Bright dabs of yellows and greens light up the canvas, and Amélie, Matisse’s wife, is beautifully untouched in her floral dress. Leo defined the canvas as one of the worse smudges of paint ever seen, yet it did not prevent Gertrude from appreciating the lively brushstrokes used by Matisse to portray his wife. If Gertrude would not have acquired this canvas, it might have been lost long ago. Stein’s ability to see through the prejudice of the existing establishment made her a woman with an incredible drive for art. Gauguin’s Sunflowers on an Armchair was also part of her collection, and, similarly to Woman with a Hat, defined by fast and decisive brushstrokes, and the mesmerizing quality of its nuances.
Paul Gauguin, Sunflowers on an Armchair, oil on canvas, 68 x 75.5 cm, 1901, © Courtesy of Emil Bhürle collection
Looking at Gertrude Stein’s unconventional way of collecting art can provide a new sense of narrative to these paintings and the artists behind them. Her ability to drive the trends of art made her the first important patron to many of these artists and an unrivalled pioneer of Modern Art. Surely her fortune was supported by the increasing appreciation of post-Impressionist and Modern artists across the Atlantic, yet her judgment prevailed and could shape the career of those she chose to shelter. Throughout her life she would establish close-knit relationships with painters while amassing a unique collection. She represents a landmark in art history, ending up being among the first American women with a public statue in the city of New York. | https://medium.com/mutualart/gertrude-stein-a-woman-with-an-unparalleled-drive-for-art-bde766b83527 | [] | 2020-12-15 08:03:49.878000+00:00 | ['Society', 'Literature', 'History', 'Art', 'Culture'] |
What Does Breastfeeding Feel Like? | | When a woman gives birth, there is a huge relief that the new life has arrived and she can immediately go to work or take care of other duties around the home. One of the most stressful things a new mother may often think about is how breastfeeding a newborn feels.
Breastfeeding provides a slight tingling sensation around the areola that many mothers say is a relaxing and warming feeling. When a baby is properly latched and suckling, you will feel a gentle tug sensation that is relaxing. However, if you are experiencing any pain, be sure to adjust your baby to a better position to ensure mik flow is steady and the baby is latched correctly.
Although breast milk provides many nutrients necessary to maintain a healthy baby, it does not provide the same comforting sense of security or comfort as the texture and noise of a parent’s voice can bring.
There is always a different story from every mother. What does breastfeeding feel like for one woman may not be what does breastfeeding feel like for another. The important thing is that you are sharing your experience and allowing those around you to benefit from it as well. You are the expert only means to help others feel better about their own experiences!
For a new mother or expecting wanting to have a better understanding of what breastfeeding actually feels like? is one of the most frequently asked questions among new mothers. Breastfeeding is a very natural and healthy activity that provides a wide range of health benefits including eliminating illness, promoting better digestion, reducing the risk of certain diseases, and more.
The good news is that many women will find that breastfeeding immediately takes away any pain they may feel. The actual feeling of breastfeeding is different for every woman, depending on her individual body, what she is feeding her baby, and how she is feeling. It’s very important that new moms find the right way to describe what it feels like to breastfeed their babies, not necessarily the best way, but the way that fits them and their babies best.
If you’re having trouble answering the question, “what does breastfeeding feel like,” try visiting your local lactation consultant for some additional support. You and your consultant can go over the best way to provide the perfect amount and timing of your breast milk, which can be crucial in both the safety of your child and your own well being. Your consultant can help you make decisions about feeding your baby and the things you need to do in order to ensure the most comfortable feeding experience possible.
When Does Breastfeeding Get Easier
There are some ups and downs when it comes to breastfeeding your baby. You might find that you’re not getting the full benefits of breastfeeding as often, or that your baby is spitting up more than usual, but if you stick with it you will make things easier in the end. The easiest time for most moms is during the first few weeks, when the baby is able to feed on spit up. Breastfeeding at this time will get you off to a good start, and will help you determine if breastfeeding is right for you and your baby.
What to consider when breastfeeding
There are many tips and tricks that you can use that will help make breastfeeding much easier. For example,
Becomes Easier as time progresses:
During the third trimester, many women find that this is the time when they start to get the full benefits from their pregnancy. This is the best time for you to breastfeed your child, and many suggest that it’s best to do so at this time. Once you’ve got the go-ahead from the third trimester, you can move on to the fourth trimester and see if you have even more success.
Patients is Key:
You may want to make sure that you are taking your time when you are breastfeeding because this can help you bond with your baby. Also, you should start taking notice of how your nipples are feeling when you are beginning to nurse so that you can quickly get to know when you are ready to start pushing.
Try to be as comfortable as possible:
If you aren’t ready to start yet, there are certain things you can do to prepare for motherhood and get ready for breastfeeding. Wear comfortable clothing, and make sure that the room is quiet and well lit. Have your husband or boyfriend walk you through the process, so that you feel less intimidated by it. Remember that breastfeeding your baby won’t be easy, but with these tips, you can make it a little bit easier.
Why is breastfeeding hard?
While many new mothers are ecstatic when their newborns begin to nurse, some mothers will find that they still have a bit of difficulty at first. In fact, many women report that they still find it quite difficult at first and this is especially true if they happen to be working while breastfeeding your infant. However, if you just commit yourself to learning the basics of breast milk and how to get it going, then you should be able to figure out how to breastfeed your infant in no time at all. Just make sure that you are doing everything in your power to make breastfeeding a comfortable experience for you both.
Why does your breast hurt after breastfeeding?
Normally a new mother might latch the infant wrongly on the breast nipples due to inexperience. The suction caused by the sucking of the infant will cause breast pain if the infant is not latched rightly. One should try to relocate the infant and if the breast pain continues even after that too, then other reasons for pain should be considered.
Infects of the breast nipper or tissue can cause inflammation, manifesting as pain, some red streaks over your breast, or the full breast might become red or painful to touch. Infection can be bacterial as well, where there are associated chills, fever, and body aches and at times even vomiting and nausea.
Fungal infection or nipples or breasts would manifest as burning or shooting breast pain either during or after breastfeeding. There might be pain deep within the breast and extreme pain in the nipples or breasts that don’t improve even after rightly latching the infant on the breast. Treatment of this problem is by antibiotics as well as anti-inflammatory drugs. Cold compression would also assist in easing the pain. Fungal infection would need anti-fungal drugs for treatment.
Milk ducts might get clogged with milk if they’re not evacuated rightly. This’ll cause a feeling of heaviness and pain in the nipple or breast tissues. There’s also the risk of secondary infection setting in the breast blocked milk duct, which will aggravate the pain.
To avoid this, it’s advisable to give regular feeds to the infant. After the infant is satiated and removed from the nipples, both of the breasts should be compressed manually, in every 4 quadrants to make sure that milk ducts are totally emptied. A breast pump can also be utilized for this purpose.
Is it Safe to Breastfeed When Sick?
being a mother is difficult when suffering from a illness. However, “It’s perfectly safe to breastfeed when sick, and very good for your baby. Once you have a disease, your body creates antibodies in your breast milk, and if you breastfeed, your child will get these beneficial antibodies that can help them resist the disease or prevent them from getting it. “
Sicknesses to avoid contact with your baby
Although it is unlikely to cause your child to become sick, there are a few more serious sickness you should consider avoiding contact with you child if you have:
Colds and flu:
If you have the flu or flu, you will breastfeed as usual. Your baby will not catch the disease through your breast milk and will receive protection.
Stomach virus:
While nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are uncomfortable symptoms — at best — the stomach virus cannot cause more milk to develop. In fact, like any other condition, your baby may be getting very good antibodies.
Coronavirus and COVID-19:
Although there is still much unknown surrounding the transmission of the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19, preliminary research shows that the virus is not transmitted with breast milk.
One recent study found that the antibodies found in breast milk can provide an infant with acquired immunity to COVID-19 — during breastfeeding alone.
The study suggests that the antibodies found in breast milk can also be cross-reactive — meaning they will fight components of the SARS-CoV-2 virus as a result of a breastfeeding parent being exposed to another strain of the coronavirus, or possibly flu virus.
If you have COVID-19 and prefer to continue breastfeeding, be sure to clean your hands frequently and often — and before breastfeeding.
Conclusion:
If you are wondering when does breastfeeding get easier for new moms, then you are probably looking for ways that you can make it much easier for you both. If you find that you have a little trouble at first, then you should just remember that the most important thing is that you are enjoying the experience with your baby. By enjoying it, you are going to ensure that you are giving your baby the best possible chance at getting the milk that he or she needs. Once you figure out when breastfeeding gets easier, you can move on to other parts of motherhood. | https://medium.com/@quickein/what-does-breastfeeding-feel-like-592505b04862 | [] | 2021-07-15 18:59:32.068000+00:00 | ['Baby'] |
What is a Safe Score to Post in ODIs? | What is a Safe Score to Post in ODIs?
Exploring what makes up a safe first innings score & building a model to quantitatively guide the assessment mid-game
Back in the 90s, 250 used to be considered a par first innings ODI score. In the late 90s and a large part of the 2000s, this became a 280. 300 was still considered to be a sure-shot victory. I vividly remember India chasing down 315 against Pakistan at Dhaka in the Independence Cup in the late 1990s, the highest chase at the time, and it was considered to be heroic. It was heroic.
Recently, we have seen some seemingly crazy totals being set, and chased down in the World Cup 2019 warm ups and some pre-world cup games.
Fig. 1: Successfully Chased Down Total Over the Years. (90th percentile indicates that the top 10% of chases were between this line and the max line)
Yes, that huge spike at 434 in 2006 is the incredible Herschelle Gibbs led heist by South Africa against the Aussies.
We are in an age where no total seems unassailable. At the same time, we have also seen a bunch of matches in the recently concluded CWC2019, where even a 240 produced a close contest. “Seems” isn’t enough though. Let’s see if we can quantify this, figure out what a safe first innings total is, and explore some of the factors that affect it.
Starting Simple & Stupid
Let’s start by being very naive and figure out, given a target, what the likelihood of it being chased down is. Since every single target possible hasn’t been achieved multiple times for us to calculate a statistical aggregation, we can bucket the targets into bins.
Fig. 2: Chasing Outcomes Based on Binned Targets Regardless of Context
While there still aren’t too many matches at very low and very high scores, maybe it is acceptable for us to not have a good estimate in these ranges; since, for these scores, the question of whether a target is chase-able may not arise. But then, when it does arise, these are the ranges where answering the question accurately, would be most critical.
However, the score alone couldn’t possibly be the only consideration. A 300 against an Australia on a flat wicket surely can’t provide the same level of assurance as a 180 against a Canada on a green top. When we start slicing the above by more and more factors (e.g. the chasing team), we don’t have a lot of matches to give signal to our model. Consider this: India & Australia are arguably two of the most active (play a lot of games) teams on the circuit. But, before World Cup 2019 and since 2011, both have played just 2 games at Lord’s. Australia last played at Lord’s in 2015.
Context Matters
Before we talk about the sparsity of scenarios further, let’s think about factors apart from the target itself that could be interesting? The conditions at the ground are the first thing that come to mind. Since I don’t have data available on pitch conditions, we will look at chased totals by ground.
A lot of the visuals in this piece use box-plots to represent distributions. Here is a good primer of box-plots. The gist is that the solid rectangle represents the meat of the data distribution and the lines or whiskers represent the extent of the extreme values.
Fig. 3: Chasing Results on Grounds w/ Most Matches Played Since 2011
We see here, that identifying the ground that a game is being played at, determines the confidence with which we can say whether a chase will be successful or not. Think about the overlap in distributions for winning and losing as an indication of uncertainty. Given the lack of an overlap in the distributions for victories and defeats while chasing, for grounds like Bulawayo & Colombo, we can be much more confident about setting a target if we were the team batting first. On the other hand, if we were playing at the Oval, we would be far less confident about setting a target in the 300 range since the overlap between the two distributions is significant, suggesting that the game could go either way if the target is in that range.
Another factor that should determine a successful chase is the chasing team itself.
Fig. 4: Chasing Results by Chasing Team
Again, overlapping distributions in victory and defeat suggest uncertainty of success, given a target in the overlapping range. As a team setting a target, one would be much more confident in setting Pakistan or West Indies a target, than they would against Australia, South Africa or Bangladesh, since there is a clear separation between the meats of the distributions for Pakistan & West Indies. Note, that the ideal safe score would also be different between these teams, because the distributions are centered at different scores and the separation between the distributions happens at a different score.
A Short Digression on The Goodness of Chasing Teams
When we talk about teams that chase well, it isn’t just the total that they chase down, but also how consistently they do it. Since 2011, Australia, England & India have been the best chasers, but Australia have won less consistently when chasing huge totals as evident in the larger overlap in their winning and losing distributions while chasing. Fig. 5 shows this more intuitively. Here, on the X-axis, we are looking at the 80th percentile score chased down for each team, implying that for all the targets chased down, 20% were above this score. The Y-axis shows the proportion of successes when posed a target above the 80th percentile score i.e. how consistently teams chase down these large targets.
Fig. 5: Chasing Capacity & Consistency of Teams Since 2011
Collapses Are Costly
In addition to the venue itself, another indicator of the pitch and conditions is also how the team batting first got to their total. Let’s look at the number of wickets that teams lose in the first innings and how that affects the success of a chase. (In a later piece, I intend to take a more nuanced look at how the first innings progressed, to get an indication of whether the pitch was slowing down or becoming flatter and drier towards the end.) Intuitively, we would expect that teams that lose a lot of wickets, have their premier batsmen spending less time at the crease, and so are unable to get to really high scores. This is illustrated by the data. The lower the set target, the more wickets the team batting first is likely to have lost.
Fig. 6: Wickets Lost Per Target Bin By Chasing Result
However, we see that the correlation to wickets lost in the first innings goes even further. Especially for higher totals, even within a given score range, when the chasing team wins, the team batting first usually loses more wickets than they do when the chasing team is unsuccessful. Note that this isn’t directly causal; it doesn’t imply that you have to conserve wickets if you get to higher totals in order to win. This may indicate that the pitches on which these higher scores are achieved are playing true throughout the day and the team batting first was unable to set a higher total due to a collapse, thus not having a safe score on the board.
Time to Touch Base & Re-Orient
At this point, we have a few different factors that we believe affect the probability of a first innings score being safe enough to secure victory. We have:
The score posted itself The ground on which the match is being played, giving us a signal on ground size, outfield, and pitch quality The number of wickets lost by the team batting first in posting the total, indicating how the conditions are on that particular day The team chasing
These are all things that we would know at the innings break. If we now build a model that uses all of these factors, we should get a good indication on whether the team batting first has achieved a safe score. We could also use the same model during the first innings itself to determine what a safe score to post would be.
Handling The Sparsity Elephant
Let’s briefly go back to the sparsity issue that we touched upon earlier. Since we don’t have all possible scenarios played out for us enough times to base our judgement on, we will stick to a few key signals and refrain from pretending that we know a lot when we don’t. For example, we know about how well a particular team chases and how successful chasing teams are at a particular venue. But we don’t have a lot of signal on how well a given team chases at a given venue. One way to address this would be to identify similarities between teams and venues and cross-pollinate information across teams and/or venues weighted by similarity. However, we won’t go there in this piece.
To address the sparsity issue in the choice of a model, I decided to use a Bayesian approach. This allows us to use partial information that we may have in a given situation. For example, if a certain team hasn’t set a given total before or played on the ground in question before, we can still make a reasonable prediction using the model by using information on how the team has done in general and how the other teams have done on the ground. We do this by assuming that the factors that we are considering are independent of each other. So, if we consider the target and the ground we will assume that the target isn’t dependent on the chasing team or the ground and that it could have been the target regardless of which team was doing the chasing. From Fig. 3, we see that this isn’t such a bad assumption. While some grounds do see more high scoring or low scoring games than others, overall, targets have spanned a wide range on most grounds.
Additionally, it allows us to incorporate any prior beliefs that we may have regarding the situation at hand e.g. if we have reason to believe that the chasing team has an unequal chance of success. We will see how this can be useful in the section on pressure games later in this piece.
Win the Toss, Bat First?
While there are several opinions in pop discussions on whether batting first or chasing is a good idea in ODIs, the data (463 wins, 446 losses, 12 ties, 11 no results since 2011) suggests that almost exactly half of all games are won by the chasing team. So, given no additional information, both teams have an equal chance of winning. This tells us that the toss is important given the context of the match, not in isolation; which is a good thing for the game. This 50:50 win-loss ratio is what we will use as a prior assumption for our model.
So, How Well Does This Work?
We will let the model learn from matches played between Jan 2011 and the beginning of World Cup 2019. We will then see how well the model does on the matches in the World Cup.
While it is harder to visualize how the model works across factors, here is how it works for just the target score dimension.
Fig. 7: Model Predictions Overlaid on Actual Data
Fig. 7 shows how adding the contextual signals on conditions and chasing team help to differentiate likelihood of a successful chase for the same target.
Now, let us look at how the model works for matches from CWC2019 that were not used in building the model. This is akin to having had the model built at the beginning of CWC2019 and evaluating each match at the innings break.
Fig. 8: Predicted Probability Distributions By Actual Match Result
Overall, we see very good results where the bulk of the predicted probabilities of the target being chased down are in line with the actual outcome of the match. Note, that the focus here is not on doing a black/white prediction on the outcome of the match, but instead, on assessing the safety net provided by the posted total.
We do see that the lower tail of the distribution where the chasing team pulled off a victory goes down below 0.2 (20% probability). This suggests that there were matches for which our model would have given a false sense of security as far as the safety net provided by the target was concerned. There were four matches where the predicted probability was below 40% and yet, the team batting second won.
Bangladesh pulled off an emphatic win against the West Indies riding on the brilliance of Shakib Al Hassan & Litton Das on the smallish county ground at Taunton. The 321 total posted by the West Indies, was deemed 40–50 short by Jason Holder, but note that Taunton hasn’t hosted an international ODI in a long time and so we don’t have a lot of signal on the ground, West Indies lost 8 wickets getting to the 321 themselves (which in this case was due to poor batting, but could have been due to a changing wicket), and Bangladesh’s highest successful chase since 2011 had been a 318; all of which don’t exactly align with the manner in which Bangladesh executed the chase.
Two of the other matches in these 4, were in Birmingham which hasn’t seen too many high scoring games, with a highest successful chase of 277 since 2011.
The predicted probability for the India vs Sri Lanka game at Leeds may be a bit of a surprise in the context of the tournament, but Leeds has seen 3 victories and 4 losses by chasing teams since 2011 including a loss for India when chasing 294 against England in 2014 in the only game they have played at the ground. Besides, a 65% probability should, by no means, have lured any team into a sense of safety.
The Big Three Pressure Games
Finally, let’s look at the knockout games that decided the tournament. These are particularly interesting because the targets for each of these games were similar and so their assessment truly gives us an indication of how other factors play into the elasticity of that safety net for the team batting first. Our model predicted a probability of India chasing down the 239 in the first semi-final at 80%. England had it easier at 94% against Australia at Edgbaston and somewhat harder in the final at 67%. These outcomes are not surprising and they show how good New Zealand were against India at Old Trafford. It also puts England’s dominance at Edgbaston in perspective, despite them chasing a similar target. But, it truly helps us understand how close that final was set up to be even before England had played a single ball in the second innings. This was definitely not the popular perspective during the innings break at the fan zone in Trafalgar square where I happened to catch the game.
Let’s add some more color to this by considering that these being high pressure games, the chasing team were always going to be under additional pressure. If we factor this in by changing our prior assumption of a 50:50 chance of victory for each team to a 60:40 in favor of the team batting first, our model’s output for the probability of a successful chase changes to 66%, 94% & 47% for SF1, SF2, and the Final, respectively. This makes New Zealand’s semi-final win look a bit less like an upset than it was popularly perceived to be (maybe because India are always unbeatable when it comes to being popular favourites), and speaks to how Ravi Jadeja & Dhoni lit up that chase under pressure to get India so close, after a top order collapse that must have left that probability number reeling. This new set of outputs also makes the tied final a likely event! Both of these, would have been extremely valuable & insightful pieces of information to have at the innings break for each of those matches.
As it turns out, this 60:40 assumption isn’t unreasonable. In fact, it may be a bit conservative. Only 14 of the 43 matches with results before the knockouts at CWC2019 were won by the chasing team. So, the prior, in hindsight, should have been 67.5:32.5. Using this would give us predicted probabilities of 52%, 94%, 31% for the two Semi-Finals and the Final respectively. Note, how England were such overwhelming favourites at Edgbaston for the second Semi-Final, that the prior assumptions hardly change the guidance for that game.
The Final
Kane Williamson has spoken of having thought that a 240 would be a good total when he was batting with Ross Taylor in the Semi-Final against India. And that turned out to be just enough after India were 24/4 in the first 10. But you can’t expect that kind of a top order collapse every time you go out to bowl, and sure enough, England struggled early in the final, but didn’t lose too many wickets and got a few boundaries in as well. Our model shows that New Zealand were actually better off at the innings break against England than they were against India. The question is: what would have been a winning total to set for New Zealand in the finals without being over-optimistic about their bowling line-up?
Fig. 9: Safe Score Under Different Scenarios For the CWC2019 Final
The answer lies in the Fig. 9. Here, we use our model to look at the probability of England chasing different targets down for different scenarios of wickets lost in the first innings. Remember, we are using wickets lost as an indicator of the conditions, and of whether the team batting first were able to have their top batters utilize those conditions to achieve a target to their full potential.
Note, how the lines in Fig. 9 are slightly wider at lower scores than they are at higher ones. This makes sense because the wickets lost is only an indicator of whether a higher score could have been achieved. However, intuitively, the lines should be much closer or convergent at very higher totals. Since we are using wickets lost and scores achieved as independent factors, the model doesn’t pick this up. The catch is, that using them together would have sparse data that our model would have to interpolate from. Replacing wickets lost with an innings progression metric and adding actual information on conditions are likely to help this.
The further up you go on the Y-axis, the less safe your total is. I would think that New Zealand would have felt comfortable being at about 2:1 odds of winning or at a probability of about 0.33 (33%) for England to chase the total down. This would put them at about a 260. Sounds about right in hindsight, doesn’t it? | https://medium.com/boundary-line/what-is-a-safe-score-to-post-in-odis-db615680382d | ['Amol Desai'] | 2020-05-30 16:06:50.152000+00:00 | ['Cricket', 'Data Science', 'Analytics', 'Sports Analytics'] |
Baked Chicken in Brown Rice, with Vegetables | If you can’t look it in the eye, you shouldn’t eat it. (Photo by Sheri Hooley on Unsplash)
This is a baked chicken with rice recipe. It has vegetables. That’s it, sorry. No elaborate stories about my childhood or amusing anecdotes. If you want this to be like most online recipes, just keep reading this paragraph over and over for the next 15 minutes before getting to the recipe.
Chicken Preparation
Cut up chicken into pieces (2 legs, 2 thighs, 2 wings-tips cut off). Cut breasts off the bone and into 2–3 parts, each. Reserve back and wing tips. Put chicken parts (except back, wing tips, and breastbone with ribs) into bowl with enough mojo to barely cover. Mix chicken parts in mojo with hands. Mix the chicken pieces every 15–20 minutes throughout the following steps until stock is finished (see “Stock Preparation”). At that point, take the chicken out of the mojo and let it sit on a rack over a cooking sheet to drip.
Stock Preparation
Put chicken back, breast/ribs, and wing tips in saucepan with enough water to cover and season with some salt and pepper. Bring to boil, skim, and turn down heat to medium. Simmer one hour, covered. After an hour, strain bones from stock and pick off meat. Set meat aside. Boil stock down to 2 cups volume. Add three cups of vegetable broth. Bring back to boil and turn down to low simmer, covered.
Vegetable Preparation
While making and reducing the stock, chop onion and carrots into roughly half-inch chunks. Roast and peel peppers and cut into short strips.
Bring it Together
Heat Dutch oven and splash in a bit of olive oil. Brown chicken pieces in oil, starting skin side down (if any skin on the piece). Do not crowd the chicken. Do it in shifts if you have to. Once chicken is browned, add a bit more olive oil to the pan and cook the onions and carrots together, with a bit of salt and pepper, until the onions are translucent. Then pour in hot stock/broth mixture, the peppers, the meat picked from the bones, and the rice. Add a half tablespoon of salt and ¾ teaspoon of black pepper. Stir. Layer chicken onto mixture, putting the nicest looking pieces on top. Skinless pieces shouldn’t go on top. Cover Dutch oven. Bake at 350 degrees 1 hour, 15 minutes covered. Remove cover and continue to bake until liquid is absorbed into the rice. Remove from heat and cover. Let rest 10 minutes before serving. | https://medium.com/@bryanmaloney1/baked-chicken-in-brown-rice-with-vegetables-d06b3c3d4a45 | ['Bryan Maloney'] | 2020-02-14 15:13:08.029000+00:00 | ['Baked Chicken', 'Recipe', 'Baking', 'Chicken Recipes', 'Cooking'] |
Art: Self Inflicted Pain. Surrealism is anything but friendly. In… | Surrealism is anything but friendly. In Dalí, surrealism melts away our understanding of physical reality. Surrealism, at its core, aims to create a sense of disorientation-the world is moments away from falling apart.
In his artwork, David Sampar does the opposite. He creates what I’ll call a “friendly surrealism”: artwork that can feel disorienting but could also draw you in. When I first saw this piece, it reminded me of a textured, flat-design version of 90s graphic design.
There’s a clear sense of pain-the purple being is having his face smashed into a rugged surface. But there’s also indifference; the worst kind of reaction toward violence is apathy.
The purple being, whether it represents Mother Nature or Human Nature, seem to want to control, or re-orient the man and the woman lounging on his head. But it’s out of its control. Surrealism is at work both in the conceptual technique, but also in the meta-narrative of the piece.
The colors, the style, it all works together to create a picture of stasis, of friendliness. Under the surface, routine and dissatisfaction take over, and even a puppet master can’t fight mundanity. | https://medium.com/moonstone-magazine/art-self-inflicted-pain-moonstone-magazine-4a4312ce5917 | ['Stefano Cagnato'] | 2020-12-25 20:08:22.286000+00:00 | ['Design', 'Surrealism', 'Digital Art', 'Illustration', 'Art'] |
Thank you for your response, which has made me reflect on my own thinking about gender. | Thank you for your response, which has made me reflect on my own thinking about gender. I don’t think the author was arguing that women are better, but that character qualities and life experience of women equips them to handle humanitarian crises with the care, compassion and selflessness lacking in male leaders with macho traits.
I don’t think women are getting a special shout in this piece because they are women per se. Ardern and Merkel have been more effective in this crisis by showing traits more usually associated with being female. As women, they have grown up having to fight for roles that are dominated by the traditional male. But we are well aware that men have had to fight too — it wasn’t long ago that Liberal Party Jeremy Thorpe had to lead two lives. One to appease the public and his political peers and the other to be himself.
I also think the author made it clear that “macho” is the traditional view of masculinity embodied by Trump, Johnson and Bolsonaro. I don’t see all men as macho and I don’t see machismo being problematic in all situations. However, it is problematic for national leaders who need to bring people together for the common good. Machismo is a state of mind that can come from feelings of insecurity and inferiority, which could make it more extreme and dangerous.
I don’t think other politicians in the same party as Trump or Johnson would behave in the same way. They would certainly follow the party line, but the behaviour of these men is unique to them. That’s why they managed to secure these top positions. Neither has the political background, but there was enough discontent with the status quo that a populist was able to capture the public imagination and unbelievably, their trust and votes. Politics at this level seems now to be more about personality and less about ability. Crazy.
Rather than put women on a pedestal, I think this article challenges the dominance of the traditional male in leadership roles. The author could have made it clearer that gender does not define the best leaders but character traits do. In my view, the traits of compassion, selflessness, honesty, self-awareness, humility and cooperation are key.
I can see where you’re coming from about equality in 2020. If we want equality, why are we highlighting the achievements of marginal groups? We need to do this because the scales are still tipped heavily in favour of the white straight male. We need to provide role models for marginal groups to show what is possible. Gender at birth does not in itself define your character and it should not define your life opportunities. We need to normalise that attitude, starting with parenting that allows children to develop in ways that feel natural to them. It’s okay for our daughters to have trains and dinosaurs and our sons to have dolls and teddy bears. Pink and blue baby clothes should be history. Why would we want to limit our children’s experiences?
While I don’t agree that “most people are decent beings”, I agree that they could be. This crisis has revealed people’s nature to be decent beings when they aren’t distracted by the material trappings and trivial problems of ‘normal’ life. It’s interesting that the people who are often invisible in society — our cleaners, transport workers, refuse workers, food retail workers as well as those underappreciated in healthcare, social care and education are now those we depend on day-to-day. I hope we emerge from this pandemic with a clearer idea of how we must value people, nature and the environment equally.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Akshay. What I love about @Medium is reading and sharing views and ideas. This platform is a place where everyone has a voice and is heard. | https://medium.com/@TracyBrighten1/thank-you-for-your-response-which-has-made-me-reflect-on-my-own-thinking-about-gender-45674fd1e5fa | ['Tracy Brighten'] | 2020-04-23 13:28:26.693000+00:00 | ['Leadership Skills', 'Gender Roles', 'Gender Equality', 'Gender'] |
Ghana a rising model for Africa in a tale of two elections; Ghana’s Election campaigns end peacefully in sharp contrast to the violent images coming from the East African country of Uganda | In a few days time, on Monday 7th of December 2020, Ghana goes to the polls where the incumbent is seeking another term.
As the campaign closes, to date, there thankfully has not been reported violence that has the propensity to capture international headlines.
This followed a pact between the two main rivals to ensure peace and accept the outcome of the elections, which has generally characterised the peaceful transfer of power from incumbents to the opposition.
‘I WILL ACCEPT THE VERDICT OF GHANAIANS ON 7TH DECEMBER — PREZ AKUFO-ADDO @NAkufoAddo has reiterated his commitment to the peace and stability of the country, & has assured the Ghanaian people of his readiness to accept the verdict of the election. #VoteNumber1 #MaintainNanaAddo’
This is in sharp contrast to some of the African countries, where elections are characterised by vicious violence, attacks on the opposition, mass arbitrary arrests and killings of unarmed civilians. | https://medium.com/@w-today/as-ghana-goes-to-elections-commonwealth-sends-observers-b6f1c72f2756 | ['Roland Cunningham'] | 2020-12-05 16:02:42.662000+00:00 | ['Ghana', 'Bobi Wine', 'Violence'] |
Call or email with a cold list — only on Opposite Day. | Tap into warm connections instead.
Stephen Heitz, Chief Innovation Officer; Tim Trull, Managing Director Account Planning and Strategy
This article is a brief abstract of our exclusive and authoritative study that takes the guesswork out of technology advertising and marketing. Rather than speculating about what will drive B2B technology consumers to action, we’ve asked them.
No one likes to be interrupted. Whether you’re at home whipping up dinner or at work digging into an important report, a visit, phone call, email, text or any other type of unexpected communication from someone you don’t know will get little — if any — of your attention. Perhaps that’s why only 4% of survey respondents overall said they prefer telemarketing or cold calls when considering technology products or services.
Still, telemarketing does have its place. It costs about 80% less, for example, to make phone calls instead of visiting potential clients in person. It also provides a way to reach customers who would not likely make the trip to your place of business. And some of those who do answer the call will be happy to learn why they should adopt your solution for survival in a world of disruptive technology. If just such advice and education are what you’re selling, you could score some major wins. But expecting a prospect to make a final purchasing decision after a single phone call might be, well, a little over optimistic.
The term “cold calling” can also be applied to B2B email marketing or sending message blasts on social media if the list does not key in on prequalified recipients with a reasonable expectation of receiving your message. Compared to a ROI of 4,400% for B2C email marketing efforts using an opt-in list, results for B2B will likely be disappointing — especially with a scraped or cold list.
Business size does matter, but only slightly. Of those surveyed who generate less than $1 million in annual revenue, only 2% responded positively to telemarketing and cold calls, while businesses generating $10 million or more in annual revenue revealed a 6% preference for this marketing tactic.
One possible solution to avoid making calls or sending emails that leave recipients cold is to use intelligent methods to identify warm leads. In doing so, it’s more crucial than ever to work with a business partner capable of gathering and analyzing relevant data. Gartner Blog Network® member Todd Berkowitz predicted the rise in access to intelligent data will lead to more personalized emails to more targeted lists in 2017 and beyond based on technographics, intent and predictive analytics.
This can already be seen with the explosion of big data in 2016 and at least one marketing technology newcomer with a proprietary algorithm to access, analyze and repackage that data at a highly personalized level. Node, a San Francisco-based startup also known as Node.io, uses AI to identify opportunities by diving deep into people-based data for warm connections.
These kinds of services, provided at varying degrees by a variety of providers, make it possible for anyone to take advantage of AI and big data analytics to offer personalization. By 2035, AI could double annual economic growth rates.
However you do it, tap into your connections. If you don’t know how to identify or create them, partner with an organization that does. It’s far better than risking interrupting someone who’s potentially heating up a frozen meal for dinner.
Help is a few keystrokes away. | https://medium.com/lavidge/call-or-email-with-a-cold-list-only-on-opposite-day-37b81ecfa3b9 | ['Points Of View'] | 2017-11-09 17:12:39.353000+00:00 | ['B2b Marketing', 'Technology', 'AI', 'Marketing', 'Cold Calling'] |
Private Sector Partnerships for a Water-Secure Iloilo City | Students attend a Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) educational tour. Photo credit: MIWD
With a rapidly increasing population, Iloilo City, a highly urbanized city in western Philippines has grown to just under 1 million residents. In recent years, the city experienced an economic growth spurt. Commercial and residential buildings are springing up around the city, services and retail businesses are thriving, and tourists are flocking to the city’s landmarks. A potential economic powerhouse, Iloilo City is one of the eight partner cities of the USAID/Philippines through its Cities Development Initiative. Through this initiative, USAID partners with regional growth hubs outside of Metro Manila to be engines of inclusive, sustainable growth.
Despite Iloilo City’s fast-paced growth, water systems have not kept up with the developments. As of 2016, only about 23 percent of the population was connected to piped water service through the government-owned Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD), and those who were connected experienced rationing and low water pressure. For years, MIWD struggled to meet Iloilo City’s growing water needs, but with limited resources. “MIWD has no internal funding [to upgrade and expand its services],” says Imelda Magsuci, MIWD general manager.
An important policy shift occurred in 2013 when the Philippine government actively began to encourage public-private partnerships to spur sustainable development across the country. Municipal water boards, like MIWD, looked to these opportunities with interest. In December 2014, MIWD received an unsolicited proposal from Metro Pacific Water Investments Corporation (MPIC), part of a leading Philippine-based, private infrastructure firm, to rehabilitate, expand, operate, and maintain MIWD’s water systems.
Workers conduct pipeline repairs in Iloilo City’s Megaworld business district. Photo credit: MIWD
Meanwhile, USAID was continuing to respond to U.S. policy priorities to partner with the private sector in advancing development. USAID, through its Water Security for Resilient Economic Growth and Stability, or Be Secure, project helped facilitate the partnership between MIWD and MPIC. “USAID enabled MIWD to evaluate and negotiate the technical, legal, economic, and financial aspects of the proposal, ensuring that consumers will benefit in the best possible way from the partnership,” says Joanne Dulce, USAID/Philippines project manager for water, sanitation, and hygiene.
USAID’s Be Secure project operated for four years (2013–2017) in six target cities, including Iloilo, to expand access to improved water and sanitation to approximately 1.8 million people across the Philippines.
In July 2015, Be Secure began working with MIWD, providing a team of experts to help review an evaluation of the proposal and then, starting in March 2016, with the negotiation process. It would take several more steps to finish the entire process until the contract was awarded, but the project provided the necessary assistance during the critical and arduous stage of the negotiations.
USAID’s Be Secure project ended before final negotiations concluded, but the two parties were far along at that point in successful negotiations, and MIWD was confident to carry out the process on its own. In December 2018, the final agreement was signed. “With expert support from the U.S. Government, MIWD’s joint venture agreement is now in order and has a high degree of integrity and credibility,” says Magsuci.
A technician inspects for water leaks in Iloilo City’s Jaro district. Photo credit: MIWD
Under the joint venture, MPIC will invest nearly $250 million to rehabilitate, upgrade, expand, operate and maintain MIWD’s water distribution facilities. The partnership will provide septage and wastewater treatment services as well as address MIWD’s high rates of non-revenue water or water lost through old and leaky pipes and theft. The partnership aims to expand the water district’s current service coverage and provide access to safe and potable water for the growing population of Metro Iloilo in the next 25 years.
“The U.S. Government believes that the private sector plays a crucial role in the Philippines’ development journey,” says Mission Director of USAID/Philippines Lawrence Hardy II. “USAID is proud to have facilitated this partnership between the Metro Iloilo Water District and the Metro Pacific Water Investment Corporation. This collaboration is a concrete example of how businesses can play a significant role in offering developmental solutions such as advancing water security.”
By Christine Chumbler | https://medium.com/usaid-global-waters/private-sector-partnerships-for-a-water-secure-iloilo-city-d91d0b125328 | ['Usaid Water Team'] | 2019-05-21 14:17:09.430000+00:00 | ['Urban', 'Water', 'Sustainable Development', 'Philippines', 'Public Health'] |
Appeal Court Increases Sentences For Prolific Rapists | Appeal Court Increases Sentences For Prolific Rapists
Sinaga and McCann — Image: UK Police
Who is Joseph McCann?
Joseph McCann had convictions stretching back nearly 20 years when the then 34-year-old began his ‘spree’ campaign of cocaine-and-vodka-fuelled rapes in 2019.
His previous convictions, which had resulted in prison time, included violent offending as well as a property crime such as burglary. The Courts had not convicted McCann of any sexual offences. Critically, however, the Probation Service and Prison Officers failed properly to share or act on information that should have warned of his propensity to commit such crimes.
Personnel changes, inexperienced probation staff, weak management and poor handoffs, with other mistakes, allowed this man largely to disappear after his early release from prison. He began a ‘spree’ of offences including eight rapes, sometimes of children, as well as threatening victims with extreme violence. He had been released from prison only in February 2019 and was committing these offences in April and May of the same year. A jury found McCann guilty of 37 charges relating to 11 victims, including kidnap and false imprisonment as well as the rapes.
At McCann’s trial, Mr Justice Edis described McCann as a ‘classic psychopath’.
McCann’s offending was not sophisticated or hidden. Police had identified McCann as the suspect right at the beginning of the series of crimes, but it took 15-days before Police had him in custody and he continued to offend right up until Police stopped him.
The judge in this trial said that there should be an independent investigation into how the system had failed to protect McCann’s victims from him. Mr Justice Edis said: “This was a campaign of rape, violence and abduction of a kind which I have never seen or heard of before. Joseph McCann, you are very dangerous indeed to people who are weaker than you are.”
The Court gave McCann life imprisonment with a minimum sentence of 30 years and described him in Court as being a coward and a violent bully, entirely obsessed with himself and quite without empathy.
McCann’s ‘spree’ offending
The Court heard from a probation officer who warned McCann for failing to disclose that he had started a new relationship, which was a condition of his parole because of a previous record for domestic violence. McCann became very unhappy when his new fiancé’s parents found out about the restriction and broke off the relationship. McCann considered that the family thought him to be a sex offender.
Going ‘off the rails’, McCann abducted his first victim off the street in the English town of Watford, near London. Early on the morning of April 21st 2019, he raped the woman in her bed. The woman named McCann as her attacker to Police.
Police did not apprehend McCann. On April 25th he snatched a 25-year-old woman off the street in the London borough of Walthamstow, and he also raped her in an ordeal lasting 14-hours.
Hours later, in north London, CCTV recorded McCann forcing another young woman into his car. Her sister, who had been with her, escaped and ran away, screaming. The woman he had pushed into the vehicle hit McCann over the head with a vodka bottle, and she also escaped.
Police circulated an image of McCann taken from the CCTV, and he was named in a tip-off, allowing Police to tie the series of crimes together.
By May 5th, McCann was 200-miles away in Manchester. He was taken home by a woman he met in a bar there, and after tieing her up, he sexually assaulted her children aged 17 and 11 years. The 17-year-old girl escaped, jumping from an upstairs window. The girl was able to alert Police about the ‘evil’ man. McCann also raped her 11-year-old brother.
The next day, McCann attacked further victims. A 14-year-old girl was travelling in a car with a 71-year-old woman. McCann raped the older woman before he abducted and assaulted the 14-year-old. Both of these victims then got away.
McCann’s trail of offending was coming to an end. He forced two 14-year-old girls into his car by threatening to ‘chop them up’ with a machete. A Police patrol car spotted McCann’s car; The Police gave chase. After crashing his car into another vehicle, McCann escaped on foot. The Police utilised their helicopter in the pursuit, and the helicopter crew were able to direct Police officers to the tree up which McCann was hiding. The Police persuaded McCann to come down and give himself up.
McCann was later to criticise law enforcement for not catching him sooner, saying the later offences were all only committed because the Police had failed to stop him after the first couple of attacks.
After the verdicts, the Probation Service issued an unreserved apology for the failure which had allowed McCann to be released in February that year, only halfway through a three-year sentence he was serving for burglary.
Who is Reynhard Sinaga?
37-years-old at the time of his January 2020 trial, Sinaga is an Indonesian citizen who was in the UK to study at the University of Manchester. However, he was no longer enrolled there as a student when he was brought to justice and was a post-grad student.
His modus operandi could hardly be less like that of McCann.
Between January 2015 and June of 2017, when Police apprehended Sinaga, he lured dozens of potentially vulnerable, primarily heterosexual men to his Manchester city-centre apartment, under the pretence of helping them, before drugging and raping them. Prosecutors charged Sinaga with 136 counts of rape against 48 men: Subsequent and on-going investigation puts the potential numbers much higher — at December 2020, Police believe there may be 206 victims, of whom 60 are as-yet unidentified.
Sinaga was shown on CCTV images, prowling the city centre at the time pubs, bars and clubs were closing down, searching for potential victims. He often targeted men who were alone and drunk and would offer assistance, such as helping them get a taxi home or giving them a place to stay, taking them back to his apartment. Sinaga would offer these victims an alcoholic drink which had he had spiked with a ‘date rape’ type substance. Once they were unconscious, Sinaga would sexually assault them.
Judge Suzanne Goddard QC described Sinaga as a “monster” and said he was “an evil sexual predator”.
Because of the date-rape drugs that Sinaga had given them, many of the victims had little or no memory of the offences committed against them.
Judge Goddard sentenced Sinaga to life imprisonment with a 30-year tariff.
How did Sinaga get caught?
Sinaga used a mobile phone to film himself sexually assaulting and raping his victims. Police were to discover three terabytes of data, showing Sinaga attacking and penetrating his victims.
His last victim, an 18-year-old student who was also a rugby player, woke whilst Sinaga was assaulting him. He fought back against Sinaga, beating Sinaga badly in the process. He then fled and reported the offence to the Police. Initially, the Police arrested the victim. However, as they began to analyse the video footage, they understood the situation and Sinaga came to be seen as the offender and not the victim.
As well as filming his assaults on them, Sinaga took ‘trophies’ from his victims. These personal items helped Police to identify some of these victims. The things he took included phones and ID cards, which Police recovered from Sinaga’s apartment. Sinaga also boasted in chatrooms about his activity, posting messages such as “SuperRay saves straight guys from their monstrous girlfriends”.
Police continue to analyse the footage recovered on more than one mobile phone and as already stated, now believe there may be more than 200 victims. An appeal has been launched for more potential victims to come forward.
The earliest victims recorded in the UK are from 2015, although Police believe Sinaga may have been offending before this. They also consider he may have committed offences as early as 2005, two years before he arrived in the UK.
What has happened?
The UK Solicitor General has responsibility under the law for the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme (ULS), acting in the role of ‘Guardian of the Public Interest’.
Under this scheme, the Solicitor General can, within 28-days of a UK Court handing down a ruling, request that the UK Court of Appeal look at the sentence given. If the Appeal Court consider it to be unduly lenient, they can increase it to what they believe the correct sentence should have been. The Appeal Court will give a ruling and, usually, some guidance also. This guidance is legal precedent, and in the future, Courts will take account of the guidelines the Appeal Court has given.
In the last year, two prolific rapists have come before Crown Courts in England. Although both men were found guilty of multiple rapes, their crimes were otherwise very different. However, both Joseph McCann and Reynhard Sinaga were given life sentences (the only sentence that can be provided for rape in a Court in England and Wales), with a 30-year tariff, that is the minimum term that they must serve before they can apply for parole.
In both cases, the current Solicitor General, Michael Ellis QC MP, referred the matters to the Appeal Court using the ULS.
The Court of Appeal considered these cases in October 2020 and announced their decision in December.
The Appeal Court found in McCann and Sinaga that the sentence given was too lenient and increased the minimum tariff from 30 to 40-years. The Court also guided when a case might have meant that a Whole of Life tariff would have been appropriate. The Appeal Court did not find those conditions met in these cases.
McCann and Sinaga must both now serve 40-year sentences before the Parole Board can consider release. Release for McCann and Sinaga will not be automatic after they have served 40 years, it will still be necessary for them to convince an Appeal Board that they no longer represent a threat to the public before release. Sinaga is a foreign national, being in the UK as a student, and will also be subject to deportation once finally released.
(The Court of Appeal gave guidance on sentencing. A Whole-of-Life sentence is the most severe sentence that is possible in British jurisprudence. Courts must reserve this punishment for the most severe offences, where the perpetrator has killed someone, or where there would have been deaths had the Police not intervened in time. The Court further said that these offences were grave but did not reach the standard for a Whole-of-Life tariff: However, the sentence handed down by the Court, in both cases, was unduly lenient and was to be increased from 30 to 40-years.)
Court of Appeal increases sentences for both men
Speaking after the Court of Appeal judgement was handed down, the Solicitor General, Michael Ellis QC MP said:
“Both offenders carried out some of the most heinous and depraved sexual attacks that shocked the nation. I am grateful for the guidance the Court gave about whole life orders, and I am pleased that the Court imposed a longer minimum term. I hope this brings some solace to the victims of these despicable crimes.”
References and further reading
· Reynhard Sinaga — Wikipedia
· Joseph McCann: Serial rapist freed by ‘unstable’ probation staff — BBC News
· Reynhard Sinaga: Serial rapist ‘abused 206 men’ — BBC News
· Liverpool news Notorious rapists have minimum jail terms increased PremierLeague-News.Com — UK News — PremierLeague-News.Com (premierleague-news.com)
· guidance from appeal court on whole of life tariff in rape cases — Bing
· Joseph McCann (criminal) — Wikipedia
Footnote: The Solicitor General is a British Government appointment, who supports the Attorney General. The current appointee, Michael Ellis, is a QC and MP. QC is an abbreviation for ‘Queens Council’. QC’s are experienced barristers who may appear in all the Courts, and a QC on each side will typically lead significant cases. MP means that this person is a Member of Parliament, the 650-strong elected lower house of the British Parliamentary system. | https://medium.com/the-true-crime-edition/appeal-court-increases-sentences-for-prolific-rapists-a9b9ade495fa | ['Andy Killoran'] | 2020-12-15 13:58:49.983000+00:00 | ['Rape', 'Sentence', 'True Crime', 'Crime', 'Jail Time'] |
Engaging Ideas — 3/18 | A collection of recent stories and reports that sparked consideration on ways to make progress on divisive issues.
Democracy
At SXSW, Obama Calls for More Civic Engagement in Digital Age (Tech.co)
Ronald Barba writes: President Barack Obama made his inaugural appearance at this year’s SXSW to discuss the importance of utilizing today’s digital tools and technological advancements to greatly improve and support civic engagement. Sitting with Evan Smith of The Texas Tribune, the President talked over many topics, including the increasing role of government in streamlining the process for aspiring entrepreneurs, how a private-public partnership between The White House and Silicon Valley is helping to solve our nation’s problems, and even touched upon the civil liberties issues surrounding Apple’s privacy case. More relevant to our election season, though, President Obama called for a better process to engage citizens in the electoral process.
Mediating Political Gridlock (WNYC)
Being a political mediator is no easy gig. Just ask seasoned mediator, Mark Gerzon, president of Mediators Foundation and the author of The Reunited States of America: How We Can Bridge the Partisan Divide. He’s advised a number of groups, political actors, and corporations on bipartisanship. Listen as Gerzon mediates a conversation between a guns rights enthusiast and an anti-guns skeptic.
Engagement
The Power of Convening for Social Impact (Standford Social Innovation Review)
Bringing people together in an environment that encourages and facilitates idea exchange is one of the most powerful communications strategies for driving change.
K-12 Education
Education Is Absent From the 2016 Presidential Race (EdWeek)
The 2016 election vindicates Neil Postman’s ominous prophecy that we are “amusing ourselves to death,” writes T. Robinson Ahlstrom.
What the Candidates Get Wrong About Charter Schools (The Atlantic)
Fact-checking Bernie Sanders — and the other presidential contenders — on their understanding of the public education institutions
Raising My Teacher Voice to Save My Job — and My Students’ Success (Real Clear Education)
Karen Wolfson writes: What does ‘teacher voice’ actually mean? Until this year, it sounded like a nice phrase, but it didn’t hold much meaning for me… As a multi-classroom leader for fifth- and sixth-grade math at Nashville’s Bailey STEM Magnet Middle School, I get to lead a team of teachers while I continue to work with students and participate on the school leadership team. I spend about 65 percent of my time with students in large- and small-group instruction and blended learning, and 35 percent on leadership work, such as disaggregating my team’s data, researching how to reteach a skill, and meeting with the team or administration.
Higher Education
Report: The 2016 Gubernatorial State of the State Addresses and Higher Education (American Association of State Colleges and Universities)
AASCU has analyzed 41 State of the State and budget addresses that have been given since January 1 of this year to examine how higher education issues fit into governors’ agendas. College completion continues to be a leading concern among governors nationwide.
First Year, First Generation: The thing about money (Newsworks)
The fifth installment of the series covering first generation American students’ college experiences includes a comment from our own Erin Knepler and research we conducted on the myths and realities of why students fail to complete college.
How to Help First-Generation Students Succeed (The Atlantic)
Mikhail Zinshteyn writes: Ninety percent of lower-income first-generation students don’t graduate on time. A combination of simple nudges and regular check-ins from mentors can go a long way.
Podcast: Debatable (Radiolab)
A couple years ago Ryan Wash, a queer, Black, first-generation college student from Kansas City, Missouri joined the debate team at Emporia State University. When he started going up against fast-talking, well-funded, “name-brand” teams, it was clear he wasn’t in Kansas anymore. So Ryan became the vanguard of a movement that made everything about debate debatable. In the end, he made himself a home in a strange and hostile land. Whether he was able to change what counts as rigorous academic argument … well, that’s still up for debate.
Health Care
Toolkit helps develop patient engagement programs (Modern Healthcare)
The American Health Information Management Association has released a free toolkit to guide providers in the development of consumer engagement programs that are part of a larger shift toward value-based payment.
Health Care Delivery Innovations That Integrate Care? Yes! But Integrating What? (Jama)
From the article abstract: To enable improved cost control, quality, and access, US health care delivery is moving from fragmented fee-for-service delivery into various innovative integrated models, including accountable care organizations (ACOs), patient-centered medical homes (PCMHs), and bundles, defined as a coordinated group of services for a specific need, administered over a predefined period. These innovations hold promise for patients whose complex care requirements account for the bulk of health care costs and who would reap the most benefit from a coalesced network of care.
Health Leaders Should Beware of the Lemming Approach to Change (Hospitals & Health Networks)
Matt O’Connor writes: Nathan Kaufman, managing director of Kaufman Strategic Advisors LLC, surveyed the changing landscape, keying in on what health care leaders need to do, what the data suggest and what pitfalls to avoid. “One of the reasons organizations fail is the lemming syndrome,” Kaufman said. Following the strategies of the pack provides comfort and confidence, but there is no ‘magic bullet solution’,” he added. Kaufman offered up payment reform as an example — which, he contended, may not be the answer to reining in health care costs that many believe it is. Instead, cutting down on waste, establishing wellness centers and promoting value-based care may be among the more effective solutions. | https://medium.com/on-the-agenda/engaging-ideas-46e6adba45a2 | ['Public Agenda'] | 2016-03-18 21:19:20.119000+00:00 | ['Education', 'Government', 'Higher Education'] |
Don’t let the fear of errors stop you | When I started coding, I usually ignored reading the errors. It is mainly because of the abundant lines filled with letters in the terminal. Altogether, they look like a big mess, and they seem to be very difficult to comprehend.
When I started coding, I usually ignored reading the errors. It is mainly because of the abundant lines filled with letters in the terminal. Altogether, they look like a big mess, and they seem to be very difficult to comprehend. After a few weeks of continuously coding at Flatiron School, I realized that 99% of the time in coding is seeing those errors. Then, I know I should start to familiarize myself with them. To be completely honest, I don’t really like them. I see them as mundaneness that often makes me exhausted. Most of the time, I had to spend several hours just to fix a typing error. However, if I look at them more positively, the errors resemble as a passive instructor. Errors always have meaning, they give us hints to know the locations of our errors so we can find and fix them. I usually search on google to find a way to fix those errors by reading other people sharing on StackOverflow. Searching on Google does not always guarantee to give me the correct answer, but somehow I can still picturing 30–40% of what it is. And day by day, my ability to read errors has improved. Of course, the usefulness of those errors can never be compared to the real instructors’ guidance. Nevertheless, those errors will be one of my best friends in my coding life.
In this blog, I will show you some common errors that you often see when you learn to build a Rails application.
1. ActionController::RoutingError
When a user has requested a URL: “http://localhost:3000/dogs”, they get this error.
Our terminal would look like this:
Our browser would look like this:
The most possible reason is our application lacks the route for “/dogs”. To fix it, you should go to the application’s “config/routes.rb” file, and add the routes properly. Our “routes.rb” file should look like this to help you pass this error.
In this case, if the URL is “http://localhost:3000/dogs/:id” and you got the same error. You might forget to make the route for “/dogs/:id” in our routes.rb file. If you want to understand more about Rails Routes, come here.
2. ActiveRecord::RecordNotFound
When a user has requested a URL : “http://localhost:3000/dogs/10”, they get this error.
Terminal
Browser
This error is because our database doesn’t exist the dog with id = 10. There are several ways to check what dogs are in our database, but the easiest way is to go to our console to check. In the root directory of our application in the terminal, enter this command:
$ rails c
In our rails console, enter this command:
$ Dog.ids
It will show all the dog id that you have in our database, likes the above picture.
3. ActionController::UrlGenerationError
For example, our migration and controller for dogs look like the pictures above. When we try to create a new dog with the name that exists in my database, it will show us this error
Terminal
Browser
The error is because we set “unique” for our attribute “name” when we create the dogs table and model. It is not a worrying error since it follows our initial purpose to make the dog name unique. In this case, we should render the error to make it has a better display which a user can notice when they try to create the same name dog that we do not allow. Here is one of the solutions.
4. NoMethodError
In this case, our “config/routes.rb” file looks like below
When a user has requested a URL : “http://localhost:3000/dogs”, they get this error.
Terminal
Browser
Most errors name NoMethodError is because we haven’t defined that method anywhere in our application.
In this case, we don’t have “dog_path” method in our application. Why is that? It sounds weird because, as our experience, we didn’t see this error and the dog_path seems right since it likes the helper method URL for our dog show page.
It is because of other apps, we use “resources” in our routes.rb file. When we use “resources :dogs” instead of manually writing routes above, it will create automatical for us the URL helper path for index or show page as a conventional way. (likes dogs_path is the prefix of the dog index page, dog_path is the prefix of dog show page).
If you don’t want to use “resources :dogs”, another way is adding the prefix for our routes (like below):
By the 2 ways above, you successfully define “dog_path” method, so from now, you can use it anywhere you want.
5. NoMethodError: undefined method ‘[]’ for nil:NilClass
For example, we have 2 classes: Dog and Employee. Each employee has only one dog. Our employee model looks like the picture above. Usually, if we call “jim.dog” (jim is our employee instance), it will show us the dog object that Jim belongs to.
But when a user has requested a URL : “http://localhost:3000/employees/14”, they get this error. (14 is employee id of Jim)
Terminal
Browser
Why it can be like that? Our dog class has the attribute “name”. So why can it be undefined method “name”?
The reason here is somehow we already deleted the dog that Jim belongs to. So “jim.dog” will be “nil”. Then we cannot call method “name” for a nil class. That is really tricky but reasonable.
These are 5 common errors that everyone often encounters when working on a Rails application. I hope this blog can help you overcome the fear of errors like I did.
Happy coding! | https://medium.com/@chinguyen21/dont-let-the-fear-of-errors-stop-you-aded1a18e15 | ['Chi Nguyen'] | 2021-01-22 02:22:42.390000+00:00 | ['Restful Api', 'Error Rails', 'Ruby on Rails', 'Ruby', 'Error'] |
Chapter 7 | For Loop | In this chapter, we will learn how to write for loop statement in C#.
The following code (wait for it to load) will explain the same.
In hope you enjoyed this lesson. See you in the next one. Bbye! | https://medium.com/c-sharp-school-by-kmranrg/chapter-7-for-loop-d9ee67c1571 | ['Kumar Anurag'] | 2020-12-27 10:10:05.503000+00:00 | ['C Sharp', 'For Loop'] |
What is ZelCash + ZelCore & How To Mine ZEL on Windows + Linux | What is ZelCash $ZEL anyway?
Watch the full video review & mining guide on ZelCash + ZelCore here!
A GPU mineable platform privacy-centric cryptocurrency w/ a fully functional multi-coin light (no blockchain download) wallet — ZelCash
ZelCash was initially written off by many due to the fact it just looked like a ZenCash clone when it was created in 2018. However, as many other cryptocurrencies lost their original direction (or any real direction for that matter) such as ZenCash which has now rebranded a third time to HoriZEN, ZelCash has been steadily developing their project.
Beardpool — the best ZelCash mining pool & donates to the ZelCash team!
To be clear ZelCash is a code fork of Zcash, led by Miles Manley who works full-time on ZEL.. oh and he is also only 16 years old! ZelCash has very high ambitions, for example, they’re launching their own node structure which will require between $300–$3000+ USD locked up in ZEL used with a $20–$320 a month rented VPS server at current prices.
Some of the key features to note before we jump into the Windows and Linux mining guides are that ZelCash $ZEL is
GPU mineable & ASIC-resistant
Privacy coin with zk-SNARKs technology
Staking through the use of ZelNodes (Masternodes)
Multi-coin light wallet with their own 2fa (d2fa)
Planning to build a Decentralized Exchange DEX
Community votes how to use their funding
How To Mine ZelCash on Windows W/ Fastest Miner
Please review this VoskCoin video guide for a more in-depth tutorial.
1)Simply setup, a mining rig, which the VoskCoin YouTube channel has countless guides on.
2)Simply download the faster ZelCash miner and ZelCash ZelCore wallet here, the fastest miner for ZEL (Equihash 144_5 mining algorithm) is Gminer. AMD can mine ZEL with LOLminer however it is not efficient and your hashrate is better spent elsewhere if you are concerned with daily profitability.
3) Unzip the files, double click Zel_Mining and then Click on Nvidia Miner
4) Right-click mine_zel and input your ZelCash wallet address which will be automatically generated in the ZelCore wallet, add a worker name (optional).
5) Simply double-click the mine_zel file and your miner will begin mining ZelCash on the best ZelCash mining pool that also donates back to the ZelCash team — Beardpool — http://voskco.in/ZELpool
6) Optional — Overclocking, in the folder downloaded under->Tools — navigate to the Overclocker file. From here you can reduce your mining rigs power consumption allowing it to cost less money to run as well as increase your hashrate to mine more ZelCash. Experiment with your own graphics cards, but 75% power limit and +100 core +100 memory is always a good starting point for Nvidia. Personally, I achieve great results with +150 core clock, +500 memory clock, and a power limit of 75% mining ZelCash on Windows with my Nvidia 1070 TI graphics cards.
7) Crack a cold one because you deserve it, congratulations you’re now successfully mining ZelCash on your Windows gaming PC or mining rig! You can now watch the mining payouts roll-in to your ZelCash wallet — they’re automated with Beardpool.
How To Mine ZelCash on Linux W/ Fastest Miner
Please review this VoskCoin video guide for a more in-depth tutorial.
This is a guide on using Simple Miner smOS (Linux based)
1)Simply set up, a mining rig, which the VoskCoin YouTube channel has countless guides on.
2)You’ll need an account with Simple Mining smOS, signup here.
Watch the video guide for getting set up with smOS (not for this exact miner)
3)Once your mining rig and account are set up you will need to navigate to Group Config.
4)Then you will select add group and simply search Gminer or LOLminer (Nvidia/AMD) and then click select miner.
5)Once you select a miner, you’ll input a group name such as CoinMinerPool. Group description is entirely optional and then you can simply copy and paste this into your miner options — then swap out my Zel address for yours!
--algo 144_5 --pers ZelProof --server stratum.beardpool.rocks --port 1234 --user t1NNSSeJzx6DsdUWL9qR8qR8SCz4CqtBgjx.trio --pass x --api 3333
6)From there you will click Rig List and then check the box by your miners name. After selecting your miner(s) you will click Group Config from the top menu and select the group configuration you would like to apply to your miner(s). | https://medium.com/voskcoin/what-is-zelcash-and-how-to-mine-zel-e573a10d7bca | [] | 2019-02-01 03:52:03.428000+00:00 | ['Cryptocurrency', 'Zelcash', 'Zel', 'Voskcoin', 'Mining'] |
From Blockchain to no Chain | Blockchain is a distributed ledger technology (DLT) where transactions are recorded in the form of Blocks that are linked cryptographically to form a chain. It is the underlying technology behind many cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. While Blockchain is a transformative technology that can potentially disrupt a wide range of industries, it is not without its drawbacks.
The HelixTangle represents a block-less and chain-less solution to the world of Distributed Ledger Technologies. It is a next-generation DLT that is based on Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs), instead of blocks chained together. This article will highlight problems faced by existing DLTs, and how the HelixTangle addresses these issues.
1. Blockchain Consumes Enormous Amounts of Energy
Satoshi Nakamoto designed Bitcoin in a way such that anyone can take part in the process of updating transactions. However, there’s a catch. Updating transactions require users to solve a hashing algorithm called SHA-256 that involves some tough math. The fastest computer that validates a bunch of transactions on the ledger earns Bitcoin. This is known as mining, and the complex hashing process is called proof of work. Mining ensures that the Bitcoin ledger is maintained and updated regularly.
Solving the SHA-256 algorithm requires brute-force computing to speed up the hashing process and eventually generate more rewards for the user. Only expensive specialized computers stand a chance at solving these cryptographic puzzles. This process consumes a lot of energy since computers would have to remain switched on for long periods of time, in order to come up with as many answers as possible.
Competition for profit has largely driven the Bitcoin blockchain to consume as much electricity as Denmark, with costs surmounting to almost $3 Billion. Furthermore, coal-based power plants in China fuel the Bitcoin network resulting in an extreme carbon footprint for every transaction.
At a time when the world is grappling with global warming, Helix serves as a sustainable alternative to existing distributed ledgers such as Bitcoin. Unlike Blockchain-based DLTs, Helix adopts Proof of Useful Work (PoUW) to confirm data on its ledger. Peers on the HelixTangle can put useful data into the ledger and allow compute nodes to operate on this data, significantly reducing the system’s wastefulness.
In short, the HelixTangle requires no mining and eliminates the need for miners or expensive hardware. The Proof of Useful Work feature of the HelixTangle results in potential zero waste and prevents wastage of energy resources.
2. Transactions on the Blockchain are Expensive
It is estimated that large mining farms control 51% of the nodes on the Bitcoin network, making the system susceptible to attacks. Miners leave their computers switched on for 24 hours to validate transactions. This comes at a cost. The rewards that miners earn from authenticating transactions on Blockchain-based DLTs comes out of the pocket of users transacting on the network. And boy, aren’t they expensive! In early 2018, people paid a whopping $28 on average to carry out Bitcoin transactions.
Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs) ensure that the HelixTangle arrives at a consensus with no demand to trust a central authority. The HelixTangle requires no miners, and users can now directly transact with each other for free. The Helix network caters to the needs of the emerging machine economy by being fee-less and requiring no intermediaries to facilitate transactions.
No Miners = No Fees
Furthermore, high transaction fees charged by existing DLTs make it pointless to carry out low-value transactions. Helix, with its ‘Zero cost on the protocol’ policy, allows users to execute quick, any-value transactions between each other.
3. Blockchain Fails to Scale Up Efficiently
The spectacular rise of Bitcoin brought unprecedented interest in Blockchain, with many expecting the technology to disrupt a wide range of industries. Today, people adopting DLTs only make up a small fraction of the world’s population. However, the industry is gaining traction with companies such as Helix working tirelessly to educate the public about distributed ledgers. As adoption increases, can existing DLTs efficiently scale up?
This looks bleak at the moment. The mining award system temporarily disguised costs associated with transacting Bitcoin. Bitcoin has a 1MB size limit on blocks built into the system. As the currency grows and transactions increase, block size limitations impose capacity constraints on the network, thereby escalating fees and delaying processing transactions.
Scalability limits of existing DLTs mean that the confirmation rate does not increase with the transaction rate, while the rate of waste rises with adoption. With Blockchain catching up with this reality, the time has come to portend towards a technology that can efficiently scale up with adoption — HelixTangle. The speed of transaction confirmations in the HelixTangle increases as more and more people and things use it. This feature is made possible by the HelixTangle‘s unique underlying data structure — Directed Acyclic Graphs.
Every transaction on the HelixTangle verifies two previous transactions. As a result, settlement times become much quicker once more users transact on the network. It is estimated that the HelixTangle can practically achieve at least 1000 confirmed transactions per second per node, a significant improvement on the paltry 3 transactions carried out by a traditional Blockchain.
Final Words…
Bitcoin took the world by storm when it’s price skyrocketed in late 2017. However, much of the focus has been on the price of cryptocurrencies rather than actual use case development. In his excellent article, Brian Schuster explains that the price crash of cryptos could have been prevented if adoption rates would have stayed up with the valuation. So why is the rate of adoption slow?
It is a known fact that new technologies in the market are slow to be adopted. However, distributed ledgers are not like social media applications on the internet, where users can quickly make the transition from one service to another. It’s an entirely different beast that requires educating the public from grassroot level. To gain mass adoption, companies in this space need to convince people to believe in their product. One cannot deny that cryptocurrencies did invest a lot of resources in generating hype for their product. However, businesses need to do a lot more than that to create long-term value. That’s where education comes in to play.
The HelixFoundation is responsible for building the HelixEcosystem and understands the need to explain the technology for all ages in the simplest possible way — from how transactions are sent on the HelixTangle to creating decentralized applications on the network. Over the coming months, Helix will release a series of blogs and interactive videos for this purpose. | https://medium.com/helix-foundation/from-blockchain-to-no-chain-fa15b56e6dc6 | ['Raj Hegde'] | 2019-05-24 12:38:02.773000+00:00 | ['Blockchain', 'Technology', 'Distributed Ledgers', 'Cryptocurrency', 'Bitcoin'] |
Your opinion doesn’t count | Democritus said that “nothing exists except atoms and empty space; everything else is opinion”.
On the Internet, even atoms and empty space are questioned. The Internet is an army of snakes ready to gobble a frog. Too many millennials, I guess. Haters speak louder than fans.
When talking design, your opinion counts even less than usual. So does mine.
Sorry about that.
You know who cares about our opinion? Exactly. Nobody.
Mine doesn’t matter. Neither does yours. It’s just an opinion. I’m not a designer. Even if I was, I don’t know shit about the thought process behind every decision. Even if I did, I also don’t know anything about the context Slack works in.
I wasn’t surprised by the first reaction Slack received. Hopefully, designers who created the logo also weren’t. After all, we have the Internet we deserve, not the Internet we need.
It still shocked me that people held such strong opinions when a company changes its branding. what. the. fuck?!
I might like the old logo better. I also understand that the new one is purer (fewer colors, no rotation). I understand they needed to create a logo that works under more circumstances (black themes, for instance). I might dislike the result of that decisions (I mean, c’mon. Eggplant background? 🍆 wtf).
But I’d refrain from judging people too hard. Especially on topics such as design.
My take is that having an opinion is not bad. At all. But it’s dangerous to have an uninformed one and sell it as informed. An uninformed opinion tends to be biased, full of prejudices, and inaccurate. You’d be doing yourself (and people around you) a favor if you tried to understand things below the surface.
But hey, it’s just my opinion ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.
We are living deep in this whirlpool of shitposts labeled as opinions. We need to have an opinion on everything. On a daily basis. We feel entitled to do so. Tools that we use, code that we read, on everything. And we fail to understand the context that surrounded every decision that got things there.
What if we tried to read and listen more, ask more questions, talk less, and be open-minded? This is my New Year’s resolution.
Form a line!
Anyway. The new Slack logo can be described in several ways, but I wouldn’t say it’s new. Is funny to see how trends eat everything for breakfast. A few years back everyone ditched skeuomorphism and complex logos in favor of a minimalist, flat design approach that has swallowed the entire World: | https://medium.com/@afontcu/your-opinion-doesnt-count-dd8c308d4e07 | ['Adrià Fontcuberta'] | 2019-01-23 07:21:00.850000+00:00 | ['Slack', 'Logo Design'] |
6 Tricks for Next-Level CRUDs | NEXT.JS 10 // REACT-QUERY // AXIOS // DATASTAX DOCUMENT API
6 Tricks for Next-Level CRUDs
Cache more, fetch less with React Query
To follow along with this demo, initialize a free Cassandra database at DataStax, whose super-simple new Documents API we’ll be using for our backend. Make note of your username, password, cluster/database ID, region, and namespace. Init a new Next.js app and install these extra dependencies:
npm install axios axios-auth-refresh react-query react-query-devtools sass
I was looking for a clean, reusable React hooks-based approach for all my endpoints, something lighter than the full Apollo Client suite–maybe just a pattern or two, some smart but minimal approach to all my JSON traffic.
1. CACHE YOUR DATA WITH A REVALIDATION LIBRARY
React Query more than fit the bill: a low-carb request wrapper that follows the “stale-while-revalidate” approach to data fetching. Vercel’s similar SWR hook library also looked like a good option (Vercel being the creators of the Next.js framework) but React Query author Tanner Linsley’s polished docs and devtools made his library an almost irresistible choice.
2. SET YOUR DEFAULTS WITH AXIOS
Different APIs are finicky about different headers. Any day I can DRY up my boilerplate with some global defaults is a great day.
Those are my variables, get yours at DataStax.
3. REFRESH TOKENS WITH AXIOS-AUTH-REFRESH
Authentication panic is common, what’s really refreshing is accepting help, as I did when I installed this calming token authenticator.
Axios-auth-refresh boilerplate, except for ‘X-Cassandra-Token’ and the pause config.
The token in local storage is just for debugging.
4. PRE-LOAD YOUR QUERY CACHE (WITHOUT PRE-FETCHING)
My favorite React Query trick: instead of requesting data for every detail view, React Query builds a cache from your first paginated GET.
Load up the cache from your app’s first GET
5. EXPORT SELF-DESCRIPTIVE HOOKS
All our CRUD operations are now simple and exportable. React-Query lets us specify our cache policy during and after each query or mutation.
react-query’s useQuery and useMutation hooks
6. SYNC EVERYTHING WITH YOUR HOOKS
Our Items index now runs with just two hooks, an items query hook and an addItem mutation hook. Each comes with a full menu of lifecycle booleans.
The items hook fetches the data and sets the cache. The addItem hook invalidates them.
Changes on the detail page are reflected instantly–and reverted if they fail–using the Optimistic Update strategy.
The saveItem hook on each item’s dynamic route page uses Optimistic Updates.
With React Query’s devtools drawer open, we have perfect visibility into the state of our cache. | https://joeyanuff-33180.medium.com/6-tricks-for-next-level-cruds-9a916d9e4c87 | ['Joey Anuff'] | 2020-12-15 19:48:40.268000+00:00 | ['React Query', 'GraphQL', 'Cassandra', 'Nextjs', 'React Hook'] |
Of the Sun, the Moon, the Stars, & Of Love. | To,
The Sun, who saw our love bloom,
And,
The Moon, who knows the rest of the story.
Subject: It is never better to have loved and lost than to not have loved at all.
She used to walk by our fruit trees in the sun-laden afternoons of the longest year of the century. The bond the ripest of the fruits shared with her taste-buds was the strongest I had ever seen. Not a day went by, when she did not stop by at least once to taste the fruits we would accidentally drop for her to pick up and eat.
She started trusting us enough to claim a small shaded area of our garden as hers. We began spending our afternoons gazing at her mud-caked-but-still-somehow-pristine form curled up for a siesta.
Then, she disappeared for days on end. We knew she would come back with a visibly reduced underbelly, tired and wired only for food. And she did. Frantic for the fruits she had once loved just for the taste, looking over her shoulder for the faintest sign of trouble from all the others who coveted her beauty or detested her for the same.
We bought a full packet of food that would be the best for her and her kids. She began dropping by at nearly the same time every day, ears at half-mast, eyes almost closed into a squint, her hunger visibly dripping from her jowls. The crinkling of the plastic bag that held her food was the sweetest music to her ears, the rustling of the newspaper that would carry her food to her tray the sound of impatience itself. She never stopped worshipping at the altar of the sweet garden fruits, though. She may not have had time to appreciate the taste of the ripe fruits, but she could never do to part with them.
Her fur coat seemed fuller two weeks later. A few days after that, we chanced upon her on an empty circuitous road, a favorite haunt for animals and humans alike, who wanted some peace of mind and an unobtrusive existence to be their reality for a while. She and her kids were happy and well and that was all that we could ask for.
We now had 6 stomachs to feed, and our packet of food was running out. An online parcel brought 4.2 kgs of our commitment to these creatures and we could not wait to see the day when we would be ordering in more of these, a day that would inevitably stand for the trust and love that we shared mutually with these canines.
One late morning, as the 3 of us toiled away in our garden, she came by for her daily fix of fruit and food. This was the first time she stayed past her dinner. She stretched herself out about a yard from our hunched-away-from-the-sun forms and watched us weed the garden and plant new seeds into the fecund soil. She planted in our hearts the longing for a companion who was as free as she chose to be, but as close to our hearts as she possibly could be.
A week or so of sneaky visits once in a while to her roadside haunt and her usual visits to our garden went by. We now loved her too much to ever see her walk away, and it was perhaps then that the Moon sighed her lovely sigh, knowing that stories like these were always ill-fated.
One of these days, my mother fed her for the last time. Even the Sun couldn't have known that this would’ve been the last time she would come bounding into the garden, her tongue lolling out over a set of teeth that was only over bared in self-protection.
Today, a week after the last visit, we went to check on her, at what we had christened ‘Lali’s spot’, after the name we had given to her, a name that she had learned to stop and to turn around at to look at us. Even as our eyes took in the barren landscape with no hint of a mocha-latte furry ball of joy dotting the scene, our hearts refused to believe that something unspeakable had befallen this petite dog who had never even barked at even the ones who could’ve meant her or her pups harm.
A security patrol car that seemingly materialized out of nowhere in the twilit darkness, came rushing toward us, realizing that we meant to stop here and not cruise by as other cars during this period of confinement-within-homes tended to do. With a roughly-handed dismissal and a heavy heart, we came back home, the realization of what must have happened to her and her pups dawning on us as does the comprehension of the death of a dear one several days after they’ve passed, when a buried memory of them resurfaces, reminding us abruptly of the lost happiness.
The Moon looked on, sending a wave of pearly-white tears with hints of starlit sadness sparkling in them, knowing that the twists and heaves had finally brought to us the story that we never wanted to see an end to. The Sun will rise on yet another day that will hold no hopes for the story that once was the most hopeful one I had lived through.
There are a thousand endings that we can put to this story, but they all read the same to us, who live on the mud-plunged end of the rainbow with the 4.2 kgs of the responsibilities we failed to shoulder. We have lost her to humanity who loves to hate everything that breathes, and we have lost our love to commitments and promises of protection that we never could fulfill.
To the end of my existence, I will remember how we failed her, and the five new lives she had brought into this world. I will remember how a cruel fate and some unconcerned, unfeeling strangers shook our lives and dictated the way we began analyzing who we give our love to. I will remember Lali, her love for ripe papayas, and all the love we shared.
Waiting to never love again for a heart can’t break twice,
Yours sincerely,
A mere loved-and-lost mortal. | https://medium.com/@niniva-ghosh6600/of-the-sun-the-moon-the-stars-of-love-f7dc3be694e3 | ['Niniva Ghosh'] | 2020-12-25 20:03:37.256000+00:00 | ['Pets', 'Love', 'Losing A Loved One', 'Losing A Pet', 'Sadness'] |
Crazy Diamond (or no one writes poems for their teenage sons) | I nearly cried this morning
as I ran through the deserted park,
that moment when the birds rose against the sunrise and clover-grass eternity
and then almost-cry became
tears
real, and salty like my sweat, but different and somehow enchanted,
although also heavy
because I know that it is my destiny to reach down through layers of earth
and polish that crazy diamond
if I want that boy to make it, to really find the comfort in this world,
polish it so the world can see
how through his obnoxious adolescence
something brilliant and pure still shines,
a piece of the Self, the big soul,
an obscure portion on the edge maybe,
a minuscule iota that resonates with music,
thundering vibrations a million times his size
that he hasn’t quite mastered what to do with
so seeks the safety of video games
and clips of people falling down
and I find myself singing wish you were here
though that baby boy is still with me
I find myself mourning my first born son
although I see him every day
but not really him
instead some scruffy rude and frustrated phantom where my little buddy used to sit and play
and if I had sense at all I would know that he is no longer poetry or anything close to it anymore
so maybe I’m a crazy diamond too
that he is busy bringing into the light. | https://medium.com/other-doors/crazy-diamond-or-no-one-writes-poems-for-their-teenage-sons-9bcc461a6b82 | ['Nicholas Petrone'] | 2020-06-13 12:36:45.104000+00:00 | ['Poetry', 'Music', 'Parenthood', 'Otherdoors', 'Pink Floyd'] |
Alethea AI Year in Review: 2021 | A roundup of a year full of successes, from launching the Noah’s Ark Intelligent Metaverse to building a thriving community
2021 has been an incredible year for us at Alethea AI. Here’s a roundup of the year’s successes, from our token sales and partnerships, to our community growth, to releasing first of their kind collections and our Metaverse development. Let’s dive in …
Image of Revenants, Pods and Alice on Noah’s Ark
Tech
Noah’s Ark Metaverse and Alethea AI Ecosystem
This year we launched Noah’ Ark, the world’s first Intelligent Metaverse, which aims to preserve and evolve the culture and collective intelligence of the human species. Noah’s Ark is currently inhabited by The Revenants, Alethea AI’s own collection of the first 100 Intelligent NFTs (iNFTs). The Revenant collection features historical and cultural icons from throughout human history.
Catherine the Great: Revenant #95 — Image Courtesy: Alethea.ai
The Noah’s Ark Metaverse gave birth to our Train-to-Earn model. The Train-to-Earn model allows iNFT owners to Earn the more that people interact with their iNFT on Noah’s Ark. People can interact with the iNFTs by using the Recite, Broadcast, or Interact feature, depending on the Intelligence Level of the iNFT. In the short time since we’ve launched Noah’s Ark, we have received 3,287,691 API Requests. We have generated 847,658 videos and facilitated 112,730 interactions. There is an outstanding demand for the AI services that iNFTs offer and we expect this to grow significantly in 2022 and beyond.
Institutional Partners and Early Adopters
We felt extremely privileged and excited to receive acknowledgment and support from some of our early institutional investors, including Metapurse, Dapper Labs, Crypto.com, Multicoin, Bitkraft, Mark Cuban and many more through our $16 M private token sale.
In June, we partnered with Sotheby’s auction house and the artist Robert Alice to create and auction the world’s first-ever intelligent NFT called Alice. Alice sold for $478,800.
Image of Alice
In Oct 2021, we launched the first iNFT collection called The Revenants, which broke OpenSea records for a collection drop, netting approximately $10M in a week and skyrocketing to becoming a Top 10 collection on OpenSea in the first seven day period. The Revenants collection has a distinguished provenance for being the first-ever intelligent collectibles, a pivotal moment in the early history of NFTs.
Shortly afterwards, the iNFT Personality Pods were sold for almost 1600 ETH, becoming a Top 10 collection on Open Sea by volume. We also conducted a generous giveaway of over 1000 pods to our early adopters for participating in townhalls and AMAs. | https://medium.com/alethea-ai/alethea-ai-year-in-review-2021-dce8967bf6fa | ['Arif Khan'] | 2022-01-06 21:16:11.312000+00:00 | ['AI', 'Nft', 'Metaverse', 'Blockchain'] |
Rutherford family Real Estate Investing Intro Letter | Hello, we are Jackie and Preston Rutherford and we would love to partner with you on future investments to do good and create outsized returns.
Our background
Jackie
Jackie graduated from UCLA with a degree in Economics and Financial Accounting. She has spent the last decade-plus at Facebook in a variety of roles, ranging from launching advertising platforms to directing the small business efforts at the company, evaluating investment cases on a daily basis in excess of $100m.
Preston
Preston graduated from Stanford in 2008 in Urban Planning and Design. Then, he started an e-commerce company called Chubbies (website) with over 1m customers and an Instagram following of over half a million, with the simple goal to bring levity to men’s fashion. He then joined a real estate private equity firm as a partner leading acquisitions, doing over $50m of deals across mobile home parks and apartments, all in California. Now, he leads a new business line related to real estate at a financial technology enterprise software company that was just valued at $1.7b. His LinkedIn.
Our purpose
Our purpose driving our real estate investing is to have the biggest impact possible fixing the housing crisis (an affordability crisis driven by lack of supply).
How:
Add 1,000 attainable units to the California Bay Area rental housing stock.
Inspire other people to implement the same business model and therefore drive the creation of 1,000,000 additional units added to the California housing stock.
Read our vision for 2035 here
The Investment Opportunity
Unprecedented and time-sensitive
Passionate about finding the best way to add additional units, the recent change in the state-wide ADU regulations creates a unique and time-bound investment opportunity in CA real estate.
Initial ADU regulations were good
The initial ADU regulations were meaningful because they very clearly laid out what was required to add a new ADU, and mitigated the largest risk associated with the creation of any new units in desirable CA markets: NIMBYism.
However, still problematic
However, 3 problems remained: 1) the opportunity was limited to owner-occupants, and 2) you could not remove existing parking from the property, and most importantly, 3) multi-family properties were NOT included.
But 2 things have happened in 2020:
1) Updated state-level regulations and 2) reduction in construction costs and timeline via expanded acceptance of manufactured homes.
Updated regulations address all 3 original shortcomings
ALL THREE of these constraints have been removed until 2025, making the next few years a very special window of time for being able to have a dramatic positive impact on the housing shortage, while creating immense value in the process.
Minimum 3 Additional Units are Allowed. All multifamily properties (attached units) allow for 2 new construction detached units AND at least 1 conversion unit (e.g., convert a carport to a unit) up to 25% of the existing units (if you have an 8 unit property, you can add up to 2 (.25 * 8 = 2) conversion units for a total of 4 total additional units.
All multifamily properties (attached units) allow for 2 new construction detached units AND at least 1 conversion unit (e.g., convert a carport to a unit) up to 25% of the existing units (if you have an 8 unit property, you can add up to 2 (.25 * 8 = 2) conversion units for a total of 4 total additional units. Manufactured homes are permitted as ADUs . This dramatically reduces construction costs required in order to provide an approved housing unit.
. This dramatically reduces construction costs required in order to provide an approved housing unit. No Parking is required. Parking does not have to be replaced if you add a unit in a location previously used for parking. AND, you do not need to add new parking for the new units you add (if your parcel is within .5 miles of a public transit stop).
Parking does not have to be replaced if you add a unit in a location previously used for parking. AND, you do not need to add new parking for the new units you add (if your parcel is within .5 miles of a public transit stop). No Owner occupancy requirement. The property owner no longer needs to live on the property, which allows investors to make use of these regulations.
The property owner no longer needs to live on the property, which allows investors to make use of these regulations. 60 day permit approval timeline. Cities must process your completed permit application in 60 days. This is a speed that is otherwise unheard of in California real estate development.
Reduce construction costs with off-site construction
Our ADU team was is co-founded by the previous head of one of the top green, pre-fab modular homebuilders (blu homes), is partnered with the top pre-fab manufacturers, and has been able to secure venture capital financing from some of the best firms in the valley. The net benefit is that they can construct something that looks great at or below $300/ft, all in.
Huge opportunity for good while creating outsized returns.
And, when you can construct all-in below $300/ft and get rents up near $4/ft with essentially no vacancy risk (see page 3), it transforms the value-add return profile of California small multifamily real estate. Where previously, investors would purchase at a ~4% cap and hopefully get above a 5% cap with improvements to the property and operations, the current opportunity has completely changed. By being able to nearly double the rental income on the property without any added land costs, low-cost construction, and mitigated time risk, you can add enough value to where you can refi out all your initial capital into long term fixed-rate debt in the time it takes to go to through the permitting, fabrication, installation and lease-up (~ 7–8 mo in total).
The Investment Thesis
Because you can control what are normally the biggest risks in ground up development in California (construction costs, land costs, building timelines, entitlement process, and customer demand), investors can create a massive return.
Construction cost risk mitigation — use pre-fab construction
— use pre-fab construction Land cost risk mitigation — you have already paid for the land by purchasing the existing cash flowing property. No additional land costs exist. And, you can remove parking spaces in exchange for adding housing units, which dramatically changes the value calculations of larger lots (to the upside).
— you have already paid for the land by purchasing the existing cash flowing property. No additional land costs exist. And, you can remove parking spaces in exchange for adding housing units, which dramatically changes the value calculations of larger lots (to the upside). Building timelines risk mitigation — prefab construction removes the time unknown when you’re building homes in a factory.
— prefab construction removes the time unknown when you’re building homes in a factory. Entitlement risk mitigation — cities have to review your plans in 2 months. The process is NOT a discretionary approval process. Therefore, if you are meeting the objective criteria, you will get your approvals in 60 days. This is unheard of.
Business Plan
Acquire 2–4 unit properties in the Bay Area on lots with over 15,000 sf with an accessory structure (like a carport)
Add 3 ADUs. (2 new construction and 1 conversion unit)
Water & electric submeter implement (bill back water to residents to drive sustainable water use while driving NOI)
Cash-out refi or sale after ADU lease-up and expense reduction
Unit Economics
As long as you can purchase the property at a reasonable go-in value, and you are able to maximize allowable square footage (buy a large lot where you can build on all of the available land), every additional square foot you add is profitable.
therefore, the goal is to add as much square footage as possible.
1200 sf is generally the largest ADU size
Therefore, if you can add 3 1200 sf units, you can bring 3600 sf to the housing stock.
Considered differently, if you can bring 9 additional bedrooms to the housing stock, the value creation is massive.
For example, a bedroom is generally renting at around $1500 in many areas in the Bay Area. The cost (all in) to deliver that unit, is roughly $150,000 (using round numbers of course).
For real estate investors out there, that’s hitting the famed “1% rule” where you’re getting 1% of the total cost of the unit in monthly gross revenue.
California investors, especially in the high demand markets, are rarely, if ever, able to get to those sorts of unit economics.
And, because these are brand new units, under warranty, your maintenance and repair allocations are much lower than buying an existing value add property.
Why we are ideally positioned to execute on this plan:
Local
We are local investors committed to improving properties over the long term. We have proven our ability to be stewards of property in the area, developing positive relationships with the residents, neighbors, and the community at large.
Long term
We are not flippers. We intend to hold our properties for the rest of our lives. That mindset dictates how we treat the residents and execute our business plan.
Summary:
Address Housing Shortage…
Our purpose is to help address the dramatic housing shortage in the Bay Area by adding additional units to the property.
…By providing reasonably priced housing
Our approach allows for the addition of safe, clean, reasonably-priced housing. Other approaches price out the majority of residents.
Thank you
Preston & Jackie Rutherford (and Ryan)
Projects:
Resources: | https://medium.com/@prestonrutherford/rutherford-real-estate-investing-intro-letter-f6ef48063302 | ['Preston Rutherford'] | 2021-04-09 13:56:53.997000+00:00 | ['Investing', 'Accessory Dwelling Units', 'Real Estate Investments', 'Real Estate', 'Financial Freedom'] |
Don’t Be Fooled — Ageing Has Got Nothing to Do With Increasing Age | I was 23 and couldn’t stop thinking about aging— until the Japanese senior citizens saved me.
It was embarrassing even admitting that. But trust me, there was a time in my life when I couldn’t stop myself from thinking about it.
It’s not just the aging I was scared of.
It was everything else that came along with it too that haunted me — the loss of physical agility and strength, the loss of memory, the chronic diseases that would overpower my body, and the possibility of bank accounts drying.
That’s not it. It was the possibility of a slow and painful death that I was the most scared of. The questions and fears were limitless.
What if I die a lonely death?
What if there is nobody to take care of me?
How would it feel having the loose and wrinkly skin hanging from my bones?
What if I grow old alone?
How pathetic would it be not to be able to take care of me?
Will I have accomplished my goals by then?
I would be anything but graceful. How would it feel?
I was so scared of the possibilities that I stopped living and enjoying the present. The fear was so horrorsome and crippling that I couldn’t meet my grandma’s eyes for a while.
I wasn’t only scared for myself growing old, but I was also scared of the growing more aged people.
Please don’t get me wrong. I didn’t hate older adults. No. Not at all.
If anything, I felt this overpowering innate urge to help somehow boost their telomerase activity or anything at all — to protect them from going through the horrors that I was undergoing in my head. I wasn’t only scared for myself growing old, but I was also scared of the ever-increasing senior people.
Fear of getting old (FOGO) or gerascophobia, as they call it, is not a new phenomenon. It’s so rampant that as many as 87% of Americans have one or the other fear of aging. The statistic is not much different in the other parts of the world, either.
Six years of my constant mental battle was defeated by introducing one page of the 2018 Guinness Book of World Record. The Japanese always top the oldest living population but do not look a day above 70. Despite being 100+, they live a normal life, take care of themselves, and still work towards their ambitions.
The ageless Japanese older adults from the Guinness book taught me that growing old is just an inevitable part of life. It doesn’t have to be scary. You have to be willing to age gracefully — just the way they do. | https://medium.com/live-your-life-on-purpose/dont-be-fooled-ageing-has-got-nothing-to-do-with-increasing-age-4103e51565f | ['Fareeha Arshad'] | 2020-11-27 01:03:17.026000+00:00 | ['Growing Up', 'Japanese Culture', 'Life Lessons', 'Ageing', 'Life'] |
With 1,226 new infections, Germany is suffering from the worst daily increase in coronavirus cases since May | With 1,226 new infections, Germany is suffering from the worst daily increase in coronavirus cases since May dwaipayann chakrabortyy Aug 13, 2020·5 min read
GERMANY
In Germany, schools are run by the 16 federal states, which reopen classrooms at different times and with different rules.
In Schleswig-Holstein, where schools returned on Monday, students aged 11 and over are encouraged to wear masks in class, although this is not mandatory.
In contrast, in Berlin — which also went down this week — masks are mandatory in corridors and other common areas, but not in playgrounds or during class.
The eastern state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania was the first state to reopen full-time after the break last week, but two schools have already had to close.
Around 800 students had to go home from the Goethe-Gymnasium in Ludwigslust after a teacher-tested positive for Covid-19.
Separately, 100 students at a primary school in Rostock were quarantined for two weeks after it was confirmed that a student was infected.
Germany’s most populous state, North Rhine-Westphalia, declined today, requiring entire schools to be tested if an outbreak is detected.
In Bavaria, with the highest number of deaths in Germany, schools will not go back until September 8th.
The state education ministers had agreed in July that the schools would be fully functional again in the fall, after having only partially offered lessons as the lockdown was relaxed.
However, critics have wondered whether this will be realistic as infection rates are rising again across Germany.
Schoolchildren with masks gather today on the first day of school in Duisburg in West Germany in a sports hall
FRANCE
French schools are expected to return across the country on September 1st, with no regional differences, with the exception of public holidays during the year.
Students over 11 years of age must wear a mask in rooms where one meter cannot be guaranteed, including in classrooms.
Some masks are distributed, but parents are generally expected to give their children face coverings.
Parents also have a responsibility to ensure that their children do not go to school when the temperature is high.
Younger students are generally not expected to wear masks. However, they will be made available to any children who develop symptoms and are waiting to be picked up.
Teachers and students must wash their hands upon arrival at school, before lunch, and before traveling home.
However, social distancing can be removed in classrooms, libraries, and canteens if it is “physically impossible” or if it would exclude some students.
In addition, the restrictions on different classes and year groups that mix with each other have been removed.
ROMANIA
Romanian Prime Minister Ludovic Orban today promised that schools will reopen in September under strict hygiene rules, despite the rise in virus cases.
“Our decision is clear, schools will start on September 14th,” Orban said during a speech in parliament.
However, local authorities might decide to keep some schools closed if there are more than three new infections per 1,000 residents in a given area.
In this scenario, students would then have to attend classes online from home — but Orban has admitted that hundreds of thousands of Romanian children do not have access to a computer.
The government has promised to buy 250,000 tablets for students who cannot afford one and who need it for online classes. However, this may not be enough to meet the demand.
The Prime Minister said that students, teachers, and other school staff must wear masks and that disinfectants should be readily available.
Romania closed schools, kindergartens, and universities in March and decided to keep them closed for the remainder of the school year.
NETHERLANDS
The Dutch schools are expected to return later this month. Some regions already start next Monday, others on August 23 or 30.
In the Netherlands, schools were only completely closed for a few weeks, and primary schools reopened on May 11th.
The secondary schools partially opened in June and are expected to resume full teaching programs later this month.
The Dutch Health Institute says that “children play a minor role in the spread of the novel coronavirus,” which means that the restrictions are less strict than those for adults.
The youngest children in kindergartens and kindergartens can even show up with runny noses as long as they don’t show signs of a fever.
Older children should stay away from school if they have cold symptoms and arrange a test to see if they have coronavirus.
Primary school children up to the age of 12 do not have to keep the usual 1.5 m away from each other and from adults, not even in kindergartens.
Secondary school students do not need to separate, but teachers are expected to keep a safe distance.
DENMARK
Denmark was the first country to reopen schools and sent the youngest children back to daycare on April 15th.
Health officials said there was no sign of recovery in these cases — and many schools are reopening for the fall semester this month.
Education officials say students will return to “more normal everyday life” without requiring the one-meter safety distance in the classroom.
However, the one-meter distance still applies when children mingle with people in other classes.
If a student tests positive, staff are expected to notify all parents and children affiliated with the school via email or on their website.
In this case, schools can be closed although they have to justify their actions to the Danish Agency for Education and on their website.
SWITZERLAND
Schools in Switzerland will reopen this month. Basel returns earlier this week and Zurich on August 17th.
According to the Basel authorities, 26,000 children returned to school on Monday. Students and teachers should keep their distance from each other.
According to official figures, hundreds of classrooms were reconfigured and unnecessary furniture removed during the holidays to make more space for children to sit.
In Zurich, there is no compulsory safety distance for students in the three youngest age groups, while a distance of 1.5 m is expected for older children.
Students must wear masks when walking around school buildings, but not during class or in the playground.
However, masks are given out by the schools in Zurich so that the students can wear them on their way to school by public transport.
Some regions of Switzerland have introduced rules for wearing masks, including Zurich, where students are expected to cover their faces outside of the classroom.
School trips are also allowed as long as staff prepares specific hygiene plans that meet government requirements.
Read More | https://medium.com/@chefdwaipayan/with-1-226-new-infections-germany-is-suffering-from-the-worst-daily-increase-in-coronavirus-cases-376e03e6a645 | ['Dwaipayann Chakrabortyy'] | 2020-08-13 11:11:09.321000+00:00 | ['Covid 19', 'Coronavirus', 'Germany', 'Belgium', 'Italy'] |
If You’re Pro-Life, How Should You Vote? | Preface
I admit it: I’m one of those Americans who voted for Trump. I did so begrudgingly and most of my reasoning was pretty slip-shod and reactive: I didn’t do a lot of research and didn’t tune in to a lot of the debates. I could list a few superficial reasons that a Trump presidency seemed ok. Most of the commentary I saw about him was about his outrageous comments. I didn’t like him but I cared a lot more about his decisions than his personality; anyways, his uncloaked vulgarity gave him a certain kind of Robert Baratheon-esque appeal. I thought that the actual governing of the country would be in the hands of real politicians and hoped that the rhetoric about him being a ruthless businessman who got results was true.
But my choice really came down to a single question I asked myself. ‘How many people will die if Trump is elected, and how many people will die if Clinton is elected?’ Taking the long-term effects of possible permanent legal decisions about abortion into effect, the numbers seemed unquestionably scarier if Clinton was elected. So I voted for Trump.
(I don’t want to defend my position on abortion here: my intention is to present useful information for those who share my beliefs, although I’m aware that this is probably a very small proportion of Medium readers. Let me briefly explain the logic of my position. In my view, government’s first role is to protect the boundaries of life and death at every stage. I have no reason to believe that the unborn are not worthy human lives, so I cannot exclude them from my calculations).
Anyways, I don’t want to wade into another election uninformed, so I’m putting on my best researching hat and sharing my findings. Please note that I do not follow politics, and therefore cannot hope to present a comprehensive or fluent view. My conclusions are my own, but I hope that by doing some grunt work, I can provide a starting-point for others with similar concerns.
A Single-Issue Perspective: Abortion in America
Current legality.
A lot of the discussion around abortion is based around a dance between federal and state rights. States have the right to restrict or allow abortion within the parameters of decisions from the Supreme Court and federal laws.
Roe v. Wade (1973) stated that states could not restrict abortion in the first trimester or if the mother’s life or health was in danger. The Doe v. Bolton case, decided on the same day, determined that the definition of a mother’s health (in the case of late-term abortions) included “all factors — physical, emotional, psychological, familial, and the woman’s age — relevant to the wellbeing of the patient." The 2007 Gonzales v. Carhart case overturned the trimester framework, instead establishing fetal viability (which has been shown to be possible before the first trimester) as the benchmark for whether abortion could be restricted. So states can only restrict abortion after fetal viability and if the mother’s health (defined broadly) is not at risk.
There is also federal legislation restricting certain forms of abortion. The Born Alive Infants Protection Act of 2002 protects the rights of infants born alive (including after failed abortion attempts) at any stage of development. The Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003 bans partial birth abortions when the life of the mother is not at risk. Under this act, doctors can be charged with 2 years in prison and women cannot be prosecuted.
The 1980 Hyde Amendment bars the use of federal funds for abortions that are not life-threatening or the product of incest or rape.
State laws vary. 18 states prohibit abortion (with exceptions to health) after 20 weeks, 4 states prohibit it after 24 weeks, 20 states prohibit it after viability, and 8 states do not prohibit it at any stage in the pregnancy.
What hopes are there for anti-abortion legislation?
There is a lot of talk about overturning Roe v. Wade, which would allow legislation that restricts or prohibits abortion to be passed. How feasible is this? The Supreme Court’s doctrine of stare decisis —we said we would so we will—makes it less likely but certainly not impossible. States continue to pass legislation that contradicts Roe v. Wade (like Alabama’s Human Life Protection Act) in hopes of their case reaching the Supreme Court for judgment.
If Roe v. Wade were overturned, it would mean that the rights to determine the legality of abortion would revert to individual states (except where overruled by federal legislation). Some states have trigger laws that mean that overturning Roe v. Wade would automatically ban abortion while other states have laws in place to protect access to abortion.
Overturning Roe v. Wade requires the decision of at least five Supreme Court justices. The present Supreme Court is comprised of John Roberts, Samuel Alito, Stephen Breyer, Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor, Clarence Thomas, Brett Kavanaugh, Neil Gorsuch, and a vacant seat. Roberts, Thomas, Gorsuch, Alito, and Kavanaugh are all widely believed to be interested in overturning Roe v. Wade, and the appointment of another judge likely to agree would make this more feasible.
On balance, I think that if a new justice is nominated and confirmed before the election, it would make electing a conservative president less vital for the pro-life cause, as it would limit the impact of their position on the issue to approving or vetoing bills (like the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act) passed through Congress.
But what really saves unborn lives?
The argument is frequently raised: making abortion illegal doesn’t stop women from getting abortions, it just causes them to seek more dangerous methods. While this certainly isn’t totally true (abortion rates in the Republic of Ireland rose by at least 38% after the repeal of the 8th amendment, for example) and there are complicated factors involved in comparing abortion rates worldwide, it does seem true that liberalizing abortion laws coincides with fewer total abortions and within the United States, abortion restrictions do not seem sharply linked with fewer abortion rates. However you interpret the statistics, it’s clear that criminalizing abortion is not the final word in saving unborn lives.
So what is? Birth control seems to be a commonly-proposed factor — fewer unwanted pregnancies equal fewer abortions. One study suggests that access to free birth control could cut abortion rates by up to 78% — using very rough, very generous math (and discounting the fact that many women already have access to free birth control), that could translate to nearly 200,000 fewer abortions in the US each year. Obviously this is very conjectural, but it seems likely that free birth control would reduce abortion rates to some extent.
Financial, medical, and social support of single mothers and poor families might also bring down the numbers (as well as helping out people already struggling). In a 2004 study, 73% of women seeking abortions cited ‘not being able to afford a baby’ as one of their motivations. In my view, whether it directly led to fewer abortions or not, which I can only speculate on, legally reinforcing the value of motherhood, children, and the family would lead to a healthier country over all. From a pro-life standpoint, I would personally be inclined to support higher social and economic safety nets, more accessible healthcare, more affordable housing and childcare, easier access to higher education, longer and more supportive maternity leave, and other laws and programs (typically on the liberal docket) which would make the prospect of motherhood more manageable.
Other Issues That Threaten Life
The question I used to make my choice in the last election was: ‘If I elect X, how many people will die?’ Clearly, the lives of the unborn are not the only lives worthy of being protected or in danger of being lost unjustly. Here is a brief look at some of the other issues with an idea of how many lives are being lost. Italicized links lead to a Politico list of current presidential candidates’ views on the topic.
Pandemic. There have been around 200,000 coronavirus deaths in the US so far. It’s hard to quantify how many of these deaths were avoidable (some say most). Obviously, nobody foresaw the COVID-19 pandemic back in 2016, which should be a reminder to elect people we trust with the unforeseen.
Police brutality. It feels reductive to reduce the injustice of police brutality to a body count, but as an issue much in the public consciousness, it’s worth bringing up. 996 people were killed by police in 2019; disproportionately, 235 of them were black. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly how a vote would contribute to police reform, but it’s a factor to bear in mind.
Health care costs. A 2009 study showed that 45,000 non-elderly Americans were dying every year due to lack of health insurance. Obamacare seems to have led to a reduction in mortality, though this isn’t universally accepted. But with 1 in 6 Americans avoiding healthcare due to cost, a reformed healthcare system could certainly save significant numbers of lives.
Gun violence. In the US, 15,208 people were killed by gun violence in 2019 — compare to the UK, where there were 12 — and there were 417 mass shootings.
Capital punishment. Only 22 Americans were executed in 2019, all of them on a state level. The last federal execution was in 2003. Only 28 states still allow the death penalty and Supreme Court rulings have put a number of restrictions into action.
These statistics pale compared to the number of induced abortions in the US each year: in 2017, there were over 850,000, far exceeding the total of other avoidable deaths I’ve listed here (of course, I’ve left out other, less quantifiable factors — possibilities of war, harm to the environment, and so forth).
It is clear that abortion is an ongoing tragedy of gargantuan proportions. Does that mean that it merits being treated as the only important issue? In my opinion, yes and no. Yes because of the sheer scale of the problem and the fundamental concept underlying it: that the worth of a human life can be negotiated. But also no, because focusing on legality seems to detract from the issues that might actually bring about change. What would save more unborn lives: overturning Roe v. Wade or universal health care? The answer isn’t easy, but at this point I suspect it’s the latter.
Moral Considerations
Of course, it’s not as simple as merely comparing statistics. My question: ‘which option leads to fewer lives lost?’ is limited. It discounts human suffering and injustice on the one hand; it discounts pure right and wrong on the other.
Can I justify acting in a way that goes against my conscience to obtain results that I think will be good? ‘For the greater good’ was the slogan of Harry Potter’s figure of political evil: at what point does the end justify the means? Going into a voting booth and ticking the box next to a pro-choice candidate feels like saying ‘I’ve decided not to protect innocent lives’ — even if I think more lives could be saved in the long run. My mind is half-convinced, but my heart feels that it is doing wrong; I’m making a political choice at the expense of my morality. Isn’t it better to refuse to do evil, at any cost, and protect my own soul, rather than compromise? And what if I’m wrong about the possible effects?
The truth is that all politicians (and by extension all voters) have blood on their hands. The world of politics is too complicated for there to be a ‘right choice’ and it is selfish to insist that an ideal be fulfilled before we take action. Whether we move to the right or the left or stand still, there is blood on our hands, and the question we’re left with is grim: whose? And why?
Conclusion
It’s not an easy question to answer. Balancing moral responsibility is a difficult game: understanding the full and real consequences of any individual action (which can be unpredictable) is difficult enough, and making moral decisions based on these conclusions complicates the issue. I fully understand and almost agree with pro-life voters who vote purely on the basis of abortion; this was the position I took during the last election. This election I will turn my attention to candidates who seem more likely to improve quality of life for all Americans, hoping that a better life will also be offered to the unborn. | https://inpurpledurance.medium.com/if-youre-pro-life-how-should-you-vote-945256e5febf | ['Cecily Lawless'] | 2020-09-25 03:36:58.537000+00:00 | ['Elections', 'Politics', 'Abortion', 'Christian', 'Ethics'] |
Uganda Air Cargo urges government $10 mn to repair its grounded aircraft | The Ugandan Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) revoked the AOCs of all locally-based airlines in June 2014, refusing to approve the state-owned carrier, along with Air Uganda and Transafrik Uganda, under the International Civil Aviation Organisation- (ICAO) backed safety audit.
By Our Correspondent
December 02, 2019: Uganda Air Cargo, which operates scheduled and charter services for both passengers and cargo, has asked the country’s parliament to provide $10 million (Shs37 billion) to repair one of the two C-130 aircraft, which has been grounded since 2014. It also appealed for funds to acquire a B737 classic freighter.
The Ugandan Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) revoked the Air Operator’s Certificate (AOCs) of all locally-based airlines in June 2014, refusing to approve the state-owned carrier, along with Air Uganda and Transafrik Uganda, under the International Civil Aviation Organisation- (ICAO) backed safety audit.
John Otekat, chairman of the board, told the Ugandan parliament’s defense and internal affairs committee that the airline suffered losses while out of action and that its Lockheed Hercules C-130 aircraft remained grounded due to cracks in its centre wing box.
Otekat also disclosed that the cost of repairing the aircraft has risen over the last five years from $2 million to $10 million, warning that it could increase further if money is not provided soon. “For now what we are requesting is the government to provide us with funds to repair the second aircraft, to give a back up to the existing ones. It is very difficult to win a contract if you have only one airplane,” he said.
Meanwhile, it has just one Harbin Y12 turboprop with no back-up in the event of an emergency, resulting in a lack of confidence among customers. Otekat said, adding that the airline recently lost an $11 million contract from the United States due to lack of capacity.
Founded in 1994, Uganda Air Cargo is a government entity that is supervised by the Defense and Veteran Affairs Ministry. It has four aircraft, two C-130 from the US, and two Y-12 aircraft from China purchased in July 2008. | https://medium.com/@logupdateafrica/uganda-air-cargo-urges-government-10-mn-to-repair-its-grounded-aircraft-ca51ce7a3193 | ['Logistics Update Africa'] | 2019-12-02 10:29:23.060000+00:00 | ['Aviation', 'Airlines', 'Logistics'] |
Creating B2B content that helps you sell | In this ‘Interview with an expert’ we discuss the dos and don’ts of content marketing in B2B tech with Irene Triendl.
What is the context and background of what you do?
I help businesses sell to other businesses. My focus is content marketing strategy for tech companies — specifically helping them figure out the best message to put to their audience within their market and space.
In the B2B tech space this is a big challenge as it’s something that sits at the intersection of understanding product, the overall market, and the audience. Too often you see tech companies who are incredibly strong when it comes to building their product, but they don’t have enough understanding of the environment they are selling into. For their proposition to resonate with the industry budget holders (often different from the end users), it needs to be positioned in a way that factors in the different dynamics and forces at play. This nuance is key to the message. It needs to focus on who you are selling to, and the world they are in.
Why content marketing?
Content shouldn’t be separate from the rest of your marketing. I think marketing disciplines need to work together. I have seen businesses who have split digital, traditional, content collateral etc into silos and it can be a disaster (and it’s not efficient either!). You need to have a clear position and voice as the starting point for all your marketing. Content builds your credibility and authority in your chosen space. It allows your audience to read what you have got to say, self-educate and build trust in you. That’s why it’s so valuable — it helps find people not on your radar and bring them into your orbit. It’s out there working for you when you don’t even realise!
But, to get it right, it’s essential to lead with the bigger themes in your market rather than the product message. If you only talk about yourself, your prospects will just shut down and stop listening. You need to earn the right to sell to them by showing them you get it.
Biggest mistakes you see companies make with content?
Leading with a product message is the first. Other mistakes are companies who push out content for content’s sake. Too many firms think they need to publish once or twice a week for consistency. When they do this, they often creep into pushing out posts that either don’t relate to their expertise, or are low quality — or boring! This destroys credibility and traction, which is exactly the opposite of what you’re trying to do.
Image from The Content Factory
The other trap is when you have PR masquerading as content. ‘Content’ that is too self-centred, an excuse to write about a client win or award, etc. Don’t make your content library a PR catalogue. No-one will come to your site to read about how great you are. Content marketing works best when you’re generous to your audience with what you know... This allows people to self-educate. Too often it becomes too salesy too quickly which is a turn off.
Last but not least — don’t put out content that you wouldn’t want to read yourself! Use this as a sense check before you hit post. Are you saying something new and interesting? Is it formatted in an easy to read way? Can I skim it and get the gist?
Ask yourself — would a mildly interested observer want to read this (be really honest with yourself…). If the answer is no, then don’t post it.
What about the balance of content you would suggest — top of funnel vs sales and head vs heart?
There is a huge misconception that the B2B buying journey is entirely rational — so the content needs to be all sales-aids with ROIs, business plans, savings calculators etc. Yes, there is a big rational aspect but there is also a huge emotional element that gets completely overlooked.
I think that businesses need to have more emotional content!
If you have a product that solves a specific problem in an industry, there will be people who feel strongly about it. They will have been frustrated with the problem for years. And finding a solution is a relief. That’s what your marketing should talk about.
In a business, there are also ambitions and politics at play. Maybe the sponsor wants to look good to his/her superiors by finding and backing a solution. There are lots of message here that can make people sit up, pay attention and say ‘wow — I didn’t realise this existed’. I think the industry is missing a massive trick here by focusing on rational decision making alone.
What advice would you give to a company just starting? What is the minimum base you need?
The first thing to do as a tech marketer (if you are new hire in a company), is to gain the trust of the techies. The best content will always come from the expertise in the business. One way to create content and gain internal trust is to engage people internally to help create content. Ask people to write a post or interview them about their expertise. It is a great first step to make people internally feel involved, and bridges the gap between marketing and tech. It won’t cost you anything extra either if you are running on a tight budget.
What are some of the other hacks you would suggest?
Getting the foundations right and building from that will save you lots of money and headaches in the long run. As a starting point, I would be hiring a great digital marketer who understands KPIs and measurement. Lots of B2B marketing is experimenting with channels and messages. Which emails are opened, AB testing etc… try to embrace this. Get someone into your team who is excited about it, can set it up, and measure it. This would probably be one of first hires you should think about (and I know I’m shooting myself in the foot here as I’m a content marketer) — but I really don’t think you should outsource digital anymore. At the beginning you can do lots of work with freelancers to fit your budget but ultimately this won’t scale.
How can you work out if someone (new hire, agency or freelancer) really knows B2B?
The first thing I would do is look at the work that person or agency has done in the past. Have they got experience in your sector, and do you like their style? And secondly: Be rigorous when you ask them about their process — get them to take you through it step by step. How do they approach learning about a problem, identifying the audience they are trying to reach, and factor this into their work. Make sure you understand what they are doing and why as they are going to be acting as your product and company’s voice.
Irene is a marketing strategist and copywriter. She helps B2B tech companies create messaging and content that resonate with their target audience. To learn more, visit her website. | https://medium.com/illuminate-financial/creating-b2b-content-that-helps-you-sell-7cd3cf6b2c8 | ['Katherine Wilson'] | 2019-10-30 14:48:38.398000+00:00 | ['Startup Lessons', 'Content Marketing', 'Entrepreneurship', 'B2B', 'Enterprise Technology'] |
Is Instagram making a mistake? | You need not agree with me, but I know that some people actually judge others or feel proud of the number of likes they got on their photos. Yup, people use the like counts as a measure of success. And, maybe Instagram also realized it too, as it has given an announcement recently that it will eliminate the “Likes” (or love, heart) counter in some accounts globally.
If this new update goes live, we will not be able to check the number of likes someone received in their photos or videos. However, this does not mean that you can not see the number of likes on your photos or videos. You can not see the number of likes on other user’s photos/videos.
This feature makes me somehow sad and happy at the same time. Sad because Jennifer Aniston recently joined Instagram, and I would like to check how many likes or hearts she got. And happy because now likes would not be the factor with which some measure their own or other people’s success.
But, this test might alter some people’s business. The business of many artists and influencers is measured in their visibility on Instagram. Advertisers use the “like” counter as a visibility metric. To this point, the Instagram team shares their thoughts —
“We understand that likes counters are important to many creators, and we are actively thinking of ways to allow creators to communicate value to their partners.” — An Instagram core team-member
“We will make decisions that harm the business if they help the well-being and health of people,” said Adam Mosseri, the CEO of Instagram. Hiding the likes counter will give a break to people who live obsessed with it. An obsession that Instagram itself helped create when it borrowed the “like” from Facebook and turned it into a heart in their social media platform.
Perhaps Instagram should provide an option to its users to chose whether or not they want to make their “like” counter public or private instead? | https://medium.com/datadriveninvestor/is-instagram-making-a-mistake-8a5b77a23a58 | ['Sajal Ghimire'] | 2019-11-16 09:22:05.727000+00:00 | ['Social Media', 'Information', 'Report', 'Instagram', 'Tech'] |
MySQL 8 and maps. A power combo? | Some time ago I wrote a blog about “The best way to locate, in MySQL 8”. In that article I promised to follow up with some metrics to show how MySQL 8 performs. I’ve been dragging my feet, for the simple reason that I don’t believe it would be a very interesting read. Feel free to leave a comment if you think otherwise!
Instead, let’s have some fun with a practical example we’re going to build together!
What are we making?
You’ve probably all seen them and have used them many times with varying results. Whether you’re looking for stores, real estate or a place to stay, they all work on the same principle. You’re looking for location based items, and you want to be able to scroll through the map to find more.
In some cases these maps are lightning fast, but in many cases it actually takes a few seconds to load the results on the map.
We’ll first take a look into why that is, then we’ll discuss some often used optimisations to mitigate that, and finally I’ll guide you through building a solution that is fast without any of those optimisations.
So why is the traditional approach slow?
In a database without (or with limited) spatial functions and without using optimisation or caching techniques, you would have to calculate the distance of each point in your database from the centre of the currently visible map. Scrolling the map would restart that entire process each time.
If you’ve read my previous article, you know I mentioned the Haversine formula. It’s this formula that is calculated for EACH and EVERY point in your database, at EVERY request. We’re disregarding caching for now, as this does not solve the issue, just mitigates the resulting slowness to some extent.
Let’s have a quick look into how this would look:
SELECT *
,(6371 * Acos(Cos(Radians(map_center_latitude)) * Cos(Radians(lat)) * Cos(Radians(lng) - Radians(map_center_longitude)) + Sin(Radians(map_center_latitude)) * Sin(Radians(lat)))) AS distance
FROM locations
HAVING distance < 25
ORDER BY distance;
Now apart from the actual formula being very hard to read, you can quickly see the issue here. For each row in the database it would need to calculate the distance to the map_center. Then the results of that calculation are sorted and those that match the HAVING clause are returned.
Even with indexing of lat and lon you’d still see the database scanning all rows. You can see this when we use EXPLAIN:
EXPLAIN SELECT * ,(6371 * Acos(Cos(Radians(map_center_latitude)) * Cos(Radians(lat)) * Cos(Radians(lon) - Radians(map_center_longitude)) + Sin(Radians(map_center_latitude)) * Sin(Radians(lat)))) AS `distance` FROM `locations` HAVING `distance` < 25 ORDER BY `distance`\G
*************************** 1. row ***************************
id: 1
select_type: SIMPLE
table: locations
partitions: NULL
type: index
possible_keys: NULL
key: lat_2
key_len: 10
ref: NULL
rows: 9980
filtered: 100.00
Extra: Using where; Using index; Using filesort
1 row in set, 1 warning (0.00 sec)
Now imagine having to do this same query over and over, with only the map_center changing. Even with some kind of debounce solution in the frontend and caching in the backend, it will always feel sluggish.
Ok, but some maps are very fast, how?
There are many ways to approach this, but most of them will be some form of caching, preloading or even NoSQL solutions.
Let’s quickly run through a few of the options and their downsides.
Caching
This seems like the obvious first step. It’s quick, and it’s easy to implement in most frameworks like Laravel. But how would you implement caching if your only variable is every possible coordinate within your search area? In the end, this solution isn’t really viable. Preload all the things!
While I haven’t been able to prove it, some of the maps I’ve studied for this article seem to load with the entire list of markers already there. There is no additional loading when scrolling, it’s just already there. And this is probably a perfect solution if you have a fairly limited area to search (though the Netherlands seems to be small enough), and with a set of points that don’t change very often and can therefore be cached easily.
The limit, of course, is the size of the dataset. The bigger that is, the longer it will take for the frontend to load and interpret it. Until at some point you reach a tipping point and suddenly your frontend is the bottleneck. And you can’t really control the different browsers and internet connections the end users will possess. NoSQL / ElasticSearch / Algolia and others
This is a well known and very viable solution for our problem. Many of these kinds of services/systems have built-in features for quickly searching in location based data. And if you’re already using something like this, then there really is no need for looking any further.
If you aren’t already using such a system, then the investment of implementing one might not be worth it. After all, the location based searching is just one of many features they offer, and many of these services are paid subscriptions, or they might simply be very expensive to run and implement yourself. That’s budget you might not have or a system you might not be able to support. PostgreSQL with PostGis
Ok, so this is cheating a bit. If you have the know-how and experience to use PostgreSQL, then by all means go for it. In fact ALMOST ALL of the advantages MySQL 8 offers over older versions have already existed in PostgreSQL for a long time.
So what’s the downside you may ask? It’s still a niche product, relatively speaking. There is far less information, far less tools, and a far smaller community than there is for MySQL. The learning curve is steeper and if you don’t already have experience with it, it’s most likely too costly to implement it for a fairly simple feature like we’re going to build here.
But that’s pretty much the only downside I can think of. So if you do have the knowledge and experience, you’re pretty much set and you can probably follow my guide here and implement the same app with PostgreSQL as well.
So where does MySQL 8 come in?
Well I’m glad you asked! Next week we’ll continue with a quick tutorial to build a demo implementation of this concept. The end result will look something like this:
Written by Jochem Fuchs, Software engineer at Maatwebsite. | https://medium.com/maatwebsite/mysql-8-and-maps-a-power-combo-cb33f62168ef | ['Jochem Fuchs'] | 2019-08-07 12:01:01.152000+00:00 | ['MySQL', 'Geolocation'] |
We Did a Video Discussion About Batteries, Geopolitics, and Fraud | We Did a Video Discussion About Batteries, Geopolitics, and Fraud
We are on the cusp of an electrified technological revolution. There is a lot of spice involved, as I discuss in this chat Steve LeVine ·Dec 10, 2020
The blockbuster news is that — against the prevailing wisdom as recently as two years ago — the world is on the cusp of electric vehicles that cost the same as conventional gasoline cars, charge fast, and go a long distance. Who will get rich, and who won’t? And which battery and EV entrepreneurs are exaggerating their progress?
Today we go video. I discuss all of this and more with Nicholas Yiu, the co-host of Intercalation Station, a terrific monthly newsletter on batteries. | https://themobilist.medium.com/we-did-a-video-discussion-about-batteries-geopolitics-and-fraud-994e14606e26 | ['Steve Levine'] | 2020-12-10 21:55:49.137000+00:00 | ['Battery', 'Interview', 'Electric Vehicles', 'Transportation', 'Technology'] |
“Anxiety likes a blank canvas…” | As a clinician in private practice, one of the phrases that I hear myself repeating often is “Anxiety likes a blank canvas.” This emphasizes several aspects of anxiety:
Anxiety is about a possible future that has not happened yet.
Anxiety explores options, especially dangerous-feeling “what ifs”.
And when there is a lot of blank canvas, there is ample room to paint.
Photo by Franck V. on Unsplash
Anxiety is about a possible future.
The blank canvas is full of possibilities. We can paint happy trees or scary monsters. The future is open to us!
But the physical feelings of anxiety are very present. In this present, you may feel your muscles tighten, your heart rate increase, that “itchiness” in your abdomen, the changes in breathing so that your breath becomes shallow and short instead of long and relaxed. Yet in our minds, our thoughts are generally consumed with the future. As I have noted before, anxiety likes to “time travel” to a possible future.
Because this future is unwritten (or unpainted), our wonderfully imaginative brains can fill in lots of gaps as to what MIGHT happen, eventually creating such a detailed picture that it feels as if this imagined outcome IS actually happening.
Photo by Nik Shuliahin on Unsplash
Remember that your brain is trying to protect you.
We can spend a lot of time being frustrated with an anxious brain, or we can see it for what it is: our armor. Generally, those of us who have more anxiety have had an event (or multiple events) that involved a lower-grade threat to a potentially life-threatening catastrophe. But no matter the intensity or duration of the anxiety-producing event, our present brain wants to make sure that we do not go through that again. So our brain becomes a sort of sentry, a protector, a lookout for danger.
And this is where having a “blank canvas” future is challenging. The anxious “lookout” brain begins to see all sorts of “what ifs” in the blank space of the canvas.
What if I didn’t turn off the oven?
What if that noise is someone in my apartment?
What if my child is still doing this when they are an adult?
What if I lose my job?
Remember that the “what ifs” are about a possible future that has not happened yet, whether that future is something that could happen in the next hour (an anticipated “disastrous” meeting) or in several decades (dying alone).
That future has not happened yet, even though it may feel as if it is. This is just how our brains work.
Photo by Alice Achterhof on Unsplash
So what do we do with a blank canvas? We start to choose how to fill it in instead of letting our “anxious” brain do it for us.
So we pause, take a deep breath, remind ourselves to be in this present moment. Then from that calmer place, we can acknowledge the possible anxiety-producing outcome. Once we have acknowledged it (not fought it) we can look for other possible futures, not only the ones from which our brain is attempting to protect us.
We may paint using reminders about past good outcomes. Remember back to when this scenario went “just OK” or even when everything worked out well!
We may paint with some research that shows us that statistically, our chances of getting attacked by a shark are pretty low. That anxious part of your brain is typically not interested in statistics, but the calmer, more present part of us can better acknowledge what is a real risk and what is not.
We may paint with the colors of our present as a way of filling in the space on the canvas. This way our “protector” doesn’t have room to imagine all the potential nightmares.
Above all, remember to be kind to yourself. That also means being kind to that part of your self that worries. Be gentle with events that have happened in your past. They have shaped you and made you aware of dangers that might happen, that did happen at one time. But then come back to the present, look at that blank canvas, and choose what you paint next.
Hmm, maybe some happy trees? | https://medium.com/whenanxietystrikes/anxiety-likes-a-blank-canvas-9b34ca3f2304 | ['Jason B. Hobbs Lcsw'] | 2019-08-23 00:30:10.890000+00:00 | ['Mental Health', 'Self', 'Psychology', 'Anxiety', 'Therapy'] |
Alliance strategy of the U.S. | Since Mr. Joe Biden was elected as the next U.S. president, America’s allies have been expecting that the U.S. will strengthen its leadership again by supporting the existing alliance system. Some experts argue that President Joe Biden should strike a deal with America’s democratic allies to establish a more robust network against China. We need to focus on the word “democratic” because that word implies the possibility of “value alliance.” President Joe Biden also pledged to restore America’s moral leadership by hosting a global Summit for Democracy during his election campaign. It is crucial to rebuild the alliance system disrupted during the term of his predecessor. However, the emphasis on morality could be dangerous by reducing room for negotiation with competitors such as China and Russia.
The concept of democracy-alliance involves tying allies based on identity. This kind of identity politics is highly likely to define rivals as enemies or threats to the alliance’s values, thus considering a compromise with those competitors as an act of betrayal. As the possibility of cooperating with rivals decreases, the alliance system would gradually lose flexibility over time.
This change undermines not only the international stability but also America’s national interests. Today countries are closely interconnected. After China joined the WTO, China has become one of the most important trading partners of the U.S. and its allies. Moreover, in the era of the 4th industrial revolution, tech companies are forming a close collaboration with foreign partners regardless of the alliance system. The cold war between the U.S. and the Soviet Union was relatively stable because it separated the communist and capitalist world. However, now the interests of countries are intertwined in a complicated way. Under this situation, the value-based alliance system will damage both sides by making it difficult to cooperate in areas where collaboration is essential such as curbing global warming, health, and technology.
That is why allies should unite based on the national interests of each member rather than values. Focus on gains will also reduce unnecessary conflicts within the alliance. The U.S. and its allies still share a lot of interests in broad areas like security, climate change, trade, and the digital economy. Instead of appealing to partners’ moral emotions, the U.S. would have to persuade them with substantial gains by using its leading position in the global economy and defense system. | https://medium.com/@clinamenv/alliance-470ff4c12b10 | [] | 2020-12-08 20:11:31.307000+00:00 | ['Politics', 'Alliances', 'Foreign Policy'] |
The Legacy of Tuskegee Complicates African Americans’ Feelings About Vaccines | The Legacy of Tuskegee Complicates African Americans’ Feelings About Vaccines
A Black scientist’s plea to lean into the data, even as an unjust health care shadow persists in the U.S.
Photo: Marko Geber/Getty Images
I believe vaccinations are an important part of health maintenance. Every year, I get a flu vaccine and encourage my adult children to do the same. So, I was surprised when some of my friends and family members shared with me that they had no plans to take the vaccine for Covid-19 when and if it becomes available.
At least, they specified, they would not be the first in line.
Though my initial reaction was one of surprise, I realized this reluctance is part of a larger conversation — especially in the Black community. Initially, I was puzzled as to where this reluctance came from. As a scientist with a PhD in pathology who has worked in health care for more than 20 years, I tend to make decisions based on empirical data. However, as an African American woman, I have also come to appreciate the historical context of race and science.
In 1972, the Tuskegee experiment, a 40-year study of 600 African American men untreated for syphilis, came to an end. An article published by Jean Heller of the Associated Press prompted the public outrage. By the time the study was finally shut down, almost 130 included men had died due to syphilis and complications caused by the disease. Many had passed the disease on to their spouses and children.
This U.S. government-run study, executed by the agency known at the time as the United States Public Health Service, was not a secret to many in the health care community. It went on for four decades with physicians, nurses, and others knowingly and willingly monitoring men who they knew would die without treatment for the disease.
As a scientist, I know the importance of clinical studies… But as an African-American woman, I also understand my community’s reluctance to be involved in clinical studies.
The study was never designed to “treat” these men. The true purpose was to observe the disease progression in the human body. To make matters worse, the men did not know they weren’t being treated. These mainly poor sharecroppers were recruited to join the study based on the promise of free health care to treat “bad blood.” The unjust impact of that study reverberates still today.
As a scientist, I know the importance of clinical studies and the pressing need to demonstrate whether a drug is an effective or ineffective treatment for people against a given pathogen. But as an African American woman, I also understand my community’s reluctance to be involved in clinical studies and the historically fueled distrust we have for the American health care system — both public and private.
Against that backdrop here in 2020, as we face down the threat posed by a novel virus and the promise of a vaccine produced in a program called “Operation Warp Speed,” it’s no wonder that hesitancy abounds.
Many Americans, regardless of race, are concerned about being injected with a novel vaccine made in record time, but African Americans have a unique legacy with the U.S. health care system — which makes this an even more challenging decision.
As we face down the threat posed by a novel virus and the promise of a vaccine produced in a program called “Operation Warp Speed,” it’s no wonder that hesitancy abounds.
According to the National Opinion Research Center (NORC), the nonpartisan public research organization at the University of Chicago, 40% of African-Americans surveyed said they would not take a Covid-19 vaccine compared to only 25% who said they would. That’s significantly fewer than the 56% of surveyed whites who said they would take the vaccine.
Hopefully, administering and receiving the Covid-19 vaccine will become as routine and safe as what we experience now with the flu vaccine. Because the Black community is deeply impacted by Covid-19, an effective and safe vaccine could help to save our aunts, uncles, parents, and grandparents from unnecessary illness and possible death.
However, is it realistic to expect we will be the first to stand in line for this vaccine? Before we do that, we should know whether it is safe for us. Given the fact that African Americans are 60% more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes, 40% more likely to have high blood pressure, and 3.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with renal disease, it is vital that scientists establish the safety and efficacy of the vaccine in persons with diabetes and high blood pressure.
The legacy of Tuskegee will sadly always be with us. But rather than hinder us, it should drive us to ask the important questions, trust what is proven, and be informed at all times.
This vaccine should demonstrate that it is safe in the human body. The only way we will know if it is is to study the effects of the vaccine over time. We should continue to monitor the safety data coming from the phase 1 through phase 3 studies. We will need to evaluate demographic information regarding differences in response to the vaccine based on age, race, sex, and comorbid conditions. We should have a full picture of the effectiveness of this vaccine as well as the risk.
I can’t tell you whether to take a vaccine or not — that’s not my purpose in writing this. My aim is to say: Let’s inform ourselves and then make a decision. But to my friends who have decided they will not be the first in line for this vaccine: I sure hope you will continue to do those things which have proven to be effective in reducing risk. I still wear a mask in public, I haven’t been to a party in months, and I visit friends and family only occasionally and make a point to keep my distance (when outside) or wear masks (when inside). I also wash my hands often and keep them out of my face. It’s not always easy, but I know it is necessary.
And I will get my flu shot.
The scientist in me will always look to the data to make smart choices about my health. Gone are the days when we could rely only on our doctor for information. We must all become educated health care consumers. And we must reject terms like “vulnerable” being used to describe African Americans at risk in this pandemic. We are not vulnerable, we are disregarded when it comes to health care in this country. We can do better for ourselves and can call on the health care and research community to be better as well.
The legacy of Tuskegee will sadly always be with us. But rather than hinder us, it should drive us to ask the important questions, trust what is proven, and be informed at all times. | https://elemental.medium.com/the-legacy-of-tuskegee-complicates-african-americans-feelings-about-vaccines-6408b38bfb4e | ['Jen Payne'] | 2020-08-31 05:31:02.162000+00:00 | ['History', 'Science', 'Health', 'Race', 'Vaccines'] |
Important Functions to deploy code on AWS SageMaker | def input_fn(input_data, content_type):
# Read the raw input data as CSV.
if content_type == 'text/csv':
df = pd.read_csv(StringIO(input_data),header=None)
if len(df.columns) == len(feature_columns_names) + 1:
#This is for labelled example.
df.columns = feature_columns_names + [label_column]
elif len(df.columns) == len(feature_columns_names):
#This is an unlabelled example.
df.columns = feature_columns_names
return df
else:
raise ValueError("{} not supported by
script!".format(content_type))
The output method in the output_fn returns back in JSON format because by default the Inference Pipeline expects JSON between the containers, but can be modified to add other output formats. The idea is to set the ContentType in such a way that the response is read correctly. Here is the sample of the default output_fn. Putting it here to get a holistic view of all these functions :
def output_fn(prediction, accept):
if accept == "application/json":
instances = []
for row in prediction.tolist():
instances.append({"features": row})
json_output = {"instances": instances}
return worker.Response(json.dumps(json_output), mimetype=accept)
elif accept == 'text/csv':
return worker.Response(encoders.encode(prediction, accept), mimetype=accept)
else:
raise RuntimeException("{} accept type is not supported by this script.".format(accept))
Next is the model_fn that essentially takes the location of the serialized model and returns the deserialized model back to Amazon SageMaker. Note that this is the only method that does not have a default because the definition of the method will be closely linked to the serialization method implemented in training. While there are numerous methods to this activity, as I was using Scikit-learn for my text classification, I used the joblib library included with Scikit-learn.
def model_fn(model_dir):
"""Deserialize fitted model
"""
preprocessor = joblib.load(os.path.join(model_dir,
"model.joblib"))
return preprocessor
The predict_fn is used to call the model.It takes the input data, which was returned by the input_fn mentioned above, and the deserialized model from the model_fn to transform the source data. The default predict_fn uses predict_fn, and my example case required it as it is so I did not make any changes to this function. There are cases where instead of .predict(), we would require a .transform(). The predict_fn can then be changed in the following way :
def predict_fn(input_data, model):
features = model.transform(input_data)
return features
Essentially these functions need to be altered if there is a case to case requirement for changing the functionalities of these functions. It is very important to understand how these functions work in putting together the flow for deployment of the code. | https://medium.com/@pranidhiprabhat/important-functions-to-deploy-code-on-aws-sagemaker-2b825863c4d6 | ['Pranidhi Prabhat'] | 2020-11-21 16:14:45.830000+00:00 | ['Deployment', 'Sagemaker', 'Amazon Sagemaker', 'AWS', 'Endpoints'] |
10 Cyber Security Tools and techniques and Kit for 2020–2021 — mrscriptkiddie | Hey hackers!!
With an immense number of companies and entities climbing onto the digital bandwagon, cybersecurity considerations have come up as limelight. Besides, new technologies such as Big Data, IoT, and Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning are gradually more making inroads into our everyday lives, the threats related to cybercrime are mounting as well. Additionally, the usage of mobile and web apps in transacting financial information has put the complete digital stuff exposed to cybersecurity breaches. The inherent risks and vulnerabilities found in such apps can be exploited by attackers or cybercriminals to draw off crucial information data counting money. Internationally, cyber-security breaches have caused a yearly loss of USD 20.38 million in 2019 (Source: Statista). Plus, cybercrime has led to a 0.80 percent loss of the entire world’s Gross domestic product, which sums up to approx. USD 2.1 trillion in the year 2019 alone (Source: Cybriant.com).
Even the spiraling pandemic has introduced a distressing impact on several enterprises and companies worldwide, the majority of companies arbitrarily attempted or moved their business sections to the untouched or unaffected digital space. Most security funds were, yet, also battered as a collateral outcome of the complete economic downturn. The shrinking budgets mainly exacerbated traumatic digital transformation by gross disregard of privacy and cybersecurity components of the subtle process.
To stem the rot and preempt adverse penalties of cyberthreat or crime, like losing client trust and brand repute, cybersecurity testing should be made compulsory. Cybersecurity expense is nonetheless forecasted to rebound and hit again in the year 2021, giving relief for exhausted CISOs, and their shattered IT, cybersecurity teams. Meanwhile, I would like to acquaint you with a series of best cybersecurity tools that can make a palpable divergence for your overall security program and 2021 budget plans.
What Is Penetration Testing?
The penetration test is a kind of Security testing that is carried out to assess the security of the system (software, hardware, information system, or networks environment). The main objective of this type of testing is to scrutinize all the security risks or vulnerabilities that are found in an app by assessing the system’s security with malevolent techniques and to safeguard the data from the hackers and manage the system’s functionality. Penetration testing is a kind of Non-functional test which intends to make official attempts to breach the system’s security. It is also called a Pen Test or Pen Testing and the QA engineer or tester who performs this testing is considered as a pen tester aka ethical hacker.
What Are the Best Cyber Security Tools for 2021?
Any app security testing method shall require the conduct of a functional test. This way, several security issues, and vulnerabilities can be detected, which if not rectified in time can result in hacking. There are a plethora of paid and open source testing tools available in the market. Let’s discuss the top 10 cybersecurity testing tools to look out for in 2021:
1. NMap
NMap is a short form of Network Mapper. NMap is an open-source and free security scanning tool for security auditing and network exploration. It works on Windows, Linux, HP-UX, Solaris, BSD variants (comprising Mac OS), AmigaOS. NMap is used to detect what hosts are accessible on the network, what versions and OSs they are running, what services those hosts are providing, what kind of firewalls/ packet filters are in use etc., Several network and systems administrators find it beneficial for regular jobs like check for open ports, maintaining service upgrade schedules, network inventory, and monitoring service or host uptime. It comes with both GUI interfaces and command line.
Tutorial for Nmap Beginner to Intermediate
https://mrscriptkiddie.com/scan-networks-using-nmap-nmap-detailed-tutorialbypass-firewall-using-nmap-stealth-scan/
Core Features:
Determines hosts on a network
It is used to determine network inventory, network mapping, maintenance, and asset management
Produces traffic to hosts on a network, response time measurement, and response analysis
Used to recognizes open ports on target hosts in the arrangement for auditing
To search and exploit risks as well as vulnerabilities in a network
Download: NMap
2. Wireshark
It is one of the best tools and freely accessible open-source pen-testing tools. Generally, it is one of the network protocol analyzers, it allows you to capture and coordinatively browse the traffic running on a system network. It runs on Linux, Windows, Unix, Solaris, Mac OS, NetBSD, FreeBSD, and several others. Wireshark can be extensively used by educators, security experts, network professionals, and developers. The information that is recovered through the Wireshark software testing tool can be viewed through a Graphical User Interface or the TTY-mode TShark utility.
Core Features:
Rich VoIP analysis
Live capture and offline scrutiny
In-depth examination of hundreds of protocols
Runs on UNIX, Linux, Windows, Solaris, macOS, NetBSD, FreeBSD, & various others
Captured system or network data can be browsed through a GUI, or through the TTY-mode TShark utility
Read/write several variant capture file formats
Captured files compressed via gzip can be de-compressed concurrently
Coloring rules can be applied to the packet list for intuitive and rapid analysis
Live data can be read from Blue-tooth, PPP/HDLC, internet, ATM, Token Ring, USB, etc.,
Outcome can be exported to PostScript, CSV, XML, or plain text
3. Metasploit
It is a computer security project that offers the user with vital information about security risks or vulnerabilities. This framework is an open-source pen test and development platform that offers you access to the recent exploit code for several apps, platforms, and operating systems. Some of the jobs that can be attained in Metasploit from a pen test perspective comprise vulnerability scanning, listening, and exploiting known vulnerabilities, project reporting, and evidence collection. It has a command-line and Graphical User Interface clickable interface that works on Linux, Windows, as well as Apple Mac OS. Metasploit is a commercial tool but it comes with an open-source limited trial.
Core Features:
Network discovery
It has a command-line and GUI interface
Works on Windows, Linux, & Mac OS X
Module browser
Basic exploitation
Manual exploitation
Vulnerability scanner import
Metasploit community edition is offered to the InfoSec community without charge
Primitive Metasploit Hackings:
https://mrscriptkiddie.com/hack-any-windows-os-using-metasploit-create-windows-payload-how-to-hack-windows/
4. Netsparker
This commercial security test tool is a web app security scanner. Netsparker is a dead accurate, automatic, and simple to use web app security scanner. This amazing tool is mainly used to identify security risks automatically like Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) and SQL injection in web services, web apps, and websites. Its proof-based Scanning technology does not simply report risks; it also generates a Proof of Concept to confirm they aren’t false positives. Therefore, there is no point in wasting your time by verifying the detect vulnerabilities manually after a scan is ended.
Core Features:
Advanced web scanning
Vulnerability assessment
HTTP request builder
Web services scanning
Proof-centric scanning technology for dead-accurate threats finding and scan outcomes
Full HTML5 support
SDLC integration
Exploitation
Reporting
Manual tests
Automated identification of custom 404 error pages
Anti-Cross-site Request Forgery (CSRF) token support
Anti-CSRF token support
REST API support
5. Acunetix
It is a completely automatic web vulnerability scanner that identifies and reports on over 4500 web app vulnerabilities counting all variants of XSS XXE, SSRF, Host Header Injection, and SQL Injection. Acunetix smartly detects around 4500 web vulnerabilities. Acunetix is a commercial tool. Its DeepScan Crawler scans AJAX-heavy client-side SPAs and HTML5 websites. It enables users to export detected vulnerabilities to problem trackers like GitHub, Atlassian JIRA, Microsoft TFS (Team Foundation Server). It is obtainable on Linux, Windows, and Online.
Core Features:
A high detection rate of risks and vulnerabilities with lower false positives
Integrated vulnerability management — organize and control risks
Deeply crawl and scrutinize — automatic scans all websites
Integration with popular WAFs and Issue trackers like GitHub, JIRA, TFS
Open-source network security scanning and Manual test tools
Run on Linux, Windows, and online
6. Nessus
It is a vulnerability assessment solution for security practitioners and it is formed and maintained by a company called Tenable Network Security. Nessus aids in detecting and fixing vulnerabilities like software flaws, malware, missing patches, and misconfigurations across a variety of OSs, apps, and devices. It supports Windows, Linux, Mac, Solaris, etc. It specializes in IPs scan, website scanning, compliance checks, Sensitive data searches, etc., and assists to detect the ‘weak-spots’.
Core Features:
Configuration audits
Mobile device audits
Reports can be simply tailored to sort by host or vulnerability, generate an executive summary, or compare scanning outcomes to highlight alterations
Detect vulnerabilities that enable a remote attacker to access confidential data from the system
Identifies both the remote faults of the hosts that are on a network and their local flaws and missing patches as well
7. W3af
It is a Web Application Attack and Audit Framework. W3af is a free tool. W3af secures web apps by searching and exploiting all web app vulnerabilities. It determines 200 or more vulnerabilities and controls your overall risk exposure on the website. It detects all sorts of vulnerabilities such as Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), SQL injection, unhandled application errors, Guessable Credentials, and PHP misconfigurations. It has both a console and graphical UI. It works on Mac, Linux, and Windows OS.
Core Features:
Assimilation of web and proxy servers into the code
Proxy support
Injecting payloads into roughly every section of the HTTP request
HTTP Basic and Digest authentication
Cookie handling
UserAgent faking
HTTP response cache
DNS cache
File upload using multipart
Add custom headers to requests
Download link: W3af
8. Zed Attack Proxy
Zed Attack Proxy is a free and open-source security testing tool, developed by OWASP. Popularly known as ZAP, Supported by Unix/Linux, Windows, and Mac OS, ZAP allows you to find a set of security risks and vulnerabilities in web apps, even at the time of the development and testing phase. This tool is simple to use, even if you are a novice in pen-testing.
Core Features:
Authentication support
AJAX spiders
Automatic Scanner
Forced Browsing
Dynamic SSL certificates
Web Socket Support
Plug-n-hack support
Intercepting Proxy
REST-based API and so on
9. Burpsuite
It is also essentially a scanner (with a restricted “intruder” tool), even though several security test experts swear that penetration test without this tool is unimaginable. It isn’t free, yet very lucrative. It generally works wonders with crawling content and functionality, intercepting proxy, web app scanning, etc. One can use this on Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux environments.
Core Features:
Cross-Platform Supported
Very Light Weight And Stable
Can Work With Almost All Browsers.
Perform customize attacks
Well Design User Interface
Can Assist in crawling Website
Aid in scanning Https/ HTTP Request and Response
10. Sqlninja
It is one of the best open-source penetration testing tools. The aim of Sqlninja is to exploit SQL injection threats and vulnerabilities on a web app. This automated testing tool utilizes Microsoft SQL Server as a back-end. Sqlninja has a command-line interface. Sqlninja works on Linux, as well as Apple Mac OS X. It comes with a slew of descriptive features, counting remote commands, DB fingerprinting, and its detection engine.
Core features:
Direct and reverse shell, both for UDP and TCP
Fingerprinting of the remote SQL Server
Formation of a custom XP cmdshell when the original one has been disabled
Withdrawal of data from the remote Database
Operating System privilege escalation on the remote database server
Reverse scan to seek a port that can be utilized for a reverse shell
Wrapping Up
These are the top cybersecurity testing tools that will give you security for your personal data, mitigate the rates of data breaches, as well as stolen hardware. Other advantages of these tools count tighter security and greater privacy. These must-have security tools will help you evade cyberattacks and secure your IT infrastructure. Lastly, such security software requires up-gradation and maintenance to constantly have top-notch security.
Keep Coming for more
Happy Hacking!! | https://medium.com/@harshitdodia653/10-cyber-security-tools-and-techniques-and-kit-for-2020-2021-mrscriptkiddie-3b5bfb6d5d57 | ['Harshit Dodia'] | 2020-12-09 11:05:50.600000+00:00 | ['Ethical Hacking', 'Cybersecurity', 'Tools', 'Covid 19', 'Hacking Tools'] |
Yes, we can raise the standard of people below the poverty line but how? | Healthcare:
Is health purely a function of human biology or available technology — one that stresses disease, diagnosis, cure, or management of symptoms — known as the biomedical perspective? Is it a function of our social reality as stressed by the social perspective of health, or is it a combination of both as is stressed in a holistic perspective of health? Health services by themselves are a highly complex entity. They operate either as clinical or as public health services. Clinical health services are individualized services to those who seek medical attention, where the provider offers the best technology available or within the means of the patient.
Public Health Services: Skewed And Crumbling
India has a mixed system of services which includes modern as well as traditional systems. The health providers range from modern-day medical professionals to practitioners of traditional medicine. Then there are the paramedical personnel and traditional providers. Modern medical services are offered by the State as well as by the NGO and private sectors.
Though there are more medical care institutions in the private sector, the public sector continues to have a greater number of beds, despite its slow growth. By the end of the 20th century, there were a total of 15,501 hospitals. Of these, 10,848 were private institutions, an overwhelming majority. But the private hospitals had only 2,53,437 beds out of a total of 6,81,643 beds. This shows that the larger institutions still remained with the public sector.
Critical Gaps in Health Services:-
According to the Health Information of India 2004 report, out of the 6,39,729 doctors registered in India, only 67,576 are in the public sector; as many as 5,72,253 doctors are either in the private sector or abroad. This creates a tremendous shortfall in the states where a large number of posts remain vacant. It is a similar story with general nurses and midwives and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANM).
To fill in this gap the government is trying to integrate manpower from available alternative systems that constitute a significant number.
Health Indicators: Unable to Reach out to the Poor
When we compare the morbidity and mortality profiles in India against the infrastructure and investments in health, the picture is not very impressive. Marginal declines in morbidity and mortality or stagnation seem to be the only achievement. In fact, it seems to be an achievement fraught with poor recording and misreporting.
Vaccine-preventable infections of childhood flourish. Dengue, pneumonia, enteric fever, viral hepatitis, and other infections have not subsided, along with other communicable diseases.
Impact of Reforms: Making the Poor Expendable:-
The weakening of the food security system, unemployment, and loss of subsistence undermined the inter-sectoral approach to health planning; Primary health care was reduced to primary level care thus excluding the supportive responsibility of secondary and tertiary care institutions; Primary level care got further narrowed down to essential clinical and essential public health care. Its components were defined by the World Bank which had little to do with assessing the epidemiological needs of the people. A focus on reproductive health made women the agency for population control. Thus, reproductive technologies of fertility control and infertility cure got a boost. Medical care got into the hands of the private sector, which had no obligation to follow prescribed procedures for monitoring, data pooling, and standardized treatment. It disrupted national disease control programs. Access to services due to rising costs as well as the quality of care remained variable in the absence of any formal mechanism to monitor the expanding private sector — either laid down by the private sector itself or by the State. Family welfare and AIDS control programs acquired a major position in health planning that was now guided by the priorities of donors. Decentralization of services was imposed and interpreted as provisioning by several independent providers and not a delegation of responsibility and answerability to a central authority.
Non-Treatment on the Rise:-
The main cause for non-treatment remains economic, as people do not have the resources to afford treatment, and lack of finances as a reason for non-treatment increases from 10 % of the respondents to 26 % across deciles.
Non-availability of services is another key reason for not seeking services. The 60th round of NSS confirms the qualitative insights that the poor try their best to save their families and often resort to private treatment, but their use of it is largely restricted to general wards and free beds that are very limited.
The average expenditure per delivery in private and public hospitals is markedly different with the former charging three or four times more.
The Politics of User Fees: Serves The Rich, Keeps The Poor Out
Other than privatization, the single largest cause of pushing away the poor from public hospitals is user fees. User fees were introduced with the idea that middle-class users would rather shift to private hospitals if they had to pay a user fee at the entrance to public hospitals. This would leave public services more for the poor.
User fees are actually preventing the poor from accessing the only facilities that are somewhat within their reach. Many benefits of user fees are trotted out officially, one being that they contribute to resource mobilization.
First and foremost, there are no established norms about the utilization of the amount collected as user fees. In some states the amount goes to the state treasury fully or partially, in others, it is the Chief Medical officer who decides what is to be done with it.
In some others, it may be a wider group of the hospital committee that decides. Nowhere do representatives of different sections of the hospital staff contribute to this decision-making process. The competing needs of patient care, diagnostics, emergency requirements, facilities for attendants, and hospital sanitation are often overlooked by the need to beautify the hospital or its offices.
Hospitals that manage to collect substantial amounts are those that are in a position to offer good services. If at all they can reinvest, they further improve their services. This process completely bypasses those institutions that are resource-starved, have poor finances and are therefore not chosen by people who can pay. Thus, unless a system of sharing resources comes into being, institutions that function poorly shall continue to do so as their user fees collection would remain negligible.
Gender Justice:-
In assessing the status of health and health services, the health status of women and their access to health services requires special attention. Given the patriarchal structure of society and gender differentials in education, work opportunities, participation in labor, and decision-making powers, it is inevitable that when it comes to getting a share of scarce family resources, women are invariably left out at critical junctures.
The low sex ratio of the girl child, high maternal mortality (4–5/1,000 live births), and poor share of women in health expenditure of the family as they mostly go to the traditional healer or local practitioner and less often to the doctor, makes it clear that special attention needs to be paid by the health services to ensure their coverage.
Strategies To Meet The Challenges: The Way Forward
● Facing squarely the task of building infrastructure for public health in a way that comprehensive primary healthcare becomes a reality. This would mean developing an integrated health system that strengthens the primary, secondary, and tertiary level care and emphasizes inter-sectoral linkages such as food availability (public distribution systems), drinking water supply, sanitation, public transport, housing, etc. Tertiary level public services are critical not only to provide referral services to the deserving but also to set up basic minimum standards of tertiary care that are effective and efficient within the epidemiological requirements of the country. Without this monitoring or regulation of the private sector by the State is not possible.
● Given the experience with user charges, it is clear that they harm the marginalized sections and do not improve the overall efficiency of state institutions given their very low proportion in the total resource requirement. User charges therefore must be removed.
● The only way out is to increase the overall investment levels and not delay this already accepted principle. Instead of shifting subsidies to the private sector the same could be used to strengthen the public sector. For additional resources, the possibilities of health cess or a national insurance system need to be debated.
● The epidemiological basis of many of the vertical programs in existence needs a thorough re-examination as evaluation studies bring out their strategic weakness both in terms of their technological choices and their structural coherence. In other words, priorities need to be re-set.
● The commitment to integration must be fulfilled, especially in the case of vector-borne disease control programs. Organization and management according to the epidemiological need should be the guiding principle. | https://medium.com/@simranmartha00/yes-we-can-raise-the-standard-of-people-below-the-poverty-line-but-how-5bd4b262d957 | ['Simran Martha'] | 2021-02-02 09:00:58.036000+00:00 | ['Crisis', 'Solutions', 'India', 'Poverty'] |
3 Life Lessons From Michel de Montaigne | 3 Life Lessons From Michel de Montaigne
Portrait of Michel de Montaigne by an unknown author, c. 1570s (Wikimedia Commons — image resized by author)
There are several big names associated with philosophy. We’ve all heard of Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, and Nietzsche. Yet, you’re probably not familiar with the work of Michel de Montaigne.
Montaigne was a French philosopher from the sixteenth century and an influential thinker during the Renaissance period. His collected works, Essays, were published in 1580, and whilst they’re full of interesting ideas, the following life lessons are a good introduction to Montaigne’s wisdom:
1. Judgement is more important than knowledge
Montaigne criticises any form of education which does not encourage us to think for ourselves. Knowledge, he argues, must be built on our own. We shouldn’t accept everything we’re told, even if we’re being taught by someone in a position of authority, such as a parent or a lecturer.
“I do not like this relative and mendicant understanding. For though we could become learned by other men’s learning, a man can never be wise but by his own wisdom.” — Essays, Montaigne
According to Montaigne, judgement is more important than knowledge. The best tutors encourage exploration by leading from behind. They should challenge our ideas and advocate for free-thinking.
Without question, Montaigne would have been displeased with today’s educational institutions — teachers talk down to their students far too much. Because of this, it’s vital that we rewire our brains when we move into adulthood.
2. True independence involves listening to others
However, Montaigne doesn’t want us to become so fixated on independence that we neglect the influence of others. Balance is necessary.
Too often, we focus on displaying our own wisdom. Instead, silence, modesty, and attentiveness should be practised during our conversations. The person we’re speaking to will know something we don’t and if they back up their argument with evidence and logic, we should take on their wisdom.
“Human understanding is marvellously enlightened by daily conversation … for we are, otherwise, compressed and heaped in ourselves, and have our sight limited to the length of our own noses.”— Essays, Montaigne
It’s also important to admire those from different backgrounds. Montaigne, despite being a privileged writer and philosopher, emphasises his respect for peasants, bricklayers, and traders, for they have knowledge that he does not. Only a foolish person would look down upon those with less material wealth.
Some may argue that Montaigne’s words are contradictory. How can we be independent and influenced by others at the same time?
Well, it goes back to the idea of judgement. As well as finding our own path, true independence requires us to choose our influences. A wise individual will take great care when deciding whose words are worth acting upon.
3. A healthy body leads to wiser judgements
If we want to make wiser judgements, it’s important to take care of ourselves physically. Montaigne acknowledges his own physical difficulties, describing his body as weak when compared to his mind.
It is integral, therefore, that mothers and fathers toughen up their children rather than overprotect them. Exercise should be encouraged from an early age because a healthy body leads to wiser judgements.
“… our very exercises and recreations, running, wrestling, music, dancing, hunting, riding, fencing, will prove to be a good part of our study …”— Essays, Montaigne
Additionally, exercise makes us comfortable with pain. It doesn't matter if you’re a good person or a bad person, suffering is inevitable. Montaigne argues that we will be able to cope with our difficulties if exercise is a regular part of our lives.
Conclusion
Though the self-help market is booming with modern ideas, there’s nothing wrong with looking to the past for some guidance.
Montaigne tells us to balance independence with humility. We should pick our own path and make our own judgements without becoming arrogant, for we can always be enriched by the wisdom of others. If we look after ourselves physically, our judgements will be wiser still.
Such advice merely scratches the surface of Montaigne’s wisdom. Still, there’s no denying how valuable these simple ideas are. | https://historyofyesterday.com/3-life-lessons-from-michel-de-montaigne-d17ff6deee2b | ['Jacob Wilkins'] | 2020-12-07 09:03:09.494000+00:00 | ['Philosophy', 'Self Improvement', 'Renaissance', 'France', 'History'] |
TCL adds 8K models to its 6-series smart TV lineup and moves to a gap-less mini-LED backlight array | TCL adds 8K models to its 6-series smart TV lineup and moves to a gap-less mini-LED backlight array Jeannie Feb 2·2 min read
Later this year, TCL will launch TVs featuring its third-generation mini-LED backlighting system, dubbed OD Zero. OD stands for “Optical Depth” and zero indicates the size of the gap between the backlight array and the LCD panel; in other words, there isn’t one. Eliminating this gap should reduce light bleed through adjacent zones, boosting overall contrast and improving black levels.
The company will offer this latest version of its highly granular backlighting, which employs thousands of tiny LEDs instead of hundidreds of larger ones, in its new 8K UHD 6-series TVs. Older 4K UHD 6 series models will remain in the lineup, so don’t assume that 6-series means 8K when you shop.
[ Further reading: TechHive's top picks in smart TVs ]As do other vendors, TCL claims upscaling will increase the percieved resolution of 1080p and 4K UHD content. If TCL’s AiPQ engine uses the same tricks I’ve seen from Samsung, LG, and now Sony—it will. Content in those lower resolutions really does appear to be significantly more detailed on an 8K set when properly processed.
TCL TCL’s 4-series smart TVs will be among the lowest-priced 85-inch TVs on the market.
TCL also plans to go big this year with it 85-inch XL-series TVs. The company has added an 85-inch model to the 4 series (the $1,599, Roku-based 85R435) for the early spring, followed by a quantum dot, Roku-based 85R745 (pricing to be announced), and eventually an 85-inch mini-LED, wide color gamut 8K UHD model.
The 85R745—and we’re assuming the 8K UHD variant—will include Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, as well as variable refresh rate and 120Hz HDMI input support for game-play.
This article was edited several hours after posting to correct "Optical Distance" to "Optical Depth."
Note: When you purchase something after clicking links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. Read our affiliate link policy for more details. | https://medium.com/@jeannie32109684/tcl-adds-8k-models-to-its-6-series-smart-tv-lineup-and-moves-to-a-gap-less-mini-led-backlight-array-28d7e74be631 | [] | 2021-02-02 09:24:20.121000+00:00 | ['Home Tech', 'Tvs', 'Surveillance', 'Deals'] |
Why I Enrolled in the Flatiron School to Learn Software Engineering | Why I Enrolled in the Flatiron School to Learn Software Engineering Devon Walsh Apr 9·2 min read
As of last month, I’m officially a student of Flatiron School’s full-time software engineering program. I’ve been really enjoying myself so far and I’m confident that this is the next move I want to be making in my career, but when the school asked us to complete a blog entry about why we’ve decided to go into software engineering, I struggled with how to articulate it.
I have a slightly eclectic background, though I’ve spent the last 10 or so years of it, in one way or another, in tech. Most recently I had the title of “technical data analyst” at Jellyvision in Chicago, IL, which had me, yes, analyzing data, but also working alongside software engineers to create, debug, and monitor web applications. I’ve reached a point in my tech career where I simultaneously feel like I know a lot and also very little.
I’m going to try to break down my reasons for this career step in a few points:
1.) I love to learn. It’s cliche, but it’s true. I love that there is always, always something new to learn when you’re working with code, I love that there are so many free online resources from which to learn things, and I love that there’s a huge community to tap into for knowledge and support. It’s hard to think of many professions that have such readily-accessible information and engaged peers.
2.) It’s ubiquitous. Yes, there’s coding for an employer, but if I want to build an app I’m interested in on my own time, no one’s stopping me. If I want to get involved in open source or pro bono work, there’s plenty of it. If I want to apply something new I’ve learned, I can do a project — I don’t have to wait for permission, or funding, etc. You don’t really hear about anyone doing a little dentistry project on the side. (I hope. Things do get a little crazy during a lengthy pandemic.)
3.) I want to commit to something. So far, my career has been directed by a job that sounded interesting, or a company that sounded interesting, without me really actively considering My Career. I think that’s a fine way to go about things! But as I look to the future, I really want to put my energy into a field with intention — I’m a *great* jack-of-all-trades, but there’s also something appealing about working toward becoming a master. (Well, take “master” with a grain of salt, see #1 — always something new to learn.)
I really want to become good at coding, and I’m ready to put in the work to get there. Flatiron is a great fit for me at this point — they give you a lot, and you get out what you put in. I’m eager to build up my skills, over the next few months of this bootcamp and from there on out! | https://medium.com/@devonwalsh/why-i-enrolled-in-the-flatiron-school-to-learn-software-engineering-5a840c3c71a6 | ['Devon Walsh'] | 2021-04-09 21:05:17.262000+00:00 | ['Coding', 'Software Development', 'Codingbootcamp', 'Software Engineering', 'Flatiron School'] |
Chapter 1 :Complete Linear Regression with Math. | Prerequisite : Different types of machine learning.
Linear Regression: it is a linear model that establishes the relationship between a dependent variable y(Target) and one or more independent variables denoted X(Inputs).
Regression fits the data
Goal is to find that blue straight line (which is best fit) to the data.
Our Training Data consists of X and y values so we can plot them on the graph, that’s damn easy. now what’s next? how to find that blue line????
First lets talk about how to draw a linear line in the graph,
In math we have an equation which is called linear equation
y = mX+b { m->slope , b->Y-intercept }
so we can draw the line if we take any values for m and b
How do we get the m and b values ??? and how do we know exact m and b values for the best fit line??
Lets take a simple data set (sine wave form -3 to 3) and First time we take random values of m and b values and we draw a line something like this.
Random line for m and b
How we drew the above line?
we take the first X value(x1) from our data set and calculate y value(y1)
y1=m*x1+b {m,b->random values lets say 0.5,1
x1->lets say -3 (first value from our data-set) y1=(0.5 * -3) + 1
y1=-0.5
by applying all x values for m and b values we get our first line. Above picture has its own random variables ( I hope you understand the concept)
That line is not fitting well to the data so we need to change m and b values to get the best fit line.
How do we change m and b values for the best fit line??
Either we can use an awesome algorithm called Gradient Descent (Which I will cover in next story with also the math used in there.)
Update:Here is the Gradient Descent Story
Or we can borrow direct formulas from statistics(they call this Least Square Method) I will also cover if possible in next story.
X^ is mean of X values , Y^ mean of y values
Right now lets black box, we assume that we are getting the m and b values, Every time when the m and b values change we may get a different line and finally we get the best fit line
Pretty cool right?
So What’s next??? Predicting new data, remember?? so we give new X values we get the predicted y values how does it work ??
same as above y= m X +b , we now know the final m and b values.
This is called simple linear regression as we have only one independent X value. Lets say we wanna predict housing price based the size of house
X= Size (in sqft’s) y= Price (in dollar’s)
X y
1000 40
2000 70
500 25
............
What if we have more independent values of X????
Lets say we wanna predict housing price not only by the size of house but also by no of bedrooms
x1= Size (in sqft’s), x2=N_rooms and y= Price (in dollar’s)
x1 x2 y
1000 2 50
2000 4 90
500 1 35
............
The process same as above but the equation changes a bit
Note: Lets alias b and m as θ0 and θ1 (theta 0 and theta 1 ) respectively.
y = θ0+θ1*X → b+mX → Simple LR → Single variable LR y=θ0+θ1*x1+θ2*x2+..θn*xn → Multiple LR → Multi variable LR
Now we can predict as many things as we wish.
That’s it for this story , Hoping it helps at least 1 person.
In the next story I will talk about Gradient Descent Algorithm.
until then See ya! | https://medium.com/deep-math-machine-learning-ai/chapter-1-complete-linear-regression-with-math-25b2639dde23 | ['Madhu Sanjeevi', 'Mady'] | 2019-05-23 10:14:03.384000+00:00 | ['Linear Regression', 'Machine Learning', 'Supervised Learning', 'Gradient Descent'] |
America’s influence on the world and the “butterfly effect” | On one hand, since the US is the world's largest, strongest economy (though China is challenging this), and the world’s financial center as well, together with being the main influencer through mass media and entertainment, whatever happens in America has great consequences all around the world.
On the other hand, since we have evolved into a globally integrated and interdependent world, each and every country, or even individual person exerts influence on everybody and everything.
We are starting the age of “one for all, all for one”, where the so-called “butterfly effect” operates with full force.
And while there will always be bigger and smaller cogwheels, even the smallest cogwheel can bring the whole system to screeching halt if it doesn’t function optimally, turning together with all the other cogwheels.
And it is the same for the largest cogwheel as well. Being the largest makes it even more responsible for the balance and most optimal well-being of the whole system.
The earlier, usual, ruthlessly competitive, exploitative behavior, where each tries to succeed, survive at the expense of others is over.
After all, when we are all sitting on the same global boat, we can’t keep drilling holes underneath each other as then we all sink and drown! | https://medium.com/@samechphoto/americas-influence-on-the-world-and-the-butterfly-affect-ee5258e95a3b | ['Zsolt Hermann'] | 2020-07-02 23:01:54.869000+00:00 | ['America', 'Global', 'Responsibility', 'Influence', 'Integration'] |
Citadel.one partners Nexus Mutual | To all DeFi communities as well as Citadel.one and Nexus Mutual users!
We are excited to announce that Citadel.one and Nexus Mutual have teamed up to research decentralized finance and will be working together on one of the most advanced DeFi digests in the field: DeFi Recap.
Together with Nexus Mutual we will be covering Derivatives. This financial sector has evolved for centuries to become one of the most popular financial tools. Follow our updates to keep up with most important governance votes, discussions, and incentives of one of the most rapidly developing DeFi fields. The general market overview, selected metrics, it’s all about our DeFi Recap.
Check our previous report:
DeFi Recap: Lending
About Nexus Mutual
Nexus Mutual uses blockchain technology to bring the mutual ethos back to insurance by creating aligned incentives through smart contract code on the Ethereum blockchain. The organization is run entirely by its members. Only members can decide which claims are valid. All member decisions are recorded and enforced by smart contracts on the Ethereum public blockchain. When joining the mutual you become a legal member of a UK company. Your membership rights will be backed by legal agreements. All members will have legal rights to the pool of funds.
Risk assessors (members who stake) stake NXM to show they think a contract is secure which then enables other members to purchase cover. Cover can be purchased on smart contracts and custodians. Risk assessors earn rewards for staking and get burned if there is a successful claim on the smart contract. Smart contract cover protects against bugs and hacks in the smart contract code. Custody cover protects against hacks where the user loses more than 10% of their funds, or if withdrawals from the custodian are halted for more than 90 days.
About Citadel.one
Get more from your staking!
Citadel.one is a non-custodial Proof-of-Stake platform for the management and storage of crypto assets. Users can create public addresses for all supported networks with one seed phrase, connect their Ledger or Trezor device, or import an address generated by another wallet.
The analytical dashboard provides relevant information on wallets’ balances and networks’ main metrics. In Citadel.one, we standardize the semantics, making interactions with the platform as easy as possible. The same goes for network metrics. By using universal terms, we are making it easier for users to understand and compare networks.
One of the main functions of the Citadel.one platform is participation in the PoS consensus — users can stake and delegate their assets, claim rewards, and follow the latest network proposals in the voting tab.
Citadel.one offers its users instant cryptocurrency exchange services that allow fast and secure crypto assets swap. It is also possible to buy and sell crypto with a credit or debit card. Citadel.one users can track rewards, withdrawals, transfers, and deposits across all supported networks and add comments to these transactions.
Among PoS platforms, Citadel.one supports Secret Network ($SCRT), Cosmos ($ATOM), ICON ($ICX), IOST, Orbs, and Tezos ($XTZ). We also support Ethereum, Bitcoin, and Tether ($USDT) for our users’ convenience. Mobile and desktop versions, new networks, including Polkadot and Ontology, are scheduled for the upcoming updates. Furthermore, delving into the idea of true decentralization, we envision Citadel.one a decentralized autonomous organization and a genuinely community-owned platform in the nearest future. | https://medium.com/citadel-one/citadel-one-partners-nexus-mutual-19da9afccdab | [] | 2020-12-16 06:41:22.434000+00:00 | ['Fintech', 'Insurance', 'Cryptocurrency', 'Nexus Mutual', 'Cryptocurrency Investment'] |
LAST DAYS | LAST DAYS
With these type of forces
It's the greatest writer
None can ever compare
To what he owes for us
These meagre novelist ain't ready for me
I destroy every challenge
With an incredible response
A true showstopper
Who else do you know
That can flow in any weather
And do it so proper?
I've got the victory
Other writers are history
I unveil the mysteries
Cause they hardy can see the need
You can never know what I aim for
So I can can't bring out the pain
Cause I've in pain man!
I come solo with a fight in a crew
Poets are like Tyson
All they do is bite
I rule in the books
I came and they knew it was nice
The only thing they get to offer
Is the foolish advice
And so
I truly device plans like an African chief
I'll leave you dumb like a president who's lacking a speech!
#TrulySteve | https://medium.com/@trulysteve92/last-days-ac72c111d83d | ['Truly Steve'] | 2020-12-15 08:09:26.337000+00:00 | ['Mental Health Awareness', 'Poetry On Medium', 'Poetry', 'Poetry Writing', 'Writing'] |
Summer of Open Data Panel #8: Focus on Public Communication, Legal Mandates, and Data Ethics | Summer of Open Data Panel #8: Focus on Public Communication, Legal Mandates, and Data Ethics Andrew Young Follow Sep 9 · 6 min read
By Andrew J. Zahuranec and Andrew Young
The Summer of Open Data is a three-month project spearheaded by the Open Data Policy Lab (an initiative of The GovLab with support from Microsoft) in partnership with the Digital Trade & Data Governance Hub, Open Data Institute, the Open Data Charter, and BrightHive. Each week, we speak with data experts in local and regional governments, national statistical agencies, international bodies, and private companies to advance our understanding of how to establish a vision of open data focused on collaboration, responsibility, and purpose.
The Panel: Moderated by The GovLab’s Co-Founder and Chief Research and Development Officer Stefaan Verhulst, the cross-cutting panel featured:
Christian Troncoso , BSA | The Software Alliance Senior Director of Policy;
, BSA | The Software Alliance Senior Director of Policy; Zachary Feder , New York City Open Data Program Manager; and
, New York City Open Data Program Manager; and Natalia Domagala, Government Digital Service, Cabinet Office, United Kingdom; Head of Data Ethics
In a 45-minute conversation, Stefaan and the panelists spoke on a variety of issues, including the evolution of the open data movement, the importance of legal mandates for directing energy, and the need for transparency and responsible use of data amid the ongoing pandemic.
The full conversation, as well as a brief overview of highlights, is below:
New York Open Data
New York City is considered a leader in open data nationally and internationally. With over 2,000 datasets published by a network of more than 90 “Open Data Coordinators” spread around the City, NYC Open Data has sought to provide city leaders and everyday New Yorkers with the resources they need to make their community better.
Consequently, the panel opened with reflections from Zachary Feder on how New York’s open data program formed and evolved from its early days when open data drew its inspiration from freedom of information laws to today. He noted three important changes in the city’s relationship to open data.
First, Feder explained, New York had sought to improve the way in which it identifies the different sources of open data, looking beyond where people are explicitly requesting the data and instead looking for different sources that might provide that same information. Second, understanding it had a broad audience, the city sought to make data more understandable to non-experts. Third, New York sought to help others use its data by communicating the context in which the city collected it.
“Data absent that context is not very helpful,” said Zachary Feder. “One of the main things that government staff need to do [when publishing data] is translate the information they know in their daily lives interacting with, producing with, and making decisions based on that data to the general public.”
He highlighted the importance of the city’s Open Data Law, which clarifies requirements and helps to set priorities for city government employees.
State and Federal Experiences
While these lessons resonated with the other panelists, they also provided a chance for contrast. As Christian Troncosco noted, experiences with open data in the United States were much more mixed on a state and federal level.
“People may be surprised to learn that a lot of cities and municipal governments are the ones really leading in this space,” said Christian. “It is really striking how far behind a lot of states are. Although most states at this point have some form of open data portal, fewer than 20 states have any sort of policy on the books, whether its an executive order or legislation.”
“It really gets at the issue of prioritization. These states that have open data portals but have no policy underlying those portals tend to be pretty malnourished, not very useable, and not very responsive to the community of users who would otherwise engage with the data being made available,” he added.
This failure to develop state and federal assets challenged people and organizations that rely on data. From a corporate perspective, Christian argued that open data was valuable for businesses seeking to develop useful products and services, including the use of open data to train artificial intelligence instances.
Responsible Data Use in the United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, transparency and openness were at the center of data ethics. However, as Natalia Domagala stressed, there were other ethical concerns that data scientists and policymakers sought to be aware of, especially as they pertained to personal data.
This awareness would be reflected in the government’s upcoming refresh of the Data Ethics Framework, first developed in 2016, which would charge data scientists to be more aware of the wider implications of their work and help them assess and mitigate any ethical concerns.
“How can you demonstrate that the data that you’re using has been de-identified to the greatest degree possible? Because problems might arise when the dataset you’re working on or the dataset that you’ve released can be matched with other datasets and that will make individuals easily identifiable,” Natalia said.
Natalia continued by arguing that it was essential to embed ethical principles in the practices of data scientists. Some of this work depended on ensuring data scientists knew of principles but another part required public servants to have the skills to use data ethically.
Amid the ongoing pandemic, she noted the public was increasingly cognizant of and concerned about the ethical use of data. This put a renewed obligation on government actors to promote responsible data use in all its operations because public health strategies depend on public trust.
“People have more awareness of the issues and that gives them more agency. They are more ready to hold us accountable,” said Natalia. “I do strongly believe and hope that this will change the way we work, no matter whether we are in the public or private sector. Data ethics is not optional. It’s an absolute necessity to operate because if people won’t trust us, they won’t let us innovate ”
Zachary echoed Natalia’s points, noting that the COVID-19 pandemic had resulted in record traffic to New York’s open data portal.
Priorities for the Future
As with previous panels, Stefaan closed the panel by asking the participants what they considered their biggest priority for the future of the open data movement.
For Christian, the priority is addressing impediments that might stand in the way of organizations that would benefit from collaboration around shared data.
“It’s unrealistic to expect corporations to open their vaults and make all of their data available, but when there are circumstances where there is a mutual benefit to making data available, we want to make sure that the right policy framework is in place.”
Despite growing recognition of the collective benefits of open data, a recent MIT survey found that 64% of business executives are reluctant to fully embrace open data as a result of regulatory uncertainty. To overcome such barriers, Christian suggested that competition and privacy regulators could be empowered to establish expedited review process to approve proposed data sharing arrangements.
For Zachary and Natalia, priorities came down to clarifying the value of data. Only by explaining uses could advocates promote open data’s value long term.
“In addition to using the data [we need to] share the use cases, to have a product that comes out of it, which both fosters more interest in the program […] but also communicates to the public that’s how the data is being used [to] help assuage some concerns on what the impact might be,” Zachary said.
“I’d like to echo what Zachary said about impact stories and case studies on data ethics and open data. That’s absolutely essential for understanding why we need those concepts,” said Natalia. “Also simple explanations of the long-term value of open data and data ethics measures that resonate with policymakers and decision-makers who might not necessarily fully understand what we are talking about.”
Next Panel
The Summer of Open Data will continue these conversations in the weeks and months to come. As indicated in our schedule, the next panel will bring together:
Head of Strategic Partnerships, Data Marketplace Patrick McGarry ;
; Sage Bionetworks Chief Commons Officer John Wilbanks ;
; Luminate Group Principal for Data & Digital Rights Swee Leng Harris ; and
; and European Laboratory for Leaning and Intelligent Systems Board Member Nuria Oliver.
Video of this panel will be released next Wednesday, September 16, 2020.
Until then, we welcome your input into the Third Wave of Open Data. Feel free to visit us at opendatapolicylab.org or participate in the conversation by tweeting with the hashtags #SummerOfOpenData and #3rdWaveOpenData. | https://medium.com/open-data-policy-lab/summer-of-open-data-panel-8-focus-on-public-communication-legal-mandates-and-data-ethics-74070b9cba89 | ['Andrew Young'] | 2020-09-09 16:47:38.726000+00:00 | ['Data Stewardship', 'Open Data', 'Data Responsibility', 'Data Collaboratives', 'Nyc Open Data'] |
5 Reasons why Covid-19 could save humanity. | Covid-19 pandemic is the first global pandemic to hit most of Earth inhabitants currently living. It infected tens of millions and has killed a couple million. It halted the world economy and filled households the world over with fear as they sat trapped in their homes hiding. It was still able to creep into many homes and took especially our parents and elders from us. So, it caused abrupt glares in my direction when I mentioned the possibility that Covid-19 possibly saved humanity in 2020. Here’s 5 reasons why.
AUTHORITIES WOKE UP. The unobstructed speedy worldwide spread was caused by napping authorities that where often blindsided, for none of them had ever been in such a position in their careers. It was uncharted waters and even with huge efforts and closing of borders and travel restrictions, Covid-19 spread all around the globe. Lucky for humanity was the fact that Covid 19 has a relatively low mortality rate, at around 2.6% based on the most recent statistics from world-o-meter. On writing this, it had killed nearly 1.5 million people according to world-o-meter. Yet the world population is 7.8 billion or 7800 million. Covid 19 has made a limited dent in the total population, but if it was as lethal as say Ebola with a mortality rate of between 25% and 90%- the world would have been practically destroyed. Maybe having this 2020 COVID wake-up call might make the world authorities much more vigilant in the future when some super virus emerges that is not merely droplet spread, but a more lethal aerosol version and has not a mortality rate of 2.6%, but rather an ebolaic level of 90%. MOTHER NATURE ECOBALANCES EARTH — ALWAYS. Covid 19 might be the canary in the mine for humanity. Humans have prolifically spread to occupy most of Earth and is overusing all of the natural resources. Soon Earth will start running out completely. If humans totally occupy earth and overuse and over populate the planet, then mother nature will balance that equation over time. A pandemic had been predicted by many epidemiologists and microbiologist long before 2020. It appeared inevitable. Mother nature ecobalances everything in the end, whether through a pandemic disease or through the alternative of running out of natural resources and ending the civilizations that way. The uncomfortable truth that is so politically incorrect that no-one wants to mention it, is that there are too many people on this planet already. Humans keep multiplying, hoping for a different solution to the elephant in the room problem. We need to wake and stop multiplying to save our existence. If not, some form of a Mother nature natural disaster will probably balance it all and Covid 19 was a warning signal for that. IMMUNITY IS THE ONLY TRUE DEFENCE. Maybe Covid 19 will teach all of humanity that even though we have some limited capabilities to cure disease; our true power lies in our intelligence to be able to prevent disease through vaccinations. Covid 19 a less potent virus than many of those that we already have vaccinations for. Yet it turned our world upside down and a feverish race for a vaccine started. Maybe Covid 19 will convince the critics once and for all that vaccinations is the only way to create a herd immunity and truly prevent disease. THE WORLD WILL DO MORE PRODUCTIVE, LESS -TRAVEL BUSINESS. Covid 19 has forced a technological surge in the audiovisual communication world. This different and more acceptable way of business is much more efficient on time. With less travelling the world is burning less fuel and natural resources and in addition gave us more of the only resource that we cannot save : Time. Less travel, efficient time management, working from home and the freedom to consider living anywhere in world and communicating over the video calls and internet will revolutionize old conformed ways of business and quality of life. Commuting might disappear and world wide collaboration networks and work teams would become an easy and cheap new way of doing business. Humanity maybe needed that bit of fear of a virus to start properly using this planet-saving technology. Covid 19 taught us to work from home, save the planet and love our life at home more. COVID 19 TAUGHT HUMANITY PURPOSE AND HAPPINESS. I would argue that the most important lesson Covid 19 taught us was that we should wake up and realize our purpose in this world. Once we face death, we value life. Fear made humanity realize the value of life, family, friends and community. We learnt to value the small things. We stopped competing in the rat rat and had gratitude for our health. Isolation was not easy for many for there was no more running or hiding from their bubble of close people. Many had to face household realities of unhappiness. Divorce rate will probably go up, for many truly learnt the character of their companions, through actually spending real time with them. However, on the flip-side others truly had time to appreciate the joys of close lovers, partners, companions, friends, family or community and religion. The things that truly mattered to us was brought to our attention by Covid 19. In my opinion humanity needed first to be taught how to appreciate all the joys of daily living before it would strive to preserve it. Maybe Covid 19 will open humanity’s eyes and teach us to be kind to our neighbours, friends and even our enemies for they are human too. Maybe hatred for other humans might disappear in the wake of devastation left by a virus, affecting all countries and races. Maybe Covid 19 will teach humanity the value to stand together against the true threats to our world as we know it. Maybe COVID 19 saved humanity from the inevitable destruction by its own hands. | https://medium.com/@henkmuni/5-reasons-why-covid-19-could-save-humanity-8f9867d2073f | ['Henk Muni'] | 2020-12-02 08:14:01.038000+00:00 | ['Saving Humanity', 'Global Warming', 'Covid 19', 'Saving Earth', 'Natural Disaster'] |
Business of software | While talking to few acquaintances who are in the business of building different kind of software (Attention based; consumer product; SaaS; or others) than on-premise enterprise software products — it is interesting to observe similar discussion. This is probably the core nature of software business. At the end of the day it comes down to 2 set of metrics driving business:
1. Acquiring new customers/members/subscribers/etc. More and more businesses now run calculations to understand the cost to acquire new customer/member. Cost to acquire new customer usually is much higher than many would guess, if they had no clue. It gets costlier in mature industry where traditional market is about replacing someone else’s product. Also, it can be costlier in the web world where there is now actual cost of goods sold (think of all the IT infrastructure that goes around delivering a service) as opposed to the cost of CD.
Question usually gets asked: Beside product strategy to attract and differentiate offering from competitors — keep cost of customer acquisition in check; what other ways to generate traffic/leads; foster communities; target competition; create winning buzz; adjust pricing or terms; bundle products/services to make it more attractive; etc. Increasingly more web based product focus on marketing presence on the local/industry circuit from the get-go rather broadly within ranks via blog/communities to earn credibility. Increasing emphasis on Marketing too important just to leave it to dedicated few — every one has to play.
2. Retaining a customer. It is about understanding the likelihood of customers staying on the product. Generally a combination of understanding attrition rate (as some folks leaves the fold) and knowing life time value of a customer/member. Although harder to find, however, there are industry best practice metrics for the type of busines one can use as a guideline. These days businesses (particularly on the web) have a greater understanding of trends among its existing customer base. One suggestion: if you don’t already know about your customer trends — invest quickly and gain better understanding. By the nature of it -Web based businesses know well how many of their customers renew membership; what is their average monthly dues; what %age of customers usually don’t renew; on an average how long customers remain a member; what feature gets used most; demographics details; etc. Likewise, enterprise software products — SaaS or otherwise have similar metrics to help project maintenance or recurring revenue.
Question usually gets asked: What needs to be done to keep a customer happy using our product/services? What features to add (particularly that generate stickiness); what pricing lever to play; how to provide value without disrupting the apple cart; what promotion to have; etc. To find the secret formula that can help a customer retained longer paying healthy dues — is what makes a business sticky and profitable in long run.
So to remain growing — it is about adding more new customers than the customers leaving the fold. Visualize a funnel — add more while few trickle away. A math described easy but takes an organization with a winning attitude to achieve… | https://medium.com/aloktyagi/business-of-software-f8e54668817b | ['Alok Tyagi'] | 2017-03-08 21:01:57.776000+00:00 | ['Blogging', 'Enterpreneurship', 'Internet', 'Software Development', 'Startups'] |
CommonLit’s School-Wide Data Reports Make Progress Monitoring Easy | CommonLit’s School-Wide Data Reports Make Progress Monitoring Easy
At CommonLit, we’ve created a comprehensive and engaging literacy program with over 2,000 high-quality lessons that has been proven to help students make significant gains in reading.
For SY 21–22, our team is excited to offer two packages to help schools and districts seamlessly rollout and effectively utilize CommonLit’s instructional program.
In this blog post, we’ll explain how CommonLit School Essentials PRO is designed to empower administrators by giving them data to accurately identify instructional priorities, ensure that CommonLit is being purposefully utilized throughout the school year, and measure student growth.
Administrator Access to CommonLit Assessment Series Data
The CommonLit Assessment Series is available for grades 3–12. The Assessment Series includes three specialized assessments: a Pre-Assessment, Mid-Year Assessment (optional), and a Post-Assessment. Each assessment has three grade-level reading passages and 20+ multiple choice questions.
When schools or districts purchase CommonLit School Essentials PRO, these assessments are unlocked for their team and administrators have the ability to view data from across their school or district.
To start the year, the CommonLit team strongly recommends that schools utilize the Pre-Assessment. This Pre-Assessment will allow you to see how many questions each student answered correctly and how they performed compared to their peers nationally. In an ordinary year, this data would be extremely useful to administrators. However, after a year like 2020, this data is even more critical. It will allow administrators to quickly and reliably identify students who are reading far below grade level and may be in need of additional support.
The second assessment that schools can use is CommonLit’s Mid-Year Assessment. This assessment, which is designed to be administered in the middle of the school year, is great for determining whether students are making meaningful progress. Furthermore, administrators will also receive detailed standards-based reports. These reports will make it easy for administrators to identify school-wide trends and make informed instructional decisions.
The final assessment, CommonLit’s Post-Assessment, should be administered in the final few months of the school year. This assessment can serve a few purposes. First, administrators will receive digital reports on how much reading growth each student made between the Pre-Assessment and Post-Assessment. Similarly, administrators will also be able to see how much reading growth was made by class, grade, and throughout the school. Finally, since all of CommonLit’s assessments include rigorous standards-aligned questions, it can be used as a practice opportunity for students who are getting ready to take their statewide assessment.
When schools or districts purchase CommonLit School Essentials PRO, administrators are able to have a clear understanding of their students’ ability and needs throughout the school year.
Administrator Access to Data from CommonLit’s 2,000+ Lessons
When schools or districts purchase CommonLit School Essentials PRO, administrators can also track data from all formative lessons assigned by their teachers on CommonLit. Each of these lessons include rigorous standards-aligned text-dependent questions.
First, administrators can track performance by class with CommonLit’s data dashboards. In addition to analyzing overall class performance, administrators can identify students with missing assignments and students who are struggling to perform well on assignments.
Next, administrators can track class data on performance by standard. This data will allow administrators to determine which standards classes are excelling on and where more practice is needed.
In addition to reviewing classwide performance, administrators have the ability to dig more deeply into the performance of specific students. For example, administrators can access detailed data on how each student is performing by standard. This can be particularly useful for struggling students or students with IEPs who are working on very specific skills.
Finally, administrators can see which lessons are being used frequently across their school or district and how students are performing on these lessons. This data is crucial for administrators in districts where CommonLit is a key component of their team’s curriculum or assessment plan.
Check out this blog post to learn more about some of our favorite strategies for embedding CommonLit’s lessons into your curriculum to support data driven instruction.
Next Steps
Taken together, the data that administrators receive from the CommonLit Assessment Series and from CommonLit’s formative lessons is comprehensive. It allows administrators to have a clear understanding of their students’ needs and empowers them to make decisions that will lead to student growth.
If you’re interested in learning more about how CommonLit makes it easy to track and respond to student data with School Essentials PRO, please email [email protected]. | https://blog.commonlit.org/commonlits-school-wide-data-reports-make-progress-monitoring-easy-af1e33cd2e28 | ['Rob Fleisher'] | 2021-02-22 00:55:45.838000+00:00 | ['Students', 'Literacy', 'Teachers', 'Data', 'Education'] |
Axial S-1 Club — 908 Devices. More well thought out work can be found… | More well thought out work can be found at — https://axial.substack.com/
Axial partners with great founders and inventors. We invest in early-stage life sciences companies often when they are no more than an idea. We are fanatical about helping the rare inventor who is compelled to build their own enduring business. If you or someone you know has a great idea or company in life sciences, Axial would be excited to get to know you and possibly invest in your vision and company . We are excited to be in business with you — email us at [email protected]
908 Devices was founded in 2012 and develops and sells a suite of handheld and desktop mass spectrometry devices. The premise of the business is to bring mass spec to point-of-care settings in healthcare, R&D, biomanufacturing, and forensics. The company is centered around two products: (1) MX908, a handheld device for rapid analysis of samples and (2) Rebel, a desktop device focused on biomanufacturing. The company recently filed their S-1 and is working toward scaling their business model to bring mass spec from the mainframe era to mobile.
Highlights
908’s product line is centered around MX908 (~$20K each) which focuses on the new mass spec handheld market and Rebel (~$128K) focusing on the desktop market. The technology the company has developed is meant to unlock mass spec use cases from the centralized laboratory to the bench/point-of-care setting The market story for 908 is bringing mass spec from the mainframe era to the mobile era. Conventional mass specs cost up to $1M and require a dedicated individual to operate and maintain the device. These requirements have limited the use cases of metabolomics across healthcare and industrials. With its MX908 product line, 908 is focused on “democratizing” mass spec. 908 is relying on a razor-and-blade business model similar to Illumina and 10X Genomics. As more of its MX908 and Rebel devices are installed, the company will be able to sell more microfluidic chips (ZipChip) required for sample analysis.
Team
The company is led by Kevin Knopp (CEO) who co-founded the company. Before 908, Kevin co-founded Ahura Scientific in 2002 to develop handheld spectrometers. Ahura was acquired by Thermo Fisher when Kevin was a VP focusing on portable devices. 908’s CTO and Co-Founder is Christopher Brown who previously was working on Apple in their health division. Christopher also worked at Thermo Fisher after Ahura was acquired where he was a director of product development and engineering.
Investors
The cap table is highlighted by ARCH Venture Parnter’s long-term involvement in the business as well as Northpond Ventures coming in for later financing rounds. Kevin (CEO) and Christopher (CTO) own a good amount of equity at this point: over 6% each.
Technology
908’s technology is based on microfluidics for sample preparation integrated with nanoscale electrospray ionization all on one chip. With the following advantages:
Extractions and concentrations according to various chemical/physical features of the sample Capillary electrophoresis (CE) on the chip for improved sample separations, which reduces the time for sample prep from hours to minutes Controlled nanoliter injections These 3 parts are integrated with nanoscale electrospray ionization
This High-Pressure Mass Spec (HPMS) platform allows the company to develop handheld devices for metabolomics. Another important part of 908’s technology is its focus on miniaturization, and in particular reducing the weight of the vacuum system from 100s of pounds in desktop devices to less than a pound for their handheld device. Given that mass spec is the gold standard for many lab analyses, bringing this method into an individual’s hands has the potential to unlock new applications: faster iteration times in biomanufacturing, on-demand forensics, faster enzymatic development.
908’s product line is centered around MX908 (~$20K each) which focuses on the new mass spec handheld market and Rebel (~$128K) focusing on the desktop market. The technology the company has developed is meant to unlock mass spec use cases from the centralized laboratory to the bench/point-of-care setting.
Market
The market story for 908 is bringing mass spec from the mainframe era to the mobile era. Conventional mass specs cost up to $1M and require a dedicated individual to operate and maintain the device. These requirements have limited the use cases of metabolomics across healthcare and industrials. With its MX908 product line, 908 is focused on “democratizing” mass spec.
The overall size of the mass spec market according to 908 is $4.8B with the handheld market representing $1.8B and is mostly concentrated in forensic applications. Over the next 5 years, the company is projecting the market expanding to $22B with new handheld applications around quality control mostly in biopharma emerging.
Business model
908 is relying on a razor-and-blade business model similar to Illumina and 10X Genomics. As more of its MX908 and Rebel devices are installed, the company will be able to sell more microfluidic chips (ZipChip) required for sample analysis.
Right now, 908 has over 300 customers with 18 of the top 20 biopharma companies along with the US Army, Marines, and the Department of Homeland Security. 908’s customers have purchased over 1,200 devices with over 4,600 current users. With a wide installation base, 908 will not only capture market share but build a moat through their business model — ZipChips have a low cost-of-goods (COG) and are essential for users to use 908’s devices. If 908 can scale their business, number of devices sold and user base, the company can become a standard in mass spec similar to Illumina in sequencing.
Valuation
The company’s valuation is mainly driven by the installation base. 908 is not profitable, but the business model suggests that the company will get into the green once they acquire a large enough user base that continually buys ZipChips.
908’s microfluidic technology has built a mass spec instrument approximately a thousand times smaller than conventional devices. This reduces the COGs for their chip versus competitors; as a result, the company’s strategy is to get their devices in the hands of as many people as possible and make most of their profits from the consumable. Given the potential mass spec and the market size, 908 has the potential to build an enduring business. However, the competition is fierce with incumbents like Thermo Fisher that already have customer distribution. 908’s revenue is growing and will likely accelerate with a wider installation base.
Mention highlights in the S-1 | https://medium.com/@axialxyz/axial-s-1-club-908-devices-f5fa8ba06f15 | [] | 2020-12-21 20:12:01.532000+00:00 | ['Venture Capital', 'Biotechnology', 'Investing', 'Healthcare', 'Medicine'] |
Space Exploration with Virtual Reality | Space Exploration with Virtual Reality
For a long time, Virtual Reality has been touted as the technology that will change the ways of living forever. Over the last decade or so, this theory has unfolded steadily as Virtual Reality, along with Augmented Reality has become goldust technology.
Virtual Reality applications have made a significant difference in every domain be it education, manufacturing, real estate, entertainment, e-commerce, healthcare, military, and the list goes on. It has had a positive impact on individuals as well as organizations which have led to great enhancement.
VR is being extensively used in scientific research and astronomical activities in recent times. It is being given due credit for making it easier for humans under stressful and complicated conditions in space. VR applications for space and scientific research require a high level of technical expertise.
And this can expertise can be provided to you by us, Sapizon Technologies. We pride ourselves on having developed several Virtual Reality apps that are helpful in space exploration. We possess the most experienced and talented Virtual Reality app developers who are dedicated to the process.
They apply their creativity and imagination to ensure they are able to craft the most attractive Virtual Reality applications. This has made us one of the best Virtual Reality app development companies in the USA.
Venturing in Space with VR:
When you read about it or watch it in movies, space might seem like a fun experience to have. But there are many complex equations that come before you that will need you to collaborate with space experts. Here is how VR has been very beneficial for space:
Improved Training:
At NASA, Virtual Reality plays an important part in the training of aspiring astronomers, space pilots, space enthusiasts, scientists, etc. Using this technology enables you to play out actual situations real astronauts may encounter.
The situations include spacewalks or fixing issues before the start of the journey while vehicles are still on the ground. Vigorous and practical training allows these astronauts to get accustomed to space situations and they can learn about certain tools and technologies in greater detail.
All these trials must take place before an astronaut has started to space because then you cannot get someone physically to the location to help him/her out. While communication through satellite is an effective method to talk things through, it is much better when things are resolved beforehand.
Visualization of Data:
By using quality VR lenses on-site, researchers can operate the rover based on the visuals of 3D imagery that is being presented to them rather than 2D imagery. As Virtual Reality is in 3D image form, researchers can hunt for obstacles and also and choose the best path for the desired rover to take.
This technology has not only benefited astronauts and researchers. It has significantly helped random visitors in space to understand things that are relatively new and alien to them. Attractive 3D visual in an immersive environment keep the visitors engaged in the process constantly.
Visitors
It has been widely speculated by the masses that NASA is creating a way for the common public to go on their own mission to space. The basic purpose here is to create an experience that attracts people, engages them, and allows them to have a wonderful experience.
NASA is aiming to make this technology available on popular VR devices like Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Google Cardboards, etc. Doing so makes this technology universal and allows everyone to make use of it in their own way.
About Us
Sapizon Technologies is one of the leading Virtual Reality app development companies in the USA. Our primary objective is to enhance the user experience with our captivating VR applications. We have highly skilled Virtual Reality app developers who are armed with the best tools to create quality content.
They aim to drive productivity in the businesses of our clients through eccentric services. Operating under a result-driven approach, we adhere to the best VR development practices.
Having completed more than 50 successful projects, we have gained significant recognition in this domain. We render our services across different industries. | https://medium.com/@sapnasapusapzion/space-exploration-with-virtual-reality-cdfa67a845df | ['Sapna Sapu'] | 2020-11-26 13:41:55.348000+00:00 | ['Mr', 'AR', 'USA', 'Xr', 'VR'] |
Winter Solstice at New Grange, Ireland | Photo by Brittany Eliason on Unsplash
Today is the winter solstice. The shortest day of the year. From now on, the evenings will begin to lengthen and the promise of Spring becomes reality.
In the Boyne Valley in southern Ireland, there is a Neolithic structure which is called New Grange. It dates back to even before Stonehenge in England and is estimated to be over 5,000 years old.
As a schoolgirl in the early 60’s, I was taken there on a school trip. I wasn’t very impressed. I thought it was dark and gloomy and would have much preferred a visit to a ruined castle ( of which there are many to choose from ). I had no understanding of the importance of this place.
It wasn’t until 1967 that the archaeologist Michael O’Kelly observed something unusual. He had noted a roofbox above the passageway leading into the large chamber. He was the first in recent history to view the effect of the winter solstice sunrise . As the sun began to appear, after a few minutes light streamed in through the roofbox and directly into the circular chamber. The alignment of the structure is absolutely accurate. When it was first built 5000 years ago, the sunlight would enter exactly at sunrise, but subtle changes in the position of the earth in relation to the sun since then means that the phenomenon begins about 4 minutes after sunrise.
Though originally thought to be a tomb, opinions have changed and it is now assumed to be more of a temple. However, exactly what kind of religious beliefs were held in Neolithic times is unclear, and may have involved a cult of the dead or alternately a sun worshipping society. Certainly there were remains of human bone found, some cremated ,along with pottery beads, similar to those found in other Neolithic structures. There were many stones outside which have been decorated in patterns of swirls and coils, typical of megalithic art. The large entrance stone is particularly ornately carved.
In other years, the Office of Public Works, who manage the site, ran a lottery for tickets to observe the winter solstice effect. Understandably ,this year, due to the pandemic, visitors were not allowed. But what they have done is to arrange for a live stream of the event which can be viewed by anyone.
Here is a link to that livestream for you to enjoy.
Winter Solstice — 20 December 2020 — YouTube | https://medium.com/illumination/winter-solstice-at-new-grange-ireland-970985e053a2 | [] | 2020-12-21 14:38:18.516000+00:00 | ['Solstice', 'Ireland', 'Illumination', 'Archaeology'] |
Dear Transgender Youth | Image credit: @star-plasma, Tumblr
Pay attention to your body — you’ll need it for the debate. You, unfortunately, are the debate. You’re likely painfully aware of this already. This reality has probably attended a few of your birthday parties by now. Your zipper will clamor for the chance to introduce itself to strangers before your vocal cords can, but if you can help it, they should both say the same thing: I am not what you think I am.
I want to say congratulations. I also want to say I’m sorry, and good luck, and thank you, and I’m so proud of you, and so much more. Only so many words exist, though. I’m so stuffed with ideas of what to tell you that they clog my mind’s drain. No one can be sure of anything, but I’m sure you know that feeling.
I don’t know your name. I do know things about you that possibly no one else does. I know things you wish you didn’t have to and things you wish your family did, but you hide from them. You may not even realize this letter’s for you yet. I believe embracing one’s transness is currently one of the most dangerous — thus, rewarding — methods of loving oneself. However, no forms of love willingly seal themselves in a voicebox, so this letter, while for you, cannot be about you. It’s about me, sprinkled with assumptions about you. I apologize again because I know how deeply assumptions can plague us, but it’s as close to you as I can get. Maybe you needed this letter; maybe you didn’t. I can only hope that our experiences and aspirations overlap enough so that I can tell you “you’re welcome” by the end of this and not be a liar.
Your birth was many things. It was an emergence, an emergency, a preamble, and the destruction of the freedom of namelessness. In your first breaths, every witness snuck their classifications into your lungs. They expected you to learn your assigned lessons until you no longer had to think about them, every day descending into clockwork. Time slowed here for you.
At some point, you felt as if you were trespassing in public bathrooms. You wished for your hair to crawl down your back or slice itself off. The way people talked about you began to sting. You resisted skirts. You struggled in derby shoes. Even when fully clothed, you felt exposed. It all felt wrong for some reason, but you knew everything technically fit you. While everything carried on according to plan, something was off-script. So what was the issue? Your current reality wasn’t what you wanted.
But it wasn’t truly your “reality,” was it? No, it was everyone else’s fantasy. Every stranger who’s assumed incorrectly of you pretends to live in a world where everything is straightforward, where they know things about others that they don’t. You pretended to entertain their illusion, either out of safety or simply because you couldn’t be bothered to burst bubbles. It may have taken years to notice the world coercing you into fulfilling a role you never chose. It may have taken just a few hours of web surfing on a whim. It may have been nothing more than a split second where you unwittingly snapped everything you thought was permanently locked. The outcome, nonetheless, is the same, and it’s in your hands now, pulsing. Your only true self is the one you forge.
This newfound awareness is both rejuvenating and life-threatening.
For me, the personal path to self-discovery was rather gradual and linear. I never had a stage of outright denial. While I don’t have contact with the majority of my family, the very select few that I came out to were welcome to it and supported me. While my gender is possibly the only thing my mother respects about me, I’ll take what I can get.
I felt safe enough to come out to my high school teachers as both agender and then later as a man, and they accommodated my new names (it’s hard to find one that perfectly fits the first time!) and pronouns without a second thought. My classmates, for the most part, treated it as no big deal. It was relieving. It was freeing. It was also an incredibly rare success, which saddens me, but I’m grateful. I know how brutally others — possibly even you, though I hope not — have it. If I weren’t living in New York City, I’m almost sure that what I have now would be nothing more than a pipe dream as I count dust bunnies in the closet.
That said, I still get reality checks. Some stain boxes with blood, some verbally maim me and defend it by claiming brutal honesty, and others start with hashtags. I’ve known transgender men with bound chests and full-grown beards who’ve been misgendered even then. This isn’t to discourage you if you wish to transition yourself, nor is it a warning that people will know your secret no matter what you do. That isn’t true. Plus, even some cisgender people occasionally get interrogated by strangers who, for whatever reason, refuse to believe they’re cisgender. Ignorant minds think whatever they want. Such is life. Try not to beat yourself up if someone foolishly tries to recreate you. It is not, nor will it ever be your fault.
Assuming you haven’t had this occur already, someone will demand that you prove how real you are. I’m going to tell you right now that you can’t, and you don’t have to. Gender, at its very core, is a mental and spiritual experience. It’s a bit like consciousness. The only viable evidence is your own existence, and it’s as beautiful and natural and frustrating and undefinable as love. If they don’t believe you, then nothing you say will change that, and you’ll have to accept this and invest your energy elsewhere. You shouldn’t be a topic of discourse. If God doesn’t need to prove his existence to his children, then neither do you. You are already a miracle. You’re allowed to just be. There are infinite ways to do so, and there’s always room for another.
There will come a day, or many, where you question your accomplishments. You’ll worry if people who don’t even know you were right about you all along, that you’re merely playing dress-up with your skin. It’ll get in your head and constrict your spirit like clay sitting in an angry palm, a pearl too big for its oyster. “What if I am faking it?” you’ll cry in your head. (By the way, you’re almost guaranteed to misgender yourself by accident at least once. People drilled their previous designations into you for years; breaking any routine will take practice.) You’ll look in the mirror and mentally gouge your eyes out, searching for proof that this is not just a phase. Do you know what is a phase? Pain. It’ll pass. This dreadful feeling may come back again and again, but it’ll leave those times, too. Hell, even if it is a phase, who cares? Everything’s a phase if you think about it.
Even if you do wake up one day and think to yourself, this doesn’t feel like me anymore, that doesn’t mean you were ever living a lie. The truth just changed. You didn’t waste your time. You didn’t inconvenience the world. If you had a partner you loved with everything you had but eventually grew apart, is the life you built with them now meaningless just because it’s unfinished? Does it mean that you never loved them at all? No, it doesn’t.
Let’s say an artist begins a project and — despite having poured their heart into the paint buckets — decides after a while that they don’t like the idea anymore and they want to move on to something else. Was all that progress for naught? Was all that time wasted? Does it mean that they never created that piece? Does it make them a liar? No! That’d be ridiculous.
All experiences are ones to learn from, and you should look back on the ones that made you happy in the moment, so long as they didn’t hurt you. You’ll be okay. You’re allowed to change your mind if it ever comes to that. Being human is all about adapting.
I’ve suffered and recovered from countless episodes like these. I’d ask friends to deadname and misgender me sometimes just to “make sure” it still made me uncomfortable. Imposter syndrome happens to everyone. Nobody thinks they’re enough, and this is the most miserable lie anyone can teach us. Even as I was beginning my testosterone injections, I was anxious — and this was something I’ve fantasized about for years! I was determined to get them. It’s what forced me to keep living. I didn’t want to die while neglecting what my body ached for so earnestly. I couldn’t.
But as I got closer to obtaining my first shot, tangibly close, second thoughts began to creep up on me again like bashful ghosts. Who could blame them? Some parts of what I was signing myself up for would be permanent. It was a big decision. I wondered if I should wait. Y’know, as if I hadn’t already been waiting for long enough. I thought about if what I wanted was worth it or if I was making a mistake.
And then I said, “fuck it,” and signed the consent form.
I was excited. I was nervous. At some point, you realize that nervousness is just excitement that’s a bit more careful than usual, the same way that fear is just your body’s way of preparing for courage.
Remember how I said there are infinite ways to be human? There are also countless ways to be transgender! Your experiences might be just like mine, but most likely they won’t. You may want bottom surgery or no surgeries at all. You may enjoy your birth name enough to keep it. Your name may be the only thing you decide to change about yourself. You might go on hormones for just a few changes you’re looking for and then stop. You could choose to go by multiple names, more than one set of pronouns, rotate your labels like your wardrobe.
You might feel male and female at the same time, or just one depending on the day, or neither, or something else. You might declare your transness from the rooftops, or never disclose it unless asked. Perhaps not even then. You might comfortably align with your new gender norms or actively subvert them with reckless abandon. You may hate the fact that you’re trans, you may love it, or you may not care. All of these are okay. No way of being is greater or lesser than any other. They just are.
I can’t begin to imagine how different my life would’ve turned out if I was cisgender, or even if I stayed closeted for longer than I did. My transness has touched absolutely every corner of my life, and it’ll continue to do so until I die. What does that mean for you and your transness? Nothing. It’s as important or as insignificant to your life story as you decide it is. Regardless of your relationship with it, your transness will — especially due to our current political environment — be an integral part of who you are as a person. But remember: you are a person first.
To be transgender is to figure out what you want from yourself, to regulate your reality, to curate the most comfortable version of yourself. Yes, you are transgender, and that’s unlikely to change, but before anything else — and I absolutely cannot stress this enough — you are human. You deserve to be treated as such. Never forget this. Never let anybody tell you otherwise. Ever. Please. Promise me this. You are human! Everything else is secondary.
Living as a marginalized individual of any kind is exceptionally difficult. Even when you’re proud as a lion, people will want your head mounted on their wall. Even when you feel as if you’re on top of the world, the world still hates you. And it hates you personally. And it hates you passionately, as grim of a recognition as that may be. Self-love as retaliation is good. Self-acceptance is essential. You must learn how to survive first before you can truly live.
The world will try to convince you that you’re on fire. When this happens, pretend your ears burnt themselves off so that you can’t hear them, because this is a lie. You don’t need to escape yourself. They were the ones who lit the match and tried to slip it into your hair like a bobby pin. When the system’s steel grip tries to strangle you, grip its hands and breathe. When it complains that your lungs disrupt the “order” which it demands of its people, live disobediently. Live. Apologize to nobody for what you can’t control. Don’t let anybody drown you out.
One more thing — make sure your fly is up. Now, remember your vocal cords? Those butterfly nets for your voice? Do you know how vital they are? Take a deep breath, and use your cords to repeat after me: I am breathing. I am breathing. I am breathing whether the world wants me to or not. | https://medium.com/prismnpen/dear-transgender-youth-17a3b4da9d84 | ['Kravitz M.'] | 2020-09-01 08:16:02.172000+00:00 | ['Nonbinary', 'Identity', 'Transgender', 'Creative Non Fiction', 'LGBTQ'] |
隨著電動車起飛的充電樁市場 (3) — 率先上市成功的充電樁企業 — Blink(BLNK) | MoneyDJ 的介紹如下：
看的不是很懂，還是看(技術線)圖說故事比較簡單。
BLNK 過往的表現平平，在 2020 年11月開始出現明顯飆漲，可見得當時應該有利多題材發酵，可以先觀察看看其業績表現。
總營收（單位皆為『萬』美元）：
FY20 前的單季營收多在 60 –70 萬美元左右的水準；不過，FY20Q1的營收首次突破百萬美元，來到 130 萬美元，FY20Q1 — FY20Q3 的營收年增率分別為 125%、120% 與 18%，前三季累積營收的年增幅度高達 80%，FY20 的業績開始出現大幅成長，難怪股價漲幅驚人。
其 FY20Q3 財報截圖如下，可以知道 BLNK 的營收分類為：Charging Service Revenue、Product Sales、Network Fee、Warranty、Grant and Rebate 與Other。
若僅就金額較高的業務進行討論，其營收認列可分為 (A) Product Sales (充電樁銷售)、(B) Charging service revenue — company-owned charging stations (自營充電收入，英文為 10Q 使用的正式名稱)與 (C) Network fees (網絡使用收入)，分別解釋如下：
(還有一個 (D) Other (其他業務)的營收約有 6.9 萬美元，留待商業模式的章節處解釋)
(A) 充電樁銷售 ：過往的表現平平，FY19 有些起色，單季約有 20–30 萬美元的銷售；FY20 開始，電動樁的銷售量出現暴衝，FY20Q1 — FY20Q3 的營收分別來到 78、127 與 56 萬美元，FY20Q2 首次超越 100 萬美元的整數大關，但 FY20Q3 又大減至 56 萬美元。
(B) 自營充電收入：2020 年以前，單季約有 30 - 35 萬的營收是來自於自營充電收入 (高於 (A) 充電樁銷售)，表現還算平穩 ；雖然在 FY19Q4 跳增到 42 萬美元的歷史高點，但在 FY20 開始出現明顯的下滑，推估應該是受到 COVID-19 疫情的影響，因為美國人被關在家，所以用車機會大幅減少，自然到公共充電站的頻率也就下滑，導致此事業部門的營收也下滑。
(C) 網絡使用收入：這個事業部門的營收規模更小，每個月大概就是 5 - 8 萬左右，不過在 FY20Q1 落底之後，開始穩定成長，在 FY20Q3 反而創下近幾年來的營收高峰，為 10 萬美元。
由以上的數據來推估
在 FY20 以前，BLNK 的主要營收來源是 (B) 自營充電收入，其表現穩定，惟不幸受到 COVID-19 的衝擊，營收意外下滑，失去過往的穩定性；
(A) 充電樁銷售的表現起伏較大，推估可能是受到美國政府對綠能補貼的影響。FY20 突然出現暴衝，根據 10Q 來看， FY20Q3 的營收成長是受惠於第二代充電樁（Generation 2 chargers，於 FY19Q2 推出）、DC 快充（ DC fast chargers）與家用版充電樁（home residential chargers，於 FY20Q2 推出）。
B LNK 10Q — FY20Q3
Revenue from product sales was $556,859 for the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to $319,254 during the three months ended September 30, 2019, an increase of $237,605, or 74%. This increase was attributable to increased sales of Generation 2 chargers, DC fast chargers and home residential chargers when compared to the same period in 2019.
B LNK 10Q — FY20Q2
Revenue from product sales was $1,274,354 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 compared to $282,014 during the three months ended June 30, 2019, an increase of $992,340, or 352%. This increase was attributable to increase sales from Generation 2 chargers and increased sales of DC fast chargers when compared to the same period in 2019.
B LNK 10Q — FY20Q1
Revenue from product sales was $777,423 for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $103,204 during the three months ended March 31, 2020, an increase of $674,219, or 653%. The increase was attributable to increased sales from Generation 2 chargers that were rolled out during 2019 and increased sales of DC Fast Chargers when compared to the same period in 2019.
B LNK 10Q — FY19Q3
Revenue from product sales was $319,254 for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to $102,958 during the three months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $216,296, or 210%. This increase was attributable to a higher volume of Generation 2 commercial units and parts sales as compared to the same 2018 period.
B LNK 10Q — FY19Q2
Revenue from product sales was $282,014 for the quarter ended June 30, 2019, compared to $142,839 for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, an increase of $139,175, or 97%. This increase was attributable the rolling out of second generation of charging stations in 2019 and a one-time shipment of first- generation product during the current period; paid for in 2015 in the amount of $74,000.
B LNK 10Q — FY19Q1
Revenue from product sales was $103,204 for the quarter ended March 31, 2019, compared to $135,760 for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, a decrease of $32,556, or 24%. This decrease was attributable to a lower volume of commercial units sold as compared to the same quarter in 2018. The Company is currently phasing out its first generation of charging stations and is in the process of rolling out its second generation of charging stations. | https://medium.com/@losky/%E9%9A%A8%E8%91%97%E9%9B%BB%E5%8B%95%E8%BB%8A%E8%B5%B7%E9%A3%9B%E7%9A%84%E5%85%85%E9%9B%BB%E6%A8%81%E5%B8%82%E5%A0%B4-3-%E7%8E%87%E5%85%88%E4%B8%8A%E5%B8%82%E6%88%90%E5%8A%9F%E7%9A%84%E5%85%85%E9%9B%BB%E6%A8%81%E4%BC%81%E6%A5%AD-blink-blnk-ddd1799415c1 | [] | 2021-05-05 00:58:29.274000+00:00 | ['Charging Station', 'Blink', 'Charger', 'Electric Vehicles', 'Electric Car'] |
Global AIOps market in 2025: An expected reality | Information is a popular expression nowadays. In the IT area, undertakings are regularly wandering and testing to discover best practices for their business. Investigation Insight figures that the worldwide AIOps Market is relied upon to develop at a CAGR of 43.7% during the period 2020 to 2025. The AIOps Market is assessed to be worth US$ 3127.44 million every 2025, ascending from US$ 510.12 million out of 2019.
AIOps consolidates computerized reasoning calculations and human mediation to give full perceivability into the exhibition of the IT frameworks. By and large, DevOps stresses an adjustment in culture and cycle. Artificial intelligence fueled DevOps in an IT environment can guarantee more prominent speed, better precision, consistency, dependability, and duplicates the number of conveyances made. AIOps can examine information about the current IT measures in the DevOps work process and concentrates on critical occasions identified with stoppages or blackouts, utilizing enormous information investigation and AI while additionally giving noteworthy and relevant insight.
According to an ongoing Harvard Business Review article, an ongoing worldwide study of CIOs from huge undertakings features why AIOps has become a basic part of overseeing present-day IT conditions:
Even after putting resources into 10 distinctive checking devices overall, IT groups have full recognizability into only 11% of their surroundings. Furthermore, regularly, the individuals who need admittance to these devices don’t have it. In a similar review, 70% of CIOs accept that mechanization might have spared their groups time spent on doing manual assignments when contrasted with just 19% of all repeatable IT measures which have been computerized. By utilizing AIOps to eliminate commotion and interruptions, it can empower IT, faculty, to zero in on fundamental issues as opposed to interruptions from superfluous alarms.
Aside from these, AIOps likewise permits distant joint effort and streamlines episode the executives, in this way, helping far off Ops groups (NetOps, SecOps, DevOps, BizOps, and ITOps) convey and work together successfully in virtual NOCs (network activities focuses). A portion of the AIOps merchant offer full-stack recognizability into the advanced insight (versatile, web, crash, ventures, channel), application to-organize observing just as help for cloud-local models. In the coming years, AIOps highlights are anticipated to reach out into the domain of online protection. At the point when this happens, one can anticipate AIOps to overcome any issues between IT activities and security tasks groups as well. | https://medium.com/@maxed-blog/global-aiops-market-in-2025-an-expected-reality-6ee0fbb2fb18 | [] | 2020-12-15 08:14:03.857000+00:00 | ['Aiops', 'Artificial Intelligence', 'Aiops Platform', 'Information Technology', 'Aiops Market'] |
Blessed Be the Deeply Rooted | My father grew many crops on the farm: soybeans and wheat, peanuts and corn. Some years he would plant sunflowers for a dove shoot in the fall. If the price was right, these crops were sold. Most of the time what was planted and harvested would become food for the hogs, the primary income for the farm. This was especially true of the corn.
Hogs love corn. We loved fat, “number one” hogs that would bring a good price at the market. So we loved feeding corn to the hogs.
But corn has always struck me as a strange, vulnerable crop. From their shallow roots, the plants grow tall in the heat of the summer. You need a good bit of rain at the right times and the right type of rain to have a good harvest. Farmers pray for those slow summer storms that drop about an inch or two of rain but the kind of rain that is slow and gives the corn plant’s shallow roots a chance to drink up the rain.
Sometimes a good soaking would come out of a thunderstorm, but if that rain came too fast, the water may just run off instead of soaking into the soil. Or worse yet, sometimes those thunderstorms brought strong winds that would tip the corn over. The roots of corn do not go very deep. After a particularly strong storm, my father and I would drive to the fields and find the corn toward the edges of those fields tipped over, those little scraggly roots pulled right out of the ground.
You would think that a plant that should eventually hold those great big yellow and silver ears of corn would be stronger than that. You would think that the stalk would need to be firmly planted in the ground, but it is not. Everything you see is above the ground with corn. | https://jasonhobbslcsw.medium.com/blessed-be-the-deeply-rooted-e399d9946ca2 | ['Jason B. Hobbs Lcsw'] | 2019-02-17 23:40:45.523000+00:00 | ['Christianity', 'Faith', 'Spirituality', 'Christian Living', 'Spiritual Growth'] |
Trees | These days i am obsessed with trees .Listen to me when I tell you with the proper understanding of recursion tree becomes easy really really easy . Tree is one of the most commonly used data structure for solving computer science problems .
We are going to solve all commonly asked interview problems based on tree this is the part 1 of the series rest will follow Enjoy
Identical Binary Trees
A very common problem is to determine whether 2 trees which are given to you are equal or not
My Java Solution :
public class Solution {
public int isSameTree(TreeNode A, TreeNode B) {
if(A==null && B==null)
return 1;
if(A!=null && B!=null){
if ((A.val == B.val) &&
(isSameTree(A.left,B.left)==1) &&
(isSameTree(A.right,B.right)==1)){
return 1;
}
}
return 0;
}
}
Symmetric Binary Tree
Given a binary tree, check whether it is a mirror of itself (ie, symmetric around its center).
Example :
1
/ \
2 2
/ \ / \
3 4 4 3
The above binary tree is symmetric.
But the following is not:
1
/ \
2 2
\ \
3 3
Return 0 / 1 ( 0 for false, 1 for true ) for this problem
My Java based Solution :
public class Solution {
public boolean isSymmetricHelp(TreeNode left,TreeNode right){
if(left == null && right == null){
return true;
}
if(left!=null && right !=null){
return (left.val) == (right.val) &&
isSymmetricHelp(left.left,right.right)&&
isSymmetricHelp(left.right,right.left);
}
return false;
}
public int isSymmetric(TreeNode A) {
if(A==null)
return 1;
if(isSymmetricHelp(A.left,A.right)){
return 1;
} else {
return 0;
}
}
}
Finding Lowest Common Ancestor
Lowest common ancestor : the lowest common ancestor (LCA) of two nodes v and w in a tree or directed acyclic graph (DAG) is the lowest (i.e. deepest) node that has both v and w as descendants.
My Java Based Solution :
public class Solution {
public int lca(TreeNode a, int val1, int val2) {
a = findLCA(a, val1, val2);
if(a == null)
return -1;
return a.val;
} public TreeNode findLCA(TreeNode node, int val1, int val2){
if( node == null)
return null;
if(node.val == val1 || node.val == val2)
return node;
TreeNode leftLCA = findLCA(node.left, val1, val2);
TreeNode rightLCA = findLCA(node.right, val1, val2);
if(leftLCA != null && rightLCA != null)
return node;
return (leftLCA != null)? leftLCA: rightLCA;
}
}
Invert the Binary Tree
Given a binary tree, invert the binary tree and return it.
Look at the example for more details.
Example :
Given binary tree
1
/ \
2 3
/ \ / \
4 5 6 7
invert and return
1
/ \
3 2
/ \ / \
7 6 5 4
My Java Based Solution
public class Solution {
public TreeNode invertTree(TreeNode A) {
swap(A);
return A;
}
public void swap(TreeNode A){
if(A==null)
return;
TreeNode temp = A.left;
A.left = A.right;
A.right = temp;
if(A.left!=null)
swap(A.left);
if(A.right!=null)
swap(A.right);
}
}
Balanced Binary Tree
Given a binary tree, determine if it is height-balanced.
Height-balanced binary tree : is defined as a binary tree in which the depth of the two subtrees of every node never differ by more than 1.
Return 0 / 1 ( 0 for false, 1 for true ) for this problem
A hint : Ensure Left subtree is balanced , Right subtree is balanced and difference of height between them is +-1 .
My Java Based Solution :
public class Solution {
public int heightOfTree(TreeNode A){
if(A==null)
return 0;
int leftHeight = heightOfTree(A.left);
int rightHeight = heightOfTree(A.right);
return 1 + Math.max(leftHeight,rightHeight);
}
public int isBalanced(TreeNode A) {
if(A==null)
return 1;
int leftHeight = heightOfTree(A.left);
int rightHeight = heightOfTree(A.right);
if(Math.abs(rightHeight - leftHeight) <= 1 &&
(isBalanced(A.left) == 1) &&
(isBalanced(A.right) == 1)
)
return 1;
else
return 0;
}
}
Max Depth of Binary Tree
Given a binary tree, find its maximum depth.
The maximum depth of a binary tree is the number of nodes along the longest path from the root node down to the farthest leaf node.
public class Solution {
public int maxDepth(TreeNode A) {
if(A==null)
return 0;
return 1+Math.max(maxDepth(A.left),maxDepth(A.right));
}
}
Sorted Array To Balanced BST
Given an array where elements are sorted in ascending order, convert it to a height balanced BST.
Approach Hint : Try to find the median of the array make it the root and recursively do this for both left and right subtree
public class Solution {
public TreeNode sortedArrayToBST(final List<Integer> a) {
return helper(a,0,a.size()-1);
}
public TreeNode helper(final List<Integer> a,int start,int end){
if(start<=end){
int mid = (start+end)/2;
TreeNode root = new TreeNode(a.get(mid));
root.left = helper(a,start,mid-1);
root.right = helper(a,mid+1,end);
return root;
} else {
return null;
}
}
}
Kth Smallest Element In Tree
Given a binary search tree, write a function to find the kth smallest element in the tree. | https://medium.com/@tannishk/trees-1be1fcdd055d | ['Tannishk Sharma'] | 2019-06-02 20:06:29.500000+00:00 | ['Binary Tree', 'Programming', 'Coding Interviews'] |
Reclaim Your Data Privacy with the Best Privacy-Focused Alternatives | Google Search Alternatives
This is probably the hardest switch you will have to make — at least it was for me. The search results and meta information (store opening times, movie ratings, weather forecasts, and more) that you receive through Google Search are often unbeatable.
I tried privacy-friendly search engines like DuckDuckGo, Qwant, and Ecosia for a while, but they often didn’t give me the results that I was looking for. Especially when querying for programming-related search terms, I often found myself receiving unrelated search results. When you are getting paid per hour as a freelancer, that is impractical as the additional time required to search more precisely can add up quickly.
Fortunately, I found out about StartPage, which I have been using for about six months now. According to the privacy policy of StartPage, this is how they operate: “When you search, your query is automatically stripped of unnecessary metadata including your IP address and other identifying information. We send the anonymized search query to Google and return the search results to you. We don’t log your searches.”
So when using StartPage, you basically use the capability of great search results from Google without getting tracked. I don’t really like the fact that I am still using Google under the hood, but this is the best solution available for me for now as I am receiving good quality search results again. I sometimes do still miss the meta results that Google provides like store opening times, movie ratings, and weather forecasts, but usually, it just requires an additional click on a search result in StartPage, which is manageable.
My recommendation: If you need to dig deep into a certain topic, use StartPage to get the best results or fallback to Google Search — otherwise, you can get great results by using Qwant as your default search engine as well. | https://medium.com/better-humans/reclaim-your-data-privacy-with-the-best-privacy-focused-alternatives-b056036758f6 | ['Markus Hatvan'] | 2020-12-09 15:23:03.051000+00:00 | ['Privacy', 'Tech', 'Security', 'Awareness', 'Data'] |
Diabetes Type 1& Type 2: Things You Should Know | Diabetes is a growing concern of the current era. Regardless of age and gender, any person can be diagnosed with diabetes anytime in their lifespan. The primary forms of it are Type 1 & Type 2 diabetes.
According to a resource, type 1 affects 8% of everyone with diabetes. At the same time, type 2 diabetes affects about 90%.
Although both type 1& type 2 are somehow similar, there are still lots of differences between them, like their risk factors, prevention tips, and symptoms. This article mainly highlights what you should know about type 1& type 2 diabetes.
On this page, you will find:
● What is insulin?
● What is Type 1& Type 2 diabetes?
● What are the risk factors?
● How to manage them?
● What is the cure & prevention tips?
Before starting with type 1 & type 2 diabetes, let us know about insulin.
What is insulin?
Insulin is a hormone that enables sugar to enter the bloodstream to be used by cells for energy or stored for later use.
What is Type 1 & Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which your body mistakenly attacks & destroys the cells that make insulin. In this, your body cannot produce insulin. It is commonly seen in young people up to 40. Children and teenagers are more likely to get diagnosed with it.
In type 2 diabetes, your body becomes insulin resistant. It means either your body cannot produce enough insulin or is unable to use it properly. It is commonly seen in older people who are over 40. But these days, it has become a matter of concern for youngsters as well.
In both conditions, the glucose level of your body gets too high and requires insulin for proper management.
Are risk factors in Type 1 different from Type 2?
The exact causes of type 1 & type 2 are unknown, but according to various research and studies, some of the risk factors are indeed different.
Type 1 Diabetes
The primary difference is Type 1 diabetes isn’t affected by lifestyle changes or weight. It means lifestyle changes can’t affect your risk of developing type 1 diabetes. Genetics & family history might affect the risk of diabetes type 1.
Type 2 Diabetes
In type 2 diabetes, factors like obesity, family history, lifestyle, risk factors, and genetics are crucial in developing it. You can manage type 2 diabetes by adopting a healthy lifestyle.
Are Symptoms of both Type 1 & Type 2 Diabetes the same?
The symptoms in Type 1 diabetes developed more rapidly over a few weeks. The main symptoms include:
● Weight loss
● Increased thirst and urination
● Hunger
● Tiredness or fatigue
● Irritability
● Blurred vision
● A fruity smell on breath
Type 2 diabetes symptoms are slightly different from type 1 and may take time to get visible. The main symptoms include-
● Unexplained weight loss
● Increased urination, especially at night
● Increased thirst
● Tiredness
● Itching around the genitals
● Blurred vision
● Slow healing of cut and wounds
● Development of dark, velvety patches of skin
How Can We Manage both Type 1 & Type 2 Diabetes?
Managing diabetes is essential to avoid serious health complications. You should maintain a proper routine for the management of diabetes. Generally, management tips include:
● Regular blood glucose monitoring
● Injecting insulin
● Follow the advice of a diabetes care advocate
● Learning nutrients counting
● Cope with fluctuating blood sugar levels
● Medications after doctor’s suggestion
Can diabetes Type 1 & Type 2 be Cured & Prevented?
Unfortunately, there is no permanent cure for either Type 1 & Type 2 diabetes. But there are shreds of evidence that type 2 diabetes can be managed by having a low-calorie diet and adopting an active lifestyle. Also, it is essential to stay connected with your health advocate & follow their advice to manage the consequences of diabetes. Learn more here about the tips on eating out with diabetes.
Final Words
Unfortunately, there is no cure for diabetes whether it is type 1 or type 2 diabetes. There are evidences to some people who have been able to manage their diabetes remission by losing weight and making lifestyle changes. But a very few cases with a good control over diet and lifestyle changes under medical supervision, or having surgical intervention can put your diabetes under remission. For better healthcare management solutions, visit https://www.epillo.com/ | https://medium.com/@epillohealthsystems/diabetes-type-1-type-2-things-you-should-know-bd847cd68d9e | [] | 2021-12-29 11:32:05.663000+00:00 | ['Healthcare', 'Digital Health', 'Health', 'Diabetes'] |
How to Build a Movement in Record Time | The Importance of an Informed Public
This imbalance of information and influence creates a problem. For such a populist movement as UBI, success hinges on the public being well-informed and actively engaged on the issue. Without such public involvement, and with the fate of UBI left to circles of technocratic and political influence, we would be foolish to expect a holistic and humanistic policy — one that drastically transforms our economic and social structures in the way that UBI could — to emerge.
Political will requires public awareness. (source)
As an example of this, we can look back to Richard Nixon’s administration. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the idea of UBI had a moment in the sun. Pushed into the national conversation by welfare activists, futurists, and as a cornerstone of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s populist human rights uprising called the Poor People’s Campaign, enough momentum was generated that various UBI experiments and studies were carried out, both in Canada and in the United States. Here was a chance to truly bring this idea into the light.
Unfortunately, King was assassinated, The People were not properly kept informed of the results of the various trials, and the Nixon administration did not deliver.
The data from the Canadian Mincome trial in Dauphin, Manitoba, were boxed up and the results essentially buried for decades until 2011, when researcher Evelyn Forget decided to do an analysis of the population outcomes from the region during that time frame. She found very encouraging indicators, such as decreased hospitalization rates, increased graduation rates, and more that might have been quite helpful for the public to hear about 40 years prior.
Biased and premature reporting on the American trials largely focused on a misleading claim that it was resulting in greater divorce rates, thereby quashing a lot of public interest in the idea, especially without a powerful voice like King’s to push back publicly on that narrative. Ultimately, the public was left out of the discussion, and it was left to the powers that be in Washington DC to decide where to take it from there.
During their presidential campaigns, Nixon and McGovern each promoted versions of UBI, Nixon preferring a form of negative income tax called the Family Assistance Plan that would perhaps more clumsily and modestly seek to accomplish similar aims, but itself representing a major shift in policy in the direction of UBI. The House of Representatives even passed Nixon’s bill by a wide margin in both 1970 and 1971, but it faltered in the Senate over disagreements in how large the benefit should be — the Senate wanted something larger. Unable to come to a quick resolution, the idea fizzled out, largely because there was no significant public pressure holding these politicians’ feet to the fire to get a bill passed. It wasn’t a top-of-mind issue for most Americans, and so it was more politically safe for elected officials to just let it die.
Fast forward to 2010 and beyond and we can see similar patterns reemerge. It started this time with a quick upswelling of interest due to fears of tech-driven job loss and a sexy set of endorsements from popular figures in the technology sector, from Elon Musk to Richard Branson to Mark Zuckerberg, as they noncommittally dipped their toes into the public narrative. UBI advocates owe a lot to this turn of events, but these tech boss billionaires, having lit the spark, cannot (and do not seem eager to) remain the faces of the UBI movement.
Following this surge of interest, we’ve seen the pilot programs springing up to test the merits of various incarnations of UBI-like policies, but here again, the narrative is being largely twisted by The News. What began as a mediocre and unambitious quasi-UBI trial, begrudgingly implemented by a conservative Finnish government, somehow became the new face of the whole UBI movement thanks to The News and its excessive coverage of that particular effort. Never mind that several other trials — from start-up accelerator Y Combinator in California to nonprofit organization GiveDirectly in Kenya — were far more promising and relevant for a multitude of reasons. The News, for some unknown purpose, had decided that Finland’s trial would represent UBI, and then went on to wildly misunderstand and misreport it. When Finnish government agency Kela, which had always been lukewarm on the concept, decided not to continue the project beyond its original two-year span, copy-paste headlines ran ad nauseam claiming things like “UBI Fails in Finland” and “Finland Cancels UBI Pilot.” In fact, though, the trial at that time was still ongoing without any results released yet whatsoever.
The next round of articles loudly proclaimed things like (to paraphrase) “Finland’s Results Are In: People Don’t Work More With UBI.” The truth in this instance was that the results were very much not in. They had just released preliminary and unverified results from the first year of the two-year trial, and not only had those results demonstrated no significant change in work hours in either direction, but also they had demonstrated marked improvements in quality of life, confidence, and security among the participants during that short time. As I write this in July 2019, we are still waiting for the final results of the trial. Such misreporting notwithstanding, the first wave of these articles served as an introduction to the idea of UBI for a great many Americans, and the follow-up articles served as further implication to many that UBI is clearly a naive and unworkable idea. If you want to know what really happened in Finland and how it could be well-interpreted, this article by Scott Santens is by far the best I’ve seen.
Beyond Finland, another problematic feature of mainstream media’s coverage of UBI so far (as of July 2019) is its simplistic and cynical narrative as to the purpose and function of UBI, describing it often as simply “Free Money for Nothing” and/or as if it were some sophomoric plot to supplant all work entirely and skip immediately to a post-work utopia of sorts. The tone of this commentary and “reporting” tends to be quite dismissive and stunningly unjournalistic. In part, this seems to be because many outlets don’t dig any deeper than reading other poorly-researched articles on the subject. Alternatively, they defer to the mainstream-type economists and thinkers in their rolodexes for more surface-level opinions and knee jerk reactions rather than seeking out interviews with people well-versed in the subject. It can be quite frustrating to be referred to yet another Paul Krugman hot take in the New York Times, regurgitating irrelevant common wisdoms of contemporary economic thought without much demonstrated depth of understanding of what UBI advocates actually propose. Or maybe they will interview someone like Stephanie Kelton, Bernie Sanders’ economic advisor and a professed opponent of UBI, who seems to willfully misrepresent the UBI movement and concept to favor her own preferred policy idea, the Federal Jobs Guarantee. When she describes UBI in interviews, I do not recognize the policy she describes. She often claims matter-of-factly that UBI must be on the order of $30,000 per year per person, paid for with deficit spending only, intended to be a catch-all to replace everything including healthcare and retirement, not taxed back from the wealthy, and ultimately designed to simply allow people not to work. I don’t know any UBI academics or advocates who would support or even take seriously anything like that type of vision or implementation, and yet Mrs. Kelton is the type of so-called expert with whom The News is more likely to discuss the subject.
Why The News would interview someone who either has not studied UBI in depth (or is actively aligned against UBI) and present them as the experts on the subject is hard for me to say definitively. Perhaps celebrity is a factor. After all, Krugman and Kelton are more famous at this time than, say, wonky UBI expert Karl Widerquist, who would give a much more informed presentation or analysis of the subject.
As of early 2019, however, another major shift has begun in the world of UBI. Andrew Yang has catapulted into political relevance as a Democratic presidential candidate centering his platform around UBI. And yet, even though he polls higher than half the crowded field of candidates and he had qualified for the debates long before many others, you would be hard-pressed as of mid-2019 to find many interviews or even mentions of him on The News. MSNBC has demonstrated a regular habit of leaving his name and picture out of the lists of candidates, and they even faced backlash after granting him by far the least time to speak of all 20 candidates in the first debate. To be fair, Yang has made a couple of FOX News appearances and was eventually granted a CNN town hall, but only after months of lobbying by a large and devoted base of supporters. I’ll go into more detail below on how Yang began breaking into the mainstream.
Perhaps one can be generous in assuming that the prevalence of misreporting and underreporting of UBI by The News is more due to lack of bandwidth, to incompetence, or to genuine ignorance than due to a politically motivated agenda. Regardless of the root cause, however, it remains a serious obstacle for the UBI movement, much like it does for many other grassroots and activist movements. From Selma to Occupy Wall Street to Standing Rock, it generally takes a lot of inconvenient noise and spectacle in some form to force the top dogs in the fourth estate to take note and take a break from their regularly scheduled sensationalism and agenda to join the conversation in a substantial way.
This is what a dog looks like after it chomps on a human being.
In many cases, it takes startling imagery of violence suffered by some heroic individuals putting their bodies on the line. Standing Rock had been going on for months before independent journalist Amy Goodman of Democracy Now! went there in person to deliver her viral report on the self-titled water protectors being mauled by the dogs of mercenary “security” forces. Understandably, many in the public were outraged to see indigenous Americans being abused this horrendously, and suddenly, there was too much demand for this story for The News to continue ignoring it.
And only once the major outlets were forced to participate in this story did major change begin to occur. Aid flooded in the form of helping hands and donations. The president of the United States himself was seemingly spurred to awareness and action when the story hit The News, but this only happened thanks to the efforts of the many protesters, social media influencers, and independent journalists like Amy Goodman on the ground, fighting relentlessly and at their own risk to force the truth into public view and eventually into the mainstream. President Obama finally took note and took action, his administration canceling the easement required for completing the Dakota Access Pipeline that was the object of protest. In one of his moving speeches to a wide audience, Obama was quoted to have said to the protesters:
I know that many of you have come together, across tribes and across the country, to support the community at Standing Rock, and together you’re making your voices heard.
I experienced a similar power struggle at that exact same time when my then fiancée (now wife) Deia Schlosberg, an independent filmmaker and journalist, was legally filming another pipeline protest in North Dakota. This protest was an action of direct civil disobedience, a bold stunt done in solidarity with Standing Rock and in coordination with three other teams along the Canadian border, and it managed to shut down all oil sands flowing in from Canada for one day. The North Dakota justice department swept Deia up along with the activists, kept her in jail for a three days, and proceeded to charge her with 45 years worth of felonies, ostensibly for complicity in the protest action itself. It was a viral social media campaign (#FreeDeia) that brought significant public attention to her unjust imprisonment and to that of the other filmmakers who had been jailed and charged in relation to the protest in other states. Without that social media campaign and public attention, I shudder to think of the difficulty we might have faced in battling those charges. Our lives and careers could have been ruined. Instead, the campaign brought the attention of tens of thousands of supporters, a powerful pro bono legal team, and eventually news outlets all over the country. What could have been the story of a career ended, a reputation tarnished, and decades in prison became a launching pad for greater influence thanks to the power of social media.
Clearly, there is great weight in specifically how the messaging of grassroots movements is delivered to The People. If left unpiloted, the messaging that most people encounter about UBI will be hijacked by The News. | https://medium.com/basic-income/how-to-build-a-movement-in-record-time-456c620dcf1c | ['Conrad Shaw'] | 2020-07-06 19:31:35.897000+00:00 | ['Politics', 'Basic Income', 'Social Media', 'Economics', 'Media'] |
The School of Startups presents: BlockChain, Bitcoin and Security Risk Factors | The School of Startups has begun for over a week now, the events and workshops are increasingly engaging and compelling. Since Monday 24th, the event gathered around 200 participants.
The topics are from different backgrounds, from the business world, to design and to technology.
During these stimulating days, precisely on October 11th, Timo Oinonen will discuss “BlockChain, Bitcoin and Security Risk Factors”.
Timo Oinonen is a trader and a partner of Digital Currency Research (@dcresearch_io). He is specialized in alternative investments, Fintech, finance, and bitcoin.
You will probably have heard about blockchain and bitcoin, which are not easy subjects but useful to understand. As a matter of fact, they are marking the future of data protection.
Briefly, blockchains are based on a revolutionary technology and prevent the multiplication of information. It is a cryptographic database, distributed to the public domain.
Timo will introduce the subject at the beginner level to give all the participants of any professional background the opportunity to learn. Through this workshop, the reason why it is demanding to know about blockchain and bitcoin and how secure this new data protection is will be discussed.
If you want to deep dive into the world of blockchain and bitcoin security register through Eventbrite and secure a spot. | https://medium.com/the-shortcut/the-school-of-startups-presents-blockchain-bitcoin-and-security-risk-factors-8ce8f208e73d | ['Gloria De Felice'] | 2018-10-03 08:15:03.141000+00:00 | ['Bitcoin', 'Helsinki', 'Blockchain', 'Events', 'Workshop'] |
What the heck is “fussing”? | Decoding the language of babies
In my quest to help my daughter learn the elusive art of falling asleep, I’ve come across this “fussing” term many times.
What does it actually mean? How is it different to crying?
Precious Little Sleep recommends a “Fuss It Out” method of sleep coaching as a gentle alternative to “Cry It Out.” This suggests that “fussing” is considered less stressful (to both parents and baby) than crying.
I would agree.
To the untuned ear, babies can only vocally express themselves one way: by crying. But an astute parent attuned to their baby’s needs will quickly learn all the different cries of their little one. I was told this many times while pregnant, by many a knowing mother perched high upon the saddle of their horse.
And I don’t mean the instinctual cries of a newborn who is driven by the black-and-white needs of hunger and safety. I’m talking about the cries of your post-newborn baby who is excitingly more nuanced. Their black-and-white life is now starting to be coloured with emotions — happiness, sadness, boredom, frustration. And these emotions are all expressed in the wordless language of babies.
To me, it seems particularly inefficient to have each mother learn this language the hard way (not to mention unfair to baby).
Baby to mum
In this information-rich age, why can’t we learn from those that have gone before us?
So here is my interpretation of the different vocalisations of my baby as she learned to fall asleep, which I hope may help other new mothers out there.
In order of sounds most to least pleasing to a mother’s ear:
Babbling — I absolutely love this sound. It is like my daughter is talking to herself in a language of gurgles and coos. Babbling is one of her self-soothing techniques (lip smacking and finger-sucking being others). When she starts babbling, I know she is calm and very close to falling asleep.
— I absolutely love this sound. It is like my daughter is talking to herself in a language of gurgles and coos. Babbling is one of her self-soothing techniques (lip smacking and finger-sucking being others). When she starts babbling, I know she is calm and very close to falling asleep. Fussing — To me, fussing is when my baby makes intermittent noises of frustration, like grumbles, grunts and some yells. They give me the impression that she is decidedly annoyed and frustrated; annoyed at not being rocked to sleep in the warm arms of her mother, and frustrated at having to learn a new skill.
— To me, fussing is when my baby makes intermittent noises of frustration, like grumbles, grunts and some yells. They give me the impression that she is decidedly annoyed and frustrated; annoyed at not being rocked to sleep in the warm arms of her mother, and frustrated at having to learn a new skill. Cussing — I created this term to describe next-level fussing. It is a portmanteaus of “crying” and fussing. However, I put crying in quotation marks because it’s not what I would call real I-need-you crying (see below). Rather, it is instead more like a tantrum cry and doesn’t produce any tears. (If baby were a teenager, they would be slamming doors and screaming things like “I can’t believe you’re making me do this!”) It is the ultimate expression of frustration and if persistent and left unattended, cussing may sometimes escalate to crying.
— I created this term to describe next-level fussing. It is a portmanteaus of “crying” and fussing. However, I put crying in quotation marks because it’s not what I would call real I-need-you crying (see below). Rather, it is instead more like a tantrum cry and doesn’t produce any tears. (If baby were a teenager, they would be slamming doors and screaming things like “I can’t believe you’re making me do this!”) It is the ultimate expression of frustration and if persistent and left unattended, cussing may sometimes escalate to crying. Crying — This is the awful one. No mother wants to hear their baby truly crying. To me, true crying is something that should never be ignored. If my baby is crying, she is in some form of distress. She needs me. And I go to her the minute I hear it. Unlike the “crying” in cussing, true crying produces tears. Your poor little darling’s red face will be scrunched up in distress and you’ll often find there is a slight pause where she has to take a new breath to keep up with the intensity of her crying. You may also find your little one does those heartbreaking little hyperventilating sighs for some time after a bout of true crying. (My heart!)
You can hear what my daughter actually sounds like when she’s babbling, fussing and cussing below. (Note that crying isn’t included because the last thing I’m going to do if my daughter is crying is look for my phone to hit “record”!)
Noises baby may make when falling asleep
The language of babies is undoubtedly a mystical one. But it doesn’t have to be a mystery.
Let’s decode it together. | https://medium.com/@juliette.p.ryan/what-the-heck-is-fussing-c80a5661c23 | ['Juliette Ryan'] | 2020-07-01 00:12:24.304000+00:00 | ['Motherhood', 'Baby', 'Sleep', 'Parenting', 'Mothers'] |
Summer 2021 Reading List: Letter from the Editors | Daniela Fifi, Hannah Heller, Hallie Scott, Kabir Singh, Sierra Van Ryck deGroot, Viewfinder Editorial Board
This summer, perhaps more than ever, it feels necessary to try to make space for reading and reflection (in addition to rest, relaxation, and fun!) For this year’s summer issue the editorial team chose several texts we are (re)reading that we feel speak to our work as museum educators working towards social justice. We hope you check some of them out and let us know what you think in the comments, and please add your own ideas for what you’re reading this summer!
This is also our last issue with Kabir Singh at the helm as Editor in Chief. Kabir has served on the Viewfinder Editorial Board for four years, leading our team for the last two. We will sorely miss Kabir’s generous, thoughtful, and forward-thinking leadership, but look forward to carrying forward Viewfinder in all of the ways that it has been shaped by him and the other brilliant editorial minds who have guided this publication.
Happy summer reading,
The Viewfinder Editorial Team
Daniela’s Pick
Lewis, S (2014). The Rise: Creativity, the Gift of Failure and the Search for Mastery. Simon Schuster.
Book cover image for The Rise. Text at the top reads “The Rise.” Bottom text reads “Creativity, the Gift of Failure, and the Search for Mastery,” with the author’s name Sarah Lewis written below that. The background image is gradated sunset-looking colors, beginning with light blue at the top, turning to tan-yellow, to burnt orange, to gray green at the bottom.
The creative field has been heavily impacted by the global pandemic with many of us in the creative and arts industries losing jobs and stability. This was compounded by ethical questions that surfaced in creative sectors around access to health care, confronting salary inequities, and equity of representation in the field. Museum Educators and other frontline staff were hit especially hard as museums laid off staff from these departments. I recommend this book to readers as an offering to those who many have felt displaced and disheartened. Renowned art historian, curator, and teacher Sarah Lewis reflects on the central concept of failure and challenges in her book, The Rise. She presents failure as a pivotal and crucial landmark in the lives of important historical figures such as Fredrick Douglass and Samuel F.B. Morse. She exclaims that loss has propelled the world’s greatest thinkers into their most celebrated innovations and work. An understanding, acceptance, and surrender to failure, challenge, and loss can manifest into incredible possibilities.
Hallie’s Pick
Onyewuenyi, I. (2021). “On the Future of the Museum,” Art in America, June 3, 2021.
I do not recommend reading this if you are seeking to uplift your faith in museums and museum work. But if you are like me and trying to make sense of complex feelings about institutions and labor this may be a poignant read for you. Author Ikechukwu Onyewuenyi describes the concept of “emancipatory rhetoric” that characterizes the complex narratives museums have been broadcasting over the past year. Ike (who, to be transparent, is a brilliant colleague of mine at the Hammer Museum) questions the push for museums to adopt “activist-adjacent” missions, asking if this thrust might be seen as a by-product of neoliberal policies that diminish government funds for social services. Drawing upon Aimé Césaire, Christina Sharpe, Audre Lorde, and others, Ike suggests instead that the future of the museums may be their own death and ponders what that means for all of us workers who toil within these institutions.
Cover image for May/June 2021 Art in America issue. Text reads starting at the top “International Review since 1913, Art in America, New Talent Issue with Guest Editor Antwaun Sargent, May/June 2021. Background artwork is a tapestry titled The (Black) Madonna-Whore Complex by Qualeasha Wood.
Hannah’s Pick
Morrison, T. (1992). Playing in the Dark: Whiteness and the Literary Imagination. New York: Vintage.
This was one of the first texts I read when I was first seeking out definitions of Whiteness written by people of color. Morrison employs several examples of White American authors to demonstrate ways that Blackness and Africanness has been constructed in the White imaginary, in literature written by White people for a White audience. Her analysis reveals how perceived principles of Americanness (e.g., individualism, freedom, masculine strength, feminine innocence) are all predicated on constructions of the Black Other that both solidify stereotypes of the Black figure in literature, but also delineate Whiteness’s own fears and conditions. On observing this dynamic herself, Morrison writes: “It is as if I had been looking at a fishbowl — the glide and flick of the golden scales, the green tip, the bolt of white careening back from the gills; the castles at the bottom, surrounded by pebbles and tiny, intricate fronds of green; the barely disturbed water, the flecks of waste and food, the tranquil bubbles traveling to the surface — and suddenly I saw the bowl, the structure that transparently (and invisibly) permits the ordered life it contains to exist in the larger world” (p. 17). As the museum field continues to seek to understand Whiteness and how it orders our internal work, our relationships with our audiences, funding structures, and conservative responses to calls for change, I appreciate how this text offers one way to see and define the “bowl” that contains our work.
Book cover. Text reads starting from the top “National Bestseller, Playing in the Dark, Whiteness and the Literary Imagination, Toni Morrison, Winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, ‘Her revolutionary little monograph… is a major work by a major American author… [Toni Morrison] is one of the living writers who really matter,’ Los Angeles Times.” Morrison is pictured in sepia tones standing holding a straw hat, wearing a long strand of pearls, looking to her right into the distance.
Kabir’s Pick
Matar, H. (2019). A Month in Siena. New York: Random House.
This beautiful short book manages to be both a delightful travelogue and a meditation on grief. I found it a perfect pandemic read, vicariously satisfying some of my longing to travel and to set foot in museums again. The author is perhaps more well known for his 2016 Pulitzer Prize winning The Return about the search for his father in Qaddafi’s Libya (which I have not yet read, but look forward to). In this memoir, Hisham Matar shares notes from a mostly solitary stay in Siena that include befriending strangers through common language and culture, close looking while museumgoing, a history lesson on the plague (which felt more relevant than I would have liked!), and processing the disappearance of his father. Matar is a keen observer of art and life. His voice keeps the reader engaged and makes a wide range of topics feel personal. Art is very much at the center of this book, which features numerous color reproductions of Sienese paintings that Matar describes in detail.
Book cover. Text reads from the top “A Month in the Siena, By the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Return, Hisham Matar.” Background image is watercolor looking painting of city architecture, with a large orange building in the background with what looks like a circular stained glass window covered with a grate, and smaller buildings in pinks, tans, and greens in the middle ground, and a gray staircase leading down in the foreground.
Sierra’s Pick
May, K. (2020). Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times. Riverhead Books.
It would be the understatement of the past decade to say last year was a challenging year. We saw loss, struggle, and oppression loom over so many aspects of our lives. Wintering was a much needed read during a year of struggle. The book is slow paced and, while normally that would cause me to put a book down in pursuit of something faster, it was exactly what was needed after almost fourteen months of quarantine. May’s book is a memoir, but it reads like a conversation — as if you and a good friend were sitting down on a sunny afternoon on a restaurant’s outdoor patio, catching up after the past year. Over a meal or small bite accompanied by a glass of wine or a sparkling water, you share the struggles and triumphs you both have endured. You will wade through some awkward moments and bask in some glorious times. It’s a book that, after a couple of chapters, it felt okay to put down and process some of the feelings that bubbled up over the course of reading. May sets a tone with the book’s narrative in a way that encourages the reader to take their time with it. So, I encourage you to buy this book or get a long loan at the library and take your time with it. Wintering is the reset you may need after a difficult year. | https://medium.com/viewfinder-reflecting-on-museum-education/summer-2021-reading-list-letter-from-the-editors-591816f8708d | ['Naea Museum Education'] | 2021-07-25 11:03:47.406000+00:00 | ['Museums', 'Museum Education', 'Summer Reading'] |
Holidays and the Job Hunt | Christmas 2019, Maine
I am a family caregiver. It is an unpaid 24/7 position. The benefits are that I get to help my dad, even when he doesn’t ask for it. 9 years ago I moved from Northern Virginia back to my home in Roanoke, VA as a result of my divorce. Little did I know about my father’s condition. It has been a roller-coaster of emotions and challenges. We have tried so many different things with him from traditional medicine to alternative and everything in between.
During the time that I have lived with them, I have completed a second Masters (in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), a doctorate in Instructional Technology and Distance Education, with a dissertation on the efficacy of Telepractice, but still had difficulty finding the right job. As I learned last year in my job search, this is the worst time of year to look for a job. Most employers are not hiring, as they have budget constraints. And this year is even more difficult, as there is an increased number of unemployed, as a result of the pandemic. Although I started the pandemic crying….and still go through points where I just cry, I am working on staying positive, as I know there is a light at the end of this tunnel that will provide the future that I am dreaming of. When the pandemic started, or actually before that, I wasn’t sure about my next career. I knew I needed to increase my technical skills but wasn’t sure how. I worked with a career coach, a friend with a background in HR. They both suggested UX. I did searches for qualitative research and every time, UX would come up. Then the pandemic hit and through a couple of searches, I found Springboard, a UX/UI bootcamp that was completely online.
Since beginning the bootcamp, I have learned a variety of skills from secondary research, affinity maps, wireframes, usability testing to just name a few. I have learned how to use Sketch and Figma. I have now have completed three projects, with one left. As I move towards the finish line, I realize the urgency of looking for a job. Last year when I was looking, I did very little networking but now I see just how important it is, especially now in the midst of a pandemic. If I am going to succeed, and find my dream job, I need to find the right people, and the right companies. So, rather than just applying to job, I am finding more creative ways of networking and finding companies. I can’t say what this next year will be but, but I am sure I will give it all that I have to find the right people to help me.
I have over 20 years of experience teaching English as a Second Language. When I walked away from it, I didn’t think I would come back to it. However, this is a different year. I have no income coming in. So, I decided to teach again and am teaching with Cambly. It doesn’t pay much but I get paid every week and I am able to learn from the experiences of my students around the world and how they are dealing with the pandemic. I am blessed to have this opportunity.
My dad is important to me and every important career decision was inspired by him. I chose my dissertation topic as I thought maybe in some way it would help him. My first capstone project was a mobility equipment app, also inspired by my experiences as a caregiver, caring for him. During this time of the holidays during a pandemic, I can’t help but think of how it affects him. He was always an active, kind man, who loves his family. This year, although he will spend it with his daughter and wife, he won’t be able to spend it with his son and family. Even though he is non-verbal, I know he feels the pain and difficulty and realizes that we aren’t packing to drive to Maine.
I don’t know yet what company or area I will be in in my next career, but I know my dad will inspire my decision. It is because of him that I am interested in using technology to make healthcare better, whether it be related to caregiving, aging, Telehealth, or an area I have yet to discover.
As a final note, use every resource you have to succeed in this upcoming year, whether it be at the job search or another area of your life. Love your family and friends and stay safe during this holiday season. | https://medium.com/@drcybelewu/holidays-and-the-job-hunt-c0e2819f6e81 | ['Dr. Cybele Wu'] | 2020-12-23 04:14:10.739000+00:00 | ['Job Search', 'Caregiving', 'UX', 'Holidays', 'Telehealth'] |
The Stranger Who Saved Us During A Shooting | It was like a scene out of a movie
Image taken by Alliane Schwartzhaupt on Unspalsh
As we walked towards the DJ, a stranger aggressively grabbed my arm… the strange thing about this was I never reacted as I would’ve usually done at my young age of 18!
Something happened inside me, it was like an intense impulse to do the same thing…
As I was grabbed, I grabbed one of my friends who then grabbed our other one and like a domino effect, we were pulled away from the middle of the dance floor.
Bizarrely, my friends and I ducked down. It was like we had lost control of our bodies and something was controlling our actions. Or perhaps our subconscious took over aware of what was occurring, slapping our conscious mind out the way to act obediently without a question.
Seconds later, we heard several gun shots, they were overpowering and frightening, I had never heard them in real life before this night.
It was like time slowed down, we watched in shock as people ducked down (into our very position)whilst a few jumped in different directions. We could see it all & heard the piercing screams, I don’t even remember hearing any music at this point.
All of a sudden, the reactions of the people transformed and sped up like a whirlwind, people began fighting, shouting, throwing the pool balls at one another, pushing, dragging and trampling on others’ backs. From the far back people were being dragged, pushed and right where we were rescued from, there were a pile of bodies crushing one another while people smashed others' heads underfoot frantically trying to escape. It was terrifying and I can only imagine the pain and fear those right in the middle of it felt.
We looked at one another, as shock froze our bodies in place.
I turned my face to thank the stranger who ultimately saved us from getting our heads smashed into the ground and squashed by others. I was faced with the wall, no exit, no way of escape…no one there… We were literally by ourselves hidden while the chaos unravelled. More gun shots penetrated through our eardrums, it was horrific.
My mind quickly focused on how to safely get us out, the crowds moved towards us with panic filled faces. We saw people covered in blood, ripped clothes and security trying to calm the crowd down.
As I write this I keep wondering how we got out eventually, my mind grasps at straws. All I remember is that we did as well as most in the bar.
We never told our parents
We knew if there was any hint of what happened, our parents would’ve panicked, been scared to let us out into the world.
We were a few months away from beginning our lives at university, living on campus, over 24 miles away. We didn’t want to burden our parents with worry or doubt. Plus we wanted to live independently and experience life on our terms.
The main thing I remember saying to my mum was that I didn’t want my younger siblings to continue growing up in London. I didn’t think it was the best thing for them. Coincidentally my parents had been planning to move from London so these shared thoughts perhaps sealed the deal.
That night is still so surreal…
I’m still closely in touch with one of those friends and still so many years later we speak about this night. We can only say that the stranger must’ve been some sort of divine intervention...
We’re both so thankful to that stranger.
Thank you for rescuing us! How did you know?
There’s so many vivid parts of that night that come back to me. There’s so many unanswered questions…
What made us react in an orderly way prior to the shooting? Why/How did time slow down for us three? Why us? Who survived? Who fired the shots? Were any arrested?
Even though we can only make assumptions to any of those questions, when we are given the chance to tell the story we have to have gratitude!
When you are given another day, be grateful. There are many lives who are no longer here, tragically many taken to violence.
London’s gun & knife crime is soaring daily since I was a young adult. These crimes have stolen a multitude of lives, young & old. We will never forget.
Live life to the fullest and be the best you that you can be.
Live In Peace | https://medium.com/@csbhambra/the-disappearance-of-the-stranger-who-saved-us-during-a-shooting-4d304ab5b93c | ['C S Bhambra'] | 2021-01-01 14:51:09.896000+00:00 | ['Gun Violence', 'Crime', 'London', 'Survivor', 'Guns'] |
Artificial Intelligence Research: The Octopus Algorithm for Generating Goal-Directed Heuristic Feedback | Originally published on July 1, 2018 at Blogger; Revised on January 24, 2019.
During the 2010 FIFA World Cup eight years ago, a common octopus named Paul the Octopus drew worldwide attention because it “accurately predicted” all the results of the most important soccer matches in the world (sadly it died by natural courses shortly after that). Perhaps Paul the Octopus just got extraordinarily lucky. Eight years later, as reported by the MIT Technology Review, artificial intelligence has been used in its stead to predict the World Cup (which I doubt would achieve the 100% success rate as the famous octopus did marvelously).
While my research on artificial intelligence (AI) has nothing to do with predicting which team would win the World Cup, octopuses have become one of my inspirations in the past few days. My work is about developing AI techniques that support learning and teaching through solving vastly open-ended problems such as scientific inquiry and engineering design. One of the greatest challenges in such problem-solving tasks is about how to automatically assess student work so that we can automatically generate instructional feedback. Typically, the purpose of this kind of feedback, called formative feedback, is to gradually direct students to some kind of goals, for example, to achieve the most energy-efficient design of a building that meets all the specs. Formative feedback is critically important to ensuring the success of project-based learning, a common pedagogy for teaching and practicing scientific inquiry and engineering design. Based on my own experience, however, many students have great difficulties making progress towards the goal in the short amount of time typically available in the classroom. Given the time constraints, they need help on an ongoing basis. But it is unrealistic to expect the teacher to simultaneously monitor a few dozen students while they are working on their own projects and provide timely feedback to each and every one of them at the same time. This is where AI can help. This is the reason why we are developing new pedagogical principles and instructional strategies, hoping to harness the power of AI to spur students to think more deeply, explore more widely, and even design more creatively.
Although this general idea of using AI in education makes sense, developing reliable algorithms that can automatically guide students to solve massively open-ended problems such as engineering design is by no means a small job. Through three months of intense work in this field, I have developed genetic algorithms that can be used to find optimal solutions in complex design environments such as the Energy3D CAD software, which you can find in earlier articles published through my blog. These algorithms were proven to be effective for optimizing certain engineering problems, but to call them AI, we will need to identify what kind of instructional intelligence of humans that they are able to augment or replace. In my current point of view, an apparent class of AI applications is about mimicking certain teaching capacities of peers and instructors. In order to create an artificial peer or even an artificial instructor, we would have to figure out algorithms that simulate the interactions between a student and a peer or between a student and an instructor, in particular those related to heuristics — one of three keys to the mind according to German psychologist Gerd Gigerenzer.
In teaching, heuristics generally represent scaffolding methods for inspiring and guiding students to discover knowledge step by step on their own. In computer science, genetic algorithms are also called metaheuristic algorithms, variations of heuristic algorithms. Heuristics generally represent computational methods for searching and optimizing solutions step by step based on updated data. The similarity between heuristics in teaching and heuristics in computing is that the answer is not given right away— only a suggestion for understanding or solving a problem based on currently available information is provided. The difference is that, in the case of teaching, we withhold the answer because we want students to think hard to discover it by themselves, whereas in the case of computing, we don’t really know what the optimal answer may be.
Fig. 1: An illustration of the Octopus Algorithm
Despite the commonality, there are many things to consider when we try to use computational heuristics to build educational heuristics. In teaching, an optimization algorithm that yields the best solution in a long single run is not very useful as it doesn’t provide sufficient opportunities for engaging students. You can imagine that type of algorithm as someone who does something very fast but doesn’t pause to explain to the learner how he or she does the job. To create a developmentally appropriate tool, we will need to slow down the process a bit — sort of like the creeping of an octopus — so that the learner can have a chance to observe, reflect, internalize, and catch up on their own when AI is solving the problem step by step (“give some help, but not too much” — as an experienced instructor would act in heuristic teaching). This kind of algorithm is known as local search, a technique for finding an optimal solution in the vicinity of a starting point that represents the learner’s current state (as opposed to global search that casts a wide net across the entire solution space, representing equally all possibilities regardless of the learner’s current state). Random optimization is one of the local search methods proposed in 1965, which stochastically generates a set of candidate solutions distributed around the initial solution in accordance with the normal distribution. The graphical representation of a normal distribution is a bell curve that somewhat resembles the shape of an octopus (Figure 1). When using a genetic algorithm to implement the local search, the two red edge areas in Figure 1 can be imagined as the “tentacles” for the “octopus” to sense “food” (optima), while the green bulk area in the middle can be imagined as the “body” for it to “digest the catches” (i.e., to concentrate on local search). Once an optimum is “felt” (i.e., one or more solution points close to the optimum is included in the randomly generated population of the genetic algorithm), the “octopus” will move towards it (i.e., the best solution from the population will converge to the optimum) as driven by the genetic algorithm. The length of the “tentacles,” characterized by the standard deviation of the normal distribution, dictates the pace in which the algorithm will find an optimum. The smaller the standard deviation, the slower the algorithm will locate an optimum.
Fig. 2: Learning through a human-AI partnership
I call this particular combination of random optimization and genetic algorithm the Octopus Algorithm as it intuitively mimics how an octopus hunts on the sea floor (and, in part, to honor Paul the Octopus and to celebrate the 2018 World Cup Tournament). With a controlled drift speed, the Octopus Algorithm can be applied to incrementally correct the learner’s work in a way that goes back and forth between the human and the machine, making it possible for us to devise a learning strategy based on human-machine collaboration as illustrated in Figure 2. Another way to look at this human-machine relationship is that it can be used to turn a design process into some kind of gaming (e.g., chess or Go), which challenges students to compete against a computer towards an agreed goal but with an unpredictable outcome (either the computer wins or the human wins). It is our hope that AI would ultimately serve as a tool to train students to design effectively just like what it has already done for training chess or Go players.
Fig. 3: Finding an optimal tilt angle for a row of solar panels
How does the Octopus Algorithm work, I hear you are curious? I have tested it with some simple test functions such as certain sinusoidal functions (e.g., |sin(nx)|) and found that it worked for those test cases. But since I have the Energy3D platform, I can readily test my algorithms with real-world problems instead of some toy problems. As the first real-world example, let’s check how it finds the optimal tilt angle of a single row of solar panels for a selected day at a given location (we can do it for the entire year, but it takes much longer to run the simulation with not much more to add in terms of testing the algorithm), as shown in Figure 3. Let’s assume that the initial guess for the tilt angle is zero degree (if you have no idea which way and how much the solar panels should be tilted, you may just lay them flat as a reasonable starting point). Figure 4 shows the results of four consecutive runs. The graphs in the left column show the normal distributions around the initial guess and the best emerged after each round (which was used as the initial guess for the next round). The graphs in the right column show the final distribution of the population at the end of each round. The first and second runs show that the “octopus” gradually drifted left. At the end of the third run, it had converged to the final solution. It just stayed there at the end of the fourth run.
Fig. 4: Evolution of population in the Octopus Algorithm
When there are multiple optima in the solution space (a problem known as multimodal optimization), it may be appropriate to expect that AI would guide students to the nearest optimum. This may also be a recommendation by learning theories such as the Zone of Proximal Development introduced by Russian psychologist Lev Vygotsky. If a student is working in a certain area of the design space, guiding him or her to find the best option within that niche seems to be the most logical instructional strategy. With a conventional genetic algorithm that performs global search with uniform initial selection across the solution space, there is simply no guarantee that the suggested solution would take the student’s current solution into consideration, even though his/her current solution can be included as part of the first generation (which, by the way, may be quickly discarded if the solution turns out to be a bad one). The Octopus Algorithm, on the other hand, respects the student’s current state and tries to walk him/her through the process stepwisely. In theory, it is a better technique to support personalized learning, the number one in the 14 grand challenges for engineering in the 21st century posed by the National Academy of Engineering of the United States.
Fig. 5: Finding an orientation of a house that results in best energy saving.
Let’s see how the Octopus Algorithm finds multiple optima. Again, I have tested the algorithm with simple sinusoidal functions and found that it worked in those test cases. But I want to use a real-world example from Energy3D to illustrate my points. This example is concerned with determining the optimal orientation of a house, given that everything else has been fixed (Figure 5). The orientation will affect the energy use of the house because it will receive different amounts of solar radiation through the windows at different orientations.
Fig. 6: Using four “octopuses” to locate four optimal orientations for the energy efficiency of a house.
By manual search, I found that there are basically four different orientations that could result in comparable energy efficiency, as depicted in Figure 6.
Fig. 7: Locating the nearest optimum
Now let’s pick four different initial guesses and see which optimum each “octopus” finds. Figure 7 shows the results. The graphs in the left column show the normal distributions around the four initial guesses. The graphs in the right column show the final solutions to which the Octopus Algorithm converged. In this test case, the algorithm succeeded in ensuring nearest guidance within the zone of proximal development. Why is this important? Imagine if the student is experimenting with a southwest orientation but hasn’t quite figured out the optimal angle. An algorithm that suggests that he or she should abandon the current line of thinking and consider another orientation (say, southeast) could misguide the student and is therefore unacceptable. Once the student arrives at an optimal solution nearby, it may be desirable to prompt him/her to explore alternative solutions by choosing a different area to focus and repeat this process as needed. The ability for the algorithm to detect the three other optimal solutions simultaneously, known as multi-niche optimization, would be helpful but may not be essential in this case.
Fig. 8: “A fat octopus” vs. “a slim octopus.”
There is a practical problem, though. When we generate the normal distribution of solution points around the initial guess, we have to specify the standard deviation that represents the reach of the “tentacles” (Figure 8). As illustrated by Figure 9, the larger the standard deviation (“a fatter octopus”), the more likely the algorithm will find more than one optima and may lose the nearest one as a result. In most cases, finding a solution that is close enough may be good enough in terms of guidance. But if this weakness becomes an issue, we can always reduce the standard deviation to search the neighborhood more carefully. The downside is that it will slow down the optimization process, though.
Fig. 9. A “fatter octopus” may be problematic.
In summary, the Octopus Algorithm that I have invented seems to be able to accurately guide a designer to the nearest optimal solution in an engineering design process. Unlike Paul the Octopus that relied on supernatural forces (or did it?), the Octopus Algorithm is an AI technique that we create, control, and leverage. On a separate note, since some genetic algorithms also employ tournament selection like the World Cup, perhaps Paul the Octopus was thinking like a genetic algorithm (joke)? For the computer scientists who happen to be reading this article, it may also add a new method for multi-niche optimization besides fitness sharing and probabilistic crowding. | https://charlesxie.medium.com/artificial-intelligence-research-the-octopus-algorithm-for-generating-goal-directed-feedback-116b87cff2a5 | ['Charles Xie'] | 2019-01-24 22:14:24.022000+00:00 | ['Genetic Algorithm', 'Artficial Intelligence', 'Engineering', 'Design', 'Educational Technology'] |
Tal Does Things: Managing Multiple Podcast Productions | Welcome to the first installment of a series I am calling “Tal Does Things,” where I talk about how I do things in a more rambly, bloggy manner. Come peek into my process, but don’t judge me too hard. I’m trusting you here, dear reader.
So, I make a lot of podcasts. Right now I have 4 shows in active production, about 5 in passive production, and many, many more on the back-burner. This isn’t counting shows I don’t run and am just a part of, as a voice actor, sound designer, or writer. I’ve been asked multiple times how I do it, and I’m going to try to answer that. Emphasis on try. But first, a fact about myself. I, as a person, do not relax. I do not stop. I am always up to something. Don’t be like me, okay? Good. With that out of the way, let’s go.
I use a couple of different things to keep track of all my projects. The first is Trello. I have columns here by task. One for writing, one for directing, another for sound design, and a few for voice acting.
Voice acting gets three columns because I need to keep track of what I’ve been cast in but haven’t gotten scripts for (VA Upcoming), what I’m on the hook to record soon (VA Happening, where recurring roles live until they’re finished), and what has been recorded but not released yet (VA in production).
My voice acting columns! Most of this hasn’t been announced yet, pardon the redactions.
I use the “Custom Fields” power-up to let me keep track of status (“Waiting info”/“in progress”), payment (what I’m being paid and if I’ve been paid it), as well as if I’m currently waiting for information (like scripts). The color labels correspond to if I’ve put the show on my website yet, and what kind of role it is (cameo, supporting, anthology, or leading)
The sound design, writing, and directing columns are arranged differently. I organize cards these cards based on the order I plan to do them, and there’s no moving them from column to column. Ideally, whatever I’m currently working on is at the top of the list. I usually have something in work for each of these — an episode I’m writing, something I’m directing soon, something else I’m sound designing. What I work on depends on my mood (and looming deadlines). Lately it’s been lots and lots of sound design. The card colors aren’t really significant, serving mostly to group things I need done around the same time together.
The sound design and writing columns. The directing column is currently empty because I just finished all the episodes on my plate! Yes, I realize it is the end of December and I have two episodes to sound design by next week. It’s fine.
I also have a personal discord server I use for organization. It’s just me and a handful of bots in here. I have a channel where I make the day’s to do list to keep track of the tasks I need to get done, ideally, on that day. The server also has a reminder channel where I use Reminder Bot to poke me about upcoming deadlines, a calendar channel where I stick my meetings (I also write these on a physical calendar on my fridge because I like redundancy), and a channel to drop links to look at later. This channel is the only thing standing between me and 20 tabs, as I refuse to use bookmarks for short term things. Why? I dunno, I just don’t. In my mind, bookmarks are for things like show google drives that I need to reference often.
The organizational channels.
I’ve also got channels that mimic the Trello, with list of episodes I need to write/sound design/edit. This serves exactly the same purpose of the Trello. It’s redundant, but for whatever reason I like the simplicity of having an additional text list with everything on it. I only see the sound design stuff when I’m looking at the sound design channel, and it helps me focus. There’s no info about payment, little info about deadline, just show names and episode numbers. I also have a channel where I drop the links to things I need to audition for, and a channel where I drop the scripts to things I need to record. It helps things from getting lost in my email inbox.
The podcast related channels. Right now there isn’t a directing channel because I’m not doing any directing at the moment, but once that starts back up, a channel will appear!
I like Discord and Trello because I can use both on my phone and my desktop. Whatever I put on one automatically updates on the other since they’re referencing the same thing. I’ve also got channels for ideas and notes, places I can jot things down while on the go and expand on when I’m on my laptop back home.
I’ve also got a music corner all to myself :)
Each show I work on has its own dedicated space for production, often a discord server that spills into google sheets and docs. I use that to track the overall production aspect for the shows, pulling singular tasks to my own to do lists. This helps me stay focused — I can worry about the overall production status of a show while I’m looking at that google sheet, but when I’m sitting down to do stuff, I can look at my own lists and see what I need to do next for it.
Managing multiple podcasts mostly comes down to keeping track of lots of little details and making sure I do what I need to do when I need to do it. I love how easy Discord and Trello are to use for this — it’s easy to add stuff, it’s easy to move it around, and it’s easy to remove. If I need a completely new list, I can just make a column in Trello or a channel in Discord and immediately keep track of something else. A task doesn’t have to be or feel important to make a space dedicated to it, I can just do it. And that works for me. And that’s how I make my podcasts. I just do it. And that works for me.
I’m not sure this was any measure of helpful but hopefully it was at least interesting! That’s what I’m going for in these Tal Does Things segments. | https://medium.com/@talminear/tal-does-things-managing-multiple-podcast-productions-fb45338cdfea | ['Tal Minear'] | 2020-12-23 06:35:40.200000+00:00 | ['Organization', 'Podcasting', 'Audio Drama'] |
10 Tips for Easier Self-Editing | 10 Tips for Easier Self-Editing
Photo by KAL VISUALS on Unsplash
Writing is a creative act; we are merely getting ideas and information out of our heads onto the page. The real work comes after we have written when we shift into a more analytical phase, and the crafting of our work happens. Editing is the process that ensures our content is clear, concise, and correct, and that it meets both our needs and the needs of our readers. By approaching editing as a methodical, step-by-step process, it becomes easier to accomplish, the finished document is structurally sound, and we enhance our reputation as a professional writer.
“Writing without revising is the literary equivalent of waltzing gaily out of the house in your underwear.”― Patricia Fuller
Here are 10 steps of the editing process that will improve our ability to edit our own work and that of other people. | https://medium.com/blankpage/10-tips-for-easier-self-editing-bc4591661b26 | ['Patricia Haddock'] | 2021-02-17 07:48:58.127000+00:00 | ['Writing', 'Writing Tips', 'Editing', 'Professional Development'] |
Traceability in distributed services part II | In the latest article, we viewed how to transport the value of any headers through our service so that we could have a unique identifier ‘xTraceId’ in all our services so that we could trace a request and link the logs that are generated in the different micro services that are part of our system.
In this post, we are going to integrate these changes into our server application so that we can see how the value of the xTraceId header is the same in the different services that our request passes through.
Then we will see how to modify the logback configuration to generate the traces in Json format and finally we will include the generation of traces for our own application.
All these changes will be based on the spring Sleuth library.
You can download the source code of the projects in the following Github link
Integration of changes in the server
Remember that all the classes described in the previous article have been generated in a library, this will allow us to include the described functionality in all our microservices.
Then we will generate a new ‘logger-server’ application and include in our pom file, the reference to the new library
<properties>
<spring-cloud.version>Hoxton.SR8</spring-cloud.version>
</properties>
<dependencies>
<dependency>
<groupId>com.jichu20</groupId>
<artifactId>logger-lib</artifactId>
<version>0.0.1-SNAPSHOT</version>
</dependency>
</dependencies>
Modifying the client …
We will modify the client service so that the requests point to the new service.
Creating the server
In the server service, we will create a controller and a service.
@controller
@service
The next step will be to create a client capable of invoking a service through spring’s RestTemplate connector. Sleuth, allows you to use different connectors, but in this article we will focus on RestTemplate.
It is important that the RestTemplate component used is a bean injected in our context, that is, we cannot use the `new RestTemplate ()` statement since sleuth would not have the capacity to inject the necessary interceptors or filters, for this we generate a bean in the context of type RestTemplate
Next we will execute a request against the client to view the traces in the two services
This first test will generate the following request
As we can see, in the headers sent, the B3 headers are included with the corresponding information.
Generating new headers
Now is the time to generate new headers, specifically we will generate the `xTraceId` header whose value will be a random UUID.
In the first time we will generate a new filter capable of identifying if the header has been filled in from a client and therefore we propagate its value or if, on the contrary, it is not informed and we will have to generate a new value for it.
Now the request we make will be like this:
And the response of our service will also return the information.
Pay special attention to the sentence.
MDC.put(Constant.X_TRACE_ID, xTraceId);
This allows us to have the information when writing the logs of our application.
Configuring logback
It is the moment to modify our logback configuration for the generation of logs in Json format, later we can use other processes to send these logs to centralized systems.
To make out this configuration we will use the logsthas library, which provides different appenders, layouts, … for logback. For this we will add the dependency.
<dependency>
<groupId>net.logstash.logback</groupId>
<artifactId>logstash-logback-encoder</artifactId>
<version>6.4</version>
</dependency>
Now we will add a new appender to our configuration
When we run our application, we can see that the traces now have a json format
Extra
Converters in the appender
In our appender, we can add converters, for example, we may want to get the date in nanosecond format.
For this we will generate a new class with the name `NanoSecondsConverter.java` with the following code
And we will modify the appender to include a new field that contains the date in nano seconds format.
<! — custom converters → <conversionRule conversionWord=”nanos” converterClass=”com.jichu20.loggerlib.converter.NanoSecondsConverter” />
... ... ...
“creationDateNano”: “#asLong{%-19nanos}”,
... ... ...
Interceptors
We also have the possibility of adding interceptors to our restTemplate so that it shows both the requests made and the responses received.
To do this, we will include the `RequestResponseLoggingInterceptor.java` class in our project and we will modify the definition of the restTemplate bean as follows.
We also have the possibility of adding interceptors to our restTemplate so that it shows both the requests made and the responses received.
To do this, we will include the `RequestResponseLoggingInterceptor.java` class in our project and we will modify the definition of the restTemplate bean as follows.
Request
Response
{
"creationDate": 1608033542219,
"level": "INFO",
"message": "============================response begin==========================================
Status code: 202 ACCEPTED
Status text:
Headers: [xTraceId:\"0407a46e-7c55–4613-a264-b2a320255c77\", Content-Type:\"application/json\", Transfer-Encoding:\"chunked\", Date:\"Tue, 15 Dec 2020 11:59:02 GMT\", Keep-Alive:\"timeout=60\", Connection:\"keep-alive\"]
Response body: {\"name\":\"elbarcodelpirata\",\"resume\":\"resume of the book\",\"author\":\"Robert Louis Stevenson\",\"numPAges\":2}=======================response end=================================================",
"spanId": "",
"traceId": "0407a46e-7c55–4613-a264-b2a320255c77",
"properties": {
"app-name": "client-logger",
"class": "c.j.l.i.RequestResponseLoggingInterceptor",
"thread": "http-nio-8080-exec-1"
},
"creationDateNano": 1608033542219000000
}
Source
Github link | https://medium.com/@jichu20/traceability-in-distributed-services-part-ii-ba8c236e406b | ['Borja Sanchez Yuste'] | 2020-12-16 09:21:56.318000+00:00 | ['Spring Boot', 'Logback', 'Sleuth', 'Logstash'] |
My Dearest Augustine | My dearest Augustine, how anxious we were to leave the shore
Setting sail beyond the world in search of life we had never seen before
I was so blind for you but you kept your heart locked behind the cabin doors | https://medium.com/@fibonascii/my-dearest-augustine-f88be85bfa94 | ['Reagan Kirby'] | 2020-12-25 16:21:30.496000+00:00 | ['Short Fiction', 'Written Tales', 'Fiction', 'Writing', 'Poetry'] |
Want to get in early on the next breakout indie game hit? | Want to get in early on the next breakout indie game hit? Atari VCS Apr 20·2 min read
Make a pledge in the Unsung Warriors Kickstarter campaign and get guaranteed beta access before the game releases on PC or on the Atari VCS.
At higher pledge levels you can earn physical rewards and even have yourself represented in the game as a character, painting or statue.
One participant will also get a rare, Atari VCS Collector’s Edition pc/console hybrid.
Set in an Iron-Age inspired Europe, Unsung Warriors mixes fantasy with European folk tales and mythology.
Unsung Warriors is a story driven action-platformer that is currently being developed by Osarion & Mountaineer, a game development studio in the Netherlands. Featuring both single player and couch co-op, the game is set in an Iron-Age inspired Europe, and mixes fantasy elements with European folk tales and mythology.
Unsung Warriors Prologue, an early demo of the game available on Steam and the Atari VCS, has been played by more than 200,000 people and has earned a 5-star rating on the VCS. Funds raised during the campaign will be used to finish game development.
Every person who pledges will have their name added to an ever-growing tree in the Prologue, and there will be a secret room in the final game just for campaign backers.
The team at Atari are huge fans of the game, and we encourage you to participate … visit the campaign now at https://link.atari.com/unsung | https://medium.com/@atarivcs/want-to-get-in-early-on-the-next-breakout-indie-game-hit-fe3b00fc34f8 | ['Atari Vcs'] | 2021-04-20 12:04:01.208000+00:00 | ['Atari', 'Videogames', 'Indie Game', 'Kickstarter'] |
Top 5 Outdoor Activities In Nepal You Need To Pay Attention To-2019 | From Hiking Base Camp Of Everest, Annapurna To Heli Tours, Cultural Sites & Adrenaline Activities. Here Are Some Top 5 Outdoor Activities In Nepal You Need To Pay Attention To.
The Himalayan country Nepal is sandwiched between two giants India and China. The country is blessed with exceptional natural beauty. Soaring high Himalayas, rugged terrain, verdant mountains, raging river, dense jungle with exotic flora and wildlife Nepal!
Adventure lovers indulge in a variety of adventure activities in Nepal. Towering high Himalayas for climbing expeditions, trekking to get closer to the high mountains; raging river to indulge in white water rafting; amazing thermals to paraglide and feel like a bird. Wildlife safaris take you up close to endangered animals. Nepal certainly lives up to the reputation of being an adventure lover’s paradise.
Besides fuelling adventure junkie within you, marvel at the medieval cultural heritage sites listed by UNESCO. Want to get more detailed information in ‘ where to go in Nepal?’ and ‘which is the best time to visit Nepal?’ then read more!
#1 Trekking and Hiking:
Trekking and hiking is the best way to savour the jaw-dropping scenery of Nepal Himalayas.
What kind of trekker are you — novice or experienced? Are you searching for an easy, moderate or a challenging trek? Choose from a wide variety of trekking opportunities Nepal offers!
Classic Treks:
Every trekking enthusiast’s dream is to trek on the classic trails of Nepal. Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit are the popular classic treks of Nepal.
In the early years, the trek to Everest Base Camp was done through Jiri which was then known as the ‘Gateway to Mount Everest.’ With the establishment of Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla, Lukla became a popular starting point of Everest Base Camp Trek.
The most popular classic trek of Nepal to Everestrewards you with breathtaking views of the tallest mountain in the world and surrounding mountains. Enjoy your acclimatization day in the bustling town of Namche Bazaar. Also, trek to Sagarmatha National Park and savour the wonderful sight of Mount Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Pumori, and Ama Dablam. The national park is the habitat of rare red panda and snow leopard. Experience the Sherpa culture and enjoy the local hospitality.
You will see an amphitheatre of mountains when you reach Everest Base Camp but not Mount Everest. Since Mount Everest isn’t visible from its base camp, trekkers trek to Kala Patthar to get the best view of the tallest mountain in the world. The highest point of your trek is Kala Patthar, 5550 meters high. The standard route of Everest Base Camp trek will take two weeks of time. In terms of difficulty level, it is ranked as moderate.
Annapurna region was opened to foreign trekkers in 1977 and the Annapurna circuit is the early trekking route used by the trekkers. The classic trek of Annapurna Circuit will take you through two river valleys Kali Gandaki River Valley and Marshyangdi River Valley. A trek through lush green jungles to arid mountains, it features one of the most scenic and diverse landscapes the country has to offer! Relish the incredible close-up views of high mountain peaks like Dhaulagiri, Annapurna Massif, and Lamjung Himal.
Trek to one of the beautiful and high altitudes Lake Tilicho and Ice Lake and walk past the deepest gorge in the world, Kali Gandaki. Thorong La Pass situated at an elevation of 5460 meters or 17913 feet is the highest point of your trek. Experiencing mountain culture is a fascinating aspect of this trek. The moderately difficult Annapurna Circuit Trek takes somewhere between 15 to 20 days to complete depending on the route you take.
Treks off-the-beaten-path
If you feel the classic treks are too mainstream then go for the Manaslu Circuit Trek that lies off-the-beaten-path.It ranks as a strenuous trek in terms of difficulty but is undoubtedly a rewarding trek. You will be trekking under the foothills of the 8th highest mountain in the world, Manaslu which is 8163 meters high. Enjoy the astounding views of Mount Manaslu and Ganesh Himal along with the mesmerizing sight of peaks like Himlung, Buddha Himal,Annapurna II, and others along the way.
A trek through the forest, glaciers, and waterfalls is an exciting concoction. Trek through Manaslu Conservation Area where Snow Leopard, Himalayan Tahr, Blue Sheep, and other animals and birds live. The highest point of your trek is the Larkya La Pass 5160 meters high. The duration of the Manaslu Circuit Trek ranges from 15 to 20 days.
Family Trek:
Enjoy the experience of trekking with family amidst the natural beauty of Nepal.
Trek with your family to Ghorepani Poon Hill. It will be an introductory trek for your children- a breakthrough trek for many future adventures in your children’s life. The famous vantage point of Annapurna Region, Poon Hill is the highlight of this trek. You can see the sunrise over the panorama of Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri, Fishtail and surrounding mountain peaks from Poon Hill. The highest point of the trek is Poon Hill situated at 3210 meters.
Enjoy the local hospitality in the area, inhabited by the ethnic groups like Gurungs and Magars. You will also get to relax by taking a hot spring bath too. You can do Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek in around 9 days but can be shortened! If you start and end the trek in Pokhara, it can be shortened to 4 days.
Trekking to Dhampus and Australian Camp with your family is a great option. Start your day with a mesmerizing sunrise over Annapurna and Dhaulagiri range from Sarangkot and trek to Australian Camp. Australian camp features astounding views of Annapurna Massif and neighbouring mountains. Walkthrough lush jungle on your way to Dhampus. Enjoy the hospitality of the locals in a Gurung village, Dhampus which overlooks stunning views of Annapurna Massif, Fishtail and Annapurna South. You can enjoy this easy and scenic trek with family in 2 days where the starting and ending point will be Pokhara. You will be attaining a maximum elevation of 2050 meters at Australian Camp.
Trek to Mohare Danda, a hill located between mountains like Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. Mohare Danda (Hill) trek is an awesome trek to enjoy with your family. The hill overlooks the breathtaking views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri range and is also popular for amazing sunrises and sunsets over the Himalayan range. Trek through lush forest with oak, bamboo, and rhododendron trees. Experience the warm hospitality of Gurungs and Magars and get a glimpse of their daily life. It will take around 10 to 12 days to do this trek.
Plan your Himalayan Adventure!
Hiking:
Do you want to enjoy the beautiful landscape of Nepal Himalayas? But trekking isn’t your cup of tea and helicopter tour is out of budget. Then we suggest you go hiking.
If you are in search of destinations for hiking in Nepalthen read further,
Champa Devi Hiking of Kathmandu will take you to a hill overlooking wonderful views of Kathmandu valley, gorgeous mountain peaks, and Lake Taudaha. Upon trekking to the third-highest hill of Kathmandu valley you will attain the maximum height of 2278 meters. Take a short hike through a forest reach the temple of the goddess Champa Devi, protecting the hill near the top of the hill. There’s a Buddhist monastery en route.
Sarangkot of Pokhara is also a popular place to watch sunset and sunrise over the Himalayas. Sarangkot Hike to Naudandai s the best day hike if you wish to enjoy the stunning views of mountains in a short period of time. The 360-degree view of Pokhara valley and Lake Phewa from Sarangkot with the backdrop of snow-capped mountains will remain with you for a long time. The highest point of the hike is Sarangkot at 1600 meters.
If you are searching for one of the shortest hikes in Nepal then, Peace Pagoda Hike of Pokhara is apt for you! Cross the popular Phewa Lake on a boat and start your hike up to the Peace Pagoda. Pass through dense forest with steep trails before approaching the dome-shaped stupa. A white Peace Pagoda with a gold gajur symbolizes peace and was built by monks of Nipponzan-Myōhōji group. The hike will reward you with the stunning view of Phewa Lake and verdant hills with stunning mountains in the backdrop.
#2 Cultural and City Tour
The cultural and city tour of Kathmandu valley is a fascinating affair. Visit the cultural heritage of Nepal which is listed in UNESCO’s world heritage sites. Out of 8 cultural heritage sites listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Kathmandu valley is home to 7 of them.
See more: Kathmandu Heritage Site Tour and Kathmandu Ancient City Tour
The three medieval kingdoms of Kathmandu Valley — Kathmandu Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, and Patan Durbar Square- allure and charm its onlookers. The Durbar Squares are filled with pagoda-style temples, monuments, and statues which reflect the fine craftsmanship of ancient times. The rulers of Kathmandu valley promoted wood, stone, and metal works giving artisan ample opportunity to master their craft which is evident in the form of cultural heritage.
Visit the holy Hindu temple situated on the banks of River Bagmati in Kathmandu, Pashupatinath. The 5th-century temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva where only Hindus can enter. However, non-Hindus can access other parts of this big Hindu temple. As per legend, Lord Shiva and Parvati were staying in a forest as antelopes and gods were searching for them. Shiva was forced to resume his real form upon being grabbed by horns. Over a period of time horn was buried and lost. Centuries later it was found along with divine linga of Pashupatinath.
If you have never seen an open-air cremation then you might get a chance to witness one in Arya Ghat in the temple premises. Those cremated on the ghats of Pashupatinath are believed to be reborn as humans regardless of their bad karma.
The stupa of Swayambhunath residing on top of a hill is a site of religious importance for Buddhist of Nepal. Enjoy the view of Kathmandu from the hilltop but be aware of monkeys goofing around where it gets its tourist name Monkey Temple. According to legend Swayambhunath, meaning self-created was formed out of a lotus flower blooming in the middle of a lake which once covered the Kathmandu valley. Bodhisattva Manjushri saw the lotus and drained the water to build the Swayambhunath.
Circumambulate the popular stupa of Boudhanath along with monks and devotees. The center of importance for Tibetan Buddhist, Boudhanath is believed to have the remains of Kasyapa Buddha under the stupa. Visit Changu Narayan temple, listed in UNESCO World Heritage sites. The two-story temple of Changu Narayan dedicated to Lord Vishnu is perched on a hilltop near Bhaktapur. The oldest temple of Kathmandu valley, Changu Narayan features beautiful stone, wood and metal carvings of ancient times.
Visit the birthplace of Gautam Buddha in Lumbini which is also listed in UNESCO’s World Heritage sites. Lumbini lies approximately 270 km from Kathmandu. Visit the Maya Devi temple, the site where Gautam Buddha was born. Click pictures in front of the Ashok Pillar built to mark the birthplace of Gautam Buddha back in 249 BCE. Also, visit Buddhist monasteries and stupas and sign up for a meditation class run by Buddhist monks.
#3 Helicopter Tour
Want to enjoy the close-up view of majestic mountains but trekking isn’t possible due to various reasons? Worry not; you can take a helicopter ride. Hop onto a helicopter and enjoy the soaring high mountains from its comfort. Let’s find out more about helicopter tours in Nepal.
You want to see Everest in person but physical fitness and time are the issues then take a tour of Everest in a helicopter. You will be flying high and parallel to the gigantic mountain ranges while basking in its beauty from the comfort of your helicopter. Feel the cold air as you hop out of the helicopter in a brief stopover at Kala Patthar, a popular vantage point to see Everest.
If you fear missing out on the joys of trekking when taking a Heli tour of Everest region then enjoy the best of both worlds by trekking to Everest and flying back by helicopter. Check out our Everest Base Camp Heli Trek and Everest Base Camp Gokyo Lakes Helicopter Trek.
With Langtang Helicopter tour, you can enjoy the awesome views of Langtang valley. It is the closest trekking region to Kathmandu. Relish the impressive views of Langtang National Park along with Nepalese and Tibetan peaks from the comfort of your helicopter as you approach Langtang valley. The long stretch of Himalayan peaks includes the awesome views of Langtang Lirung, Ganesh Himal, Dorje Lakpa, Paldor peak, and others.
Feel the cold breeze of Langtang as you land at Kyanjin Gompa located inside the Langtang National Park. Take a lot of pictures and enjoy your refreshment in a local cafe in a brief stopover. Enjoy the bird’s-eye view of Gosaikunda Lake and traditional villages along the Tamang Heritage trail- Briddim, Gatlang, Syabru Besi and others while returning from Langtang valley.
Plan your Himalayan Adventure!
#4 Nature and Wildlife
Jungle safari is a unique way to get closer to rare and endangered flora and wildlife of Nepal. Go for a nature walk, bird watching, canoeing, and other jungle activities!
The first national park of Nepal, Chitwan National Park is a famous tourist destination for jungle safari. The national park is also listed among UNESCO’s natural World Heritage site. The grassland of Chitwan National Park is one of the tallest grasslands in the world. Nepal’s Big Five, Royal Bengal Tiger, One-horn Rhinoceros, Asian Elephant, Gharial crocodile and spotted deer registered as endangered live here.
Ride on an elephant or go on a jeep safari and get closer to wildlife. Call yourself lucky if you spot an elusive and endangered Royal Bengal tiger. Visit Elephant Breeding Center and see mother elephant with their calves. Chitwan National Park Safari will take you canoeing where marsh muggers and alligators dwell. Enjoy a cultural evening with Tharu cultural program.
#5 Adventure Activities:
Feel your adrenaline rush as you jump from one of the top destinations for a bungee jump in the world, Nepal. Your Bungy jump destination is around 100km from Kathmandu at Kodari. Don’t worry shuttle service is available. You will be jumping from a suspension bridge amidst verdant hills. Face your fear as you jump 160 meters into raging River Bhote Koshi. It’s an amazing experience beyond words!
Thermals of Pokhara city favor Paragliding so fly in the sky of the city with unparalleled beauty. Soar high and enjoy a bird’s eye view of Pokhara valley, Lake Phewa, and Himalayan ranges. You will be flying from Sarangkot along with an experienced pilot who will be manoeuvring the flight.
One of the most famous rivers for rafting in Nepal is Trishuli. Enjoy rafting in River Trishuli amidst lush hills with rapids like Ladies’ Delight, S Bend, Upset, and others. The sandy river beach of Trishuli is a famous sport for lunch and bonfire at night. Since the drive to River Trishuli is only 3 hours’ drive from Kathmandu, it’s a great choice for a day trip. Many tourists also stop here to raft as it lies on the way to Pokhara or Chitwan via road.
Wondering when is the best time to visit Nepal for your desired activity in Nepal? Read further.
Best time to visit Nepal
Autumn is the best time to visit Nepal; the day is warm with chilly morning and night. In autumn, monsoon cloud would have spread greenery, filled rivers, and cleared the sky. It’s the best time for trekking, hiking, and a helicopter ride, where the clear sky will give you uninterrupted views of majestic mountains. It’s also the best time for paragliding, jungle safari, and white water rafting.
Warm and pleasant season of spring is the second-best season for trekking, hiking and helicopter rides. Rhododendron blooms will add colour to your trekking trail through the forest. The sky is mostly clear but haze and occasional showers could interrupt the view. It’s also favourable for jungle safari and rafting. You can go for cultural heritage tour all around the year and each season comes with its own perks.
Hot and humid summer months are accompanied with monsoon so it is the least popular for trekking. If you hit the trail, expect rainfall, interrupted views of mountains along with leeches. However, you will get to keep the trail to yourself! Nevertheless, trekking in monsoon to the rain shadow regions of Nepal like Upper Mustang, Dolpo and parts of Manaslu is enjoyable. Day hike could be fun if the weather favours.
In winter, high mountains are freezing cold; mid-hills like Kathmandu and Pokhara are cold while lowlands of Terai become pleasant. In this season, you can trek to the foothills of mountains like Ghorepani Poon Hill trek. But high pass treks could be risky due to heavy snowing and freezing temperatures. Wildlife excursion will be fun with warm and dry daytime, increasing the chance of spotting animals in the wild.
Plan your trip with travel experts of Third Rock Adventures:
Nepal is famous as trekker’s Paradise but it has more to present than just trekking. If you are an adventure lover then you can do trekking and hiking, take a helicopter ride, and many more. If jungles and wildlife appeals you then Nepal has one of the tallest grasslands in the world with endangered wildlife. If cultural heritage and historical places attract you then UNESCO listed cultural heritage sites are the pride of Nepal.
Let us help you in your quest of adventure, cultural, or nature, and wildlife activities in Nepal. Benefit yourself from our travel experts who have years of experience. Check out our different packages and book a trip with us for an unforgettable time in Nepal. | https://medium.com/@hawrrybhattarai/https-medium-com-hawrrybhattarai-top-5-outdoor-activities-in-nepal-you-need-to-pay-attention-to-c0ea8dea2871 | ['Hawrry Bhattarai'] | 2019-10-15 10:05:10.536000+00:00 | ['Travel', 'Trekking In Nepal', 'Activities', 'Hiking', 'Outdoors'] |
America’s Long National Nightmare is Coming to an End | America’s Long National Nightmare is Coming to an End
AP Photo/Paul Sancya
The official announcement was made on this day, November 7th, 2020, that Joe Biden was elected as the next President of the United States of America. The call came down as vote tallies in Pennsylvania and Nevada were irrefutably blue in their numbers. When the remaining votes are counted, the final results will be Biden with 306 electoral votes, and Trump with 232. This announcement comes on the 48th anniversary of Joe Biden’s being first elected as a Senator. Donald Trump was given the news while on his golf course.
This feels like such an unburdening. Despite the turmoil and absolute chaos of the past four years, with every day seemingly nothing but a bearer of insanity upon insanity, this election was a nail biter. It should have been a landslide. Somehow, millions of Americans, over seventy of them, still decided to side with Trump’s legacy of lies, division, and outright prejudice. Thankfully, there were just more people than that who were resolved to see this blight on our national stage removed from the spotlight. As such, a huge weight has been lifted. America did the right thing.
Let’s all take a moment to breathe. Relish the power of democracy at work. But, then we must continue the push toward progress. This is far from over.
Even as I write this, Trump and his legal team are attempting to challenge the election results and get ballots disqualified. Trump held an absolutely appalling press conference yesterday in which he maintained he had won the election, and that the votes counted after election day were illegal votes. In perhaps the most embarrassing and disgusting display of childish despondence, Trump delivered a host of lies from his pulpit, encouraging civil unrest and possibly inciting violence, and then sulked off the stage without taking questions.
Twitter
Since then, Trump sycophants such as Lindsey Graham, Jim Jordan, and Rudy Giuliani have been making the rounds on Fox News, backing his play. When Giuliani heard the announcement of the election being called, he made the statement, “News networks don’t get to call elections. Courts do.” This team of people, including members of Trump’s legal advisers, have been putting out a constant stream of misinformation trying to sway public opinion of the election in their favor. The NY Times have a page dedicated to debunking this information as it comes out, here.
Among the most notable of their claims, are that voting machines glitched and gave the wrong candidate votes, that a software hack could have maliciously changed votes, that dead persons were still registered and allowed to have votes cast, and that polling stations kicked out GOP poll watchers illegally so they could purposefully manipulate the results. All of this is complete bullshit.
This is Trump, trying his best to create a narrative, with zero evidence to support that narrative, in which he can somehow build a legal case to take to the Supreme Court. And he has every intention of taking it to the court, as he obviously believes with Amy Coney Barrett that he has the court on his side. He has already stated multiple times that this is where the case will be decided. But, in order to get there, he must first make a convincing case to state courts, and this just doesn’t seem possible.
We may honestly see Trump refusing to concede, and having to be escorted out of the White House by the Secret Service or the military. Trump actually said they would have to drag him out, kicking and screaming. I’d pay good money to see that.
In the meantime, yes, let’s celebrate this victory for what it is, a mandate proving that America recognizes it made a huge mistake, and wants to take it back. This is a mandate in favor of science, in favor of racial justice and equality, in favor of education, in favor of economic stability and growth, in favor of renewable energy and battling climate change.
Next, let’s do everything we can to insure that the senate race runoffs in Georgia also go in favor of the Democrats, which would secure a majority in the Senate and the House, and really allow the Biden platform to operate toward progress without impediment. Taking back the Senate would neuter Mitch McConnell and his partisanship stonewalling of Democratic presidents.
Finally, let’s learn our lesson, America. This strange and scary four year experiment with a reality star narcissist in the White House was nothing short of a disaster. Just think of the lives that could have been saved if we had had better leadership during this pandemic. Just think of the way our position on the world’s stage has been so negatively impacted in such a short period of time. Just think of the way our governing institutions and democracy itself has been placed in the balance during the tenure of this incorrigible clown. Let’s never let that happen again.
The speech delivered by Joe Biden last night was such a breath of fresh air and just a much needed dose of sanity amidst all this chaos. It will be and already is such an unimaginable relief to have some semblance of normalcy again. A leader who can speak in complete sentences. A leader who cares about all the states, not just the red ones. A leader who actually knows how to do the job.
For the first time in four years, I feel a sense of hope. | https://medium.com/parlor-tricks/americas-long-national-nightmare-is-coming-to-an-end-91db89f78d1d | ['Jay Sizemore'] | 2020-11-07 21:23:31.659000+00:00 | ['Supreme Court', 'Joe Biden', 'Trump', 'Election 2020', 'Politics'] |
What has the Marxist tradition to say about gender oppression and its relationship to capitalism and imperialism? | The relationship between the oppression displayed in class and gender is one that has managed to simultaneously unite and divide the two theoretical ideologies of Marxism and Feminism, with the former being a strive for class abolishment using an articulation of Capitalist ills and the latter a communication of how women as a gender face discrimination in several conceptual realms. Therefore, both fulfil the purpose of theory in elucidating certain behaviours (1). Marxists believe a capitalist society is what forces the proletariat to exist solely on what they can provide as labour with little fulfilling reward, while feminists argue that patriarchy existing as the dominant system causes women to be held back and deemed as inferior. Marxists working against Capitalism using methods such as exposure to capitalist society’s ills mirror feminists who use this to reveal the restrictions of Patriarchy, thus, an abolishment is a significant feature on their agendas. Observing both these concepts with the theoretic scopes of Marxism and Feminism provides critics with a range of concepts made by both ideologies that express how Marxism articulates gender oppression.
An example of a union between Marxism and gender oppression comes with the observation of labour, classified by Marxism as the physical abilities the proletariat can offer to society to receive profit and live substantially. Marxist theory dedicates itself to uncovering the stages and aspects of this concept, believing that our society is structured by the forces of production that operate to produce material elements. This conveys the significance labour has in Marxist theory with relation to its role as a production, however, it does not have to remain in a class realm. To elaborate, dialogue on labour can bleed into the feminist sphere in observation of the different environments that it can exist, stemming from the categorisation Marx gives them of ‘Productive’ labour and ‘Unproductive/Reproductive’ labour (2). Productive labour is the generation of surplus value-the subtraction of the cost to make a product from the profit, such as the production of vital raw materials. While unproductive or reproductive labour is any work which is needed but receives no wages and so the responsibility of maintaining a house and children are what comes to mind. Women being reduced to exist in the domestic sphere is a result of wealth becoming associated with men after agriculture progressed in their favour with farming as a source of product and profit (3). As this area was not open to any female contribution, the home was where the woman was expected to spend her time and attention. Benston encapsulates this observation by stating that “most household labour in a capitalist society…remains in the pre-market stage” and it is strictly “reserved for women and it is in this fact that we can find the basis for a definition of women”.(1969, Page 17). The overt stereotype of responsibilities only women have located in the definition of Unproductive/Reproductive labour is the first bridge between Marxist tradition and gender oppression, embodied in the blending of labour as a Marxist concept with traditional ideals of what societal role women should play that can step into covert sexism. The idea that the foundation of “of women” should reside in household labour that receives no wage highlights the oppression women face under a society that endorses capitalist ideals. This is due to the restriction of opportunities women have in life, caging them from anything beyond the homes they are expected to upkeep as their sole duty while their male counterparts are granted progression through work.
The insulting factor of this aspect is elevated when considering how a capitalist society deems this type of work insignificant as it fails to produce any material value, therefore “it is not usually considered “real work” since it is outside of trade and the marketplace” [Benston, 1969, Page 18]. This can also lead to what Marxism is attempting to vocalise in the sense of money as a concept is what our reality is made of, thus, producing material products and profit is the only way to contribute to society (4). By this outlandish standard, women fail to contribute and so “in a society in which money determines value” they are a “group who work outside the money economy” [Benston, 1969, Page 19], despite them being forced into this territory by patriarchal practice with capitalism endorsements. Capitalism and the patriarchy collectively and strategically execute attempts to eliminate options for women to exist as valid entities outside of the home, as well as refusing to validate them in the home still, then proceed to disregard them since they are unable to elevate to economics even though they are not welcomed or encouraged there. In their critique of a group for a dynamic that exists as a result of their combined ideologies, both mindsets display the hypocrisy that reigns over their ideals when examining them in the same scope.
As a result of this harmful contradiction, Marx feminists work to counteract the exclusion of housework experiences from valued production by advocating for it to be included in the waged capitalist economy. Critics who work in the area between Marxism and Feminism have anticipated the compensation to domestic labour as an attempt to lift at least one practice of oppression they experience. This credit is significant to the liberation of women in an economic sense as “when such work is moved into the public sector, then the material basis for discrimination against women will be gone” [Benston, 1969, Page 22]. Thus, the emancipation of women in a financial realm is dependent on the metaphorical validation wages provide, conveying another connection between Marxism and gender oppression. Gimenez provides specific areas that can be infiltrated with a feminine presence to bring this reform forward in “the abolition of gender barriers to education, employment, career advancement, political participation, etc. is a necessary and key aspect of the struggle against the oppression of women [2005, Page 28]. This illustrates an essential feature of the relationship between Marxism and the liberation of women’s rights in the sense, as most areas that can be associated with Marxist theory and its sphere can exist as a goal for the feminist movement to progress with women’s position in society. Feminism can identify how areas penetrated by a Marxist perspective to uncover classist practice also offer layers that call to its agenda. By incorporating wages as a concept explored by Marxism and developing it with ideas of how it can execute women’s oppression and thus, imply where their liberation lies, feminists are establishing a significant bridge between the two ideologies. The most noted display of this piece of Marx’s feminist agenda can be identified in the ‘International Wages for Housework’ in 1972, started by Selma James as a catalyst for discourse on the value of housework and caring labour (5). Therefore, this organisation serves as a physical representation of the union that can exist between Marxism and Feminism when considering how ideals of the first are essentials to bring the objectives of the other.
Marxist feminists have coined the lifestyle capitalism and the patriarchy have branded them with as ‘domestic slavery’, articulating how women can negatively receive the boxing into the private sphere of housework and raising children because of the exploitation it allows. Domestic slavery as a mode of oppression invites the capitalist construct (6) into the gender division that exists between the public sphere of work and the private sphere of the home. This is due to how domestic slavery as a restriction placed upon women exploits them by diminishing their existence to only ensuring their husbands return from work to a clean home, cooked meal, and preoccupied children. One can find similarities between this gendered expression of despotism and that of class, as the relationship between a working husband and housewife mirrors that of a boss and employee in the sense of the former holds a higher sense of power over the latter which they exert freely. This generates two chauvinistic dynamics that may exist in separate areas, yet can be associated with each other due to Marx’s classifying different examples of labour introducing women to the concept. The catalyst for Marxist agenda operates alongside that of Feminism, implied by Engels in “the first opposition that appears in history coincides with…the antagonism between man and woman” (1884, Chapter 2), which demonstrates how the forced servitude of the proletariat under the bourgeoise is a replica of “that of the female sex by the male” [Engels, 1884, Chapter 2]. Each theoretic scope has its nemesis type figure standing as the society they have been forced to exist under. These oppressors can work together to elevate their authority and as a result, reduce their targets to a repetitive lifestyle of labour, whether that labour produces commodities to be purchased or a comfortable environment for those who create these products. This space where women have to abide by encapsulates this blend. This is a result of how it exists as a combination of the sexist ideals executed by the patriarchy as a system relating to sex and the classist attitude capitalism endorses to every extent it can. This perspective of the traditional relationship between a husband and wife being equated to that of a boss and worker progresses the relationship between Marxist tradition and gender oppression, as similarities between how they originate and execute situations highlights suggestions of why they should not be severed in theoretic observations to such a large extent.
This aspect of the union between Marxist thought and gender oppression can be developed from the interior aspect of the home to the exterior environments which it is orchestrated to create. To establish this dynamic, one must align the economical situation of the workplace with the social one of the home, and underline the fact that the home can serve as the root for consistent existence of the workplace. This is classified in Marx feminism as Social Reproduction theory, meaning the process in which societal structures that maintain the stereotypes in positions they depend on are reproduced. In this case, this process takes place in the home, with the traditional role of the housewife raising the children who will grow into “fresh workers’’ [Bhattacharya, 2013] and will submit to the needs of the future bourgeoise. This underlines how the replacement of workers is ensured and thus, confirms the reproduction of labour and a capitalist system. Women have found themselves with an argument to counteract capitalism’s narrow-minded claim that they exist outside of a valued economic system since their maintenance of the “the nuclear family is a valuable stabilizing force in a capitalist society” [Benston, 1969, Page 21]. Marxists come to value women in this respect since they provide an area of critiquing Capitalism. However, there resides the risk that they are manoeuvring female oppression simply for their own needs of generating support for their own movement, rather than advocating for the liberation of women, conveying the tension and separation between the two theories. The fact that social reproduction not only explains how class oppression is reproduced culturally but also gender discrimination elevates the association between Marxism and Feminism. Capitalism is again obtaining male-chauvinist ideology as an ally to extend its oppression against women to its agenda against the working class. Bhattacharya presents this dynamic as a result of how “the major functions of reproducing the working class take place outside the workplace” [2013], therefore, capitalism relies on social reproduction occurring in spaces that aren’t its main priority to guarantee its survival.
As heavily advocated by Marxist theory, literature can exemplify the oppression that capitalism executes over the proletariat (7) as a means of assembling endorsements for the Marxist agenda. This presentation of theoretic ideas in literature is also a part of feminist writing, significantly in what critics classify as ‘The Female Phase’, beginning in 1920 as an exploration into the female experience in artistic mediums (8). This is important in any analysis as for women who were writers “this meant turning to their own lives for subjects” [Dobie, 2011, Page 105]. Thus, the candid representation of womanhood is evident in feminist texts crafted by women, resulting in credible portrayals of the oppression faced.
Mahasweta Devi takes a combination of Marxism and Feminism and further incorporates ideas from Postcolonial theory, specifically imperialism which refers to a country’s execution of power over another using military force, in her 1997 short story ‘Breastgiver’. The text exists as an articulation of the systematic oppression of women in the third world country of India, where most people lived “in the British era when divide and rule was the policy’’ [Devi, 1997, Page 224], therefore they exemplify Western ideals as well as ‘oriental’ after having the West imposed onto them through imperialism. Furthermore, they are operating under one of the oldest forms of a societal structure known as the Caste system. This stratification derives from the Hindu religion and works to place individuals into a hierarchy that is based on intellect and karma (work), thus, some individuals are granted power (9). The British Empire endorsed this system due to its placement of power. This immediately mirrors the structures previously stated such as the hierarchical dynamic between a man and woman as well as the bourgeois and proletariat. One can identify the chauvinistic elements of the Caste system that are similar to the patriarchy and capitalism as a sense of superiority is lacing the system together, therefore, Devi is presenting a narrative that blends Marxism and gender oppression with Postcolonialist literature in a matter of context. One of the placements this stratification offers is Shudras, meaning the labourers of the society who echo the existence of the proletariat in that their worth is placed upon their ability to provide labour for those structured as superior to them. Those above them are the Brahmins and Kshatriyas and, therefore, serve as the Western bourgeoisie’s mirror in this Eastern society. In a feminist perspective, the Shudras are the women who serve their husbands standing as the Brahmins and Kshatriyas.
Devi’s protagonist, Jashoda, exists as a blend of all three of these theoretical scopes in her identity of an Indian woman (10) of the lower class who works as a wet nurse for the upper class in her society who inhabit the West’s mindset. Devi exemplifies the effects of this combination in stating that “Jashoda was a mother by profession, a professional mother” [1997, Page 222], as she is tasked with breastfeeding the children of upper-class families. Here, one can identify a blend of Marxist and Feminist ideals as by crafting Jashoda’s exclusively feminine role as a ‘mother’ to be demonstrated as a job in ‘profession’ introduces the element of womanhood being transformed from the biological realm to an economical one. Devi progresses this with the presentation of women’s social existence through the use of imagery of their most policed body part, their breasts, which have been transformed into commodities as they are the vessel women use to exert labour. This is encapsulated in the text in “she thought of her breasts as her most precious objects” [Devi, 1997, Page 228]. this conveys how Indian working-class women are conditioned to perceive their natural body parts with importance but not for their validation for feminine liberation as this validation can only exist in an economical laboured sense. Jashonda’s characterisation holds up to the idea that “in any case, household work remains structurally the same-a matter of private production [Benston, 1969, Page 20] as she is practising labour in a household concealed by privacy similar to Western women. This underlines how prevalent gender oppression in a Marxist realm is since it crosses over to different cultures. This demonstration of housework has the reinforcement of capitalism, the patriarchy and imperialism due to its execution fitting their value of power dynamic.
Devi further gels Marxist terminology with feminine concepts to elevate this, evident in the proposal that those who Jashonda served should be “returning the milk debt [1997, Page 239]. To associate breastfeeding with the idea of being in debt is outlandish in presentation, yet it encapsulates womanhood existing in a Marxist realm and gaining some source of power. The labour Jashonda is exerting through her breasts has built up debt for those who have benefited from it, echoing the exact circumstance in a financial atmosphere in Marxism. Marx feminism is further illustrated in the text, mostly in the sphere of production of ensuring future generations to uphold this presence of womanhood in a laboured vein. Devi articulates how wet nurses will be reproduced as the “daughters-in-law” Jashonda is breastfeeding “will be mothers” and “when they are mothers, they will suckle their children” [1997, Page 227]. This echoes social reproduction theory by conveying the fact that the younger generation of femininity will maintain the transference of their biological aspects to a laboured environment, as they will too use their breasts as commodities. Overall, Devi executes how gender oppression can exist alongside that of class and race, in that her creations exemplify experiences of financial hierarchies forcing one to alter womanhood to appease the ideals as well as the West imposing its attitudes onto your society.
To conclude, a union between Marxism and Feminism can be identified when dissecting women’s experience under the Capitalist society that Marxism wishes to abolish. It is the acknowledgement of spaces that unveil gender oppression in areas typically analysed through a Marxist scope, a norm that usually results in this discrimination being disregarded. As proposed by Gimenez “as long as capitalism remains the dominant mode of production, it is impossible fully to understand the forces that oppress women” [2005, Page 12], highlighting how Capitalism hijacks women’s experience and masks the difficulties faced. As Marxism is more concerned with opposing Capitalism and what it does to the working class, they tend to overlook the female aspect of its reign’s harm. Discourse on this topic is needed to elevate the relationship between Marxist tradition and gender oppression under an economical sense, with the voices of women being encouraged in order to ensure both theories receive an equilibrium of credit.
Word Count: 3,008
Footnotes
Dobie-definition of theory provided in “Theory into Practise: An Introduction to Literary Criticism” 2011 Marx Karl-Categorisation of labour, Marx Feminism Wikipedia page Engels-Agriculture leading to wealth becoming associated most with men provided in The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State, 1884 Marx’s materialism vs spirituality as provided by Dobie in Theory into Practise International Wages for Housework organisation, started in 1972 by Selma James, Marx Feminism Wikipedia page Angela Davis on domestic slavery Marxism and literature as provided by Dobie in Theory into Practise Phases in Feminist literature as provided by Dobie in Theory into Practise Caste System of India, hierarchy based around the intellect and obtaining of karma one has Jashonda’s nationality as referenced in Breastgiver by Devi, Page 225
Bibliography
Capitalism and the Oppression of Women, M.Gimenez, 2005, Science & Society, Vol. 69, №1, January 2005, 11–32
The Political Economy of Women’s Liberation, Margaret Benston, 1969, Rosemary Hennessy and Chrys Ingraham, Materialist feminism : a reader in class, difference, and women’s lives, 1997 pp.17–23
Frederick Engels Origins of the Family, Private Property, and the State, 1884, Marxist.OrgArchive
WHAT IS SOCIAL REPRODUCTION THEORY? Bhattacharya, 2013, SocialistWorker.org
Theory Into Practice, Anne Dobie, 2011, Wadsworth Publishing; 3rd edition
Breastgiver, Mahasweta Devi, 1997, In Other Worlds: Essays in Cultural Politics, 1988 pp.222–240, Translated by Gayrati Spivak | https://medium.com/@rosietibbs-co-uk/what-has-the-marxist-tradition-to-say-about-gender-oppression-and-its-relationship-to-capitalism-46e5c80d38fb | [] | 2020-12-16 12:38:13.145000+00:00 | ['Class', 'Marxism', 'Marx Feminism', 'Gender', 'Feminism'] |
Can Your Organization Survive Through Today’s Accelerating Pace of Change? | Addressing Culture, Customers and Employees to Accelerate Organizational Pace of Change
In a recent interview with The Guardian, founder of XPrize Foundation and famed engineer, Peter Diamandis, stated, “[I]n the next 10 years, we’re going to reinvent every industry on this planet.” He was talking about the accelerating pace of change in today’s society.
As AI, blockchain and other advances in tech propel us forward, consumers and businesses are also adopting these technologies faster. Moore’s Law essentially states that the speed of computers will increase exponentially every couple years, while their cost will decrease. This leads to faster innovation that permeates into every facet of our lives-and every industry.
Think about the pace of change today as it compares to some of our most powerful inventions. An infographic from Visual Capitalist shows how long it has taken each major item we use in our daily lives to reach 50 million users.
Within 14 years, 50 million people were using computers.
Within 12 years, 50 million people were using mobile phones.
Within 7 years, 50 million people were using the Internet.
Within 3 years, 50 million people were using Facebook.
Within 19 days, 50 million people were playing Pokemon Go.
Incredible, isn’t it? Whether your company services 50 million people or even wants to, one common thread rings true: We live in a different time where the pace of change is accelerating. Before long, people will expect change in a unit of days, weeks or months-not years.
So, What Does This Mean for Your Company?
We live in an environment that expects immediate gratification more than ever. If Walgreens offers walk-in appointments for flu-shots that can be given in one minute, consumers would be unwilling to wait for a doctor’s appointment to receive the same, but less costly, shot.
But, what do these companies and products have to do with your organizational pace of change? Especially if you are a company that delivers a service versus a product. Before you dismiss this with an “Oh, that’s different. We’re ____, and our customers are ____,” think about your culture, your customers and your people. Have they evolved in any discernible way? Are you sure they haven’t?
Whether you have a product or provide a service, today’s customer is different than it was 5 years ago-even 1 year ago. And in the event of disruptive change, can your business adapt to new industry landscapes and operations? Perhaps the COVID-19 pandemic has taken your business remote. And maybe remote communication is working, and you’re considering it for the long-term. Is your company ready to make a digital transformation? Can your business model fit new customer and employee needs? Do you have enterprise agility?
In order to succeed in business, your organizational pace of change needs to accelerate as well.
Organizational Pace of Change in Culture
We often hear companies state, “This is the way it’s always been around here.” Nothing about that statement reflects an environment adaptable to change.
Be honest with yourself. How many people say that about your organization? And what is the tone in which they say it? The more your culture is viewed as inflexible, the more likely that your new and emerging leaders are to be frustrated that their ideas will die a quick death and begin to look outside the organization for a more receptive employer. Change either happens in your organization, or it gets talked about as something the company will “get to” but never does.
So, how do you and other leaders in your company encourage and foster change in its culture? Cultures that embrace accelerated pace of change have to invite input from every corner of every department on a far more frequent basis. Rather than saying, “My door is always open” and talking about an idea, you have to collaborate further, particularly if the idea has real merit.
For example, if an employee approaches you with an idea for powerful change in the organization, tell them what you need to see further from them to move that idea along the pipeline.
For example:
How does it integrate with your current people and processes?
What needs to be altered about the idea to make it more practical and aligned with your business goals?
Are there other people within the organization whose opinion you should seek out to improve and nurture the idea?
What are the next immediate steps, and when should you circle back to see that these questions have been addressed?
This may feel like you’re throwing up roadblocks or slowing things down, but it is the opposite. Your organization is going beyond being receptive to ideas. You are finding ways to integrate more of the best ones into your culture with a framework for bringing them to fruition. When talking becomes doing, you’re accelerating your organization’s pace of change.
Organizational Pace of Change in Customers
Technologies of every variety are changing customer’s expectations. They expect you to understand how they need you to evolve your product and service lines to respond to their own changing needs.
These customers are demanding a faster time-to-market for their own offerings. They can’t afford to get bogged down in processes or hierarchies from a partner who can’t help them identify new opportunities. These customers are demanding adaptability of your business model. They want your people to be aware of their unmet and emerging challenges.
Technologies and tools for soliciting and using customer feedback are more prevalent than ever. These tools enable companies like yours to listen to the customer’s voice with greater frequency and ease. You can find out their opinions on your service delivery, the market trends they’re concerned with, how their priorities are changing and even how to customize their experience to match their unique situation.
It’s not enough to just receive this feedback. Your organization needs to put changes in place to prove you’ve heard it loud and clear. Forward-thinking organizations won’t ask for this type of feedback from customers once every year or two. They will actively incorporate it into the daily fabric of their culture, their systems and their people to make their organizational pace of change a mission of continual improvement.
Organizational Pace of Change In Your People
Whenever we’re talking to companies about their mixture of people, strengths, and perspectives, we often hear assumptions such as: “We all know each other well and what everyone does.”
Do you though? Can you say that you understand what every single person in your organization emphasizes most when they come to work? Do you understand their focus, their passions and their goals from here? Do you know what roadblocks they are facing that prevent them from getting where they want to go?
We are seeing that employees change companies -not roles, but companies-on average every few years. Gone are the days when someone would stay at a company for 10 years or more. It’s time to expect that people are going to leave your company with greater frequency. Does that mean you should throw up your hands and give up, thinking that any kind of training for them is a lost cause, because they’ll leave soon anyway? Of course not.
The sooner you can identify the needs and challenges that each person is facing, the more likely you will keep them longer. Even if “longer” means one more year. Think about that extra year’s positive contribution to your environment and bottom line.
A leader who is skeptical of anyone’s loyalty doesn’t reflect well on the company. Instead, you may invest in their development by considering a more adaptive structure that doesn’t silo them by job function or the type of project they work on. And it’s imperative that you communicate a crystal-clear purpose of your organization to these emerging leaders on a consistent basis (i.e., daily, weekly, monthly) rather than the annual state-of-the-company address.
Even the type of training that these new leaders and managers receive must evolve. You want to help them make a bigger impact sooner, with more tools for enhancing self-awareness, resilience, collaboration among teams, interpretation of feedback and focus on objectives.
Your organizational pace of change is going to speed up. This will occur whether you make essential modifications to your organization to keep up with or stay ahead of those changes or not. Knowing this, one of the most important steps you can take ahead of such change is to smooth out dysfunctional behaviors and potential culture clashes now. Make sure you are in control of your pace of change rather than letting it control you.
[ Editor’s Note: To learn more about this and related topics, you may want to attend the following webinars: Leveraging & Protecting Trade Secrets in the 21st Century and Blockchain Basics. This is an updated version of an article originally published on October 5, 2018.]
©All Rights Reserved. December, 2020. DailyDAC TM, LLC d/b/a/ Financial Poise TM
Originally published at https://www.financialpoise.com on December 11, 2020. | https://medium.com/@financialpoise/can-your-organization-survive-through-todays-accelerating-pace-of-change-a668e4a91def | ['Financial Poise'] | 2021-01-13 23:02:32.936000+00:00 | ['Change Management', 'Technology Change', 'Organization Change', 'Business Change'] |
Yes, Jerusalem is Israel’s capital | What would Americans do if other countries and the United Nations told us our actual capital was Los Angeles? We can say it’s Washington DC all we want, but shouldn’t we just accept it if the international community decides they want Los Angeles to be the capital? Of course not.
This idea seems to be lost on those who refuse to acknowledge Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Now, President Trump can be counted as one of those people who, despite very clear campaign promises, has decided to do what every U.S. President has done for years. He’s proactively not moving the U.S. Embassy there.
It’s important to note that this is an active decision. If he had done nothing, it would have been on the State Department to make the move immediately or lose funding. Instead, the President waived a law requiring the move. This doesn’t jibe with a simple campaign promise.
“We will move the American embassy to the eternal capital of the Jewish people, Jerusalem,” he told an extremely excited crowd.
As Jared Kushner, Reince Priebus, and others in his administration would note, any such move would do damage to America’s relationship with Muslim nations in the Middle East. They claim East Jerusalem as theirs, often claiming that it’s part of their religious history. What they won’t tell you is that it isn’t mentioned in the Quran. Not once. They also aren’t interested in the fact that it was claimed as the Jewish capital over a millennium-and-a-half before Islam was even established.
None of that’s important when feathers might be ruffled, right?
The notion that this is a temporary move is ridiculous. There’s never going to be a good time to keep this campaign promise. Never.
Some might throw up a silly argument that we don’t need to mess with international affairs, that Trump’s “America First” pledge supersedes all other promises. They might even say we can’t afford it (though we can somehow afford everything under the sun in the spending agreement DC just passed), but that’s even sillier. Trump could say, “We’re going to move the embassy to Jerusalem, and Israel’s going to pay for it.”
They would. In a heartbeat.
The list of broken promises is already piling up almost as quickly as President Obama’s did when he took office in 2009. The difference is that President Trump is passing on some of the easiest. Moving the embassy to Jerusalem is a layup. Whether it’s his advisers, some backroom deals he made with Muslim countries, or influence from “the orb” that’s making him backtrack, this is not what we were promised when we put him in the White House.
Article originally published on DaTechGuyBlog. | https://medium.com/political-jargon/yes-jerusalem-is-israels-capital-6be57bb2da4f | ['Jd Rucker'] | 2017-06-01 18:48:18.669000+00:00 | ['Politics', 'Jerusaelm', 'Middle East', 'Israel', 'Donald Trump'] |
The view from London as the world turns away | People queue outside a Waitrose supermarket in Harrow, London, as new Tier 4 Covid-19 restrictions threaten shop supplies.
The days are meant to get longer now. Even if many Britons wish they would not.
Here, we had expected chaos at the end of 2020, but hoped that it would be self-inflicted — from the nationalistic roll of the dice at the end of the Brexit transition period, when new trading rules kick in as the UK begins a new relationship with the EU.
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But not this chaos from nature, cutting the UK off from the rest of the world with such pace and fear. Countries our government used to advise us not to travel to now say we’re not welcome anyway. Haulage trucks line up at Dover, no longer practicing for an altogether more predictable and avoidable Brexit drama. Shop shelves are emptying, while queues form outside supermarkets, as if the government’s “do not panic” mantra has now become the loudest alarm bell.
Each lockdown has felt different. The first gave central London a ghostly and surreal new sheen amid the sirens. The second was barely noticeable, as businesses made labored justifications as to why they could stay open. The third, so far, is a little more desperate. Masks are more commonly seen outdoors. We simply do not know when it will end.
The South Bank has mostly lone runners on walkways that were packed just two weeks ago. Still, on the first day of this new lockdown, called Tier 4, I ran past a spiced cider stall that was open, and a photo shoot happening under the London Eye. You are allowed to work, after all, however you define that.
In Britain, concluding that the government has no idea what it’s doing is no longer the outlier choice of the conspiracy theorist, but an evidence-based assessment. Again and again, a decision point arrives for the Johnson administration, and a path is taken. It is criticized as wildly illogical or risky, even in the pandering tabloid press. And then it is hurriedly reversed — normally at the very last moment possible.
Johnson first downplayed COVID-19, then acted late to suppress it, caught it, was hospitalized by it, got sympathetic poll numbers from it. Then he failed to test and trace for it, or even test enough for it, and said it would go away by Christmas. Then he dragged the country through a lockdown he had also said earlier would be devastating and unnecessary, and then finally canceled a Christmas he had said days before only the inhumane would call off.
Downing Street press conferences yawn with practiced uncertainty and platitudes. Exhausted scientific advisers seem to struggle to keep up with nature, now on a year-long hedonistic rip across humanity. And their advice is, it seems, only selectively applied by a stricken prime minister with increasingly tousled hair that is unable to keep up with emulating the chaos he’s presiding over.
The UK’s daily coronavirus case numbers have become numbingly distant and huge. But the ubiquity they spell for this virus means nearly everyone knows someone it has killed — or has friends infected in this new wave, or discovers suddenly how much more prevalent in their street it is now than they thought. I am still struck by the ICU we visited Blackburn in October, which lost a third of its 21 patients the weekend before our arrival. One of those we interviewed later died. They had seemed on the mend.
In most households or extended families, there is the occasional ripple of dissent among those who don’t “believe it.” Or who think the cure is worse (on the economy) than the disease. Or that Saturday’s lockdown order to shut down the capital and South East from the rest of the country is best responded to by crowding onto the last trains out of London, as we saw inexplicably this weekend. We seem sometimes desperate to satisfy our selfish, immediate needs, certain those inconsiderate steps won’t actually bring the virus closer to invading that same personal world.
“It would be nice if the UK could excel in just one thing,” a friend in government joked to me months ago. That had for a brief moment been the vaccines — the Pfizer-BioNTech injection first approved and rolled out by the UK, and perhaps other cheaper doses rolled out in the millions globally if the Oxford-AstraZeneca version is approved too. But now we fear our most consequential export may instead be a variant of the virus that could prolong the pandemic.
It’s quite possible that the new coronavirus variant VUI2020/12/1 is already in many other countries, and the UK’s formidable genetic sequencing industry simply found it first. That would make the UK almost an anti-China, sensibly over-warning the rest of the world of the risk of this new variant.
But 2020 has not left Boris Johnson with any authority chips to play. His warning was not accompanied by hard-won gravity earned by months of responsible behavior. Instead, the world took the UK seriously as we were, for the first time, not divided or unsure about something. Even Boris Johnson had to pay attention to it.
What this new clarity has not given us — as the holidays settle like unwelcome, deep new snow — is any certainty as to when the simmering panic, or the current lockdown, or these short, dark days will end. | https://medium.com/@sokobiki/the-view-from-london-as-the-world-turns-away-4f27fdbebebf | [] | 2020-12-23 14:42:12.441000+00:00 | ['Pandemic', 'News', 'UK', 'Covid 19'] |
Use Jetson Nano With WLAN Card, Automatically Activated Vino Server and PWM Cooling Fan. | Install WLAN Card
Attach two antennas on the WLAN Card.
Intel WLAN Card 8265 NGW Model.
2. Take down the system board from the carrier by using a screwdriver. Be careful, there are two clips on sides, free them first!
Take down the system board.
3. Insert the WLAN Card.
Insert WLAN Card.
4. Put the system board back and it's all set !
Jetson Nano with its protective case.
5. Enable Wi-Fi in Ubuntu and connect to your Wi-Fi.
Enable Wi-Fi.
6. Open System Settings. Go Network. In Wireless section, click the small arrow on the right of your Wi-Fi. Click Settings and under General, select "Automatically connect to this network when it is available". Click Save. Throw your network cable away, it's not necessary anymore!
Automatically connect to this network when it is available.
Automatically Activate Vino Server When Booting
In Jetson Nano, search "Startup Applications". Open it.
Startup Applications.
2. Add a new program and name it "VinoServer." For command, enter the following.
/usr/lib/vino/vino-server
Startup program.
Click “save” and every time you boot Jetson Nano, vino server will automatically be activated !
Control PWM Cooling Fan Speed
Use following command to adjust fan speed to 255. The maximum speed is 255, the minimum speed is 0.
sudo sh -c 'echo 255 > /sys/devices/pwm-fan/target_pwm'
2. So if you want to turn the cooling fan off. Use the following command.
sudo sh -c 'echo 0 > /sys/devices/pwm-fan/target_pwm'
If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to contact me. My email address: [email protected] | https://medium.com/@yidontknowkungfu/use-jetson-nano-with-wlan-card-automatically-activated-vino-server-and-pwm-cooling-fan-af4dab51b9f6 | ["Yi Don'T Know Kung Fu"] | 2021-06-13 06:45:28.719000+00:00 | ['Jetson Nano', 'Pwm', 'Wifi', 'Ubuntu'] |
It’s Christmas | Join in the fun! Take these ten words and run with them…
Poetry Salvage
Use these ten words to write a poem. Or prose if you prefer. | https://medium.com/the-bad-influence/its-christmas-256286391dbe | ['Marla Bishop'] | 2020-12-28 08:49:22.695000+00:00 | ['The Bad Influence', 'Ducks', 'Christmas', 'Idea Stream', 'Prompt'] |
UNPIVOT multiple columns into tidy pairs with BigQuery and a SQL UDF | We don’t want multiple columns, each for one date. We want to have (date, value) pairs. Since this problem seems so common, I wrote two BigQuery persistent UDFs to solve this:
fhoffa.x.unpivot()
fhoffa.x.cast_kv_array_to_date_float()
Let’s review how they work.
Unpivot with fhoffa.x.unpivot()
Just give unpivot() a full row, and the regex of how the name of each of the columns to unpivot look.
With the Apple tables:
SELECT a.geo_type, region, transportation_type, unpivotted
FROM `fh-bigquery.public_dump.applemobilitytrends_20200414` a
, UNNEST(fhoffa.x.unpivot(a, '_2020')) unpivotted
Unpivotting Apple Mobility Trends
With the JHU tables:
SELECT province_state, country_region, unpivotted
FROM `bigquery-public-data.covid19_jhu_csse.confirmed_cases` a
, UNNEST(fhoffa.x.unpivot(a, '_[0-9]')) unpivotted
Unpivotting JHU tables
That’s so much better, but we are not done. How do we transform these values into dates and numbers?
Cast arrays with cast_kv_array_to_date_float()
We can re-cast our unpivotted columns with cast_kv_array_to_date_float() .
What’s even more “infuriating” when casting these columns to dates is that they use different formats for encoding dates. You don’t have to worry as the UDF can take the date format as an input too.
For example, with the Apple tables:
SELECT a.geo_type, region, transportation_type, unpivotted.*
FROM `fh-bigquery.public_dump.applemobilitytrends_20200414` a
, UNNEST(fhoffa.x.cast_kv_array_to_date_float(fhoffa.x.unpivot(a, '_2020'), '_%Y_%m_%d')) unpivotted
Unpivotting and casting Apple Mobility Trends
And with the JHU tables:
SELECT province_state, country_region, unpivotted.*
FROM `bigquery-public-data.covid19_jhu_csse.confirmed_cases` a
, UNNEST(fhoffa.x.cast_kv_array_to_date_float(fhoffa.x.unpivot(a, '_[0-9]'), '_%m_%d_%y')) unpivotted
Unpivotting and casting the JHU tables
See? These results look way tidier than the starting tables.
Bonus: The covid19_usafacts.confirmed_cases table
Once we have these 2 UDFs, applying them to other tables becomes really easy:
SELECT county_fips_code, county_name, state, state_fips_code, unpivotted.*
FROM `bigquery-public-data.covid19_usafacts.confirmed_cases` a
, UNNEST(fhoffa.x.cast_kv_array_to_date_float(fhoffa.x.unpivot(a, '_[0-9]'), '_%m_%d_%y')) unpivotted
Unpivotting the`covid19_usafacts.confirmed_cases` table
How-to
Check my previous post about Persistent UDFs in BigQuery:
The source code for these 2 UDFs is:
AS ((
# https://medium.com/@hoffa/how-to-unpivot-multiple-columns-into-tidy-pairs-with-sql-and-bigquery-d9d0e74ce675
SELECT
ARRAY_AGG(STRUCT(
REGEXP_EXTRACT(y, '[^"]*') AS key
, REGEXP_EXTRACT(y, r':([^"]*)\"?[,}\]]') AS value
))
FROM UNNEST((
SELECT REGEXP_EXTRACT_ALL(json,col_regex||r'[^:]+:\"?[^"]+\"?') arr
FROM (SELECT TO_JSON_STRING(x) json))) y
)); CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION fhoffa.x.unpivot(x ANY TYPE, col_regex STRING)AS ((SELECTARRAY_AGG(STRUCT(REGEXP_EXTRACT(y, '[^"]*') AS key, REGEXP_EXTRACT(y, r':([^"]*)\"?[,}\]]') AS value))FROM UNNEST((SELECT REGEXP_EXTRACT_ALL(json,col_regex||r'[^:]+:\"?[^"]+\"?') arrFROM (SELECT TO_JSON_STRING(x) json))) y));
AS ((
# https://medium.com/@hoffa/how-to-unpivot-multiple-columns-into-tidy-pairs-with-sql-and-bigquery-d9d0e74ce675
SELECT ARRAY_AGG(STRUCT(SAFE.PARSE_DATE(date_format, key) AS date, SAFE_CAST(value AS FLOAT64) AS value))
FROM UNNEST(arr)
)); CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION fhoffa.x.cast_kv_array_to_date_float(arr ANY TYPE, date_format STRING)AS ((SELECT ARRAY_AGG(STRUCT(SAFE.PARSE_DATE(date_format, key) AS date, SAFE_CAST(value AS FLOAT64) AS value))FROM UNNEST(arr)));
The secret motor behind this function: Transforming a whole row into JSON with TO_JSON_STRING() and then doing a REGEXP_EXTRACT_ALL over it.
Historical note
My previous solution to UNPIVOT in BigQuery has received than 5k views on Stack Overflow:
Next steps
Once I write documentation for these functions, and we settle on their definitive name — I’ll submit them to our shared repository with community UDFs ( bqutil ).
Want more?
Check Google’s public dataset program, featuring an increasing collection of COVID-19 related datasets in BigQuery:
I’m Felipe Hoffa, a Developer Advocate for Google Cloud. Follow me on @felipehoffa, find my previous posts on medium.com/@hoffa, and all about BigQuery on reddit.com/r/bigquery. | https://towardsdatascience.com/how-to-unpivot-multiple-columns-into-tidy-pairs-with-sql-and-bigquery-d9d0e74ce675 | ['Felipe Hoffa'] | 2020-05-07 18:51:55.466000+00:00 | ['Sql', 'Data Science', 'Bigquery', 'Data Engineering'] |
Want to achieve a Work life balance? Let’s understand its components first! | Work life balance has become the most discussed aspect of one’s life, especially during current unprecedented pandemic situation as all professionals are at home working and trying to strike a balance between work and personal life.
But in order to achieve a desirable balance of work and life, it is important to understand the intricacies of the entity ‘work-life balance’ and its components. The important components of it are:
Self-management:
The first step towards achieving a balance is being able to sufficiently able to manage one-self. This can be challenging, especially with aspects like getting enough sleep, nutrition and exercise. Self-management is the self-awareness of utilizing small sections and spaces of our daily routine effectively, while using available resources like time aptly.
Time management:
This involves optimal use of time throughout the day. This is while keeping the resources and tasks at hand in sync. Time management is achieved by keeping in mind the specific goals and going towards them — goals being both urgent and important, versus urgent or important. It essentially means what you can do the best and when.
Stress management:
Adapting to the stress causing factors like noise, distractions, and maintaining tranquility and working ourselves out of situations filled up with stress and pressure. Also, multi-tasking tends to increase stress levels, so paving one’s way through this also is a crucial part of stress management and work life balance.
Change management:
Change is the only constant in life. Continuously adapting to new methods and then re-adapting is the key to balanced and happy professional and personal life.
Technology management:
This means ensuring technology is at your disposal and to your service rather than reverse. Technology is a big and important part of today’s life and one has no choice but to keep up with its joneses, but its dependency must be controlled.
Leisure management:
The most neglected but one of the most important aspect of work life balance — rest, relax and leisure. The “time off” is as important as is the working part. But too much of it can also lead to monotony. Just the right balance can help in relaxing mind and body.
https://www.theworkersrights.com/want-to-achieve-a-work-life-balance-lets-understand-its-components-first/ | https://medium.com/@theworkersright/want-to-achieve-a-work-life-balance-lets-understand-its-components-first-79747a6851b3 | ['The Workers Rights'] | 2020-12-16 13:09:28.177000+00:00 | ['Stress Management', 'Work Life Balance', 'Time', 'Components'] |
How Long Should the Forecasting Horizon Be? | Theory: Inventory Optimization, Lead Times, and Review Periods
Inventory optimization theory teaches us that periodic inventory replenishment policies should be protected over a risk-horizon* of L+R (Lead Time + Review Period).
*Risk-horizon: Maximum amount of time you need to wait to receive an order (from your supplier). During this period your inventory is at risk of being depleted. In a periodic replenishment policies, we have risk-horizon = lead time + review period. I introduced this concept in my book, Inventory Optimization.
Our earlier example would be 4 months: 3 months of lead time plus a review period of 1 month.
Lead Time, Review Period and Risk-Horizon
This is a counterintuitive answer to the question. Most supply planners would focus on the M+3 forecast or the cumulative M+1 to +3 forecast, but not the cumulative M+1 to +4 forecast.
Example
Let’s move to an example; we’ll later discuss M5 and M6.
Let’s imagine the following order and demand plans as highlighted in the Figure below. The upcoming order receptions are in green, the demand forecasts in red. At the time of making the order (just at the start of M1), we had an inventory level of 150 units.
Order and demand plans
Let’s imagine that we want to finish each month with an inventory level of 100 units *before* we receive a new order. By defining our inventory target this way, it will correspond to the definition of safety stocks.
Example. At the end of M1, we expect to have an inventory of 150–50=100 units (= starting position - expected demand). Then we’ll receive our previous order of 40 units and reach 140 units to start M2.
Looking at the Figure below, we compute that by the end of M3, we expect to be left with an inventory of 70 pieces. That’s 30 pieces lower than our target of 100 units.
With a lead time of 3 months, Order 1 (that we are making now) won’t arrive in time to change anything within the next 3 months. The only thing we can impact is the stock level at the end of M4.
As shown in the Figure below, by ordering 80 pieces now, we’ll ensure that the stock position at the end of M4 will be 100 units (starting = 70+80; consumption = 50; stock remaining = 100).
We need to order 80 units now to reach our stock target at the end of M4.
Which Forecast is the Most Important?
Looking at the Figure above, we realize that changing the forecast of any of M1 to M4 will change the amount we should order.
Example: If your demand planner updates the M2 forecast by changing the expected demand from 75 pieces to 100 pieces, you should also react by increasing your order by 25 units.
It means that any period from M1 to M4 is equally important to determine your order amount.
Looking Further Ahead
Let’s recap the story so far.
We need to make our monthly order to our supplier which quoted a lead time of 3 months. We realized that, in order to decide how much to order now, we had to pay attention to the demand forecast for the coming 4 months.
But, actually, this is not the full picture.
Optimal Service Level and Risks
The science of inventory optimization teaches us that we need to optimize service levels based on profitability and risks. Basically, you need to balance the risk and the cost of over- and under-stocking.
Let’s imagine two simple (extreme) scenarios:
Scenario #1: the expected demand in M5 is 1000 pieces.
Scenario #2: the expected demand in M5 is 0 pieces.
Scenarios 1 and 2 (look at M5)
We initially assumed that we wanted to finish M4 with a safety stock of 100 pieces. Obviously, if we do not expect any sales after M4 (scenario 2), finishing M4 with an inventory of 100 pieces wouldn’t be a wise decision. On the other hand, if we expect to sell a thousand pieces in M5 (scenario 1), we could allow a bigger safety margin for M4 (as the risk of obsolete or long-term leftovers is low).
Collaboration
By providing an even more long-term view to your supplier, you can help them to reduce the lead time, reduce their cost, and increase their stock availability.
Going Further #1: Probabilistic Forecasting over the Lead Times
In a recent article, I showed that probabilistic forecasts are (much) more relevant and useful than point forecasts.
Point Forecast : associate the future with a single expected outcome, usually an average expected value (not to be confused with the most likely outcome). Example: We forecast to sell 1000 units next month.
: associate the future with a single expected outcome, usually an average expected value (not to be confused with the most likely outcome). Example: We forecast to sell 1000 units next month. Probabilistic Forecast: allocates a probability for different events to happen.
If you want to properly assess how much inventory you need (and optimize safety stocks and service levels), you’ll need to get a probabilistic view of what can happen over this risk-horizon.
Basically, we should look at the demand distribution over L+R rather than just a point forecast over L+R.
Pay attention that the demand distribution over M1 to M4 is usually not the same as the sum of the demand distribution over M1, M2, M3, and M4. But that’s another story.
Going Further #2: Lost Sales vs. Backorders
Inventory policies with backorders (all excess demand is kept until stock is available) differ from policies with lost sales (all excess demand is lost).
Lost Sales: Your clients (usually) cancel orders when you are out of stock. You need to pay attention to any shortage that might happen over the risk-horizon. So you need to have a detailed picture of what could happen during each separate month (in top of having a good forecast over the total horizon).
Lost Sales: If M1 demand increases by 150 units (to 200 pieces), the impact on the order is only an increase of +75 units as the excess demand of M1 and M2 is lost.
Lost sales are common in B2C/FMCG, making it particularly difficult for demand planners to estimate the real demand.
Backorders: In case of inventory shortages, your clients will keep their orders open and wait for stock to be available again. In such a case, there is no impact on the order requirement if you miss any inventory over the risk-horizon: the total demand won’t be impacted. You can then focus on the cumulative forecast from M1 to M4 rather than each month's forecast separately.
Backorders: If M1 demand increases by 150 units (to 200 pieces), the impact on the order is an increase of +150 units (80+150=230) as all the excess demand is back-ordered.
Hybrid: In most supply chains, some clients will keep their order open (or reorder) and some will just go to the competition. To optimize your order quantity, you will have to estimate the likelihood of lost sales occurring over the risk-horizon.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the best practice is to focus on forecasting demand over the risk-horizon (lead time plus review period) plus a few periods (to understand the risks of having too much/too little inventory and collaborating with your supplier).
Call to action
If you are managing a demand planning process, I would advise you to revise the forecasting KPIs you are tracking. Looking simply at M+1 or M+2 will not be enough. | https://towardsdatascience.com/how-long-should-the-forecast-horizon-be-2f24a6005b89 | ['Nicolas Vandeput'] | 2021-07-28 10:02:02.347000+00:00 | ['Time Series Forecasting', 'Supply Chain', 'Inventory Management', 'Time Series Analysis', 'Forecasting'] |
We remind! An exclusive program INX-PRO for our token holders! | Want to get from 150 to 70,000 INX?
That is easy! Become an INX-PRO member and get your reward. INX — PRO is a unique program that will help to invite new members to the InnovaMinex project.
MAIN CONCEPTS OF THE PROGRAM INX-PRO:
1. 400 participants
We have created 400 prizes that we will be distributed among 400 eligible users.
2️. 600,000 INX prize tokens
600,000 INX is the total number of INX, that we will distribute between 400 winners. In addition, we will provide program participants with additinal benefits.
3. Who are the partisipants of INX-PRO?
Users who wish to claim the prizes offered by the “INX — PRO” program must meet the following requirements:
▪️ You have to purchase a minimum of 1000 INX (this is the total amount of all purchases from the time you registered).
▪️ The total amount of INX bought by your referrals should be at least 4000 INX (purchases made from February 01, 2019).
More details about the INX-PRO program, prizes and other benefits that participants can enjoy are available herehttps://innovaminex.com/en/inx/pro | https://medium.com/innovaminex-com/we-remind-an-exclusive-program-inx-pro-for-our-token-holders-6bf15aecbe57 | [] | 2019-02-26 19:23:09.745000+00:00 | ['Cryptocurrency', 'Gold', 'Innovaminex', 'Blockchain', 'Mining'] |
Pivoting | “The only constant - change”
Autofarm was incepted to be a user-first automated DeFi platform. Since the launch, many users have been concerned about the 3 main issues below. We have injected an immense amount of thought into all concerns, and have come up with the following changes to promote the sustained growth of Autofarm.
We’d like to thank the relentless support from the community thus far.
https://autofarm.network
Front-running
There have been arguments for and against by the community. Although not yet an issue, we do hear your concerns. The most common solution to this would be a small withdrawal fee to prevent trading around the time earn() is called.
Solution
An entrance fee. 100% of this fee will go to funds already in the pool. :)
This method is not considered common practice and might deter deposits in the first place. However, savvy investors might and should be encouraged to be early liquidity providers, to be entitled to a share of all entrance fees of users depositing after him/her.
To pilot this, we will be introducing an entrance fee of 0.3% to new vaults (many will be coming soon).
Should this fee become a deterrence to late-comers when the platform has blossomed, it will and should be voted upon by the community governance.
Value of the AUTO token
The AUTO token provides an incentive to use the Autofarm platform and to allow users to own a stake in the future of the platform, which further strengthens the value of Autofarm.
Such network effects should not be overlooked.
Solution
The team will be more transparent about the future of the platform, hence indirectly, the value of the AUTO token.
AUTO-WBNB liquidity pool will be added for users to subscribe and unsubscribe to the future of Autofarm. This is not intended to be a degen pool.
AutoSwap
No, this is not another Uniswap fork.
AutoSwap aims to be the leading DEX aggregator on BSC — think 1inch.exchange. DeFi automation doesn’t come without automatic swaps across multiple DEXes.
Swap fees will benefit AUTO holders.
More details will be released on AutoSwap in the near future.
Sustainability & Fees
A 0.1% controller fee on profits will be activated to cover gas fees on every earn().
At a later date, a percentage of profits from vaults will be used to buyback AUTO to burn.
AutoFi
Automatic yield farming was just the start. We aim to be a one-stop DeFi platform.
AutoFi will be the umbrella platform under which other such DeFi innovations will reside on. | https://medium.com/autofarm-network/pivoting-276837b79af7 | [] | 2021-03-13 07:33:52.865000+00:00 | ['Exchange', 'Defi', 'Binance Smart Chain', 'Yield Farming', 'Dex'] |
Costco, ya, it is. | NOTE:
We Rebrand Recently. New brand is RiceQuant and Old Brand is ifarm.finance. and $IFA =>$RICE.
You must be no stranger to Costco, my dude, have you been visiting Costco lately? If not, come to Costco in ifarm.
Introduce Costco
Costco is an IFA discounter. Costco allows any one to buy IFA at a 98% discount using iToken. And IFA’s real-time market prices are synchronized with Uniswap.
Where does the IFA in Costco come from?
Circulated IFA is from Liquid Mining. For every block produced in Ethereum network, 8 $IFA can be mined in sync. Of these, 10% goes to Costco.
10% of IFA-Revenue’s revenue goes to Costco.
Why Costco?
There can be no real democracy without incentives.
We know that $IFA conveys governance over $IFA and any future missions to the ifarm.finance DAO. The ifarm.finance DAO will effectively take the responsibilities of defining potential future missions, deciding on the usage of the Treasurys and other governance related topics. Therefore, teams involved in project construction and governance must have the incentives to match that in order for ifarm to thrive.
Is it reasonable for 10% from Liquidity Mining to go to Costco?
IFA is released linearly with Ethereum blocks, so IFA does not immediately converge on the ifarm.finance team, thereby resisting potential malicious behavior on the team.
The IFA in Costco owned by smart contracts, and no one has the right to take out the IFA inside and can only buy it with iToken. Therefore, the operational and R&D team’s authority to obtain relevant funding from Costco depends on whether there is support for the project. Imagine that if the ifarm does not move the project forward in an orderly manner, it will inevitably lose its market position and support, and no one will want to buy IFA in Costco, then the IFA in Costco is equivalent to burning.
In the normal course of the project, we are confident that someone will continue to support the project, of course, due to the 98% discount price set up to lead to arbitrage opportunities in the market, will also attract arbitrage crowds. Therefore, the price at which IFA in Costco can eventually be bought is determined by the market game. In a free market, IFA will be sold at a reasonable price, so the team gets a reasonable amount of money from the market.
The IFA in Costco needs to be exchanged with iToken. iToken is also mined from Liquidity Mining, not directly swap from BTC, ETH or USDT in your wallet. In fact, this is a very reasonable investment protection behavior. Because the team’s profit from Costco is iToken, and whether iToken is valuable is related to the proper functioning of the project.
We believe that such a setup will greatly motivate the team to contribute to the project and enable DAO to have a place in the DeFi market.
Welcome to Join us:
Follow Twitter
Join Discord Group
Explore Website | https://medium.com/@ricequant/costco-ya-it-is-a032545ff891 | [] | 2021-02-25 07:30:18.507000+00:00 | ['Governance', 'Liquidity Mining', 'Uniswap', 'Swap', 'Dao'] |
How I Transformed My Life by Controlling My Mind | Letting go has transformed my life.
Letting go has made me happy and grateful, has allowed me to help others, and has made me more “successful.”
Letting go is how I began to feel whole again after years of feeling lost.
Before I get into how I did it, let’s start with the absurdity of it all…
The Paradox of Letting Go
We tend to think the more we grasp onto something, the more we can control it — like holding onto a cliff for fear of falling.
We ruminate over what we should have done, or what we should do. Our obsession with the past and future, our success, and our life path seemingly comes from believing the more we think about these things, the more we can control them — we won’t fall to our misery.
What we don’t realize is that there is no cliff — there is only our mind playing tricks on us, trying to make us believe there is an impending disaster.
In reality, the only misery happening is in our own selves. Holding on to emotions does not give us control. We’re literally “out of our minds” — i.e. out of control. Therefore:
The more we let go, the more we actually gain control.
I know…this still seems so paradoxical — it doesn’t make sense. How can it be? Because:
We’re getting in our own way.
By ruminating, obsessing, and contemplating, we’re actually creating fertile ground for weeds to sprout up, blocking a clear path in our minds for us to follow.
Instead of clearing our path, we’re blocking our path.
How many times have you decided to just put the computer down and go for a walk, and then the answer came to your mind? That’s called letting go.
Convinced yet? Let me now tell you something that will change your life…
Controlling Your Mind
As mentioned, letting go does not mean giving up control — it is about gaining control.
By letting go, your thoughts do not overpower and control you; you control your thoughts. By controlling your thoughts, you are in control of your mind. Wow.
Did you just catch that?
By letting go, you can actually control your mind instead of having your mind control you.
If you don’t, you have given your mind free rein to go off on random tangents at will. We all can be hard on ourselves sometimes. Left to its own devices, our mind can find a million reasons why we should not be happy in the present moment. “Yes, I have a job, but I’m anxious about whether I’ll get a promotion.” “Yes, it is a beautiful day outside, but all I really can think about is wanting a relationship.”
Our mind tricks us into thinking, “I will be happy when…” Yet, once we get that something or somebody, we start yearning for more.
Before you beat yourself up over it, know that we all do it — it’s part of our evolution as a species. We have an insatiable appetite for things, and we often worry about what could go wrong. This served us well when we were living in caves and being chased by lions, but can hinder us in the 21st century. As the prominent psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi puts it, “Evolution has set the mind on an endless treadmill.”
There is good news though — once we become aware that we’re on the treadmill, we can choose to get off of it.
Through meditation and mindfulness, we can begin to discern whether the thoughts we are having are helpful or unhelpful. Here’s how it works: allow the feelings, and let go of the thoughts.
The next time you are faced with a difficult emotion, allow it, feel it, experience it. Sometimes a feeling just wants to be felt and then it will subside. Or maybe your stress or sadness is actually trying to tell you something, and you can use this difficult emotion to develop and improve your life.
At the same time that you are allowing the feeling, let go of harmful thoughts and replace them with compassion and non-judgment. Be your own best friend. Be mindful of when you yell at yourself for being depressed and tell yourself how horrible you are, kicking yourself when you’re already down. Be mindful of when you repeat angry stories over and over in your mind, holding on to a hot coal inside of you, not realizing you’re only hurting yourself.
We cannot always control the feelings we have, but we can control how we relate to those feelings. So try something new: show yourself compassion. Know that your mind has not evolved at the same speed as technology, and that sometimes you need to lead your monkey mind in more useful directions.
By letting go, you can start to control what direction your mind takes, rather than being on autopilot and mindlessly letting your emotions wrap you up in a tight ball of stress and regret.
You get to decide if you want your mind to be filled with negative or positive thoughts. Which do you choose?
It’s your mind. You control it.
Simple enough?
Here’s something else you should know about letting go. It’s the best part.
Living in the Present
By controlling the mind and letting go of regrets about the past and worries about the future, we are able to actually start to…
Live in the present.
Holy crap.
When was the last time you were actually paying attention to the present moment?
Oftentimes we don’t see those beautiful flowers in the yard while walking home because our mind was worried about how we’re ever going to be able to raise a child even though we don’t even have a boyfriend yet. We don’t notice how our friend is silently begging for help because we were thinking about our friend who hadn’t texted back yet. We read the entire first page of that report and then realize we had spaced out the whole time because we were obsessing over the silly thing we said in the meeting earlier in the day.
Letting go is about giving yourself permission to be fully aware of the present moment.
Letting go is giving yourself permission to live.
Letting go allows you to smell those flowers, to help a friend in need, to read important materials. It clears your mind so you can see the beauty in this world, to help others, and to be more productive.
Letting go is not just for yourself, it’s for those around you as well. My relationships with my friends and family have dramatically improved since I have started regularly practicing mindfulness meditation.
Are you ready to let go?
What Letting Go is About:
Letting go is all about relieving yourself of Three Irrational Thoughts:
I should be perfect Others should be perfect Circumstances should be perfect
As we all know, nobody is perfect, and nothing is perfect. So, the sooner you rid yourself of these expectations, the happier you will be. Let me explain further:
I Should be Perfect
Letting go is about remaining calm when you do something imperfectly — when you press send on the email too soon, when you act like a fool at a party, or when you fail at a project.
We all do silly, stupid things sometimes.
But the next time you find yourself being imperfect, try something new: Have compassion for yourself, love yourself wholeheartedly, and laugh at your faults and this crazy world.
Try it. And see how you feel.
I have found being kind to myself to be possibly the most important practice to discovering true love and happiness. I owe this revelation in part to Brene Brown’s book, The Gifts of Imperfection. It’s the first book I recommend to anybody who is at a difficult point in life. The takeaway:
Let go of being someone who you think you should be, and start loving who you truly are.
Others Should be Perfect
Letting go is about keeping steady when people don’t do what you want them to — when the person next to you is chewing with their mouth open (my biggest pet peeve), or your friend ditched you, or your partner said something that really offended you.
People can be really cruel!!!!! They can be really annoying too, or just plain selfish!!!!!
But…so can we.
We all want to be forgiven. We all want to be understood. We all want our needs met.
Letting go is about realizing you don’t always have the full story of somebody’s life. It’s about taking on the perspective that we’re all doing the best we can. It’s about releasing expectations that people will conform to exactly how we want them to be, since that is an irrational, and quite selfish thought (we’re not selfish, right?).
In my own life, by releasing expectations for others, I have created a lot of space in my mind for more positive thoughts. Yea, people will piss me off or make me really sad, but if I stew over it, I just feel worse. Instead, I like to try to cultivate compassion and understanding, because that helps me learn, and that makes me feel good.
What thoughts do you want to foster? How do you want to feel? It’s your mind — you can do whatever you want with it.
Circumstances Should be Perfect
Letting go is about chilling out when things don’t go as planned — when the coffee line is too long, the AC in your car breaks, or it starts to downpour.
One of my favorite lines is:
Life is fair because it is unfair to everybody.
Yes, we could have a long debate about whose life is more unfair. But those debates are never very productive. They just make everybody feel terrible.
So instead of comparing, why not shift your attention to something more positive? When the bus breaks down, think how lucky you are to get to finish reading that book you never thought you’d get to. When it rains, take advantage of the situation to feel young and careless again, and show up a sopping wet mess to that dinner party. When you lose your job, practice gratitude for what you do have — even if that’s just a walk in the sunshine.
If you can laugh at the absurdities of life, be grateful for simple pleasures, and make the best of an unfortunate situation, you are well on your way to happiness.
What’s that? I know what you said, and it’s a good point — that’s why you should read the next section so I can explain what I mean…
What Letting Go is Not About
Letting go is not about being apathetic and dull, or being lazy and watching Netflix all day and thinking your life will change. That’s called “giving up.”
It’s also not about letting people walk all over you, or not being responsible, or not wanting to learn and improve. That’s called “hurting your own self.”
Letting go is not about hurting others OR yourself. Remember that.
Letting go is about being mindful and in control, so you can change your circumstances, develop yourself as a person, help others, and be wiser in your reactions.
For instance, if you failed at a project, you can let go, remain calm, and show yourself love and compassion, while at the same time investigating what went wrong.
If your friend ditched you, you can remain composed and remember that they may actually have a legitimate excuse, or maybe if this is a pattern, be mindful of how this person makes you feel and if they are worth your time and effort.
If the AC in your car breaks, remaining calm can actually help you think through next steps on who to call and how to get it fixed.
When you aren’t perfect, when others aren’t perfect, and when circumstances aren’t perfect, remembering the silly irrationality of desires for perfection can sometimes give us the levity we need.
Also, remember the serenity prayer: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
“Accept the things I cannot change” — that is called letting go. It does not mean that you will not try to change things that are harming you. But there are many instances throughout the day and throughout life that would benefit much more from letting go than from holding on.
Not sure how you can actually do any of this? Let me help…
How to Let Go:
Meditate
The point of meditation is to become mindful — to become aware — so that you can start to let go. Meditation is about paying attention to the present moment and noticing thoughts that come in and out of your mind.
Why is that so important?
Meditation is a primer for real life. If you are able to notice your thoughts during meditation, you should be able to more easily notice your thoughts throughout the day.
This is where mindfulness comes in.
Mindfulness means being aware of your thoughts, what others are going through, and whatever situation you find yourself in. More than that, it is about having perspective.
Mindfulness is about being able to decipher when you’re having an irrational thought, so that you can then start to let go of it.
So often, we go about our days completely oblivious to the thoughts that we feed ourselves. We tear ourselves down and then wonder why we’re depressed. We are disgusted by others and then wonder why we feel so alone. We are annoyed by minor inconveniences and then wonder why we’re so angry all the time.
Our thoughts shape who we become and how we feel. Who do you want to be? How do you want to feel? What thoughts do you want to keep, and which ones do you want to let go of?
By letting go of harmful thoughts, we can start to change the trajectory of our lives. And it all starts with being aware of them.
Be Mindful of Your Desires
The Buddha said the root cause of suffering is attachment. Experience it for yourself, and you will know this to be true.
I am not saying to get rid of all of your desires, but rather to be mindful of them. The key test is, “Is this serving me well, or not serving me well?”
What are you holding onto in your life right now that is making you miserable and not fully present? What are you grasping for in your life right now that is leading towards positive change?
Letting go of attachments that do not serve us well can free us to actually live and be grateful for the present moment.
Be Mindful of Your “Shoulds”
Once you are more mindful of your thoughts and desires, you can start to be mindful of how often you use the word “should” throughout the day.
Relieve yourself of any unrealistic expectations placed on yourself from society, family, or yourself. Too often we are so hard on ourselves because of expectations of perfection. We think we should never screw up, say the wrong thing, or fail. However, imperfection is part of being human.
Instead, let’s see our imperfections as tools for learning about ourselves and others. By realizing our own imperfections, we can start to have empathy for the imperfection of others. We can also start to open up, be more vulnerable, and laugh at our silly faults.
We can let go of who we think we should be, and start loving who we actually are.
The Benefits of Letting Go
In the beginning of this post, I said, “Letting go has made me happy and grateful, has allowed me to help others, and has made me more ‘successful’.” Let me more clearly explain how:
Happy and Grateful: I am now not “wanting” and “shoulding” all the time, but rather “living” in the present.
I am able to relish in the sunshine, notice the beauty of art, and enjoy a walk in nature. I am grateful for the simple things because I am actually aware of them and am not desiring something else or expecting that things should be different. I am present.
Helping Others: I am now able to be aware of the needs of others because I am fully present when I am with them.
Think of the lives you can change by letting go of your own preoccupations and truly being there for others in your life who are important to you. Maybe it’s your father, or sister, or nephew, or friend. By letting go, you cannot only transform your own life but the lives of others.
“Successful”: I am now able to have a clear mind to understand my purpose, tackle any task, or navigate any difficulty that may come my way.
I put successful in quotation marks because of my disturbance with how success is viewed in our world — only about money and material possessions. What I mean when I say successful is that you are living out your soul’s destiny — maybe it is being nicer to strangers on the street, or painting that picture you were always scared to paint, or starting that business you never had the confidence to start.
Whatever it is, by clearing your mind of wants and shoulds, you will effectively create space in your mind for what truly matters most to you.
By letting go, you will get out of your own way and start living the life you’ve always wanted to live.
You’re the Star of the Show
You are the driver of change in your life.
You can read this and do nothing, or you can read this and go meditate, choose your mantra, and change your thought patterns.
If you want to actually feel better, it takes effort.
You may feel empowered and entrepreneurial to know that you are the one responsible for your own happiness.
You may feel tired and frustrated that you can’t just take a magic pill and feel better. “Why do I always have to try so hard to feel good?”
The truth is: Anything that is worth it is effortful.
If you want to look good, you have to go to the gym and eat healthily.
If you want to be smart, you have to read books and learn from others.
If you want to be successful, you have to show up and put in the hard work.
Why should it be any different for if you want to be happy?
Yes, there will be people with amazing bodies who never lift a finger and eat French fries all day. There are also those who have off the charts IQs who never have to try to study. So yes, there will be those people who are just naturally happy and nothing seems to faze them. But:
Most people have to put in some effort to feel good, just as you do with anything else.
So if you truly want to change your life, do this, or some modified, personalized version of it for at least one month, and see what happens:
Meditate: Meditate daily for at least 15 minutes. Try Headspace, Calm, or Insight Timer — they will guide you through a meditation, so all you have to do is find a comfortable place. Be Mindful, Let Go, Redirect: Remember: allow the feeling, let go of the thought. When you’re being hard on yourself, be mindful of your habits. Let go of thoughts that are not serving you well, and replace them with positive words of encouragement. Create a mantra. Let go of stress, sadness, and regrets and let in understanding, love, and compassion. Habits can take a couple of months to break, so keep at it! Gratitude: Keep a daily gratitude journal. Challenge yourself to try to write 10–15 things every day. They can be as simple as the sunshine or a smile from a stranger. You will start to become more mindful of small things to be grateful for if you do this practice. Sunshine: Get outside. Your mood will automatically brighten by just leaving the house! If you have nature nearby where you can be around trees, flowers, or water, that’s even better! Exercise: Walk, run, bike, do yoga, dance, or whatever physical fitness you prefer. It is its own form of meditation and your mind will be happy for it. Random Acts of Kindness: It feels so good to help others! Open the door for someone, smile at a stranger and say hi, call a friend in need, tell your mother you appreciate her, buy an extra chocolate bar for your coworker — get creative! There is love and kindness in this world, and it starts with you and me. Socialize: Relationships are crucial to our mental health. Reach out to friends and family to hangout or reconnect. Build meaningful not just superficial relationships. Join community groups or volunteer organizations. Be around people. We are social animals — be social! Find a Higher Purpose: Paradoxically, the more we think about ourselves, the worse we feel. Whether through spiritual means, volunteering, or something else, find a cause to care about. Do something positive for this world — spread love, compassion, and wisdom in whatever way suits you best.
As you can see from this list, the effort it takes to feel good should actually be enjoyable! Maybe you’re already doing most of these things — you may just need the added boost of controlling your mind. So try out meditation and see what happens!
What are you waiting for?
Let go. Start living. | https://medium.com/personal-growth/let-go-start-living-9cdbddf530de | ['Ashley Heacock'] | 2019-05-23 14:28:59.402000+00:00 | ['Research', 'Meditation', 'Mental Health', 'Psychology', 'Mindfulness'] |
How To Manifest Anything you desire | You choose and decide what your life will be like, who you surround yourself with, and what you want to manifest in your life.
You are the driving force, the source of energy for your life, you create yourself, you manifest everything that becomes a part of your life. One of the conditions of realization is to clear, let go of all fears, doubts, doubts, any thoughts, feelings that may stand in the way of realization.
Replace all of this with recognition of yourself and your entire world and don’t focus spasmodically on the result, just allow yourself to realize it, perceive and use your strength.
Our thoughts determine our circumstances, every thought we have has creative energy, it is actually a manifestation. When you consciously display it, you then use your desire for desire in your thoughts to make it one of the most effective tools for realization, so that everything you desire can become a tangible experience. For many, it’s obscure what actually happens when you visualize something you want to accomplish.
Every thought can be a realization if you put enough energy into it, you are persistent, and you are in harmony with the energy of your desire. If you are unable to vibrate with your desires, it will not appear in your reality. Doubt, petty faith, forms of self-punishing self-abusive thought, programs running in the background will be sabotaged.
If you believe that you are able to realize what you are asking for, everything will come together to come true and the stronger your faith, the faster the object of your desire will manifest on a physical plane.
As soon as you stop looking for an obstacle to realization in the circumstances, you have already made significant progress toward realization. It takes as much energy to believe in realization as not to believe in it.
Feel that you are the energy, the acting force that creates and realizes.
When you allow yourself this, everything in the universe comes together to make what you desire come true. What you are manifesting is an irrevocable intention to appear now on a physical level of your request.
You are unstoppable in creation, the only one who can stop in this is yourself.
Where to start
Define it crystal clear!
It’s important to focus on what you want and not what you don’t. Also be very precise about the details of what you want in your life. When I was working to bring the book contract together, I focused on the exact amount of the down payment and what kind of editor and publisher I wanted to work with. I saw the cover of the book in front of me, imagining it was there on the bookshelves even before I sold the manuscript. Be very clear about what you want and continue to focus on it with that certainty.
Do it as if it were yours!
Do it as if you have already got what you want. Feel like you already have what you desire. Feel what it feels like. Act and walk as if your dream has already come true. Ask yourself the question: how would a person who already has what I want behave? Believe that what you want is already on its way to you and act as if it has already arrived. Or as Marie Forleo says, make yourself successful.
Give your desire to the universe!
This step of manifestation is a complete surrender. Let go and don’t try so hard to achieve your goals. Just grab your dream, your wonderful goal, and hand it over to your future self, the universe, or a higher power. Give yourself completely and trust that what you desire more than anything in the world is already on its way to you, but only what you want will come true if you let go of the end result.
Be aware of the words you use
We are constantly unconsciously manifesting ourselves from things, and the result will be better if we always try to use positive, high-frequency words. Even when we are in a difficult situation, we can change the use of words. For example, instead of saying “I can’t do a headrest,” you could say, “I’m practicing how to make a headrest.” The word “can” is much more common than “no.” Using positive words makes us feel much better and helps us achieve what we want more easily and with joy. Using positive words applies to everything — be aware of how joyful and great positive words you feel!
Get your free soul reading that will reveal The Challenges That May Be Blocking You On Your Soul’s Journey, and The Opportunities Available To Help You At This Time in Your Life here | https://medium.com/@piiixar/how-to-manifest-anything-you-desire-84a1e8c05daf | ['Rachid Elkhalil'] | 2020-12-19 16:22:56.663000+00:00 | ['Happiness', 'Spirituality', 'Abundance', 'Manifestation', 'Wellbeing'] |
Routing street networks: Find your way with Python | We use routing services almost every day to get directions from one location to another. In this tutorial, we will learn how to make our routing animation to get from one place to another, using Python’s excellent libraries, OMSNx, Geopandas and Plotly Express.
Set up Network Graphs
First of all, we need to get the data for the location we want. So, let us download first and visualize street network data for a place. In this tutorial, I will use Stockholm, Sweden, as an example. Feel free to pick up any other locations.
First, let us import the necessary libraries.
import pandas as pd
import geopandas as gpd
from shapely.geometry import Point, LineString
import plotly_express as px
import networkx as nx
import osmnx as ox
ox.config(use_cache=True, log_console=True)
We need to set up the network graphs. OSMNx has plenty of ways to get street networks from all over the world using the excellent opensource service of OpenStreetMap. I have created here a function that can generate a graph by providing addresses or coordinates.
def create_graph(loc, dist, transport_mode, loc_type="address"): """Transport mode = ‘walk’, ‘bike’, ‘drive’, ‘drive_service’, ‘all’, ‘all_private’, ‘none’""" if loc_type == "address":
G = ox.graph_from_address(loc, dist=dist, network_type=transport_mode) elif loc_type == "points":
G = ox.graph_from_point(loc, dist=dist, network_type=transport_mode ) return G
Here, we create street networks for Gothenburg city in Sweden using the function above. We can also plot the street networks using plot_graph.
G = create_graph(“Gothenburg”, 2500, “drive”)
ox.plot_graph(G)
The street networks plot is shown below.
Street network graph — Gothenburg, Sweden.
Routing
To get from one point to another, you can use coordinates as well as addresses with OSMnX. Let us see how we can create nodes from coordinates. You can pick any coordinates within the network streets we have created above. Before calculating the routes, we also need to impute missing edge speeds and add travel times to the Graph.
G = ox.add_edge_speeds(G) #Impute
G = ox.add_edge_travel_times(G) #Travel time start = (57.715495, 12.004210)
end = (57.707166, 11.978388) start_node = ox.get_nearest_node(G, start)
end_node = ox.get_nearest_node(G, end) # Calculate the shortest path
route = nx.shortest_path(G, start_node, end_node, weight='travel_time') #Plot the route and street networks
ox.plot_graph_route(G, route, route_linewidth=6, node_size=0, bgcolor='k',fig_width=12, fig_height=12 );
In the above code, we calculate the shortest path with the provided coordinates for origin point and destination. We plot the route from the origin to destination below. The route uses travel time weight to minimize the travel time.
Route Animations
To create route animations, we will use Geopandas to create a LineString Geometry and PlotlyExpress to animate the route. Before that, we need to derive nodes, coordinates and travel time from the route and graph network. Here we will create a list that holds these values and loop through the route.
node_start = []
node_end = []
X_to = []
Y_to = []
X_from = []
Y_from = []
length = []
travel_time = [] for u, v in zip(route[:-1], route[1:]):
node_start.append(u)
node_end.append(v)
length.append(round(G.edges[(u, v, 0)]['length']))
travel_time.append(round(G.edges[(u, v, 0)]['travel_time']))
X_from.append(G.nodes[u]['x'])
Y_from.append(G.nodes[u]['y'])
X_to.append(G.nodes[v]['x'])
Y_to.append(G.nodes[v]['y'])
Now, we can create a data frame out of the lists from the above calculations. We end up with a data frame that holds these values, like origin coordinates of each node in the route, length of the path between nodes and travel time between the nodes.
df = pd.DataFrame(list(zip(node_start, node_end, X_from, Y_from, X_to, Y_to, length, travel_time)), columns =[“node_start”, “node_end”, “X_from”, “Y_from”, “X_to”, “Y_to”, “length”, “travel_time”]) df.head()
Route nodes data frame
Next, we create a LineString Geodataframe that connects all these nodes coordinates.
def create_line_gdf(df):
gdf = gpd.GeoDataFrame(df, geometry=gpd.points_from_xy(df.X_from, df.Y_from)) gdf[“geometry_to”] = [Point(xy) for xy in zip(gdf.X_to, gdf.Y_to)] gdf[‘line’] = gdf.apply(lambda row: LineString([row[‘geometry_to’], row[‘geometry’]]), axis=1) line_gdf = gdf[[“node_start”,”node_end”,”length”,”travel_time”, “line”]].set_geometry(‘line’) return line_gdf line_gdf = create_line_gdf(df)
Just to mark the starting point and destination different from other nodes, we create separate Dataframes for both the starting point and ending point.
start = df[df[“node_start”] == start_node] end = df[df[“node_end”] == end_node]
We will use Plotly Express to animate the route. Let us first plot all the nodes in the Dataframe with Plotly.
px.scatter_mapbox(df, lon= “X_from”, lat=”Y_from”, zoom=12)
The map below shows all the nodes, but the good thing is it is straightforward to animate with PlotlyExpress. | https://shakasom.medium.com/routing-street-networks-find-your-way-with-python-9ba498147342 | [] | 2020-06-04 10:14:28.849000+00:00 | ['Geospatial', 'Python', 'Data Science', 'Towards Data Science', 'Data Visualization'] |
Omnichannel Post-Conversation Survey Using Customer Voice (Forms Pro) | Recently, Microsoft announced its 2020 release wave 2 plan for the upcoming features in Dynamics 365 that will begin releasing from October 2020 through March 2021. Forms Pro is now rebranded as Dynamics 365 Customer Voice, and has more and better features. If you are an existing customer of Forms Pro, don’t worry, for all your Forms Pro surveys will be available as Projects in Customer Voice. For the transition process from Forms Pro to Customer Voice, click here. In this release, Microsoft added a ton of new features in Omnichannel for Customer Service. Click here to view.
Omnichannel uses its pre-chat feature to identify customers for agents based on their name/email address, etc. A new post-chat survey will be able to capture customers’ feedback on recent conversations with agents to improve service in the future.
Enable 2020 Wave 2 for your environment. Go to aka.ms/ppac (Power Platform Admin Center) to enable 2020 wave 2 updates.
3. Install Channels for Omnichannel from aka.ms/ppac.
4. Create a live chat channel record in the Omnichannel Administration app and go to Surveys.
5. Turn on Post-conversation survey to Yes.
6. Create a survey in Forms Pro
7. Refresh the page and you will see your Forms Pro survey in the survey field
If the survey is not available on the list, make sure Omnichannel and Forms Pro survey are in the same environment.
8. Select the survey send option:
Insert survey in conversation -- Insert a survey in an active session, only available for Chat channel.
Send survey link to conversation -- Send survey link to customer in the message box.
9. On ending a conversation, the Forms Pro survey question will be displayed (if you selected “Insert survey in conversation”).
I think the post-conversation survey is a great addition and an eagerly awaited feature in Omnichannel for Customer Service, allowing customers to provide feedback on their experience. I will be sharing more posts on my experience with Omnichannel enhancements. Learn more. | https://medium.com/hitachisolutions-braintrust/omnichannel-post-conversation-survey-using-customer-voice-forms-pro-2c070522aec | ['Ashish Rana'] | 2020-08-27 16:55:29.519000+00:00 | ['Customer Service', 'Feedback', 'Chat', 'Dynamics 365', 'Customer'] |
Share your ideas — Social Media 101 | I find myself in more situations lately educating others or asking others to embrace social media as part of professional life. It has become a norm for start up companies where social media is part of life. However, in established companies it is a journey: some leap forward and others need hand holding to get the journey started.
I usually find 2 stumbling block for the folks who have not done it before:
1. Overcome their own inertia or fear what does it mean to share ideas on the whole world wide web.
2. Not knowing how to get started — particularly how to keep personal and professional life separate and private as one deem appropriate.
I am not an expert but I have embraced few things as part of my daily personal/professional life. Here is what I do:
a. Facebook: It is my personal family/friend group. This is where I keep up with what is happening in the life of my family and close friends. I usually share personal/family stuff here. I am particular about whose invitation I accept on Facebook or who I invite to be my friend. You can find me on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/alok.tyagi
b. Twitter: This is where I microblog on what is happening in my professional life. Usually, I share organization thoughts that are important to me. I accept everyone who want to follow me on twitter — except lately I am finding blocking some people who seem to have find a way to push porn on Twitter. You can find me on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/aloktyagi
c. Personal blog: This is where I speak my mind and share my personal/professional opinion on wide variety of topics — usually topics that are near and dear to my heart. You can find my personal blog at http://aloktyagi.wordpress.com
d. Company blog: This is where I represent my professional view as it pertains to the company I work for. You may want to check out your company policy. Some companies are restrictive on what you can say or not. Others are rather liberal and allows people to speak their mind. Anyway — it is better to know company policy as you blog on company site or forum. You can find my company blog at http://community.sagemas.com
e. LinkedIn: I don’t use it as much as others do. It is mostly my professional contact list and I usually use it to do quick reference check or know relationship when I meet someone new. I only accept LinkedIn requests from people that I know of or met recently at some conference/networking event. You can find me on LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com/in/aloktyagi
Anyway — there are various other avenues and some people use social media more than others. I suggest find your comfort zone and start the journey — whether to start on the personal end or professional end or both. What is important is to start the journey and be regular. | https://medium.com/aloktyagi/share-your-ideas-social-media-101-f755ba8d7b01 | ['Alok Tyagi'] | 2017-03-08 21:02:07.279000+00:00 | ['Personal', 'Enterpreneurship', 'Blogging', 'Internet', 'Organization Development'] |
Real Talk, Should You Actually Freeze Your Eggs? | By Vicky Spratt
PHOTOGRAPHED BY DAANTJE BONS
When she was 32 years old, Ali, a marketing manager based in the southeast of England, broke up with her boyfriend of six years. “There was a nagging feeling in the back of my mind that the clock was ticking and I was worried about how much time I would have left to meet the right person and start a family,” she reflects today, at the age of 35. Her words will strike a deep, primal and emotional chord in any woman, single or not. For the relationship we are all in, whether we like it or not, is with our own fertility.
One year after this break-up, knowing that both her mother and grandmother had experienced menopause at an unusually early age, Ali decided to freeze her eggs at a clinic in Maidenhead. It cost her £5,000 in total. She had been saving for three months and then was made redundant, which she describes as “a blessing in disguise” because she got a new job really quickly and was able to put her payout towards the procedure.
Ali, who is now in a new relationship, thinks that freezing her eggs has changed the course of her life. “If I hadn’t,” she says pointedly, “my fertility may have pushed me to have a family with someone who wasn’t right, instead of getting out of that relationship. Knowing that my eggs are frozen removes some of the immediate pressure and makes you feel more in control of your future. You’ve done all you can, and there’s something very reassuring about that.”
Egg freezing is an intensive procedure which involves injecting yourself with hormones for about 10 days before an operation which is done under anaesthetic to harvest the eggs. During a normal ovulation cycle, a woman produces one egg. The hormones administered in this process stimulate the ovaries so that they produce multiple eggs. The NHS only offers it to girls and women for medical reasons (e.g. if someone is about to undergo an operation or treatment that could make them infertile, such as chemotherapy).
Recent data from the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (HFEA) shows that the number of egg storage cycles has increased rapidly, rising from 1,500 cycles in 2013 to just under 9,000 in 2018.
If you want to freeze your eggs because you aren’t in a relationship or ready to have children, you have to pay to go private. Some people call this egg freezing for ‘social’ reasons. However Lisa Webber, consultant gynaecologist and subspecialist in reproductive medicine at St Mary’s Hospital Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, explains that she prefers to call this ‘non-medical’ or ‘elective’ egg freezing. It has been rising steadily in recent years, as Professor Adam Balen, a consultant in reproductive medicine at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and spokesperson for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), explains. “Recent data from the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (HFEA) shows that the number of egg storage cycles has increased rapidly, rising from 1,500 cycles in 2013 to just under 9,000 in 2018.” This is a staggering increase of 523% which means that the number of women freezing their eggs has increased five-fold.
It’s not hard to understand why this is happening. On a recent girls’ holiday, whether or not to embark on egg freezing was a daily topic of conversation. All five of us on the trip were in our early 30s, working full pelt in our careers and, regardless of relationship status, neither financially nor emotionally ready to start a family. This trend is seen across the country: the Office for National Statistics reports that the average age at which both women and men have their first child has increased in recent decades. There are many explanations for this. We have contraception which gives us reproductive autonomy, women are now entering higher education and the workforce in record numbers and, generally, we settle down later than ever before which can be explained, at least in part, by the fact that record numbers of young people live with their parents for longer because the cost of living, specifically housing, has risen dramatically beyond wages over the last decade or so. Within this socioeconomic context, egg freezing has become the zeitgeist because while adulthood may look different for young people, the fertility of both men and women still declines with age. This has led to some employers, particularly future-facing tech companies like Google, Facebook and Apple, offering their female employees the procedure as a ‘perk’. Pre-pandemic, you could even go to an ‘egg-freezing party’ at some clinics in the UK and the US.
According to Adam, the average cost of egg freezing is £3,500, with medication an extra £700-£2,000. In addition, there is a yearly cost of £125 and £350 for storage of the eggs (about £350-£500). Thawing eggs and transferring them to the womb costs an average of £2,500. In total, therefore, the whole process for egg freezing and thawing costs an average of £7,000-£9,000.
For women who can afford to pay — like Ali — or who stretch themselves to find the cash — like 36-year-old NHS nurse Ruth, who recently went through the process — harnessing medical technology to put some eggs on ice feels like a way of taking power back into their own hands. “It just feels like an expensive insurance policy,” she explains over the phone after a 12-hour shift. “I feel better now that it’s done although my overarching feeling is that I wish I had done it sooner because then maybe they would have been able to harvest more than five eggs.” Ruth was incredibly disappointed to only get five eggs in her harvest but can’t afford to have another go.
I regularly hear young women refer to egg freezing as ‘insurance’ but a panacea to our biology and gender-based economic inequality this is not. “The word insurance really is the wrong word,” Lisa explains, “because insurance policies pay out and you know the circumstances under which they’re going to pay out. I encourage people who are thinking about egg freezing to think about it in terms of giving yourself an opportunity. It’s not an insurance policy because the data shows that there is definitely no guarantee of success.” She adds that she is rigorous with any woman who comes to her while they are considering freezing their eggs and reinforces that it offers no guarantee of having a child.
Lisa then talks me through the data. There is an average 70–80% chance that frozen eggs survive the thawing process, the chance being higher when women are younger than age 35 compared to older. She notes that age is also a factor in the success rate should frozen eggs survive the thawing process. The chance of having a live birth from frozen eggs is directly related to how old a woman is when they are harvested. Excluding pregnancies arising from any additional embryos that have been created from the batch of eggs, at under 35 years old it is estimated to be 28%, at between 35 and 37 it is 23.5%, at between 38 and 39 it is 18%, at between 40 and 42 it is 11% and at between 43 and 44 it is 4%.
The total chance of a live birth from any batch of eggs also depends on both the number of eggs collected and the number of embryos created: that is called the cumulative live birth rate. So a woman under the age of 35 who has 10 eggs collected will have a 60–70% chance of a live birth as she may undergo more than one embryo transfer cycle. However, the same number of eggs in a woman aged over 35 will have a 30% chance of having a baby.
Another huge problem, Lisa notes, is the data itself. Published statistics often refer to eggs that were frozen years ago, before the freezing technology improved. Since then, many thousands of eggs have been frozen which are yet to be used and so published statistics aren’t available yet. “The way eggs are frozen can differ,” Lisa explains. “They used to be frozen through a process called slow freezing and now most clinics use vitrification. So, when data was collected and what sort of methods were used in egg freezing impacts its reliability.” HFEA has confirmed that it is going to review the data and look at how best to update it because the use of egg freezing is increasing and success rates are improving.
The average cost of egg freezing is £3,500, with medication an additional £700-£2,000.
The question women often ask themselves, their friends and medical professionals is what, if any, is the ideal age to freeze your eggs. Lisa notes that the younger you are, the better but adds that, of course, many women can’t afford to do this in their 20s and the younger you are, the higher your chances of meeting a partner and having a baby naturally. The UK also currently has a 10-year limit on frozen eggs so, for instance, if you went through this at 22, your eggs would only be available until you were 32. RCOG is calling for this limit to be extended to provide women with more choice but, right now, that is just how it is.
Surely, then, there are ethical questions to be asked about private clinics profiting from women’s biology. There is no official figure for how much this industry is worth in the UK but with women paying thousands of pounds for one cycle of treatment at a minimum, it’s fair to say that it’s a lucrative business.
Adam says: “While some specialists are suggesting that if a woman hasn’t had a baby by the age of 37 she should have her eggs frozen, this is a step too far and women need to be clear on the possible outcomes — as the technology doesn’t guarantee a baby and requires a woman to go through a cycle of IVF which is no small undertaking.”
Julia, a 33-year-old graphic designer, recently had reasonable success during her egg freezing harvest which, like Ali, she decided to embark upon one year after ending a significant long-term relationship. She paid £5,000 and they managed to get 10 eggs suitable for freezing. Yet she is all too aware of this double-edged sword. “I feel like this was less about paying for my fertility and more about paying for my peace of mind,” she explains. “I know that freezing your eggs is no guarantee that you will have a baby in the future but it does make me feel more confident. I think that’s something that all women should have access to: fertility MOT screenings on the NHS every year, like you would with a normal medical check-up. Women’s fertility is so mystified and so many women in their 20s and 30s have no idea until they start trying to conceive, by which point it might be too late. I feel empowered knowing what my situation is.”
Therein lies the rub. I don’t know about you but I rarely hear men say “I wasted years with…” after a break-up. Yet men’s fertility declines with age too. No matter how far we progress, women are still haunted by an invisible but inescapable so-called ticking biological clock which hangs over us like the sword of Damocles whenever we make a relationship or career decision. Men are implicated in this discussion too but somehow we’re generally the only ones having it. It can be no surprise that more than one person has spotted a business opportunity in that and that growing numbers of women who want to feel they have agency, autonomy and, above all, options, are prepared to pay if it makes them feel that they can buy themselves time.
Janet Lindsay, chief executive at women’s health research charity Wellbeing of Women, perhaps puts it best. “We support a woman’s decision to take control of her reproductive health and safeguard her fertility where possible, but it is important to recognise that ‘non-medical’ egg freezing is not the ‘insurance policy’ it is sometimes proclaimed to be. Social egg freezing must not be seen as society’s silver bullet for what is a natural decline in fertility over a woman’s lifespan.” | https://medium.com/refinery29/real-talk-should-you-actually-freeze-your-eggs-ee81d39024d9 | [] | 2020-11-23 12:57:27.712000+00:00 | ['Womens Health', 'Ivf', 'Women', 'Fertility', 'Parenting'] |
How Blissful Would It Be to Abandon Your Life Load? | “A part of me is scared to open my eyes because the very nature of waking up is to be aware, to be accountable, to be responsible for the healing of my life and take on the task of loving me until I feel full… But another part of me knows, in every inch and ounce of its being, that I am serving no one — not one single life — by staying asleep.” Sarah Blondin from Healing Through Letting Go
Someone commented to me that my life load seemed heavy. I hadn’t heard that expression before and I really liked it because it takes into account more than just a person’s seen productivity, it takes into account the unseen burdens of a life beyond the observable circumstances.
In this case I was talking to another parent about a huge organising role she had voluntarily taken on, expressing my admiration in light of mentally projecting myself into that role and shuddering at the thought; “I am often just trying to get through the days” I said honestly.
While my observable circumstances are pretty busy, it isn’t those in themselves that create the load, it is more about what is going on beneath the surface, within my mental, emotional and spiritual worlds. When things get out of balance life feels heavy.
Last week I got a really sharp insight into an emotional load I’ve been subconsciously carrying and how it has been affecting me. Basically I was at the local pool nearing the end of my swim, which I do a couple of times each week. I have been going to this pool for a few years and can probably count on one hand how often I have had to share a lane; if I do, we usually just split the lane (one on each side) so we can do our own thing and go at our own pace.
Anyway, this guy gets into my lane and — unlike most people — didn’t stop to say a courteous hello or confirm how we would use the lane; he just starts swimming up and down. Keeping to my side I changed to backstroke. The guy comes crashing into me, demanding “what you doing?” and decreeing that we should always keep to the left (the way a swim squad does when training).
That is necessary when there are more than two people in the lane but, as mentioned, in all the years I have been going to that pool it has been rare to share a lane with even one other person never mind more than two. It also means everyone has to be swimming at roughly the same speed or it quickly becomes an aquatic pile-up.
Now I would have been happy to have a collegial conversation about this, but the guy swam off and did not stop in all the time I waited at the end of the lane in the pool, he kept right on turning and swimming. Short of manhandling him, creating a deliberate crash or waiting until he came out the pool, I was left with no option but to get with his programme or end my swim.
Seeing as I had been nearing the end of my swim anyway and my friend (who was, by now, sharing her lane also) was relying on me to drop her back home, I basically left it at that. As we drove away I observed to my friend how shaken I felt after the encounter; I felt powerless, furious and close to tears.
After dropping her off, I drove across town to pick up some library books and, as I was alone on a country road, I let rip one guttural scream after another and tore that man to shreds (well, the virtual version of him in my head) for his arrogant and dictatorial behavior.
It did strike me as interesting timing when I had just been feeling so proud of myself lately for learning to speak my truth in a calm, assertive manner as I described in How to Stand in Your Truth and Be Heard Without a Fight.
I realized just how frustrating and — frankly — traumatizing it was to be in a situation where I felt powerless to try out my new prowess. I also held a deep sense of shock at being spoken to in this way by a stranger.
I noted as I screamed my way to the library, liberated in my traveling cocoon (though I may have traumatized half the wildlife as I sped past), that the feelings the situation had brought up were nothing more than a big fat reflection of the powerlessness I had felt as a child.
The part of me who had to do as I was told, regardless of what I thought or felt, was rebelling in a way that could have started an avalanche if I had been near any snow capped mountains. Another part of me observed in astonishment the sheer scale of negative energy pouring forth that I would ordinarily stuff down inside.
It was no surprise then, really, that in the next few days I had severe renal colic (the area of the body that processes anger and resentment) and my voice sounded like a teenage boy’s breaking as he hits puberty. Given the enormity of my reaction, I knew I’d hit upon something that had definitely been affecting the weight of my life load.
This led me to do the Completion Process when I next had some space to myself, so I could transmute this emotional trauma into something softer in order to avoid being thrown into the stratosphere in future. And of course I listened to the hypnotic sound of Sarah Blondin’s raw and soothing Healing Through Letting Go meditation, I highly recommend both.
I could also see the burden related to interactions with my partner and others over the years who have spoken to me in a derogatory, demeaning or dictatorial way. I had quickly learned that angry rebuffs were not helpful, but my system would be stuck in fight-fight mode none-the-less and I’d often be unable to get past it productively.
In addition to the stance I outlined in How to Stand in Your Truth and Be Heard Without a Fight, a couple of other Wendy Behary’s insights I’ve also found helpful are:
1. Transforming the voice of my stress response:
o Fight/counter-attack — I’m prone to fighting back when I feel attacked in some way, my inner voice says “I’ll show you”, Wendy suggests modifying this to “I have rights too” which I now use as a mental anchor
o Avoidance/flight — those who are prone to running away when things get difficult have an inner voice staying “See you later” which would be better modified to “I need a time-out”
o Surrender/freeze — those who become immobilised in interactions that feel threatening have an inner dialogue saying “You’re right, it’s my fault” would benefit from changing that to “I may not be perfect but it’s not all my fault”.
2. Having photos of my partner and I as children displayed in the house, because when times get tough in our interactions, they are a great reminder of the hurt children underneath whose responses are no doubt at play in whatever is going on.
Letting go of the life load is an ongoing process. As a parent it has been confronting in many ways as I wrote about in Let Anger Be Your Teacher While Learning to Become Its Master and When the Thing That Binds You is the Road to Freedom.
One of the things that has really made a difference in my life is having a felt sense of my spirituality, meaning a sense of connection to all living things and the laws of cause and effect. I know I don’t live in an isolated bubble whether I want to or not, all living things, including my mind, body, emotions and spirituality as connected.
Having already awoken to many of the aspects of myself that cause life to feel heavy, I do sometimes think it would be blissful to simply abandon my lifeload, but it’s more a case of surrendering to it as my teacher and guide I think.
If there was some quick way to retain all my wisdom and simply ditch all the unhelpful patterns then I might be tempted, but I’m guessing that would carry the dangers of a body that has been starved and is suddenly fed a rich diet, or conversely a body that has gone from snowman to supermodel overnight under a blade and suction. In themselves both would create major trauma, even death.
So I will stick to the gentler unfolding. In the wise and oh-so-soothing words of Sarah Blondin “There, inside of you, a wondrous part of you is calling you to step into the land of your great, unbounding potential, freedom and abundance. Any change or forgiveness you have experienced in your life was not just because someone else made you let go, it was because you chose to. The power is yours, the choice is yours.”
If you enjoyed reading this, you may enjoy Your Childhood Is Not Your Fault but It Will Be Your Limitation, Our Children Are Changing — We Need to Move with the Times, How to Stop Being Triggered by What Other People Think and Honour Your Story but Free Yourself of Its Shackles. To be the first to receive these posts, you can also opt to subscribe to my blog. | https://byrslf.co/how-blissful-would-it-be-to-abandon-your-life-load-4464cc813213 | ['Shona Keachie'] | 2021-05-11 00:02:05.056000+00:00 | ['Self Improvement', 'Personal Development', 'Personal Growth', 'Self', 'Beyourself'] |
El Polin Loop | The El Polin Loop in the Presidio has some of the best birdwatching in the bay. On Sundays there is a meditation group that meets at 10:00am right by there, and so I went and after the meditation I went birdwatching while hiking through the El Polin Loop, down past lovers lane, all the way to the Palace of Fine Arts and Crissy Fields. Along the way I saw a blue jay, two anna’s hummingbirds, a western grebe and a pie-billed grebe, a long billed curlew, a common tern, two large majestic swans, a snowy egret, a black-crowned night heron, and numerous common ducks.
Various birds have symbolisms behind them:
Blue jay symbolizes long-lasting friendships and relationships. They tend to have only one mate for life which symbolizes endurance, loyalty and patience. They also symbolize truthfulness, solidarity and faithfulness. Spiritually speaking, blue jay indicates clarity and vision. There was a movie I loved from my childhood called “The Bluebird of Happiness”, a Shirley Temple film shot in the 1940s, which tells the story of a girl who searches throughout time and space for happiness, only to find it in her own backyard, as personified through the Blue Bird she initially found in the first scene. Blue Jays are most often detected by their noisy calls. Near shorelines they migrate in loose flocks; you can recognize them by their steady flight, rounded wings, long tail, and white underside. | https://medium.com/@shoshana0/el-polin-loop-9e5094d4bce6 | ['Shoshana Ob'] | 2020-12-21 06:03:28.028000+00:00 | ['Pandemic Response', 'San Francisco', 'Birding', 'Presidio', 'Swans'] |
Pomodoro Technique To Overcome procrastination | Today we will talk about Procrastination and its solution. So what is procrastination means? In simple words it means delay our important work until it became a problem for us. I think everyone relates to this problem. In our daily life we set some goals and complete just few of them. Today we will discuss few steps that will help to complete every task with quality work and joy.
1- Select a task you want to complete 2- Set a timer for 25 minutes 3- Stay focused on your work 4- Take a 5 min break when timer beep 5- Restart the cycle 6- Take 20,25 min break after completing 4 cycles
Pomodoro Cycle
Its time to apply this technique. Great news, I already used that technique to complete my task. I was given by an assignment but I delayed and didn’t complete it. I was wasting my time on social media and games and just forgot about my assignment and so the deadline come and I was panic how to complete that assignment in the given time.
So I apply this technique. I set a timer for 25 min and just focused on that assignment. Although the assignment was lengthy but after apply this technique, I realized that i completed 70 percent of my assignment in just 1 hour and 20 min. I really enjoyed this technique. This technique help me complete my assignment in the short period.
I will definitely apply this technique in my daily life routine as this technique is very helpful and help me to complete my task. Hope you also apply this technique in your daily routine. | https://medium.com/@kazimrana66/pomodoro-technique-to-overcome-procrastination-9937c9cab4d6 | ['Kazim Abbas'] | 2021-01-03 12:07:19.774000+00:00 | ['Amalkindness', 'Amal Fellowship', 'Amal Totkay', 'Amal Academy'] |
The Canadian Video Game Industry: A 2020 Analysis | Photo by Joshua Hoehne on Unsplash
Introduction
The Canadian video game industry has been booming. In 2019 Nordicity commissioned a report titled The Canadian Video Game Industry 2019 that found there were 692 active video game companies in Canada. Of the 692 companies more than half about 55% had fewer than five people. The entire sector brought in approximately 3.6 billion in revenue in 2019 and 76% of revenues came from markets outside of Canada. The sector employed 48,000 full time employees in 2019 and the average age of the workforce is 31 years old. The makeup of women in the workforce sits at 19% and the industry overall contributed 4.5 billion in GDP contribution[1].
Each of the metrics mentioned have increased greatly from 2017 and showcase the raw growth and size of the industry. The Canadian video game sector represents a massive opportunity for Canada and to allow the sector to succeed there have been a variety of policy decisions taken. The world of game development and video games has been changing dramatically over the course of the past two decades from various technological and economic factors.
What has stopped game development from thriving in other markets outside North America and Japan are the lack of government supports for the industry and censorship rules. Canadian game development has succeeded in large part due to the federal and provincial governments providing strong incentives and the opportunities for growth in the sector. In this paper we will analyze important factors affecting the industry, key players, policy decisions taken and the future issues that need to be addressed. The main questions this paper focuses on is: what has been successful for the industry? And what will allow the Canadian video game sector to continue and succeed?
Analysis of Key Issues and Trends
Opportunities Analysis
Today, video game related content permeates YouTube’s trending page globally, and allows for widespread exposure in regional markets across the world. In fact, the popularity of gaming content on YouTube has grown exponentially and a significant portion of top subscribed channels on the platform are gaming related channels. The growth of e-sports, digital streaming with Twitch as well as the global uptick in playing games during the pandemic has led to massive growth for game communities and sales for the industry[2].
Many older gamers have fond memories of playing games in an arcade or purchasing game cartridge and CDs. Today, thanks to digital video game platforms such as Steam millions of people can download the most popular games. There has been increasing interest and development in other digital platforms as well such as Playstaiton Now, GeForce Now and Google Stadia. Physical games are still around, but the industry has accepted the digital first narrative and major game studios and developers have focused on providing a variety of options for how players can experience their content.
In Canada, resides a nation of gamers with diverse play styles for all segments of the population. 61% of the Canadian population plays video games and the split of gamers is 50% female and 50% male according to The NPD Group[3]. Matching the enthusiasm of playing games is the video game development that happens in the country. Canada is the third largest game developer in the world and has been behind the success of some of the best-selling international gaming franchises including Mass Effect and Assassins Creed.
Photo by Alex Carmichael on Unsplash
Threats Analysis
As traditional forms of media in Canada such as television were being hit hard with cord cutting as well as the growth of digital streamers it led to the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Legislative Review (BTLR). Broadcasting and telecommunications members wanted to zero in on the lack of oversight in the creative industries in Canada to help keep jobs in Canada. In February 2020 when the BLTR panel released their report in the description of audio-visual content there was the inclusion of interactive media[4]. This meant video games may potentially fall under the broadcast regulatory framework.
Furthermore, in Canada video games are played in an equal split of 50% each between both men and women, but the makeup of the video game industry in Canada does not reflect that reality. Currently, in the industry only 19% of the direct workforce are women, which showcases that the industry has a long way to go to be reflective of the community it represents. In a similar area to gender representation is the need for more diverse BIPOC representation in the industry. Major gaming studios need to step up alongside the rest of the media and cultural sector with diversity of their workforce. With the growth of the industry has also come copyright and privacy issues. Many small game studios are not well versed with protecting their intellectual property and many large studios deal with “crunch” related problems. In addition, within the video game community globally there have been many a disturbing rise in cases of privacy breeches, safety concerns and hate speech[5].
Industry Firsts: Canadian Game Awards and Canadian Screen Awards
2020 represented an important year for the growth of the industry in number of players and policy decisions but also from the recognition it received in Canada. This is important to mention because it showcases that from now onwards mainstream video games are officially recognized in Canada as cultural media that is embedded into Canadian social and cultural fabric.
Photo by Sung Jin Cho on Unsplash
In April 2020, the first annual Canadian Game Awards (CGA) produced by Northern Arena was set to take place to celebrate Canada’s video game industry at TIFF Bell. However, due to COVID-19 it was cancelled and was done through digital stream in September 2020. The award show was set to be broadcast on major channels such as Amazon Prime, Bell, Rogers, Shaw and Telus showcasing the mass appeal and potential the industry has to be something like a Juno Awards. The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television each year in March produces the Canadian Screen Awards which was also delayed and later done virtually in May 2020. Watching the stream revealed that there was the inclusion for the first time of Best Video Game Narrative[6].
Video Game Policy in Canada — Federal and Provincial
Federal Initiatives
In February 2020 when the BLTR panel released their report there was the inclusion of interactive media which could have led to video games being put under the broadcast regulatory framework. The Entertainment Software Association of Canada (ESAC) was able to work with the Minister of Heritage’s office to ensure that video games specifically be excluded from any legislation. The purpose of the review and subsequent legislation to follow is to provide better jobs for Canadian creators and that mandate is being achieved and exceeded by game studios compared to other traditional forms of media. Had video games been included there could have been major ramifications for foreign owned studios that could have led to a shakeup in the industry. ESAC has been advocating for less oversight as they understand the importance of not placing content requirements and restrictions that have failed in other countries. The gaming industry has thrived in Canada because of the lack of restrictions and traditionally has focused on making games that can sell worldwide as more than 76% of revenues come from international markets.
Members of the industry such as ESAC also successfully lobbied so video games were defined as a technology product and not a cultural product in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement[7]. The federal government also introduced the Global Talent Stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, that has made the application process for international talent joining Canadian companies easier[8]. 2015 data from ESAC showed that 13% of the Canadian video game industry’s workforce had foreign workers who are essential to the industry for niche skill sets.
Ontario Provincial Policy
In 2019, Ontario provided an important policy change for small to mid-size game development studios. Prior, to the new policy studios in Ontario could apply for funding only after completing a game project and spending at least $1 million in each fiscal year for labour related costs. If they were able to meet those requirements they could qualify for the province’s credit. However, understanding the changing nature of the industry and the increasing average development time for game projects the Ontario government set out new rules[9]. Applying for the Ontario Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit was changed so applicants would not need to be done a project and could also apply annually during the project. In addition, the qualifying cost of $1 million for labour costs was reduced to $500,000 per year allowing smaller studios the opportunity to qualify.
Game studios had previously been vocal in Ontario about the complex process to apply, but the new system has listened to those concerns and made it easier to qualify and complete the application. For some studios, the credit from the provincial government can cover a significant portion of their total labour costs for game production. This can allow gaming studios who are looking to grow quickly hire the necessary talent and make a quality game product.
The Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC) has been a big support for studios as well with grant funding from the Interactive Digital Media (IDM) fund. Through the IDM Fund there are four streams offered including a stream for production and conception definition[10]. 50% of eligible project expenses to a maximum of $50,000 are available for concept definition projects and $250,000 for digital media production project. On a policy front previously, Ontario Creates was having difficulties with too many irrelevant companies accessing the tax credit. As a result, Ontario Creates switched to a funding model and included more specific eligibility criteria and qualifying expenses for more oversight. Between 2018–2019 it was reported Ontario Creates invested a total of 8.9 million in 149 IDM projects across the four different streams[11]. Funding for the companies included areas such as early-stage development, market-ready content development as well as global market development.
Ontario has also set itself up well with strong domestic talent with established engineering and game production related programs in Ontario colleges and universities. For example, in animation Sheridan is one of the best in the world and has churned out many skilled animators through their program who have even gone on to work with Disney and Pixar[12].
Federal Incentive Programs
Photo by Jason Hafso on Unsplash
From the Creative Canada Report from 2017 the Canada Media Fund was given specific directive to increase funding for innovative and digital media content such as video games. As a result, the CMF specifically opened streams and programs that make it easier for video game studios and independent developers to apply[13]. These streams give an opportunity to test concepts quickly and are helping accelerate the growth of innovation in the sector.
The Federal government also has the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) and Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax Incentive Program (SR&ED) that can also be applicable to game studios. IRAP and SR&ED can provide innovative game studios with between $50,000 to $500,000 each year to help with supplementing development costs if they meet the specific criteria. Beyond those two programs game studios have also found an ally with Canadian banks such as the Busines Development Bank of Canada (BDC) which has shown strong support for Canadian video game studios. The past few years within BDC’s venture capital portfolio, Execution Labs, a hybrid game incubator has invested through fund investments in independent game studios or directly into game IP[14].
Future Issues and Policy Considerations
There are four key areas that will affect the immediate future of the industry that need to be zeroed in on. Those are privacy and safety concerns, reflecting diversity, work conditions for employees as well as intellectual property challenges for game studios.
Privacy and Safety Concerns
For privacy and safety concerns the next steps for game studios are to become familiar with the newly rolled out Digital Charter in Canada from the Digital Charter Implementation Act announced by the Minister of Innovation. The charter has ten commitments including safety and security and free from hate and violent extremism[15]. Game studios in the coming months will need to reflect deeply on their policies to protect the privacy of game users and the data they collect. Especially for multiplayer games this is especially important, as there have been increasing reports in large multiplayer games of safety and security concerns as well as hate speech appearing in games. These issues have hurt the global industry and it is important for Canadian game studios to work internally for mechanisms to combat these concerns and match the principles of the Digital Charter.
Photo by Alex Haney on Unsplash
Gender Diversity and BIPOC
Furthermore, the industry needs to contend with the reality that only 19% of the overall workforce in 2019 consisted of women. There was a slight improvement from 2017 when the overall percentage was 16% but much more is needed to be done. The disparity is largest in British Columbia’s workforce which had 14% of women representation and Ontario had the highest at 26% out of the provinces[16]. In addition, it is important to note large and very large game studios employ the smaller overall percentage of women when compared to small and medium sized game studios. As a result, two areas of improvement on a policy perspective is for the province of British Columbia to learn from Ontario and play catchup. In addition, large and very large game studios need to work specifically to address this gap in their corporate hiring practices. Potentially, options to consider are having funding tied to specific representation goals such as having female executives or founders in game studios.
In the same vein of gender representation, the need for more diverse BIPOC representation is also important. Major gaming studios need to step up and learn from the polices set recently within the media and cultural sector with diversity of the workforce being a priority such as with Bell Canada’s recent commitments. The Canada Media Fund this year showed a potential model for tying specific funding requirements to specific BIPOC goals that can also be modeled[17]. The industry is showing positive steps forward already for example, Ubisoft recently started a BIPOC online series that features diverse voices and profiles at the company[18]. This is a step in the right direction for the organization and the diversity polices for major gaming studios need to continue to reflect the people that play and use their products.
Crunch Time
There have been recent reports of employees in Canadian game studios having to work extremely long hours specifically during “crunch time” when project deadlines are approaching. In some cases, game design jobs can be 14–16-hour long workdays and large Canadian game studios such as Bioware are taking notice of the burnout that can occur and are taking steps to mitigate this issue. Chapters of Game Workers Unite that support a union for the industry are growing traction in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver[19].
Copyright
In March 2017, the Canadian Federal Court ruled against Go Cyber Shopping Ltd, the video game copier and seller for downloading copyrighted content from Nintendo of America Inc as being illegal under Canada’s 2012 Copyright Modernization Act[20]. This was a precedent setting case and sent a signal to the industry of the robust protection for intellectual property for video games. In fact, all elements of a video game are entitled to distinct copyright protection including the source code, story, music, voice acting, character design and level design. Problems however arise for small and medium sized game studios who do not understand the intricacies of IP and licensing for their games. The important steps for all studios need to take are creating IP assignment agreements to ensure they assign the game IP to the studio specifically, so it has the legal ability to own and sell the game. In addition, when studios work with independent contractors their agreements must specify that the studio owns all the contractor’s work. It is important that lawyers assist with drafting contracts and reviewing publishing agreements. There have been cases such as in the Superior Court of Québec case in 2015 where an artist who contributed visual content for a video game, was awarded $10,000 in compensation for the work since they still owned that copyright[21]. Potential policy considerations for this issue are public private partnerships that can work to provide resources and legal mentorship for smaller game studios. Already Ubisoft and Microsoft in Canada have started initiatives to help provide mentorship to independent game studios and including legal to the package is the right step for the industry.
Conclusion
The Canadian video game sector is primed for explosive growth in the next decade and continues to be a global force in the video game sector. The federal government of Canada as well as the provincial government of Ontario have set up enticing and helpful incentives for both small and large game studios. For the industry to reach even greater heights it needs to iron out these four important policy issues through a combination of internal reflection, support from others in the industry and government policy.
References
[1] ESAC. (2020). Entertainment Software Association of Canada Annual Report 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020, from https://theesa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/ESAC-Annual-Report-2020.pdf
[2] CRTC (2016, October 06). The online video gaming industry in Canada: What are the trends? Retrieved December 17, 2020, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-ZKYWXUbw0
[3] NPD Group. (2020). Real Canadian Gamer Essential Facts 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020, from https://theesa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/RCGEF_en.pdf
[4][4] Sector, S. (2020, January 29). Canada’s communications future: Time to act. Retrieved December 17, 2020, from https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/110.nsf/eng/00012.html
[5] Mintel. (2019, March 14). Canada is a nation of video game lovers — despite worries of addiction and online insults. Retrieved December 16, 2020, from https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/canada-is-a-nation-of-video-game-lovers-despite-worries-of-addiction-and-online-insults-827292822.html
[6] ESAC. (2020). Entertainment Software Association of Canada Annual Report 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020, from https://theesa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/ESAC-Annual-Report-2020.pdf
[7] ESAC. (2019, November 15). Video Game Development Industry Contributes $4.5B to Canada’s Economy. Retrieved December 17, 2020, from https://theesa.ca/2019/11/15/video-games-contribute-to-canadas-economy/
[8] Canada, E. (2017, June 12). Government of Canada. Retrieved December 17, 2020, from https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/campaigns/global-skills-strategy.html
[9] Whan, C. (2019, May 29). Ontario government easing access to tax credits for video game developers. Retrieved December 17, 2020, from https://globalnews.ca/news/5326157/ontario-government-tax-credits-video-game-developers/
[10] Ontario Creates. (2020). Interactive Digital Media Fund. Retrieved December 17, 2020, from https://ontariocreates.ca/investment-programs/content-creation/idm-fund
[11] Ontario Creates (2019). Ontario Creates Annual Report 2018 | 2019. Retrieved December 16, 2020, from https://ontariocreates.ca/uploads/About-Us/Eng/Annual-Report/Annual-Report-2018-19_en.pdf
[12] Sheridan. (2019, May 14). Sheridan College ranks as number one animation school in the world. Retrieved December 17, 2020, from https://www.sheridancollege.ca/news-and-events/news/sheridan-college-ranks-as-number-one-animation-school-in-the-world
[13] Heritage, C. (2017, October 19). Government of Canada. Retrieved December 16, 2020, from https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/creative-canada/framework.html
[14] Execution Labs. (2020). Retrieved December 17, 2020, from https://www.bdc.ca/en/bdc-capital/venture-capital/portfolio/execution-labs
[15] Canada, G. (2020, November 23). Canada’s Digital Charter: Trust in a digital world. Retrieved December 17, 2020, from https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/062.nsf/eng/h_00108.html
[16] Nordicity. (2019, November). The Canadian Video Game Industry. Retrieved December 16, 2020, from https://theesa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/CanadianVideoGameSector2019_EN.pdf
[17] Willhelm, K. (2020, October 20). CMF Strategy [Interview by A. Sidhu]. Phone Call.
[18] Ubisoft. (2020, November 13). BIPOC of Ubisoft — Nikhil Ramburrun. Retrieved December 17, 2020, from https://news.ubisoft.com/en-us/article/20h6m7jIjrAe8se388SDSB/bipoc-of-ubisoft-nikhil-ramburrun
[19] CBCTheNational. (2019, April 26). Canadian video game creators face gruelling ‘crunch’ hours. Retrieved December 17, 2020, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-pQUocvE4Y
[20] Practical Law Canada Commercial Transactions. (2017, March 20). Federal Court Awards Nintendo $12.7 Million in First Technological Protection Measures Case Under the Copyright Act. Retrieved December 17, 2020, from https://ca.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/w-006-8435?transitionType=Default
[21] Abramovitch, S. (2018, August 28). Rules Of The Game (Part 1): Copyright Protection Of Video Games In Canada — Intellectual Property — Canada. Retrieved December 17, 2020, from https://www.mondaq.com/canada/copyright/730946/rules-of-the-game-part-1-copyright-protection-of-video-games-in-canada | https://medium.com/@akashskysidhu/the-canadian-video-game-industry-a-2020-analysis-99aeebde5e2 | ['Akash Sidhu'] | 2021-01-08 19:47:03.784000+00:00 | ['Government', 'Technology', 'Videogames', 'Culture', 'Policy'] |
Wait Before Applying for PPP Forgiveness | Unlike your Christmas shopping, you don’t need to rush your PPP Forgiveness Application.
The PPP Forgiveness Application is riddled with uncertainties that most applicants just want to get it over with, despite the fact that they are given the opportunity to fully utilize a deadline. Generally, the borrower is given on or before the maturity of the loan to apply for forgiveness, which is in 2 or 5 years’ time. However, if you have fully spent your loan, you can choose to apply for forgiveness right away.
Most borrowers will think settling the loan right away will be the best strategy because nobody likes a cloud hanging on their heads. Don’t we all just want to wipe the slate of our credit, clean? Well, you should think again. In this article, we will discuss the factors you should consider when planning for your forgiveness application. In this case, patience makes you more than virtuous, it could create financial benefits for you and your business.
The multitude of changes regarding SBA Forms
Since the release of the first SBA Form, Form 3508, there have been numerous changes, updates, and clarifications about it. Since then, Form 3508EZ and Form 3508S have been released, targeted to specific borrowers.
Anecdotally, changes cause more confusion. You could be one of the few who are thinking that you have missed your chance to apply for your PPP Loan Forgiveness because of the date written on the upper right corner of the loan forgiveness application forms (3508, 3508EZ, and 3508S). The SBA has clarified that the deadline was not October 31, 2020, as found in the upper right corner. The SBA explains that borrowers may submit a loan forgiveness application any time before the maturity date of the loan, as stated in Q&A №4 in the General Loan Forgiveness FAQs section.
But it will be advisable for the borrower to remember that loan payments are deferred only until 10 months after the last day of each borrower’s loan forgiveness covered period. If the borrower does not apply for forgiveness within 10 months after the last day of the covered period, the payment of the loan is no longer deferred and the borrower should start paying the principal interest. For example, a borrower with a covered period that ends Oct. 30, 2020, has until Aug. 30, 2021 (10 months) to apply for forgiveness before loan repayment begins.
The SBA explains that the expiration date in the upper-right corner of the PPP loan forgiveness application forms is only there to comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act. The date represents the temporary expiration date for the approved use of the forms, the SBA said, adding that once a new expiration date is approved, it will be posted on the forms.
Time is your friend
Extended Time
In the beginning, provisions set the covered period at 8 weeks, which meant you had 8 weeks to spend the loan for qualified expenses in order to be eligible for forgiveness. Recent amendments extended it to 24 weeks. This amendment from the PPP Flexibility Act meant the business owner has more time to exhaust the loan towards eligible expenses.
Seeing that the end of COVID-19 is nowhere near in sight, new amendments and laws could be well underway to change this covered period yet again. With all these updates, waiting for clearer instructions isn’t so bad. Just remember, you have until 10 months after the end of your loan’s covered period to apply for forgiveness before you need to start repaying the loan.
Evolving Guidance
There is a possibility that some guidelines are interpreted differently by different bodies. For example, consider the plain language of the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act (PPPFA) the SBA interpreted differently in a later Interim Final Rule. Section 3(b)(8) of the PPPFA expressly provides that unless 60% or more of the loan proceeds are used for payroll, no forgiveness will be allowed.
However, the SBA later stated that the better interpretation of the provision is that the 60% number is to be applied on a proportional basis instead of a cliff, thus allowing borrowers to seek forgiveness even though less than 60% of the loan proceeds were used for payroll costs. Even though the words were plain enough, their interpretation may change due to the guidelines provided by SBA.
More Guidance
For the past months, there has been a lot of gray areas regarding the requirements, as a result, there has been a steady flow of guidance released.
· On August 4 and 11, 2020, the SBA posted 11 pages of guidance — the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on PPP Loan Forgiveness and updated the Interim Final Rule on Appeals of SBA Loan Review Decisions under the PPP,
· On August 24, 2020, it posted the Interim Final Rule on Treatment of Owners and Forgiveness of Certain Nonpayroll Costs
· On October 8, 2020, it posted Interim Final Rule on Additional Revisions to Loan Forgiveness and Loan Review Procedures Interim Rules;
· December 9, 2020, another FAQ was posted.
Just because 2020 is ending, doesn’t mean that these guidelines will stop anytime soon. We advise you to expect more and be vigilant in following any new developments.
Deductibility
On April 30, 2020, the IRS issued Notice 2020–32 finalizing once and for all that expenses covered by PPP Loans can’t be a deductible expense and the income associated with the forgiveness is excluded from gross income
On November 18, 2020, the IRS provided additional guidance in the form of a Revenue Ruling and Revenue Procedure. That additional guidance essentially provides (1) PPP loan borrowers may not deduct certain expenses if they have applied for forgiveness or could reasonably have been expected to apply for forgiveness by year-end, and (2) in the event the taxpayer is denied forgiveness or irrevocably decides not to seek forgiveness, the taxpayer will be permitted to claim those deductions in either the taxpayer’s 2020 or a future tax return.
The non-deductibility of expenses from the PPP loan could cause some interesting consequences in your finances. In another article, we talked about how it could cause you to pay more taxes. The borrower is then advised to evaluate whether or not by taking this loan he could be paying more taxes. Further, the taxpayer should keep intricate documentation in order to back-up his qualified expenses. This way tax preparation at year-end will be easier.
Many legislations have been attempted to be passed in order to change the non-deductibility of the expenses from the loan. But none have been approved. However, there are proposed bills in Congress to change this fact, and waiting before filing that forgiveness application could be the reason why you qualify to make these expenses deductible.
Take time to gather your documents and double-check calculations
The extended period also allows you to make sure you thoroughly prepare the documentation needed for the review during the forgiveness application with the SBA. You can’t make the excuse that the documents are retained. Remember that the SBA has the right to request any documents that they would need for their review, even retained ones.
Delayed documents make for delayed or even denied applications. Nobody wants that.
Wrapping up the PPP Forgiveness Updates for 2020
This year has been nothing but predictable. It has been full of startling revelations in every turn and the PPP Loan is not an exception. Of course, these challenges are to be expected in dealing with the unknown. Perhaps, it is for this reason that we advise you to maximize the use of the time given to you by the SBA. Holding out until the last minute allows you to wait for better guidelines and permit you to use the money for other projects or save it to bolster your cash flow.
For more updates, follow us here to get more advice on the PPP loan forgiveness. www.mehannacpas.com/blog or email us at [email protected] | https://medium.com/@mehannaadvisors/wait-before-applying-for-ppp-forgiveness-192b409a915c | ['Bilal Mehanna Mst Cpa'] | 2020-12-18 23:09:27.758000+00:00 | ['Taxes', 'Small Business', 'Ecommerce', 'Entrepreneur', 'Cares Act'] |
The Inevitability of a Gender Transition | The Inevitability of a Gender Transition
Fear necessitates Change
Physical changes tend to be the first thing anyone thinks of when they know someone is going through a transition. In that regard, I haven’t thought about my transition any differently than anyone else. Over these past 2 years I’ve sought to change much of my physical presentation in order to fit into society as the person I identify as. While I don’t necessarily care if I “pass,” I’m more focused on looking in the mirror at my naked body and seeing a shape that reflects my innate sense of self.
Some people will lambast Trans people with the notion that changing the packaging doesn’t change the product. It’s extremely insulting, but in retrospect, it’s a true statement. The product that is Kira has actually always been in here, and changing my external presentation will not change who I am, but rather how confident I am in presenting as the being I’ve always felt myself to be. Society at large doesn’t see this as anything other than an ploy to cover up something that they believe is immutable. This is the point where we get accused of being fake — no better than your average con-artist.
I have no doubt that there have probably been a handful of remarkable con-artists throughout history who have gone to great lengths to change their outer presentation for the sake of perpetuating their deception. Unfortunately, the depth and gallantry that the trans community has undertaken is the very antithesis of such con-artists. Where the con-artist endeavours to make someone believe a falsehood about themselves, the Trans individual seeks to destroy a falsehood that was forced upon them since birth. Their “con” was one that everyone in their life told them they had no choice but to maintain; a curtain pulled over their identity and self-perception that clouded every decision they’ve ever made - which sport to play, who to fall in love with, which bathroom to use, and what color to paint their house.
Ultimately the greatest con was the one that society convinced us to participate in. No doubt this was executed by mostly well-meaning people who were clueless to the timult one can have when confronting their own gender identity; as we know most people will never experience this struggle.
But what happens when we do?
I remember in the weeks before I came out to my wife, I was overcome by fear, but none more significant than what would happen to me if she rejected Kira. I know she could sense an intense depression; having recently given me an ultimatum regarding my alcoholism, I’m sure she thought the two issues were directly linked. In reality, over the preceding years I had moved into some of the most masculine (and labor-intensive) work a person can do - it pushed me further from anything even remotely feminine and reinforced a self-destructive tendency which materialized through excessive drinking. What she took as straightforward decline into alcoholism fueled by life’s general malaise was actually compensation for the hyper-masculine caricature I was made to play every day of my life.
What happened next was inevitable. For a few weeks prior to coming out, I had been behaving a little different, it’s because I knew what I had to do, but I was extremely clueless how to go about it. As the story goes, on the evening of August 27th 2016 I decided it was time to speak my truth. I was terrified that I would be kicked out. But by this point the intolerability of my own existence had reached an apogee that I could no longer push against. My wife didn’t tell me to leave, which was about as surprising to me as being told your spouse is Transgender. I guess we both shocked each other that evening.
After that day, it was as though a massive weight had been lifted. But while I aimed to transition quickly, my wife would have rather I’d taken a more moderate or leisurely route to becoming Kira. Unfortunately, after carrying this burden for more than 30 years, I was like a dog off it’s chain. I chased transition with as much fervor as possible, but still governed by the WPATH Standards of Care.
Now, 27 months after I started, I’ve done it all, or at least all that I deemed necessary for my own emotional wellbeing. While I had certain expectations of happiness throughout my transition, I have come to learn that those expectations are just as much a delusion of happiness that we often associate with the pursuit of something material. Transition itself is not a gateway to happiness, especially if it leads to familial gatekeeping, job loss, homelessness, or dozens other other negatives that clandestinely work against your becoming. But happiness is found in no longer living a lie; no longer living a life that was predetermined on the day of your birth by a random physician who made an observation of your genitals. To be free of the caveats that were forced upon you based upon your perceived gender, and all the “norms” that come with it, that is a source of happiness. It’s less about the transition and more about finally being able to live in a manner that feels organic; it’s finally feeling comfortable in our skin, finally being able to breathe.
While my transition may have seemed to have been executed at an expeditious pace, I feel that pace was dictated by the half wasted life that lay behind me. My mind now shifts to the younger generation and how they needn’t really rush.
Children who have accepting parents can simply begin living their truth prior to puberty without any medical intervention beyond counseling. The androgenousness of youth is a marvelous opportunity to actually find comfort in one’s gender long before a natal puberty has a opportunity to create dysphoria inducing changes that are irreversible at worst, and will require surgery at best.
For me, this is one of those things where the anti-transition crowd is often ignorant. They love to make wild proclamations about children being rendered sterile, or perpetuate the falsehood that they’re actually performing surgery on children. They completely don’t understand the process, and make no effort to do so.
While I was always destined to need (at least) a bottom surgery to feel comfort in my skin, the onset of my natal puberty has created more pain and emotional suffering than anything. Fixing this so late in life has required several surgeries, and depending on how hormones ultimately influence my body over the next few years, I may seek more. Knowing this, it becomes increasingly bothersome when there are intentionally incompetent individuals who think that their belief about gender should abrogate another’s agency over their own body.
Maybe this piece has gone off course, or maybe this is spot on.
I lived my life in fear of making this very necessary change, but it was inevitable. I wasted 39 years swimming against a riptide, and as such, I was destined to drown. If transition is inevitable, then why risk self-destruction? Push against your fears, accept your truth, and become the person you know you are. The sooner the better; don’t be like me, otherwise you’ll be looking in your rearview mirror and seething over the loss of something you can never get back — time. | https://medium.com/the-transition-transmission/the-inevitability-of-a-gender-transition-50129e00f021 | ['Kira Wertz'] | 2018-12-05 06:39:13.641000+00:00 | ['Transitioning', 'Transgender', 'LGBTQ', 'Self Improvement', 'Life'] |
I have a newsletter. | It’s called CABBAGES.
It’s about hip-hop.
You can read it here. | https://medium.com/@imgarysuarez/i-have-a-newsletter-bc3901f6665c | ['Gary Suarez'] | 2020-12-20 18:23:40.463000+00:00 | ['Music Criticism', 'Rap Music', 'Music Journalism', 'Rap', 'Hip Hop'] |
Financial Nagasaki — Interest Rates, Overvaluation,The Corporate Debt Crisis and Why We Might Be On The Brink of the next financial crisis | I wrote this report in the infancy of my journey into macroeconomics. It was written on the 16th of April 2018 and is in essence my basic understanding of the current macroeconomic environment. I created this report as content for the Traders Club at my university which is majority at a novice level (as am i ). As a result this report does contain a lot of explanations of basic concepts
Financial Nagasaki
Interest Rates, Overvaluation,The Corporate Debt Crisis and Why We Might Be On The Brink of the next financial crisis
What Are Interest Rates And Why Are They Important?
Interest rates are possibly THE most important factor affecting the market and arguably, global macroeconomics as a whole. Interest rates not only affect equities but also, every other asset. To understand why interest rates are so important we have to understand what interest rates are.
An interest rate is the cost of borrowing money. It is essentially the cost of capital. When we change the cost of capital, we alter the assets priced off of that cost of capital. The main asset we are focused on (being traders) would obviously be equities. We will address the matter of asset (mis)pricing later but for now it’s important we keep this assumption in mind: When we screw with the cost of capital, we screw with the assets priced off of the cost of capital.
The FED Rate
When we speak about interest rates from an equities perspective, for all intensive purposes, we are referring to the FED rate. When we say interest rates have been hiked (raised) or lowered, this is the rate we are referring to. The definition of the federal funds rate is as follows:
“The Federal Funds Rate is the interest rate which banks charge one another for 1 day (overnight) lending. This American base rate is set by the market and is not explicitly laid down by the FED. By withdrawing or adding funds to the money supply, the FED tries to bring the effective federal funds rate into line with the interest rate that it is striving for. If the FED’s monetary policy alters the base rate, that usually affects the interest rate on various products such as mortgages, loans and savings”
-http://www.global-rates.com/interest-rates/central-banks/central-bank-america/fed-interest-rate.aspx
From this we can gather two things:
1. The FED rate affects every other interest rate.
2. The FED rate can and is manipulated by the fed. As many know from their introductory macroeconomics course, there are two interest rate environments.
Low interest rates = Interest rates are lowered to stimulate economic growth. The lowering of interest rates is called expansionary policy. The main reason why lower interest rates stimulate economic growth is because the cost of borrowing is now cheaper — as a result spending and consumption increases. High interest rates = Interest rates are raised to cool off an overheating economy. Everything we have said thus far about low interest rates, is exactly the same but in the inverse applies for high interest rates
The global economy has historically been in a period of prolonged low interest rates for years. Interest rates were lowered and kept low. The side effects of this which we now witness is another potential global financial crisis. There’s a kind of beautiful irony in the fact that what we have done to recover from a financial crisis could very well be the cause for the next financial crisis.
Why Have Rates Been Kept So Low For So Long?
Now that we know what the FED rate is, let’s have a look at this graph:
There has been an obvious very strong downtrend in interest rates since 1980. Since about 2006, we witnessed what would be the start of a prolonged period of dramatically low interest rates and after 2008, we witnessed interest rates nearing and equal to 0%. Up until very very recently (at about the start of 2015) interest rates started rising from their seemingly infinite slumber. Since then, interest rates have been going nowhere but upward. This is a very important fact to remember for the remainder of this report: We are in a period of increasing rates after a prolonged period of interest rates near 0%
Now onto why rates were lowered to 0%. Most of us are aware of the global financial crisis of 2008 that it was as a result of the housing bubble bursting. It was the worst financial crisis we have seen. The “too big too fail” banks would have been as good as dead if they weren’t bailed out. This left the economy in a terrible place and drastic measures were put in place to save the economy. This is what lead to the FED’s Zero Interest Rate Policy (ZIRP).
ZIRP was a mechanism for boosting economic growth under basic Keynesian monetary theory. This extract from Investopedia (https://www.investopedia.com/articles/markets/060816/us-interest-rates-why-rates-have-been-low-long-time-gs-jpm.asp) explains the underlying assumptions very well:
“This is classic Keynesian monetary theory: discourage savers by lowering rates, forcing them to spend, encourage spenders to spend even more through cheap borrowing costs and drive investments from safer assets, such as Treasurys and certificates of deposit (CDs), into riskier equities or junk bonds” (This last part is one of the most important assumptions for the rest of the report).
The above chart is a beautiful illustration of the ZIRP era. During the ZIRP era, interest rates were kept between 0 and 0.025. This lasted seven years, between 2008 and 2015. During this period, companies took on boatloads of cheap debt, consumption and economic growth skyrocketed and the stock market enjoyed (and is still currently enjoying) one of the greatest bull markets of all time. What is also important to realise from this graph is that since 2016, the FED rate has been rising. This plays a major part in the rest of our story
The Mispricing of Equities Under ZIRP
When we screw with the cost of capital, we screw with the assets priced off of the cost of capital. To understand this, we have to understand exactly what equities are “priced off of” and what it means. This brings us to the concept of the Risk Free Rate.
“The risk-free rate represents the interest an investor would expect from an absolutely risk-free investment over a specified period of time.”
-https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/risk-freerate.asp
What better asset to suit this definition than the US 10 year Treasury Bill?
The US 10 year Treasury Bill is a bond backed by the US government. It is one of the most frequently traded and analysed bond on the marketplace and acts like a kind of benchmark for yeil You are guaranteed to receive your initial investment at expiry plus interest. “This sounds like a dream investment to anyone, no risk and guaranteed return, why doesn’t every investor — personal and institutional — just buy 10 year T-Bills and hold them till maturity?” is probably what you’re thinking. This is because the return on this investment — the yield on these bonds — has been pathetic to say the least. To be specific, yield on a 10 year T-Bill is currently 2.79%. Yield has been too low for too long as we can see from this graph.
This has also caused investors to seek out yield in the riskiest of places — Junk bonds. Junk bonds have been extremely popular in recent years due to them being the only place where bond investors can seek out high yield.
When investors can’t get return from their yields (which they obviously haven’t been getting for the past few years) they turn to other sources of return. Mainly the stock market. Historically, equities have returned vastly higher amounts than yield. Now as opposed to the risk free profile of bonds, equities are one of the riskiest assets out there. An investor has to go through the effort of reading yearly reports and analysing balance sheets and even then, your chosen stock(s) can go to 0. Why do they do this exactly? To give you an idea why, the S&P 500 has returned roughly 200% since 2009 — a 10 year period. Very simply, yield has been too low for too long, investors have turned to equities for years , buying more equities and ever increasing the price of these equities, resulting in this 200% return you now see.
To understand why equities are intrinsically mispriced however, we have to understand the difference between bond yield and bond prices. There are two key important factors here:
Bond Yields are tied to the macroeconomic environment and inflation — Under a shaky macroeconomic environment, bond yields are low. This has been the case for years until very recently. We can think of our friend, the housing bubble: we think of that funny little thing we call the “Asian Contagion”. The macroeconomic environment has been far from stable and this is one of the main causes for prolonged low yield. There are other reasons why bond yields have been so low and this is a great resource to read about why:
https://www.ft.com/content/2b3c6398-7f3f-11e6-8e50-8ec15fb462f4
These other reasons are: Quantitative easing and demographics. These will not be discussed in detail. The most important assumption to take note of is this: bond yields have been depressed for years. To paraphrase from the article,
“The steady downward trend in US Treasury yields is one of the most lasting and reliable phenomena in finance; scarcely anyone trading bonds today can remember a time when yields were not trending downwards”
2. Yield has an inverse correlation with bond price -
This is a universal law of finance. Yield and price are inversely correlated. When bond price increases, bond yield decreases. If we put two and two together, years of extremely low yields must mean years of increased bond prices. And that is exactly what has happened — we have displayed years of a vicious Bond Bull market. The price of bonds have been rising as the price of yields have been falling.
The mispricing of equities lies in this combination of depressed low yield and high bond price. We know that yield are very low and bond prices are very high. Coming back to our earlier assumption, a bond is in essence a risk-free rate of return. The main alternate source of return — stocks — are hence priced off of bonds and if bonds are expensive, stocks are going to be even more expensive because of their risk profile as stocks represent the opportunity cost of the risk-free rate. This in very simple terms paints a broad picture of the mispricing of equities as a result of low yield and high bond prices. This has resulted in a massive bull stock market, one that some are calling the biggest stock market bubble of all time.
The Stock Market Bubble Caused By The ZIRP
To reference an earlier part of this report, “… drive investments from safer assets, such as Treasurys and certificates of deposit (CDs), into riskier equities or junk bonds”.
What we now know is that yield-starved investors have left bonds in a large exodus and flowed into equities in large quantities as a result of low interest rates. This has caused a magnificent bull market in recent years.
This is a perfect illustration of the bull market. Above is a 16 year chart of SPY. SPY is a very important equity. It is an ETF. One of the most frequently traded and owned ETFs on the market. SPY tracks the S&P 500, one of the major US stock indices which tracks 500 US stocks. It is safe to say that the return of SPY represents the return of the stock market as whole. And the stock market as a whole has returned about 200% since 2000.
Now what is a stock market bubble and why are we in one? A stock market bubble is categorized by a rapid and aggressive increase in stock prices followed by a contraction.The last stock market bubble was the “Dotcom” bubble in 2000, where technology stocks were driven up to crazy valuations. Valuations of stocks are a measure if stocks are “cheap-undervalued” or “expensive-overvalued”. The most widely used and arguably most important valuation ratio is the PE ratio. The PE ratio measures the current stock price relative to its per-share earnings (this fundamental known as EPS — earnings per share — is one of the most important fundamental indicators). It is also known as the earnings multiple.
High earnings multiples do not necessarily mean an overvaluation, it is only natural to pay a higher earnings multiple for companies that earn more, which is why the PEs of stocks in the tech sector are higher than those of other sectors. We can however identify when stocks are trading at irrational valuations.
This is a graph of the Shiller PE ratio of the S&P 500. It is more reliable than the vanilla PE ratio as it uses average inflation-adjusted earnings from the previous 10 years. While nowhere near the ridiculous valuations of the 2000 Dotcom bubble, from this we can tell that stocks on average are currently trading at 31.40 times their earnings. A number so large that anyone would be able to spot the overvaluation. Additionally, the Shiller PE ratio is 88.1% higher than its historical mean of 16.8. Stocks are 88.1% more expensive. The two main indicators of a bubble are overvaluation and overconfidence. We can safely say that we have ticked the overvaluation box , now onto overconfidence.
Overconfidence is the belief that the stock market can’t go anywhere but up. It’s characterised by irrational periods of massive inflows into equities. It’s also characterised by what we call “buy the dip” rallies. This where after a decline in general indices, investors flood the market and engage in mass buying as “stocks are now cheap and they are bound to go back up”. This euphoria is better demonstrated in statistics from 2017:
major indices made a collective 70 new highs
There were 12 straight months of gains, not a single month in 2017 ended in a loss for any of the major indices
Now we know that that stocks are overvalued and we are potentially in a bubble. How did we get to this point?
It’s very simple: Yield is simply too low for investors so they have turned to equities en masse.
However this is not the only factor. Another main factor is this: DEBT.
The Current Corporate Debt Crisis
Please note that the global debt crisis will not be covered in this report. This refers specifically to corporate debt.
Interest rates have been ridiculously low for very long and as a result, corporates have engaged in a crazy debt frenzy. More debt allows for expansion for all for the ultimate goal of achieving higher earnings. By and large, corporates have managed to achieve this and earnings and earnings growth have been exceptionally high in recent years which has been another reason for the bull market we are currently in. However, this debt fiesta has resulted in a massively overelevered marketplace.
S&P itself has warned of a coming debt crisis. In 2017, out of a global sample of 13 000 entities, the agency reports that the proportion of highly leveraged companies represented 37% of their sample space. This is how the S&P describes a highly leveraged company: “those whose debt-to-earnings exceed 5x”.
These are companies with 500% more debt than earnings. Let that sink in…
It would be less of a problem if these levered companies were small market cap stocks but the reality is that a large portion of massive market cap stocks are highly leveraged debt giants.
I’ve compiled a small table to illustrate the extent of this problem
The debt/equity ratio is another ratio used to display the extent that a company is levered. A high debt/equity ratio is generally considered over 0.5. The figures speak for themselves in the fact that these debt figures in the table are ridiculous.None of these tech giants have more equity than debt , this speaks miles for the amount of leverage present in the technology sector particularly. These kinds of ratios trading at the valuations that these companies trade it is very far from sane.
The companies I have chosen are not small companies by any means; they are some of the biggest market participants in terms of market cap. This shows the large scale problem of our debt crisis. These figures are actually ridiculous and there is a very real possibility of default here. Companies were able to achieve such a ridiculous amount of leverage because of the years of extremely low interest rates
How Does This All End?
Here is our story thus far
Interest rates have been kept near 0 to stimulate economic activity.
This has pushed investors by large out of interest-bearing products into equities.
This has result in a mispricing of equities caused by the massive demand of them.
This has resulted in a perpetual bull market and a stock market bubble.
This has also caused a large scale corporate debt crisis.
This is a very harrowing picture, we’ve come to the end of our story and the ending is far from happy.
Remember that the graph showing near zero interest rates. This graph is one of the most frightening things I have ever seen.
Financial nagasaki 2018,Colorized
This is the situation that we are in now. The years of near zero interest rates “worked”. Consumption has increased and economic growth definitely has.
The US is showing an economic top with unemployment reaching all time lows and growth and production showing all time highs. With this comes higher inflation. The initial function of the fed rate is to control inflation by changing the cost of “money”. We are now in the current situation. These two reasons, economic growth and inflation is why the fed rate has, is and will continued to be hiked (raised).
Why rates have been rising:
Crescendo-like economic growth has reached its pinnacle. Gone are the days of a depressed economic growth and low inflation. Inflation is rising and economic growth has peaked.
Because of this there is simply no reason for rates to be low anymore and to control inflation; rates will need to be hiked.
The first part of this write-up covered the effects that low rates have on the economy. Now we need to understand what happens when we raise these rates.
Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we toy with interest rates.
Rising rates signify a healthy economy and we know that yield loves a healthy economy. With higher rates, bond yields and other interest bearing products will rise with them. With bonds (specifically being T-bills) becoming more and more attractive, the opportunity of holding stocks will fall and investors will return to bonds for their stable reasons. This is the reason why stocks have performed the way they have in the past, bonds were ugly and we didn’t want them. When bonds start to look more attractive through higher yields, it will lead to large scale selling in the stock market and the potential popping of the stock market bubble.
With higher rates, consumption will decrease significantly. At the end of the day, consumption, above all, is what drives corporate earnings — the shiny corporate earnings that have been powering the bull market higher and higher in recent years. Depressed earnings could be another catalyst for a stock market selloff.
“Bull markets don’t die of old age, the FED kills them”. Bull markets don’t last forever. Our bull market has mutated into a stock market bubble. With the end of the bull market in equities because of higher yield will come the popping of the stock market bubble.It’s only a matter of time before investors come to their senses and realise that the party is over. Until investors realise that valuations are irrationally high and that it’s time to sell.
There is a very real possibility that the rising of rates will also cause the next debt crisis. Debt is being issued to corporates of very low credit worthiness as our table illustrates. All this debt has been issued under the assumption of near zero rates. When rates rise it will affect debt and the ability to pay off debt in the following ways:
Raised interest rates will decrease companies ability to settle debt in general regardless if companies are in bad financial shape or not. Even companies with the highest grade investment bonds will be squeezed under high rates as there will simply be less money available. With decreased consumption will come decreased earnings
The highly popular high yield junk bonds will be at great risk. These junk bonds are those of corporates with the lowest levels of credit worthiness. These are bonds at the risk of actual default if rates rise as the ability for these companies to pay of corporate debt will drastically decrease. Remember that these are companies currently in bad financial states at the best of times. We might see a widespread default in junk bonds.
Floating Rate debt. Companies with floating rate debt will quite literally be vaporized. Floating rate debt is a debt instrument with a variable interest rate tied to a benchmark, most widely being the LIBOR rate. Very simply, the interest payments on this debt can skyrocket if the benchmark interest rate increases. Most companies with floating rate debt are small-mid cap stocks however there are large cap companies with a portion of their debt being floating rate.
In closing, no-one can predict the future. This is just the current conditions we are currently in. The rate at which the economy explodes all depends on the speed at which rates are hiked. It could all end in a magnificent explosion of default and selloffs or it could be a casual bleeding out. For now we can only observe this wild ride and see where it takes us.
Return isn’t everything, It’s the only thing.
Keeno Ruark Koopman | https://medium.com/unstoppable-alpha/financial-nagasaki-interest-rates-overvaluation-the-corporate-debt-crisis-and-why-we-might-be-on-7d22b6347684 | ['Keeno Ruark Koopman'] | 2018-08-20 13:23:10.871000+00:00 | ['Trading', 'Business', 'Finance', 'Macroeconomics', 'Investing'] |
Angular Charts | We are living in a visual era, so it may not surprise you to see different types of visualizations widgets such as charts, graphs, tables and many others in almost every website and mobile app you visit. The main purpose of visualizations is to help displaying data in a visual, lively, sexy and summarized way.
In Fully — Angular Admin Template, we designed and developed many beautiful visualization widgets that developers can reuse when building they Angular apps. In this particular post, we will discuss about charts and graphs in Angular projects.
A chart is a graphical representation of data, the data is represented by symbols, such as slices in a pie chart, bars in a bar chart or lines in a line chart.
As developers, we can take advantage of charts in situations where a simple table won’t adequately demonstrate important relationships or patterns between data points. The main goal of a chart is to display data and invite the user for a further exploration of a topic.
How to choose your angular charting library?
f you perform a quick search in google, you will find many different angular charting libraries. So, how to choose which one to use?
The hard part is taking into consideration the many aspects that will lead you to choose the right library for the use case.
It’s tempting to go straightforward, pick the library that has the most stars on GitHub, install it with npm and voilà.
Don't want to be a party pooper, but there's much more in between.
Things you need to consider:
SVG or Canvas?
You first need to understand the nature of the use case you have in mind to choose the underlying technology.
Are you going to use SVG or Canvas based charts? Each has its pros and cons, more on that later.
Angular friendly?
Secondly, you should search for up to date libraries that work seamlessly with Angular (latest Angular, not AngularJS or Angular 2).
What about the license?
Most libraries are free and open source, but others don’t. Depending on your project and budget, the pool of options available. For example, there are some great libraries like Highcharts and Zingchart, but you have to buy a license in order to use them.
Up to date
Don’t forget to look at the library’s GitHub activity (number of stars, date of last commit, future plans, etc). This isn’t decisive but it’s good to start with a library that show signs of being well maintained with planned enhancements and new features down the road.
Get to know the limitations
Not all charting libraries provide the full set of visualizations such as 2D, 3D, map, scientific, financial, and statistical charting. Also, some provide great customization, others don’t.
Depending on how elaborate is your use case you should target for libraries that enable advanced customization or more simple ones that provide less configuration options.
Are you planning on supporting legacy browsers? That may be a bummer for some libraries.
Start building the visualization
Are you going to build the visualization from the ground up or start from the closest example you find in the charting library documentation page?
Either way you will need to deep dive into the library’s documentation and crunch a bit.
This is when you will fall in love or hate the documentation page of each charting library under consideration.
Customization
Again, depending on the complexity of your chart design, and the library you choose whether you will be able to implement your visualization easily or going to spend quite some hours figuring out the nasty little quirks.
Do you have in mind any custom interaction? Hovers, clicks, loaders or maybe merge the chart with some html to enhance the overall visualization.
Data integration
Once you have a UI and UX you are comfortable with, you need to take care of the data source, fetching technique and integration with your Angular services.
Are you also considering adding filters to your data source? That’s a whole different story and it may as well be time consuming.
Clean code
Every developer prefers to work with understandable, extendable, clean and tidy source code. You should spend some time ensuring future collaborators can extend your work seamlessly.
Final tweaks
Did your ensure your visualization is responsive?
As you can see, there’s a ton more going on after running npm install . On average, it took us around 20 hours of skilled designers and developers to build each visualization for our latest Angular Dashboards Template.
Considering it includes 25 visualizations, that’s around $30.000 worth of skilled developers just for the visualizations.
When building Fully — Angular Admin Dashboard Template, we followed the process described above, tried many charting libraries, built some proof of concepts, and finally implemented not just one but a set of Angular chart libraries because we acknowledge there are users with a wide range of requirements.
The set of charting libraries we packed into Fully Angular Template feature both SVG and Canvas based options to satisfy different scenarios, detailed UI/UX customizations, real time or large amount of data, responsiveness, etc.
Not to mention we carefully ensured each library works well with our Angular code base.
That’s why we felt motivated to create this Angular Charts Guide to help other developers like you deciding how to add charts to your angular applications. | https://medium.com/learn-angular/angular-charts-879c7bbd710 | ['Dayana Jabif'] | 2020-10-05 14:40:19.010000+00:00 | ['Visualization', 'Angular', 'Charts', 'JavaScript', 'Programming'] |
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