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https://buster.medium.com/buster-s-monthly-reports-2015-730f5fdb6e7f
|
medium.com
|
Buster’s Monthly Reports: 2015
|
Updated close to the first of every month, as part of my Codex. 2013 and 2014 are here.
|
Buster Benson
|
https://medium.com/@buster
|
730f5fdb6e7f
|
6 min
|
2015-07-03T18:38:41.324000
|
2015-07-03T19:32:13.480000
|
2018-05-03T19:55:30.890000
| 1
| 62
|
en
|
Monthly Report
|
<section>
<h1>Buster’s Monthly Reports: 2015</h1>
<p><em>Updated close to the first of every month, as part of my <a href="https://github.com/bu</em>sterbenson/public/blob/master/Codex.md">Codex</a>. <a href="https://github.com/busterbenson/public/blob/master/Monthly.md">2013 and 2014 are here</a>.</p>
<h2><strong>October</strong></h2>
<p><strong>October’s highlights</strong>: Spent most of the month thinking about work stuff (and launching <a href="http://slackhq.com/post/132442756940/slashcommands">this</a>). Also threw a big birthday party for Kellianne and went on a hot air balloon ride! Also made good progress both learning about systems thinking and planning a children’s story that can help explain it to a five-year-old mind (ie Niko’s).</p>
<p><strong>Weight</strong>: Didn’t weigh myself this month.</p>
<p><strong>October’s goal</strong>: Come up with an outline for my “Systems Thinking for Kids” book. I might want to try writing it during November in solidarity with NaNoWriMo.</p>
<p><strong>Outcome</strong>: I wrote a few posts on BART about my systems thinking outline:</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://medium.com/p/1e2498391009"></strong>Systems Thinking for Kids, Random Notes Pt 1
<em>A couple weeks ago I started thinking about what a book about systems thinking for kids might be.</em>m</a>edium.com</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://medium.com/p/19441108c9f5"></strong>Systems Thinking For Kids, Random Notes pt 2
<em>I’m spending my month of BART rides thinking about what I would write if I were to write a children’s book about…</em>m</a>edium.com</p>
<p><strong><a h</strong>ref="https://medium.com/p/f6907b34548f">Dirt
<em>There’s that popular saying often cited at funerals: “from ashes to ashes and dust to dust”.</em>m</a>edium.com</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://medi</strong>um.com/p/ba8f08f0f36e">Distance From The Sun
<em>Light from the Sun takes eight minutes and twenty seconds to reach Earth.</em>m</a>edium.com</p>
<p>I didn’t end up with a full outline, but do have about a dozen different versions of rejected outlines and half-outlines. I think I now at least know the basic structure of my story, so I’m going to attempt this same goal in November.</p>
<p><strong>November’s goal</strong>: Come up with an outline for my “Systems Thinking for Kids” book.</p>
<p><strong>Changes to the Codex</strong>: Read through it but didn’t have anything to change this time.</p>
<p><strong>Books, movies, articles, podcasts, albums, I enjoyed:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Listened to <a href="http://www.audible.com/pd/Business/The-Five-Dysfunctions-of-a-Team-Audiobook/B002V08E64">5 Dysfunctions of a Team</a> and found it to be one of the more interesting business books I’ve read in a while.</li>
</ul>
<h2>September</h2>
<p><strong>September’s highlights: </strong>Spent most of the month doing Whole30 (no alcohol, dairy, grains, beans, refined sugar, processed things, etc) even during an amazing trip to Portland for XOXO. We took a short brake to celebrate Marla and Max’s wedding, and then a ended for good when we went to vacation in Charleston, South Carolina with friends.</p>
<p><strong>Weight: </strong>175.3 181.5 (-5.8 lbs)</p>
<p><strong>September’s goal: </strong>Stick to the Whole30 until our trip to Charleston, SC starts on the 28th.</p>
<p><strong>Outcome: </strong>HIT. Wasn’t even that difficult. Lost some weight, felt healthier, more rested, etc. Finding a way to keep some of the habits going again now that we’re back from vacation.</p>
<p><strong>October’s goal: </strong>Come up with an outline for my “Systems Thinking for Kids” book. I might want to try writing it during November in solidarity with NaNoWriMo.</p>
<p><strong>Changes to the <a href</strong>="https://github.com/busterbenson/public/blob/master/Codex.md">Codex</a>: <a href="https://github.com/busterbenson/public/commit/6863010caadece3e6ecb529be38edc38ecc58dc9?diff=unified&short_path=4f36834#diff-4f368346871de6c8341ed7b2d1dbd90e">18 additions and 14 deletions</a>, mostly small grammatical changes and slight clarifications.</p>
<p><strong>Books, movies, articles, podcasts, albums, I enjoyed:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Finished <a href="http://www.audible.com/pd/Science-Technology/Our-Mathematical-Universe-Audiobook/B00HJX0952">Our Mathematical Universe</a>, which is amazing all the way through.</li>
<li>Was moved by Radiolab’s episode called <a href="http://www.radiolab.org/story/rhino-hunter/">The Rhino Hunter</a>. Might have significantly changed the way I think about hunting.</li>
</ul>
<h2><strong>August</strong></h2>
<p><strong>August’s highlights: </strong>Had my first big launch at work (<a href="http://slackhq.com/post/127498327415/addtoslack">Slack Button</a>). Started doing the Whole30 (which will also go through most of September).</p>
<p><strong>Weight: </strong>181.5 (-0.7 lbs)</p>
<p><strong>August’s goal: </strong>10 #writtenonbart posts, 4 runs.</p>
<p><strong>Outcome: </strong>MISS. Thought I was going to start running more this month but my first run reaggravated my knee and caused my shaking of fists at the heavens. I continued writing on BART, with 8 posts for the month.</p>
<p><strong>September’s goal: </strong>Stick to the Whole30 until our trip to Charleston, SC starts on the 28th. This means sticking to it during XOXO next week, which should be interesting. There will be a brief hiatus, however, during Marla and Max’s wedding on the 25th as well.</p>
<p><strong>Books, movies, articles, podcasts, albums, I enjoyed:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Continued reading <a href="http://www.audible.com/pd/Science-Technology/Our-Mathematical-Universe-Audiobook/B00HJX0952">Our Mathematical Universe</a>, which is definitely a mind bender. I’m particularly enjoying the parts about the 4 kinds of parallel universes and his explanation of consciousness.</li>
<li>This really old and long article about Hugh Loebner and his <a href="http://www.loebner.net/Prizef/loebner-prize.html">yearly competition</a> to beat the Turing Test: <a href="http://www.salon.com/2003/02/26/loebner_part_one/">Artificial Stupidity</a> (and <a href="http://www.salon.com/2003/02/27/loebner_part_2/">pt 2</a>). I’m tempted to find a way to participate next year.</li>
</ul>
<h2>July</h2>
<p><strong>July’s highlights: </strong>Figuring out my new job, very much enjoying it. Continued writing on BART. Got off to a good start running in the mornings until I hurt my Achilles tendon (or something like that). I think it was minor, though, and haven’t had pain for almost a week now, so gonna start running again starting Monday.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1778/1*yfaJT4ZP9codoLXUPmZhnQ.png" width="1778" height="868" loading="lazy" />
<p><strong>Weight: </strong>182.2 (+5.8 lbs since last tracked in March… oops)</p>
<p><strong>July’s goal: </strong>Write at least 10 blog posts on BART. Go running at least 4 times.</p>
<p><strong>Outcome: </strong>MISS, but close! I wrote 9 posts for <a href="https://writtenonbart.com/">#writtenonbart</a>, and ran 5 times (18.3 miles, 2 hours 56 minutes). My top posts from the month were:</p>
<p><a href="https://writtenonbart.com/unconsciously-biased-505f04f1d326">Unconsciously Biased</a> — July 18th, riding BART home</p>
<p><a href="https://writtenonbart.com/talking-to-bots-8de175c7e9e5">Talking to Bots</a> — July 8th, riding BART to work</p>
<p><a href="https://writtenonbart.com/what-is-privilege-7c13d437ada6">What is Privilege</a> — July 3rd, riding BART home</p>
<p><strong>August’s goal: </strong>Same as the old goal: 10 #writtenonbart posts, 4 runs.</p>
<p><strong>Changes to the <a href</strong>="https://github.com/busterbenson/public/blob/master/Codex.md">Codex</a>: <a href="https://github.com/busterbenson/public/commit/d68b942a936b8e3bc97a53486608decee7533c8f#diff-4f368346871de6c8341ed7b2d1dbd90e">19 additions, 17 deletions</a>, mostly small grammatical changes.</p>
<p><strong>Books, movies, articles, podcasts, albums, I enjoyed:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Started <a href="http://www.audible.com/pd/Science-Technology/Our-Mathematical-Universe-Audiobook/B00HJX0952">Our Mathematical Universe</a>, which is really interesting so far. Suggested by Thor Muller.</li>
<li>Currently enjoying Wilco’s new album, <a href="http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/20838-star-wars/">Star Wars</a>.</li>
<li>Loved Tom Gauld’s <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1770461043">You’re All Just Jealous of My Jetpack</a>.</li>
</ul>
<h2>June</h2>
<p><strong>Last month’s highlights:</strong> Quit my job at Twitter, road-tripped to Southern California to visit family and pick up Kellianne from the end of her amazing AIDS/LifeCycle ride, started a new job at Slack, first board meeting with NaNoWriMo.</p>
<p><strong>Weight:</strong> unknown (battery is dead… how long before I replace it???)</p>
<p><strong>Outcome of previous goal:</strong> HIT. Wrote 11 blog posts as part of my <a href="http://writtenonbart.com">#writtenonbart</a> project. Top 3 posts were:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://writtenonbart.com/give-me-some-slack-b27d19512a65">Give Me Some Slack</a> — June 8th, 3 min</li>
<li><a href="https://writtenonbart.com/4-kinds-of-beliefs-44dce1c04093">4 Kinds of Beliefs </a>— June 11th, 3 min</li>
<li><a href="https://writtenonbart.com/industry-explosion-37abdeeac075">Industry Explosion</a> — June 2nd, 2 min</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>July’s goal:</strong> Write at least 10 blog posts on BART. Go running at least 4 times.</p>
<p><strong>Changes to the Codex:</strong> <a href="https://github.com/busterbenson/public/commit/3aacdee909b72fd546f8f141dc1ca610f9ba2077#diff-4f368346871de6c8341ed7b2d1dbd90e">3 additions, 2 deletions</a></p>
<p><strong>Books, movies, articles, podcasts I enjoyed:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://gimletmedia.com/show/mystery-show/">Mystery Show</a> (all 5 first episodes)</li>
<li><a href="http://songexploder.net/">Song Exploder</a> (especially the Long Winters episode)</li>
<li><a href="http://interconnected.org/home/2015/06/16/conversational_uis">Conversational UIs</a>, by Matt Webb</li>
</ul>
<h2>May</h2>
<p><strong>Last month highlights:</strong> Re-wrote and re-organized most of my beliefs file.</p>
<p><strong>Weight:</strong> unknown (battery is dead)</p>
<p><strong>Outcome of previous goal:</strong> MISS. No goal was made in April.</p>
<p><strong>June’s goal:</strong> Write at least 10 blog posts on BART. <a href="https://medium.com/tag/written-on-bart">#writtenonbart</a></p>
<h2>March</h2>
<p><strong>Last month highlights:</strong> Got obsessed with Alan Watts’ old recorded talks on Audible.com.</p>
<p><strong>Weight:</strong> 176.5 (+0.6 m/m)</p>
<p><strong>Outcome of previous goal:</strong> HIT. Wrote my 750 words on 11 days, and ran two times.</p>
<p><strong>April’s goal:</strong> Write 750 words on 11 or more days. Go running at least 2 times, in preparation for Bay to Breakers.</p>
<p><strong>Books, movies, articles, podcasts I enjoyed:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>You’re It, by Alan Watts (12 hours of talks)</li>
<li>The Web’s Grain, by Frank Chimero (edge less ness)</li>
</ul>
<h2>February</h2>
<p><strong>Last month highlights: </strong>Nothing much to report.</p>
<p><strong>Weight:</strong> 175.9 (-1.6 m/m)</p>
<p><strong>Outcome of previous goal:</strong> HIT. Wrote my 750 words on 11 days, tying last month again. Fell off of Health Month near the end.</p>
<p><strong>March’s goal:</strong> Write 750 words on 11 or more days. Go running on my newly mostly-healed knee at least 2 times.</p>
<p><strong>Books, movies, articles, podcasts I enjoyed:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Birdman</li>
<li>Boyhood</li>
<li>The art of learning, by Joshua Waitzkin</li>
</ul>
<h2>January</h2>
<p><strong>Last month highlights:</strong> Launched mobile analytics on iPhone before the holidays, had a great visit from Chris Finley (old highschool friend) and his wife while KA and Niko were in Delaware, celebrated a quiet Christmas (got Niko into Little Bits though), and did NYE at Amy and Thors (where Niko stayed up past midnight for the first time).</p>
<p><strong>Weight:</strong> 177.5 (-3.7 m/m)</p>
<p><strong>Outcome of previous goal:</strong> HIT. Wrote my 750 words on 11 days, tying last month. And stuck pretty closely to health month rules.</p>
<p><strong>February’s goal:</strong> Continuing my health month into February, with 5 Amnesty Days since I’ll be in Seattle for a wedding. I want to continue to write 750 words on 11 or more days.</p>
<p><strong>Books, movies, articles, podcasts I enjoyed:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Hierarchical pattern matching from Jeff Hawkin’s On Intelligence book</li>
<li>Financial planning from Tony Robbin’s Money book</li>
</ul>
</section>
|
http://tinyshowcase.com/artwork.php?id=2297
Buster’s Monthly Reports: 2015
Updated close to the first of every month, as part of my Codex. 2013 and 2014 are here.
October
October’s highlights: Spent most of the month thinking about work stuff (and launching this). Also threw a big birthday party for Kellianne and went on a hot air balloon ride! Also made good progress both learning about systems thinking and planning a children’s story that can help explain it to a five-year-old mind (ie Niko’s).
Weight: Didn’t weigh myself this month.
October’s goal: Come up with an outline for my “Systems Thinking for Kids” book. I might want to try writing it during November in solidarity with NaNoWriMo.
Outcome: I wrote a few posts on BART about my systems thinking outline:
Systems Thinking for Kids, Random Notes Pt 1
A couple weeks ago I started thinking about what a book about systems thinking for kids might be.medium.com
Systems Thinking For Kids, Random Notes pt 2
I’m spending my month of BART rides thinking about what I would write if I were to write a children’s book about…medium.com
Dirt
There’s that popular saying often cited at funerals: “from ashes to ashes and dust to dust”.medium.com
Distance From The Sun
Light from the Sun takes eight minutes and twenty seconds to reach Earth.medium.com
I didn’t end up with a full outline, but do have about a dozen different versions of rejected outlines and half-outlines. I think I now at least know the basic structure of my story, so I’m going to attempt this same goal in November.
November’s goal: Come up with an outline for my “Systems Thinking for Kids” book.
Changes to the Codex: Read through it but didn’t have anything to change this time.
Books, movies, articles, podcasts, albums, I enjoyed:
Listened to 5 Dysfunctions of a Team and found it to be one of the more interesting business books I’ve read in a while.
September
September’s highlights: Spent most of the month doing Whole30 (no alcohol, dairy, grains, beans, refined sugar, processed things, etc) even during an amazing trip to Portland for XOXO. We took a short brake to celebrate Marla and Max’s wedding, and then a ended for good when we went to vacation in Charleston, South Carolina with friends.
Weight: 175.3 181.5 (-5.8 lbs)
September’s goal: Stick to the Whole30 until our trip to Charleston, SC starts on the 28th.
Outcome: HIT. Wasn’t even that difficult. Lost some weight, felt healthier, more rested, etc. Finding a way to keep some of the habits going again now that we’re back from vacation.
October’s goal: Come up with an outline for my “Systems Thinking for Kids” book. I might want to try writing it during November in solidarity with NaNoWriMo.
Changes to the Codex: 18 additions and 14 deletions, mostly small grammatical changes and slight clarifications.
Books, movies, articles, podcasts, albums, I enjoyed:
Finished Our Mathematical Universe, which is amazing all the way through.
Was moved by Radiolab’s episode called The Rhino Hunter. Might have significantly changed the way I think about hunting.
August
August’s highlights: Had my first big launch at work (Slack Button). Started doing the Whole30 (which will also go through most of September).
Weight: 181.5 (-0.7 lbs)
August’s goal: 10 #writtenonbart posts, 4 runs.
Outcome: MISS. Thought I was going to start running more this month but my first run reaggravated my knee and caused my shaking of fists at the heavens. I continued writing on BART, with 8 posts for the month.
September’s goal: Stick to the Whole30 until our trip to Charleston, SC starts on the 28th. This means sticking to it during XOXO next week, which should be interesting. There will be a brief hiatus, however, during Marla and Max’s wedding on the 25th as well.
Books, movies, articles, podcasts, albums, I enjoyed:
Continued reading Our Mathematical Universe, which is definitely a mind bender. I’m particularly enjoying the parts about the 4 kinds of parallel universes and his explanation of consciousness.
This really old and long article about Hugh Loebner and his yearly competition to beat the Turing Test: Artificial Stupidity (and pt 2). I’m tempted to find a way to participate next year.
July
July’s highlights: Figuring out my new job, very much enjoying it. Continued writing on BART. Got off to a good start running in the mornings until I hurt my Achilles tendon (or something like that). I think it was minor, though, and haven’t had pain for almost a week now, so gonna start running again starting Monday.
Weight: 182.2 (+5.8 lbs since last tracked in March… oops)
July’s goal: Write at least 10 blog posts on BART. Go running at least 4 times.
Outcome: MISS, but close! I wrote 9 posts for #writtenonbart, and ran 5 times (18.3 miles, 2 hours 56 minutes). My top posts from the month were:
Unconsciously Biased — July 18th, riding BART home
Talking to Bots — July 8th, riding BART to work
What is Privilege — July 3rd, riding BART home
August’s goal: Same as the old goal: 10 #writtenonbart posts, 4 runs.
Changes to the Codex: 19 additions, 17 deletions, mostly small grammatical changes.
Books, movies, articles, podcasts, albums, I enjoyed:
Started Our Mathematical Universe, which is really interesting so far. Suggested by Thor Muller.
Currently enjoying Wilco’s new album, Star Wars.
Loved Tom Gauld’s You’re All Just Jealous of My Jetpack.
June
Last month’s highlights: Quit my job at Twitter, road-tripped to Southern California to visit family and pick up Kellianne from the end of her amazing AIDS/LifeCycle ride, started a new job at Slack, first board meeting with NaNoWriMo.
Weight: unknown (battery is dead… how long before I replace it???)
Outcome of previous goal: HIT. Wrote 11 blog posts as part of my #writtenonbart project. Top 3 posts were:
Give Me Some Slack — June 8th, 3 min
4 Kinds of Beliefs — June 11th, 3 min
Industry Explosion — June 2nd, 2 min
July’s goal: Write at least 10 blog posts on BART. Go running at least 4 times.
Changes to the Codex: 3 additions, 2 deletions
Books, movies, articles, podcasts I enjoyed:
Mystery Show (all 5 first episodes)
Song Exploder (especially the Long Winters episode)
Conversational UIs, by Matt Webb
May
Last month highlights: Re-wrote and re-organized most of my beliefs file.
Weight: unknown (battery is dead)
Outcome of previous goal: MISS. No goal was made in April.
June’s goal: Write at least 10 blog posts on BART. #writtenonbart
March
Last month highlights: Got obsessed with Alan Watts’ old recorded talks on Audible.com.
Weight: 176.5 (+0.6 m/m)
Outcome of previous goal: HIT. Wrote my 750 words on 11 days, and ran two times.
April’s goal: Write 750 words on 11 or more days. Go running at least 2 times, in preparation for Bay to Breakers.
Books, movies, articles, podcasts I enjoyed:
You’re It, by Alan Watts (12 hours of talks)
The Web’s Grain, by Frank Chimero (edge less ness)
February
Last month highlights: Nothing much to report.
Weight: 175.9 (-1.6 m/m)
Outcome of previous goal: HIT. Wrote my 750 words on 11 days, tying last month again. Fell off of Health Month near the end.
March’s goal: Write 750 words on 11 or more days. Go running on my newly mostly-healed knee at least 2 times.
Books, movies, articles, podcasts I enjoyed:
Birdman
Boyhood
The art of learning, by Joshua Waitzkin
January
Last month highlights: Launched mobile analytics on iPhone before the holidays, had a great visit from Chris Finley (old highschool friend) and his wife while KA and Niko were in Delaware, celebrated a quiet Christmas (got Niko into Little Bits though), and did NYE at Amy and Thors (where Niko stayed up past midnight for the first time).
Weight: 177.5 (-3.7 m/m)
Outcome of previous goal: HIT. Wrote my 750 words on 11 days, tying last month. And stuck pretty closely to health month rules.
February’s goal: Continuing my health month into February, with 5 Amnesty Days since I’ll be in Seattle for a wedding. I want to continue to write 750 words on 11 or more days.
Books, movies, articles, podcasts I enjoyed:
Hierarchical pattern matching from Jeff Hawkin’s On Intelligence book
Financial planning from Tony Robbin’s Money book
|
40a99168-598c-5713-b033-69ae92d5d078
|
25/08/2025 15:58:45
|
|
https://medium.com/@aleb/what-are-plagiarism-checker-apis-and-which-are-the-best-ones-d07c7fbd4da8
|
medium.com
|
What Are Plagiarism Checker APIs And Which Are The Best Ones
| null |
TheStartupFounder.com
|
https://medium.com/@aleb
|
d07c7fbd4da8
|
3 min
|
2022-08-08T15:02:27.053000
|
2022-08-04T18:37:52.204000
|
2022-08-08T15:02:33.372000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Api Developing,Api Marketplace,Api Marketplace Business,Api Marketplace Examples,Api Marketplace Guide
|
<section>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/2240/0*LcJiioQ1mOTOEM0L.png" width="2240" height="1260" loading="lazy" />
<p>You need to check some plagiarism? Use these three options of plagiarism detector!</p>
<p>The RAE defines plagiarism as the act of taking another author’s concept or literary, artistic, or scientific work and passing it off as one’s own. Plagiarism is the act of taking another person’s words, ideas, or works as your own without giving due credit to the original author. The act of disclosing, publishing, and reproducing a work under the false identity of the genuine author violates that author’s moral and patrimonial rights since his authorship is usurped and his financial interests are cheated.</p>
<p>The following attributes describe it:</p>
<p>- Unauthorized entire or partial duplication of another person’s work</p>
<p>– Presentation of the duplication as the author’s own original work.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/612/0*QDa8cWixbFjakKlL.jpg" width="612" height="408" loading="lazy" />
<p>You may use the following techniques to prevent plagiarism:</p>
<p>- Quotations: A phrase or a paragraph can be quoted verbatim, but I must enclose the text in quotation marks, place it in italics, or use another form of letter, and cite the source with a full bibliographical reference. You may use any particular information that is not generally known, including facts, figures, statistics, hypotheses, and ideas that have been put out by others.</p>
<p>- Full bibliographical reference to the original source from which I have extracted the ideas must be included when I utilize someone else’s ideas in my own words or in my own style of expression. To achieve this, carefully study the original material, highlight the approach’s gist, and then translate it into your own words. You can perform the following to do this: Use general language, substitute words for specific ones, switch from the active to the passive voice, alter sentence construction, turn paragraphs into sentences, and alter different sections of the text.</p>
<p>- Identify your sources, including any written, spoken, or video works (or portions of them), as well as any pictures, photos, or other visual materials you used in your work. You can use the citation style that is advised for each topic area or the one that the publication specifies (APA, MLA, Vancouver, etc.)</p>
<p>More and more people are using plagiarism detection software, some of which are licensed and others of which are without cost:</p>
<h3><a href="https://zylalabs.com/api-marketplace/data/plagiarism+checker+-++api/56?utm_source=TSF&utm_medium=Post&utm_campaign=Plagiarism%20Checker%20API%20&utm_term=14&utm_content=04082022">Plagiarism Checker</a></h3>
<p>Zyla Labs program called <a href="https://zylalabs.com/api-marketplace/data/plagiarism+checker+-++api/56?utm_source=TSF&utm_medium=Post&utm_campaign=Plagiarism%20Checker%20API%20&utm_term=14&utm_content=04082022">Plagiarism Checker</a> makes it possible to find out whether or not an article contains copied text. It ensures that none of the content in your articles has been previously published. In essence, you can determine whether a piece of writing contains any plagiarism and ensure that none of your own pieces contain previously written material. With the help of this API, you may design a detector that provides results right away or a real-time plagiarism checker. For writers who wish to ensure that their blogs or articles are not accused of plagiarism, this API is ideal.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/287/0*EItGAr1CWUGtlaVX.png" width="287" height="71" loading="lazy" />
<p>You should also check to see if any of your content creators are utilizing the same wording to make sure that every published item is entirely original examples from different websites. You should also look for instances where language from your own blogs or articles has been used in web pieces.</p>
<h3><a href="https://api.copyleaks.com/">CopyLeaks</a></h3>
<p>Any company may easily incorporate our plagiarism detection technology into their own platform thanks to <a href="https://api.copyleaks.com/">Copyleaks</a>’ API solution. It is a quick, secure, and simple platform to use. Your company may examine authentic, related, and paraphrased material using the plagiarism detection API, and you can quickly and securely get comprehensive findings. The solution is entirely customized to your ecosystem and white-labeled under your brand.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/233/0*YMh7eQ-LRdjpRVWF.png" width="233" height="79" loading="lazy" />
<h3><a href="https://unicheck.com/es-es/plagiarism-checker-api">Unicheck</a></h3>
<p>Data from <a href="https://unicheck.com/es-es/plagiarism-checker-api">Unicheck </a>syncs with your app very instantly. Simply register your URL and select the Webhooks you desire to achieve this. We’ll send you an email when something happens at that URL. No matter how many users are using the app, webhooks function. An all-inclusive solution for educational institutions to identify similarities, text alterations, and stop works from being written by other parties. accessible through the API or the LMS as a stand-alone solution.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/198/0*R_1b8HAg8p6emW1T.png" width="198" height="74" loading="lazy" />
</section>
|
What Are Plagiarism Checker APIs And Which Are The Best Ones
You need to check some plagiarism? Use these three options of plagiarism detector!
The RAE defines plagiarism as the act of taking another author’s concept or literary, artistic, or scientific work and passing it off as one’s own. Plagiarism is the act of taking another person’s words, ideas, or works as your own without giving due credit to the original author. The act of disclosing, publishing, and reproducing a work under the false identity of the genuine author violates that author’s moral and patrimonial rights since his authorship is usurped and his financial interests are cheated.
The following attributes describe it:
- Unauthorized entire or partial duplication of another person’s work
– Presentation of the duplication as the author’s own original work.
You may use the following techniques to prevent plagiarism:
- Quotations: A phrase or a paragraph can be quoted verbatim, but I must enclose the text in quotation marks, place it in italics, or use another form of letter, and cite the source with a full bibliographical reference. You may use any particular information that is not generally known, including facts, figures, statistics, hypotheses, and ideas that have been put out by others.
- Full bibliographical reference to the original source from which I have extracted the ideas must be included when I utilize someone else’s ideas in my own words or in my own style of expression. To achieve this, carefully study the original material, highlight the approach’s gist, and then translate it into your own words. You can perform the following to do this: Use general language, substitute words for specific ones, switch from the active to the passive voice, alter sentence construction, turn paragraphs into sentences, and alter different sections of the text.
- Identify your sources, including any written, spoken, or video works (or portions of them), as well as any pictures, photos, or other visual materials you used in your work. You can use the citation style that is advised for each topic area or the one that the publication specifies (APA, MLA, Vancouver, etc.)
More and more people are using plagiarism detection software, some of which are licensed and others of which are without cost:
Plagiarism Checker
Zyla Labs program called Plagiarism Checker makes it possible to find out whether or not an article contains copied text. It ensures that none of the content in your articles has been previously published. In essence, you can determine whether a piece of writing contains any plagiarism and ensure that none of your own pieces contain previously written material. With the help of this API, you may design a detector that provides results right away or a real-time plagiarism checker. For writers who wish to ensure that their blogs or articles are not accused of plagiarism, this API is ideal.
You should also check to see if any of your content creators are utilizing the same wording to make sure that every published item is entirely original examples from different websites. You should also look for instances where language from your own blogs or articles has been used in web pieces.
CopyLeaks
Any company may easily incorporate our plagiarism detection technology into their own platform thanks to Copyleaks’ API solution. It is a quick, secure, and simple platform to use. Your company may examine authentic, related, and paraphrased material using the plagiarism detection API, and you can quickly and securely get comprehensive findings. The solution is entirely customized to your ecosystem and white-labeled under your brand.
Unicheck
Data from Unicheck syncs with your app very instantly. Simply register your URL and select the Webhooks you desire to achieve this. We’ll send you an email when something happens at that URL. No matter how many users are using the app, webhooks function. An all-inclusive solution for educational institutions to identify similarities, text alterations, and stop works from being written by other parties. accessible through the API or the LMS as a stand-alone solution.
|
dc017119-08f2-51f2-a1e4-f416b2d38125
|
25/08/2025 15:58:45
|
|
https://medium.com/@ifyouwantMOR/cna-week-10-bizarre-news-75f0b0961cbe
|
medium.com
|
CNA week 10: Bizarre news
|
Judge Orders Hawaii Man To Write 144 Compliments About His Ex-Girlfriend
|
morgan howell
|
https://medium.com/@ifyouwantMOR
|
75f0b0961cbe
| null |
1 min
|
2017-11-02T15:39:20.296000
|
2017-11-03T13:12:15.708000
|
2018-05-23T04:35:11.324000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
BlackLivesMatter
|
<section>
<h1>Judge Orders Hawaii Man To Write 144 Compliments About His Ex-Girlfriend</h1>
<p>A man was assigned a very interesting punishment when he was told to write 1<a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/judge-order-144-compliments-ex-girlfriend_us_59f94de6e4b046017fafbb18?section=us_weird-news">44</a> kind things to say about his ex-girlfriend for every bad thing he said about her. After they broke up he was no longer allowed to be in contact with her but then two months later he called her 144 times in 3 hours. He was arrested and spent a short amount of time in prison.</p>
<h2>Cops: Man pulls gun in Ohio after failing to get McMuffin</h2>
<p>After a man went through a <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/cops-man-pulls-gun-ohio-failing-mcmuffin-124153248.html">McCdonalds</a> drive-thru and after being told they were out of egg mcmuffins he pulled out a gun. This happened in Ohio on a Wednesday and the Police are still looking for the man who pulled a gun. The drive-thru worker was a woman and she claimed that he also cursed at her before he drove away.</p>
<h2>Mom Accused Of Driving Minivan With Son And Plastic Pool Tied To Top</h2>
<p>A mom from Wisconsin strapped her son, who was 9 years old, to the top of her car and on top of a <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/mom-drives-pool-son-on-top_us_59f8d84de4b0d1cf6e9114a2?section=us_weird-news">plastic pool</a>. Someone driving by had called the police after seeing the boy tied down on top of her minivan. She claims that the pool would not fit inside the car and so she had no way to strap it down on top of her car so she had her son sit on top of the pool to hold it down.</p>
</section>
|
CNA week 10: Bizarre news
Judge Orders Hawaii Man To Write 144 Compliments About His Ex-Girlfriend
A man was assigned a very interesting punishment when he was told to write 144 kind things to say about his ex-girlfriend for every bad thing he said about her. After they broke up he was no longer allowed to be in contact with her but then two months later he called her 144 times in 3 hours. He was arrested and spent a short amount of time in prison.
Cops: Man pulls gun in Ohio after failing to get McMuffin
After a man went through a McCdonalds drive-thru and after being told they were out of egg mcmuffins he pulled out a gun. This happened in Ohio on a Wednesday and the Police are still looking for the man who pulled a gun. The drive-thru worker was a woman and she claimed that he also cursed at her before he drove away.
Mom Accused Of Driving Minivan With Son And Plastic Pool Tied To Top
A mom from Wisconsin strapped her son, who was 9 years old, to the top of her car and on top of a plastic pool. Someone driving by had called the police after seeing the boy tied down on top of her minivan. She claims that the pool would not fit inside the car and so she had no way to strap it down on top of her car so she had her son sit on top of the pool to hold it down.
|
84a0cbcb-80ac-5b5f-ba20-c4a6255ff999
|
25/08/2025 15:58:45
|
https://medium.com/@HeatherO/time-to-beamensch-e51a3f1874d5
|
medium.com
|
Time to #BeAMensch
|
Let’s share some happy stories, shall we?
|
Heather • CraftLit
|
https://medium.com/@HeatherO
|
e51a3f1874d5
| null |
3 min
|
2016-12-02T20:24:58.564000
|
2016-12-03T19:01:05.759000
|
2018-01-30T14:39:34.189000
| 0
| 42
|
en
|
Beamensch,Random Acts Of Kindness,Post Election
|
<section>
<h3>Let’s share some happy stories, shall we?</h3>
<p>If you listened to <em><a href="http://cr</em>aftlit.com/193">The Woman in White</a> over on the <a href="http://craftlit.com">CraftLit podcast</a>, you might recall that while I recorded the second episode we were still living in Tucson—and that I recorded right after Gabrielle Giffords was shot at the market just down the street from our house. Back then, my response was to write a <a href="http://crafting-a-life.com/mamaoknits/i-would-like-to-say-this-was-over-the-top-but/">Mom-(and Dad)-Brigade</a> post about disengaging without dissing, tuning out the crazy, and noticing (with pleasure) how many non-crazy people surround us every day.</p>
<p>As I see more <a href="https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2016/11/18/update-incidents-hateful-harassment-election-day-now-number-701">verified posts like this</a>, but live in a world <em><strong>surrounded by wonderful people like my CraftLit l</em>isteners</strong>, I find myself moved to share some happier moments — and hope to hear some from you, too! I’m tagging mine <strong>#BeAMensch**</strong>. If you have happy stories to share, please call them in to the CraftLit caller line (206–350–1642) or consider using the same hashtag wherever you post your stories online. It would be nice to have a news stream to follow that reminds us of how good we <em><st</em>rong>can</strong> be to each other.</p>
<p><strong>So, to get the ball rolling</strong> and share a tiny bit of good that seems to be getting overwhelmed by the <a href="https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2016/11/28/two-jewish-professors-different-campuses-are-harassed-anti-semitic-threats?mc_cid=2bd3ceee8b&mc_eid=6bb8c83958">scary</a>, I offer you this small moment of sanity I witnessed:</p>
<p><em>On our way back from Thanksgiving Saturday night, we climbed aboard the parking shuttle in PHL and sat there — pretty tired from family, fun, and travel — while the shuttle made a few more stops, gradually filling to capacity with several people standing.</em></p>
<p><em>As the final group trudged in, I noticed everyone’s eyes glued to a young Arab man — with his wife preceding him — who stashed their so-incredibly-bright-and-garish-that-you-will-never-miss-this-on-a-baggage carousel luggage next to me on the lower rack. It was fascinating watching everyone on the shuttle silently make note of several facts:</em></p>
<ul>
<li>Arab</li>
<li>Young couple</li>
<li>Loud luggage</li>
<li>Very polite</li>
<li>Whispering with each other and pretty obviously trying to be invisible</li>
</ul>
<p><em>It’s impossible not to guess at what was flashing through many of the minds on that tram — both those seated </em><strong>and</strong><em> the couple themselves — but just as quickly I saw the passengers push the knee-jerk thoughts aside. There was no threat. (Duh.) There were flickers of embarrassment on faces, though, as all of that registered.</em></p>
<p><em>Then I noticed that a dark skinned woman with a soft French accent, standing to my left next to the full luggage racks, was having a hard time trying to arrange her bags while holding onto the rail. An older gentleman with a soft Indian accent started to stand across from me, asking her if she would like his seat. She smiled, but demurred (she’d been “sitting on the plane for a long time”).</em></p>
<p><em>At the same moment, a white woman, seated across from me between her husband and the polite man (her eyes 100% glued to Bejeweled on her smartphone —) shoved her husband with her elbow and said, “Geez, you didn’t offer </em>your<em> seat! What’s wrong with you?” He shrugged and mumbled, “No manners?” which started everyone laughing.</em></p>
<p><em>With relief.</em></p>
<p><em>I was able to help the standing woman stow her heaviest bag near me where there was room, the Arab couple now sitting in back near my husband were noticeably less deer-in-the-headlights, and the wife of the Indian gentleman had leaned forward to laugh with the Bejeweled player about how nice it was to see anyone offer a seat to anyone any more.</em></p>
<p>I know that some people will decry the pause taken by people on the tram to process the fact that the young Arab man wasn’t a threat, etc etc, but I’m loathe to let the perfect be the enemy of the good right now. What I saw was good. I can’t change how people think inside their head — particularly when so many other voices are screaming bile at us — but I think we <em>can</em> legitimately expect people to <em>behave</em> decently to each other — regardless any other factors. We can, at the very least, be civil. I think, for a multi-racial, multi-ethnic, post-election encounter, our little tram-load did pretty okay at being decent humans. (Certainly better than <a href="https://youtu.be/6nrv4jLhDd8">this</a>, or God help us, <a href="https://youtu.be/F3FsrjBASNY">this</a>.)</p>
<p>I look forward to your stories of even better random acts of decency and kindness. <strong>#BeAMensch</strong></p>
<p>*(NB: mensch: n. Yiddish, <em>decent, upright, mature person who knows how to behave her or himself and also knows how to help others</em>)</p>
</section>
|
Time to #BeAMensch
Let’s share some happy stories, shall we?
If you listened to The Woman in White over on the CraftLit podcast, you might recall that while I recorded the second episode we were still living in Tucson—and that I recorded right after Gabrielle Giffords was shot at the market just down the street from our house. Back then, my response was to write a Mom-(and Dad)-Brigade post about disengaging without dissing, tuning out the crazy, and noticing (with pleasure) how many non-crazy people surround us every day.
As I see more verified posts like this, but live in a world surrounded by wonderful people like my CraftLit listeners, I find myself moved to share some happier moments — and hope to hear some from you, too! I’m tagging mine #BeAMensch**. If you have happy stories to share, please call them in to the CraftLit caller line (206–350–1642) or consider using the same hashtag wherever you post your stories online. It would be nice to have a news stream to follow that reminds us of how good we can be to each other.
So, to get the ball rolling and share a tiny bit of good that seems to be getting overwhelmed by the scary, I offer you this small moment of sanity I witnessed:
On our way back from Thanksgiving Saturday night, we climbed aboard the parking shuttle in PHL and sat there — pretty tired from family, fun, and travel — while the shuttle made a few more stops, gradually filling to capacity with several people standing.
As the final group trudged in, I noticed everyone’s eyes glued to a young Arab man — with his wife preceding him — who stashed their so-incredibly-bright-and-garish-that-you-will-never-miss-this-on-a-baggage carousel luggage next to me on the lower rack. It was fascinating watching everyone on the shuttle silently make note of several facts:
Arab
Young couple
Loud luggage
Very polite
Whispering with each other and pretty obviously trying to be invisible
It’s impossible not to guess at what was flashing through many of the minds on that tram — both those seated and the couple themselves — but just as quickly I saw the passengers push the knee-jerk thoughts aside. There was no threat. (Duh.) There were flickers of embarrassment on faces, though, as all of that registered.
Then I noticed that a dark skinned woman with a soft French accent, standing to my left next to the full luggage racks, was having a hard time trying to arrange her bags while holding onto the rail. An older gentleman with a soft Indian accent started to stand across from me, asking her if she would like his seat. She smiled, but demurred (she’d been “sitting on the plane for a long time”).
At the same moment, a white woman, seated across from me between her husband and the polite man (her eyes 100% glued to Bejeweled on her smartphone —) shoved her husband with her elbow and said, “Geez, you didn’t offer your seat! What’s wrong with you?” He shrugged and mumbled, “No manners?” which started everyone laughing.
With relief.
I was able to help the standing woman stow her heaviest bag near me where there was room, the Arab couple now sitting in back near my husband were noticeably less deer-in-the-headlights, and the wife of the Indian gentleman had leaned forward to laugh with the Bejeweled player about how nice it was to see anyone offer a seat to anyone any more.
I know that some people will decry the pause taken by people on the tram to process the fact that the young Arab man wasn’t a threat, etc etc, but I’m loathe to let the perfect be the enemy of the good right now. What I saw was good. I can’t change how people think inside their head — particularly when so many other voices are screaming bile at us — but I think we can legitimately expect people to behave decently to each other — regardless any other factors. We can, at the very least, be civil. I think, for a multi-racial, multi-ethnic, post-election encounter, our little tram-load did pretty okay at being decent humans. (Certainly better than this, or God help us, this.)
I look forward to your stories of even better random acts of decency and kindness. #BeAMensch
*(NB: mensch: n. Yiddish, decent, upright, mature person who knows how to behave her or himself and also knows how to help others)
|
fd7baf30-1786-5e6b-b42c-af44623435e5
|
25/08/2025 15:58:46
|
https://medium.com/@SangitaStella/how-to-write-engaging-seo-friendly-content-227e7cde2b3e
|
medium.com
|
How to write engaging & SEO-friendly content?
|
Writing engaging and SEO-friendly content is essential for attracting and retaining readers, as well as improving your search engine…
|
Sangita Chambugang✨ Digital marketing Expert💡
|
https://medium.com/@SangitaStella
|
227e7cde2b3e
|
https://miro.medium.com/max/2000/0*DYzVAH1-fH6Ls8Ha
|
1 min
|
2023-03-27T02:56:27.864000
|
2023-03-27T03:15:28.535000
|
2023-03-27T03:15:36.613000
| 0
| 50
|
en
|
Engagement,Content,Tips And Tricks,Marketing,SEO
|
<section>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/6000/0*DYzVAH1-fH6Ls8Ha" width="6000" height="4000" loading="lazy" />
<p><strong>Writing engaging and SEO-friendly content</strong> is essential for attracting and retaining readers, as well as improving your search engine rankings. Here are seven tips to help you <strong>write content </strong>that is both <strong>engaging and SEO-friendly:</strong></p>
<p><strong>Know your audience:</strong> Understand who your audience is and what they’re interested in. This will help you<strong> create content that is relevant</strong> to them and speaks to their needs and interests.</p>
<p><strong>Use headlines and subheadings:</strong> Use clear and descriptive headlines and subheadings to break up your content and make it easy to read. This will also help improve your SEO by making it easier for <strong>search engines to understand the content of your page.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Write in a conversational tone:</strong> Write in a conversational tone that is easy to read and engaging. Avoid using overly technical language or jargon that may alienate your readers.</p>
<p><strong>Use visuals: </strong>Incorporate visuals such as images, videos, and infographics to help break up your content and make it more engaging. This will also help<strong> improve your SEO by providing </strong>more context for search engines.</p>
<p><strong>Provide value:</strong> Make sure your <strong>content provides value to your readers.</strong> This could be in the form of educational information, helpful tips, or <strong>entertaining stories.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Use internal and external links: </strong>Include internal links to other relevant content on your site, as well as external links to reputable sources. This will help improve you<strong>r SEO and provide additional value to your readers.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Edit and proofread: </strong>Finally, make sure you edit and proofread your content to ensure it is error-free and easy to read. This will help <strong>improve your credibility</strong> and keep readers engaged.</p>
<p>By following these tips, you can <a href="https://freejobly.com/blog-content-writing/">create content</a> that is both engaging and optimized for SEO, helping you attract and retain readers and i<strong>mprove your search engine rankings.</strong></p>
<p>By following these tips, you can create content that is both engaging and optimized for SEO, helping you attract and retain readers and improve your search engine rankings.</p>
</section>
|
How to write engaging & SEO-friendly content?
Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash
Writing engaging and SEO-friendly content is essential for attracting and retaining readers, as well as improving your search engine rankings. Here are seven tips to help you write content that is both engaging and SEO-friendly:
Know your audience: Understand who your audience is and what they’re interested in. This will help you create content that is relevant to them and speaks to their needs and interests.
Use headlines and subheadings: Use clear and descriptive headlines and subheadings to break up your content and make it easy to read. This will also help improve your SEO by making it easier for search engines to understand the content of your page.
Write in a conversational tone: Write in a conversational tone that is easy to read and engaging. Avoid using overly technical language or jargon that may alienate your readers.
Use visuals: Incorporate visuals such as images, videos, and infographics to help break up your content and make it more engaging. This will also help improve your SEO by providing more context for search engines.
Provide value: Make sure your content provides value to your readers. This could be in the form of educational information, helpful tips, or entertaining stories.
Use internal and external links: Include internal links to other relevant content on your site, as well as external links to reputable sources. This will help improve your SEO and provide additional value to your readers.
Edit and proofread: Finally, make sure you edit and proofread your content to ensure it is error-free and easy to read. This will help improve your credibility and keep readers engaged.
By following these tips, you can create content that is both engaging and optimized for SEO, helping you attract and retain readers and improve your search engine rankings.
By following these tips, you can create content that is both engaging and optimized for SEO, helping you attract and retain readers and improve your search engine rankings.
|
c5af4d14-65d2-5e93-ac1f-9ddfd29137dc
|
25/08/2025 15:58:46
|
https://medium.com/independent-book-reviews/a-review-of-fake-news-d044c9c72382
|
medium.com
|
A Review of Fake News
|
by David Hutter
|
Joel R. Dennstedt
|
https://medium.com/@joelrdennstedt
|
d044c9c72382
|
1 min
|
2017-10-30T12:36:18.180000
|
2017-10-30T12:38:25.998000
|
2018-04-08T10:30:45.318000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Donald Trump,Ibrfiction,Books,Book Review,Books And Authors
|
<section>
<h3>by David Hutter</h3>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/313/1*_DocF_p7duqAKX1vqQBMIA.jpeg" width="313" height="500" loading="lazy" />
<p><strong>Like the reality behind the term made famous by this book’s leading character,</strong> one is never quite so sure that what he reads is not truer than the facts — if one is reading Fake News by David Hutter. The subtitle best explains the premise of this funny, funny book: “Strange historical facts reimagined in the world of Donald Trump.” By now, the cast is all too familiar. The names of Trump’s cabinet and advisers are household names. But Mr. Hutter takes us back to the beginning (Inauguration Day,) when our newly elected “greatest-President-ever” assumed this republic’s throne, deciding on Day One to replace the Lincoln Memorial with one of his very own and, oh-by-the-way, to suddenly declare war on North Korea by way of Twitter. It’s all going to be okay. Ivanka approves. And He trusts Ivanka. (Capitals mine.)</p>
<p>This will give you a taste of David Hutter’s more-than-satirical treatise on Mr. Trump’s dubious ascension, and will provide you with an early warning that all the contents of this funny book may indeed be Fake News. What is not fake is Mr. Hutter’s keen attention to the quirks and foibles, the tones and attitudes, and the incredibly misinformed antics of our country’s first lunatic — not a political stance or conjecture, mind you; simply a statement of the news. The reader feels as if he has gained front row access to the crazy show, with only one choice left for him to make: to laugh or cry. I guarantee you, this book will make you weep with glee.</p>
<p>But the truly ingenious part of this book: David Hutter follows each Fake News chapter with reports on similar real-world historical events (fascinating trivia) proving in the end that Trump and we have all been here before.</p>
<h3><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0765N7DD7">BUY ON AMAZON</a></h3>
</section>
|
A Review of Fake News
by David Hutter
Like the reality behind the term made famous by this book’s leading character, one is never quite so sure that what he reads is not truer than the facts — if one is reading Fake News by David Hutter. The subtitle best explains the premise of this funny, funny book: “Strange historical facts reimagined in the world of Donald Trump.” By now, the cast is all too familiar. The names of Trump’s cabinet and advisers are household names. But Mr. Hutter takes us back to the beginning (Inauguration Day,) when our newly elected “greatest-President-ever” assumed this republic’s throne, deciding on Day One to replace the Lincoln Memorial with one of his very own and, oh-by-the-way, to suddenly declare war on North Korea by way of Twitter. It’s all going to be okay. Ivanka approves. And He trusts Ivanka. (Capitals mine.)
This will give you a taste of David Hutter’s more-than-satirical treatise on Mr. Trump’s dubious ascension, and will provide you with an early warning that all the contents of this funny book may indeed be Fake News. What is not fake is Mr. Hutter’s keen attention to the quirks and foibles, the tones and attitudes, and the incredibly misinformed antics of our country’s first lunatic — not a political stance or conjecture, mind you; simply a statement of the news. The reader feels as if he has gained front row access to the crazy show, with only one choice left for him to make: to laugh or cry. I guarantee you, this book will make you weep with glee.
But the truly ingenious part of this book: David Hutter follows each Fake News chapter with reports on similar real-world historical events (fascinating trivia) proving in the end that Trump and we have all been here before.
BUY ON AMAZON
|
9d88c774-febc-52cc-addb-dedcb43e9417
|
25/08/2025 15:58:46
|
|
https://medium.com/dadabhagwan/how-can-one-stop-manifesting-negativity-and-develop-positive-energy-335091ce04ce
|
medium.com
|
How can one stop manifesting negativity and develop positive energy?
|
The negative energy could manifest in different ways. Now, let’s study the ways suggested by the Enlightened One to attract positive energy…
|
Dada Bhagwan
|
https://medium.com/@dadabhagwan
|
335091ce04ce
|
5 min
|
2025-01-21T13:29:55.078000
|
2025-01-24T07:02:30.643000
|
2025-01-24T08:33:31.757000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Positive Thinking,Mindfulness,Mindset,Positivity,Life Lessons
|
<section>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1080/1*fZnate8HiS9kfz3Hw0Mfng.jpeg" width="1080" height="1080" loading="lazy" />
<p>The negative energy could manifest in different ways. Now, let’s study the ways suggested by the Enlightened One to attract positive energy amidst a negative mindset.</p>
<p><strong>Ignorance of the Self — Come out of it.</strong></p>
<p>The negative energy manifests due to ignorance and negative intellect. (Through Akram Vignan), First of all, ignorance will dissolve, and you will experience self-realization. Then, you can dissolve the negative intellect with the right understanding. Slowly, slowly, the negative energy will dissolve, and everything (negative) will go away. So, the first thing is you have to come out of ignorance.</p>
<p>(If one asks you), “You are really John or your name is John (you may insert your name here)?” What will you say? John is your name or you yourself are John?</p>
<ul>
<li>You say, ‘My name is John.’ Then you say, ‘I am John.’</li>
<li>You say, ‘This is my house.’ Then you say, ‘I am house.’ Is there any contradiction?</li>
<li>‘This is my car.’ Then, ‘No, I am a car.’ Is there any contradiction?</li>
</ul>
<p>‘My’ means ‘belonging’. It implies that the owner (of the belonging) must be separate. When you say, ‘This is my car’, you are not a car, you are the owner of the car. (Likewise) my hands, my leg, my head, my body… Who is saying, ‘This is my body’? — That ‘I’ has to be realized, that is the biggest ignorance; a blunder. So, that blunder has to go away. In the Gnan ceremony (of Akram Vignan), we get Self-Realization of ‘who am I’ and ‘John is separate from you.’ Mind, speech, body, ego, intellect, everything — the collection of the entire karmic account is John. You are a <a href="https://www.dadabhagwan.org/path-to-happiness/spiritual-science/what-is-a-soul/">pure Soul</a> — you will get that realization. Then slowly, slowly, all the negativity will go away.</p>
<p><strong>2. The Negative Vision — Develop your vision to see from the other side too.</strong></p>
<p>We must understand that our ego and our intellect are seated high above, (like) on a horse, “This person is bad. That person is wrong. I am good, the world is bad.”</p>
<p>Negativity is a vision of ours, ‘See how bad this person has done’. But actually, if we were to ask that person, “You did this bad thing?” He’ll say, “No, these people asked me to do like this, that’s why I did.” So, he hasn’t done it deliberately; owing to circumstances, it happened so.</p>
<p>(When negative energy manifests, we may say,) ‘Why did you come late? Every time you come late. You don’t care for time. You always spoil the work.’ The other person will say, “My circumstances were such. I got held up in traffic. I had set out from home at 10 am, but half an hour got spoilt in traffic only.”</p>
<p>We are seeing him as faulty, but in so many matters, one has not done it purposely. One has done it because circumstances were so. So when negative energy manifests that, ‘this person is doing like this? Every time s/he does it like this, if we understand that, ‘No, it happens sometimes, and sometimes it may not. It is due to circumstances that this happened, hence the other person is not at fault.’ In this manner, develop your vision to see from the other side too, ‘I believe it to be like this, but something else too could be the case.’</p>
<p>(In another instance of negative energy manifesting), ‘This person is getting so angry!’ Hey, earlier, a couple of people provoked him, therefore he got angry. He’s not doing it with a purpose. Something of this sort happened. (Possible??) Or they snatched away his belongings and began to scold him, hence he retaliated.</p>
<p>(Our negative vision shows) ‘This person is like this only’, but is he really like this?</p>
<p>No, it is owing to circumstances; subject to karma, etc. — in this manner, if we learn to see things impartially, then we can understand that a person is not doing any fault on his own, it is due to the force of past karma or certain circumstances, that faults happen. Hence, it is not worth seeing anyone as faulty. We must not see the negative of others. By applying such right understanding, it is possible to revert (from a negative mindset).</p>
<p><strong>3. Self-Negativity — Stay positive through different ways prescribed.</strong></p>
<p>If intellect shows negative, we must prepare a list, ‘what are the positives? let me see.’ That will bring about a solution. Negative means the intellect is doubting, ‘What if this will spoil?’ So, bring about a solution, ‘Is this possible?’ Then, confirm with a couple of people. If they say it is ok, then proceed ahead.</p>
<p>When a thought that, ‘What if the work will spoil?’ is constantly nagging you, then slowly decide on one (of the tasks) and complete it sincerely, ‘Whatever has to happen will happen, I will get to experience.’ Finish the task at hand sincerely, then you will gain experience and the power of confidence will keep increasing.</p>
<p>Determine to join into something positive, creative, and constructive because insecurity is the root cause (of negativity). Take on the path of the right knowledge. Chant the name of God, worship God, and do physical exercises too — yoga, pranayam, walking, exercise. Then, you will gain some normality. If you believe, ‘I am unwanted, my self-confidence is low’, it’s not true. Ask for strength from God and do your work. When you complete your work sincerely, you will experience that ‘okay, I am able to complete little tasks sincerely.’ Slowly, slowly the strength (positivity) will increase. Believe in your mind, ‘God is with me, my parents (or other family members) are also with me. Come on, whatever work I take up, I have the support and cooperation of everyone, hence it will be done.’</p>
<p>It is the mind that keeps showing positive and negative. But don’t get scared by the mind. Converse with it, ‘No matter how much negative you show, I don’t bother. I shall follow the path shown by the Enlightened One. I will adjust everywhere. Oh God, please give me strength.’ Consequently, the power of the negative mind will get to pieces and our power of intent shall keep increasing.</p>
<p>And arrive at a solution, ‘I may have sent two negative words earlier, so these two words came back to me. Let me credit them. And now, I will not send new negative words to anyone, so my karmic account will square off.’ Doing so, the balance of our karma is getting over. So in fact, we should be grateful to the person abusing us. See positive that, ‘Good he helped complete my <a href="https://www.dadabhagwan.org/path-to-happiness/spiritual-science/the-science-of-karma/">karma</a>. I am grateful to him.’ While respect is food, abuse is a vitamin (for one who wants to progress ahead. Good, I got vitamins free of cost.’ By seeing the positive, our energy will slowly keep increasing.</p>
<p></p>
<p>If we have with us 100 negatives and 1 positive, then bring out that 1 positive, the rest of the negative will fall off on its own and our life will be filled with positive energy. In life, both negative and positive will continue to exist. We, like a magnet, have to always stay positive. Then, positive circumstances will arrive on their own, because by remaining positive, positive circumstances accumulate.</p>
</section>
|
How can one stop manifesting negativity and develop positive energy?
The negative energy could manifest in different ways. Now, let’s study the ways suggested by the Enlightened One to attract positive energy amidst a negative mindset.
Ignorance of the Self — Come out of it.
The negative energy manifests due to ignorance and negative intellect. (Through Akram Vignan), First of all, ignorance will dissolve, and you will experience self-realization. Then, you can dissolve the negative intellect with the right understanding. Slowly, slowly, the negative energy will dissolve, and everything (negative) will go away. So, the first thing is you have to come out of ignorance.
(If one asks you), “You are really John or your name is John (you may insert your name here)?” What will you say? John is your name or you yourself are John?
You say, ‘My name is John.’ Then you say, ‘I am John.’
You say, ‘This is my house.’ Then you say, ‘I am house.’ Is there any contradiction?
‘This is my car.’ Then, ‘No, I am a car.’ Is there any contradiction?
‘My’ means ‘belonging’. It implies that the owner (of the belonging) must be separate. When you say, ‘This is my car’, you are not a car, you are the owner of the car. (Likewise) my hands, my leg, my head, my body… Who is saying, ‘This is my body’? — That ‘I’ has to be realized, that is the biggest ignorance; a blunder. So, that blunder has to go away. In the Gnan ceremony (of Akram Vignan), we get Self-Realization of ‘who am I’ and ‘John is separate from you.’ Mind, speech, body, ego, intellect, everything — the collection of the entire karmic account is John. You are a pure Soul — you will get that realization. Then slowly, slowly, all the negativity will go away.
2. The Negative Vision — Develop your vision to see from the other side too.
We must understand that our ego and our intellect are seated high above, (like) on a horse, “This person is bad. That person is wrong. I am good, the world is bad.”
Negativity is a vision of ours, ‘See how bad this person has done’. But actually, if we were to ask that person, “You did this bad thing?” He’ll say, “No, these people asked me to do like this, that’s why I did.” So, he hasn’t done it deliberately; owing to circumstances, it happened so.
(When negative energy manifests, we may say,) ‘Why did you come late? Every time you come late. You don’t care for time. You always spoil the work.’ The other person will say, “My circumstances were such. I got held up in traffic. I had set out from home at 10 am, but half an hour got spoilt in traffic only.”
We are seeing him as faulty, but in so many matters, one has not done it purposely. One has done it because circumstances were so. So when negative energy manifests that, ‘this person is doing like this? Every time s/he does it like this, if we understand that, ‘No, it happens sometimes, and sometimes it may not. It is due to circumstances that this happened, hence the other person is not at fault.’ In this manner, develop your vision to see from the other side too, ‘I believe it to be like this, but something else too could be the case.’
(In another instance of negative energy manifesting), ‘This person is getting so angry!’ Hey, earlier, a couple of people provoked him, therefore he got angry. He’s not doing it with a purpose. Something of this sort happened. (Possible??) Or they snatched away his belongings and began to scold him, hence he retaliated.
(Our negative vision shows) ‘This person is like this only’, but is he really like this?
No, it is owing to circumstances; subject to karma, etc. — in this manner, if we learn to see things impartially, then we can understand that a person is not doing any fault on his own, it is due to the force of past karma or certain circumstances, that faults happen. Hence, it is not worth seeing anyone as faulty. We must not see the negative of others. By applying such right understanding, it is possible to revert (from a negative mindset).
3. Self-Negativity — Stay positive through different ways prescribed.
If intellect shows negative, we must prepare a list, ‘what are the positives? let me see.’ That will bring about a solution. Negative means the intellect is doubting, ‘What if this will spoil?’ So, bring about a solution, ‘Is this possible?’ Then, confirm with a couple of people. If they say it is ok, then proceed ahead.
When a thought that, ‘What if the work will spoil?’ is constantly nagging you, then slowly decide on one (of the tasks) and complete it sincerely, ‘Whatever has to happen will happen, I will get to experience.’ Finish the task at hand sincerely, then you will gain experience and the power of confidence will keep increasing.
Determine to join into something positive, creative, and constructive because insecurity is the root cause (of negativity). Take on the path of the right knowledge. Chant the name of God, worship God, and do physical exercises too — yoga, pranayam, walking, exercise. Then, you will gain some normality. If you believe, ‘I am unwanted, my self-confidence is low’, it’s not true. Ask for strength from God and do your work. When you complete your work sincerely, you will experience that ‘okay, I am able to complete little tasks sincerely.’ Slowly, slowly the strength (positivity) will increase. Believe in your mind, ‘God is with me, my parents (or other family members) are also with me. Come on, whatever work I take up, I have the support and cooperation of everyone, hence it will be done.’
It is the mind that keeps showing positive and negative. But don’t get scared by the mind. Converse with it, ‘No matter how much negative you show, I don’t bother. I shall follow the path shown by the Enlightened One. I will adjust everywhere. Oh God, please give me strength.’ Consequently, the power of the negative mind will get to pieces and our power of intent shall keep increasing.
And arrive at a solution, ‘I may have sent two negative words earlier, so these two words came back to me. Let me credit them. And now, I will not send new negative words to anyone, so my karmic account will square off.’ Doing so, the balance of our karma is getting over. So in fact, we should be grateful to the person abusing us. See positive that, ‘Good he helped complete my karma. I am grateful to him.’ While respect is food, abuse is a vitamin (for one who wants to progress ahead. Good, I got vitamins free of cost.’ By seeing the positive, our energy will slowly keep increasing.
If we have with us 100 negatives and 1 positive, then bring out that 1 positive, the rest of the negative will fall off on its own and our life will be filled with positive energy. In life, both negative and positive will continue to exist. We, like a magnet, have to always stay positive. Then, positive circumstances will arrive on their own, because by remaining positive, positive circumstances accumulate.
|
72efc0e3-f411-50f9-b13f-6f74e8eadda1
|
25/08/2025 15:58:46
|
|
https://news.impactalpha.com/small-can-be-beautiful-in-east-african-impact-investments-9deb0a7f326c
|
medium.com
|
Small can be beautiful in East African impact investments
|
How impact investors can better serve social enterprises in the region
|
Dennis Price
|
https://medium.com/@dennisaprice
|
9deb0a7f326c
|
1 min
|
2017-05-25T21:15:29.304000
|
2017-05-25T21:19:42.216000
|
2017-12-17T04:20:18.159000
| 0
| 3
|
en
|
Impact Investing,East Africa,Small Business,Features,Trends
|
<section>
<h1><strong>Small can be beautiful in East African impact investments</strong></h1>
<h3>How impact investors can better serve social enterprises in the region</h3>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/725/1*GyZmZAPOsgdgx4kPN6FDpw.jpeg" width="725" height="403" loading="lazy" />
<p>To cover the high costs of finding, making and managing impact investments in East Africa, impact investors are increasingly looking for larger, later-stage and scalable solutions.</p>
<p>That leaves behind smaller and earlier-stage social enterprises with viable business models and potential for meaningful impact, writes Joris de Vries of Hooge Raedt Social Venture in Tanzania. <em>His post is worth reading in full</em>:</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/impact-investing-east-afri</strong>ca-should-only-scale-joris-de-vries">Impact Investing in East Africa: It should not only be about scale
<em>Published on Joris de Vries Follow Following Unfollow Joris de Vries Sign in to follow this author If impact investing…</em>www.lin</a>kedin.com</p>
<p>Impact investing in East Africa, says de Vries, “has partially been sold on a fallacy that it is easy to earn a buck while changing the world for the better.” Now, investors are insisting businesses scale up “in an environment where high-margin businesses — especially that of the brick-and-mortar type — are few and far between.”</p>
<p>Philanthropists keen for market-based models need to subsidize some investment-management costs, says de Vries. Smart subsidies would not only attract investors, but enable local fund managers to place capital “with highly impactful businesses, large and small, risky and less risky, scalable and less so,” and relieve those managers of the expectation to “realize double-digit financials returns within five to 10 years or even cover all their management costs out of the returns.”</p>
<p></p>
</section>
|
Inclusive Economics
Small can be beautiful in East African impact investments
How impact investors can better serve social enterprises in the region
Photo credit: FEMI
To cover the high costs of finding, making and managing impact investments in East Africa, impact investors are increasingly looking for larger, later-stage and scalable solutions.
That leaves behind smaller and earlier-stage social enterprises with viable business models and potential for meaningful impact, writes Joris de Vries of Hooge Raedt Social Venture in Tanzania. His post is worth reading in full:
Impact Investing in East Africa: It should not only be about scale
Published on Joris de Vries Follow Following Unfollow Joris de Vries Sign in to follow this author If impact investing…www.linkedin.com
Impact investing in East Africa, says de Vries, “has partially been sold on a fallacy that it is easy to earn a buck while changing the world for the better.” Now, investors are insisting businesses scale up “in an environment where high-margin businesses — especially that of the brick-and-mortar type — are few and far between.”
Philanthropists keen for market-based models need to subsidize some investment-management costs, says de Vries. Smart subsidies would not only attract investors, but enable local fund managers to place capital “with highly impactful businesses, large and small, risky and less risky, scalable and less so,” and relieve those managers of the expectation to “realize double-digit financials returns within five to 10 years or even cover all their management costs out of the returns.”
|
9ef89dd0-801e-50ab-9bf7-9f52884dec98
|
25/08/2025 15:58:46
|
|
https://medium.com/sights-on-edtech/an-interview-with-christopher-persson-of-the-london-interdisciplinary-school-db8c118db572
|
medium.com
|
Christopher Persson from The London Interdisciplinary School
| null |
Lorenzo Molinari
|
https://medium.com/@lorenzomolii
|
db8c118db572
|
9 min
|
2021-02-17T08:43:18.299000
|
2021-03-11T14:02:56.655000
|
2023-10-16T16:43:02.772000
| 0
| 54
|
en
|
Education,University,Interdisciplinary,Technology,Problem Based Learning
|
<section>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/2668/1*LlgW8rJwoqlCATWQyE9xhw.jpeg" width="2668" height="1500" loading="lazy" />
<h1>Biography of the speaker</h1>
<p>Christopher Persson is an entrepreneur who has been involved in the innovation and start-up space for digital ventures for over 20 years. He has co-founded several digital companies, such as Bookatable, and is a partner/investor of multiple UK and Sweden-based firms providing capital to businesses and young entrepreneurs. Chris is now the Executive Chairman of The London Interdisciplinary School (LIS), a newly-founded university that equips students with the knowledge, skills and tools they need to tackle the multidimensional nature of the worldwide challenges we face today.</p>
<p><em>The interview was recorded virtually and transcribed by Zanichelli Venture.</em></p>
<p><strong>Question 1: The London Interdisciplinary School (LIS) was founded in 2017 and earlier this year the school has been granted degree awarding powers, conferring a Bachelors of Arts and Science (BASc) in Interdisciplinary Problems & Methods to their future graduates. Can you tell us more about the institution? How did it start and how did it grow in the first years?</strong></p>
<p>CP: I was watching my son trying to pick a university course that he could get excited about. The more we looked, the more I could see why he was struggling… all the options seemed very similar to each other. Most university courses require students to pick one specific subject; this makes it difficult for students to broaden their perspectives. As an entrepreneur, you don’t simply focus on a single aspect at any one time; it’s important to adopt a holistic approach and to see connections which, often, have been previously unseen.</p>
<p>I was introduced to <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-fidoe-1b15a72/?originalSubdomain=uk">Ed Fidoe</a> through <a href="https://www.big-change.org/">Big Change</a>, a charity set-up to help young people thrive. When we first met, Ed told me about his successful launch of School 21, a 4–18 school in East London, a few years earlier. Ed had come to similar conclusions about the lack of choice at UK universities but was one step ahead of me — and had already written a well-researched business plan for what is today LIS. After a few coffee meetings we decided to get going together. I had started a few companies so I was used to the entrepreneurial experience and the idea of setting up a new university was very exciting to me. By the end of 2017, and with a lot of support from <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mullinger/?originalSubdomain=uk">Andrew Mullinger</a> (co-founder of <a href="https://www.fundingcircle.com/uk/about-us/">Funding Circle</a>), the three of us set off on a journey to find the world’s future leaders!</p>
<p>The principles behind LIS are:</p>
<p>Students start with the problem rather than a discipline. Let’s take Covid-19 as an example — to understand how Covid has impacted our society, you need to draw on a combination of insights from psychology, statistics, economics, design, biology…the list goes on. Studying one discipline or aspect in isolation is not sufficient to even begin trying to minimise the impact of a pandemic.</p>
<p>Our admissions process will ensure we assess student ability to thrive and be successful on the course. At LIS, we go beyond grades; all applicants, regardless of their grades, are invited to an interview. This allows us to assess a candidate’s potential using a holistic approach, taking into account their cognitive ability, attitude towards learning, problem solving capacity, along with their personal context.</p>
<p>The challenges discussed at LIS are real-life issues — students may look at childhood obesity during one term and then the complexity of wellbeing in the next.</p>
<p>Each year, undergraduate students will have the chance to complete paid internships with employer organisations in our network.</p>
<p>ZV: It sounds like a very exciting place to be in! I really like the problem-based nature of the degree and the emphasis on fair opportunities for all. In the current times of glaring disparities, I believe it is very important we take a step back and assess candidates more holistically. How did LIS develop from 2017 until now? And what content will be taught to the students?</p>
<p>CP: The four areas outlined above are the foundations of LIS. We gained inspiration from Ed’s experience with School 21, Carl Gombrich’s work at University College London — leading the set-up of the Bachelors of Arts and Science (BASc) — and my activity as a serial entrepreneur.</p>
<p>With regards to the content we’ll teach undergraduate students, our website shows detailed descriptions of our modules and the curriculum students will cover at LIS. In addition to our undergraduate degree, we also provide professional development & executive education programmes for companies. Whilst problems provide the framework for learning at LIS, it’s the focused knowledge of core academic disciplines and research methods that will give students the ability to tackle complex problems. During their learning journey, students will develop interdisciplinary knowledge; ‘superconcepts’, like evolution, entropy, and post-modernism, for example are powerful tools that will allow students to go beyond the constraints of subject silos. Originating in a single discipline, superconcepts traverse disciplinary boundaries — often blossoming in disciplines far removed from their initial genesis. Consider evolution. Evolution, originating from biology, is now found in psychology, game theory, history, ecology, environmental science, computer science, and new media. Students will also study a range of both qualitative (e.g. videography and ethnography), as well as quantitative (e.g. machine learning and data science) research methods; these will position students to do research in their own areas of interest and the areas of interest to outside organisations.</p>
<p>ZV: It is definitely very exciting to focus on a broader set of aspects that govern an individual problem; very challenging, but also very rewarding. Given the interdisciplinary nature of the content delivered, how do you recruit the most suitable lecturers for the course?</p>
<p>CP: We received over 700 applications to hire the first six faculty members. Most of them started their academic careers in one area and later ended up in another; for example, one of our lecturers started with a linguistics degree to later move to machine learning and data science. Our academics are focussed on teaching rather than research, which is also very unusual within the traditional university system in the UK.</p>
<p><strong>Question 2: LIS is due to welcome its first student class in 2021 with 100+ places available. Can you tell us more about the recruitment process for students? What do you look for in potential candidates?</strong></p>
<p>CP: We want to make sure we recruit a cohort that’s representative of the UK population. The country hosts many different ethnicities for example and we want our cohort to reflect this diversity both in the UK and the rest of the world. We expect that many of our students will live in or around London. Our campus will be in East London. Whilst we know from early market research, that many students wouldn’t even consider coming to LIS because we are too different compared to traditional universities, others are highly attracted to our truly unique curriculum and interdisciplinary approach.</p>
<p>In terms of recruiting students, we adopt a holistic approach. We have a team dedicated to running school visits, both virtually and in-person. Due to Covid, we are now holding several online sessions and we have also set up an Online Learning Hub, where we create open-source content exploring some of the complex problems students may study at LIS. Students may also discover LIS through the press; we’ve has coverage in several of the major nationals including The Times, FT, Forbes, BBC, and Today Programme. We are also attracting around 60% of applicants through digital marketing and ads, with which we target tightly to avoid bombarding potential candidates.</p>
<p>ZV: When you talk to high school students, how do you manage to hook them in and let them understand the importance of the connected mindset we spoke about earlier?</p>
<p>CP: The best way to connect with students is to start a dialogue on something that the students care about, whether that is the climate crisis, political tensions or wealth disparity. Then we try to get the students to talk to each other as this is an essential part of our degree. Making connections.</p>
<p>When I spoke to my son about his virtual learning set-ups at university, I found it fascinating how the use of breakout rooms in videoconferencing platforms now allows you to connect with people you previously may not have even known were in your classroom beforehand! This is a typical example of how technology can facilitate and enhance the way we can work together.</p>
<p>ZV: Definitely technology is acting as an enabler here, transporting students into a place that facilitates interaction with new people. Going back to Ed’s idea of School 21, you’ve earlier touched on the idea of having a fairer recruitment process. Can you elaborate on that?</p>
<p>CP: Firstly, it is worth noting, that studying an interdisciplinary degree like ours, is hard work. You’ve got to master many disciplines in enough depth in order to combine them so that the sum of the parts provides a better solution than if the subjects were studied in isolation.</p>
<p>Saying that, our recruitment process for students is based on two main core ideas:</p>
<p>Any student can apply regardless of grades. We have a democratic, totally open recruitment approach; other universities struggle to do this.</p>
<p>Everyone who applies is invited to an interview. Through understanding their values, competencies and drivers we are able to build a complete picture of the individual and assess whether they will benefit from LIS and if they have the potential to thrive on the course. If an applicant doesn’t meet 4 out of the 5 criteria for example we are looking for, we will provide support to achieve 5 out of 5. We appreciate that interviewing so many applicants is a logistical challenge but we use a very structured approach in which we minimise our potential biases. All our interviewers, both faculty and non-faculty members, have undergone training in these areas and we are confident they are prepared for the challenge.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/7360/1*PE4c_AagQsogJY2ruUj-TQ.jpeg" width="7360" height="4912" loading="lazy" />
<p><strong>Question 3: LIS offers a new teaching framework focused on problems and methods’ analysis, in contrast with more traditional discipline-specific academic structures. How does this new framework work? How can the new model help the next generations to tackle our future challenges?</strong></p>
<p>CP: We have found that students are used to thinking in silos from high school and it can be challenging to connect all the dots. We will start our journey with one concept, say mental health, and we then look at four disciplines that revolve around that topic, such as psychology or neuroscience. Then we will dive into each area and explore it in depth. Students then combine the knowledge gathered to draw connections together. Similar to when a tennis player masters his forehand and is able to repeat it numerous times without paying much attention, it becomes second-nature, our students will be able to apply an holistic approach whenever they are faced with a new problem or challenge.</p>
<p>ZV: This way of thinking is exactly how we are all neurobiologically wired through synapses, the neuron points of contact in our brain. The more we think holistically, the more we reinforce and highlight the specific synapses that help us make broader connections. How do you think this framework can help the upcoming generations to tackle future challenges?</p>
<p>CP: I think this will help upcoming generations for a couple of reasons:</p>
<p>If you think about our world today, we don’t have a library that stores everything we know. Knowledge is available everywhere via the internet and is definitely not well organised; if you type milk in your search engine, you probably get thousands of search results. You are required to study and think in a holistic way to achieve or find the results you’re looking for.</p>
<p>Companies are already changing the way they work to a more hybrid approach. We need people that can apply knowledge in different disciplines and learn how to connect the dots together. We need to approach complex problems using a multidimensional approach and LIS can help you do that.</p>
<p><strong>Question 4: It can be argued that one of the purpose of higher education institutions is to equip students with the skills/knowledge needed to find employment. What connections with the job market does LIS offer? How does LIS ensure that the skills gained during the course are sought after by employers?</strong></p>
<p>CP: In our business model, we offer our undergraduates the opportunity to complete summer internships in companies that may have also sent their employees for executive education. We want to create a connection between the work environment and our students that helps both stakeholders. Students get to understand what they want to do and what they like, while companies scout for talent. By the time students graduate, they will have gained the knowledge and skills they need to help them thrive in the work environment, whether they want to set up their own business, work in a start-up or a larger corporation.</p>
<h2>Key takeaways</h2>
<ul>
<li>All students that apply to LIS will be invited to an interview, regardless of their grades or socio-economic background.</li>
<li>The teaching framework at LIS combines the analysis of real-life problems with ‘super concepts; and qualitative and quantitative research methods.</li>
<li>Each year students will have the option to complete paid internships with a broad range of employers from fast-growth start-ups to large corporations.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Closing statement</h2>
<p>We thank Christopher Persson for taking the time to speak with us; if you want to read more about LIS, visit their <a href="https://www.londoninterdisciplinaryschool.org/?gclid=CjwKCAiAg8OBBhA8EiwAlKw3kh_DGWTIIMe0aWTThoPaBFkoJ0DoVFIL9qcOjV0XZE5A3f_8XLMf2BoCwA8QAvD_BwE">website</a>. Since you’re here, why not look at our other publications on <a href="https://medium.com/sights-on-edtech/rethinkinghe/home">Rethinking HE</a>?</p>
<p><a href="https://medium.com/sights-on-edtech/rethinking-higher-education-2-lucinda-crossley-meates-from-job-smart-edge-a2b68125bbac">Lucinda Crossley Meates, Head of Operations at Job Smart Edge at The University of Sydney Business School</a></p>
<p><a href="https://medium.com/sights-on-edtech/rethinking-higher-education-3-christian-rebernik-from-tomorrows-education-66a3e2737488">Christian Rebernik, CEO and co-founder of Tomorrow’s Education</a></p>
<p><a href="https://medium.com/sights-on-edtech/rethinking-he-4-akiba-covitz-from-foundry-college-f7bef0a73e68">Akiba Covitz, President and CEO of Foundry College</a></p>
<p><a href="https://medium.com/sights-on-edtech/rethinking-education-5-dana-stephenson-from-riipen-fd5cd22ce3b0">Dana Stephenson, CEO of Riipen</a></p>
</section>
|
Christopher Persson from The London Interdisciplinary School
Biography of the speaker
Christopher Persson is an entrepreneur who has been involved in the innovation and start-up space for digital ventures for over 20 years. He has co-founded several digital companies, such as Bookatable, and is a partner/investor of multiple UK and Sweden-based firms providing capital to businesses and young entrepreneurs. Chris is now the Executive Chairman of The London Interdisciplinary School (LIS), a newly-founded university that equips students with the knowledge, skills and tools they need to tackle the multidimensional nature of the worldwide challenges we face today.
The interview was recorded virtually and transcribed by Zanichelli Venture.
Question 1: The London Interdisciplinary School (LIS) was founded in 2017 and earlier this year the school has been granted degree awarding powers, conferring a Bachelors of Arts and Science (BASc) in Interdisciplinary Problems & Methods to their future graduates. Can you tell us more about the institution? How did it start and how did it grow in the first years?
CP: I was watching my son trying to pick a university course that he could get excited about. The more we looked, the more I could see why he was struggling… all the options seemed very similar to each other. Most university courses require students to pick one specific subject; this makes it difficult for students to broaden their perspectives. As an entrepreneur, you don’t simply focus on a single aspect at any one time; it’s important to adopt a holistic approach and to see connections which, often, have been previously unseen.
I was introduced to Ed Fidoe through Big Change, a charity set-up to help young people thrive. When we first met, Ed told me about his successful launch of School 21, a 4–18 school in East London, a few years earlier. Ed had come to similar conclusions about the lack of choice at UK universities but was one step ahead of me — and had already written a well-researched business plan for what is today LIS. After a few coffee meetings we decided to get going together. I had started a few companies so I was used to the entrepreneurial experience and the idea of setting up a new university was very exciting to me. By the end of 2017, and with a lot of support from Andrew Mullinger (co-founder of Funding Circle), the three of us set off on a journey to find the world’s future leaders!
The principles behind LIS are:
Students start with the problem rather than a discipline. Let’s take Covid-19 as an example — to understand how Covid has impacted our society, you need to draw on a combination of insights from psychology, statistics, economics, design, biology…the list goes on. Studying one discipline or aspect in isolation is not sufficient to even begin trying to minimise the impact of a pandemic.
Our admissions process will ensure we assess student ability to thrive and be successful on the course. At LIS, we go beyond grades; all applicants, regardless of their grades, are invited to an interview. This allows us to assess a candidate’s potential using a holistic approach, taking into account their cognitive ability, attitude towards learning, problem solving capacity, along with their personal context.
The challenges discussed at LIS are real-life issues — students may look at childhood obesity during one term and then the complexity of wellbeing in the next.
Each year, undergraduate students will have the chance to complete paid internships with employer organisations in our network.
ZV: It sounds like a very exciting place to be in! I really like the problem-based nature of the degree and the emphasis on fair opportunities for all. In the current times of glaring disparities, I believe it is very important we take a step back and assess candidates more holistically. How did LIS develop from 2017 until now? And what content will be taught to the students?
CP: The four areas outlined above are the foundations of LIS. We gained inspiration from Ed’s experience with School 21, Carl Gombrich’s work at University College London — leading the set-up of the Bachelors of Arts and Science (BASc) — and my activity as a serial entrepreneur.
With regards to the content we’ll teach undergraduate students, our website shows detailed descriptions of our modules and the curriculum students will cover at LIS. In addition to our undergraduate degree, we also provide professional development & executive education programmes for companies. Whilst problems provide the framework for learning at LIS, it’s the focused knowledge of core academic disciplines and research methods that will give students the ability to tackle complex problems. During their learning journey, students will develop interdisciplinary knowledge; ‘superconcepts’, like evolution, entropy, and post-modernism, for example are powerful tools that will allow students to go beyond the constraints of subject silos. Originating in a single discipline, superconcepts traverse disciplinary boundaries — often blossoming in disciplines far removed from their initial genesis. Consider evolution. Evolution, originating from biology, is now found in psychology, game theory, history, ecology, environmental science, computer science, and new media. Students will also study a range of both qualitative (e.g. videography and ethnography), as well as quantitative (e.g. machine learning and data science) research methods; these will position students to do research in their own areas of interest and the areas of interest to outside organisations.
ZV: It is definitely very exciting to focus on a broader set of aspects that govern an individual problem; very challenging, but also very rewarding. Given the interdisciplinary nature of the content delivered, how do you recruit the most suitable lecturers for the course?
CP: We received over 700 applications to hire the first six faculty members. Most of them started their academic careers in one area and later ended up in another; for example, one of our lecturers started with a linguistics degree to later move to machine learning and data science. Our academics are focussed on teaching rather than research, which is also very unusual within the traditional university system in the UK.
Question 2: LIS is due to welcome its first student class in 2021 with 100+ places available. Can you tell us more about the recruitment process for students? What do you look for in potential candidates?
CP: We want to make sure we recruit a cohort that’s representative of the UK population. The country hosts many different ethnicities for example and we want our cohort to reflect this diversity both in the UK and the rest of the world. We expect that many of our students will live in or around London. Our campus will be in East London. Whilst we know from early market research, that many students wouldn’t even consider coming to LIS because we are too different compared to traditional universities, others are highly attracted to our truly unique curriculum and interdisciplinary approach.
In terms of recruiting students, we adopt a holistic approach. We have a team dedicated to running school visits, both virtually and in-person. Due to Covid, we are now holding several online sessions and we have also set up an Online Learning Hub, where we create open-source content exploring some of the complex problems students may study at LIS. Students may also discover LIS through the press; we’ve has coverage in several of the major nationals including The Times, FT, Forbes, BBC, and Today Programme. We are also attracting around 60% of applicants through digital marketing and ads, with which we target tightly to avoid bombarding potential candidates.
ZV: When you talk to high school students, how do you manage to hook them in and let them understand the importance of the connected mindset we spoke about earlier?
CP: The best way to connect with students is to start a dialogue on something that the students care about, whether that is the climate crisis, political tensions or wealth disparity. Then we try to get the students to talk to each other as this is an essential part of our degree. Making connections.
When I spoke to my son about his virtual learning set-ups at university, I found it fascinating how the use of breakout rooms in videoconferencing platforms now allows you to connect with people you previously may not have even known were in your classroom beforehand! This is a typical example of how technology can facilitate and enhance the way we can work together.
ZV: Definitely technology is acting as an enabler here, transporting students into a place that facilitates interaction with new people. Going back to Ed’s idea of School 21, you’ve earlier touched on the idea of having a fairer recruitment process. Can you elaborate on that?
CP: Firstly, it is worth noting, that studying an interdisciplinary degree like ours, is hard work. You’ve got to master many disciplines in enough depth in order to combine them so that the sum of the parts provides a better solution than if the subjects were studied in isolation.
Saying that, our recruitment process for students is based on two main core ideas:
Any student can apply regardless of grades. We have a democratic, totally open recruitment approach; other universities struggle to do this.
Everyone who applies is invited to an interview. Through understanding their values, competencies and drivers we are able to build a complete picture of the individual and assess whether they will benefit from LIS and if they have the potential to thrive on the course. If an applicant doesn’t meet 4 out of the 5 criteria for example we are looking for, we will provide support to achieve 5 out of 5. We appreciate that interviewing so many applicants is a logistical challenge but we use a very structured approach in which we minimise our potential biases. All our interviewers, both faculty and non-faculty members, have undergone training in these areas and we are confident they are prepared for the challenge.
Open Day at The London Interdisciplinary School
Question 3: LIS offers a new teaching framework focused on problems and methods’ analysis, in contrast with more traditional discipline-specific academic structures. How does this new framework work? How can the new model help the next generations to tackle our future challenges?
CP: We have found that students are used to thinking in silos from high school and it can be challenging to connect all the dots. We will start our journey with one concept, say mental health, and we then look at four disciplines that revolve around that topic, such as psychology or neuroscience. Then we will dive into each area and explore it in depth. Students then combine the knowledge gathered to draw connections together. Similar to when a tennis player masters his forehand and is able to repeat it numerous times without paying much attention, it becomes second-nature, our students will be able to apply an holistic approach whenever they are faced with a new problem or challenge.
ZV: This way of thinking is exactly how we are all neurobiologically wired through synapses, the neuron points of contact in our brain. The more we think holistically, the more we reinforce and highlight the specific synapses that help us make broader connections. How do you think this framework can help the upcoming generations to tackle future challenges?
CP: I think this will help upcoming generations for a couple of reasons:
If you think about our world today, we don’t have a library that stores everything we know. Knowledge is available everywhere via the internet and is definitely not well organised; if you type milk in your search engine, you probably get thousands of search results. You are required to study and think in a holistic way to achieve or find the results you’re looking for.
Companies are already changing the way they work to a more hybrid approach. We need people that can apply knowledge in different disciplines and learn how to connect the dots together. We need to approach complex problems using a multidimensional approach and LIS can help you do that.
Question 4: It can be argued that one of the purpose of higher education institutions is to equip students with the skills/knowledge needed to find employment. What connections with the job market does LIS offer? How does LIS ensure that the skills gained during the course are sought after by employers?
CP: In our business model, we offer our undergraduates the opportunity to complete summer internships in companies that may have also sent their employees for executive education. We want to create a connection between the work environment and our students that helps both stakeholders. Students get to understand what they want to do and what they like, while companies scout for talent. By the time students graduate, they will have gained the knowledge and skills they need to help them thrive in the work environment, whether they want to set up their own business, work in a start-up or a larger corporation.
Key takeaways
All students that apply to LIS will be invited to an interview, regardless of their grades or socio-economic background.
The teaching framework at LIS combines the analysis of real-life problems with ‘super concepts; and qualitative and quantitative research methods.
Each year students will have the option to complete paid internships with a broad range of employers from fast-growth start-ups to large corporations.
Closing statement
We thank Christopher Persson for taking the time to speak with us; if you want to read more about LIS, visit their website. Since you’re here, why not look at our other publications on Rethinking HE?
Lucinda Crossley Meates, Head of Operations at Job Smart Edge at The University of Sydney Business School
Christian Rebernik, CEO and co-founder of Tomorrow’s Education
Akiba Covitz, President and CEO of Foundry College
Dana Stephenson, CEO of Riipen
|
8a4e5b78-028d-5877-9953-37a335265bb3
|
25/08/2025 15:58:46
|
|
https://ictiger2020.medium.com/the-blossoming-of-new-ip-business-models-in-china-a972e99f0659
|
medium.com
|
The Blossoming of New IP Business Models in China
|
Author: Jili Chung
|
Innovation's Crouching Tiger
|
https://medium.com/@ictiger2020
|
a972e99f0659
|
https://miro.medium.com/max/2000/0*SVOPZFGbXE70SW3L
|
4 min
|
2021-05-19T06:49:24.826000
|
2021-05-19T06:50:05.240000
|
2022-01-06T18:37:47.510000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Business Innovation,Intellectual Property,China,Ip Regime,Ip Monetization
|
<section>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/2240/1*H3dcM4Q_eMhRe0_syy5gHQ.png" width="2240" height="1260" loading="lazy" />
<p><strong>Author: Jili Chung</strong></p>
<p>Interests in exploring IP business opportunities among Chinese IP professionals were inspired by the success stories of the Getty Museum, Intellectual Ventures, and global research institutions (such as MIT), all of which operate profitable models based on IP monetization. This interest group was once small; however, in the past few years, thanks to the government policy and the long-tail effect of prevalent social media, the discussions, debates, and experiments of new IP business models have arrived at a new level within this interest group, and have even gone beyond this circle to become a hot topic in the business community.</p>
<p>As China’s IP regime develops, more proven business models from developed countries are now starting to flourish in China. Take IP securitization, IP brokerages, and patent-based public stock indexes for example.</p>
<p>In 2019, SpringIP Group — a company dedicated to enterprise innovation through AI and big data — published a survey about this phenomenon. Using a framework from previous researchers<a href="https://www.ictiger2020.com/intellectual-property-in-china/the-blossoming-of-new-ip-business-models-in-china#_edn1">[i]</a>, SpringIP applied its proprietary methodology to the information and opinions collected in the US and China.
SpringIP’s methodology for this survey consisted of four steps:</p>
<p>1. Assigning a rating (0–3) to each IP business model in the US and China reflects the business model’s current level of activity in these two countries. The ratings are based on the thoughts and opinions of SpringIP’s founders and their peers working in IP, finance, and high-tech industries.</p>
<p>2. Compare the two ratings. A larger difference between the two ratings hints a larger vacancy to fill with new services. The demand for new services is assumed to grow along with China’s industrialization, following the path that the US has traveled.</p>
<p>3. Adjust the potential difference regarding other influential factors, such as business cultures, China’s development plans, sizes of talent pools, or levels of professionalism, as essential to the success of the relevant models. Namely, a large vacancy does not necessarily mean a larger commercial potential, if other factors are unavailable to support the growth of that particular model.</p>
<p>4. Assigning a conclusive rating (0~3) in light of the above analysis, with three representing the most attractive opportunities.</p>
<p>The three examples below illustrate how this methodology provides useful insights into IP monetization in China.</p>
<p><em>1. The “University Technology Transfer Intermediaries” model is a rising star</em></p>
<p>For example, the business model “University Technology Transfer Intermediaries” presents an opportunity vacancy (difference = 3). In addition, the Chinese government has a significant budget to build “innovation ecosystems”, with reference to the successful models of MIT in Cambridge or Stanford in Silicon Valley. As such, the survey concludes that this business model has great potential (rating 3).</p>
<p><em>2. The “Defensive Patent Pool” model continues to grow</em></p>
<p>The model “Defensive Patent Pool” provides an example showing how an influential factor increases the commercial potential of a particular model. This particular model does not present a huge vacancy (difference = 0), meaning that the relevant activity level in China is similar to that in the US. However, this business model will continue to grow strongly, because more and more Chinese companies are globalizing their operations, resulting in stronger demand for the services of defensive patent strategies. The survey concludes that this business model also has great potential (rating 3).</p>
<p><em>3. Stay away from the “Patent Licensing and Enforcement” model</em></p>
<p>The “Patent Licensing and Enforcement” model illustrates the influence of business cultures. In the US, a Non-Practicing Entity (NPE) (i.e., an entity which owns but does not develop its patents like Intellectual Venture mentioned above) is a well-established model to monetize IPs. A similar model is just now emerging in China, so the difference is large (difference =2).</p>
<p>However, such a business model has no potential in China in the next ten years for two reasons. First, Chinese culture tends to favor harmony over confrontation. The business community does not completely embrace the idea of the western adversary judicial system and this business model relies on litigation and effective enforcement. Second, Chinese courts are acting in lines with a global trend that becomes less friendly to NPEs, as exemplified in the America Invents Act (AIA) enacted in the US in 2011. For these reasons, this model received a rating of 1.</p>
<p>In conclusion, SpringIP Group adopted the mentioned methodology in the survey and identified the top four most promising IP business models in China for the next ten years. As summarized in the following table, these promising models include “IP/Technology Development Companies”, “IP-Backed Financiers”, “University Technology Transfer Intermediaries”, and “Technology/IP Spinout Financing”. SpringIP Group is assisting several Chinese innovators in the adoption and effective implementation of these business models.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.ictiger2020.com/intellectual-property-in-china/the-blossoming-of-new-ip-business-models-in-china#_ednref1">[i]</a> See the framework in, <em>A Summary of Established & Emerging IP Business Models</em>, by Raymond Millien PCT Capital LLC and Ron Laurie Inflexion Point Strategy LLC — 2008.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/691/0*SVOPZFGbXE70SW3L" width="691" height="870" loading="lazy" />
<p><strong>Legend</strong>
Levels 0–3, with 3 standing for the highest potential or most attractive opportunities
<em>“In line with the current practice”</em></p>
<p><em>“Awaiting professional regime”</em></p>
<p><em>“Higher professional level”</em></p>
<p><em>“Recent discouraging judgment”</em></p>
<p>(Dr. Jili Chung is currently working in Greater China, founding SpringIP Group, dedicated to foster enterprise’s innovation through AI and Big Data tools. Carlo Geremia has also contributed to this article.)</p>
<p><em>Originally published at <a href="https://www.ictiger</em>2020.com/intellectual-property-in-china/the-blossoming-of-new-ip-business-models-in-china">https://www.ictiger2020.com</a>.</p>
</section>
|
The Blossoming of New IP Business Models in China
Author: Jili Chung
Interests in exploring IP business opportunities among Chinese IP professionals were inspired by the success stories of the Getty Museum, Intellectual Ventures, and global research institutions (such as MIT), all of which operate profitable models based on IP monetization. This interest group was once small; however, in the past few years, thanks to the government policy and the long-tail effect of prevalent social media, the discussions, debates, and experiments of new IP business models have arrived at a new level within this interest group, and have even gone beyond this circle to become a hot topic in the business community.
As China’s IP regime develops, more proven business models from developed countries are now starting to flourish in China. Take IP securitization, IP brokerages, and patent-based public stock indexes for example.
In 2019, SpringIP Group — a company dedicated to enterprise innovation through AI and big data — published a survey about this phenomenon. Using a framework from previous researchers[i], SpringIP applied its proprietary methodology to the information and opinions collected in the US and China.
SpringIP’s methodology for this survey consisted of four steps:
1. Assigning a rating (0–3) to each IP business model in the US and China reflects the business model’s current level of activity in these two countries. The ratings are based on the thoughts and opinions of SpringIP’s founders and their peers working in IP, finance, and high-tech industries.
2. Compare the two ratings. A larger difference between the two ratings hints a larger vacancy to fill with new services. The demand for new services is assumed to grow along with China’s industrialization, following the path that the US has traveled.
3. Adjust the potential difference regarding other influential factors, such as business cultures, China’s development plans, sizes of talent pools, or levels of professionalism, as essential to the success of the relevant models. Namely, a large vacancy does not necessarily mean a larger commercial potential, if other factors are unavailable to support the growth of that particular model.
4. Assigning a conclusive rating (0~3) in light of the above analysis, with three representing the most attractive opportunities.
The three examples below illustrate how this methodology provides useful insights into IP monetization in China.
1. The “University Technology Transfer Intermediaries” model is a rising star
For example, the business model “University Technology Transfer Intermediaries” presents an opportunity vacancy (difference = 3). In addition, the Chinese government has a significant budget to build “innovation ecosystems”, with reference to the successful models of MIT in Cambridge or Stanford in Silicon Valley. As such, the survey concludes that this business model has great potential (rating 3).
2. The “Defensive Patent Pool” model continues to grow
The model “Defensive Patent Pool” provides an example showing how an influential factor increases the commercial potential of a particular model. This particular model does not present a huge vacancy (difference = 0), meaning that the relevant activity level in China is similar to that in the US. However, this business model will continue to grow strongly, because more and more Chinese companies are globalizing their operations, resulting in stronger demand for the services of defensive patent strategies. The survey concludes that this business model also has great potential (rating 3).
3. Stay away from the “Patent Licensing and Enforcement” model
The “Patent Licensing and Enforcement” model illustrates the influence of business cultures. In the US, a Non-Practicing Entity (NPE) (i.e., an entity which owns but does not develop its patents like Intellectual Venture mentioned above) is a well-established model to monetize IPs. A similar model is just now emerging in China, so the difference is large (difference =2).
However, such a business model has no potential in China in the next ten years for two reasons. First, Chinese culture tends to favor harmony over confrontation. The business community does not completely embrace the idea of the western adversary judicial system and this business model relies on litigation and effective enforcement. Second, Chinese courts are acting in lines with a global trend that becomes less friendly to NPEs, as exemplified in the America Invents Act (AIA) enacted in the US in 2011. For these reasons, this model received a rating of 1.
In conclusion, SpringIP Group adopted the mentioned methodology in the survey and identified the top four most promising IP business models in China for the next ten years. As summarized in the following table, these promising models include “IP/Technology Development Companies”, “IP-Backed Financiers”, “University Technology Transfer Intermediaries”, and “Technology/IP Spinout Financing”. SpringIP Group is assisting several Chinese innovators in the adoption and effective implementation of these business models.
[i] See the framework in, A Summary of Established & Emerging IP Business Models, by Raymond Millien PCT Capital LLC and Ron Laurie Inflexion Point Strategy LLC — 2008.
Legend
Levels 0–3, with 3 standing for the highest potential or most attractive opportunities
“In line with the current practice”
“Awaiting professional regime”
“Higher professional level”
“Recent discouraging judgment”
(Dr. Jili Chung is currently working in Greater China, founding SpringIP Group, dedicated to foster enterprise’s innovation through AI and Big Data tools. Carlo Geremia has also contributed to this article.)
Originally published at https://www.ictiger2020.com.
|
d71d8558-e568-5eda-8aa9-9522902acf1c
|
25/08/2025 15:58:47
|
https://nickgeter.medium.com/two-11b0fbd756f8
|
medium.com
|
Two
|
My mom has called me hard headed as long as I can remember… but she never knew that statement would turn literal when part of my skull was…
|
Nick Geter
|
https://medium.com/@nickgeter
|
11b0fbd756f8
|
4 min
|
2022-03-31T21:57:40.848000
|
2022-04-01T12:16:05.716000
|
2022-12-07T22:17:42.393000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Brain Tumor,Brain Cancer,Jesus,Joy
|
<section>
<h1>Two</h1>
<p>My mom has called me hard headed as long as I can remember… but she never knew that statement would turn literal when part of my skull was replaced with a titanium plate and twelve screws. Two years ago, her and my brother found that I was having seizures on the couch. Two years ago, my dad was the only one allowed in the hospital with me due to Covid until my first scan was done to find a very big mass on the left side of my head. Two years ago, once my whole family was in the room, they were told by my doctors that after studying my second scan they discovered that that big mass was, indeed, a brain tumor. Two years ago, I learned that I, as a 25 year old, had brain cancer.</p>
<p>As I’m sitting here writing these words, I’m filled with emotion. Mainly sadness. I am extremely thankful for how far I’ve come, for how I feel after what I’ve been through, for how I am still able to sit here and write this. But I’m sad. Sad to think about how far I’ve come, about what I’ve been through, about my still-existent limitations.</p>
<p>I’m sad that I’ve had two brain surgeries, even more sad that I had to be in the hospital alone both times. I’m sad that I had seven weeks of radiation and chemo pills followed by having maintenance chemo twelve times, every fourth week. I’m sad because of the ups and downs in recovery. I’m sad that I have nerve pain in my face. I’m sad that there are days where I feel exhausted when I get out of bed, and even some where I feel pretty much useless. I’m sad that I still have side effects. Still. <em>I’m sad that brain cancer is a big part of my story.</em></p>
<p>While going through this sadness, I’m trying to rest in it. As weird as that sounds, I’m trying to teach myself that sadness is, indeed, okay. While going through treatment, I had so many people help me and rally around me to keep my mind positive through it all, which was so so important. Without that positivity, I truly believe both the process and recovery would be a lot worse. But I also am finding that because of that, sadness has built up throughout the last two years… and that is okay.</p>
<p>As I’ve been sitting in this sadness, I have actually heard from a few different speakers/pastors/writers, one being Katherine Wolf, something that is profound: <em><strong>joy and sadness can exist in the sam</em>e story.</strong></p>
<p>Praise the Lord for His timeliness… and praise the Lord for the truth in that statement. While I am sad, it is still possible to be joyful. I am joyful for the neurosurgeons involved in my two brain surgeries, as well as the nurses who made me feel at home and technology capable of conversations with my people. I am joyful for my incredible oncologist who treats me like one of her kids, for nurses who made laying on a glass table with beams shooting through my head seem bearable. I’m joyful for how many more ups I’ve had than downs. I’m joyful for medicines and products found to ease constant, sharp nerve pain in my face. I’m joyful that those around me understand my limitations, even when I try to tell myself they don’t. <em>I’m joyful that I can say in full confidence that while brain cancer is a big part of my story, I have beaten brain cancer.</em></p>
<p>So yeah, I’m sad. But that doesn’t mean my joy is gone. Especially lately, I’m remembering the worst parts of the last two years. But that doesn’t mean that the amazing parts have left my mind. I’m typing this emotionally sad, and that’s okay. I’ll be sad in the moment, because thinking through the last two years is sad for most anyone… and then add brain cancer on top of that. But… <em><strong>sadness is an emotion; joy is a li</em>festyle.</strong></p>
<p>I’ve been told a lot lately, especially when I’ve seen people that I hadn’t seen since before having brain surgery, that I look great. I’m not sure why if I’m honest, but I feel like when you hear I had two brain surgeries you’d think I’d look a lot worse. That’s fair. But at the end of the day, there is only one reason that “I look great.” And His name is Jesus.</p>
<p>A joyful lifestyle after my last two years wouldn’t be possible without Him. My doctors are great; He gave them the ability to take a baseball-sized tumor out of my brain. My people are great; He created spaces for me to surround myself with them. I went through brain cancer; He lifted me up, covered me with peace (very literally from the moment I found out), gave me strength, and carried me through the process. He embraces my sadness and tells me “keep moving, you’re right where I want you. I love you.”</p>
<p>It’s been a crazy couple years. It’s hard to believe it’s been that long… and it’s hard to believe it hasn’t been longer. While I sit in sadness for a little while, I won’t lose sight of my joy.</p>
<p><em><strong>rain came and wind blew, but my house is built</em> on You.</strong></p>
</section>
|
Two
My mom has called me hard headed as long as I can remember… but she never knew that statement would turn literal when part of my skull was replaced with a titanium plate and twelve screws. Two years ago, her and my brother found that I was having seizures on the couch. Two years ago, my dad was the only one allowed in the hospital with me due to Covid until my first scan was done to find a very big mass on the left side of my head. Two years ago, once my whole family was in the room, they were told by my doctors that after studying my second scan they discovered that that big mass was, indeed, a brain tumor. Two years ago, I learned that I, as a 25 year old, had brain cancer.
As I’m sitting here writing these words, I’m filled with emotion. Mainly sadness. I am extremely thankful for how far I’ve come, for how I feel after what I’ve been through, for how I am still able to sit here and write this. But I’m sad. Sad to think about how far I’ve come, about what I’ve been through, about my still-existent limitations.
I’m sad that I’ve had two brain surgeries, even more sad that I had to be in the hospital alone both times. I’m sad that I had seven weeks of radiation and chemo pills followed by having maintenance chemo twelve times, every fourth week. I’m sad because of the ups and downs in recovery. I’m sad that I have nerve pain in my face. I’m sad that there are days where I feel exhausted when I get out of bed, and even some where I feel pretty much useless. I’m sad that I still have side effects. Still. I’m sad that brain cancer is a big part of my story.
While going through this sadness, I’m trying to rest in it. As weird as that sounds, I’m trying to teach myself that sadness is, indeed, okay. While going through treatment, I had so many people help me and rally around me to keep my mind positive through it all, which was so so important. Without that positivity, I truly believe both the process and recovery would be a lot worse. But I also am finding that because of that, sadness has built up throughout the last two years… and that is okay.
As I’ve been sitting in this sadness, I have actually heard from a few different speakers/pastors/writers, one being Katherine Wolf, something that is profound: joy and sadness can exist in the same story.
Praise the Lord for His timeliness… and praise the Lord for the truth in that statement. While I am sad, it is still possible to be joyful. I am joyful for the neurosurgeons involved in my two brain surgeries, as well as the nurses who made me feel at home and technology capable of conversations with my people. I am joyful for my incredible oncologist who treats me like one of her kids, for nurses who made laying on a glass table with beams shooting through my head seem bearable. I’m joyful for how many more ups I’ve had than downs. I’m joyful for medicines and products found to ease constant, sharp nerve pain in my face. I’m joyful that those around me understand my limitations, even when I try to tell myself they don’t. I’m joyful that I can say in full confidence that while brain cancer is a big part of my story, I have beaten brain cancer.
So yeah, I’m sad. But that doesn’t mean my joy is gone. Especially lately, I’m remembering the worst parts of the last two years. But that doesn’t mean that the amazing parts have left my mind. I’m typing this emotionally sad, and that’s okay. I’ll be sad in the moment, because thinking through the last two years is sad for most anyone… and then add brain cancer on top of that. But… sadness is an emotion; joy is a lifestyle.
I’ve been told a lot lately, especially when I’ve seen people that I hadn’t seen since before having brain surgery, that I look great. I’m not sure why if I’m honest, but I feel like when you hear I had two brain surgeries you’d think I’d look a lot worse. That’s fair. But at the end of the day, there is only one reason that “I look great.” And His name is Jesus.
A joyful lifestyle after my last two years wouldn’t be possible without Him. My doctors are great; He gave them the ability to take a baseball-sized tumor out of my brain. My people are great; He created spaces for me to surround myself with them. I went through brain cancer; He lifted me up, covered me with peace (very literally from the moment I found out), gave me strength, and carried me through the process. He embraces my sadness and tells me “keep moving, you’re right where I want you. I love you.”
It’s been a crazy couple years. It’s hard to believe it’s been that long… and it’s hard to believe it hasn’t been longer. While I sit in sadness for a little while, I won’t lose sight of my joy.
rain came and wind blew, but my house is built on You.
|
aa056119-1c1d-5a14-b245-67174d48ca4f
|
25/08/2025 15:58:47
|
|
https://medium.com/@kbala7092/creating-and-customizing-excel-tables-for-organized-data-6a5bc37f4568
|
medium.com
|
Creating and Customizing Excel Tables for Organized Data
|
Introduction
Excel tables are essential for organizing data, allowing you to filter, sort, and analyze information with ease. By converting…
|
Bala_Excel_Insights
|
https://medium.com/@kbala7092
|
6a5bc37f4568
| null |
3 min
|
2024-11-01T19:39:47.132000
|
2024-11-03T11:41:54.155000
|
2025-05-11T11:52:32.898000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Tech,Technology,Medium,Self Improvement,Data
|
<section>
<p><strong>Introduction</strong>
Excel tables are essential for organizing data, allowing you to filter, sort, and analyze information with ease. By converting data ranges into tables, you unlock powerful features that enhance efficiency and readability, from automatic styling to easier formula management. In this guide, we’ll walk through creating and customizing Excel tables to streamline your workflow and make data analysis more intuitive.</p>
<h1>1. Creating an Excel Table</h1>
<p><strong>Converting a Data Range to a Table</strong>
Begin by selecting the range of data you want to include in your table, then navigate to the <strong>Insert</strong> tab and click <strong>Table</strong>. Excel will prompt you to confirm the range, and you’ll see an option to specify if your data has headers. Click <strong>OK</strong> to complete the conversion, and Excel will automatically apply a default table style.</p>
<p><strong>Benefits of Using Tables</strong>
Converting data to a table format offers advantages like automatic header formatting, banded rows for readability, and built-in filtering options. Tables also support structured references, which make formulas easier to read and edit.</p>
<h2>2. Customizing Table Styles and Appearance</h2>
<p><strong>Applying a Table Style</strong>
Excel provides a variety of table styles, ranging from simple monochromatic themes to colorful designs that highlight headers and rows. To change the style, select any cell within the table, go to the <strong>Table Design</strong> tab, and choose a style from the gallery. Customizing the style enhances readability and helps make your data visually appealing.</p>
<p><strong>Using Banded Rows and Columns</strong>
Banded rows (alternating row colors) make it easier to scan across rows, while banded columns can improve readability for column-based analysis. To toggle banded rows or columns, go to <strong>Table Design</strong> and check the <strong>Banded Rows</strong> or <strong>Banded Columns</strong> options.</p>
<p><strong>Adding or Removing Total Rows</strong>
To quickly calculate totals, averages, or other metrics, you can add a <strong>Total Row</strong> to your table. Select any cell in the table, go to <strong>Table Design</strong>, and check <strong>Total Row</strong>. This row appears at the bottom and allows you to use drop-down menus in each cell to apply functions like SUM, AVERAGE, and COUNT.</p>
<h2>3. Sorting and Filtering Data in a Table</h2>
<p><strong>Using Filter Buttons for Easy Sorting</strong>
Every table in Excel includes filter buttons in the header row by default. These buttons allow you to sort data in ascending or descending order. For instance, in a sales report, you could sort by “Sales Amount” from highest to lowest to quickly see top-performing products. Click the arrow next to the column header to access sorting options.</p>
<p><strong>Applying Custom Filters</strong>
Custom filters make it easy to zero in on specific data. For example, in a table of customer data, you could use a filter to view only customers from a certain city. To create custom filters, click the filter arrow in the column header, choose <strong>Text Filters</strong> (or <strong>Number Filters</strong>), and select criteria that meet your needs.</p>
<p><strong>Clearing Filters</strong>
To remove all filters and display all data, go to the <strong>Data</strong> tab and click <strong>Clear</strong> under the Sort & Filter group. This is especially helpful if you’re working with multiple filters and want to reset the view.</p>
<h2>4. Working with Table Formulas</h2>
<p><strong>Using Structured References</strong>
When you type a formula in an Excel table, Excel automatically uses structured references, which make formulas easier to read. For example, instead of =B2*C2, a table formula might look like =[@Price]*[@Quantity]. This format adjusts automatically when you add or remove rows, simplifying maintenance.</p>
<p><strong>Auto-Fill for Formulas</strong>
Excel tables automatically extend formulas and formatting to new rows. If you create a formula in one cell, Excel will apply it to the entire column, saving you time and ensuring consistency. This feature is useful when performing calculations across large data sets.</p>
<h2>5. Adding and Removing Rows and Columns</h2>
<p><strong>Adding Rows and Columns to a Table</strong>
When you add a new row or column adjacent to a table, Excel will automatically expand the table to include it. This feature is convenient for growing data sets, as you can simply type data in the next row or column, and Excel will adjust the table range.</p>
<p><strong>Deleting Rows or Columns</strong>
To remove rows or columns from a table, right-click the row or column header, and choose <strong>Delete</strong>. Excel will automatically adjust the table formatting and update any formulas that reference the deleted cells.</p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>Excel tables offer a structured, visually appealing way to manage and analyze data. By taking advantage of their sorting, filtering, and formula capabilities, you can make data organization simpler and more efficient. Whether you’re creating reports or analyzing trends, Excel tables bring clarity and flexibility to your data.</p>
</section>
|
Creating and Customizing Excel Tables for Organized Data
Introduction
Excel tables are essential for organizing data, allowing you to filter, sort, and analyze information with ease. By converting data ranges into tables, you unlock powerful features that enhance efficiency and readability, from automatic styling to easier formula management. In this guide, we’ll walk through creating and customizing Excel tables to streamline your workflow and make data analysis more intuitive.
1. Creating an Excel Table
Converting a Data Range to a Table
Begin by selecting the range of data you want to include in your table, then navigate to the Insert tab and click Table. Excel will prompt you to confirm the range, and you’ll see an option to specify if your data has headers. Click OK to complete the conversion, and Excel will automatically apply a default table style.
Benefits of Using Tables
Converting data to a table format offers advantages like automatic header formatting, banded rows for readability, and built-in filtering options. Tables also support structured references, which make formulas easier to read and edit.
2. Customizing Table Styles and Appearance
Applying a Table Style
Excel provides a variety of table styles, ranging from simple monochromatic themes to colorful designs that highlight headers and rows. To change the style, select any cell within the table, go to the Table Design tab, and choose a style from the gallery. Customizing the style enhances readability and helps make your data visually appealing.
Using Banded Rows and Columns
Banded rows (alternating row colors) make it easier to scan across rows, while banded columns can improve readability for column-based analysis. To toggle banded rows or columns, go to Table Design and check the Banded Rows or Banded Columns options.
Adding or Removing Total Rows
To quickly calculate totals, averages, or other metrics, you can add a Total Row to your table. Select any cell in the table, go to Table Design, and check Total Row. This row appears at the bottom and allows you to use drop-down menus in each cell to apply functions like SUM, AVERAGE, and COUNT.
3. Sorting and Filtering Data in a Table
Using Filter Buttons for Easy Sorting
Every table in Excel includes filter buttons in the header row by default. These buttons allow you to sort data in ascending or descending order. For instance, in a sales report, you could sort by “Sales Amount” from highest to lowest to quickly see top-performing products. Click the arrow next to the column header to access sorting options.
Applying Custom Filters
Custom filters make it easy to zero in on specific data. For example, in a table of customer data, you could use a filter to view only customers from a certain city. To create custom filters, click the filter arrow in the column header, choose Text Filters (or Number Filters), and select criteria that meet your needs.
Clearing Filters
To remove all filters and display all data, go to the Data tab and click Clear under the Sort & Filter group. This is especially helpful if you’re working with multiple filters and want to reset the view.
4. Working with Table Formulas
Using Structured References
When you type a formula in an Excel table, Excel automatically uses structured references, which make formulas easier to read. For example, instead of =B2*C2, a table formula might look like =[@Price]*[@Quantity]. This format adjusts automatically when you add or remove rows, simplifying maintenance.
Auto-Fill for Formulas
Excel tables automatically extend formulas and formatting to new rows. If you create a formula in one cell, Excel will apply it to the entire column, saving you time and ensuring consistency. This feature is useful when performing calculations across large data sets.
5. Adding and Removing Rows and Columns
Adding Rows and Columns to a Table
When you add a new row or column adjacent to a table, Excel will automatically expand the table to include it. This feature is convenient for growing data sets, as you can simply type data in the next row or column, and Excel will adjust the table range.
Deleting Rows or Columns
To remove rows or columns from a table, right-click the row or column header, and choose Delete. Excel will automatically adjust the table formatting and update any formulas that reference the deleted cells.
Conclusion
Excel tables offer a structured, visually appealing way to manage and analyze data. By taking advantage of their sorting, filtering, and formula capabilities, you can make data organization simpler and more efficient. Whether you’re creating reports or analyzing trends, Excel tables bring clarity and flexibility to your data.
|
bf308940-966e-5e7f-b784-cc1c7ad0e013
|
25/08/2025 15:58:47
|
https://medium.com/shavingtononline/this-week-in-shavington-2nd-january-7th-january-2018-50ac122796a7
|
medium.com
|
This week in Shavington: 2nd January — 7th January 2018
|
Find out what’s going on in Shavington-cum-Gresty this week.
|
Laura Gibbs
|
https://medium.com/@AthenaTrophy
|
50ac122796a7
|
4 min
|
2018-01-01T14:33:50.773000
|
2018-01-01T14:34:32.315000
|
2018-01-01T14:34:33.772000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Whats On
|
<section>
<h3>Find out what’s going on in Shavington-cum-Gresty this week.</h3>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1920/1*WdI6JzY9T3PGjDCosFiYRw.png" width="1920" height="1080" loading="lazy" />
<p>Always check with the organiser for any changes prior to going to an event.</p>
<h1>Tuesday 2nd January</h1>
<h3>Friendship Lunches</h3>
<p>Soup, sandwiches, cake & tea or coffee. £2.50 per person and no need to book.</p>
<p>12:00 | St Mark’s Church Hall | <a href="http://www.allsaintsandstmarks.com/">http://www.allsaintsandstmarks.com/</a></p>
<h3>2nd Shavington Brownies</h3>
<p>Term time only for girls aged 7–11.</p>
<p>18:15–19:45 | St John’s Church Hall | <a href="https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/">https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/</a></p>
<h3>Shavington Getfitfast Fitcamp</h3>
<p>All levels of fitness are catered for and not only is it a fun and safe workout but a great way to improve fitness levels and make friends in the community. The first two sessions are free then after that £4.00. Lower age limit is 16.</p>
<p>18:30 | Shavington Youth Centre | Call 07708299238</p>
<h3>S.A.S (Singers at St Mark’s)</h3>
<p>Community choir. Come along and join in the singing, there are no auditions for this choir. Don’t worry if you haven’t sung before, members will make you very welcome.</p>
<p>19:30–21:30 | St Mark’s Church | £1 per week</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1920/1*3BqPTDyATifGVHRkAj0s9w.png" width="1920" height="250" loading="lazy" />
<h2>Wednesday 3rd January</h2>
<h3>Baby Beats Music</h3>
<p>Baby Beats music classes are for babies, toddlers and pre-school age children. They consist of fun, educational, original songs and activities.</p>
<p>10:30 | Shavington Scout Hut, Main Road, Shavington, CW2 5DU | <a href="http://babybeatsmusic.co.uk">http://babybeatsmusic.co.uk</a></p>
<h3>Quiz Night</h3>
<p>A chance to put your wits against a variety of quiz-masters. £1 per person to enter. Cash prizes.</p>
<p>21:00 | The Vine | <a href="http://www.thevineshavington.co.uk/">http://www.thevineshavington.co.uk/</a></p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1920/1*3BqPTDyATifGVHRkAj0s9w.png" width="1920" height="250" loading="lazy" />
<h2>Thursday 4th January</h2>
<h3>Craft and Chatter</h3>
<p>If you do any craft activity (knit, crochet, make cards, paint) come along and join a friendly group, learn a new craft or just enjoy a chat and a cups. Donations towards refreshments.</p>
<p>13:30–15:30 | St Mark’s Church Hall | <a href="http://www.allsaintsandstmarks.com/">http://www.allsaintsandstmarks.com/</a></p>
<h3>Shavington Junior Youth Club</h3>
<p>For children in Year 4, 5 and 6.</p>
<p>18:30–20:30 | 140 Main Road, Shavington, Crewe, Cheshire, CW2 5DP</p>
<h3>Woodnoth cum Shavington Women’s Institute Social Evening</h3>
<p>A social evening for all, when non members can come along to get to know us.</p>
<p>19:30–21:30 | St Mark’s Church Hall</p>
<h3>Boogie Bounce Fun Fitness</h3>
<p>A fabulous workout performed on mini trampolines exercising to top tracks plus legs bums and tums toning on mats.</p>
<p>19:45–20:45 | Shavington Methodist Church | <a href="http://www.crewedancefit.co.uk">www.crewedancefit.co.uk</a> | Contact Lynne Scott on 07738 117566</p>
<h3>Music Evening</h3>
<p>Every Thursday at the Vine Inn there will be a music evening. The 2nd Thursday night of each month will be an Open Mic Night and all the other Thursday nights will be for an Acoustic Sing-around session where everyone is welcome to play, sing or simply listen.</p>
<p>20:30 onwards | The Vine Inn</p>
<h3>Quiz Night</h3>
<p>Free to enter and you could win a £20 Food Voucher or A Gallon of Ale.</p>
<p>21:00–23:00 | The Elephant | <a href="http://www.theelephantpub.com/">http://www.theelephantpub.com</a></p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1920/1*3BqPTDyATifGVHRkAj0s9w.png" width="1920" height="250" loading="lazy" />
<h2>Friday 5th January</h2>
<h3>Street Dance Academy</h3>
<p>Calling all dancers, shakers, movers and groovers! Do you want to dance like diversity? Or like the dancers in your favourite music video? Weekly dance classes for all ages. First class is free. Term time only.</p>
<p>Babes class (3–5) 16:15–17:00 | Force crew (6–9) 17:00–18:00 | Alliance crew (10–15) 18:00–19:00 | St Mark’s Church Hall | <a href="https://www.streetdanceacademyuk.com/">https://www.streetdanceacademyuk.com/</a></p>
<h3>Boogie Bounce Fun Fitness</h3>
<p>A fabulous workout performed on mini trampolines exercising to top tracks plus legs bums and tums toning on mats.</p>
<p>19:15–20:15 | Shavington Methodist Church | <a href="http://www.crewedancefit.co.uk">www.crewedancefit.co.uk</a> | Contact Lynne Scott on 07738 117566</p>
<h3>Cash Bingo</h3>
<p>Come and play cash bingo.</p>
<p>20:30 onwards | Shavington Social Club | Members: Free | Guests: £1</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1920/1*3BqPTDyATifGVHRkAj0s9w.png" width="1920" height="250" loading="lazy" />
<h2>Saturday 6th January</h2>
<h3>Coffee Morning</h3>
<p>Every 1st Saturday of the month only.</p>
<p>A social time to catch up with people over coffee and biscuits (and toast!)</p>
<p>10:00–12:00 | Shavington Methodist Church Hall (St John’s)</p>
<h3>Boogie Bounce Fun Fitness</h3>
<p>A fabulous workout performed on mini trampolines exercising to top tracks plus legs bums and tums toning on mats.</p>
<p>10:15–11:15 | Shavington Methodist Church | <a href="http://www.crewedancefit.co.uk">www.crewedancefit.co.uk</a> | Contact Lynne Scott on 07738 117566</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1920/1*3BqPTDyATifGVHRkAj0s9w.png" width="1920" height="250" loading="lazy" />
<h2>Sunday 7th January</h2>
<h3>Sunday Worship</h3>
<p>Join us each Sunday to worship God together. All are welcome.</p>
<p>10:00–11:00 | Shavington Methodist Church (St John’s)</p>
<h3>Cash Bingo</h3>
<p>Including weekly tote and a chance to win at least £100 on Open The Box.</p>
<p>20:30 onwards | Shavington Social Club | Members: Free | Guests: £1</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1920/1*3BqPTDyATifGVHRkAj0s9w.png" width="1920" height="250" loading="lazy" />
</section>
|
This week in Shavington: 2nd January — 7th January 2018
Find out what’s going on in Shavington-cum-Gresty this week.
Always check with the organiser for any changes prior to going to an event.
Tuesday 2nd January
Friendship Lunches
Soup, sandwiches, cake & tea or coffee. £2.50 per person and no need to book.
12:00 | St Mark’s Church Hall | http://www.allsaintsandstmarks.com/
2nd Shavington Brownies
Term time only for girls aged 7–11.
18:15–19:45 | St John’s Church Hall | https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/
Shavington Getfitfast Fitcamp
All levels of fitness are catered for and not only is it a fun and safe workout but a great way to improve fitness levels and make friends in the community. The first two sessions are free then after that £4.00. Lower age limit is 16.
18:30 | Shavington Youth Centre | Call 07708299238
S.A.S (Singers at St Mark’s)
Community choir. Come along and join in the singing, there are no auditions for this choir. Don’t worry if you haven’t sung before, members will make you very welcome.
19:30–21:30 | St Mark’s Church | £1 per week
Wednesday 3rd January
Baby Beats Music
Baby Beats music classes are for babies, toddlers and pre-school age children. They consist of fun, educational, original songs and activities.
10:30 | Shavington Scout Hut, Main Road, Shavington, CW2 5DU | http://babybeatsmusic.co.uk
Quiz Night
A chance to put your wits against a variety of quiz-masters. £1 per person to enter. Cash prizes.
21:00 | The Vine | http://www.thevineshavington.co.uk/
Thursday 4th January
Craft and Chatter
If you do any craft activity (knit, crochet, make cards, paint) come along and join a friendly group, learn a new craft or just enjoy a chat and a cups. Donations towards refreshments.
13:30–15:30 | St Mark’s Church Hall | http://www.allsaintsandstmarks.com/
Shavington Junior Youth Club
For children in Year 4, 5 and 6.
18:30–20:30 | 140 Main Road, Shavington, Crewe, Cheshire, CW2 5DP
Woodnoth cum Shavington Women’s Institute Social Evening
A social evening for all, when non members can come along to get to know us.
19:30–21:30 | St Mark’s Church Hall
Boogie Bounce Fun Fitness
A fabulous workout performed on mini trampolines exercising to top tracks plus legs bums and tums toning on mats.
19:45–20:45 | Shavington Methodist Church | www.crewedancefit.co.uk | Contact Lynne Scott on 07738 117566
Music Evening
Every Thursday at the Vine Inn there will be a music evening. The 2nd Thursday night of each month will be an Open Mic Night and all the other Thursday nights will be for an Acoustic Sing-around session where everyone is welcome to play, sing or simply listen.
20:30 onwards | The Vine Inn
Quiz Night
Free to enter and you could win a £20 Food Voucher or A Gallon of Ale.
21:00–23:00 | The Elephant | http://www.theelephantpub.com
Friday 5th January
Street Dance Academy
Calling all dancers, shakers, movers and groovers! Do you want to dance like diversity? Or like the dancers in your favourite music video? Weekly dance classes for all ages. First class is free. Term time only.
Babes class (3–5) 16:15–17:00 | Force crew (6–9) 17:00–18:00 | Alliance crew (10–15) 18:00–19:00 | St Mark’s Church Hall | https://www.streetdanceacademyuk.com/
Boogie Bounce Fun Fitness
A fabulous workout performed on mini trampolines exercising to top tracks plus legs bums and tums toning on mats.
19:15–20:15 | Shavington Methodist Church | www.crewedancefit.co.uk | Contact Lynne Scott on 07738 117566
Cash Bingo
Come and play cash bingo.
20:30 onwards | Shavington Social Club | Members: Free | Guests: £1
Saturday 6th January
Coffee Morning
Every 1st Saturday of the month only.
A social time to catch up with people over coffee and biscuits (and toast!)
10:00–12:00 | Shavington Methodist Church Hall (St John’s)
Boogie Bounce Fun Fitness
A fabulous workout performed on mini trampolines exercising to top tracks plus legs bums and tums toning on mats.
10:15–11:15 | Shavington Methodist Church | www.crewedancefit.co.uk | Contact Lynne Scott on 07738 117566
Sunday 7th January
Sunday Worship
Join us each Sunday to worship God together. All are welcome.
10:00–11:00 | Shavington Methodist Church (St John’s)
Cash Bingo
Including weekly tote and a chance to win at least £100 on Open The Box.
20:30 onwards | Shavington Social Club | Members: Free | Guests: £1
|
3011151d-448b-5fb0-bd34-e90bb55793bb
|
25/08/2025 15:58:47
|
|
https://medium.com/@promptdairytech/care-and-management-of-the-neonatal-calves-271b7bc2d53e
|
medium.com
|
Care and Management of the Neonatal Calves
|
Today’s calf is tomorrow’s cow. Calf care is considered to be one of the most difficult operations at the farm, requiring constant…
|
Prompt Dairy Tech
|
https://medium.com/@promptdairytech
|
271b7bc2d53e
|
5 min
|
2017-12-21T12:15:43.329000
|
2017-12-21T12:18:32.172000
|
2018-04-04T06:17:19.256000
| 0
| 1
|
en
|
Dairy Farm,Dairy,Daily Blog,Dairy Industry,Herd
|
<section>
<p>Today’s calf is tomorrow’s cow. Calf care is considered to be one of the most difficult operations at the farm, requiring constant vigilance, managerial skills and applications. For efficient production, new calves are required to replace the old and debilitated ones. Too, often, the future of the herd’s production is in jeopardy due to lack of attention, care and management of the young calf. Martin and Wiggins estimated that 20% calf mortality resulted in reduction of 38% profit of a livestock farm. Dechow concluded that <strong><a href="https://www.p</strong>romptdairytech.com/animal-husbandry.html">herd management system</a> and selection of sire with high productive life evaluations were positively associated with lower mortality.</p>
<p><strong>Care of the Cow During Pregnancy</strong></p>
<p>Calf care starts in the mother’s womb, especially in the last 2–3 months of the gestation. This is the period when there is rapid growth of the focus drawing significant amount of nutrients from the mother’s system. During this period the mother is in dry period which allows her to rebuild body energy reserves, regenerate milk secretory tissues for future lactation, produce colostrum with high nutritive values besides allowing growth of the fetus in the womb. Unfortunately, feeding of cows during this period is often neglected because she is dry and thus often gets inferior quality feeds and fodders/straws.</p>
<p><strong>Care of the Cow and Calf During Calving</strong></p>
<p>As calving approaches the cow should be transferred to individual calving pens 1–2 weeks before the expected calving date. The calving pen should be clean, well bedded and roomy. The calving area should be well sanitized and sterilized with the disinfectant.</p>
<p>Ample amount of fresh drinking water and laxative feed should be provided to the cow. She should be observed closely as calving time approaches. Assistance should be given only if needed. A period of 12 hours may elapse after the commencement of calving until the calf is dropped. If a change is noticed in the morning and she has not calved mid afternoon, the cow may be examined by veterinarian. Sincerely, if the restlessness first occurs in the afternoon the cow ought to have calf the expected time, she should be examined thoroughly by inserting the arm in the vagina for short and brief period.</p>
<p>If the cervix is closed or partly closed, the cow should be left alone until she shows signs of straining. If the cervix is open with a normal presentation of head and forelegs seen, delay may be safely ignored. In the event of any signs of abnormal presentation the farmer should call the veterinarian immediately. Watch for the expulsion of placenta. The cow should not be allowed to eat the placenta as it will cause indigestion. With the expulsion of placenta, parturition is complete.</p>
<p><strong>Attending the New Born Calf</strong></p>
<p>Once the calf has arrived, one should ensure that it is respiring. Clear the mucous from the calf’s mouth and nostrils or gently slide clean straw or twig up the calf’s nose so that sneezing expels the mucus from the respiratory passages. Sometimes holding the calf head down by lifting the hock flows of phlegm. If these fails, the attendant should blow his expired air through the calf’s nostrils closing its mouth. Carbon dioxide in the expired air acts with intermittent pressing and releasing of pressure on the chest walls of the calf to give artificial respiration.
Dry calf with a clean towel. In any case weaning is practiced, separate the calf immediately from its dam to calf pen with plenty of dry bedding. Attend the navel of the calf with tincture iodine so as to protect him/her from joint-ill and navel-ill. In case the umbilical cord is not broken, cut it with a pair of clean sterilized scissors and a ligate 4–6 cm away from the body with a sterile thread. Paint the wound with antiseptic lotion to prevent from infection.</p>
<p><strong>Weaning the calves</strong></p>
<p>Separation of calf from mother is called weaning. Under early weaning system the calf is not allowed to suckle milk instead, whole milk, skim milk or milk replace is offered to the calf through bottle feeding. This not only saves milk for human consumption but also ensures clean milk production. Immediately after calving, blindfold the cow and remove the calf. Dry the calf with a clean towel and attend the navel of the calf as mentioned above. Place the calf in a warm clean bedded area and feed colostrum of the body weight.</p>
<p><strong>Feeding Colostrum to the Newborn Calf</strong></p>
<p>Feed colostrum to the calf immediately after birth. A minimum of 10% of body weight should be fed within 6 hours of birth. Colostrum also known as first milk contains high amount of proteins, vitamins and minerals but low lactose than normal milk. It contains large amount of antibodies which provides the calf with an umbrella of immunity against many diseases in early life. Since the intestinal wall of the calf allows these antibodies to pass in the blood stream only for a short period of time after the calf is born it is highly essential to feed the colostrum in the first 15–30 minutes, followed by a second dose 4–6 hrs. In order to ensure that the new born absorbs adequate amount of colostrum, forece feeding must be done.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/320/0*c7LgrabrmwfD_YZB.jpg" width="320" height="218" loading="lazy" />
<p><strong>Teaching the Calf to Drink Milk</strong></p>
<p>The calves are taught to drink milk through bottle with a nipple. The herdsman should dip his clean finger in milk and allow the calf to suckle it. Once the calf trains itself, slowly milk is offered through bottle feeding.</p>
<p><strong>Calf Starters</strong></p>
<p>Calf starters are first dry concentrate mixture fed to calves. In order to train them small quantity of starter is rubbed on the tongue and lips of the calf. A calf starter should be highly palatable. It should be high in energy and DCP. Milk feeding can be discontinued when the calf is consuming 0.4–0.5 kg concentrate per day.</p>
<p><strong>Feeding of the Good Quality Bay</strong></p>
<p>feeding of good quality bay encourage early rumen development which means that the calf can be fed as a ruminant from an early stage. This will economize calf raising. Calf start nibbling hay and fodder from 5–7 days of life. They should be given soft textured, high quality hay on a in pairs or group in a semi enclosed houses. The calf houses should be well protected from rain and draft. There should be provision for a heater during severe winter month to maintain conductive ambient temperature.</p>
<p><strong>Vaccination Schedule of the Calves</strong></p>
<p>vaccination is given to the calves in order to build up immunity against any infection disease by producing large quantities of antibodies and hence to prevent occurrence of disease in the herd. The vaccines should be bought from a reliable source and the most common vaccines in calves are foot and mouth disease, Vaccination is given as per the prevalence and frequency of the disease.</p>
<p><strong>Calf Housing</strong></p>
<p>In case the calf is weaned early they can be housed per indications.</p>
<p><strong>Deworming Schedule in a Farm</strong></p>
<p>In order to prevent occurrence of worm infestations in young calves and to promote health and welfare of animals, deworming schedule should be practiced as early as the second week of life of the calves. Parasitic diarrhoea is caused by Ascaris vitulorum in calves leading to gastroenteritis and diarrhoea by the adult worms.</p>
<p><strong>Identification of Animals</strong></p>
<p>Proper identifications required to keep the production and reproduction records of each animal. It also helps to claim insurance of animals. Tags or labels are made of light metal or plastic with numbers stamped on them. Tags are generally fixed on ears.</p>
<p><strong>Record Keeping in farm</strong></p>
<p>Purpose of record keeping is for the sound planning and synchronization of all the inputs that helps in successful operation of a <strong><a href="h</strong>ttps://www.promptdairytech.com/">dairy farm</a>. It helps to know the performance of individual animals and remove the uneconomical ones so that day to day evaluation, planning, co-ordination and execution in farm be conducted smoothly. Record basic details of the herd-Identity number, name, breed, date of birth, sex of calf, sire number, dam number, age at first calving, body weight, treatment register, health register, death of animal etc.</p>
<p>the calf is weaned from milk feeding at 3 months of age. During this time the calf should not be neglected by putting entirely on roughage. Some amount of concentrates along with good quality roughage should be provided and after 6 month fodder.</p>
</section>
|
Care and Management of the Neonatal Calves
Today’s calf is tomorrow’s cow. Calf care is considered to be one of the most difficult operations at the farm, requiring constant vigilance, managerial skills and applications. For efficient production, new calves are required to replace the old and debilitated ones. Too, often, the future of the herd’s production is in jeopardy due to lack of attention, care and management of the young calf. Martin and Wiggins estimated that 20% calf mortality resulted in reduction of 38% profit of a livestock farm. Dechow concluded that herd management system and selection of sire with high productive life evaluations were positively associated with lower mortality.
Care of the Cow During Pregnancy
Calf care starts in the mother’s womb, especially in the last 2–3 months of the gestation. This is the period when there is rapid growth of the focus drawing significant amount of nutrients from the mother’s system. During this period the mother is in dry period which allows her to rebuild body energy reserves, regenerate milk secretory tissues for future lactation, produce colostrum with high nutritive values besides allowing growth of the fetus in the womb. Unfortunately, feeding of cows during this period is often neglected because she is dry and thus often gets inferior quality feeds and fodders/straws.
Care of the Cow and Calf During Calving
As calving approaches the cow should be transferred to individual calving pens 1–2 weeks before the expected calving date. The calving pen should be clean, well bedded and roomy. The calving area should be well sanitized and sterilized with the disinfectant.
Ample amount of fresh drinking water and laxative feed should be provided to the cow. She should be observed closely as calving time approaches. Assistance should be given only if needed. A period of 12 hours may elapse after the commencement of calving until the calf is dropped. If a change is noticed in the morning and she has not calved mid afternoon, the cow may be examined by veterinarian. Sincerely, if the restlessness first occurs in the afternoon the cow ought to have calf the expected time, she should be examined thoroughly by inserting the arm in the vagina for short and brief period.
If the cervix is closed or partly closed, the cow should be left alone until she shows signs of straining. If the cervix is open with a normal presentation of head and forelegs seen, delay may be safely ignored. In the event of any signs of abnormal presentation the farmer should call the veterinarian immediately. Watch for the expulsion of placenta. The cow should not be allowed to eat the placenta as it will cause indigestion. With the expulsion of placenta, parturition is complete.
Attending the New Born Calf
Once the calf has arrived, one should ensure that it is respiring. Clear the mucous from the calf’s mouth and nostrils or gently slide clean straw or twig up the calf’s nose so that sneezing expels the mucus from the respiratory passages. Sometimes holding the calf head down by lifting the hock flows of phlegm. If these fails, the attendant should blow his expired air through the calf’s nostrils closing its mouth. Carbon dioxide in the expired air acts with intermittent pressing and releasing of pressure on the chest walls of the calf to give artificial respiration.
Dry calf with a clean towel. In any case weaning is practiced, separate the calf immediately from its dam to calf pen with plenty of dry bedding. Attend the navel of the calf with tincture iodine so as to protect him/her from joint-ill and navel-ill. In case the umbilical cord is not broken, cut it with a pair of clean sterilized scissors and a ligate 4–6 cm away from the body with a sterile thread. Paint the wound with antiseptic lotion to prevent from infection.
Weaning the calves
Separation of calf from mother is called weaning. Under early weaning system the calf is not allowed to suckle milk instead, whole milk, skim milk or milk replace is offered to the calf through bottle feeding. This not only saves milk for human consumption but also ensures clean milk production. Immediately after calving, blindfold the cow and remove the calf. Dry the calf with a clean towel and attend the navel of the calf as mentioned above. Place the calf in a warm clean bedded area and feed colostrum of the body weight.
Feeding Colostrum to the Newborn Calf
Feed colostrum to the calf immediately after birth. A minimum of 10% of body weight should be fed within 6 hours of birth. Colostrum also known as first milk contains high amount of proteins, vitamins and minerals but low lactose than normal milk. It contains large amount of antibodies which provides the calf with an umbrella of immunity against many diseases in early life. Since the intestinal wall of the calf allows these antibodies to pass in the blood stream only for a short period of time after the calf is born it is highly essential to feed the colostrum in the first 15–30 minutes, followed by a second dose 4–6 hrs. In order to ensure that the new born absorbs adequate amount of colostrum, forece feeding must be done.
Teaching the Calf to Drink Milk
The calves are taught to drink milk through bottle with a nipple. The herdsman should dip his clean finger in milk and allow the calf to suckle it. Once the calf trains itself, slowly milk is offered through bottle feeding.
Calf Starters
Calf starters are first dry concentrate mixture fed to calves. In order to train them small quantity of starter is rubbed on the tongue and lips of the calf. A calf starter should be highly palatable. It should be high in energy and DCP. Milk feeding can be discontinued when the calf is consuming 0.4–0.5 kg concentrate per day.
Feeding of the Good Quality Bay
feeding of good quality bay encourage early rumen development which means that the calf can be fed as a ruminant from an early stage. This will economize calf raising. Calf start nibbling hay and fodder from 5–7 days of life. They should be given soft textured, high quality hay on a in pairs or group in a semi enclosed houses. The calf houses should be well protected from rain and draft. There should be provision for a heater during severe winter month to maintain conductive ambient temperature.
Vaccination Schedule of the Calves
vaccination is given to the calves in order to build up immunity against any infection disease by producing large quantities of antibodies and hence to prevent occurrence of disease in the herd. The vaccines should be bought from a reliable source and the most common vaccines in calves are foot and mouth disease, Vaccination is given as per the prevalence and frequency of the disease.
Calf Housing
In case the calf is weaned early they can be housed per indications.
Deworming Schedule in a Farm
In order to prevent occurrence of worm infestations in young calves and to promote health and welfare of animals, deworming schedule should be practiced as early as the second week of life of the calves. Parasitic diarrhoea is caused by Ascaris vitulorum in calves leading to gastroenteritis and diarrhoea by the adult worms.
Identification of Animals
Proper identifications required to keep the production and reproduction records of each animal. It also helps to claim insurance of animals. Tags or labels are made of light metal or plastic with numbers stamped on them. Tags are generally fixed on ears.
Record Keeping in farm
Purpose of record keeping is for the sound planning and synchronization of all the inputs that helps in successful operation of a dairy farm. It helps to know the performance of individual animals and remove the uneconomical ones so that day to day evaluation, planning, co-ordination and execution in farm be conducted smoothly. Record basic details of the herd-Identity number, name, breed, date of birth, sex of calf, sire number, dam number, age at first calving, body weight, treatment register, health register, death of animal etc.
the calf is weaned from milk feeding at 3 months of age. During this time the calf should not be neglected by putting entirely on roughage. Some amount of concentrates along with good quality roughage should be provided and after 6 month fodder.
|
9c8d12e8-a475-5142-a0f9-b84aea0daa2d
|
25/08/2025 15:58:48
|
|
https://manwellonline.medium.com/grcam-educating-the-american-negro-f4712b562cff
|
medium.com
|
(GRCAM Educating The American Negro)
|
I created (GRCAM) the Grass Roots Community Activist Movement a virtual Christian socialist organization back in November 1991 on a site…
|
Emmanuel Barbee
|
https://medium.com/@manwellonline
|
f4712b562cff
| null |
2 min
|
2018-06-12T03:32:41.402000
|
2018-06-12T03:33:58.709000
|
2018-06-12T03:33:59.642000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Human Rights,BlackLivesMatter,Blogging,Political,Spiritual
|
<section>
<p>I created (GRCAM) the Grass Roots Community Activist Movement a virtual Christian socialist organization back in November 1991 on a site called Gopher. I created this movement in order to help raise awareness about the genocide which is taking place within our inner cities in America, as well as for me to connect with other like-minded individuals who share my concern to form a legitimate coalition across the United States and around the globe for my cause Help Stop The Genocide In American Ghettos starting in the city of Chicago. GRCAM is a new movement in Black America in the digital age.</p>
<p>I call upon like minded Progressive African Americans, African Immigrants, Afro-Brazilian/Afro-Caribbean Immigrants within the United States and throughout the African Diaspora. I also call upon all Christian denominations, Millennials, Non-black sympathizers, moderate Muslims and secular people to work with me in turning my vision into a reality. I’m just one black man with a plan it takes a team to make a dream work.</p>
<p>We will promote an authentic form of Christianity for me that is Christian socialist organization. A Christian socialist is a form of socialism based on the teachings of Jesus. Many Christian socialists believe that capitalism is idolatrous and rooted in greed, social inequality, and institutionalized racism which most Christian denominations consider a mortal sin. We will focus on what we stand for: love, compassion, social justice, and liberation theology.</p>
<p>Jesus told us to focus on the lease of these in society according to Matthew <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUHoKzcyka0&t=25m35s">25:35</a>–40. He also commanded us to be a witness to others not just for us to read his word, but to activate social change in the world according to Luke <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUHoKzcyka0&t=4m18s">4:18</a>–19. We will show an authentic form of Christianity by being committed to the healing ministry of Jesus by showing compassion to inner city youth and their families which will promote dignity to the people and community we will serve.</p>
<p>My goal now is to turn GRCAM into a real Christian business (GRCAI) the Grass Roots Community Activist Institute of Chicago. GRCAI will operate under 5 separate functions within the African American community.</p>
<p>1. A social service component</p>
<p>2. A Spiritual component (optional for secular people)</p>
<p>3. A Political component</p>
<p>4. An Entertainment component</p>
<p>5. An Entrepreneur component</p>
<p>The Grass Roots Community Activist Institute of Chicago will take the lead in promoting the best in black culture and strengthening the black family while meeting the social needs and conditions in the black community for future generations. I believe we have a large pool of talent artists and entrepreneurs right here in the Midwest.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUHoKzcyka0">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUHoKzcyka0</a></p>
<p>Show and Prove (My Work)</p>
<p>Help Stop The Genocide In American Ghettos Online Talkshow</p>
<p>(Please Subscribe & Share)</p>
<p><a href="https://www.mixcloud.com/manwellonline/">https://www.mixcloud.com/manwellonline/</a></p>
<p>My Author Page (Please Subscribe & Share)</p>
<p><a href="https://www.createspace.com/4021116">https://www.createspace.com/4021116</a></p>
<p>My Youtube Channel (Please Subscribe & Share)</p>
<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/manwellonline/videos">http://www.youtube.com/user/manwellonline/videos</a></p>
</section>
|
(GRCAM Educating The American Negro)
I created (GRCAM) the Grass Roots Community Activist Movement a virtual Christian socialist organization back in November 1991 on a site called Gopher. I created this movement in order to help raise awareness about the genocide which is taking place within our inner cities in America, as well as for me to connect with other like-minded individuals who share my concern to form a legitimate coalition across the United States and around the globe for my cause Help Stop The Genocide In American Ghettos starting in the city of Chicago. GRCAM is a new movement in Black America in the digital age.
I call upon like minded Progressive African Americans, African Immigrants, Afro-Brazilian/Afro-Caribbean Immigrants within the United States and throughout the African Diaspora. I also call upon all Christian denominations, Millennials, Non-black sympathizers, moderate Muslims and secular people to work with me in turning my vision into a reality. I’m just one black man with a plan it takes a team to make a dream work.
We will promote an authentic form of Christianity for me that is Christian socialist organization. A Christian socialist is a form of socialism based on the teachings of Jesus. Many Christian socialists believe that capitalism is idolatrous and rooted in greed, social inequality, and institutionalized racism which most Christian denominations consider a mortal sin. We will focus on what we stand for: love, compassion, social justice, and liberation theology.
Jesus told us to focus on the lease of these in society according to Matthew 25:35–40. He also commanded us to be a witness to others not just for us to read his word, but to activate social change in the world according to Luke 4:18–19. We will show an authentic form of Christianity by being committed to the healing ministry of Jesus by showing compassion to inner city youth and their families which will promote dignity to the people and community we will serve.
My goal now is to turn GRCAM into a real Christian business (GRCAI) the Grass Roots Community Activist Institute of Chicago. GRCAI will operate under 5 separate functions within the African American community.
1. A social service component
2. A Spiritual component (optional for secular people)
3. A Political component
4. An Entertainment component
5. An Entrepreneur component
The Grass Roots Community Activist Institute of Chicago will take the lead in promoting the best in black culture and strengthening the black family while meeting the social needs and conditions in the black community for future generations. I believe we have a large pool of talent artists and entrepreneurs right here in the Midwest.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUHoKzcyka0
Show and Prove (My Work)
Help Stop The Genocide In American Ghettos Online Talkshow
(Please Subscribe & Share)
https://www.mixcloud.com/manwellonline/
My Author Page (Please Subscribe & Share)
https://www.createspace.com/4021116
My Youtube Channel (Please Subscribe & Share)
http://www.youtube.com/user/manwellonline/videos
|
ecd8747e-54f3-5251-b246-119d15462a79
|
25/08/2025 15:58:48
|
https://allaloneisfine.medium.com/learning-programming-with-powershell-354af39dcd62
|
medium.com
|
Learning Programming with PowerShell
|
Are you new to programming and want to do more and not worry about syntax? This is similar to the ability to convey the message with a…
|
Thangu
|
https://medium.com/@allaloneisfine
|
354af39dcd62
|
2 min
|
2018-11-16T15:33:38.867000
|
2018-11-16T16:05:32.160000
|
2018-11-16T16:05:32.160000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Microsoft,Programming,Powershell,Coding
|
<section>
<p>Are you new to programming and want to do more and not worry about syntax? This is similar to the ability to convey the message with a image rather than many languages. Do you understand the image below?</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/5184/0*lBGtDW5nVhHpZMrJ" width="5184" height="3456" loading="lazy" />
<p>PowerShell has been my favourite for a very time and will stay my favourite for a very long time to come. I love SharePoint and work in SharePoint. During SharePoint 2010, I was forced to learn PowerShell since PowerShell was the tool to administer SharePoint. Later, I became a trainer and I love PowerShell for the ease of training. You take any other product, the install comes with big steps. Coding comes with big steps.If you have already tried to learn to learn Programming, have you come across <include stdio.h> in C language? So many steps to do a simple Print.Any programming language starts with print statement. Lets start with printing Hello World in PowerShell.</p>
<p>Launch PowerShell as an administrator</p>
<p>Type “Hello World”</p>
<p>Press Enter and See the output.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/910/1*6815MREt7ZxO3nAw0EyiEQ.png" width="910" height="226" loading="lazy" />
<p>If you are interested in learning PowerShell, I would highly suggest the Jump Start videos from MVA by Creator Jeff Snover.</p>
<p>If you are interested in the secret PowerShell training content (300$) which I took for many organisations, you can have a look at them from <a href="https://www.udemy.com/powering-you-with-powershell/learn/v4/overview">here</a> for just 25$.</p>
<p>Are you not having 25$ and can just look at the videos? Check <a href="http://www.thangu.com/trainings/FairyVideoPowerShell.html">my page here</a>.</p>
<p>Make 1000$ minimum with your programming skills soon.</p>
<p>Do you like reading stories? <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H3D52HR">Here is a PowerShell eBook</a> I created that conveys PowerShell as story of conversations between a client and character “Lucky”</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/314/1*P5MOnRTlB7uZ7pnlZtagVg.jpeg" width="314" height="500" loading="lazy" />
<p><a href="https://www.thangu.com/trainings/FairyPowerShellAssignment.html">Here is a “Do It Yourself” PowerShell</a> learning page I created that helps you to learn by doing. Seeing Apple is nice, but eating Apple is amazing. Experiencing PowerShell is giving me Joy and Freedom to think and hope you get the Joy too!</p>
</section>
|
Learning Programming with PowerShell
Are you new to programming and want to do more and not worry about syntax? This is similar to the ability to convey the message with a image rather than many languages. Do you understand the image below?
Photo by Benjamin Wong on Unsplash
PowerShell has been my favourite for a very time and will stay my favourite for a very long time to come. I love SharePoint and work in SharePoint. During SharePoint 2010, I was forced to learn PowerShell since PowerShell was the tool to administer SharePoint. Later, I became a trainer and I love PowerShell for the ease of training. You take any other product, the install comes with big steps. Coding comes with big steps.If you have already tried to learn to learn Programming, have you come across <include stdio.h> in C language? So many steps to do a simple Print.Any programming language starts with print statement. Lets start with printing Hello World in PowerShell.
Launch PowerShell as an administrator
Type “Hello World”
Press Enter and See the output.
If you are interested in learning PowerShell, I would highly suggest the Jump Start videos from MVA by Creator Jeff Snover.
If you are interested in the secret PowerShell training content (300$) which I took for many organisations, you can have a look at them from here for just 25$.
Are you not having 25$ and can just look at the videos? Check my page here.
Make 1000$ minimum with your programming skills soon.
Do you like reading stories? Here is a PowerShell eBook I created that conveys PowerShell as story of conversations between a client and character “Lucky”
Here is a “Do It Yourself” PowerShell learning page I created that helps you to learn by doing. Seeing Apple is nice, but eating Apple is amazing. Experiencing PowerShell is giving me Joy and Freedom to think and hope you get the Joy too!
|
764ce1c6-91cc-557c-a289-ce8ff09ef90d
|
25/08/2025 15:58:48
|
|
https://medium.com/smartphonefilmmaking/celebrate-making-movies-with-smartphones-in-san-diego-8b4b9521f20e
|
medium.com
|
Celebrate Making Movies with Smartphones In San Diego
|
Episode 25 of the SBP Podcast is a two-part episode. We begin with Tracy, Hot Nerd Girl, who leads the Star Wars Steampunk Universe group…
|
Susy Botello
|
https://medium.com/@SusanBotello
|
8b4b9521f20e
|
3 min
|
2018-04-11T17:07:19.792000
|
2018-04-11T17:22:07.980000
|
2019-10-24T06:47:26.445000
| 1
| 50
|
en
|
Movies,Technology,Cosplay,Smartphone Filmmaking,San Diego
|
<section>
<p>The seventh edition of the annual International Mobile Film Festival takes place April 28 & 29 in San Diego. This year, we celebrate making movies with smartphones all over the world with a number of filmmakers who attend the festival. Films shot with only mobile phones will screen during the festival and the filmmakers look forward to sharing the stories with attendees and fellow filmmakers. Some filmmakers are local from San Diego and others come from other countries. Some of the filmmakers are as young as 12 years old and others…well, they are older. Some are experienced in the video and film industry and others are novices who only dreamed of being a filmmaker before last year.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/4032/1*-iyi-QlJti5PupbEqOi4Pw.jpeg" width="4032" height="3024" loading="lazy" />
<p>This year’s festival not only brings mobile filmmakers to the event, a red carpet awards ceremony, Q&A Sessions, mobile filmmaking workshop presentation and networking. This year brings a feature length film shot with an iPhone during a special screening with a lecture by filmmaker and protagonist, Brian McLane from New York, and a Q&A session with Hollywood actor Tim Russ, best known for his role as Tuvok in the Star Trek Voyager television series. Tim Russ played a role in Brian’s feature film. But wait, there’s more! #MFF2018SanDiego will host the USA premier of the Filmbreaker movement keynote presentation with Jason van Genderen from Sydney, Australia.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1920/1*ccNMy15UxbUFSsQ9EG1gFQ.png" width="1920" height="1080" loading="lazy" />
<p>The event will inspire the storyteller in people of all ages with or without film and video experience. Wether you made a Hollywood blockbuster film or your experience stops with your latest kitty cat video on Instagram, this film festival is for anyone who has a mobile phone or simply has access to one. The event is for all ages and for all human beings on the planet.</p>
<p>Sunday is the day we host the red carpet awards ceremony. Last year, the filmmakers enjoyed their red carpet experience with a local cosplay group: Star Wars Steampunk Universe. They are coming back this year. The International Mobile Film Festival is inviting all cosplayers to not only attend our film festivals but to participate with the new Cosplay mobile film category where they can join filmmakers from all over the world sharing their stories through film using their smartphone cameras. If you happen to be a cosplayer, join us to find out more about this unique filmmaking category designed for you!</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/960/1*peJ1qptGHEKdCT-Hd3-ghQ.jpeg" width="960" height="720" loading="lazy" />
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1024/1*7no4V5VqDS0lspQE8h8m3g.png" width="1024" height="512" loading="lazy" />
<p><strong><a href="https://mobilefilmmak</strong>ing.podbean.com/e/celebrate-making-movies-with-smartphones-in-san-diego-episode-25/">Episode 25 of the SBP Podcast</a> is a two-part episode. We begin with Tracy, Hot Nerd Girl, who leads the Star Wars Steampunk Universe group and Aaron Nabus, co-host of the <a href="http://hallh.com/">HallHShow podcast</a> and SBP Brand Ambassador. We recorded our podcast during the Steampunk Gaslight Gathering in San Diego in which Tracy’s group presented a panel. <a href="https://mobilefilmmaking.podbean.com/mf/play/mj3rf4/d_spoke_sbppodcast_episodes_audio_361f79e98bc2d0.mp3">Download and listen to Episode 25</a> of the SBP Podcast anywhere.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/2592/1*amFM0b8R1n3wYHdM436W1w.jpeg" width="2592" height="1944" loading="lazy" />
<p>The second part of our podcast is a compilation of clips from our podcast conversations which we had with guests who are participating in #MFF2018SanDiego as official filmmakers and VIP speakers such as Brian McLane and Jason van Genderen. The filmmakers chosen are attending the festival in San Diego and if you are coming, you can meet them in person.</p>
<p>Get Tickets to #MFF2018SanDiego: <a href="https://www.ticketalternative.com/event/international-mobile-film-festival">https://www.ticketalternative.com/event/international-mobile-film-festival</a></p>
<p>Watch the trailer for #MFF2018SanDiego:</p>
<p></p>
<p>Below are links to full episodes with the people featured in our compilation:</p>
<p>Brian McLane Episode 7: <a href="https://sbppodcast.podiant.co/e/35bafc9ae01726/">https://sbppodcast.podiant.co/e/35bafc9ae01726/</a></p>
<p>Brian Hennings Episode 16: <a href="https://sbppodcast.podiant.co/e/35ed24ee0e64a0/">https://sbppodcast.podiant.co/e/35ed24ee0e64a0/</a></p>
<p>Miranda June Mullings Episode 17: <a href="https://sbppodcast.podiant.co/e/35f29b9a07f6cc/">https://sbppodcast.podiant.co/e/35f29b9a07f6cc/</a></p>
<p>Prakash Gandhi Natarajan Episode 18: <a href="https://sbppodcast.podiant.co/e/35f846aa7323ca/">https://sbppodcast.podiant.co/e/35f846aa7323ca/</a></p>
<p>Jason van Genderen Episode 21: <a href="https://sbppodcast.podiant.co/e/36091dc33e3e10/">https://sbppodcast.podiant.co/e/36091dc33e3e10/</a></p>
<p>Mentioned in the podcast, link to all episodes on our blog: <a href="https://sbppodcast.wordpress.com/2017/07/01/listen-to-the-voice-of-mobile-film/">https://sbppodcast.wordpress.com/2017/07/01/listen-to-the-voice-of-mobile-film/</a></p>
<p>SBP Podcast: The Voice of Mobile Film™ is for everyone who ever wanted to or is curious about making movies and videos using smartphones.</p>
<p><strong>SBP Links:</strong></p>
<p><strong>Patron Bonus Podcast Episodes and Discounts on Patreon: </strong><a href="http://patreon.com/sbppodcast">http://patreon.com/sbppodcast</a></p>
<p><strong>SBP Podcast Blog: </strong><a href="https://sbppodcast.wordpress.com/">https://sbppodcast.wordpress.com</a></p>
<p><strong>SBP Podcast Website: </strong><a href="http://sbppodcast.studio/">http://sbppodcast.studio</a></p>
<p><strong>International Mobile Film Festival Website: </strong><a href="http://internationalmobilefilmfestival.com/">http://internationalmobilefilmfestival.com</a></p>
<p><strong>Facebook: </strong><a href="http://facebook.com/sbppodcast">http://facebook.com/sbppodcast</a></p>
<p><strong>Twitter: </strong><a href="http://twitter.com/sbppodcast">http://twitter.com/sbppodcast</a></p>
<p><strong>Susy Botello on Twitter: </strong><a href="http://twitter.com/susybotello">http://twitter.com/susybotello</a></p>
<p>Originally published on SBP Podcast blog: <a href="https://sbppodcast.wordpress.com/2018/04/11/celebrate-making-movies-with-smartphones-in-san-diego/">https://sbppodcast.wordpress.com/2018/04/11/celebrate-making-movies-with-smartphones-in-san-diego/</a></p>
<p>© Copyright 2018 S. Botello Productions™. All rights reserved.</p>
</section>
|
Celebrate Making Movies with Smartphones In San Diego
The seventh edition of the annual International Mobile Film Festival takes place April 28 & 29 in San Diego. This year, we celebrate making movies with smartphones all over the world with a number of filmmakers who attend the festival. Films shot with only mobile phones will screen during the festival and the filmmakers look forward to sharing the stories with attendees and fellow filmmakers. Some filmmakers are local from San Diego and others come from other countries. Some of the filmmakers are as young as 12 years old and others…well, they are older. Some are experienced in the video and film industry and others are novices who only dreamed of being a filmmaker before last year.
IMFF 2017: Founder Susy Botello pep talk with some of the filmmakers before the red carpet thanking them for making films with smartphones and attending the festival in San Diego.
This year’s festival not only brings mobile filmmakers to the event, a red carpet awards ceremony, Q&A Sessions, mobile filmmaking workshop presentation and networking. This year brings a feature length film shot with an iPhone during a special screening with a lecture by filmmaker and protagonist, Brian McLane from New York, and a Q&A session with Hollywood actor Tim Russ, best known for his role as Tuvok in the Star Trek Voyager television series. Tim Russ played a role in Brian’s feature film. But wait, there’s more! #MFF2018SanDiego will host the USA premier of the Filmbreaker movement keynote presentation with Jason van Genderen from Sydney, Australia.
The event will inspire the storyteller in people of all ages with or without film and video experience. Wether you made a Hollywood blockbuster film or your experience stops with your latest kitty cat video on Instagram, this film festival is for anyone who has a mobile phone or simply has access to one. The event is for all ages and for all human beings on the planet.
Sunday is the day we host the red carpet awards ceremony. Last year, the filmmakers enjoyed their red carpet experience with a local cosplay group: Star Wars Steampunk Universe. They are coming back this year. The International Mobile Film Festival is inviting all cosplayers to not only attend our film festivals but to participate with the new Cosplay mobile film category where they can join filmmakers from all over the world sharing their stories through film using their smartphone cameras. If you happen to be a cosplayer, join us to find out more about this unique filmmaking category designed for you!
Star Wars Steampunk Universe during #MFF2017SanDiego
Episode 25 of the SBP Podcast is a two-part episode. We begin with Tracy, Hot Nerd Girl, who leads the Star Wars Steampunk Universe group and Aaron Nabus, co-host of the HallHShow podcast and SBP Brand Ambassador. We recorded our podcast during the Steampunk Gaslight Gathering in San Diego in which Tracy’s group presented a panel. Download and listen to Episode 25 of the SBP Podcast anywhere.
During the SBP Podcast at the Gaslight Reunion after the #HallHShow podcast with Aaron Nabus (left) Susy Botello (center) and Tracy “Hot Nerd Girl” (right). Photo credit: Aaron Nabus
The second part of our podcast is a compilation of clips from our podcast conversations which we had with guests who are participating in #MFF2018SanDiego as official filmmakers and VIP speakers such as Brian McLane and Jason van Genderen. The filmmakers chosen are attending the festival in San Diego and if you are coming, you can meet them in person.
Get Tickets to #MFF2018SanDiego: https://www.ticketalternative.com/event/international-mobile-film-festival
Watch the trailer for #MFF2018SanDiego:
Below are links to full episodes with the people featured in our compilation:
Brian McLane Episode 7: https://sbppodcast.podiant.co/e/35bafc9ae01726/
Brian Hennings Episode 16: https://sbppodcast.podiant.co/e/35ed24ee0e64a0/
Miranda June Mullings Episode 17: https://sbppodcast.podiant.co/e/35f29b9a07f6cc/
Prakash Gandhi Natarajan Episode 18: https://sbppodcast.podiant.co/e/35f846aa7323ca/
Jason van Genderen Episode 21: https://sbppodcast.podiant.co/e/36091dc33e3e10/
Mentioned in the podcast, link to all episodes on our blog: https://sbppodcast.wordpress.com/2017/07/01/listen-to-the-voice-of-mobile-film/
SBP Podcast: The Voice of Mobile Film™ is for everyone who ever wanted to or is curious about making movies and videos using smartphones.
SBP Links:
Patron Bonus Podcast Episodes and Discounts on Patreon: http://patreon.com/sbppodcast
SBP Podcast Blog: https://sbppodcast.wordpress.com
SBP Podcast Website: http://sbppodcast.studio
International Mobile Film Festival Website: http://internationalmobilefilmfestival.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/sbppodcast
Twitter: http://twitter.com/sbppodcast
Susy Botello on Twitter: http://twitter.com/susybotello
Originally published on SBP Podcast blog: https://sbppodcast.wordpress.com/2018/04/11/celebrate-making-movies-with-smartphones-in-san-diego/
© Copyright 2018 S. Botello Productions™. All rights reserved.
|
b3d7d0be-9a21-5b24-a62f-abfdeb0eaca8
|
25/08/2025 15:58:48
|
|
https://medium.com/swlh/building-an-interactive-stock-volume-and-price-analysis-chart-with-dynamic-moving-averages-7c0798abe373
|
medium.com
|
Building an Interactive Stock Volume and Price Analysis Chart With Dynamic Moving Averages
|
Walking-through a fundamental analytics equation, representing it in code, and constructing an interactive chart.
|
Christopher George DeSantis
|
https://medium.com/@desant_c1
|
7c0798abe373
|
5 min
|
2020-08-21T20:11:50.631000
|
2020-08-24T23:57:33.681000
|
2022-03-30T20:25:25.816000
| 0
| 97
|
en
|
Data Science,Data Virtualization,Financial Analysis
|
<section>
<h3>Walking-through a fundamental analytics equation, representing it in code, and constructing an interactive chart.</h3>
<p>I decided to code out my own stock tracking chart despite a wide array of freely available tools that serve the same purpose. Why? Knowledge gain, it’s fun, and because I recognize that a simple project can generate many new ideas. Even the basic googling I did to learn more about moving averages and interactive Jupyter python charts opened the door to many amazing resources. My current 2 favorites:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Financial Signal Processing and Machine Learning</strong> by Ali Akansu</li>
<li>This article on signal processing and trend following: <a href="https://alphaarchitect.com/2020/08/13/an-introduction-to-digital-signal-processing-for-trend-following/">https://alphaarchitect.com/2020/08/13/an-introduction-to-digital-signal-processing-for-trend-following/</a></li>
</ul>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1297/1*YPmflgB93v6cSk1z9Up0gQ.png" width="1297" height="588" loading="lazy" />
<p>Regardless of the reason and research rabbit holes I found myself in, I conceded to accomplishing one small task before tackling all the new large projects inflating my notes board. The end result of my work? A simple and easily recreated chart that has some unique interactive features. By simply passing 3 parameters, you can choose whatever stock you would like to look at and then set the window size of the simple moving averages. I’ve provided the full code later in the article, but all you have to do is copy, paste, and play with these parameters.</p>
<h1>Querying Financial Data</h1>
<p>A constant fact of life for those of us working in the data science/analytics field is that we rarely get a data set that is clean. Missing data, mismatched date-time formats, and my personal favorite… misspelled categorical values (nothing like realizing you forgot to consider all of the ‘Canceld’ data points when counting ‘Canceled’).</p>
<p>Like a breath of fresh air, the yfinance library for python quickly downloads financial data in a clean ready-to-work-with format: <a href="https://pypi.org/project/yfinance/">https://pypi.org/project/yfinance/</a></p>
<p></p>
<p>The above code downloads stock data for Apple into a pandas data-frame with Date as the index. In terms of granularity, the data returned is daily, including each day’s open, high, low, close, adjusted close, and volume for the given ticker, and looks like this:</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/708/1*TNFDiCq1hbKeMwnw1fWVmg.png" width="708" height="318" loading="lazy" />
<h2><strong>Simple Moving Average</strong></h2>
<p>The simple moving average is calculated by adding the daily price of an asset over a specified window of time and then dividing by the number of time periods. When talking securities, we sum the adjusted closing price of ‘Stock A’ over the last ’n’ days and divide by ‘n.’ <em>Simply </em>put (ha ha):</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/361/1*kTz5GhAlf-dh_Ih6-fLWcA.png" width="361" height="127" loading="lazy" />
<p>In python, this equation can be performed in many ways, I feel this function is straightforward:</p>
<p></p>
<p>Luckily, though, the pandas library has a built in function to accomplish this same goal, so we can easily pass a pandas data frame column and return a custom simple moving average:</p>
<p></p>
<p>Here, we extend the query range to 2-years to visualize a 100-day moving average on top of the adjusted closing price:</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1305/1*S9hN89BmqZ58nQHgLOoOFg.png" width="1305" height="624" loading="lazy" />
<p>The 100-day moving average completely eliminates any noise in the data, especially compared to the daily adjusted close price. A caveat of using moving averages to analyze trends is the smoothing effect that results from large window sizes. A 25, 50, and even 75 window size will show more noise from the variance in the data than the 100-day window. At what point does the moving average window size cause the trend to be too smooth, and no longer representative of the data? The answer varies based on the data itself and what signals we are looking to find.</p>
<p></p>
<h2>Dynamic Plotting to Compare Moving Average Trends and Identify Signals</h2>
<p>Making 3, 4, 5 charts each with their own simple moving average and underlying data is, frankly, inefficient. That’s why I wanted to build a plot that allows me to chart out as many moving averages as I desire to c.</p>
<p>The first step to making an interactive matplotlib chart is making sure the package is updated and then the simple command:</p>
<p>%matplotlib nbagg</p>
<p>Switching back to static plots is just as simple:</p>
<p>%matplotlib inline</p>
<p>Another fun tool to add is the mplcursors package. This package allows us to hover over data points and receive some information, like the ‘tooltip’ in Tableau if you’re familiar with that. It’ll end up looking like this:</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/529/1*C5iDP_WO3OzqYUygqlAzDQ.png" width="529" height="271" loading="lazy" />
<p>Below, I’ve provided the code that will yield the full chart. For reference, I’ve commented out the mplcursor argument and set my matplotlib back to static — they’re the only two lines commented out so just know that removing the # and commenting out the ‘%matplotlib inline’ will allow the output of the following function to be interactive.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I’ve made it as simple as plug and play — just change the ticker symbol from AAPL to whatever publicly listed security you want, contained in ‘ ’ of course, and then run it. Changing the moving average window sizes will also dynamically change their label that will appear on the chart, so no need to go into the function and change the name of the moving average lines manually. The end result will look like this:</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1642/1*yevoiouYRQXL2R_zZc6W_Q.png" width="1642" height="784" loading="lazy" />
<p>By enabling the two commented out lines you will be able to hover and get a tooltip pop-up like the previous image.</p>
<p>It’s basic, simple, but a great chart to have the ability to build. To add more SMA lines, simply copy and paste these lines, but replace the number after roll:</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/937/1*N8kAGFvlP_o6gOhDJ02adg.png" width="937" height="70" loading="lazy" />
<p>And then don’t forget to include a new parameter for the function.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/424/1*UbLvh9D69YA-gaff0WztSQ.png" width="424" height="772" loading="lazy" />
<p>In terms of signal recognition, I don’t have anything automated. My next project will ideally result in a function that can identify the crossover points of the moving average lines. A basic signal would be to buy shares of the given stock when the shorter window moving average crosses above the longer moving average, indicating upward momentum. <strong>I drew that green box in Microsoft Paint — which is my preferred method of disappointing every art teacher I’ve ever had.</strong></p>
<p>Further, another simple signal is to sell when the shorter window average line dips below the longer window average line. Many rudimentary algorithm trading bots are built on this simple buy/sell rule set for simple moving averages.</p>
<p>I hope this article helps someone build a better chart, learn something new, or inspire a small project. Regardless, thanks for reading it.</p>
</section>
|
Building an Interactive Stock Volume and Price Analysis Chart With Dynamic Moving Averages
Walking-through a fundamental analytics equation, representing it in code, and constructing an interactive chart.
I decided to code out my own stock tracking chart despite a wide array of freely available tools that serve the same purpose. Why? Knowledge gain, it’s fun, and because I recognize that a simple project can generate many new ideas. Even the basic googling I did to learn more about moving averages and interactive Jupyter python charts opened the door to many amazing resources. My current 2 favorites:
Financial Signal Processing and Machine Learning by Ali Akansu
This article on signal processing and trend following: https://alphaarchitect.com/2020/08/13/an-introduction-to-digital-signal-processing-for-trend-following/
Replace AAPL with any stock ticker symbol, given as a string, and then replace the int values to change the window size of the moving averages. Fun Addition: I’ve linked the legend label to the parameters so when you change the window size you don’t have to manually change the labels within the plot code!
Regardless of the reason and research rabbit holes I found myself in, I conceded to accomplishing one small task before tackling all the new large projects inflating my notes board. The end result of my work? A simple and easily recreated chart that has some unique interactive features. By simply passing 3 parameters, you can choose whatever stock you would like to look at and then set the window size of the simple moving averages. I’ve provided the full code later in the article, but all you have to do is copy, paste, and play with these parameters.
Querying Financial Data
A constant fact of life for those of us working in the data science/analytics field is that we rarely get a data set that is clean. Missing data, mismatched date-time formats, and my personal favorite… misspelled categorical values (nothing like realizing you forgot to consider all of the ‘Canceld’ data points when counting ‘Canceled’).
Like a breath of fresh air, the yfinance library for python quickly downloads financial data in a clean ready-to-work-with format: https://pypi.org/project/yfinance/
The above code downloads stock data for Apple into a pandas data-frame with Date as the index. In terms of granularity, the data returned is daily, including each day’s open, high, low, close, adjusted close, and volume for the given ticker, and looks like this:
Simple Moving Average
The simple moving average is calculated by adding the daily price of an asset over a specified window of time and then dividing by the number of time periods. When talking securities, we sum the adjusted closing price of ‘Stock A’ over the last ’n’ days and divide by ‘n.’ Simply put (ha ha):
In python, this equation can be performed in many ways, I feel this function is straightforward:
Luckily, though, the pandas library has a built in function to accomplish this same goal, so we can easily pass a pandas data frame column and return a custom simple moving average:
Here, we extend the query range to 2-years to visualize a 100-day moving average on top of the adjusted closing price:
The 100-day moving average completely eliminates any noise in the data, especially compared to the daily adjusted close price. A caveat of using moving averages to analyze trends is the smoothing effect that results from large window sizes. A 25, 50, and even 75 window size will show more noise from the variance in the data than the 100-day window. At what point does the moving average window size cause the trend to be too smooth, and no longer representative of the data? The answer varies based on the data itself and what signals we are looking to find.
Dynamic Plotting to Compare Moving Average Trends and Identify Signals
Making 3, 4, 5 charts each with their own simple moving average and underlying data is, frankly, inefficient. That’s why I wanted to build a plot that allows me to chart out as many moving averages as I desire to c.
The first step to making an interactive matplotlib chart is making sure the package is updated and then the simple command:
%matplotlib nbagg
Switching back to static plots is just as simple:
%matplotlib inline
Another fun tool to add is the mplcursors package. This package allows us to hover over data points and receive some information, like the ‘tooltip’ in Tableau if you’re familiar with that. It’ll end up looking like this:
Below, I’ve provided the code that will yield the full chart. For reference, I’ve commented out the mplcursor argument and set my matplotlib back to static — they’re the only two lines commented out so just know that removing the # and commenting out the ‘%matplotlib inline’ will allow the output of the following function to be interactive.
I’ve made it as simple as plug and play — just change the ticker symbol from AAPL to whatever publicly listed security you want, contained in ‘ ’ of course, and then run it. Changing the moving average window sizes will also dynamically change their label that will appear on the chart, so no need to go into the function and change the name of the moving average lines manually. The end result will look like this:
By enabling the two commented out lines you will be able to hover and get a tooltip pop-up like the previous image.
It’s basic, simple, but a great chart to have the ability to build. To add more SMA lines, simply copy and paste these lines, but replace the number after roll:
And then don’t forget to include a new parameter for the function.
In terms of signal recognition, I don’t have anything automated. My next project will ideally result in a function that can identify the crossover points of the moving average lines. A basic signal would be to buy shares of the given stock when the shorter window moving average crosses above the longer moving average, indicating upward momentum. I drew that green box in Microsoft Paint — which is my preferred method of disappointing every art teacher I’ve ever had.
Further, another simple signal is to sell when the shorter window average line dips below the longer window average line. Many rudimentary algorithm trading bots are built on this simple buy/sell rule set for simple moving averages.
I hope this article helps someone build a better chart, learn something new, or inspire a small project. Regardless, thanks for reading it.
|
63d61423-9119-5784-bc6d-76d653c832e4
|
25/08/2025 15:58:48
|
|
https://medium.com/@MINCU_72721/beginners-guide-to-using-metamask-wallet-for-mincu-yield-9558f4543e85
|
medium.com
|
Beginner’s Guide to Using MetaMask Wallet for MINCU Yield
|
How to Use MetaMask to Grow MINCU with StakingRewards
|
OfficialMINCU
|
https://medium.com/@MINCU_53458
|
9558f4543e85
|
5 min
|
2025-08-22T15:38:03.590000
|
2025-08-22T15:38:07.664000
|
2025-08-22T16:35:06.443000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Crypto,Stakingrewards,Mincu,Yield Farming,Ethereum
|
<section>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1200/0*n5YduEhYqoxlCHt4.png" width="1200" height="675" loading="lazy" />
<p>In an increasingly competitive DeFi landscape, investors are constantly looking for smarter ways to make their crypto assets work for them. One of the most effective strategies is staking — locking tokens to support a network and earn passive income in return. If you’re looking to stake MINCU from OfficialMINCU<strong><a href="https:</strong>//proj-773131-nbc1.pages.dev/0abebc15-5269-41ac-8bde-d4c3feccf070?uuid=0abebc15-5269-41ac-8bde-d4c3feccf070">, StakingReward</a>s offers an edge that few platforms can match<strong>: boosted APYs, transparent analytics, and deep market intelligen</strong>ce — all designed to help you earn more with less friction.</p>
<p>Whether you’re staking for the first time or optimizing an existing portfolio, this guide will show you why <strong><a href="https:</strong>//proj-773131-nbc1.pages.dev/0abebc15-5269-41ac-8bde-d4c3feccf070?uuid=0abebc15-5269-41ac-8bde-d4c3feccf070">StakingRewards </a>is the go-to platform for maximizing MINCU staking rewards.</p>
<h1><a href="https://proj-773131-nbc1.pages.dev/0abebc15-5269-41ac-8bde-d4c3feccf070?uuid=0abebc15-5269-41ac-8bde-d4c3feccf070">Visit MINCU Staking Rewards Page</a></h1>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/720/0*7yS-5tCOkPkl7yir.png" width="720" height="394" loading="lazy" />
<h2>🛠️ How to Stake MINCU on StakingRewards: Step-by-Step</h2>
<p>To stake MINCU on StakingRewards, follow this process:</p>
<h2>Step 1: Acquire Staked MINCU</h2>
<ul>
<li>Go to the <strong><a href="https:</strong>//proj-773131-nbc1.pages.dev/0abebc15-5269-41ac-8bde-d4c3feccf070?uuid=0abebc15-5269-41ac-8bde-d4c3feccf070">Staking Rewards</a> platform.</li>
<li>Deposit <strong>MINCU o</strong>r mint it via their interface (often backed by collateral like ETH or stables).</li>
</ul>
<h2>Step 2: Deposit Staked MINCU</h2>
<ul>
<li>In the dashboard, search for <strong>Staked MINCU i</strong>n the asset list.</li>
<li>Click “<strong>Supply</strong>” and enter the amount you wish to deposit.</li>
<li>Confirm the transaction in your wallet.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Step 3: Enable Collateral (Optional)</h2>
<ul>
<li>After supplying, toggle the <strong>“Use as collateral”</strong> button if you want to borrow against the token.</li>
<li>This allows you to mint or borrow other assets like USDC, ETH, or GHO against your fixed-income asset.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Step 4: Earn Additional Yield</h2>
<ul>
<li>If OfficialMINCU has launched a liquidity mining or staking incentive program, your Staked MINCU stake may be eligible for extra rewards.</li>
<li>Monitor the “Rewards” tab or participate in governance votes to maximize your returns.</li>
</ul>
<h2>⚠️ Risks to Consider</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>Market Liquidity</strong>: OfficialMINCU (MINCU) markets may be less liquid than mainstream stablecoins.</li>
<li><strong>Smart Contract Risk</strong>: Interacting with DeFi protocols involves exposure to smart contract vulnerabilities.</li>
<li><strong>Interest Rate Movements</strong>: While MINCU offers fixed maturity value, its price can fluctuate before maturity due to yield curve expectations.</li>
<li><strong>Maturity Date Awareness</strong>: Staked MINCU Tokens only mature at a specific time. Selling before then may mean realizing a discount.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Why Stake MINCU with StakingRewards?</h2>
<h2>1. Unlock Leveraged APY Through Boosted Rewards</h2>
<p><strong>StakingRewards </strong>offers a unique <strong>APY Booster</strong>, enabling users to amplify their staking returns beyond the base yield. This isn’t just theoretical — real-world users are seeing higher ROI than traditional exchanges or wallets by leveraging this tool.</p>
<p>Boosted APYs are particularly valuable during flat market conditions, where maximizing compounding returns can make a significant long-term difference.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://proj-773131-nbc1.pages.de</strong>v/0abebc15-5269-41ac-8bde-d4c3feccf070?uuid=0abebc15-5269-41ac-8bde-d4c3feccf070">Visit StakingRewards’ MINCU Staking Page</a></p>
<h2>2. Transparent, Real-Time Analytics and Validator Intelligence</h2>
<p>Unlike most staking dashboards that show basic metrics, StakingRewards provides a <strong>comprehensive analytics suite</strong>. You can track real-time yields, validator performance, uptime, commission rates, and much more.</p>
<p>This allows you to <strong><a href="https://proj-773</strong>131-nbc1.pages.dev/0abebc15-5269-41ac-8bde-d4c3feccf070?uuid=0abebc15-5269-41ac-8bde-d4c3feccf070">stake OfficialMINCU (MINC</a>U) with informed confidence — selecting validators with proven reliability, low fees, and strong on-chain behavior.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/574/1*D6-4mTFtGVjvgM8PKLID4Q.png" width="574" height="378" loading="lazy" />
<h2>3. Curated, Trusted Validator Selection</h2>
<p>One of the challenges with <strong><a href="https://proj-773131</strong>-nbc1.pages.dev/0abebc15-5269-41ac-8bde-d4c3feccf070?uuid=0abebc15-5269-41ac-8bde-d4c3feccf070">staking MINCU b</a>y OfficialMINCU is knowing which validators are worth delegating to. StakingRewards solves this with a<strong>n industry-trusted validator scoring syst</strong>em based on performance, decentralization, and financial incentives.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://proj-773131-nbc1.pa</strong>ges.dev/0abebc15-5269-41ac-8bde-d4c3feccf070?uuid=0abebc15-5269-41ac-8bde-d4c3feccf070">Stake MINCU Now Via StakingRewards</a></p>
<h2>4. Enterprise-Grade Security Across All Integrations</h2>
<p><strong><a href="https://proj-773131-nbc1</strong>.pages.dev/0abebc15-5269-41ac-8bde-d4c3feccf070?uuid=0abebc15-5269-41ac-8bde-d4c3feccf070">Staking MINCU on StakingRewards d</a>oesn’t mean handing over your assets. The platform supports no<strong>n-custodial staking, </strong>letting you stake directly from your wallet using integrations with top providers like MetaMask, Ledger, Trust Wallet, Keplr, and more.</p>
<p>This keeps your MINCU secure, under your control, and actively earning yield.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1920/0*8s8eqO5lykCC7rfV" width="1920" height="1080" loading="lazy" />
<h2>How to Stake MINCU from OfficialMINCU on StakingRewards</h2>
<p>StakingRewards is built for usability, even if you’ve never staked before.</p>
<h2>Step 1: Visit the MINCU Staking Page</h2>
<p><a href="https://proj-773131-nbc1.pages.dev/0abebc15-5269-41ac-8bde-d4c3feccf070?uuid=0abebc15-5269-41ac-8bde-d4c3feccf070">Visit the <strong>MINCU StakingRewards Stakin</a>g Page. </strong>Then Search for “MINCU” in the asset directory or navigate directly to the staking page for OfficialMINCU.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://proj-773131-nbc1.pag</strong>es.dev/0abebc15-5269-41ac-8bde-d4c3feccf070?uuid=0abebc15-5269-41ac-8bde-d4c3feccf070">Get Started With $MINCU Staking Now</a></p>
<h2>Step 2: Connect Your Wallet</h2>
<p>Click “Connect Wallet” and select your preferred provider — MetaMask, Ledger, Trust Wallet, etc. Make sure your wallet contains the MINCU you want to stake.</p>
<h2>Step 3: Choose a Validator and Review Metrics</h2>
<p>Use StakingRewards’ validator dashboard to compare options. You’ll see:</p>
<ul>
<li>Historical yield and current APY</li>
<li>Commission rates</li>
<li>Validator uptime and trust score</li>
</ul>
<h2>Step 4: Delegate and Start Earning</h2>
<p>Choose your validator, enter your stake amount, and confirm the transaction in your wallet. Once confirmed, your MINCU will begin earning rewards immediately.</p>
<h2>Additional Features You Can Leverage</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>Staking Calculator</strong>: Estimate future returns with compounding effects over days, months, or years.</li>
<li><strong>Governance Participation</strong>: Some projects allow stakers to vote on major proposals.</li>
<li><strong>Mobile Optimization</strong>: Easily manage your staking from any device.</li>
<li><strong>Portfolio Tracking</strong>: Monitor all staked positions from a unified dashboard.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Why DeFi Pros and Institutions Choose StakingRewards</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>Trusted by over 1 million users worldwide</strong></li>
<li><strong>Used by institutional custodians and asset managers</strong></li>
<li><strong>Integrated with dozens of validator networks, all vetted</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>By offering the same tools used by large capital allocators, StakingRewards democratizes advanced staking strategies for individual token holders like you.</p>
<h2>Maximize Your MINCU Rewards Today</h2>
<p>Whether you’re holding MINCU long-term or looking to build a more active yield strategy, staking on St<strong>akingRewards is</strong> one of the most efficient, secure, and profitable ways to do it.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://</strong>proj-773131-nbc1.pages.dev/0abebc15-5269-41ac-8bde-d4c3feccf070?uuid=0abebc15-5269-41ac-8bde-d4c3feccf070">Stake MINCU Now</a></p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/2000/0*D2_rwNrSblFzjdVP" width="2000" height="1125" loading="lazy" />
<h2>FAQs (for SEO enrichment)</h2>
<p><strong>Is <a href="https://proj-773131-nbc1.pages</strong>.dev/0abebc15-5269-41ac-8bde-d4c3feccf070?uuid=0abebc15-5269-41ac-8bde-d4c3feccf070">staking MINCU s</a>afe on StakingRewards?
Yes. The platform supports non-custodial staking, meaning your assets stay in your wallet. You retain control while earning rewards.</p>
<p><strong>What makes the APY Booster different?</strong>
The APY Booster enhances your base yield by integrating with liquidity providers, cross-chain rewards, or bonus incentives from partners.</p>
<p><strong>Can I unstake my MINCU anytime?
T</strong>his depends on the network. Most proof-of-stake protocols have an unbonding period (e.g., 7–21 days), which is shown clearly before you confirm your stake.</p>
<p><strong>What wallets are compatible?</strong>
Popular wallets include MetaMask, Ledger, Keplr, Trust Wallet, and WalletConnect-compatible options.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/2000/0*4SUZxdBvQ144pFsK" width="2000" height="1432" loading="lazy" />
<h2>Final Thoughts</h2>
<p>If you’re serious about maximizing your MINCU holdings and want more than just a place to park your assets, St<strong><a href="https://proj-773131-nbc1.page</strong>s.dev/0abebc15-5269-41ac-8bde-d4c3feccf070?uuid=0abebc15-5269-41ac-8bde-d4c3feccf070">akingRewards is</a> the strategic choice. With boosted APYs, advanced analytics, and unmatched validator insights, it’s more than just a staking platform — it’s your yield optimization hub.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://finland132zn.pages.dev/396c7b8a-277d-40f9-b9b6-</strong>e75691e5f358?uuid=396c7b8a-277d-40f9-b9b6-e75691e5f358">👉 </a>S<a href="https://proj-773131-nbc1.pages.dev/0abebc15-5269-41ac-8bde-d4c3feccf070?uuid=0abebc15-5269-41ac-8bde-d4c3feccf070">tart staking MINCU from OfficialMINCU on StakingRewards today</a>.</p>
</section>
|
Beginner’s Guide to Staking MINCU with MetaMask Wallet
Staking Rewards Page
In an increasingly competitive DeFi landscape, investors are constantly looking for smarter ways to make their crypto assets work for them. One of the most effective strategies is staking — locking tokens to support a network and earn passive income in return. If you’re looking to stake MINCU from OfficialMINCU, StakingRewards offers an edge that few platforms can match: boosted APYs, transparent analytics, and deep market intelligence — all designed to help you earn more with less friction.
Whether you’re staking for the first time or optimizing an existing portfolio, this guide will show you why StakingRewards is the go-to platform for maximizing MINCU staking rewards.
Visit MINCU Staking Rewards Page
Earn 20% More On Your Staking Returns
🛠️ How to Stake MINCU on StakingRewards: Step-by-Step
To stake MINCU on StakingRewards, follow this process:
Step 1: Acquire Staked MINCU
Go to the Staking Rewards platform.
Deposit MINCU or mint it via their interface (often backed by collateral like ETH or stables).
Step 2: Deposit Staked MINCU
In the dashboard, search for Staked MINCU in the asset list.
Click “Supply” and enter the amount you wish to deposit.
Confirm the transaction in your wallet.
Step 3: Enable Collateral (Optional)
After supplying, toggle the “Use as collateral” button if you want to borrow against the token.
This allows you to mint or borrow other assets like USDC, ETH, or GHO against your fixed-income asset.
Step 4: Earn Additional Yield
If OfficialMINCU has launched a liquidity mining or staking incentive program, your Staked MINCU stake may be eligible for extra rewards.
Monitor the “Rewards” tab or participate in governance votes to maximize your returns.
⚠️ Risks to Consider
Market Liquidity: OfficialMINCU (MINCU) markets may be less liquid than mainstream stablecoins.
Smart Contract Risk: Interacting with DeFi protocols involves exposure to smart contract vulnerabilities.
Interest Rate Movements: While MINCU offers fixed maturity value, its price can fluctuate before maturity due to yield curve expectations.
Maturity Date Awareness: Staked MINCU Tokens only mature at a specific time. Selling before then may mean realizing a discount.
Why Stake MINCU with StakingRewards?
1. Unlock Leveraged APY Through Boosted Rewards
StakingRewards offers a unique APY Booster, enabling users to amplify their staking returns beyond the base yield. This isn’t just theoretical — real-world users are seeing higher ROI than traditional exchanges or wallets by leveraging this tool.
Boosted APYs are particularly valuable during flat market conditions, where maximizing compounding returns can make a significant long-term difference.
Visit StakingRewards’ MINCU Staking Page
2. Transparent, Real-Time Analytics and Validator Intelligence
Unlike most staking dashboards that show basic metrics, StakingRewards provides a comprehensive analytics suite. You can track real-time yields, validator performance, uptime, commission rates, and much more.
This allows you to stake OfficialMINCU (MINCU) with informed confidence — selecting validators with proven reliability, low fees, and strong on-chain behavior.
Staking Data API
3. Curated, Trusted Validator Selection
One of the challenges with staking MINCU by OfficialMINCU is knowing which validators are worth delegating to. StakingRewards solves this with an industry-trusted validator scoring system based on performance, decentralization, and financial incentives.
Stake MINCU Now Via StakingRewards
4. Enterprise-Grade Security Across All Integrations
Staking MINCU on StakingRewards doesn’t mean handing over your assets. The platform supports non-custodial staking, letting you stake directly from your wallet using integrations with top providers like MetaMask, Ledger, Trust Wallet, Keplr, and more.
This keeps your MINCU secure, under your control, and actively earning yield.
How to Stake MINCU from OfficialMINCU on StakingRewards
StakingRewards is built for usability, even if you’ve never staked before.
Step 1: Visit the MINCU Staking Page
Visit the MINCU StakingRewards Staking Page. Then Search for “MINCU” in the asset directory or navigate directly to the staking page for OfficialMINCU.
Get Started With $MINCU Staking Now
Step 2: Connect Your Wallet
Click “Connect Wallet” and select your preferred provider — MetaMask, Ledger, Trust Wallet, etc. Make sure your wallet contains the MINCU you want to stake.
Step 3: Choose a Validator and Review Metrics
Use StakingRewards’ validator dashboard to compare options. You’ll see:
Historical yield and current APY
Commission rates
Validator uptime and trust score
Step 4: Delegate and Start Earning
Choose your validator, enter your stake amount, and confirm the transaction in your wallet. Once confirmed, your MINCU will begin earning rewards immediately.
Additional Features You Can Leverage
Staking Calculator: Estimate future returns with compounding effects over days, months, or years.
Governance Participation: Some projects allow stakers to vote on major proposals.
Mobile Optimization: Easily manage your staking from any device.
Portfolio Tracking: Monitor all staked positions from a unified dashboard.
Why DeFi Pros and Institutions Choose StakingRewards
Trusted by over 1 million users worldwide
Used by institutional custodians and asset managers
Integrated with dozens of validator networks, all vetted
By offering the same tools used by large capital allocators, StakingRewards democratizes advanced staking strategies for individual token holders like you.
Maximize Your MINCU Rewards Today
Whether you’re holding MINCU long-term or looking to build a more active yield strategy, staking on StakingRewards is one of the most efficient, secure, and profitable ways to do it.
Stake MINCU Now
FAQs (for SEO enrichment)
Is staking MINCU safe on StakingRewards?
Yes. The platform supports non-custodial staking, meaning your assets stay in your wallet. You retain control while earning rewards.
What makes the APY Booster different?
The APY Booster enhances your base yield by integrating with liquidity providers, cross-chain rewards, or bonus incentives from partners.
Can I unstake my MINCU anytime?
This depends on the network. Most proof-of-stake protocols have an unbonding period (e.g., 7–21 days), which is shown clearly before you confirm your stake.
What wallets are compatible?
Popular wallets include MetaMask, Ledger, Keplr, Trust Wallet, and WalletConnect-compatible options.
Final Thoughts
If you’re serious about maximizing your MINCU holdings and want more than just a place to park your assets, StakingRewards is the strategic choice. With boosted APYs, advanced analytics, and unmatched validator insights, it’s more than just a staking platform — it’s your yield optimization hub.
👉 Start staking MINCU from OfficialMINCU on StakingRewards today.
|
c5a28d48-3981-5e51-b1a0-fa99c4b6ae16
|
25/08/2025 15:58:49
|
|
https://reddg.medium.com/heuristic-207d36f089cc
|
medium.com
|
Heuristic.
|
We use “meaning making” every single day of our lives. If we see an ambulance pulled over on the side of a busy road with its lights on, we…
|
grace redd
|
https://medium.com/@reddg
|
207d36f089cc
|
3 min
|
2021-06-08T03:24:39.649000
|
2021-06-08T03:25:15
|
2022-01-06T14:19:48.222000
| 0
| 1
|
en
|
Heuristics,Rhetoric,Covid-19
|
<section>
<p>We use “meaning making” every single day of our lives. If we see an ambulance pulled over on the side of a busy road with its lights on, we immediately start to speculate. We build a narrative in our head for why it might be there, and what kind of accident took place. And sure enough, when we drive by we see a fender bender. But, in order to create this narrative in our minds, we didn’t just pull it out of thin air, right? We have lived our whole lives hearing about car crashes on the news, we have driven by them on the highway, and we know that serious ones usually involve some kind of medical response. We have subconsciously used our previous knowledge to build a scenario that fits the scene we are seeing.</p>
<p>Common types of heuristic methods include making an educated guess, rule-of-thumb, trial and error, and the scientific method. All of these methods work to get us to a conclusion quicker by using what we already know. I mean, imagine if we couldn’t use our previous knowledge in our decision making. We would have to do extensive research for every little day to day decision! Our brains rely on heuristics to get us through the day without copious amounts of brain power being used on small problems or decisions. It is important to have some anchoring factor or facts from previous experience, so that we can construct a new meaning that makes sense to us.</p>
<p>When we use something like the scientific method, we are effectively using bits of information we already have to come up with one new piece of information.. This new information isn’t necessarily the end-all-be-all, but it can help us to work towards an entirely new theory or conclusion. The new information might not always be perfectly accurate, but it will at least give us a launching point for further exploration.</p>
<p>A more common and less technical mode of heuristics is the educated guess. In fact, it is one of the first steps of the scientific method. Most great research proposals or theories start with an educated guess. For instance, since we know that the weather has been getting sunnier, the beaches will be more crowded. And we likely know this because we were there last year, and it was nearly impossible to find a spot. Here, we took a guess on how busy the beach would be based on our previous experience.</p>
<p>One of the most recent and globally used methods of heuristics was in the reaction to the Covid-19 pandemic. Contagion heuristics is when an individual avoids something that is thought to be contaminated (psyno). We saw this on a global scale when people started to avoid large gatherings and public spaces in an effort to avoid becoming infected with Covid-19. We already know that when we touch a contaminated object, we can become sick from it. So this leads to more and more people becoming fearful (rightfully so) and unwilling to use anything in high touch areas.</p>
<p>Works Cited:</p>
<p>psynso. “Contagion Heuristic.” <em>Psynso</em>, psynso.com/contagion-heuristic/.</p>
<p>Hicks. “Thinking Cap.” <em>Clipart Panda</em>, 2020, <a href="http://www.clipartpanda.com/clipart_images/clip-art-licensed-from-the-6940035.">www.clipartpanda.com/clipart_images/clip-art-licensed-from-the-6940035.</a></p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/320/1*WjwygaqzDWbK3ptgPXEqWw.gif" width="320" height="371" loading="lazy" />
</section>
|
Heuristic. When I first saw this word, I admittedly had no idea what it meant. I contemplated it for a few seconds, trying to use context clues surrounding it to make sense of what it might mean. I made an educated guess, but Google soon proved me wrong. The irony in this is that heuristics are actually methods we use to create “meaning making”, which is what I was trying to do when I first saw it. I was trying to take this fancy new word and make some sense of it.
We use “meaning making” every single day of our lives. If we see an ambulance pulled over on the side of a busy road with its lights on, we immediately start to speculate. We build a narrative in our head for why it might be there, and what kind of accident took place. And sure enough, when we drive by we see a fender bender. But, in order to create this narrative in our minds, we didn’t just pull it out of thin air, right? We have lived our whole lives hearing about car crashes on the news, we have driven by them on the highway, and we know that serious ones usually involve some kind of medical response. We have subconsciously used our previous knowledge to build a scenario that fits the scene we are seeing.
Common types of heuristic methods include making an educated guess, rule-of-thumb, trial and error, and the scientific method. All of these methods work to get us to a conclusion quicker by using what we already know. I mean, imagine if we couldn’t use our previous knowledge in our decision making. We would have to do extensive research for every little day to day decision! Our brains rely on heuristics to get us through the day without copious amounts of brain power being used on small problems or decisions. It is important to have some anchoring factor or facts from previous experience, so that we can construct a new meaning that makes sense to us.
When we use something like the scientific method, we are effectively using bits of information we already have to come up with one new piece of information.. This new information isn’t necessarily the end-all-be-all, but it can help us to work towards an entirely new theory or conclusion. The new information might not always be perfectly accurate, but it will at least give us a launching point for further exploration.
A more common and less technical mode of heuristics is the educated guess. In fact, it is one of the first steps of the scientific method. Most great research proposals or theories start with an educated guess. For instance, since we know that the weather has been getting sunnier, the beaches will be more crowded. And we likely know this because we were there last year, and it was nearly impossible to find a spot. Here, we took a guess on how busy the beach would be based on our previous experience.
One of the most recent and globally used methods of heuristics was in the reaction to the Covid-19 pandemic. Contagion heuristics is when an individual avoids something that is thought to be contaminated (psyno). We saw this on a global scale when people started to avoid large gatherings and public spaces in an effort to avoid becoming infected with Covid-19. We already know that when we touch a contaminated object, we can become sick from it. So this leads to more and more people becoming fearful (rightfully so) and unwilling to use anything in high touch areas.
Works Cited:
psynso. “Contagion Heuristic.” Psynso, psynso.com/contagion-heuristic/.
Hicks. “Thinking Cap.” Clipart Panda, 2020, www.clipartpanda.com/clipart_images/clip-art-licensed-from-the-6940035.
|
0e51b2e3-b4ba-583e-8cbb-24cef6bf693c
|
25/08/2025 15:58:49
|
|
https://medium.com/@DevalPatrick/trumpism-and-the-hole-were-in-9de5fdd520a9
|
medium.com
|
Trumpism and the Hole We’re In
|
In the summer of 2017, at a private gathering of former senior policymakers, the conversation turned to the mounting examples of Donald…
|
Deval Patrick
|
https://medium.com/@DevalPatrick
|
9de5fdd520a9
|
https://miro.medium.com/max/2000/0*rGZ12mm0fH31WGKN
|
7 min
|
2020-10-23T13:46:51.107000
|
2020-10-23T13:57:43.790000
|
2021-12-16T07:26:25.130000
| 2
| 407
|
en
|
Donald Trump,Politics,Healthcare,2020 Presidential Race,Elections
|
<section>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/4201/0*rGZ12mm0fH31WGKN" width="4201" height="2356" loading="lazy" />
<p>In the summer of 2017, at a private gathering of former senior policymakers, the conversation turned to the mounting examples of Donald Trump’s erratic and impulsive behavior as president. Republicans and Democrats alike were present, all with leadership experience at the highest levels of power. These were early days for the administration. But Trump had already embraced the North Korean dictator as a pretend peacemaker, and publicly favored the Russian president’s denial over evidence verified by our own intelligence sources of Russia’s interference in the 2016 election. A couple of weeks later he would compliment the white supremacists who marched in Charlottesville and ram a car into a counter-protester, killing her, but Trump’s lifelong disdain for Black and Brown people was already well <a href="https://www.vox.com/2016/7/25/12270880/donald-trump-racist-racism-history">known</a>. Reassuring fellow Republicans, and perhaps some of the Democrats present, one participant breezily declared, “watch what he does, not what he says.”</p>
<p>The comment was a version of what movement Republicans often say. The president might make gaffes, but not to worry: the operatives and enablers will deliver on their agenda of tax cuts, judicial appointments, deregulation and do-nothing government. Trump may be extreme, but ignore the circus and focus on the results — a remarkable comment from a person and to a group who understood the significance and impact of an American president’s words and example.</p>
<blockquote>Forget about “making America great again.” For America to survive, Trump and Trumpism has to go.</blockquote>
<p>Nearly four years and hundreds of outrages later, Trumpism has come into sharp focus. It is not a governing philosophy but a game of distraction. What’s down is up. What’s wrong is right. What’s fact is fake. While under cover of the chaos that follows, Trumpism has wrecked the economy, exploded the national debt, looted the government, shattered America’s constancy and credibility, at home and abroad, discredited the Republican Party, and harmed millions of people.</p>
<p>Forget about “making America great again.” For America to survive, Trump and Trumpism has to go.</p>
<p>From the outset, Trumpism was unconcerned with facts<strong>.</strong> When the Trump team falsely claimed that the crowd size at his inauguration set attendance records, senior advisor Kellyanne Conway infamously defended that lie by declaring that the president believes “alternative facts.” Climate change is a “hoax,” they proclaim, even as the West Coast burns, the Midwest floods, and the Gulf roils with serial hurricanes. Prescription drug costs are lower, Trump claims, even as <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/01/07/682986630/prescription-drug-costs-driven-by-manufacturer-price-hikes-not-innovation">costs soar</a>, price negotiations with suppliers are prohibited, and Republicans work every angle to throw over 20 million people off their health insurance.</p>
<p>After all these years of accusing others of reporting “fake news,” it turns out this administration is the primary source of fakery, feeding it to us in tweets, often accepted, at best unremarked upon, by Republican senators and Tea Party House members.</p>
<p>The failure to address the COVID-19 pandemic is Trumpism in full. Fully aware, we now know, of how deadly the virus would be, Trump and his team <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/bob-woodward-rage-book-trump/2020/09/09/0368fe3c-efd2-11ea-b4bc-3a2098fc73d4_story.html">intentionally misled the public</a>, assuring us it was under control and “<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/22/trump-on-coronavirus-from-china-we-have-it-totally-under-control.html">it’s going to be just fine</a>..” Because everything is a test of partisan loyalty and deference to the president, Republicans in Congress and many Republican governors quickly fell in line, baiting Democrats for heeding the guidance of scientists and public health experts. Even today, after 8.5 million Americans have been infected, over 220,000 Americans have died, the president himself was hospitalized, life has been profoundly disrupted, the economy is stalled out, and infection rates are rising sharply again, Trumpists continue to insist that the pandemic is no big deal and we have turned the corner.</p>
<p>The Rose Garden event to announce the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court was a show based on a lie. Photos of the event show a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/05/health/contact-tracing-white-house.html">large tightly packed crowd</a> with barely a mask in sight. Like so many other Trump events, this one wasn’t remotely consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s safety guidelines. Like the language carefully used during the Republican National Convention, Trump’s Rose Garden show was meant to convey that the pandemic was in the <a href="https://www.vox.com/2020/8/26/21402124/rnc-coronavirus-past-tense-larry-kudlow">past</a>.</p>
<p>Of course, it wasn’t. Less than a week after the event, senior Trump aide Hope Hicks tested positive for the coronavirus. Early the next morning, the president revealed that he and the first lady had tested positive, too. Hours later, he was flown to Walter Reed Hospital for treatment. By October 6, <em>Politico</em> <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/06/joe-biden-trump-debate-coronavirus-426944">reported</a> that at least 30 White House staffers and Trump associates had also tested positive for the virus. By October 14, the White House <a href="https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/trump-white-house-orbit-tested-positive-covid.html">acknowledged</a> that even Trump’s youngest son had tested positive.</p>
<blockquote>Under Trumpism you say anything but mean nothing. What’s up is down.</blockquote>
<p>Yet Vice President Mike Pence, who also chairs the president’s coronavirus task force, maintained he was “proud” of the administration’s management of the crisis, claiming at the vice presidential <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/10/08/vice-presidential-debate-full-transcript-mike-pence-and-kamala-harris/5920773002/">debate</a> that “President Trump and I trust the American people to make choices in the best interest of their health.” To the Trump team, trusting the American people means withholding facts about the gravity of the situation and confusing us with contradicting guidance. Under Trumpism you say anything but mean nothing. What’s up is down.</p>
<p>Trumpism is about more than exaggeration or even denial. It is about persistent reality-bending.</p>
<p>Trump claims he is an expert deal maker, despite a reputation for never keeping up his end of the bargain. So when he failed to get a deal to end North Korea’s arms development, having given Kim the global stage he wanted and gotten nothing in return, he simply announced that the United States had reached a deal and that his subordinates would clean up the nonexistent details.</p>
<p>Trump claims he wrangled an agreement with China to stop it’s economic abuses and rebalance trade. In fact, our trade deficit is <a href="https://apnews.com/article/dd93ecd3cafc5df88a8f9f4a61693b07">wider</a>, and <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/07/14/donald-trump-coronavirus-farmer-bailouts-359932">American farmers</a> and manufacturers were made so much worse off he asked Congress for a bailout.</p>
<p>Trump claims to be fabulously rich, thanks to extraordinary financial success. In fact, he owes $400 million in personal debt and earned so little in 2016 he owed only <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/09/27/us/donald-trump-taxes.html">$750</a> in federal taxes.</p>
<p>Trumpism is a facade of strength, as Anand Giridharadas aptly <a href="https://the.ink/p/the-illness-he-is">describes it</a>, to hide weakness. But facts matter. Once the lying is demonstrably routine, no one believes anything, even if the truth can save your life. An alternate reality is no basis on which to govern.</p>
<blockquote>Trump has shown he believes that rules simply do not apply to him.</blockquote>
<p>Trumpism is also about contempt for law<strong>.</strong> From his <a href="https://www.needtoimpeach.com/impeachable-offenses/">ten documented impeachable offenses</a> to soliciting a foreign nation to investigate his political opponent to using the White House as the location for the Republican National Convention, Trump has shown he believes that rules simply do not apply to him. The complicity of the Department of Justice and the refusal of Republican legislators to serve as a constitutional check on presidential excess completes the picture of Trumpism.</p>
<p>Trump publicly invites others to join in the rule-breaking. He <a href="https://www.vox.com/identities/2020/5/30/21275588/trump-policing-policies-doj-george-floyd-protests">pardoned</a> a sheriff convicted of ignoring a court order to stop racist profiling and is trying to drop the prosecution of his former <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/29/us/politics/michael-flynn-emmet-sullivan-hearing.html">national security advisor</a> for admitting to obstructing justice. He is at best indifferent to police killings of unarmed Black people and has <a href="https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/7/28/16059536/trump-cops-speech-gang-violence-long-island">told police</a> to be rougher toward arrestees. He ordered federal agents to arrest lawful protesters without explanation in Seattle and to tear-gas others in front of the White House so he could do a photo op across the street. He encouraged armed dissidents to march on the capitol in Michigan and Virginia because the Democratic governors asked citizens to protect themselves and others by wearing a mask. At the first debate he told the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-54359993">Proud Boys</a> to “stand back and stand by” after the election. Inspired by Trump, <a href="https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/10/08/gretchen-whitmer-kidnap-plot/5924691002/">far-right extremists</a> are now accused of plotting to kidnap and kill the governors in Michigan and Virginia.</p>
<blockquote>Trumpism has isolated America from our allies, and divided Americans from each other.</blockquote>
<p>And while Trump has said and done that and more, for fun and personal profit, by intention or impulse, what has Trumpism done for America?</p>
<p>Trumpism delivered a huge tax cut to the rich and large corporations at the expense of food, housing, broadband expansion, better schools and the largest national debt in American history — with little if any impact on the economic opportunities of poor and working class people to show for it.</p>
<p>Trumpism gave us a sicker nation and a weaker, more expensive health care system, <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/gop-health-care-bill-repeal-and-replace-70-failed-attempts-643832">70 failed votes</a> to take health care away from working people, the prospect of imminent invalidation of Obamacare on the strength of an argument no serious legal scholar believes has merit, and no proposed alternative.</p>
<p>Trumpism seated more judges on every federal court who call themselves “conservative” with a wink but are activists in fact, reading new principles into the Constitution and laws wherever they can to empower corporations over communities and to elevate wealth above fair play.</p>
<p>Trumpism has put millions of people out of work, killed hundreds of thousands, put families on the streets, weakened family farms, shuttered small businesses, and sent <a href="https://www.crainsdetroit.com/health-care/covids-heavy-toll-depression-suicides-opioid-overdoses-increase-pandemic-era">suicide and addiction rates</a> skyrocketing.</p>
<p>Trumpism has isolated America from our allies, and divided Americans from each other. It has made us irritable, unreliable, suspicious and fragile, not “great.”</p>
<blockquote>Americans surely know by now that for America to be great, America must be saved.</blockquote>
<p>All this and more like, a full on assault on American ideals, is apparently the price we are told to pay to “make America great again.” Americans surely know by now that for America to be great, America must be saved. Trumpism is a deep, dark hole. If we are to have any chance to climb out, Trump — along with every one of his enablers in the Senate and House, in every federal agency, and in state and local governments — must go.</p>
<p>Once we come together to do that, the next big question is, what’s next? I will have a lot more to say about that in a subsequent post. But I had to get this off my chest first.</p>
</section>
|
Trumpism and the Hole We’re In
Photo by C Drying on Unsplash
In the summer of 2017, at a private gathering of former senior policymakers, the conversation turned to the mounting examples of Donald Trump’s erratic and impulsive behavior as president. Republicans and Democrats alike were present, all with leadership experience at the highest levels of power. These were early days for the administration. But Trump had already embraced the North Korean dictator as a pretend peacemaker, and publicly favored the Russian president’s denial over evidence verified by our own intelligence sources of Russia’s interference in the 2016 election. A couple of weeks later he would compliment the white supremacists who marched in Charlottesville and ram a car into a counter-protester, killing her, but Trump’s lifelong disdain for Black and Brown people was already well known. Reassuring fellow Republicans, and perhaps some of the Democrats present, one participant breezily declared, “watch what he does, not what he says.”
The comment was a version of what movement Republicans often say. The president might make gaffes, but not to worry: the operatives and enablers will deliver on their agenda of tax cuts, judicial appointments, deregulation and do-nothing government. Trump may be extreme, but ignore the circus and focus on the results — a remarkable comment from a person and to a group who understood the significance and impact of an American president’s words and example.
Forget about “making America great again.” For America to survive, Trump and Trumpism has to go.
Nearly four years and hundreds of outrages later, Trumpism has come into sharp focus. It is not a governing philosophy but a game of distraction. What’s down is up. What’s wrong is right. What’s fact is fake. While under cover of the chaos that follows, Trumpism has wrecked the economy, exploded the national debt, looted the government, shattered America’s constancy and credibility, at home and abroad, discredited the Republican Party, and harmed millions of people.
Forget about “making America great again.” For America to survive, Trump and Trumpism has to go.
From the outset, Trumpism was unconcerned with facts. When the Trump team falsely claimed that the crowd size at his inauguration set attendance records, senior advisor Kellyanne Conway infamously defended that lie by declaring that the president believes “alternative facts.” Climate change is a “hoax,” they proclaim, even as the West Coast burns, the Midwest floods, and the Gulf roils with serial hurricanes. Prescription drug costs are lower, Trump claims, even as costs soar, price negotiations with suppliers are prohibited, and Republicans work every angle to throw over 20 million people off their health insurance.
After all these years of accusing others of reporting “fake news,” it turns out this administration is the primary source of fakery, feeding it to us in tweets, often accepted, at best unremarked upon, by Republican senators and Tea Party House members.
The failure to address the COVID-19 pandemic is Trumpism in full. Fully aware, we now know, of how deadly the virus would be, Trump and his team intentionally misled the public, assuring us it was under control and “it’s going to be just fine..” Because everything is a test of partisan loyalty and deference to the president, Republicans in Congress and many Republican governors quickly fell in line, baiting Democrats for heeding the guidance of scientists and public health experts. Even today, after 8.5 million Americans have been infected, over 220,000 Americans have died, the president himself was hospitalized, life has been profoundly disrupted, the economy is stalled out, and infection rates are rising sharply again, Trumpists continue to insist that the pandemic is no big deal and we have turned the corner.
The Rose Garden event to announce the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court was a show based on a lie. Photos of the event show a large tightly packed crowd with barely a mask in sight. Like so many other Trump events, this one wasn’t remotely consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s safety guidelines. Like the language carefully used during the Republican National Convention, Trump’s Rose Garden show was meant to convey that the pandemic was in the past.
Of course, it wasn’t. Less than a week after the event, senior Trump aide Hope Hicks tested positive for the coronavirus. Early the next morning, the president revealed that he and the first lady had tested positive, too. Hours later, he was flown to Walter Reed Hospital for treatment. By October 6, Politico reported that at least 30 White House staffers and Trump associates had also tested positive for the virus. By October 14, the White House acknowledged that even Trump’s youngest son had tested positive.
Under Trumpism you say anything but mean nothing. What’s up is down.
Yet Vice President Mike Pence, who also chairs the president’s coronavirus task force, maintained he was “proud” of the administration’s management of the crisis, claiming at the vice presidential debate that “President Trump and I trust the American people to make choices in the best interest of their health.” To the Trump team, trusting the American people means withholding facts about the gravity of the situation and confusing us with contradicting guidance. Under Trumpism you say anything but mean nothing. What’s up is down.
Trumpism is about more than exaggeration or even denial. It is about persistent reality-bending.
Trump claims he is an expert deal maker, despite a reputation for never keeping up his end of the bargain. So when he failed to get a deal to end North Korea’s arms development, having given Kim the global stage he wanted and gotten nothing in return, he simply announced that the United States had reached a deal and that his subordinates would clean up the nonexistent details.
Trump claims he wrangled an agreement with China to stop it’s economic abuses and rebalance trade. In fact, our trade deficit is wider, and American farmers and manufacturers were made so much worse off he asked Congress for a bailout.
Trump claims to be fabulously rich, thanks to extraordinary financial success. In fact, he owes $400 million in personal debt and earned so little in 2016 he owed only $750 in federal taxes.
Trumpism is a facade of strength, as Anand Giridharadas aptly describes it, to hide weakness. But facts matter. Once the lying is demonstrably routine, no one believes anything, even if the truth can save your life. An alternate reality is no basis on which to govern.
Trump has shown he believes that rules simply do not apply to him.
Trumpism is also about contempt for law. From his ten documented impeachable offenses to soliciting a foreign nation to investigate his political opponent to using the White House as the location for the Republican National Convention, Trump has shown he believes that rules simply do not apply to him. The complicity of the Department of Justice and the refusal of Republican legislators to serve as a constitutional check on presidential excess completes the picture of Trumpism.
Trump publicly invites others to join in the rule-breaking. He pardoned a sheriff convicted of ignoring a court order to stop racist profiling and is trying to drop the prosecution of his former national security advisor for admitting to obstructing justice. He is at best indifferent to police killings of unarmed Black people and has told police to be rougher toward arrestees. He ordered federal agents to arrest lawful protesters without explanation in Seattle and to tear-gas others in front of the White House so he could do a photo op across the street. He encouraged armed dissidents to march on the capitol in Michigan and Virginia because the Democratic governors asked citizens to protect themselves and others by wearing a mask. At the first debate he told the Proud Boys to “stand back and stand by” after the election. Inspired by Trump, far-right extremists are now accused of plotting to kidnap and kill the governors in Michigan and Virginia.
Trumpism has isolated America from our allies, and divided Americans from each other.
And while Trump has said and done that and more, for fun and personal profit, by intention or impulse, what has Trumpism done for America?
Trumpism delivered a huge tax cut to the rich and large corporations at the expense of food, housing, broadband expansion, better schools and the largest national debt in American history — with little if any impact on the economic opportunities of poor and working class people to show for it.
Trumpism gave us a sicker nation and a weaker, more expensive health care system, 70 failed votes to take health care away from working people, the prospect of imminent invalidation of Obamacare on the strength of an argument no serious legal scholar believes has merit, and no proposed alternative.
Trumpism seated more judges on every federal court who call themselves “conservative” with a wink but are activists in fact, reading new principles into the Constitution and laws wherever they can to empower corporations over communities and to elevate wealth above fair play.
Trumpism has put millions of people out of work, killed hundreds of thousands, put families on the streets, weakened family farms, shuttered small businesses, and sent suicide and addiction rates skyrocketing.
Trumpism has isolated America from our allies, and divided Americans from each other. It has made us irritable, unreliable, suspicious and fragile, not “great.”
Americans surely know by now that for America to be great, America must be saved.
All this and more like, a full on assault on American ideals, is apparently the price we are told to pay to “make America great again.” Americans surely know by now that for America to be great, America must be saved. Trumpism is a deep, dark hole. If we are to have any chance to climb out, Trump — along with every one of his enablers in the Senate and House, in every federal agency, and in state and local governments — must go.
Once we come together to do that, the next big question is, what’s next? I will have a lot more to say about that in a subsequent post. But I had to get this off my chest first.
|
19d93f71-e3c8-5dac-bdf3-7cf12d0b28aa
|
25/08/2025 15:58:49
|
https://medium.com/@CoherentSolutions/why-go-custom-when-data-profiling-bad95568ced7
|
medium.com
|
Why go custom when data profiling?
|
It is a best practice to start data profiling at the beginning of a data warehouse build-out. I addressed this in my first blog, providing…
|
CoherentSolutions
|
https://medium.com/@CoherentSolutions
|
bad95568ced7
|
3 min
|
2016-03-15T16:12:12.913000
|
2016-03-15T16:15:47.407000
|
2018-05-01T21:33:00.525000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Business Intelligence,Data Warehouse,Profiling
|
<section>
<p>It is a best practice to start data profiling at the beginning of a data warehouse build-out. I addressed this in <a href="http://www.coherentsolutions.com/blog/build-your-data-warehouse-on-a-solid-foundation-with-data-profiling/">my first blog</a>, providing a couple examples of how data and reporting can go very wrong if you don’t profile your data carefully from the start.</p>
<p>In this post I would like to demonstrate why custom data profile scripts are superior to any standard tools made for this purpose.</p>
<h1>The problem with standardized tools</h1>
<p>While starting the data profiling exercise at each iteration of a business intelligence/data warehouse project, the analyst always has a short list of key questions:</p>
<p>What is the grain of each source entity?</p>
<p>What are the data types of the columns required for this particular iteration? (Explicit , as defined in DDL or in the source system specification; and implicit, based on what data is actually flowing in.)</p>
<p>What is the growth rate of each source entity?</p>
<p>What operations occur for each source entity? EG: inserts/updates/deletes? How frequently for each?</p>
<p>As you can see, these basic questions can be split into two groups:</p>
<ul>
<li>Static properties (1 and 2)</li>
<li>Behavioral characteristics (3 and 4)</li>
</ul>
<p>Ready-made profiling tools only allow you to get answers for the first set of questions on static properties. Data is being analyzed “as-is” without built-in capabilities for comparing the same entity at different points in time. This means that to get a dynamic view of observed data you will need to create a custom solution.</p>
<h2>What standardized tools do offer — cool graphics</h2>
<p>It is worth saying that standardized tools can provide answers in the form of sophisticated graphs and diagrams. (See examples below.)</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/924/0*wTTUbl5-Jc6JLcjq.png" width="924" height="498" loading="lazy" />
<p><em>Caption: Microsoft’s Data Profiling Task provided in its SQL Server Integration Services toolbox</em></p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1600/0*fC8l13RGjwUo3coF.png" width="1600" height="848" loading="lazy" />
<p><em>Caption: Ataccama DQ Analyzer</em></p>
<p>At first glance, such nice visualizations seem to be an advantage of standardized tools as they provide easily understandable interpretations of your profiling results. To create the same level of graphics in a custom solution would require debugging and polishing the user interface, which can takes a good deal of time.</p>
<p>But the real problem we have found with prefabricated metrics and their graphics is a lack of flexibility. For instance, to compare distribution of values between two tables you need to keep clicking your mouse to switch between different attributes/tables/projects, trying to grasp all the differences. This is not a reliable way to build a foundation for further DW/BI implementation. You will be extracting data profiling results in raw form, and then applying some automated analytics to answer all your questions. So . . . welcome back custom solution.</p>
<p>Briefly, the two main drawbacks of generic data profiling tools are:</p>
<p>The set of available metrics is very restricted.</p>
<p>The options for showing your data profiling results is also limited.</p>
<p>For example, if you have queries on your data that the vendor hasn’t anticipated, you will be forced to write custom scripts. Additionally, you will have to teach non-technical people how to access and analyze data profiling results if you need to make decisions regarding unexpected data anomalies. At Coherent, we have concluded that it just is not reasonable to use standardized tools for most data profiling exercises.</p>
<h2>Keep your eyes on the prize: good decisions</h2>
<p>Ultimately, the goal of data profiling is to make good decisions based on data actuals. Thus, data profiling should be provided in a format that can be easily understood and accessed by any team member (non-technical or technical), as well as converted into other formats for other purposes.</p>
<p>We have found that Einstein’s version of Occam’s razor: “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler,” is the best rule for data profiling design. Our own rules include:</p>
<p>Use only custom data profiling scripts because:</p>
<ul>
<li>This provides vital flexibility.</li>
<li>You get <strong>all</strong> the metrics that you need.</li>
<li>You get <strong>only</strong> those metrics that you need.</li>
<li>You get metrics in the most suitable format for further processing.</li>
<li>It will be easy to improve your metrics when necessary.</li>
</ul>
<p>2. Use common applications like Excel for presenting data profiling results to enhance understanding from all stakeholders, set proper expectations and reduce overall project risks.</p>
</section>
|
Why go custom when data profiling?
It is a best practice to start data profiling at the beginning of a data warehouse build-out. I addressed this in my first blog, providing a couple examples of how data and reporting can go very wrong if you don’t profile your data carefully from the start.
In this post I would like to demonstrate why custom data profile scripts are superior to any standard tools made for this purpose.
The problem with standardized tools
While starting the data profiling exercise at each iteration of a business intelligence/data warehouse project, the analyst always has a short list of key questions:
What is the grain of each source entity?
What are the data types of the columns required for this particular iteration? (Explicit , as defined in DDL or in the source system specification; and implicit, based on what data is actually flowing in.)
What is the growth rate of each source entity?
What operations occur for each source entity? EG: inserts/updates/deletes? How frequently for each?
As you can see, these basic questions can be split into two groups:
Static properties (1 and 2)
Behavioral characteristics (3 and 4)
Ready-made profiling tools only allow you to get answers for the first set of questions on static properties. Data is being analyzed “as-is” without built-in capabilities for comparing the same entity at different points in time. This means that to get a dynamic view of observed data you will need to create a custom solution.
What standardized tools do offer — cool graphics
It is worth saying that standardized tools can provide answers in the form of sophisticated graphs and diagrams. (See examples below.)
Caption: Microsoft’s Data Profiling Task provided in its SQL Server Integration Services toolbox
Caption: Ataccama DQ Analyzer
At first glance, such nice visualizations seem to be an advantage of standardized tools as they provide easily understandable interpretations of your profiling results. To create the same level of graphics in a custom solution would require debugging and polishing the user interface, which can takes a good deal of time.
But the real problem we have found with prefabricated metrics and their graphics is a lack of flexibility. For instance, to compare distribution of values between two tables you need to keep clicking your mouse to switch between different attributes/tables/projects, trying to grasp all the differences. This is not a reliable way to build a foundation for further DW/BI implementation. You will be extracting data profiling results in raw form, and then applying some automated analytics to answer all your questions. So . . . welcome back custom solution.
Briefly, the two main drawbacks of generic data profiling tools are:
The set of available metrics is very restricted.
The options for showing your data profiling results is also limited.
For example, if you have queries on your data that the vendor hasn’t anticipated, you will be forced to write custom scripts. Additionally, you will have to teach non-technical people how to access and analyze data profiling results if you need to make decisions regarding unexpected data anomalies. At Coherent, we have concluded that it just is not reasonable to use standardized tools for most data profiling exercises.
Keep your eyes on the prize: good decisions
Ultimately, the goal of data profiling is to make good decisions based on data actuals. Thus, data profiling should be provided in a format that can be easily understood and accessed by any team member (non-technical or technical), as well as converted into other formats for other purposes.
We have found that Einstein’s version of Occam’s razor: “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler,” is the best rule for data profiling design. Our own rules include:
Use only custom data profiling scripts because:
This provides vital flexibility.
You get all the metrics that you need.
You get only those metrics that you need.
You get metrics in the most suitable format for further processing.
It will be easy to improve your metrics when necessary.
2. Use common applications like Excel for presenting data profiling results to enhance understanding from all stakeholders, set proper expectations and reduce overall project risks.
|
023f1f79-9992-5b9c-bca7-832c4cc71d8c
|
25/08/2025 15:58:49
|
|
https://medium.com/@RanaASaleh/life-best-friends-3f9450497d58
|
medium.com
|
Life & Best Friends
|
My phone rang, and it was my wonderful friend calling me, I knew she was traveling tonight and was surely happy to hear from her… what she…
|
Rana Saleh
|
https://medium.com/@RanaASaleh
|
3f9450497d58
| null |
2 min
|
2016-08-01T09:30:04.948000
|
2016-08-01T10:16:53.411000
|
2016-08-01T10:16:53.411000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Soul,Soul Searching,Life,Death,Spirit
|
<section>
<p>My phone rang, and it was my wonderful friend calling me, I knew she was traveling tonight and was surely happy to hear from her… what she told me was not at all happy though… she was… I dunno, she was just not herself…</p>
<p>She found herself thinking of life, this one, the other one, she found herself thinking that she has not prepared herself for her other life, the one with eternity… she called me, spoke to me of what she wants to happen in her afterlife… I was shocked, asking her: what’s up? She answered with a smiling voice and all she said was:
nothing,</p>
<p>وَمَا تَدْرِي نَفْسٌ مَّاذَا تَكْسِبُ غَدًا وَمَا تَدْرِي نَفْسٌ بِأَيِّ أَرْضٍ تَمُوت</p>
<p>That was all she said, smiling, laughing, yet I knew that, behind that laugh, she was depressed, I didn’t understand why, she also sounded desperate, I was not sure for what or why, yet felt it in her voice, in every word she said. I was devastated that I couldn’t help her, I couldn’t even listen to her to comfort her, for she had nothing to say this time… and I couldn’t read what was up with her… I was always able to read her right and see through her… not this time… there was something I couldn’t detect, feel or understand… suddenly she started sharing where she kept things and how she wants who to get what when she dies! And she actually sent me an email that looked like a will! I found myself crying! She’s my friend! And she’s so young to think that way, when I told her so she laughed and said: why are you worried or crying, it’s simple it is all about:</p>
<p>وَمَا تَدْرِي نَفْسٌ مَّاذَا تَكْسِبُ غَدًا وَمَا تَدْرِي نَفْسٌ بِأَيِّ أَرْضٍ تَمُوتُ</p>
<p>I told her to stop it, I was the one who was getting depressed now, I told her I loved her so much and that she’s my best friend ever and that she needs to shut up and stop talking that way, all she told me was that she knew what she meant to me and that’s exactly why she chose me to share all the secrets that we always kept safe with each other…</p>
<p>She’s a happy spirit, a smiling energizing person, who was always there for me and so was I for her, she’s my little girl, my friend, my sister, and my cousin, we’ve been best friends all of our lives, and I got really worried when we had that talk… I know that she seems nonchalant and gives an impression of happiness, yet I also know the deep sadness she is keeping inside of her… Not sure what got it on the surface now… yet well… I hope she feels better and gets back to her happy smile…</p>
<p>Monday, March 28th 2011</p>
</section>
|
Life & Best Friends
My phone rang, and it was my wonderful friend calling me, I knew she was traveling tonight and was surely happy to hear from her… what she told me was not at all happy though… she was… I dunno, she was just not herself…
She found herself thinking of life, this one, the other one, she found herself thinking that she has not prepared herself for her other life, the one with eternity… she called me, spoke to me of what she wants to happen in her afterlife… I was shocked, asking her: what’s up? She answered with a smiling voice and all she said was:
nothing,
وَمَا تَدْرِي نَفْسٌ مَّاذَا تَكْسِبُ غَدًا وَمَا تَدْرِي نَفْسٌ بِأَيِّ أَرْضٍ تَمُوت
That was all she said, smiling, laughing, yet I knew that, behind that laugh, she was depressed, I didn’t understand why, she also sounded desperate, I was not sure for what or why, yet felt it in her voice, in every word she said. I was devastated that I couldn’t help her, I couldn’t even listen to her to comfort her, for she had nothing to say this time… and I couldn’t read what was up with her… I was always able to read her right and see through her… not this time… there was something I couldn’t detect, feel or understand… suddenly she started sharing where she kept things and how she wants who to get what when she dies! And she actually sent me an email that looked like a will! I found myself crying! She’s my friend! And she’s so young to think that way, when I told her so she laughed and said: why are you worried or crying, it’s simple it is all about:
وَمَا تَدْرِي نَفْسٌ مَّاذَا تَكْسِبُ غَدًا وَمَا تَدْرِي نَفْسٌ بِأَيِّ أَرْضٍ تَمُوتُ
I told her to stop it, I was the one who was getting depressed now, I told her I loved her so much and that she’s my best friend ever and that she needs to shut up and stop talking that way, all she told me was that she knew what she meant to me and that’s exactly why she chose me to share all the secrets that we always kept safe with each other…
She’s a happy spirit, a smiling energizing person, who was always there for me and so was I for her, she’s my little girl, my friend, my sister, and my cousin, we’ve been best friends all of our lives, and I got really worried when we had that talk… I know that she seems nonchalant and gives an impression of happiness, yet I also know the deep sadness she is keeping inside of her… Not sure what got it on the surface now… yet well… I hope she feels better and gets back to her happy smile…
Monday, March 28th 2011
|
2021317c-f95a-59c8-96ca-30c10b2ca2fc
|
25/08/2025 15:58:50
|
https://nox-ecosystem.medium.com/equinox-ama-recap-1845fa49f5d3
|
medium.com
|
Equinox AMA Recap
|
Here at Equinox, we’re always looking to push the boundaries to make the future great for our community. That’s why we’re evolving to…
|
NOX_Ecosystem
|
https://medium.com/@nox-ecosystem
|
1845fa49f5d3
|
4 min
|
2022-03-24T16:02:40.120000
|
2022-03-24T16:10:47.479000
|
2022-03-29T17:13:17.249000
| 0
| 8
|
en
|
Marketplaces,Blockchain,Ecosystem,Launchpad,Nft
|
<section>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1280/1*kzl03F1EoJ0QpVL5t9hL5Q.png" width="1280" height="720" loading="lazy" />
<p>Here at Equinox, we’re always looking to push the boundaries to make the future great for our community. That’s why we’re evolving to become a full ecosystem rather than simply a launchpad. <strong>Our CEO, Willy Kerr</strong>, recently did an AMA (Ask Me Anything) on Twitter Spaces to talk about this evolution, and what Equinauts can expect from our new Marketplace.</p>
<p>Last week was the launch of Equinox’s Marketplace, which opened up our swap portal for NFT holders who bought their NFTs on Liquidifty. And on Friday March 25th, the opportunity to swap NFTs will also be opened to community members with gifted assets!</p>
<p>The AMA began with a quick rundown of what Equinox has achieved since its inception. From vesting contracts to creating a totally unique launchpad with NFTs rather than tokens and now the Marketplace, Equinox has created an Ecosystem with several layers, and Willy is confident that it will continue in the future: <strong>“In five months, we’ve achieved quite a lot. That being said, we haven’t stopped working in the background.” </strong>(9:10)</p>
<h1><strong>Key Takeaways</strong></h1>
<p>We’ve taken some of Willy’s insightful comments and summarized them below.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>“It would make sense for us if we had more control of these projects, which means seeing them all the way from the beginning to incubation to launchpad.” </strong>(10:17)</li>
</ul>
<p>Although Equinox has achieved amazing things as a launchpad, it’s vital to expand and become a larger, more involved player in the space. By being able to advise and position these projects in a way that maximizes potential success, we can also be sure that we’re only sharing projects we are truly invested in with our community.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>“You’re going to hear me mention the Guild a lot in the next few weeks, as this is going to be one of the key parts of the future of Equinox.” </strong>(12:04)</li>
</ul>
<p>Though not the focus of this AMA, the importance of the Guild can’t be overstated. It has been, and will continue to be, a huge component in the success of Equinox, especially as it helps attract bigger and better projects to the community.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>“We’re going to bring a NOX token in, which will be the glue that holds everything together for us.” </strong>(12:10)</li>
</ul>
<p>The launchpad has been a real success, but in order for Equinox to fulfill its potential, we need to expand. A tokenized environment will really help underpin our Ecosystem.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>“You need to stake your NFT into the platform and that will open up the lending platform” </strong>(34:34)</li>
</ul>
<p>Being able to lend and rent assets is an incredible way for people to get the most out of their NFTs. This move to a Marketplace environment will open up more opportunities for everyone.</p>
<p>When asked about the NOX token and how soon we’ll see it, Willy focused on the importance of longevity for Equinox.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>“It’s easy to throw together tokenomics but that’s not how we do things here…we’re not interested in getting ourselves in an ‘eat-your-own-tail’ model. We would rather build strongly and slowly.” </strong>(37:41)</li>
</ul>
<p>By focusing on projects that have a long shelf life and organic appeal, Equinox is working on building a strong, long-lasting economic ecosystem that will benefit all members of the community.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>“It’s time to move away from play <em>to </em>earn and move towards play <e</strong>m>and </em>earn!” (39:14)</li>
</ul>
<p>It’s no secret that many play-to-earn games just don’t appeal to most gamers. They can be repetitive, boring, and not particularly fun. As a gamer himself, it’s important to Willy and the whole of the Equinox team to ensure they take the best of traditional gaming and combine that with the benefits offered by the Play-to-Earn space.</p>
<p>At 28:35 the floor was opened up to questions from the audience, with topics ranging from how to attract larger scale projects and whether the full set of NFTs will gain members extra rewards, to how the Marketplace works in practice.</p>
<p>At 45:00<strong> </strong>Willy wrapped up the AMA with some exciting news: Equinox has almost finished its plans to bring in a Game Development team. Though he didn’t want to reveal too much too soon, the excitement in the space was palpable.</p>
<p>The recording is available <a href="https://twitter.com/Equinox_Launch/status/1504837332620525568">here</a> and is a great way to find out more about the future of Equinox — and exactly how you’re going to benefit from this evolution.</p>
<h2><strong>More About Willy Kerr, Equinox CEO</strong></h2>
<p>Before his role as executive partner at Grow, and CEO & Co-Founder of Equinox, Willy Kerr had a varied career spanning over 20 years. From running a web development company in Thailand to delivering Olympic-level events across the Asian Pacific, there’s almost nothing he hasn’t done. Willy is one of the early adopters of blockchain and this extensive experience has allowed him to gain an immense wealth of knowledge and a deep understanding of crypto and various highly specialized blockchain technologies.</p>
<p>Willy is a true crypto OG with unparalleled experience in the field and a trailblazing spirit. His background and approach to life is what makes Equinox such a special community.</p>
<p>We’ll be hosting plenty more AMAs so the community can keep up to date with the latest developments and learn more about what Equinox is planning to do in the future. Keep an eye on our socials so you never miss any of our announcements!</p>
<p><a href="https://equinox.fund/">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/Equinox_Launch">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://t.me/Equinox_Official_Annoucements">Announcements</a> | <a href="https://t.me/Equinox_Community">Telegram</a></p>
</section>
|
Equinox AMA Recap
Here at Equinox, we’re always looking to push the boundaries to make the future great for our community. That’s why we’re evolving to become a full ecosystem rather than simply a launchpad. Our CEO, Willy Kerr, recently did an AMA (Ask Me Anything) on Twitter Spaces to talk about this evolution, and what Equinauts can expect from our new Marketplace.
Last week was the launch of Equinox’s Marketplace, which opened up our swap portal for NFT holders who bought their NFTs on Liquidifty. And on Friday March 25th, the opportunity to swap NFTs will also be opened to community members with gifted assets!
The AMA began with a quick rundown of what Equinox has achieved since its inception. From vesting contracts to creating a totally unique launchpad with NFTs rather than tokens and now the Marketplace, Equinox has created an Ecosystem with several layers, and Willy is confident that it will continue in the future: “In five months, we’ve achieved quite a lot. That being said, we haven’t stopped working in the background.” (9:10)
Key Takeaways
We’ve taken some of Willy’s insightful comments and summarized them below.
“It would make sense for us if we had more control of these projects, which means seeing them all the way from the beginning to incubation to launchpad.” (10:17)
Although Equinox has achieved amazing things as a launchpad, it’s vital to expand and become a larger, more involved player in the space. By being able to advise and position these projects in a way that maximizes potential success, we can also be sure that we’re only sharing projects we are truly invested in with our community.
“You’re going to hear me mention the Guild a lot in the next few weeks, as this is going to be one of the key parts of the future of Equinox.” (12:04)
Though not the focus of this AMA, the importance of the Guild can’t be overstated. It has been, and will continue to be, a huge component in the success of Equinox, especially as it helps attract bigger and better projects to the community.
“We’re going to bring a NOX token in, which will be the glue that holds everything together for us.” (12:10)
The launchpad has been a real success, but in order for Equinox to fulfill its potential, we need to expand. A tokenized environment will really help underpin our Ecosystem.
“You need to stake your NFT into the platform and that will open up the lending platform” (34:34)
Being able to lend and rent assets is an incredible way for people to get the most out of their NFTs. This move to a Marketplace environment will open up more opportunities for everyone.
When asked about the NOX token and how soon we’ll see it, Willy focused on the importance of longevity for Equinox.
“It’s easy to throw together tokenomics but that’s not how we do things here…we’re not interested in getting ourselves in an ‘eat-your-own-tail’ model. We would rather build strongly and slowly.” (37:41)
By focusing on projects that have a long shelf life and organic appeal, Equinox is working on building a strong, long-lasting economic ecosystem that will benefit all members of the community.
“It’s time to move away from play to earn and move towards play and earn!” (39:14)
It’s no secret that many play-to-earn games just don’t appeal to most gamers. They can be repetitive, boring, and not particularly fun. As a gamer himself, it’s important to Willy and the whole of the Equinox team to ensure they take the best of traditional gaming and combine that with the benefits offered by the Play-to-Earn space.
At 28:35 the floor was opened up to questions from the audience, with topics ranging from how to attract larger scale projects and whether the full set of NFTs will gain members extra rewards, to how the Marketplace works in practice.
At 45:00 Willy wrapped up the AMA with some exciting news: Equinox has almost finished its plans to bring in a Game Development team. Though he didn’t want to reveal too much too soon, the excitement in the space was palpable.
The recording is available here and is a great way to find out more about the future of Equinox — and exactly how you’re going to benefit from this evolution.
More About Willy Kerr, Equinox CEO
Before his role as executive partner at Grow, and CEO & Co-Founder of Equinox, Willy Kerr had a varied career spanning over 20 years. From running a web development company in Thailand to delivering Olympic-level events across the Asian Pacific, there’s almost nothing he hasn’t done. Willy is one of the early adopters of blockchain and this extensive experience has allowed him to gain an immense wealth of knowledge and a deep understanding of crypto and various highly specialized blockchain technologies.
Willy is a true crypto OG with unparalleled experience in the field and a trailblazing spirit. His background and approach to life is what makes Equinox such a special community.
We’ll be hosting plenty more AMAs so the community can keep up to date with the latest developments and learn more about what Equinox is planning to do in the future. Keep an eye on our socials so you never miss any of our announcements!
Website | Twitter | Announcements | Telegram
|
e630407f-44de-5404-a674-c69d805e0b5c
|
25/08/2025 15:58:50
|
|
https://medium.com/nordic-semiconductor/get-started-with-the-nordic-thingy-7798b1e8e5fb
|
medium.com
|
Get started with the Nordic Thingy
|
Our new development kit allows everyone from beginner entrepreneurs to experienced software developers to prototype an IoT project. Here…
|
Nordic Semiconductor
|
https://medium.com/@nordicsemi
|
7798b1e8e5fb
|
2 min
|
2017-10-05T07:11:06.873000
|
2017-10-05T07:29:52.141000
|
2017-10-05T07:34:44.740000
| 0
| 1
|
en
|
Internet of Things,IoT
|
<section>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1681/1*Rxawe8rdcHw7OR9oYh51XA.jpeg" width="1681" height="946" loading="lazy" />
<p>Our new development kit allows everyone from beginner entrepreneurs to experienced software developers to prototype an IoT project. Here are several ways you could get started today.</p>
<p>The Nordic Thingy:52 development kit enables entrepreneurs and developers to configure, test, and demonstrate IoT devices linked to mobile apps and Cloud resources.</p>
<p>You can use it as an input device such as a doorbell, light switch, or to sense movement, temperature or even carbon dioxide. As an output device, you can make the built-in LED flash, sound an alarm, or even play music.</p>
<p>> Read more: <a href="http://bit.ly/2giZhMo">Develop IoT products with ease</a></p>
<h1>Get started out of the box</h1>
<p>Whatever your level of IoT experience, here are some simple projects you could get started with today. Some require the included web app, some need a simple interface created with If This Then That (IFTTT) while some will require some more advanced coding.</p>
<p><strong>Monitor temperature:</strong> Use a Thingy to sense a change in temperature, and set up an alert via the web app to notify you by email, Slack or text message in the event of a sudden temperature increase, or view a graph of temperature over time on the smartphone app.</p>
<p><strong>Monitor air quality:</strong> As with temperature monitoring, air quality of a specific room can be measured and reported on. This has a variety of use-cases from a baby’s bedroom to a busy office. The low price of the Nordic Thingy:52 means it competes with many single-purpose devices on the market.</p>
<p><strong>Control lighting:</strong> Use the maker channel of IFTTT to make the Thingy function as a remote control for <a href="http://bit.ly/2ghKeT1">connected lights</a> in a smart home. The button could work as a simple on/off switch, or you could configure the Thingy to switch the lights to a pre-set configuration based on the time of day and/or when movement is detected in a room.</p>
<h2>For the more experienced</h2>
<p>Although the Nordic Thingy works great out of the box, it’s also a really useful tool for experienced developers. If you have some experience with coding, the possibilities quickly become almost endless.</p>
<p>Before we launched the Thingy, we held an open hackathon at the Hackheim maker space in Trondheim, Norway.</p>
<p>> Read more: <a href="http://bit.ly/2wC2mNV">Pre-launch products with a hackathon</a></p>
<p>One participant, a Computer Engineering student at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, identified the possibilities of pairing the device with a Raspberry Pi.</p>
<p>“When it’s launched, I might pick up a few to have around the house with a Raspberry Pi at the centre, and a Bluetooth connection so they are always online. I would use the devices as sensors, connect them to relays and use them to turn lights on and so on. It could be easier and more economical to do this than buying a finished product!”</p>
<p>Another Hackheim member is considering creating an alarm to detect if the ventilation on their laser cutter malfunctions. This is relatively straightforward with the built-in detection capabilities of the device.</p>
<p>From a project for your home to prototyping a product to your company’s management team, the possibilities of the Nordic Thingy are almost endless. We hope this article has given you some inspiration for your own projects.</p>
<p>Whatever you come up with, we’d love to take a look! Tag your creations on Twitter or Instagram with #nordicthingy or like our page and mention Nordic Semiconductor on Facebook.</p>
<p><strong>We can’t wait to see what you all come up with!</strong></p>
<p>Download our free eBook: <a href="http://bit.ly/2xj7SX6">Dress Smart: How to Get Started with Your Wearables Project</a></p>
<p><em>Originally published at <a href="http://blog</em>.nordicsemi.com/getconnected/get-started-with-the-nordic-thingy">blog.nordicsemi.com</a>.</p>
</section>
|
Get started with the Nordic Thingy
Nordic Thingy:52
Our new development kit allows everyone from beginner entrepreneurs to experienced software developers to prototype an IoT project. Here are several ways you could get started today.
The Nordic Thingy:52 development kit enables entrepreneurs and developers to configure, test, and demonstrate IoT devices linked to mobile apps and Cloud resources.
You can use it as an input device such as a doorbell, light switch, or to sense movement, temperature or even carbon dioxide. As an output device, you can make the built-in LED flash, sound an alarm, or even play music.
> Read more: Develop IoT products with ease
Get started out of the box
Whatever your level of IoT experience, here are some simple projects you could get started with today. Some require the included web app, some need a simple interface created with If This Then That (IFTTT) while some will require some more advanced coding.
Monitor temperature: Use a Thingy to sense a change in temperature, and set up an alert via the web app to notify you by email, Slack or text message in the event of a sudden temperature increase, or view a graph of temperature over time on the smartphone app.
Monitor air quality: As with temperature monitoring, air quality of a specific room can be measured and reported on. This has a variety of use-cases from a baby’s bedroom to a busy office. The low price of the Nordic Thingy:52 means it competes with many single-purpose devices on the market.
Control lighting: Use the maker channel of IFTTT to make the Thingy function as a remote control for connected lights in a smart home. The button could work as a simple on/off switch, or you could configure the Thingy to switch the lights to a pre-set configuration based on the time of day and/or when movement is detected in a room.
For the more experienced
Although the Nordic Thingy works great out of the box, it’s also a really useful tool for experienced developers. If you have some experience with coding, the possibilities quickly become almost endless.
Before we launched the Thingy, we held an open hackathon at the Hackheim maker space in Trondheim, Norway.
> Read more: Pre-launch products with a hackathon
One participant, a Computer Engineering student at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, identified the possibilities of pairing the device with a Raspberry Pi.
“When it’s launched, I might pick up a few to have around the house with a Raspberry Pi at the centre, and a Bluetooth connection so they are always online. I would use the devices as sensors, connect them to relays and use them to turn lights on and so on. It could be easier and more economical to do this than buying a finished product!”
Another Hackheim member is considering creating an alarm to detect if the ventilation on their laser cutter malfunctions. This is relatively straightforward with the built-in detection capabilities of the device.
From a project for your home to prototyping a product to your company’s management team, the possibilities of the Nordic Thingy are almost endless. We hope this article has given you some inspiration for your own projects.
Whatever you come up with, we’d love to take a look! Tag your creations on Twitter or Instagram with #nordicthingy or like our page and mention Nordic Semiconductor on Facebook.
We can’t wait to see what you all come up with!
Download our free eBook: Dress Smart: How to Get Started with Your Wearables Project
Originally published at blog.nordicsemi.com.
|
98258ef8-25b4-5e29-9da0-f22445f0fbfc
|
25/08/2025 15:58:50
|
|
https://medium.com/@adikale123/making-rest-apis-faster-with-protobufs-a8ecb7a83187
|
medium.com
|
Making REST APIs faster with Protobufs
|
Protobufs are a great way to improve your Rest API communication, one such prominent example is how linkedin improved Microservices…
|
Aditya Kale
|
https://medium.com/@adikale123
|
a8ecb7a83187
|
5 min
|
2024-07-07T10:39:36.044000
|
2024-07-07T16:55:47.847000
|
2024-11-21T10:56:57.361000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Protobuf,Java,Rest Api,Optimization,Servers
|
<section>
<p>Protocol Buffers or protobufs, is a mechanism to serialize structured data. It is similar to XML or JSON but is smaller, faster, and simpler. Developed by Google, it is used primarily for storing data and for communicating between services.</p>
<h3>Key Features of Protobufs</h3>
<ul>
<li>Language and platform neutral: Protobufs can be used with multiple programming languages like Java, Python, etc.</li>
<li>Compact and Efficient: Since data is serialized to binary format, it becomes more compact and efficient that text-based formats like XML/JSONs.</li>
<li>Backward and Forward compatibility: Fields can be added or removed without breaking the code.</li>
<li>Strongly Typed: Schema is defined in a .proto file used to generate source code in various languages.</li>
</ul>
<p>To write your first protobuf, please refer <a href="https://protobuf.dev/programming-guides/proto3/">here.</a></p>
<h3>Lets check the key features with an Example:</h3>
<p>For this example, I will be creating a simple Java App with 4 APIs which are uploading and downloading different-sized protobufs and JSON to compare performance and space consumed by these objects. The objects involved for this transfer are shipping containers with multiple items.</p>
<p>Start by defining schema in shippingcontainer.proto .</p>
<pre><code class="language-java">syntax = "proto3"; // version of protobuf
package kadi;
option java_multiple_files = true; // to create multiple files for different messages
option java_package = "com.kadi.restapiandprotobuf.protos"; // package name of java
message ShippingContainer { // message is like an object entity in Java
optional uint32 id = 1; // unsigned int32 with index 1 and optional meaning not required
optional string name = 2; // string with index 2: name of container
optional int32 capacity = 3; // int32 with index 3: capacity of the container
enum ItemType { // Like Java enums, this is an enum for ItemType
PACKAGE_NORMAL = 0; // By-default, enum with 0 is picked up if left unassigned
PACKAGE_TOUGH = 1;
PACKAGE_DELICATE = 2;
}
message Item { // another message/java-class named Item.
optional uint32 id = 1;
optional int32 capacityUsed = 2;
ItemType type = 3;
}
repeated Item item = 4; // repeated keyword allows the field to be repeated many times like an dynamically sized array.
}</code></pre>
<p>NOTE: The “ = 1”, “ = 2” markers on each element identify the unique “tag” that field uses in the binary encoding. Tag numbers 1–15 require one less byte to encode than higher numbers, so as an optimization you can decide to use those tags for the commonly used or repeated elements, leaving tags 16 and higher for less-commonly used optional elements.</p>
<p>Download the proto compilers from <a href="https://github.com/protocolbuffers/protobuf/releases">here</a> and run the following command to generate Java classes for the messages present in .proto file.</p>
<pre><code class="language-bash">protoc -I=$SRC_DIR --java_out=$DST_DIR $SRC_DIR/shippingcontainer.proto</code></pre>
<p>The above code will generate following files in your project structure:.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/475/1*DnXyTl2US7mpWqklFsAQnA.png" width="475" height="131" loading="lazy" />
<p>Writing the 4 APIs, 2 for protobufs and 2 for JSONs.</p>
<pre><code class="language-java">@RestController
@RequestMapping("/shippingControl")
public class ShippingController {
@Autowired
ShippingContainerJsonRepo jsonRepo;
@Autowired
ShippingContainerProtoRepo protoRepo;
@PostMapping(value = "/protobuf-control", consumes = "application/x-protobuf", produces = "application/x-protobuf")
public ResponseEntity<String> handleProtobuf(@RequestBody ShippingContainer container) {
System.out.println("-- RECEIVED REQUEST PB: \n -- SOME PROCESS HERE");
return ResponseEntity.ok("RECEIVED PROTOBUF");
}
@PostMapping(value = "/json-control", consumes = "application/json", produces = "application/json")
public ResponseEntity<String> handleJson(@RequestBody String container) {
System.out.println("-- RECEIVED REQUEST JSON: \n -- SOME PROCESS HERE");
return ResponseEntity.ok("RECEIVED JSON");
}
@GetMapping(value = "/protobuf-get", produces = "application/x-protobuf")
public ResponseEntity<ShippingContainer> getProtobufs(@RequestParam String containerName) {
return ResponseEntity.ok(protoRepo.getContainerByName(containerName));
}
@GetMapping(value = "/json-get", produces = "application/json")
public ResponseEntity<String> getJsons(@RequestParam String containerName) {
return ResponseEntity.ok(jsonRepo.getContainerByName(containerName));
}
}</code></pre>
<p>Create Repository classes for JSON and Protobuf as follows:</p>
<pre><code class="language-java">public class ShippingContainerJsonRepo {
private final Map<String, String> containers;
public ShippingContainerJsonRepo(Map<String, String> containers) {
this.containers = containers;
}
public String getContainerByName(String name) {
return containers.get(name);
}
}
public class ShippingContainerProtoRepo {
private final Map<String, ShippingContainer> containers;
public ShippingContainerProtoRepo(Map<String, ShippingContainer> containers) {
this.containers = containers;
}
public ShippingContainer getContainerByName(String name) {
return containers.get(name);
}
}</code></pre>
<p>This class would be helpful to store and perform actions on the objects under this repository.</p>
<p>For our main Spring class, we would have a protobufHttpMessageConverter that would help the app accept and send the protobufs over APIs. And for the purpose of testing, we would be creating in-memory objects of ShippingContianer for JSON and protobufs.</p>
<pre><code class="language-java">@EnableWebMvc
@SpringBootApplication
public class RestApiAndProtobufApplication {
public static void main(String[] args) {
SpringApplication.run(RestApiAndProtobufApplication.class, args);
}
@Bean
ProtobufHttpMessageConverter protobufHttpMessageConverter() {
return new ProtobufHttpMessageConverter();
}
@Bean
public ShippingContainerProtoRepo createTestProtos() {
Map<String, ShippingContainer> containers = new HashMap<>();
containers.put(EMPTY_CONTAINER, getEmptyContainer());
// SMALL - name of container, 100 - capacity, getContainer() - randomly populates items into container
containers.put(SMALL_CONTAINER, getContainer("SMALL", 100));
containers.put(MEDIUM_CONTAINER, getContainer("MEDIUM", 3000));
containers.put(LARGE_CONTAINER, getContainer("LARGE", 10000));
containers.put(EXTRA_LARGE_CONTAINER, getContainer("X-LARGE", 100000));
return new ShippingContainerProtoRepo(containers);
}
@Bean
public ShippingContainerJsonRepo createTestJsons() {
Map<String, String> containers = new HashMap<>();
try {
containers.put(EMPTY_CONTAINER, JsonFormat.printer().print(getEmptyContainer()));
containers.put(SMALL_CONTAINER, JsonFormat.printer().print(getContainer("SMALL", 100)));
containers.put(MEDIUM_CONTAINER, JsonFormat.printer().print(getContainer("MEDIUM", 3000)));
containers.put(LARGE_CONTAINER, JsonFormat.printer().print(getContainer("LARGE", 10000)));
containers.put(EXTRA_LARGE_CONTAINER, JsonFormat.printer().print(getContainer("X-LARGE", 100000)));
} catch (InvalidProtocolBufferException e) {
throw new RuntimeException(e);
}
return new ShippingContainerJsonRepo(containers);
}
// ... rest of the methods
}</code></pre>
<h3>Let’s test the REST calls.</h3>
<p>For testing, I have used Postman to compare result and performance.</p>
<p>Sample test with EMPTY CONTAINER (GET).</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1283/1*4EPNh7VQtEDzxBSYdkLpDg.png" width="1283" height="244" loading="lazy" />
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1332/1*co87JzqIDLYYhz0XrMpF8Q.png" width="1332" height="249" loading="lazy" />
<p>Upon running the rest calls for 100 iterations with 10ms deplay between each iteration the following was observed:</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1520/1*F_dOx5_IWz_rCQg6u81Rng.png" width="1520" height="473" loading="lazy" />
<p>As the size of data to be uploaded increases, the difference becomes very noticeable.</p>
<p>Size comparison of JSON vs Protobuf.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/738/1*JEX5yrlo2bnAeH_jLZL7cA.png" width="738" height="451" loading="lazy" />
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/521/1*A3Ojzph9DlDiOvQzDgl0hQ.png" width="521" height="173" loading="lazy" />
<p>This shows that one of the key feature of protobuf that the same object is much compact and efficient than JSON.</p>
<h3>Things to consider before moving to Protobufs</h3>
<p>Although protobufs seem quite efficient, compact and faster, the following points can help make a consious decision about protobufs:</p>
<p>Binary format: Since the data is encoded in binary format it would need tools and libraries to interpret and debug protobuf data.</p>
<p>Dependency on Generated Code: Unlike JSON, to add a field into a protobuf object, changes have to be made to .proto file and re-complied into java classes. Whereas for JSON, you just need to add a string.</p>
<p>Lack of streaming support: Protobufs are designed for message communication and not to stream large datasets. Meaning, they don’t support partial reads, the whole of the data is loaded at once into the memory before it can be processed.</p>
<p>Large datasets can lead to memory issues: Since the protobuf message is loaded into memory all at once, this can lead to memory pressure and out of memory for large objects.</p>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Protobufs are a great way to improve your Rest API communication, one such prominent example is <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/blog/engineering/infrastructure/linkedin-integrates-protocol-buffers-with-rest-li-for-improved-m?utm_source=blog.quastor.org&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=how-linkedin-reduced-latency-with-json">how linkedin improved Microservices Performance using Protobufs.</a> The protobufs is still being <a href="https://capnproto.org/">worked upon to improve</a> the shortcomings mentioned but these are still in progress.</p>
<p>They aren’t an answer for all but definitely can give you advantages at message communications and deserve your considerations in designing further server communications.</p>
</section>
|
Making REST APIs faster with Protobufs
Protocol Buffers or protobufs, is a mechanism to serialize structured data. It is similar to XML or JSON but is smaller, faster, and simpler. Developed by Google, it is used primarily for storing data and for communicating between services.
Key Features of Protobufs
Language and platform neutral: Protobufs can be used with multiple programming languages like Java, Python, etc.
Compact and Efficient: Since data is serialized to binary format, it becomes more compact and efficient that text-based formats like XML/JSONs.
Backward and Forward compatibility: Fields can be added or removed without breaking the code.
Strongly Typed: Schema is defined in a .proto file used to generate source code in various languages.
To write your first protobuf, please refer here.
Lets check the key features with an Example:
For this example, I will be creating a simple Java App with 4 APIs which are uploading and downloading different-sized protobufs and JSON to compare performance and space consumed by these objects. The objects involved for this transfer are shipping containers with multiple items.
Start by defining schema in shippingcontainer.proto .
syntax = "proto3"; // version of protobuf
package kadi;
option java_multiple_files = true; // to create multiple files for different messages
option java_package = "com.kadi.restapiandprotobuf.protos"; // package name of java
message ShippingContainer { // message is like an object entity in Java
optional uint32 id = 1; // unsigned int32 with index 1 and optional meaning not required
optional string name = 2; // string with index 2: name of container
optional int32 capacity = 3; // int32 with index 3: capacity of the container
enum ItemType { // Like Java enums, this is an enum for ItemType
PACKAGE_NORMAL = 0; // By-default, enum with 0 is picked up if left unassigned
PACKAGE_TOUGH = 1;
PACKAGE_DELICATE = 2;
}
message Item { // another message/java-class named Item.
optional uint32 id = 1;
optional int32 capacityUsed = 2;
ItemType type = 3;
}
repeated Item item = 4; // repeated keyword allows the field to be repeated many times like an dynamically sized array.
}
NOTE: The “ = 1”, “ = 2” markers on each element identify the unique “tag” that field uses in the binary encoding. Tag numbers 1–15 require one less byte to encode than higher numbers, so as an optimization you can decide to use those tags for the commonly used or repeated elements, leaving tags 16 and higher for less-commonly used optional elements.
Download the proto compilers from here and run the following command to generate Java classes for the messages present in .proto file.
protoc -I=$SRC_DIR --java_out=$DST_DIR $SRC_DIR/shippingcontainer.proto
The above code will generate following files in your project structure:.
Proto generated classes
Writing the 4 APIs, 2 for protobufs and 2 for JSONs.
@RestController
@RequestMapping("/shippingControl")
public class ShippingController {
@Autowired
ShippingContainerJsonRepo jsonRepo;
@Autowired
ShippingContainerProtoRepo protoRepo;
@PostMapping(value = "/protobuf-control", consumes = "application/x-protobuf", produces = "application/x-protobuf")
public ResponseEntity<String> handleProtobuf(@RequestBody ShippingContainer container) {
System.out.println("-- RECEIVED REQUEST PB: \n -- SOME PROCESS HERE");
return ResponseEntity.ok("RECEIVED PROTOBUF");
}
@PostMapping(value = "/json-control", consumes = "application/json", produces = "application/json")
public ResponseEntity<String> handleJson(@RequestBody String container) {
System.out.println("-- RECEIVED REQUEST JSON: \n -- SOME PROCESS HERE");
return ResponseEntity.ok("RECEIVED JSON");
}
@GetMapping(value = "/protobuf-get", produces = "application/x-protobuf")
public ResponseEntity<ShippingContainer> getProtobufs(@RequestParam String containerName) {
return ResponseEntity.ok(protoRepo.getContainerByName(containerName));
}
@GetMapping(value = "/json-get", produces = "application/json")
public ResponseEntity<String> getJsons(@RequestParam String containerName) {
return ResponseEntity.ok(jsonRepo.getContainerByName(containerName));
}
}
Create Repository classes for JSON and Protobuf as follows:
public class ShippingContainerJsonRepo {
private final Map<String, String> containers;
public ShippingContainerJsonRepo(Map<String, String> containers) {
this.containers = containers;
}
public String getContainerByName(String name) {
return containers.get(name);
}
}
public class ShippingContainerProtoRepo {
private final Map<String, ShippingContainer> containers;
public ShippingContainerProtoRepo(Map<String, ShippingContainer> containers) {
this.containers = containers;
}
public ShippingContainer getContainerByName(String name) {
return containers.get(name);
}
}
This class would be helpful to store and perform actions on the objects under this repository.
For our main Spring class, we would have a protobufHttpMessageConverter that would help the app accept and send the protobufs over APIs. And for the purpose of testing, we would be creating in-memory objects of ShippingContianer for JSON and protobufs.
@EnableWebMvc
@SpringBootApplication
public class RestApiAndProtobufApplication {
public static void main(String[] args) {
SpringApplication.run(RestApiAndProtobufApplication.class, args);
}
@Bean
ProtobufHttpMessageConverter protobufHttpMessageConverter() {
return new ProtobufHttpMessageConverter();
}
@Bean
public ShippingContainerProtoRepo createTestProtos() {
Map<String, ShippingContainer> containers = new HashMap<>();
containers.put(EMPTY_CONTAINER, getEmptyContainer());
// SMALL - name of container, 100 - capacity, getContainer() - randomly populates items into container
containers.put(SMALL_CONTAINER, getContainer("SMALL", 100));
containers.put(MEDIUM_CONTAINER, getContainer("MEDIUM", 3000));
containers.put(LARGE_CONTAINER, getContainer("LARGE", 10000));
containers.put(EXTRA_LARGE_CONTAINER, getContainer("X-LARGE", 100000));
return new ShippingContainerProtoRepo(containers);
}
@Bean
public ShippingContainerJsonRepo createTestJsons() {
Map<String, String> containers = new HashMap<>();
try {
containers.put(EMPTY_CONTAINER, JsonFormat.printer().print(getEmptyContainer()));
containers.put(SMALL_CONTAINER, JsonFormat.printer().print(getContainer("SMALL", 100)));
containers.put(MEDIUM_CONTAINER, JsonFormat.printer().print(getContainer("MEDIUM", 3000)));
containers.put(LARGE_CONTAINER, JsonFormat.printer().print(getContainer("LARGE", 10000)));
containers.put(EXTRA_LARGE_CONTAINER, JsonFormat.printer().print(getContainer("X-LARGE", 100000)));
} catch (InvalidProtocolBufferException e) {
throw new RuntimeException(e);
}
return new ShippingContainerJsonRepo(containers);
}
// ... rest of the methods
}
Let’s test the REST calls.
For testing, I have used Postman to compare result and performance.
Sample test with EMPTY CONTAINER (GET).
Protobuf: response time- 2ms and size — 21B
JSON: response time — 18ms and size — 61 B
Upon running the rest calls for 100 iterations with 10ms deplay between each iteration the following was observed:
Performance comparison for GET/POST requests.
As the size of data to be uploaded increases, the difference becomes very noticeable.
Size comparison of JSON vs Protobuf.
This shows that one of the key feature of protobuf that the same object is much compact and efficient than JSON.
Things to consider before moving to Protobufs
Although protobufs seem quite efficient, compact and faster, the following points can help make a consious decision about protobufs:
Binary format: Since the data is encoded in binary format it would need tools and libraries to interpret and debug protobuf data.
Dependency on Generated Code: Unlike JSON, to add a field into a protobuf object, changes have to be made to .proto file and re-complied into java classes. Whereas for JSON, you just need to add a string.
Lack of streaming support: Protobufs are designed for message communication and not to stream large datasets. Meaning, they don’t support partial reads, the whole of the data is loaded at once into the memory before it can be processed.
Large datasets can lead to memory issues: Since the protobuf message is loaded into memory all at once, this can lead to memory pressure and out of memory for large objects.
Conclusion
Protobufs are a great way to improve your Rest API communication, one such prominent example is how linkedin improved Microservices Performance using Protobufs. The protobufs is still being worked upon to improve the shortcomings mentioned but these are still in progress.
They aren’t an answer for all but definitely can give you advantages at message communications and deserve your considerations in designing further server communications.
|
0361dbf7-a76e-5396-9f48-af1b89673de7
|
25/08/2025 15:58:50
|
|
https://medium.com/banyan-security/what-the-heck-is-zero-trust-security-how-is-it-related-to-beyondcorp-when-can-i-have-it-eb89b44e4736
|
medium.com
|
What the heck is Zero Trust Security? How is it related to BeyondCorp? When can I have it?
|
Written by Tarun Desikan, June 04, 2018
|
Banyan Security
|
https://medium.com/@banyansecurity
|
eb89b44e4736
|
4 min
|
2019-09-25T17:40:24.527000
|
2019-09-25T17:46:56.172000
|
2021-12-11T23:46:30.363000
| 0
| 150
|
en
|
Cloud Computing,Zero Trust,Zero Trust Security,Cloud Security,Security
|
<section>
<p>Written by Tarun Desikan, June 04, 2018</p>
<p>Security teams today are bombarded with marketing around <strong>BeyondCorp</strong> and <strong>Zero Trust</strong> security. But what do these terms actually mean, how are the concepts related, and are such initiatives ready for enterprise adoption?</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1280/0*xlEb9tkXNHYSeA1l.jpg" width="1280" height="913" loading="lazy" />
<h3>A brief history of BeyondCorp and Zero Trust</h3>
<p>Let’s start with a bit of history. Traditional network security architectures were like medieval English castles with strong walls but no defenses once the perimeter was breached.</p>
<p><a href="https://cloud.google.com/beyondcorp/">BeyondCorp</a>, coined by Google, arose from an internal initiative to get rid of Google’s traditional perimeter VPNs and privileged networks after the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Aurora">Aurora attacks of 2009</a>. BeyondCorp espouses 3 core principles:</p>
<ul>
<li>A particular network connection must not determine which services a user can access.</li>
<li>Access to services is granted based on what we know about a user and the device.</li>
<li>All access to services must be authenticated, authorized and encrypted.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://crystaltechnologies.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/forrester-zero-trust-model-information-security.pdf">Zero Trust Security</a>, coined by Forrester’s John Kindervag who foresaw breaches like the one at <a href="https://www.computerworld.com/article/2487425/cybercrime-hacking/target-breach-happened-because-of-a-basic-network-segmentation-error.html">Target in 2013</a>, promotes replacing open network designs with one focused on segmentation and central management. Core Zero Trust recommendations include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Ensure all resources are accessed securely regardless of location</li>
<li>Adopt a least-privileged strategy and strictly enforce access control</li>
<li>Continuously monitor the ecosystem</li>
</ul>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1812/0*b4UbuCGMGb8bYZCa.png" width="1812" height="555" loading="lazy" />
<p>As you can see in their respective architecture diagrams above, although BeyondCorp sought to replace the VPN while ZeroTrust pushed for stronger segmentation with Next-Gen Firewalls, both concepts essentially say the same thing:</p>
<p>Do not rely on location and perimeter for security</p>
<p>Enforce granular access controls based on context</p>
<p>Continuously monitor and adapt your security policies</p>
<h3>What history has taught us</h3>
<p>History has taught us that both BeyondCorp and Zero Trust are sound security principles. Massive data breaches in the last few years at Yahoo, OPM and JPMorgan Chase have convincingly demonstrated that perimeter security models provide only patchy inadequate controls. These breaches could have been prevented had the organizations applied BeyondCorp and Zero Trust. And today, as enterprise applications migrate into borderless environments such as AWS and Azure, it is clear that these security concepts are more relevant than ever.</p>
<p>However, despite clear customer need and significant vendor hype, enterprise adoption of these security models continues to move at a glacial pace. History has some lessons for us here as well. First, too many Zero Trust initiatives make the fundamental mistake of focusing solely on the network layer. As the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/End-to-end_principle">end-to-end principle</a> tells us, controls should lie close to the users and applications we are securing, and not in the network infrastructure. And because the network lacks application context, security teams end up adding tremendous complexity to an already overburdened layer.</p>
<p>Second, many BeyondCorp and Zero Trust solutions do not leverage the capabilities that modern clouds such as AWS and Azure provide; they instead force organizations to purchase and manage entirely new sets of duplicate functionality. A common pattern involves setting up a Man-In-The-Middle Cloud DMZ to mediate access instead of using the native capabilities in AWS Load Balancer and Route53. Another pattern involves deploying Next Gen Firewalls and Host-based Microsegmentation instead of using AWS VPCs and Security Groups. As the public cloud’s capabilities and footprint continue to grow, such solutions are forever playing catch up; they soon become redundant and only a few of the included features are kept in use.</p>
<p>The net result has been that many enterprise security practitioners see Zero Trust and BeyondCorp initiatives as too complicated and expensive to roll out for their organizations.</p>
<h3>Building it right</h3>
<p>So, how do we make Zero Trust and BeyondCorp initiatives successful at organizations of all scales and sophistication? How do we make borderless access controls simple yet secure enough for a regular security team to adopt and manage?</p>
<p>This is a problem the team at Banyan has spent a lot of time and energy agonizing about. We’ve interviewed 100s of security professionals across industry verticals, based on which we propose <strong>four new guidelines</strong> for security teams charged with deploying ZeroTrust and BeyondCorp initiatives:</p>
<p>Make <strong>no changes to the network</strong>. Your security initiative should not require changes to network management in order to roll out Zero Trust. The network is wrong layer for such security controls.</p>
<p><strong>Incrementally roll out</strong> new security measures without changing apps. A Zero Trust solution should have the capability to be rolled out one brownfield service at a time, without mandating organization-wide or application changes.</p>
<p>Architect solutions that go <strong>beyond the perimeter</strong>. While securing the perimeter is an absolute requirement, security teams should not stop there. Zero Trust architectures should have the ability to manage controls down to individual users and devices, and the services and hosts they access.</p>
<p>Leverage <strong>existing enterprise tools</strong>. The ideal Zero Trust and BeyondCorp architecture should leverage existing enterprise investments via integrations. This applies not just to leveraging public cloud platforms but also to using existing identity providers, enterprise device managers and workload orchestrators.</p>
<p>These are likely self evident truths to many security practitioners, and we firmly believe that security teams and solutions that follow them are the key to Zero Trust and BeyondCorp success.</p>
<p>In our <a href="https://www.banyansecurity.io/blog/why-service-mesh/">next post</a>, we’ll discuss how the Banyan Secure Service Mesh follows these guidelines to enable organizations of all sizes to roll out Zero Trust and BeyondCorp security initiatives.</p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/BanyanSecurity">Follow us on Twitter</a></p>
<p><em>Originally published at <a href="https://www.banyansec</em>urity.io/blog/beyondcorp-zero-trust/">https://www.banyansecurity.io</a>.</p>
</section>
|
What the heck is Zero Trust Security? How is it related to BeyondCorp? When can I have it?
Written by Tarun Desikan, June 04, 2018
Security teams today are bombarded with marketing around BeyondCorp and Zero Trust security. But what do these terms actually mean, how are the concepts related, and are such initiatives ready for enterprise adoption?
A medieval English castle that relies on a perimeter moat and strong walls for defense
A brief history of BeyondCorp and Zero Trust
Let’s start with a bit of history. Traditional network security architectures were like medieval English castles with strong walls but no defenses once the perimeter was breached.
BeyondCorp, coined by Google, arose from an internal initiative to get rid of Google’s traditional perimeter VPNs and privileged networks after the Aurora attacks of 2009. BeyondCorp espouses 3 core principles:
A particular network connection must not determine which services a user can access.
Access to services is granted based on what we know about a user and the device.
All access to services must be authenticated, authorized and encrypted.
Zero Trust Security, coined by Forrester’s John Kindervag who foresaw breaches like the one at Target in 2013, promotes replacing open network designs with one focused on segmentation and central management. Core Zero Trust recommendations include:
Ensure all resources are accessed securely regardless of location
Adopt a least-privileged strategy and strictly enforce access control
Continuously monitor the ecosystem
Architecture diagrams for BeyondCorp (left) and ZeroTrust (right) security initiatives
As you can see in their respective architecture diagrams above, although BeyondCorp sought to replace the VPN while ZeroTrust pushed for stronger segmentation with Next-Gen Firewalls, both concepts essentially say the same thing:
Do not rely on location and perimeter for security
Enforce granular access controls based on context
Continuously monitor and adapt your security policies
What history has taught us
History has taught us that both BeyondCorp and Zero Trust are sound security principles. Massive data breaches in the last few years at Yahoo, OPM and JPMorgan Chase have convincingly demonstrated that perimeter security models provide only patchy inadequate controls. These breaches could have been prevented had the organizations applied BeyondCorp and Zero Trust. And today, as enterprise applications migrate into borderless environments such as AWS and Azure, it is clear that these security concepts are more relevant than ever.
However, despite clear customer need and significant vendor hype, enterprise adoption of these security models continues to move at a glacial pace. History has some lessons for us here as well. First, too many Zero Trust initiatives make the fundamental mistake of focusing solely on the network layer. As the end-to-end principle tells us, controls should lie close to the users and applications we are securing, and not in the network infrastructure. And because the network lacks application context, security teams end up adding tremendous complexity to an already overburdened layer.
Second, many BeyondCorp and Zero Trust solutions do not leverage the capabilities that modern clouds such as AWS and Azure provide; they instead force organizations to purchase and manage entirely new sets of duplicate functionality. A common pattern involves setting up a Man-In-The-Middle Cloud DMZ to mediate access instead of using the native capabilities in AWS Load Balancer and Route53. Another pattern involves deploying Next Gen Firewalls and Host-based Microsegmentation instead of using AWS VPCs and Security Groups. As the public cloud’s capabilities and footprint continue to grow, such solutions are forever playing catch up; they soon become redundant and only a few of the included features are kept in use.
The net result has been that many enterprise security practitioners see Zero Trust and BeyondCorp initiatives as too complicated and expensive to roll out for their organizations.
Building it right
So, how do we make Zero Trust and BeyondCorp initiatives successful at organizations of all scales and sophistication? How do we make borderless access controls simple yet secure enough for a regular security team to adopt and manage?
This is a problem the team at Banyan has spent a lot of time and energy agonizing about. We’ve interviewed 100s of security professionals across industry verticals, based on which we propose four new guidelines for security teams charged with deploying ZeroTrust and BeyondCorp initiatives:
Make no changes to the network. Your security initiative should not require changes to network management in order to roll out Zero Trust. The network is wrong layer for such security controls.
Incrementally roll out new security measures without changing apps. A Zero Trust solution should have the capability to be rolled out one brownfield service at a time, without mandating organization-wide or application changes.
Architect solutions that go beyond the perimeter. While securing the perimeter is an absolute requirement, security teams should not stop there. Zero Trust architectures should have the ability to manage controls down to individual users and devices, and the services and hosts they access.
Leverage existing enterprise tools. The ideal Zero Trust and BeyondCorp architecture should leverage existing enterprise investments via integrations. This applies not just to leveraging public cloud platforms but also to using existing identity providers, enterprise device managers and workload orchestrators.
These are likely self evident truths to many security practitioners, and we firmly believe that security teams and solutions that follow them are the key to Zero Trust and BeyondCorp success.
In our next post, we’ll discuss how the Banyan Secure Service Mesh follows these guidelines to enable organizations of all sizes to roll out Zero Trust and BeyondCorp security initiatives.
Follow us on Twitter
Originally published at https://www.banyansecurity.io.
|
4d53db3b-a928-5022-beaa-6e661e8ddfc3
|
25/08/2025 15:58:50
|
|
https://medium.com/@safepalwallet/pre-announcement-trade-on-dex-with-safepal-72ce723d705d
|
medium.com
|
Pre-announcement: Trade on DEX, with SafePal
|
Being the first hardware wallet invested by Binance Labs and one of the core members in Binance ecosystem, SafePal is excited to…
|
SafePal Wallet
|
https://medium.com/@safepalwallet
|
72ce723d705d
|
3 min
|
2019-07-13T12:37:23.930000
|
2019-07-13T13:19:44.625000
|
2021-12-10T21:55:51.087000
| 0
| 1
|
en
|
Bitcoin,Wallet,Hardware Wallet,Cryptocurrency,Crypto Wallet
|
<section>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/790/1*tM9Bzvgy0p-L72X-ntsCUg.png" width="790" height="550" loading="lazy" />
<p>Being the first hardware wallet invested by Binance Labs and one of the core members in Binance ecosystem, SafePal is excited to pre-announce that SafePal S1 wallet will officially support Binance DEX full features, enabling users to access Binance DEX with advanced security and meanwhile enjoy the seamless experience of trading in the SafePal App.</p>
<p>The official version will be launched on <strong>25th July</strong>. By then SafePal users can download the latest App and firmware on <a href="http://www.safepal.io/">www.safepal.io</a> and upgrade to the DEX version.</p>
<p>“Security and accessibility are the cornerstones of the crypto economy. SafePal is committed to providing the more secure and accessible solution for crypto custody,” said our CEO Veronica Wong, “and supporting DEX in our wallet is a milestone that pushes us toward the future where users can manage and trade crypto assets in both secure and easy manners.”</p>
<h1>| First glimpse of SafePal new features</h1>
<h3>1. Frictionless login to Binance DEX</h3>
<p>In the upcoming version, users will be able to login to Binance DEX with a simple scan on SafePal wallet. Behind this mechanism, SafePal is integrated with WalletConnect, an open protocol for connecting desktop Dapps to mobile Wallets using end-to-end encryption by scanning a QR code. WalletConnect allows SafePal users to interact with Binance DEX and any Dapp without comprising their private keys and will be notified to sign any transaction requests on their SafePal wallet.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/352/1*Ta5bwJ-dT9TnZKz0LdIVWQ.png" width="352" height="652" loading="lazy" />
<h3>2. Trade with SafePal on the go</h3>
<p>With SafePal integrating with DEX full features, now you can access to the world-class decentralized exchange built on Binance Chain in SafePal App any time, anywhere, without carrying a laptop, meanwhile, you can enjoy advanced security protection empowered by SafePal.</p>
<p><strong>A hardware wallet isn’t “hard” to use anymore. Try with SafePal and you will find the answer.</strong></p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/701/1*B-TUwpDm4ZwxWJgQFug84w.png" width="701" height="649" loading="lazy" />
<h3>3. Augmented security</h3>
<p>A new security feature — -App security password — -will be introduced into the SafePal security schemes. With a security password, users will be able to manage sensitive settings such as fingerprint and gesture in ease, meanwhile, this feature is going to protect users’ assets against malicious scenarios such as acquaintance attack.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/311/1*nAE2g0Wu33KuYF4Na2Jmdg.png" width="311" height="550" loading="lazy" />
<h3>4. Privacy protection</h3>
<p>Users privacy protection will be augmented by fingerprint lock and gesture lock mechanism. Once a fingerprint login or gesture login is activated, the SafePal App can only be unlocked by the biometric fingerprint or gesture of the asset owner. Users’ private information such as balance, asset types or other asset details will be disclosed and locked inside the SafePal App.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/701/1*Bq2_I8vairkK2MASAsIRJw.png" width="701" height="645" loading="lazy" />
<p>Further details will be officially disclosed when the DEX version is released.</p>
<h2>| About SafePal</h2>
<p>SafePal aims to provide the most secure and accessible crypto hardware wallet for the masses. It is also the first hardware wallet portfolio in Binance ecosystem. The SafePal team is managed by a group of experts with decades’ cumulative experiences in security, hardware, and software. The first hardware wallet released by SafePal, S1 hardware wallet, has provided crypto users with the most secure and seamless experience of crypto custody. To learn more about SafePal, visit <a href="https://www.safepal.io/">https://www.safepal.io</a>.</p>
<h2>| About Binance Chain</h2>
<p>Binance Chain, a blockchain software system developed by Binance and the community, is a community-driven project with developers and contributors from around the world. Binance DEX is the decentralized exchange feature developed on top of the Binance Chain blockchain, setting a new cryptocurrency trading standard for fast and secure peer-to-peer trading. For more information on Binance DEX, visit: <a href="https://www.binance.org/">https://www.binance.org/</a>.</p>
</section>
|
Pre-announcement: Trade on DEX, with SafePal
Being the first hardware wallet invested by Binance Labs and one of the core members in Binance ecosystem, SafePal is excited to pre-announce that SafePal S1 wallet will officially support Binance DEX full features, enabling users to access Binance DEX with advanced security and meanwhile enjoy the seamless experience of trading in the SafePal App.
The official version will be launched on 25th July. By then SafePal users can download the latest App and firmware on www.safepal.io and upgrade to the DEX version.
“Security and accessibility are the cornerstones of the crypto economy. SafePal is committed to providing the more secure and accessible solution for crypto custody,” said our CEO Veronica Wong, “and supporting DEX in our wallet is a milestone that pushes us toward the future where users can manage and trade crypto assets in both secure and easy manners.”
| First glimpse of SafePal new features
1. Frictionless login to Binance DEX
In the upcoming version, users will be able to login to Binance DEX with a simple scan on SafePal wallet. Behind this mechanism, SafePal is integrated with WalletConnect, an open protocol for connecting desktop Dapps to mobile Wallets using end-to-end encryption by scanning a QR code. WalletConnect allows SafePal users to interact with Binance DEX and any Dapp without comprising their private keys and will be notified to sign any transaction requests on their SafePal wallet.
2. Trade with SafePal on the go
With SafePal integrating with DEX full features, now you can access to the world-class decentralized exchange built on Binance Chain in SafePal App any time, anywhere, without carrying a laptop, meanwhile, you can enjoy advanced security protection empowered by SafePal.
A hardware wallet isn’t “hard” to use anymore. Try with SafePal and you will find the answer.
3. Augmented security
A new security feature — -App security password — -will be introduced into the SafePal security schemes. With a security password, users will be able to manage sensitive settings such as fingerprint and gesture in ease, meanwhile, this feature is going to protect users’ assets against malicious scenarios such as acquaintance attack.
4. Privacy protection
Users privacy protection will be augmented by fingerprint lock and gesture lock mechanism. Once a fingerprint login or gesture login is activated, the SafePal App can only be unlocked by the biometric fingerprint or gesture of the asset owner. Users’ private information such as balance, asset types or other asset details will be disclosed and locked inside the SafePal App.
Further details will be officially disclosed when the DEX version is released.
| About SafePal
SafePal aims to provide the most secure and accessible crypto hardware wallet for the masses. It is also the first hardware wallet portfolio in Binance ecosystem. The SafePal team is managed by a group of experts with decades’ cumulative experiences in security, hardware, and software. The first hardware wallet released by SafePal, S1 hardware wallet, has provided crypto users with the most secure and seamless experience of crypto custody. To learn more about SafePal, visit https://www.safepal.io.
| About Binance Chain
Binance Chain, a blockchain software system developed by Binance and the community, is a community-driven project with developers and contributors from around the world. Binance DEX is the decentralized exchange feature developed on top of the Binance Chain blockchain, setting a new cryptocurrency trading standard for fast and secure peer-to-peer trading. For more information on Binance DEX, visit: https://www.binance.org/.
|
f159ebef-0048-5b2c-b355-7915f8912f12
|
25/08/2025 15:58:51
|
|
https://medium.com/ride-the-pine/chanda-bell-is-college-softballs-new-jennie-finch-b2846b1f649e
|
medium.com
|
Chanda Bell is College Softball’s New Jennie Finch
| null |
Alex B.
|
https://medium.com/@RTPSports
|
b2846b1f649e
|
1 min
|
2016-12-07T14:55:22.034000
|
2012-05-20T16:37:45
|
2018-06-08T08:39:06.569000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Bleacher Babes,Chanda Bell,Softball
|
<section>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/696/0*yH3QArrDRNV5v3vC.png" width="696" height="407" loading="lazy" />
<p>Allow me to introduce you to<strong> University of Kentucky’s Softball Pitcher Chanda Bell</strong>. She has the look to become the nation’s next softball sweetheart, following in the footsteps of <strong>Jennie Finch</strong>.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/150/0*VTWix6sqg5sc65-x.png" width="150" height="117" loading="lazy" />
<p>If you check out the picture to the right, even my main man <a href="http://ridethepine.com/funny/college-softball-fat-man/">“Big Red” seems to be enjoying the Chanda Bell view</a>. Bell throws some heat and is helping her Wildcats survive the in the Losers Bracket of the 2012 NCAA Regional Tournament.</p>
<p>Bell’s resemblance to Finch is uncanny, almost like a little sister.</p>
</section>
|
Chanda Bell is College Softball’s New Jennie Finch
Allow me to introduce you to University of Kentucky’s Softball Pitcher Chanda Bell. She has the look to become the nation’s next softball sweetheart, following in the footsteps of Jennie Finch.
If you check out the picture to the right, even my main man “Big Red” seems to be enjoying the Chanda Bell view. Bell throws some heat and is helping her Wildcats survive the in the Losers Bracket of the 2012 NCAA Regional Tournament.
Bell’s resemblance to Finch is uncanny, almost like a little sister.
|
888d7ded-2faf-5110-bab6-61cfc496f0c4
|
25/08/2025 15:58:51
|
|
https://blog.airtimeux.com/best-free-tools-for-setting-up-a-continuous-research-practice-b6ae347bdc37
|
medium.com
|
Best Free Tools for Setting Up a Continuous Research Practice
|
My company built Airtime UX on the assumption that a collaborative, continuous research practice is superior to a dedicated research team’s…
|
AirtimeUX
|
https://medium.com/@AirtimeUX
|
b6ae347bdc37
|
8 min
|
2023-01-02T20:02:20.488000
|
2023-01-02T20:14:42.422000
|
2023-01-04T16:38:19.073000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Free Tools,User Research
|
<section>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/6000/1*o3JtlGDoFfqb_IFVlOwS2w.jpeg" width="6000" height="4000" loading="lazy" />
<p>My company built Airtime UX on the assumption that a collaborative, continuous research practice is superior to a dedicated research team’s running big-budget, discrete research projects several times a year — in many cases, working in isolation from one another. <a href="https://blog.airtimeux.com/how-collaborative-user-research-breaks-down-organizational-silos-d650626eb80f">Collaborative research</a> is effective because a whole product team can gain insights instantly while also getting face time with clients. Plus, collaborative research breaks down organizational silos. <a href="https://blog.airtimeux.com/why-you-should-build-a-continuous-research-practice-bd6693d31ff9">Continuous research</a> is effective because having regular, light touchpoints keeps your client relationships going, lets you iterate product designs on the fly, and costs less.</p>
<p>Let’s assume that the many benefits of this research paradigm have convinced you and that you now want to adopt collaborative, continuous research in your company. While you can involve more colleagues from more product teams in your research, you’ll also have to book more, albeit shorter appointments with outside research participants. This involves a lot of additional administrative effort.</p>
<p>These days, it seems there’s software for almost everything, including a wonderfully diverse set of productivity tools that make conducting research more efficient. In this article, I’ll propose your using some free tools that can make your life easier when you’re first implementing a collaborative, continuous research practice. Try them out before committing to pricier, more customized solutions.</p>
<h1>Key Steps of Collaborative, Continuous Research</h1>
<p>When you’re doing collaborative, continuous research, your aim is to include all stakeholders from a product team, including product managers, designers, and developers. All of these stakeholders can get face time with your client, ask their questions, and gather insights. Researchers coordinate rather than execute or interpret client insights. Thus, the product team becomes a close-knit unit with a shared understanding and purpose.</p>
<p>In addition to the obvious need for scheduling, you can distribute tasks across your stakeholders. For example, if you’re conducting user interviews, UX researchers still lead and facilitate the meetings, but you can have others take notes, observe and interpret clients’ meta-communication, and ask about certain topics. User session postmortems become a group effort. Developers can weigh in on technical limitations, designers can share UX best practices, and product managers can define new requirements within the context of their existing product pipeline.</p>
<p>When you do collaborative, continuous research at regular intervals, you’ll need to have a pool of external research participants at hand — your <a href="https://www.uxmatters.com/mt/archives/2022/06/automating-recruitment-for-user-research-panels.php">user panel</a>. You’ll need to have enough participants available to feed insights to you continuously, while avoiding research fatigue. Maintaining regular touchpoints your with participants requires strong, external scheduling capabilities, too.</p>
<p>Ultimately, you must extend your administrative burden on many fronts. Spend time coordinating this effort to achieve a better understanding of your clients’ needs, as well as a better information flow that lets you build truly exceptional products. Sound like a fair trade? The good news is that you can automate many of these processes. This is where your software tools come into the picture.</p>
<h2>Tools for Continuous Research</h2>
<p>Let’s look at each key step in your new continuous-research process. My aim is to paint a holistic picture rather than provide an exhaustive list of the available software.</p>
<h2>Building a User Panel</h2>
<p>In my column “ <a href="https://www.uxmatters.com/mt/archives/2022/06/automating-recruitment-for-user-research-panels.php">Automating Recruitment for User-Research Panels</a>,” I discussed how to automate recruitment for user panels using trigger-action pairs. <em>Triggers</em> are behaviors that present an opportunity to invite a new member to join your panel, and the corresponding <em>actions</em> are automated invitations. For example, when a lead requests pricing information, you can add a panel-recruitment call to action (CTA) to your automated email reply. Or, when someone visits your Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page, you can display an automated recruitment pop-up message.</p>
<ul>
<li>email platforms-Tools such as <a href="https://mailchimp.com/">Mailchimp</a> have freemium models and provide automated messaging using templates. Higher pricing tiers let you support entire customer journeys through series of email messages that are tailored to different business cases. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems such as <a href="https://www.hubspot.com/">HubSpot</a>, <a href="https://www.pipedrive.com/">Pipedrive</a>, and <a href="https://www.salesforce.com/">Salesforce</a> also offer this capability, but they cover a much broader set of customer-facing processes so are pricier. If you’re planning to implement CRM software, you should add its email capabilities to your decision criteria as well.</li>
<li>pop-up interrupts-These are taking over the Web to the constant annoyance of consumers and the benefit of ad networks. While some news providers might be reducing the useful space on each page to a small peephole, pop-ups are not all bad. If you set up a few pop-ups strategically, with good triggers and messaging, they can work wonderfully. We just released this functionality to beta in our own <a href="https://airtimeux.com/">Airtime app</a>. Please come and join our beta community! You could alternatively consider a <a href="https://www.g2.com/categories/pop-up-builder/free">wide variety of freemium providers</a>. Although <a href="https://optinmonster.com/">OptinMonster</a> is <em>not</em> free, it offers many different customization capabilities, has a relatively intuitive design user interface, and is very versatile.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Sending Invitations and Scheduling</h2>
<p>Scheduling seems easy using any calendar application, but can quickly become a big time waster once you take cancellations, rescheduling, and attachment handling into account. When you’re working with many stakeholders internally and externally, simply getting all of them in a virtual room is challenging enough. On top of that, if you want to share an outline of your interview questions with your colleagues, as well as various external documents such as consent forms with your clients and participants, the whole process can become a game of email ping-pong.</p>
<p>A dedicated appointment scheduling service can automate most of this, saving you a lot of time. Freemium providers with great add-on services include <a href="https://calendly.com/">Calendly</a>, <a href="https://cal.com/">Cal.com</a>, <a href="https://calendarhero.com/">CalendarHero</a>, <a href="https://doodle.com/">Doodle</a>, and <a href="https://simplybook.me/">Simplybook.me</a>. Our <a href="https://airtimeux.com/">Airtime beta</a> also includes appointment scheduling that specifically targets research and product teams.</p>
<h2>Conducting Interviews</h2>
<p>Conducting interviews is the bread and butter of user research. Any of the big meeting-application providers such as Google Meet, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams are good, but you should also consider the <a href="https://www.theverge.com/21286781/best-video-call-apps-free">up-and-comers</a> who are offering alternatives to the video-call incumbents. Stability is by far the most important feature these services must offer, so try a few of them, then choose one that operates consistently, without any lag and other technical issues.</p>
<h2>Taking Notes</h2>
<p>When multiple people take notes during an interview, the processing of all these notes can require a lot of effort. You must align and combine the notes from various notetakers to create a final version from which you can derive insights. There are two ways in which you can reduce the effort of coalescing all your notes.</p>
<p>Your team can take notes in parallel using a word processor such as <a href="https://www.google.com/">Google Docs</a>. Another great freemium tool is <a href="https://www.tetrainsights.com/">Tetra Insights</a>, which even timestamps the notes you’ve captured during a session, making it easier to work with video recordings. Whatever tool you choose, this method produces a single document that is the single source of truth. To prevent your producing disorganized, confusing notes, you can work with an outline of the interview session, which serves as a sort of structured template. You could also use <a href="https://miro.com/">Miro</a>, an excellent visual tool. (More on this later, in the postmortem section.)</p>
<p>Many people have their own style of note-taking — whether shorthand or another way of writing notes that might not be immediately comprehensible to others. If this is the case, taking notes in one document might not be a good idea. Instead, nominate someone to be the lead notetaker, then after a session, have others add their notes only if their points have not yet been captured. This lets everyone use whatever software they prefer. (I’m a big fan of the no-frills notepad.)</p>
<p>If, for any reason, you want to keep a historical database of interview notes, <a href="https://evernote.com/">Evernote</a> provides a great service. You can save your notes in the cloud, structure them in folders, and use its powerful search algorithm to find the information you need.</p>
<p>Note-taking is an important step that suggests your post-processing approach. What you write down and how you capture it can become the basis for the insights you glean from your research. Because you must build on the judgment of the notetaker, you cannot automate this process at all. So instead of focusing on note-taking tools, I recommend that you first work out the best process for your team, then align your note-taking tool to that process.</p>
<h2>Identifying and Synthesizing Insights</h2>
<p>This is the step that can make or break your research. It’s the moment of truth and is where collaborative research shines brightly. When different people on a product team identify insights together, the results will be both nuanced and complete. There is much less chance for any important information to fall through the cracks.</p>
<p>As in the case of note-taking, you can use many tools for this process, ranging from a word processor that supports highlighting, an Excel table that provides structure, or something more modern and visual such as <a href="https://miro.com/">Miro</a>. The main point is to have the whole team work together collaboratively using this software, at the same time, during an open discussion.</p>
<p>Miro is a powerful tool because it is visual. You can play with color coding, the size of your sticky notes, boxes, and text, and drag and drop anything on your board to move it around. All of these qualities make the platform excellent for affinity mapping, and Miro is a personal favorite of mine. It is also free for a limited number of boards that should last a while. However, if you are <em>not</em> a visual analyzer, <a href="https://www.airtable.com/">Airtable</a> is a good solution. There are two archetypes for researchers, the visual and the analytical, and this stage is where they might diverge significantly.</p>
<h2>Feeding Your Insights into Product Processes</h2>
<p>Another great benefit of collaborative research: there is no need to channel insights to the product team because they already know about them! Because everyone has taken part in the research process, you can drop the summary pages, analytical explanations, and PowerPoints.</p>
<p>Of course, you still need to document your key learnings during synthesis. Your product team should resolve any disputes, then build a common understanding of your research findings to which you can refer when your memory is no longer vivid. Ideally, you’ll write down your insights and your actions or user stories. Insights go into the tool that you used for synthesis, while your actions, or user stories, go into your roadmapping tool-for example <a href="https://www.atlassian.com/software/jira">Jira</a>. Be sure to link your Jira tickets back to your insights or notes so you can always trace where a ticket came from.</p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>As you can now see, it is quite easy to implement a collaborative, continuous research philosophy in an organization of any size. This approach doesn’t require a large headcount or a big software budget. Just organize your research processes to achieve better outcomes. Even the smallest application-development company with no dedicated researchers can do collaborative, continuous research. When you use these free productivity tools, there’s no need to commit a large investment to conducting research.</p>
<p>This low entry barrier makes dipping your toes into collaborative, continuous research especially easy. You can try this approach with a single team over a limited period of time and see how effective it is. Once you’re convinced, as I’m sure you will be, you can roll out collaborative, continuous research across your broader organization by building on the support and credibility of the initial team.</p>
<p>When you’re fully convinced that collaborative, continuous research is the way to go, you can start budgeting for dedicated software and people. You have a lot to gain and virtually nothing to lose.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/22/0*Xzo6huZ4oMO21V2Z.gif" width="22" height="22" loading="lazy" />
<p><em>Originally published at <a href="https://www.uxmat</em>ters.com/mt/archives/2022/11/best-free-tools-for-setting-up-a-continuous-research-practice.php">https://www.uxmatters.com</a>.</p>
</section>
|
Best Free Tools for Setting Up a Continuous Research Practice
My company built Airtime UX on the assumption that a collaborative, continuous research practice is superior to a dedicated research team’s running big-budget, discrete research projects several times a year — in many cases, working in isolation from one another. Collaborative research is effective because a whole product team can gain insights instantly while also getting face time with clients. Plus, collaborative research breaks down organizational silos. Continuous research is effective because having regular, light touchpoints keeps your client relationships going, lets you iterate product designs on the fly, and costs less.
Let’s assume that the many benefits of this research paradigm have convinced you and that you now want to adopt collaborative, continuous research in your company. While you can involve more colleagues from more product teams in your research, you’ll also have to book more, albeit shorter appointments with outside research participants. This involves a lot of additional administrative effort.
These days, it seems there’s software for almost everything, including a wonderfully diverse set of productivity tools that make conducting research more efficient. In this article, I’ll propose your using some free tools that can make your life easier when you’re first implementing a collaborative, continuous research practice. Try them out before committing to pricier, more customized solutions.
Key Steps of Collaborative, Continuous Research
When you’re doing collaborative, continuous research, your aim is to include all stakeholders from a product team, including product managers, designers, and developers. All of these stakeholders can get face time with your client, ask their questions, and gather insights. Researchers coordinate rather than execute or interpret client insights. Thus, the product team becomes a close-knit unit with a shared understanding and purpose.
In addition to the obvious need for scheduling, you can distribute tasks across your stakeholders. For example, if you’re conducting user interviews, UX researchers still lead and facilitate the meetings, but you can have others take notes, observe and interpret clients’ meta-communication, and ask about certain topics. User session postmortems become a group effort. Developers can weigh in on technical limitations, designers can share UX best practices, and product managers can define new requirements within the context of their existing product pipeline.
When you do collaborative, continuous research at regular intervals, you’ll need to have a pool of external research participants at hand — your user panel. You’ll need to have enough participants available to feed insights to you continuously, while avoiding research fatigue. Maintaining regular touchpoints your with participants requires strong, external scheduling capabilities, too.
Ultimately, you must extend your administrative burden on many fronts. Spend time coordinating this effort to achieve a better understanding of your clients’ needs, as well as a better information flow that lets you build truly exceptional products. Sound like a fair trade? The good news is that you can automate many of these processes. This is where your software tools come into the picture.
Tools for Continuous Research
Let’s look at each key step in your new continuous-research process. My aim is to paint a holistic picture rather than provide an exhaustive list of the available software.
Building a User Panel
In my column “ Automating Recruitment for User-Research Panels,” I discussed how to automate recruitment for user panels using trigger-action pairs. Triggers are behaviors that present an opportunity to invite a new member to join your panel, and the corresponding actions are automated invitations. For example, when a lead requests pricing information, you can add a panel-recruitment call to action (CTA) to your automated email reply. Or, when someone visits your Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page, you can display an automated recruitment pop-up message.
email platforms-Tools such as Mailchimp have freemium models and provide automated messaging using templates. Higher pricing tiers let you support entire customer journeys through series of email messages that are tailored to different business cases. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems such as HubSpot, Pipedrive, and Salesforce also offer this capability, but they cover a much broader set of customer-facing processes so are pricier. If you’re planning to implement CRM software, you should add its email capabilities to your decision criteria as well.
pop-up interrupts-These are taking over the Web to the constant annoyance of consumers and the benefit of ad networks. While some news providers might be reducing the useful space on each page to a small peephole, pop-ups are not all bad. If you set up a few pop-ups strategically, with good triggers and messaging, they can work wonderfully. We just released this functionality to beta in our own Airtime app. Please come and join our beta community! You could alternatively consider a wide variety of freemium providers. Although OptinMonster is not free, it offers many different customization capabilities, has a relatively intuitive design user interface, and is very versatile.
Sending Invitations and Scheduling
Scheduling seems easy using any calendar application, but can quickly become a big time waster once you take cancellations, rescheduling, and attachment handling into account. When you’re working with many stakeholders internally and externally, simply getting all of them in a virtual room is challenging enough. On top of that, if you want to share an outline of your interview questions with your colleagues, as well as various external documents such as consent forms with your clients and participants, the whole process can become a game of email ping-pong.
A dedicated appointment scheduling service can automate most of this, saving you a lot of time. Freemium providers with great add-on services include Calendly, Cal.com, CalendarHero, Doodle, and Simplybook.me. Our Airtime beta also includes appointment scheduling that specifically targets research and product teams.
Conducting Interviews
Conducting interviews is the bread and butter of user research. Any of the big meeting-application providers such as Google Meet, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams are good, but you should also consider the up-and-comers who are offering alternatives to the video-call incumbents. Stability is by far the most important feature these services must offer, so try a few of them, then choose one that operates consistently, without any lag and other technical issues.
Taking Notes
When multiple people take notes during an interview, the processing of all these notes can require a lot of effort. You must align and combine the notes from various notetakers to create a final version from which you can derive insights. There are two ways in which you can reduce the effort of coalescing all your notes.
Your team can take notes in parallel using a word processor such as Google Docs. Another great freemium tool is Tetra Insights, which even timestamps the notes you’ve captured during a session, making it easier to work with video recordings. Whatever tool you choose, this method produces a single document that is the single source of truth. To prevent your producing disorganized, confusing notes, you can work with an outline of the interview session, which serves as a sort of structured template. You could also use Miro, an excellent visual tool. (More on this later, in the postmortem section.)
Many people have their own style of note-taking — whether shorthand or another way of writing notes that might not be immediately comprehensible to others. If this is the case, taking notes in one document might not be a good idea. Instead, nominate someone to be the lead notetaker, then after a session, have others add their notes only if their points have not yet been captured. This lets everyone use whatever software they prefer. (I’m a big fan of the no-frills notepad.)
If, for any reason, you want to keep a historical database of interview notes, Evernote provides a great service. You can save your notes in the cloud, structure them in folders, and use its powerful search algorithm to find the information you need.
Note-taking is an important step that suggests your post-processing approach. What you write down and how you capture it can become the basis for the insights you glean from your research. Because you must build on the judgment of the notetaker, you cannot automate this process at all. So instead of focusing on note-taking tools, I recommend that you first work out the best process for your team, then align your note-taking tool to that process.
Identifying and Synthesizing Insights
This is the step that can make or break your research. It’s the moment of truth and is where collaborative research shines brightly. When different people on a product team identify insights together, the results will be both nuanced and complete. There is much less chance for any important information to fall through the cracks.
As in the case of note-taking, you can use many tools for this process, ranging from a word processor that supports highlighting, an Excel table that provides structure, or something more modern and visual such as Miro. The main point is to have the whole team work together collaboratively using this software, at the same time, during an open discussion.
Miro is a powerful tool because it is visual. You can play with color coding, the size of your sticky notes, boxes, and text, and drag and drop anything on your board to move it around. All of these qualities make the platform excellent for affinity mapping, and Miro is a personal favorite of mine. It is also free for a limited number of boards that should last a while. However, if you are not a visual analyzer, Airtable is a good solution. There are two archetypes for researchers, the visual and the analytical, and this stage is where they might diverge significantly.
Feeding Your Insights into Product Processes
Another great benefit of collaborative research: there is no need to channel insights to the product team because they already know about them! Because everyone has taken part in the research process, you can drop the summary pages, analytical explanations, and PowerPoints.
Of course, you still need to document your key learnings during synthesis. Your product team should resolve any disputes, then build a common understanding of your research findings to which you can refer when your memory is no longer vivid. Ideally, you’ll write down your insights and your actions or user stories. Insights go into the tool that you used for synthesis, while your actions, or user stories, go into your roadmapping tool-for example Jira. Be sure to link your Jira tickets back to your insights or notes so you can always trace where a ticket came from.
Conclusion
As you can now see, it is quite easy to implement a collaborative, continuous research philosophy in an organization of any size. This approach doesn’t require a large headcount or a big software budget. Just organize your research processes to achieve better outcomes. Even the smallest application-development company with no dedicated researchers can do collaborative, continuous research. When you use these free productivity tools, there’s no need to commit a large investment to conducting research.
This low entry barrier makes dipping your toes into collaborative, continuous research especially easy. You can try this approach with a single team over a limited period of time and see how effective it is. Once you’re convinced, as I’m sure you will be, you can roll out collaborative, continuous research across your broader organization by building on the support and credibility of the initial team.
When you’re fully convinced that collaborative, continuous research is the way to go, you can start budgeting for dedicated software and people. You have a lot to gain and virtually nothing to lose.
Originally published at https://www.uxmatters.com.
|
4c451365-5699-54cd-8b6d-382b5bba324a
|
25/08/2025 15:58:51
|
|
https://medium.com/@oreplus13/engine-used-marine-engines-motor-and-generators-1147f224c83f
|
medium.com
|
Engine | Used Marine Engines | Motor and Generators
| null |
Raghu R Naik, Merchant Exporter
|
https://medium.com/@oreplus13
|
1147f224c83f
| null |
0 min
|
2016-09-03T08:15:10.878000
|
2016-09-03T08:15:11.688000
|
2018-05-18T16:40:40.287000
| 0
| 2
|
en
|
Metuer,Motor,Ship,Machinery,Business
|
<section>
</section>
|
https://t.co/txwK0MSIau #marine #ship #machinery #motor #metuer #,sale
via http://ift.tt/2c98m6K
|
1a5a5ee0-2002-544d-97df-3120b7f66ea6
|
25/08/2025 15:58:51
|
https://medium.com/@Heliosfinance/5-surprising-things-you-can-deduct-from-your-income-taxes-http-on-mktw-net-2kfcwhz-b2edc870d798
|
medium.com
|
5 surprising things you can deduct from your income taxes: http://on.mktw.net/2kfcwhZ
| null |
Helios Finance
|
https://medium.com/@Heliosfinance
|
b2edc870d798
| null |
0 min
|
2017-02-11T22:35:09.616000
|
2017-02-11T22:35:10.462000
|
2017-02-11T22:35:10.462000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Helies Finanace
|
<section>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/MarketWatchPF/status/830532956401831936">5 surprising things you can deduct from your income taxes: http://on.mktw.net/2kfcwhZ </a>published first on <a href="http://ift.tt/2ljLF4B">http://ift.tt/2ljLF4B</a></p>
</section>
|
5 surprising things you can deduct from your income taxes: http://on.mktw.net/2kfcwhZ
5 surprising things you can deduct from your income taxes: http://on.mktw.net/2kfcwhZ published first on http://ift.tt/2ljLF4B
|
4c5aa586-fec6-5ce9-90d3-46a423dcef89
|
25/08/2025 15:58:51
|
https://support-12901.medium.com/how-to-secure-your-crypto-wallet-in-2022-and-beyond-77c78e214418
|
medium.com
|
How to Secure Your Crypto Wallet in 2022 and Beyond
|
One of the worst parts of owning crypto is that you always need to be extra careful about it. As crypto transactions are not reversible…
|
CryptoShrink.io
|
https://medium.com/@support-12901
|
77c78e214418
|
5 min
|
2022-04-13T16:12:37.259000
|
2022-04-11T21:08:40
|
2022-04-16T02:11:55.370000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Crytocurrency,Crypto Wallet
|
<section>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/696/0*hflHKC7ZBhxossEh.png" width="696" height="392" loading="lazy" />
<p>One of the worst parts of owning <a href="https://blog.cryptoshrink.io/cryptocurrency/">crypto</a> is that you always need to be extra careful about it. As crypto transactions are not reversible, you don’t want your assets to get stolen or hacked. That’s why you must think about how to secure your crypto wallet.</p>
<p>Luckily, securing a crypto wallet is not as complicated as it might seem. With the right tools and knowledge, you can keep your crypto assets safe and secure.</p>
<p>So in case you are wondering what you should be doing to safeguard your crypto, experts from The Money Mongers, a crypto first publication, did research on best practices for keeping your crypto wallet safe, and below is a quick explanation of the same.</p>
<h1>Tips to Keep Secure Your Crypto Wallet</h1>
<h2>Multisig Wallet</h2>
<p>Multisig or Multi-signature is one of the most secure ways to store crypto. It is pretty useful when you own a large number of crypto assets, and it prevents unwanted transactions.</p>
<p>Unlike other <a href="https://blog.cryptoshrink.io/what-is-crypto-wallets-security/">crypto wallets</a>, a transaction gets created and signed when you want to send funds from your wallet. By approving or signing the transaction, you mean that you are the owner, and you have the keys to manage the assets and approve the transaction.</p>
<p>However, it also requires one or more co-payers to sign a transaction to send funds from the wallet. This means the wallet adds an extra layer of security to your funds. Also, in some cases, it adds a time delay in fund transfer. As a result, hackers will have to hack multiple channels to transfer your funds which gets really tough and time-consuming.</p>
<p>But if you do regular <a href="https://blog.cryptoshrink.io/cryptocurrency/">crypto</a> transactions, then a <a href="https://blog.cryptoshrink.io/what-is-a-multisig-wallet/">multisig wallet</a> might not be an ideal solution. As you have to get two or more signatures every time you want to transfer funds. Instead, you can use 2FA.</p>
<h2>Hardware Wallet</h2>
<p>Unlike the software crypto wallets, hardware wallets are the most secure options. As they are not vulnerable to cyberattacks, security holes, and other things. But instead, hardware wallets stay offline out of the hacker’s reach.</p>
<p>Hardware wallets are meant to store your private keys or crypto assets on a physical device with specialized firmware and prevent your private keys from getting accessed.</p>
<p>In addition to that, hardware wallets are also protected against unauthorized use. As it is secured with a PIN. So if your wallet gets stolen or lost, no one will get to access your assets. But with your backup seed, you can easily regain access to your crypto assets.</p>
<p>However, unlike software wallets, hardware wallets are not free, you need to buy them. But yes, make sure to buy from trusted sellers only since you don’t want to buy a pre-hacked hardware wallet.</p>
<p>Also, if you are wondering what the best hardware wallets are, you can consider checking out Ledger Nano X or the Trezor Model T.</p>
<h2>Secure Your Wallet With 2FA</h2>
<p>Online or software wallets are easily accessible by entering a username and a password. Hence, if a hacker gets access to your credentials, you will end up losing your <a href="https://blog.cryptoshrink.io/cryptocurrency/">crypto</a>. Hence to safeguard it, you can try using 2FA.</p>
<p>2FA stands for <a href="https://blog.cryptoshrink.io/what-is-2fa-and-how-does-it-work/">2 Factor authentication</a> or two-step verification. This adds an additional layer of security to your wallet. Also, it is pretty friendly to use.</p>
<p>If you enable 2FA on your <a href="https://blog.cryptoshrink.io/what-is-crypto-wallets-security/">crypto wallet</a>, a code will be sent to your phone whenever you log in to your wallet. As a result, along with your login with credentials, you will also need a code. The code gets continuously changed and has a certain time limit to it.</p>
<p>This way, even if hackers have your login credentials, they will still need your 2FA code to access your funds.</p>
<p>In most cases, the two-factor authentication code will be sent as an SMS or email. Or it can use authentication apps like Google Authenticator.</p>
<p>But make sure that you are keeping all the keys and passwords securely. If you lose them, it might be a hard time for you to recover your funds.</p>
<p>In short, having <a href="https://blog.cryptoshrink.io/what-is-2fa-and-how-does-it-work/">2FA</a> can also be a good idea if you make frequent crypto transactions and don’t want to use a multi-signature wallet.</p>
<h2>Multiple Wallet PrivateKey Backups</h2>
<p>In the digital world, taking backups of our important files and data is extremely important. And the same goes with your <a href="https://blog.cryptoshrink.io/what-is-crypto-wallets-security/">crypto wallet</a>’s private keys. According to experts, you should have three copies of your wallet’s private keys.</p>
<p>Two of them should be stored in different secured places that you can always remember. And the last one should be close to you.</p>
<p>As a result, even if you lose your wallet’s private keys, there are two other backups to recover your crypto assets.</p>
<p>But if you don’t consider taking any backup at all, then you will lose all your crypto assets if you lose your private keys. So it is better to have multiple backups instead of none.</p>
<h2>Encrypt Your Wallet</h2>
<p>You can also consider encrypting your wallet. By encrypting, you will get assurance that no one will be able to transfer funds from your wallet without your knowledge. But if you choose to encrypt your wallet, make sure to remember the password. Or store the password somewhere safe.</p>
<p>The best part of encrypting your <a href="https://voskcoins.co/">crypto wallet</a> is that it helps you to protect your crypto assets from being stolen. Also, when you are creating a password, make sure to use both numbers and the alphabet.</p>
<p>Also, make sure to avoid entering your passwords on public computers or over public wifi. As it puts you at risk of getting hacked. Instead, use your own devices and your personal network.</p>
<p><strong>Be Aware Of Phishing Attacks</strong></p>
<p>Apart from safeguarding your wallets, you should also be aware of phishing attacks. Hackers are always looking for different ways to steal crypto from users. So it is important to be aware of how hackers are working and the common ways people get scammed online and lose their crypto.</p>
<p>For instance, hackers often hack the Twitter accounts of famous people, and they tweet with the promise of returning the double amount of crypto you send to them. However, these kinds of tweets are fake, and you will end up losing whatever funds you send to them.</p>
<p>Also, if anything seems suspicious to you, make sure not to fall for it. In addition to that, make sure to use trusted services only.</p>
<h2>Keep Everything Up To Date</h2>
<p>Last but not least, make sure to keep everything up to date. For instance, if you are using online or software wallets, make sure they are always updated. This ensures that the wallet has the latest security updates and patches.</p>
<p>Even the same goes with your offline or hardware wallets. You should check for updates from time to time and update your devices.</p>
<p>Newer security updates ensure that your wallet is safe from unknown security glitches and severity. Also, in case of hackers have hacked the previous version of the app or firmware and you are not updated to the latest version, your funds might be at risk.</p>
<p>Along with your crypto wallets, you should also ensure that you keep your gadgets and other software up to date.</p>
<h3>Conclusion:</h3>
<p>So that was all about how to secure your <a href="https://voskcoins.co/">crypto wallet</a>. I hope you have found this article helpful and will take strong security measures to safeguard your investments. In case you wish to ask anything else, then do comment below.</p>
<p>READ MORE:</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://blog.cryptoshrink.io/how-to-secure</strong>-your-crypto-wallet-in-2022-and-beyond/">How to Secure Your Crypto Wallet in 2022 and Beyond
<em>One of the worst parts of owning crypto is that you always need to be extra careful about it. As crypto transactions…</em>blog.crypto</a>shrink.io</p>
</section>
|
How to Secure Your Crypto Wallet in 2022 and Beyond
One of the worst parts of owning crypto is that you always need to be extra careful about it. As crypto transactions are not reversible, you don’t want your assets to get stolen or hacked. That’s why you must think about how to secure your crypto wallet.
Luckily, securing a crypto wallet is not as complicated as it might seem. With the right tools and knowledge, you can keep your crypto assets safe and secure.
So in case you are wondering what you should be doing to safeguard your crypto, experts from The Money Mongers, a crypto first publication, did research on best practices for keeping your crypto wallet safe, and below is a quick explanation of the same.
Tips to Keep Secure Your Crypto Wallet
Multisig Wallet
Multisig or Multi-signature is one of the most secure ways to store crypto. It is pretty useful when you own a large number of crypto assets, and it prevents unwanted transactions.
Unlike other crypto wallets, a transaction gets created and signed when you want to send funds from your wallet. By approving or signing the transaction, you mean that you are the owner, and you have the keys to manage the assets and approve the transaction.
However, it also requires one or more co-payers to sign a transaction to send funds from the wallet. This means the wallet adds an extra layer of security to your funds. Also, in some cases, it adds a time delay in fund transfer. As a result, hackers will have to hack multiple channels to transfer your funds which gets really tough and time-consuming.
But if you do regular crypto transactions, then a multisig wallet might not be an ideal solution. As you have to get two or more signatures every time you want to transfer funds. Instead, you can use 2FA.
Hardware Wallet
Unlike the software crypto wallets, hardware wallets are the most secure options. As they are not vulnerable to cyberattacks, security holes, and other things. But instead, hardware wallets stay offline out of the hacker’s reach.
Hardware wallets are meant to store your private keys or crypto assets on a physical device with specialized firmware and prevent your private keys from getting accessed.
In addition to that, hardware wallets are also protected against unauthorized use. As it is secured with a PIN. So if your wallet gets stolen or lost, no one will get to access your assets. But with your backup seed, you can easily regain access to your crypto assets.
However, unlike software wallets, hardware wallets are not free, you need to buy them. But yes, make sure to buy from trusted sellers only since you don’t want to buy a pre-hacked hardware wallet.
Also, if you are wondering what the best hardware wallets are, you can consider checking out Ledger Nano X or the Trezor Model T.
Secure Your Wallet With 2FA
Online or software wallets are easily accessible by entering a username and a password. Hence, if a hacker gets access to your credentials, you will end up losing your crypto. Hence to safeguard it, you can try using 2FA.
2FA stands for 2 Factor authentication or two-step verification. This adds an additional layer of security to your wallet. Also, it is pretty friendly to use.
If you enable 2FA on your crypto wallet, a code will be sent to your phone whenever you log in to your wallet. As a result, along with your login with credentials, you will also need a code. The code gets continuously changed and has a certain time limit to it.
This way, even if hackers have your login credentials, they will still need your 2FA code to access your funds.
In most cases, the two-factor authentication code will be sent as an SMS or email. Or it can use authentication apps like Google Authenticator.
But make sure that you are keeping all the keys and passwords securely. If you lose them, it might be a hard time for you to recover your funds.
In short, having 2FA can also be a good idea if you make frequent crypto transactions and don’t want to use a multi-signature wallet.
Multiple Wallet PrivateKey Backups
In the digital world, taking backups of our important files and data is extremely important. And the same goes with your crypto wallet’s private keys. According to experts, you should have three copies of your wallet’s private keys.
Two of them should be stored in different secured places that you can always remember. And the last one should be close to you.
As a result, even if you lose your wallet’s private keys, there are two other backups to recover your crypto assets.
But if you don’t consider taking any backup at all, then you will lose all your crypto assets if you lose your private keys. So it is better to have multiple backups instead of none.
Encrypt Your Wallet
You can also consider encrypting your wallet. By encrypting, you will get assurance that no one will be able to transfer funds from your wallet without your knowledge. But if you choose to encrypt your wallet, make sure to remember the password. Or store the password somewhere safe.
The best part of encrypting your crypto wallet is that it helps you to protect your crypto assets from being stolen. Also, when you are creating a password, make sure to use both numbers and the alphabet.
Also, make sure to avoid entering your passwords on public computers or over public wifi. As it puts you at risk of getting hacked. Instead, use your own devices and your personal network.
Be Aware Of Phishing Attacks
Apart from safeguarding your wallets, you should also be aware of phishing attacks. Hackers are always looking for different ways to steal crypto from users. So it is important to be aware of how hackers are working and the common ways people get scammed online and lose their crypto.
For instance, hackers often hack the Twitter accounts of famous people, and they tweet with the promise of returning the double amount of crypto you send to them. However, these kinds of tweets are fake, and you will end up losing whatever funds you send to them.
Also, if anything seems suspicious to you, make sure not to fall for it. In addition to that, make sure to use trusted services only.
Keep Everything Up To Date
Last but not least, make sure to keep everything up to date. For instance, if you are using online or software wallets, make sure they are always updated. This ensures that the wallet has the latest security updates and patches.
Even the same goes with your offline or hardware wallets. You should check for updates from time to time and update your devices.
Newer security updates ensure that your wallet is safe from unknown security glitches and severity. Also, in case of hackers have hacked the previous version of the app or firmware and you are not updated to the latest version, your funds might be at risk.
Along with your crypto wallets, you should also ensure that you keep your gadgets and other software up to date.
Conclusion:
So that was all about how to secure your crypto wallet. I hope you have found this article helpful and will take strong security measures to safeguard your investments. In case you wish to ask anything else, then do comment below.
READ MORE:
How to Secure Your Crypto Wallet in 2022 and Beyond
One of the worst parts of owning crypto is that you always need to be extra careful about it. As crypto transactions…blog.cryptoshrink.io
|
8101388c-c3fb-5ae0-bd74-c4709fb16064
|
25/08/2025 15:58:51
|
|
https://medium.com/matthews-place/inclusive-open-mic-continues-its-streak-through-quarantine-heres-how-to-share-your-poetry-17dcd70f6493
|
medium.com
|
Inclusive Open Mic Continues its Streak Through Quarantine — Here’s How to Share Your Poetry
|
by Ryan Cassata
|
Matthew's Place
|
https://medium.com/@matthewsplace1
|
17dcd70f6493
|
3 min
|
2020-04-16T21:38:49.758000
|
2020-04-16T21:48:51.160000
|
2021-12-14T04:51:09.624000
| 0
| 51
|
en
|
Poetry,Open Mic,Poems On Medium,LGBTQ,Inclusivity
|
<section>
<p><em>by Ryan Cassata</em></p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1200/1*sES8SqD_4qJZd6URnlgV8w.jpeg" width="1200" height="630" loading="lazy" />
<p>Hot Springs, Arkansas’s<strong> Wednesday Night Poetry</strong> has been going on since <strong>February 1st, 1989.</strong> The open mic has never missed a week; they’ve even held poetry on holidays, in massive storms, and even in power outages. This unstoppable open mic collective, started by the late Bud Kenny, is continuing its run, now virtually, through Facebook.</p>
<p><strong>Wednesday Night Poetry</strong> is the longest running consecutive weekly poetry open mic in the United States. Located in Hot Springs, Arkansas, usually at Kollective Coffee+Tea. Wednesday Night Poetry is inclusive and welcoming towards all walks of life and backgrounds. Poets share deeply and honestly on this magical night, coming together in harmony, baring their souls, lighting the stage, and connecting with one another on a deep level.</p>
<p>Due to the virus, and #StayAtHome measures, Wednesday Night Poetry cannot meet in person during this uncertain time. However, they are persevering through and continuing to share the gift of poetry, proving how unstoppable they are, continuing on with their streak of never missing a week. Poets from all over the world are coming together sending in videos showcasing their talents. Most share heartfelt and creative poems, and others contribute in other exciting ways such as dancing, singing, and performing original song.</p>
<p>Last Wednesday, April 15th, 2020, was the 1629th poetry open mic by Wednesday Night Poetry. The host is Kai Coggin, a fearless poet who has published several incredible poetry books, about but not limited to political topics and queer topics. Kai shared these heartfelt words via Facebook:</p>
<p><em>“We are poets of heart here. We are proud of our poetry legacy, and we will keep our streak going as long as we can, through this uncertain time. We will hold each other up. We will hold each other up. We will HEAR each other. We will remain connected. We will create and document for the future. We will write. I love this community of motley poets, young and old, all races and genders, straight and queer and everything in the spectrum, all backgrounds of life. We are a family. We have grit and heart. We are survivors. Survive with us.”</em></p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1000/1*otYfgpmssuZoWmvfEAZj-Q.png" width="1000" height="667" loading="lazy" />
<p><strong>Join the Facebook Event page so you don’t miss this wonderfully inclusive and creative event: </strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1856301307885019/?event_time_id=1856301321218351">https://www.facebook.com/events/1856301307885019/?event_time_id=1856301321218351</a></p>
<p><strong>Kai Coggin’s Work: </strong><a href="https://www.kaicoggin.com">https://www.kaicoggin.com</a></p>
<p><strong>HOW TO SUBMIT: </strong>If you want to join us next week on our virtual open mic, send a video poem or song (3 min or less) to Kai Coggin on FB messenger, or to <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>, subject WNP Submission.</p>
<h3>About the Author:</h3>
<p><em>Ryan Cassata is an award winning singer-songwriter, actor, performer, writer and LGBTQ activist & motivational speaker based in Los Angeles. With features in Rolling Stone, Billboard Magazine, The New York Times, Buzzfeed, and The Daily News, Ryan has made the most of his young career, which started when he was just 13.</em></p>
<p><em>As a musician with over 550 performances touring across the United States and internationally, including dates on the Van’s Warped Tour, SXSW and at the worlds biggest pride festivals, Ryan has been praised by The Advocate saying he’s a “Transgender singing sensation”, Paper Magazine put him on the “50 LGBTQ Musicians You Should Prioritize” list, LOGO put him on the “9 Trans Musicians You Need To Get Into” list and Billboard put him on the “11 Transgender & Non-Binary Musicians You Need to Know” list and premiered his most recent music video for “Daughter.” He has also been heard on Sirius XM Radio, BBC Radio 4 and other radio stations around the world. MORE INFO AT: <a href="http://www.ryancas</em>sata.com/">http://www.ryancassata.com/</a></p>
</section>
|
Inclusive Open Mic Continues its Streak Through Quarantine — Here’s How to Share Your Poetry
by Ryan Cassata
Hot Springs, Arkansas’s Wednesday Night Poetry has been going on since February 1st, 1989. The open mic has never missed a week; they’ve even held poetry on holidays, in massive storms, and even in power outages. This unstoppable open mic collective, started by the late Bud Kenny, is continuing its run, now virtually, through Facebook.
Wednesday Night Poetry is the longest running consecutive weekly poetry open mic in the United States. Located in Hot Springs, Arkansas, usually at Kollective Coffee+Tea. Wednesday Night Poetry is inclusive and welcoming towards all walks of life and backgrounds. Poets share deeply and honestly on this magical night, coming together in harmony, baring their souls, lighting the stage, and connecting with one another on a deep level.
Due to the virus, and #StayAtHome measures, Wednesday Night Poetry cannot meet in person during this uncertain time. However, they are persevering through and continuing to share the gift of poetry, proving how unstoppable they are, continuing on with their streak of never missing a week. Poets from all over the world are coming together sending in videos showcasing their talents. Most share heartfelt and creative poems, and others contribute in other exciting ways such as dancing, singing, and performing original song.
Last Wednesday, April 15th, 2020, was the 1629th poetry open mic by Wednesday Night Poetry. The host is Kai Coggin, a fearless poet who has published several incredible poetry books, about but not limited to political topics and queer topics. Kai shared these heartfelt words via Facebook:
“We are poets of heart here. We are proud of our poetry legacy, and we will keep our streak going as long as we can, through this uncertain time. We will hold each other up. We will hold each other up. We will HEAR each other. We will remain connected. We will create and document for the future. We will write. I love this community of motley poets, young and old, all races and genders, straight and queer and everything in the spectrum, all backgrounds of life. We are a family. We have grit and heart. We are survivors. Survive with us.”
Join the Facebook Event page so you don’t miss this wonderfully inclusive and creative event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1856301307885019/?event_time_id=1856301321218351
Kai Coggin’s Work: https://www.kaicoggin.com
HOW TO SUBMIT: If you want to join us next week on our virtual open mic, send a video poem or song (3 min or less) to Kai Coggin on FB messenger, or to [email protected], subject WNP Submission.
About the Author:
Ryan Cassata is an award winning singer-songwriter, actor, performer, writer and LGBTQ activist & motivational speaker based in Los Angeles. With features in Rolling Stone, Billboard Magazine, The New York Times, Buzzfeed, and The Daily News, Ryan has made the most of his young career, which started when he was just 13.
As a musician with over 550 performances touring across the United States and internationally, including dates on the Van’s Warped Tour, SXSW and at the worlds biggest pride festivals, Ryan has been praised by The Advocate saying he’s a “Transgender singing sensation”, Paper Magazine put him on the “50 LGBTQ Musicians You Should Prioritize” list, LOGO put him on the “9 Trans Musicians You Need To Get Into” list and Billboard put him on the “11 Transgender & Non-Binary Musicians You Need to Know” list and premiered his most recent music video for “Daughter.” He has also been heard on Sirius XM Radio, BBC Radio 4 and other radio stations around the world. MORE INFO AT: http://www.ryancassata.com/
|
eb8d3689-61f4-5064-9281-24a82927f0fe
|
25/08/2025 15:58:52
|
|
https://jangotwins24.medium.com/culture-is-everything-and-it-starts-at-the-top-3b19b738ff6b
|
medium.com
|
Culture is everything and it starts at the top
|
What is meant by culture? For me, the culture of an organization is the way its people and its products behave when they come in contact…
|
Peek a boo
|
https://medium.com/@jangotwins24
|
3b19b738ff6b
| null |
2 min
|
2021-07-18T06:58:08.009000
|
2021-07-18T06:59:07.267000
|
2022-01-06T05:10:17.826000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Work,Culture,Organizational Culture,Leadership,Organization
|
<section>
<p>What is meant by culture? For me, the culture of an organization is the way its people and its products behave when they come in contact with the external world.</p>
<p>During my college days, an investment bank came to give their hiring pitch. They said that they worked for 25 hours a day. I did not apply to that company because that statement defined their culture and I was sure I would be a cultural misfit in such an organization. It is another fact that I would not have gotten through, but I never want to accept that. But many people joined that company and still are part of that company. People are OK with that culture.</p>
<p>The consulting company I worked after my college focused on hard (and sometimes overnight) work and perfection which was understandable because their clients were paying big money. It defined the culture of that consulting company.</p>
<p>None of the above culture is right or wrong. They may not be perfect, but they were unique and reflected the nature of the people at the top of these organizations and the way they wanted to achieve results.</p>
<p>I do not know whether culture eats strategy for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, but I know that the most important thing that will define the success of an organization is its culture. Period.</p>
<p>Take organizations which have been successful over the last several years. Amazon, Google, Alibaba, Facebook, Netflix. All different and all wildly successful. Yet, their cultures differ. There is no recipe for cultural success. It is like successful humans. There are no 21 things to do to be successful when it comes to culture. The only thing that matters is to do the right thing at the right time in the right way. Ask Enron what happened when they did not do the right thing in the right way. Ask Blackberry what happened when they did not the right thing at the right time.</p>
<p>The key for organizations is to not make their culture perfect, but to make it simple so that the people in the organization can understand them and the products they make can reflect the same.</p>
<p>The key for organizations is also not to make the people fit into their culture, but to make sure people are not offended by their culture. I suggest not to look for a cultural fit when you hire. See if a new hire would be offended your culture. Think of the term cultural diversity when you hire.</p>
<p>They key for organizations is also to not think of culture as an initiative but being aware that it reflects the actions they take and the decisions they make. It is also how their leaders react to different situations.</p>
<p>They key for organizations is also to make the external world including their customers understand and appreciate their culture.</p>
<p>Culture is a key. Treat it as a key and not as a wall. Use culture to set expectations, not boundaries. Make culture a way of life, and not the way of life.</p>
<p>If you do not know your organization’s culture, listen, observe, ask, and write down in simple words for. If you know what your organization’s culture is, do not make it sacrosanct. Let it evolve. Because evolution is the way the world progresses.</p>
</section>
|
Culture is everything and it starts at the top
What is meant by culture? For me, the culture of an organization is the way its people and its products behave when they come in contact with the external world.
During my college days, an investment bank came to give their hiring pitch. They said that they worked for 25 hours a day. I did not apply to that company because that statement defined their culture and I was sure I would be a cultural misfit in such an organization. It is another fact that I would not have gotten through, but I never want to accept that. But many people joined that company and still are part of that company. People are OK with that culture.
The consulting company I worked after my college focused on hard (and sometimes overnight) work and perfection which was understandable because their clients were paying big money. It defined the culture of that consulting company.
None of the above culture is right or wrong. They may not be perfect, but they were unique and reflected the nature of the people at the top of these organizations and the way they wanted to achieve results.
I do not know whether culture eats strategy for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, but I know that the most important thing that will define the success of an organization is its culture. Period.
Take organizations which have been successful over the last several years. Amazon, Google, Alibaba, Facebook, Netflix. All different and all wildly successful. Yet, their cultures differ. There is no recipe for cultural success. It is like successful humans. There are no 21 things to do to be successful when it comes to culture. The only thing that matters is to do the right thing at the right time in the right way. Ask Enron what happened when they did not do the right thing in the right way. Ask Blackberry what happened when they did not the right thing at the right time.
The key for organizations is to not make their culture perfect, but to make it simple so that the people in the organization can understand them and the products they make can reflect the same.
The key for organizations is also not to make the people fit into their culture, but to make sure people are not offended by their culture. I suggest not to look for a cultural fit when you hire. See if a new hire would be offended your culture. Think of the term cultural diversity when you hire.
They key for organizations is also to not think of culture as an initiative but being aware that it reflects the actions they take and the decisions they make. It is also how their leaders react to different situations.
They key for organizations is also to make the external world including their customers understand and appreciate their culture.
Culture is a key. Treat it as a key and not as a wall. Use culture to set expectations, not boundaries. Make culture a way of life, and not the way of life.
If you do not know your organization’s culture, listen, observe, ask, and write down in simple words for. If you know what your organization’s culture is, do not make it sacrosanct. Let it evolve. Because evolution is the way the world progresses.
|
5a64cb67-64bb-5469-98c1-bd3273621507
|
25/08/2025 15:58:52
|
https://petertill.medium.com/we-should-gather-in-a-discord-server-74af631495da
|
medium.com
|
We should gather in a Discord server
|
Since there are more and more of you, and the majority likes the same topic (take, for example, programming), I had an idea that we should…
|
petertill
|
https://medium.com/@petertill
|
74af631495da
| null |
1 min
|
2023-01-25T15:02:29.624000
|
2023-01-25T15:15:04.311000
|
2023-01-25T15:15:21.351000
| 1
| 8
|
en
|
Discord,Community,Chat,Programming,Software Development
|
<section>
<p>Since there are more and more of you, and the majority likes the same topic (take, for example, programming), I had an idea that we should gather in a chat group where we would help each other in professional and less professional matters. Just like a community of friends.</p>
<h3>When it comes to growth/development, it is best to grow together</h3>
<p>In the chat group, we would discuss what kind of posts should be here on Medium. In addition to these, you could even help me write posts. If someone is also a writer or programmer, I will help that person too. On this basis, everyone can help everyone, and this is how we can achieve the greatest growth!</p>
<h3>Join using this link!</h3>
<p>Please note that this server is in development, but you can join it (maybe you could be one of the builders & my friends)</p>
<p><a href="https://discord.gg/VrUFxrESDy">https://discord.gg/VrUFxrESDy</a></p>
<h1>Let’s establish the largest programming and self-development community!</h1>
</section>
|
We should gather in a Discord server
Since there are more and more of you, and the majority likes the same topic (take, for example, programming), I had an idea that we should gather in a chat group where we would help each other in professional and less professional matters. Just like a community of friends.
When it comes to growth/development, it is best to grow together
In the chat group, we would discuss what kind of posts should be here on Medium. In addition to these, you could even help me write posts. If someone is also a writer or programmer, I will help that person too. On this basis, everyone can help everyone, and this is how we can achieve the greatest growth!
Join using this link!
Please note that this server is in development, but you can join it (maybe you could be one of the builders & my friends)
https://discord.gg/VrUFxrESDy
Let’s establish the largest programming and self-development community!
|
dc7e1e5f-1f4e-552e-a9d7-77266489c4cc
|
25/08/2025 15:58:53
|
https://medium.com/the-new-ultras/its-time-to-prove-yourself-romelu-19027adc9c24
|
medium.com
|
It’s Time To Prove Yourself Romelu
|
Goal-scoring? Check. Physique? Check. Age? Check. Potential? Check.
|
Scams
|
https://medium.com/@tm26
|
19027adc9c24
|
6 min
|
2017-07-08T02:16:02.524000
|
2017-07-08T19:23:32.667000
|
2018-01-04T23:08:20.167000
| 0
| 35
|
en
|
Manchester United,Premier League,Champions League,Soccer,Football
|
<section>
<p>Goal-scoring? Check. Physique? Check. Age? Check. Potential? Check.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/685/1*L3yxmD2xqWzIIoVygc0pyw.jpeg" width="685" height="589" loading="lazy" />
<p>Let’s get this clear Romelu Lukaku was not my ideal choice for a striker. His first touch, his passing and his struggles in interplay bother me. I wanted Mauro Icardi to join however football is not football manager.</p>
<p>Instead (after calling him tropical Danny Welbeck and watching more of his game) I wanted Alvaro Morata to join but Man Utd and Real Madrid are both trying to dominate each other.</p>
<p>Out of nowhere, Chelsea’s number 1 target Romelu Lukaku is who Jose Mourinho has put his faith in and with the (limited) amount of available of strikers, it was always going to be a gamble with the options available.</p>
<p>Whether it is Morata, who still has to tap into his potential, Belotti who is coming into his own or Lukaku, who is a rising star; Man Utd could have spent money on whoever but it was going to be a roll of the dice.</p>
<p>With all of that said Romelu Lukaku, on paper has everything you would want in a young striker, he has the size and every stereotypical attribute , powerful, pacy, good in the air.</p>
<p>Let’s not forget his technique; naturally left footed but adept with his right and his dribbling is not shabby at all. Lukaku burst onto the scene as a 16 year old for Anderlecht and you would think he is coming into a finished product but at 24 years old, people have to remember Lukaku is still learning and still improving the tools in his arsenal.</p>
<p>Lukaku’s solo effort vs Chelsea</p>
<p>At 24 years old he has a very solid goal-scoring record. In his four years at Everton, Lukaku has scored 87 goals in 154 appearances; scoring 25 goals in the league in 2016/2017, the most any Everton player has had in the league. He is one of only five players to score 50 Premier League goals before his 23rd birthday and the first foreign player to score 80 before his 24th birthday.</p>
<p>Not everything is rosy when it comes to Lukaku there quite a few negative aspects to his game, which need improvements:</p>
<p><strong>Big games/ Mentality</strong>- Lukaku has a knack for going AWOL in big matches (This part of his game is slowly improving). In the six years he has played in the Premier League, Lukaku has played against Man Utd, Chelsea, Tottenham, Man City, Liverpool and Arsenal 57 times scoring 15 goals, however stats only tell <em>some</em> of the story. He was playing with West Brom and Everton, clubs who are known as midtable.</p>
<p>Playing for a club such as Man Utd, showing out in big matches is where you make your name. Lukaku knows this, in a interview with football legend and Belgium’s assistant manager Thierry Henry, Lukaku says “I need to create goals myself.” Adding, “if I can add match winning performances in the big games and create goals out of nowhere and do that from match day one until the last game of the season, then I can be happy about myself.”</p>
<p><strong>First touch</strong>- Just watch this.</p>
<p>Big man, at your age, abeg fix this.</p>
<p><strong>Hold up play</strong>- For someone with his size, you would think Lukaku has this part of his game locked down but it’s simply not good enough. Lukaku wants to be <em>that 9. </em>A striker having a great first touch, good hold up play, knowing when to pass & how to move to create space clearly is an art. It’s also something which Lukaku needs to add to his arsenal. A lot of teams sit back and do not give Man Utd space, this is something Lukaku is going to learn very quickly. A perfect example of a striker who does this and knows how to create space for himself and his teammate through holdup play, see Karim Benzema.</p>
<p><strong>Movement/ Workrate- </strong>In today’s modern game, your striker has to be adept at moving off the ball and working his socks off. It disrupts the defense and they simply cannot sit back, not knowing where you’ll be. If you need an example of this, Edinson Cavani aka El Matador. No striker moves as well as Cavani does off of the ball. He is everywhere and always finding pockets of space to create for himself or his teammates. This is another element of Lukaku’s game which needs to improve, he often times sits with the defender which makes it easy to defend him.</p>
<p>BUT it is not all bad.</p>
<p>We know his story, boy wonder at Anderlecht, making his debut at 16. He then joined Chelsea in 2011, went on loan to West Brom in 2012, went on loan to Everton in 2013 and permanently joined Everton in 2014. In the years since, Lukaku’s goal tally has improved.</p>
<p>Romelu Lukaku is a phenomenal player and it could be said that he has done all that he can do playing for Everton. For a player who has publicly stated that he wants to play in the Champions League, no offense to Everton, he needs to play at a club of higher quality and challenge himself at the next level.</p>
<p>Playing with players such as Cleverly, Deulofeu, Mirallas, and Ross Barkley, as well as a manager such as Roberto Martinez can be frustrating and we saw an example last season when Man Utd played Everton. Lukaku & his teammate Ashley Williams were frustrated and got into it. The level of talent which played with at Everton makes his goal-scoring record that more impressive.</p>
<p>Playing with the likes of Martial, Rashford (he’s turning 20 this year, calm down about letting him lead the line), Mkhitaryan, Mata and Paul Pogba will make a huge difference.</p>
<p>There are aspects of his game which leave you in awe and show you why Jose Mourinho decided to make Lukaku his striker. At 6'3 225 lbs, with the pace he has, Lukaku could possibly be a safety/linebacker in the NFL. He possesses incredible pace, power and strength. 1 v 1 Lukaku is a nightmare, he knows where the goal is and he will get you goals.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/437/1*WBQ-M4hKADhPHsxWDaGY4A.jpeg" width="437" height="638" loading="lazy" />
<p>Lukaku has done well for Everton but it’s time for him to show he’s not a big fish in a little pond.</p>
<p>Lukaku loves football and in his own words he “…lives, breathes and eats football 24/7.” He also stated that “I love watching football. I love studying other players. I love to work hard and improve myself. If you have that inside of you, the rest comes naturally and it becomes easy to learn something different.” Which impressed Thierry Henry immensely, saying it is
“very refreshing to hear how bright he is.”</p>
<p>Insight into Lukaku’s mind. A brilliant interview.</p>
<p><strong>Conclusion</strong></p>
<p>At 24 years old with bags of potential, the sky is the limit for Lukaku. He has scored some brilliant goals, we know he can handle it in the Premier League and he has quite a few areas on his game which he needs to improve.</p>
<p>With a manager as demanding as Jose Mourinho, Lukaku will be constantly reminded that a lot is expected out of him. It is going to be interesting to see how Man Utd lineup with Lukaku in the side, as mentioned Lukaku’s hold up play and struggles in interplay are noticeable.</p>
<p>In a league where there are clubs who will easily sit back and counter, teams have effectively rendered Lukaku’s useless and he is often nullified. He needs to add more dynamism to his game in additon to the goals.</p>
<p>Confidence is key for any footballer and having your close friend who so happens to be French superstar Paul Pogba is an added bonus.</p>
<p></p>
<p>With Lukaku joining Man Utd should look to bring in a new DM (the likes of N’Zonzi or Fabinho), a 10 (James but doing business with Real Madrid is a disaster) and a winger.</p>
<p>Another facet of this deal, it works well for all parties involved. Everton have taken the transfer market by storm, adding a host of players and now Wayne Rooney is rumored to be coming back home.</p>
<p>Rooney is a legend in the blue part of Mereyside, a return home will subside the blow of losing Lukaku.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/620/1*W6kkeMAMiUyVdvU9PDYR-g.jpeg" width="620" height="413" loading="lazy" />
<p>Time will tell if this move will pan out for Man Utd and Lukaku however it’s time to celebrate. We can all put down the agendas and hope Lukaku does well for Man Utd, he knows he wants to be great and at a club at Man Utd this is an opportunity of a lifetime. He’s on the big stage at the biggest football club in England, arguably the world and it is his time to shine.</p>
</section>
|
It’s Time To Prove Yourself Romelu
Goal-scoring? Check. Physique? Check. Age? Check. Potential? Check.
Reunited, Lukaku with Jose Mourinho.
Let’s get this clear Romelu Lukaku was not my ideal choice for a striker. His first touch, his passing and his struggles in interplay bother me. I wanted Mauro Icardi to join however football is not football manager.
Instead (after calling him tropical Danny Welbeck and watching more of his game) I wanted Alvaro Morata to join but Man Utd and Real Madrid are both trying to dominate each other.
Out of nowhere, Chelsea’s number 1 target Romelu Lukaku is who Jose Mourinho has put his faith in and with the (limited) amount of available of strikers, it was always going to be a gamble with the options available.
Whether it is Morata, who still has to tap into his potential, Belotti who is coming into his own or Lukaku, who is a rising star; Man Utd could have spent money on whoever but it was going to be a roll of the dice.
With all of that said Romelu Lukaku, on paper has everything you would want in a young striker, he has the size and every stereotypical attribute , powerful, pacy, good in the air.
Let’s not forget his technique; naturally left footed but adept with his right and his dribbling is not shabby at all. Lukaku burst onto the scene as a 16 year old for Anderlecht and you would think he is coming into a finished product but at 24 years old, people have to remember Lukaku is still learning and still improving the tools in his arsenal.
Lukaku’s solo effort vs Chelsea
At 24 years old he has a very solid goal-scoring record. In his four years at Everton, Lukaku has scored 87 goals in 154 appearances; scoring 25 goals in the league in 2016/2017, the most any Everton player has had in the league. He is one of only five players to score 50 Premier League goals before his 23rd birthday and the first foreign player to score 80 before his 24th birthday.
Not everything is rosy when it comes to Lukaku there quite a few negative aspects to his game, which need improvements:
Big games/ Mentality- Lukaku has a knack for going AWOL in big matches (This part of his game is slowly improving). In the six years he has played in the Premier League, Lukaku has played against Man Utd, Chelsea, Tottenham, Man City, Liverpool and Arsenal 57 times scoring 15 goals, however stats only tell some of the story. He was playing with West Brom and Everton, clubs who are known as midtable.
Playing for a club such as Man Utd, showing out in big matches is where you make your name. Lukaku knows this, in a interview with football legend and Belgium’s assistant manager Thierry Henry, Lukaku says “I need to create goals myself.” Adding, “if I can add match winning performances in the big games and create goals out of nowhere and do that from match day one until the last game of the season, then I can be happy about myself.”
First touch- Just watch this.
Big man, at your age, abeg fix this.
Hold up play- For someone with his size, you would think Lukaku has this part of his game locked down but it’s simply not good enough. Lukaku wants to be that 9. A striker having a great first touch, good hold up play, knowing when to pass & how to move to create space clearly is an art. It’s also something which Lukaku needs to add to his arsenal. A lot of teams sit back and do not give Man Utd space, this is something Lukaku is going to learn very quickly. A perfect example of a striker who does this and knows how to create space for himself and his teammate through holdup play, see Karim Benzema.
Movement/ Workrate- In today’s modern game, your striker has to be adept at moving off the ball and working his socks off. It disrupts the defense and they simply cannot sit back, not knowing where you’ll be. If you need an example of this, Edinson Cavani aka El Matador. No striker moves as well as Cavani does off of the ball. He is everywhere and always finding pockets of space to create for himself or his teammates. This is another element of Lukaku’s game which needs to improve, he often times sits with the defender which makes it easy to defend him.
BUT it is not all bad.
We know his story, boy wonder at Anderlecht, making his debut at 16. He then joined Chelsea in 2011, went on loan to West Brom in 2012, went on loan to Everton in 2013 and permanently joined Everton in 2014. In the years since, Lukaku’s goal tally has improved.
Romelu Lukaku is a phenomenal player and it could be said that he has done all that he can do playing for Everton. For a player who has publicly stated that he wants to play in the Champions League, no offense to Everton, he needs to play at a club of higher quality and challenge himself at the next level.
Playing with players such as Cleverly, Deulofeu, Mirallas, and Ross Barkley, as well as a manager such as Roberto Martinez can be frustrating and we saw an example last season when Man Utd played Everton. Lukaku & his teammate Ashley Williams were frustrated and got into it. The level of talent which played with at Everton makes his goal-scoring record that more impressive.
Playing with the likes of Martial, Rashford (he’s turning 20 this year, calm down about letting him lead the line), Mkhitaryan, Mata and Paul Pogba will make a huge difference.
There are aspects of his game which leave you in awe and show you why Jose Mourinho decided to make Lukaku his striker. At 6'3 225 lbs, with the pace he has, Lukaku could possibly be a safety/linebacker in the NFL. He possesses incredible pace, power and strength. 1 v 1 Lukaku is a nightmare, he knows where the goal is and he will get you goals.
Lukaku has done well for Everton but it’s time for him to show he’s not a big fish in a little pond.
Lukaku loves football and in his own words he “…lives, breathes and eats football 24/7.” He also stated that “I love watching football. I love studying other players. I love to work hard and improve myself. If you have that inside of you, the rest comes naturally and it becomes easy to learn something different.” Which impressed Thierry Henry immensely, saying it is
“very refreshing to hear how bright he is.”
Insight into Lukaku’s mind. A brilliant interview.
Conclusion
At 24 years old with bags of potential, the sky is the limit for Lukaku. He has scored some brilliant goals, we know he can handle it in the Premier League and he has quite a few areas on his game which he needs to improve.
With a manager as demanding as Jose Mourinho, Lukaku will be constantly reminded that a lot is expected out of him. It is going to be interesting to see how Man Utd lineup with Lukaku in the side, as mentioned Lukaku’s hold up play and struggles in interplay are noticeable.
In a league where there are clubs who will easily sit back and counter, teams have effectively rendered Lukaku’s useless and he is often nullified. He needs to add more dynamism to his game in additon to the goals.
Confidence is key for any footballer and having your close friend who so happens to be French superstar Paul Pogba is an added bonus.
With Lukaku joining Man Utd should look to bring in a new DM (the likes of N’Zonzi or Fabinho), a 10 (James but doing business with Real Madrid is a disaster) and a winger.
Another facet of this deal, it works well for all parties involved. Everton have taken the transfer market by storm, adding a host of players and now Wayne Rooney is rumored to be coming back home.
Rooney is a legend in the blue part of Mereyside, a return home will subside the blow of losing Lukaku.
Time will tell if this move will pan out for Man Utd and Lukaku however it’s time to celebrate. We can all put down the agendas and hope Lukaku does well for Man Utd, he knows he wants to be great and at a club at Man Utd this is an opportunity of a lifetime. He’s on the big stage at the biggest football club in England, arguably the world and it is his time to shine.
|
07d27543-67d7-5432-918e-88386f6bd0f9
|
25/08/2025 15:58:53
|
|
https://marcoraye.medium.com/hustle-demo-peer-to-peer-texting-in-the-real-world-8bfce39155ea
|
medium.com
|
Hustle Demo: Peer-to-Peer Texting In the Real World
|
Let’s talk peer-to-peer texting. What’s it look like? What’s it feel like to recipients? Does it really work? We get these questions a lot…
|
Marco Raye
|
https://medium.com/@marcoraye
|
8bfce39155ea
|
https://miro.medium.com/max/2000/0*UFMkGLybqjyVDRbz
|
2 min
|
2020-12-17T17:00:54.913000
|
2020-12-17T18:21:23.744000
|
2022-05-27T16:19:11.868000
| 0
| 50
|
en
|
Peer To Peer Texting,P2p,Texting
|
<section>
<p>Let’s talk peer-to-peer texting. What’s it look like? What’s it feel like to recipients? Does it really work? We get these questions a lot, and we invite them into our discussions because it allows us to demystify our technology by showcasing real examples from the real world. Peer-to-peer texting works because it bridges uniquely problematic gaps in connectivity with audiences and support bases many organizations depend on to survive. Today, instead of telling you about how useful peer-to-peer texting is when it comes to resonating with audiences and mobilizing action, we will show you.</p>
<h1><strong>Peer-to-Peer In The Real World</strong></h1>
<p><strong>Example #1: Q4 Fundraising Push</strong></p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1600/0*UFMkGLybqjyVDRbz" width="1600" height="568" loading="lazy" />
<p><strong>Campaign Summary:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>122 first-time monthly donor</li>
<li>539 one-time donors contributed</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Example #2: Annual Event Promotion</strong></p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1584/0*HoI2NnXCszNA_Djh" width="1584" height="540" loading="lazy" />
<p><strong>Campaign Summary:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>2500 invite sent</li>
<li>26% engagement rate</li>
<li>12% action rate</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Campaign Example #3: #GivingTuesday</strong></p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1600/0*RF_yvzI0-LIVmnhB" width="1600" height="438" loading="lazy" />
<p><strong>Campaign Summary:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>200+ contributions received via Hustle</li>
</ul>
<h2><strong>Customize Your Audience Engagement with Hustle</strong></h2>
<p>Hustle is the trusted leader in peer-to-peer text messaging. We empower nonprofits, labor unions, educational institutions, and progressive political organizations spread across the country to reprioritize member engagement and organize action through personalized texts sent from real people. As you saw in the above examples, thoughtful messages sent from real people resonate with audiences and allow them to respond, donate, question, or RSVP at the press of a button from their own personal device. Offering proactive information about upcoming events, membership status, or important deadlines helps you strengthen your credibility in the eyes of those you depend on for support as we proceed into the future.</p>
<p>Hustle is here to remove obstacles impacting your organization’s connectivity with its audience. Let’s <strong><a href="https://www</strong>.hustle.com/request-a-demo">start a conversation</a> today!</p>
</section>
|
Hustle Demo: Peer-to-Peer Texting In the Real World
Let’s talk peer-to-peer texting. What’s it look like? What’s it feel like to recipients? Does it really work? We get these questions a lot, and we invite them into our discussions because it allows us to demystify our technology by showcasing real examples from the real world. Peer-to-peer texting works because it bridges uniquely problematic gaps in connectivity with audiences and support bases many organizations depend on to survive. Today, instead of telling you about how useful peer-to-peer texting is when it comes to resonating with audiences and mobilizing action, we will show you.
Peer-to-Peer In The Real World
Example #1: Q4 Fundraising Push
Campaign Summary:
122 first-time monthly donor
539 one-time donors contributed
Example #2: Annual Event Promotion
Campaign Summary:
2500 invite sent
26% engagement rate
12% action rate
Campaign Example #3: #GivingTuesday
Campaign Summary:
200+ contributions received via Hustle
Customize Your Audience Engagement with Hustle
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2485da04-2ecd-5c09-8d4b-bfe9c27e625a
|
25/08/2025 15:58:53
|
https://medium.com/furniture-office/review-suspended-desk-pencil-box-file-pedestal-by-mayline-office-furniture-54924b6f1f67
|
medium.com
|
Review Suspended Desk Pencil/Box/File Pedestal by Mayline Office Furniture
| null |
Michelle Wisdom
|
https://medium.com/@michellewisdom
|
54924b6f1f67
| null |
1 min
|
2018-09-07T15:00:43.880000
|
2018-06-23T12:53:13
|
2018-09-07T15:30:25.033000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Furniture,Mayline Office Furniture,Office Furniture
|
<section>
<p><strong>Review Suspended Desk Pencil/Box/File Pedestal by Mayline Office Furniture</strong>
Buy Link: <a href="http://03.edhoyz.co/go/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5qZG9xb2N5LmNvbS9jbGljay03MTg4MTkzLTEyNDUxMjQyP3VybD1odHRwJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3Lm9mZmljZWZ1cm5pdHVyZTJnby5jb20lMkZwcm9kdWN0JTJGTFpBMDc1JTJGU3VzcGVuZGVkLURlc2stUGVuY2lsJTI4JTI5Qm94JTI4JTI5RmlsZS1QZWRlc3RhbC1ieS1NYXlsaW5lLU9mZmljZS1GdXJuaXR1cmUuYXNweCUzRmNhdCUzRDEwMUEyN0EwNi1MWkEwNzU=">CLICK HERE</a></p>
<h3>Suspended Desk Pencil/Box/File Pedestal by Mayline Office Furniture Product Description:</h3>
<p><strong>Suspended Desk Pencil/Box/File Pedestal by Mayline Office Furniture</strong>. Simple, elegant and functional, the all-laminate Aberdeen Series offers an extensive range of products designed to complement today's executive environments. The Aberdeen Series pedestal file for desk has an integrated cable management at top and bottom. Tops are unfinished and this product must be attached to the underside of a surface. Features a dual purpose pencil drawer that can store a laptop and has locks that are keyed alike and are removable. Also includes curved metal pulls with a brushed nickel finish and the drawers can hold letter or legal size hanging folders. Ships fully assembled. Price: 337.00 USD.
The <em>Suspended Desk Pencil/Box/File Pedestal by Mayline Office Furniture</em> is certainly that and will be a great buy. For this price, the Suspended Desk Pencil/Box/File Pedestal by Mayline Office Furniture is highly recommended and is a popular choice with lots of people.
<a href="http://03.edhoyz.co/go/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5qZG9xb2N5LmNvbS9jbGljay03MTg4MTkzLTEyNDUxMjQyP3VybD1odHRwJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3Lm9mZmljZWZ1cm5pdHVyZTJnby5jb20lMkZwcm9kdWN0JTJGTFpBMDc1JTJGU3VzcGVuZGVkLURlc2stUGVuY2lsJTI4JTI5Qm94JTI4JTI5RmlsZS1QZWRlc3RhbC1ieS1NYXlsaW5lLU9mZmljZS1GdXJuaXR1cmUuYXNweCUzRmNhdCUzRDEwMUEyN0EwNi1MWkEwNzU=">Buy it Now</a></p>
<p><a href="http://03.edhoyz.co/cheap-suspended-desk-pencil-box-file-pedestal-by-mayline-office-furniture">Cheap Suspended Desk Pencil/Box/File Pedestal by Mayline Office Furniture</a> is a post from: <a href="http://03.edhoyz.co">Office Experts</a></p>
</section>
|
Review Suspended Desk Pencil/Box/File Pedestal by Mayline Office Furniture
Review Suspended Desk Pencil/Box/File Pedestal by Mayline Office Furniture
Buy Link: CLICK HERE
Suspended Desk Pencil/Box/File Pedestal by Mayline Office Furniture Product Description:
Suspended Desk Pencil/Box/File Pedestal by Mayline Office Furniture. Simple, elegant and functional, the all-laminate Aberdeen Series offers an extensive range of products designed to complement today's executive environments. The Aberdeen Series pedestal file for desk has an integrated cable management at top and bottom. Tops are unfinished and this product must be attached to the underside of a surface. Features a dual purpose pencil drawer that can store a laptop and has locks that are keyed alike and are removable. Also includes curved metal pulls with a brushed nickel finish and the drawers can hold letter or legal size hanging folders. Ships fully assembled. Price: 337.00 USD.
The Suspended Desk Pencil/Box/File Pedestal by Mayline Office Furniture is certainly that and will be a great buy. For this price, the Suspended Desk Pencil/Box/File Pedestal by Mayline Office Furniture is highly recommended and is a popular choice with lots of people.
Buy it Now
Cheap Suspended Desk Pencil/Box/File Pedestal by Mayline Office Furniture is a post from: Office Experts
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79bc0f8d-b363-5cda-b338-06980d91bbfe
|
25/08/2025 15:58:55
|
https://medium.com/@dannysdunn95/psychology-science-and-error-1-3-42108304af04
|
medium.com
|
Psychology, Science, and Error (1/4)
|
I’m a psychology graduate student. I got my bachelor’s degree in psychology, and after I get my masters of psychological sciences, I’m…
|
Danny H Dunn
|
https://medium.com/@dannysdunn95
|
42108304af04
| null |
11 min
|
2022-01-13T21:53:07.292000
|
2022-01-13T21:56:16.481000
|
2022-01-20T03:02:58.212000
| 0
| 1
|
en
|
Science,Philosophy,Psychology,Error,Philosophy Of Science
|
<section>
<p>I’m a psychology graduate student. I got my bachelor’s degree in psychology, and after I get my masters of psychological sciences, I’m seeking my Ph.D. in psychology to boot. Clearly I place some value on the scientific institution of psychology and the systematic study of the human mind, brain, and behavior. But, I’m also more than ready to recognize some of the shittier aspects of psychology, both historically and into the modern day.</p>
<p>Psychology is a science, which means it’s a fumbling, meandering, faulty path in the general direction of truth. The scientific method is the best tool we’ve got for understanding the world around us but unfortunately science has to be done by humans, and humans, as it turns out, suck. We are incurably biased and we seep those biases into everything we do, including science.</p>
<p>So I want to talk about science, about psychology, pathologization and the problems inherent within it. This is a big subject, and I want to give it due diligence. As such it will be a series of essays, each one building on the others.</p>
<p>First I want to cover an overview of science, what it is, how it works, and how it’s a sort of “imperfect but the best system we’ve got” situation. That’s the topic of this essay.</p>
<p>Most of you are probably familiar with science and wonder why the hell you need to read a ten page essay on it but worry not, we’re gonna be going a bit farther than your average science lesson and into the philosophy of science, epistemology, and the sources of error and bias implicit in the scientific process.</p>
<p>In the next essay, I’m going to focus on specifically psychology as a science and the process of pathologization, how we decide what is and isn’t a mental disorder, and some deeper info on how these disorders vary in their classification.</p>
<p>For the third part, I will focus on how that process of pathologization as we currently do it, necessarily leads to deficit focused research as well as myopic or ineffective treatment practices. This will be the meat of this essay sandwich. It’s the big main critique.</p>
<p>Last but not least, I’m planning to end on a high note, because these flaws are not inherent in or necessary to the study and practice of psychology as a whole, and we’re already starting to move in a more promising direction. This last essay will be outlining the specifics of what I think that direction should be, and ways we (as scientists and non-scientists alike) can encourage that growth.</p>
<p>Part 1: What Is, and Is Not Science?</p>
<p>Science is not a subject, as it’s sometimes treated (like in the ubiquitous acronym STEM), but a process. It can be applied to any subject matter so long as that subject matter can be objectively measured and to some degree controlled and manipulated. This is easiest in a subject like physics, where an object has a certain weight, and we can enact a certain amount of force on it, and measure how far it moves under different conditions. Even in ancient times, claims of physics were testable, objective, and variables could be manipulated with relative ease. This made it the quintessential science, the oldest of the scientific disciplines, and the blueprint for subsequent fields like chemistry, biology, and, eventually, psychology.</p>
<p>The further I get in my education the more obvious it becomes that science is not infallible, a single peer reviewed paper doesn’t mean a claim is true, and every single scientific experiment has error and bias in it. This is, of course, not what most people expect. Lay people don’t interact much with the primary source material of science, and even those that do often run the risk of reading one peer reviewed source on a subject and calling it a day. As a society we’ve never really internalized the fact that skepticism and trying to disprove our own theories are the core fundamental principles of what separates science from speculation.</p>
<p>One of the first papers assigned in my graduate course of study was Conjectures and Refutations by Karl Popper. For anyone who isn’t an enthusiast of the philosophy of science, Karl Popper basically argued that science can be separated from pseudoscience because science will provide a claim that may be disproven, and then test that claim in an experiment whose results can reasonably refute the claim if it is not true.</p>
<p>So astrology is pseudoscience because its predictions are usually not refutable. The signs all have traits that are fundamentally human. We all act differently in different situations, not just geminis. We are all passionate and independent to varying degrees, not just scorpios. Essentially every person will embody some degree of what is expected of them by astrology, and thus the claims are not reasonably refutable when put to the test. They’re designed to always be interpretable as true in some way, to some extent. Similarly the horoscopes are vague, built to fit any scenario or bent to confirm any outcome. It’s pseudoscience because it doesn’t let itself face the possibility of failure, of being wrong.</p>
<p>In science we do our level best to put our theories to a fair and objective test. We hope that we are right, but also that if we are wrong, it will be tested, disproved, and we can move on to a new claim. To this end, we seek objectivity. There are no disputes as to how big a hydrogen atom is, or what the gravitational constant is on earth. There might be some levels of nuance, as a hydrogen without an electron is likely a different size than with one or even two electrons. The gravitational constant is similarly likely to be subtly different, just infinitesimally altered based on if someone is on mount Everest or at sea level. But for each given case, there is a given agreed upon answer. Even before we knew about atoms or gravitational constants, there was still an objective answer to be found.</p>
<p>Part 2: Error</p>
<p>All this doesn’t mean that every question has an immutable answer, or that science always gives us those accurate answers when we search for them.</p>
<p>In psychology we face the problem of “operational definitions”. It’s the way we measure things like “happiness” or “socio-economic status” that don’t have an objective numeric value to them. We can still measure and correlate those variables, we just have to decide what is the best, most objective way for us to define them.</p>
<p>This might involve asking someone more subjective questions like “in the last few weeks, how happy have you been on a scale of 1 — not at all, to 7 — always and completely?”, and less subjective ones like “what was your annual income for the year 2021?”. We might also measure happiness by having someone walk around with an app, recording every time they feel happy and to what extent. We might have someone who spends a lot of time around our participant counting how many times they smile per day.</p>
<p>The point is that operational definitions aren’t like weight, or length, or temperature. They are a somewhat arbitrary process of doing the best we can to measure the unmeasurable.</p>
<p>Does that mean that psychology as a science is all bullshit and should be thrown out as useless?</p>
<p>No. Of course not.</p>
<p>Does that mean that psychology as a science is potentially more susceptible to human error than other forms of science?</p>
<p>Yea. Unfortunately.</p>
<p>The steps of the scientific method are pretty well known, but the ways each and every step lets in error, bias, and human mistakes, are not as widely recognized. This bit applies to psychology as much as biology or physics. So let’s go through step by step, following up each one with its potential for error.</p>
<p>Ask a question.</p>
<p>Nothing about this step is objective. This is purely the area of a human being having human curiosity. We can ask the question “why is the sky blue?” and that’s totally benign. But we can, and historically scientists have asked questions like “why are women inferior to men?” which obviously makes some harmful assumptions and is going to draw some harmful conclusions no matter what data it is drawing from.</p>
<p>This reveals what topics we believe are important, what questions are worth asking, worth answering, and what is already known or assumed about the world. What we don’t ask is just telling as what we do ask. For this series of essays it’s especially potent that researchers are, for example, asking so frequently “what makes someone autistic?” and not “how can we improve quality of life for autistic people?”.</p>
<p>2. Create a hypothesis.</p>
<p>This step at least has some rules or criteria to it. A hypothesis must be a measurably testable claim (a disprovable claim). So when we ask the question “why is the sky blue?” we might make the (incorrect) hypothesis that the blue color of the sky is caused by particles with blue pigmentation being common in the upper atmosphere. This can be tested by taking some samples of the upper atmosphere and checking for blue pigmented particles. At the same time we might test this with a consequence of that hypothesis, because at the horizon, we would be looking at the sun’s light through a greater volume of atmosphere, and as such, if our hypothesis was true, the blue color of the sky would be most intense at the horizon. What we actually see is the opposite with the blue of the sky fading to a white-ish color near the horizon. Hypothesis testable, and disprovable.</p>
<p>This can go wrong, however, because there are different levels of disprovability. Someone may phrase their hypothesis in a way that makes it harder, but not impossible, to get a false result. Like instead of “Socio-economic status and happiness are positively correlated” someone might phrase it “populations living in poverty will have significantly lower happiness than those living above the poverty line”. These are different claims but someone might use the latter to claim the former. We do try to be precise and objective in this step, but again, we’re human which means we make mistakes and are prone to self serving biases.</p>
<p>3. Design an experiment to test the hypothesis.</p>
<p>Again, that blue sky hypothesis could be tested two different ways. It’s even possible that there are some blue pigmented particles in the sample taken from the upper atmosphere. This might provide support to an incorrect hypothesis, which does happen. When we design an experiment we try to reduce this risk in two ways. We use as many safeguards as possible, and we wait for a preponderance of evidence before accepting a theory rather than relying on a single study.</p>
<p>In the blue sky example we might take lots of different samples from different areas of the atmosphere. We might use spectrometry to check for pigmentation, as well as chemical processes to check for known blue pigmented compounds.</p>
<p>In psychology this is where random sampling, randomizing conditions, and double blind procedures are our golden standard. Very few studies have the funding to reach that standard, however. Most of the time we muddle through by recruiting undergraduates that are required to participate in research and having other undergrads work as research assistants to run said participants through procedures. In experiments with multiple conditions, they often do this without being informed which condition is which, a form of double blind design. However, as someone who was a research assistant for a while, it’s really not hard to figure out things like condition A is the one where they always take longer to finish so it’s probably the one where they have to watch an extra video. But, the experimenter knowing the conditions produces a negligible level of error for most experiments.</p>
<p>What’s not negligible is having a sample size under 20, or sampling from specific groups with specific preconceived notions relating to the research (for example, the oft cited “sudden onset gender dysphoria” study sampled parents from ‘gender critical’ forums or websites for ‘concerned parents’ who doubt the legitimacy of their children’s trans identity. Bad sampling practice. Bad science.). Also not negligible is that this is where operational definitions come into play.</p>
<p>Someone testing an association between aggression and biological sex will get different results if they define aggression as violent crime convictions compared to defining it as acting with intent to cause emotional, social, or physical harm. Operational definitions matter, and it even matters what we label them. Using a term like “anti-social behavior” to describe a variable is different from using “self isolation” for the same variable. The connotations of words do matter, even in science, and the language we use in psychology to describe feelings, behaviors, and thoughts does systematically vary in a biased way. We’re gonna delve into that in the next essay with pathologization, so hang on to that for later.</p>
<p>4. Collect data</p>
<p>We’ve already seen how, by now, a lot of error is already baked in, but even here there is more. We know that priming can make a significant difference in a person’s behavior, self image, and cognitive processes. Priming is when someone is simply exposed to an image, idea, word, or concept in a way they are unlikely to associate with the change it makes in their behavior. When you fill out your monthly budget, you are primed to make financially responsible choices, and might be more likely to refuse a risky investment or indulgent purchase for the rest of that day.</p>
<p>This effect of priming is a serious issue because even asking someone their gender can prime gender roles and induce a stereotype threat effect. Stereotype threat is when priming someone with a negative stereotype like “women are bad at math” which is as easy as asking women to fill out a box with their gender before completing a math test, causes the target of that stereotype to feel increased anxiety about the task (and about potentially confirming a stereotype about a group they belong to) to an extent that they actually perform worse on that task. Even more interesting is if you take a double stereotyped group like Asian women, there are even more significant differences. When you prime one group of asian women with their gender (“women are bad at math”) and another group with their race (“Asians are good at math”), and another with nothing, the group primed with gender will perform poorly on a math test compared to the un-primed group, and the group primed with race will perform the best.</p>
<p>Because of this, even having a demographic questionnaire at the beginning of an experiment might prompt a difference. Furthermore if the experimenter treats participants differently on the basis of visible identities, that could also influence their performance. We try to reduce this by standardizing the experience, using scripted interactions with participants, and using computer surveys rather than in person interviews when possible. This still doesn’t preclude a systematic difference in treatment, as participants often go off script, either making small talk while waiting for the experiment to begin or asking questions there isn’t a scripted response for. These are opportunities for bias to leak in, however small its effect may be.</p>
<p>5. Interpret data</p>
<p>This is the most obvious area for bias and error. You got your data now you get to decide what it means. Does the fact that your female participants performed worse on a math test mean that women are naturally less skilled at mathematics? Or was it stereotype threat? Does a parental report of previous gender conformity mean transgender teens are not really trans? Or are parents just not privy to their teenager’s inner experiences? When we interpret data we have to answer these kinds of questions. Even questions like, was our lack of statistical significance on this claim due to a small sample size or a genuine absence of an effect? Is this significant effect relevant to anyone given the small effect size? Should this claim be relevant to the way we live our lives, or shape our political policies? Does this have consequences for the way we conduct future research on this topic?</p>
<p>This is usually the part where we are best at recognizing error, however. Most researchers try to stay as close to the data as we can, and leave the rest for pop science rewrites. Some draw claims that outpace the data, some, though much more rare, fail to make claims that are strong enough given the data.</p>
<p>Part 3: Conclusion</p>
<p>That’s the scientific process. Sometimes people add extra steps or simplify by grouping some together. However we articulate it, the process is essentially the same. It’s riddled with error, with bias, with opportunities to come to incorrect conclusions. All of that is true.</p>
<p>The scientific process is still the best system we’ve got for finding the truth about the world around us. So why go into such depth talking about the flaws of this process if we don’t have anything better? Why talk about bias and error in science if the end message is to just keep doing science?</p>
<p>Well the end message is to do science carefully. It’s to take the conclusions of science with a grain of salt. It’s to understand that this fumbling and error prone process will be wrong sometimes, but that the longer we spend working on it, the better we get. Over time we weed out the errors bit by bit, and we build a more accurate picture of reality.</p>
<p>Trust science, not blindly, not without skepticism, not without question. Trust that we’re doing our best, that we’re always inching closer to the truth, but that we will make mistakes along the way.</p>
<p>The philosophy of science is important because it gives us a framework in which we can critique existing paradigms and discuss systematic errors and issues in our field. Which is what the next essay is all about. The systemic problems in psychology and the process of pathologization.</p>
</section>
|
Psychology, Science, and Error (1/4)
I’m a psychology graduate student. I got my bachelor’s degree in psychology, and after I get my masters of psychological sciences, I’m seeking my Ph.D. in psychology to boot. Clearly I place some value on the scientific institution of psychology and the systematic study of the human mind, brain, and behavior. But, I’m also more than ready to recognize some of the shittier aspects of psychology, both historically and into the modern day.
Psychology is a science, which means it’s a fumbling, meandering, faulty path in the general direction of truth. The scientific method is the best tool we’ve got for understanding the world around us but unfortunately science has to be done by humans, and humans, as it turns out, suck. We are incurably biased and we seep those biases into everything we do, including science.
So I want to talk about science, about psychology, pathologization and the problems inherent within it. This is a big subject, and I want to give it due diligence. As such it will be a series of essays, each one building on the others.
First I want to cover an overview of science, what it is, how it works, and how it’s a sort of “imperfect but the best system we’ve got” situation. That’s the topic of this essay.
Most of you are probably familiar with science and wonder why the hell you need to read a ten page essay on it but worry not, we’re gonna be going a bit farther than your average science lesson and into the philosophy of science, epistemology, and the sources of error and bias implicit in the scientific process.
In the next essay, I’m going to focus on specifically psychology as a science and the process of pathologization, how we decide what is and isn’t a mental disorder, and some deeper info on how these disorders vary in their classification.
For the third part, I will focus on how that process of pathologization as we currently do it, necessarily leads to deficit focused research as well as myopic or ineffective treatment practices. This will be the meat of this essay sandwich. It’s the big main critique.
Last but not least, I’m planning to end on a high note, because these flaws are not inherent in or necessary to the study and practice of psychology as a whole, and we’re already starting to move in a more promising direction. This last essay will be outlining the specifics of what I think that direction should be, and ways we (as scientists and non-scientists alike) can encourage that growth.
Part 1: What Is, and Is Not Science?
Science is not a subject, as it’s sometimes treated (like in the ubiquitous acronym STEM), but a process. It can be applied to any subject matter so long as that subject matter can be objectively measured and to some degree controlled and manipulated. This is easiest in a subject like physics, where an object has a certain weight, and we can enact a certain amount of force on it, and measure how far it moves under different conditions. Even in ancient times, claims of physics were testable, objective, and variables could be manipulated with relative ease. This made it the quintessential science, the oldest of the scientific disciplines, and the blueprint for subsequent fields like chemistry, biology, and, eventually, psychology.
The further I get in my education the more obvious it becomes that science is not infallible, a single peer reviewed paper doesn’t mean a claim is true, and every single scientific experiment has error and bias in it. This is, of course, not what most people expect. Lay people don’t interact much with the primary source material of science, and even those that do often run the risk of reading one peer reviewed source on a subject and calling it a day. As a society we’ve never really internalized the fact that skepticism and trying to disprove our own theories are the core fundamental principles of what separates science from speculation.
One of the first papers assigned in my graduate course of study was Conjectures and Refutations by Karl Popper. For anyone who isn’t an enthusiast of the philosophy of science, Karl Popper basically argued that science can be separated from pseudoscience because science will provide a claim that may be disproven, and then test that claim in an experiment whose results can reasonably refute the claim if it is not true.
So astrology is pseudoscience because its predictions are usually not refutable. The signs all have traits that are fundamentally human. We all act differently in different situations, not just geminis. We are all passionate and independent to varying degrees, not just scorpios. Essentially every person will embody some degree of what is expected of them by astrology, and thus the claims are not reasonably refutable when put to the test. They’re designed to always be interpretable as true in some way, to some extent. Similarly the horoscopes are vague, built to fit any scenario or bent to confirm any outcome. It’s pseudoscience because it doesn’t let itself face the possibility of failure, of being wrong.
In science we do our level best to put our theories to a fair and objective test. We hope that we are right, but also that if we are wrong, it will be tested, disproved, and we can move on to a new claim. To this end, we seek objectivity. There are no disputes as to how big a hydrogen atom is, or what the gravitational constant is on earth. There might be some levels of nuance, as a hydrogen without an electron is likely a different size than with one or even two electrons. The gravitational constant is similarly likely to be subtly different, just infinitesimally altered based on if someone is on mount Everest or at sea level. But for each given case, there is a given agreed upon answer. Even before we knew about atoms or gravitational constants, there was still an objective answer to be found.
Part 2: Error
All this doesn’t mean that every question has an immutable answer, or that science always gives us those accurate answers when we search for them.
In psychology we face the problem of “operational definitions”. It’s the way we measure things like “happiness” or “socio-economic status” that don’t have an objective numeric value to them. We can still measure and correlate those variables, we just have to decide what is the best, most objective way for us to define them.
This might involve asking someone more subjective questions like “in the last few weeks, how happy have you been on a scale of 1 — not at all, to 7 — always and completely?”, and less subjective ones like “what was your annual income for the year 2021?”. We might also measure happiness by having someone walk around with an app, recording every time they feel happy and to what extent. We might have someone who spends a lot of time around our participant counting how many times they smile per day.
The point is that operational definitions aren’t like weight, or length, or temperature. They are a somewhat arbitrary process of doing the best we can to measure the unmeasurable.
Does that mean that psychology as a science is all bullshit and should be thrown out as useless?
No. Of course not.
Does that mean that psychology as a science is potentially more susceptible to human error than other forms of science?
Yea. Unfortunately.
The steps of the scientific method are pretty well known, but the ways each and every step lets in error, bias, and human mistakes, are not as widely recognized. This bit applies to psychology as much as biology or physics. So let’s go through step by step, following up each one with its potential for error.
Ask a question.
Nothing about this step is objective. This is purely the area of a human being having human curiosity. We can ask the question “why is the sky blue?” and that’s totally benign. But we can, and historically scientists have asked questions like “why are women inferior to men?” which obviously makes some harmful assumptions and is going to draw some harmful conclusions no matter what data it is drawing from.
This reveals what topics we believe are important, what questions are worth asking, worth answering, and what is already known or assumed about the world. What we don’t ask is just telling as what we do ask. For this series of essays it’s especially potent that researchers are, for example, asking so frequently “what makes someone autistic?” and not “how can we improve quality of life for autistic people?”.
2. Create a hypothesis.
This step at least has some rules or criteria to it. A hypothesis must be a measurably testable claim (a disprovable claim). So when we ask the question “why is the sky blue?” we might make the (incorrect) hypothesis that the blue color of the sky is caused by particles with blue pigmentation being common in the upper atmosphere. This can be tested by taking some samples of the upper atmosphere and checking for blue pigmented particles. At the same time we might test this with a consequence of that hypothesis, because at the horizon, we would be looking at the sun’s light through a greater volume of atmosphere, and as such, if our hypothesis was true, the blue color of the sky would be most intense at the horizon. What we actually see is the opposite with the blue of the sky fading to a white-ish color near the horizon. Hypothesis testable, and disprovable.
This can go wrong, however, because there are different levels of disprovability. Someone may phrase their hypothesis in a way that makes it harder, but not impossible, to get a false result. Like instead of “Socio-economic status and happiness are positively correlated” someone might phrase it “populations living in poverty will have significantly lower happiness than those living above the poverty line”. These are different claims but someone might use the latter to claim the former. We do try to be precise and objective in this step, but again, we’re human which means we make mistakes and are prone to self serving biases.
3. Design an experiment to test the hypothesis.
Again, that blue sky hypothesis could be tested two different ways. It’s even possible that there are some blue pigmented particles in the sample taken from the upper atmosphere. This might provide support to an incorrect hypothesis, which does happen. When we design an experiment we try to reduce this risk in two ways. We use as many safeguards as possible, and we wait for a preponderance of evidence before accepting a theory rather than relying on a single study.
In the blue sky example we might take lots of different samples from different areas of the atmosphere. We might use spectrometry to check for pigmentation, as well as chemical processes to check for known blue pigmented compounds.
In psychology this is where random sampling, randomizing conditions, and double blind procedures are our golden standard. Very few studies have the funding to reach that standard, however. Most of the time we muddle through by recruiting undergraduates that are required to participate in research and having other undergrads work as research assistants to run said participants through procedures. In experiments with multiple conditions, they often do this without being informed which condition is which, a form of double blind design. However, as someone who was a research assistant for a while, it’s really not hard to figure out things like condition A is the one where they always take longer to finish so it’s probably the one where they have to watch an extra video. But, the experimenter knowing the conditions produces a negligible level of error for most experiments.
What’s not negligible is having a sample size under 20, or sampling from specific groups with specific preconceived notions relating to the research (for example, the oft cited “sudden onset gender dysphoria” study sampled parents from ‘gender critical’ forums or websites for ‘concerned parents’ who doubt the legitimacy of their children’s trans identity. Bad sampling practice. Bad science.). Also not negligible is that this is where operational definitions come into play.
Someone testing an association between aggression and biological sex will get different results if they define aggression as violent crime convictions compared to defining it as acting with intent to cause emotional, social, or physical harm. Operational definitions matter, and it even matters what we label them. Using a term like “anti-social behavior” to describe a variable is different from using “self isolation” for the same variable. The connotations of words do matter, even in science, and the language we use in psychology to describe feelings, behaviors, and thoughts does systematically vary in a biased way. We’re gonna delve into that in the next essay with pathologization, so hang on to that for later.
4. Collect data
We’ve already seen how, by now, a lot of error is already baked in, but even here there is more. We know that priming can make a significant difference in a person’s behavior, self image, and cognitive processes. Priming is when someone is simply exposed to an image, idea, word, or concept in a way they are unlikely to associate with the change it makes in their behavior. When you fill out your monthly budget, you are primed to make financially responsible choices, and might be more likely to refuse a risky investment or indulgent purchase for the rest of that day.
This effect of priming is a serious issue because even asking someone their gender can prime gender roles and induce a stereotype threat effect. Stereotype threat is when priming someone with a negative stereotype like “women are bad at math” which is as easy as asking women to fill out a box with their gender before completing a math test, causes the target of that stereotype to feel increased anxiety about the task (and about potentially confirming a stereotype about a group they belong to) to an extent that they actually perform worse on that task. Even more interesting is if you take a double stereotyped group like Asian women, there are even more significant differences. When you prime one group of asian women with their gender (“women are bad at math”) and another group with their race (“Asians are good at math”), and another with nothing, the group primed with gender will perform poorly on a math test compared to the un-primed group, and the group primed with race will perform the best.
Because of this, even having a demographic questionnaire at the beginning of an experiment might prompt a difference. Furthermore if the experimenter treats participants differently on the basis of visible identities, that could also influence their performance. We try to reduce this by standardizing the experience, using scripted interactions with participants, and using computer surveys rather than in person interviews when possible. This still doesn’t preclude a systematic difference in treatment, as participants often go off script, either making small talk while waiting for the experiment to begin or asking questions there isn’t a scripted response for. These are opportunities for bias to leak in, however small its effect may be.
5. Interpret data
This is the most obvious area for bias and error. You got your data now you get to decide what it means. Does the fact that your female participants performed worse on a math test mean that women are naturally less skilled at mathematics? Or was it stereotype threat? Does a parental report of previous gender conformity mean transgender teens are not really trans? Or are parents just not privy to their teenager’s inner experiences? When we interpret data we have to answer these kinds of questions. Even questions like, was our lack of statistical significance on this claim due to a small sample size or a genuine absence of an effect? Is this significant effect relevant to anyone given the small effect size? Should this claim be relevant to the way we live our lives, or shape our political policies? Does this have consequences for the way we conduct future research on this topic?
This is usually the part where we are best at recognizing error, however. Most researchers try to stay as close to the data as we can, and leave the rest for pop science rewrites. Some draw claims that outpace the data, some, though much more rare, fail to make claims that are strong enough given the data.
Part 3: Conclusion
That’s the scientific process. Sometimes people add extra steps or simplify by grouping some together. However we articulate it, the process is essentially the same. It’s riddled with error, with bias, with opportunities to come to incorrect conclusions. All of that is true.
The scientific process is still the best system we’ve got for finding the truth about the world around us. So why go into such depth talking about the flaws of this process if we don’t have anything better? Why talk about bias and error in science if the end message is to just keep doing science?
Well the end message is to do science carefully. It’s to take the conclusions of science with a grain of salt. It’s to understand that this fumbling and error prone process will be wrong sometimes, but that the longer we spend working on it, the better we get. Over time we weed out the errors bit by bit, and we build a more accurate picture of reality.
Trust science, not blindly, not without skepticism, not without question. Trust that we’re doing our best, that we’re always inching closer to the truth, but that we will make mistakes along the way.
The philosophy of science is important because it gives us a framework in which we can critique existing paradigms and discuss systematic errors and issues in our field. Which is what the next essay is all about. The systemic problems in psychology and the process of pathologization.
|
b1c14609-a308-572a-86de-fd2c207bd361
|
25/08/2025 15:58:56
|
https://medium.com/@aleb/text-to-audio-converter-unlock-new-possibilities-for-audio-content-3f2b2f4212df
|
medium.com
|
Text To Audio Converter: Unlock New Possibilities For Audio Content
| null |
TheStartupFounder.com
|
https://medium.com/@aleb
|
3f2b2f4212df
|
3 min
|
2024-04-23T14:22:50.456000
|
2024-04-23T14:23:16.720000
|
2024-11-28T06:52:14.487000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Best Text To Speech,Book Reader,Document To Speech,Free Text To Speech,Getwoord
|
<section>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1200/0*OZWCWImEPb9BzP7I.jpg" width="1200" height="675" loading="lazy" />
<p>The way that audio-based material is consumed in the modern digital environment is changing significantly. Immersion audio experiences are becoming more and more popular as smartphones, smart speakers, and audio streaming services proliferate. This trend is a reflection of customers’ increasing need for easily available, interesting material that they can enjoy while on the go. As the market for audio material expands, a text to audio converter is crucial for meeting the various needs of users and content producers.</p>
<h3>Understanding the Evolution of Audio Content</h3>
<p>A number of variables, such as advancements in technology, modifications in consumer behavior, and the emergence of digital platforms, have contributed to the growth of audio content. Audio material has become a potent medium for narrative, communication, and entertainment as old forms of media give way to digital alternatives. The options for audio-based material are virtually limitless, ranging from soundscapes and audiobooks to podcasts and audio articles.</p>
<h3>Exploring the Role of a <a href="https://www.getwoord.com/">Text To Audio Converter</a></h3>
<p>The <a href="https://www.getwoord.com/">text to audio converter</a>, a cutting-edge device that converts written text into spoken audio, is at the center of this audio revolution. These converters are essential to the democratization of content access and the expansion of creators’ audience reach via audio platforms. Text to audio converters create new opportunities for the production and consumption of audio information by bridging the gap between written and spoken communication.</p>
<p>A <a href="https://www.getwoord.com/">text to audio converter</a> is a program or web resource that translates written text into spoken audio by using text-to-speech technology. These converters examine the text’s structure and content using sophisticated algorithms and natural language processing techniques, then produce realistic voice patterns and intonations. The end effect is an immersive, genuine sound experience that sounds a lot like conversation.</p>
<h1><strong><a href="</strong>https://www.getwoord.com/">Get Woord</a></h1>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/365/0*_ssVWVDp1OWHqvU8.png" width="365" height="118" loading="lazy" />
<p>With <a href="https://www.getwoord.com/">Woord</a>, you can give your apps more lifelike voice capabilities and dynamic components. To help people who have trouble reading, you can, for instance, build educational materials and online courses that make use of <a href="https://www.getwoord.com/">Woord’s</a> Text-to-Speech (TTS) capability. It can be used to make it easier for blind and visually impaired people to consume digital content (news, e-books, etc.). This technology is used by industrial control systems, public transportation, and notification and emergency alarm systems.</p>
<p>Numerous gadgets, such as Internet of Things sensors, tablets, smartphones, set-top boxes, and smart watches, can now output audio because of this initiative. Word can be used to voice interactive voice response systems in communication solutions. Text-to-speech cloud services can be utilized for tests, animations, story development, and avatar creation.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1024/0*ewd_f4g5-PcRAODA.png" width="1024" height="443" loading="lazy" />
<p>If a <a href="https://www.getwoord.com/">Woord</a> user’s subscription is active, they can keep track of any unused audios from month to month. This function is known as accumulated audio. Users with Starter Subscriptions can carry over their unused five audios to the following month if they only listen to five of the ten audios they receive each month. This implies that during the second month, the customer will have access to fifteen audios altogether. Customers who choose this option will be able to maximize the benefits of their membership. Customers have more convenience and flexibility because they can store any unwanted recordings for later use.</p>
<p>Related Post: <a href="https://www.thestartupfounder.com/text-to-audio-converter-usage-cases/">Text To Audio Converter: Usage Cases</a></p>
</section>
|
Text To Audio Converter: Unlock New Possibilities For Audio Content
The way that audio-based material is consumed in the modern digital environment is changing significantly. Immersion audio experiences are becoming more and more popular as smartphones, smart speakers, and audio streaming services proliferate. This trend is a reflection of customers’ increasing need for easily available, interesting material that they can enjoy while on the go. As the market for audio material expands, a text to audio converter is crucial for meeting the various needs of users and content producers.
Understanding the Evolution of Audio Content
A number of variables, such as advancements in technology, modifications in consumer behavior, and the emergence of digital platforms, have contributed to the growth of audio content. Audio material has become a potent medium for narrative, communication, and entertainment as old forms of media give way to digital alternatives. The options for audio-based material are virtually limitless, ranging from soundscapes and audiobooks to podcasts and audio articles.
Exploring the Role of a Text To Audio Converter
The text to audio converter, a cutting-edge device that converts written text into spoken audio, is at the center of this audio revolution. These converters are essential to the democratization of content access and the expansion of creators’ audience reach via audio platforms. Text to audio converters create new opportunities for the production and consumption of audio information by bridging the gap between written and spoken communication.
A text to audio converter is a program or web resource that translates written text into spoken audio by using text-to-speech technology. These converters examine the text’s structure and content using sophisticated algorithms and natural language processing techniques, then produce realistic voice patterns and intonations. The end effect is an immersive, genuine sound experience that sounds a lot like conversation.
Get Woord
With Woord, you can give your apps more lifelike voice capabilities and dynamic components. To help people who have trouble reading, you can, for instance, build educational materials and online courses that make use of Woord’s Text-to-Speech (TTS) capability. It can be used to make it easier for blind and visually impaired people to consume digital content (news, e-books, etc.). This technology is used by industrial control systems, public transportation, and notification and emergency alarm systems.
Numerous gadgets, such as Internet of Things sensors, tablets, smartphones, set-top boxes, and smart watches, can now output audio because of this initiative. Word can be used to voice interactive voice response systems in communication solutions. Text-to-speech cloud services can be utilized for tests, animations, story development, and avatar creation.
If a Woord user’s subscription is active, they can keep track of any unused audios from month to month. This function is known as accumulated audio. Users with Starter Subscriptions can carry over their unused five audios to the following month if they only listen to five of the ten audios they receive each month. This implies that during the second month, the customer will have access to fifteen audios altogether. Customers who choose this option will be able to maximize the benefits of their membership. Customers have more convenience and flexibility because they can store any unwanted recordings for later use.
Related Post: Text To Audio Converter: Usage Cases
|
aa07e993-6a13-5f53-aab4-bcc30c7a0b6a
|
25/08/2025 15:58:57
|
|
https://acta-finance.medium.com/acta-finance-primed-for-unprecedented-success-with-industry-giant-dao-makers-vote-bribes-process-a8f4b1dc31f3
|
medium.com
|
Acta Finance Primed for Unprecedented Success with Industry Giant DAO Maker’s Vote Bribes Process
|
Acta Finance, the first Cross-Chain Interoperable DeFi Ecosystem powered by Avalanche & Arbitrum, is proud to announce its selection for…
|
Acta Finance
|
https://medium.com/@acta-finance
|
a8f4b1dc31f3
|
2 min
|
2023-05-05T21:01:09.925000
|
2023-05-05T22:44:03.238000
|
2023-05-06T04:15:58.245000
| 0
| 106
|
en
|
Acta,Tge,Listing,Daomakercommunity,Cryptocurrency
|
<section>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1920/1*NvzYGcn6Iv5_LaoS1A8RGA.png" width="1920" height="1080" loading="lazy" />
<p>Acta Finance, the first Cross-Chain Interoperable DeFi Ecosystem powered by Avalanche & Arbitrum, is proud to announce its selection for the prestigious DAO Maker “Vote Bribes” process. This remarkable opportunity highlights the confidence and belief that DAO Maker has in Acta Finance, while emphasizing their desire to hear from you!</p>
<p>Boasting over 1 million users and an impressive suite of technical and operational resources, DAO Maker stands as the largest on-chain launchpad in the world. Their inclusion of Acta Finance in the Vote Bribes process signifies a monumental opportunity for our innovative platform to gain traction and reach new heights.</p>
<h3>Vote Bribes: Wallets with Higher Asset Balances Receive Stronger Vote Strength</h3>
<p>We cordially invite our community and stakeholders to participate in the DAO Maker Vote Bribes process. Voting is live from 12 pm UTC on May 5th (today) until Friday, May 12th. The more assets you possess, the bigger the Airdrop opportunity & Vote. Dive into this permissionless airdrop for votes and join the pool of $10,000 worth of $ACTA rewards. Every user and token holder is encouraged to participate.</p>
<p><strong>Please note that multiple votes are not permitted.</strong> DAO Maker will monitor all votes and related wallet addresses. To qualify for the airdrop, you must have at least $500 worth of crypto value in your wallet. To maximize the chances of listing on DAO Maker, voting with wallets that hold a minimum of $500 crypto value is required to make the vote valid. Transfer as many assets as possible into the voting wallet and then cast your vote! <strong>Voting is free!</strong></p>
<h3><a href="https://zealy.io/c/actafi/questboard">Zealy Competition Update</a>: Sprint Extension & Additional $10,000 Airdrop on DAO Maker</h3>
<p>Attention Zealy competitors! The current sprint will be extended until Acta Finance lists, and as an added bonus, we have introduced a $10,000 airdrop reward pool to DAO Maker. By voting with the minimum requirement in your wallet, you can not only gain additional XP on <a href="https://zealy.io/c/actafi/questboard">Zealy</a> but also increase the reward opportunity for the DAO Maker airdrop based on the assets in your wallet. Simply vote, then complete the Zealy quest that asks you to submit a screenshot proving you voted and demonstrating a minimum wallet balance of $500:</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1280/1*4QGaK0K7i_FrfFWcpUv8gw.jpeg" width="1280" height="395" loading="lazy" />
<p>This limited-time offer presents an unparalleled opportunity for our dedicated supporters and the Acta Finance community. Don’t miss your chance to contribute to Acta Finance’s listing on DAO Maker and reap the benefits of this exclusive and highly rewarding initiative.</p>
<p><strong>For more information, please visit<a href="https://daomaker.com/company/acta</strong>-finance"> https://daomaker.com/company/acta-finance</a></p>
<p>Together, let’s champion Acta Finance’s ascent to the pinnacle of DeFi innovation!</p>
<p><strong>Acta Non Verba- Deeds Not Words</strong></p>
</section>
|
Acta Finance Primed for Unprecedented Success with Industry Giant DAO Maker’s Vote Bribes Process
Acta Finance, the first Cross-Chain Interoperable DeFi Ecosystem powered by Avalanche & Arbitrum, is proud to announce its selection for the prestigious DAO Maker “Vote Bribes” process. This remarkable opportunity highlights the confidence and belief that DAO Maker has in Acta Finance, while emphasizing their desire to hear from you!
Boasting over 1 million users and an impressive suite of technical and operational resources, DAO Maker stands as the largest on-chain launchpad in the world. Their inclusion of Acta Finance in the Vote Bribes process signifies a monumental opportunity for our innovative platform to gain traction and reach new heights.
Vote Bribes: Wallets with Higher Asset Balances Receive Stronger Vote Strength
We cordially invite our community and stakeholders to participate in the DAO Maker Vote Bribes process. Voting is live from 12 pm UTC on May 5th (today) until Friday, May 12th. The more assets you possess, the bigger the Airdrop opportunity & Vote. Dive into this permissionless airdrop for votes and join the pool of $10,000 worth of $ACTA rewards. Every user and token holder is encouraged to participate.
Please note that multiple votes are not permitted. DAO Maker will monitor all votes and related wallet addresses. To qualify for the airdrop, you must have at least $500 worth of crypto value in your wallet. To maximize the chances of listing on DAO Maker, voting with wallets that hold a minimum of $500 crypto value is required to make the vote valid. Transfer as many assets as possible into the voting wallet and then cast your vote! Voting is free!
Zealy Competition Update: Sprint Extension & Additional $10,000 Airdrop on DAO Maker
Attention Zealy competitors! The current sprint will be extended until Acta Finance lists, and as an added bonus, we have introduced a $10,000 airdrop reward pool to DAO Maker. By voting with the minimum requirement in your wallet, you can not only gain additional XP on Zealy but also increase the reward opportunity for the DAO Maker airdrop based on the assets in your wallet. Simply vote, then complete the Zealy quest that asks you to submit a screenshot proving you voted and demonstrating a minimum wallet balance of $500:
This limited-time offer presents an unparalleled opportunity for our dedicated supporters and the Acta Finance community. Don’t miss your chance to contribute to Acta Finance’s listing on DAO Maker and reap the benefits of this exclusive and highly rewarding initiative.
For more information, please visit https://daomaker.com/company/acta-finance
Together, let’s champion Acta Finance’s ascent to the pinnacle of DeFi innovation!
Acta Non Verba- Deeds Not Words
|
68cd8f6e-b6e5-5c48-b949-85d4fc8170ff
|
25/08/2025 15:58:57
|
|
https://medium.com/@sujitchaudhari1522/boosting-business-success-implementing-5-customer-support-hacks-to-drive-sales-and-growth-50b97733ea68
|
medium.com
|
Boosting Business Success: Implementing 5 Customer Support Hacks to Drive Sales and Growth
|
In today’s fiercely competitive business landscape, customer support isn’t just about resolving issues; it’s a powerful tool for driving…
|
Sujitchaudhari
|
https://medium.com/@sujitchaudhari1522
|
50b97733ea68
| null |
2 min
|
2023-10-03T05:30:22.222000
|
2023-10-03T05:31:03.732000
|
2023-10-03T05:31:11.936000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Telecalling Service
|
<section>
<p>In today’s fiercely competitive business landscape, customer support isn’t just about resolving issues; it’s a powerful tool for driving sales and fueling growth. The way you handle customer inquiries, concerns, and feedback can make or break your business. With that in mind, let’s explore five customer support hacks that can supercharge your business success and propel you ahead of the competition.</p>
<p>1. Personalization is Key</p>
<p>Customers want to feel valued and understood. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is through personalized customer support. When customers reach out, ensure that your support agents use their names and refer to past interactions or purchase history when relevant. Personalization creates a sense of connection and builds trust.</p>
<p>Moreover, invest in customer relationship management (CRM) software to keep track of customer information and preferences. This allows your team to tailor their responses and recommendations, making customers feel like they are being heard and catered to.</p>
<p>2. Omnichannel Support</p>
<p>In the digital age, customers reach out through various channels, from email and social media to chatbots and phone calls. An omnichannel support approach ensures that you are available to your customers wherever they are, whenever they need assistance. This not only enhances customer satisfaction but also leads to more sales opportunities.</p>
<p>Integrate your customer support systems to provide a seamless experience across all channels. When a customer contacts you via one channel, your agents should have access to the entire conversation history, regardless of the channel previously used. This way, you can offer consistent and efficient support across the board.</p>
<p>3. Proactive Engagement</p>
<p>Don’t wait for customers to come to you with their problems; anticipate their needs and reach out proactively. For example, if a customer frequently orders a specific product, you can send a personalized email with related product recommendations or promotions. This not only adds value to the customer but also increases your chances of making additional sales.</p>
<p>Utilize data analytics to identify patterns and trends in customer behavior. This information can help you tailor your proactive engagement strategies and send timely offers or information that aligns with your customer’s interests and buying patterns.</p>
<p>4. 24/7 Support</p>
<p>Customer support should be available around the clock, especially if you operate in a global market. Implementing 24/7 support may seem daunting, but it can significantly impact your business’s success. Consider using chatbots and automated responses during non-business hours to provide immediate assistance and collect customer inquiries for follow-up during regular hours.</p>
<p>Customers appreciate quick responses, and providing support at any time of day can lead to increased customer loyalty and repeat business. It’s also worth noting that a positive experience with 24/7 support can lead to word-of-mouth referrals and positive online reviews.</p>
<p>5. Feedback Loops</p>
<p>Closing the loop with your customers is crucial for continuous improvement. Encourage customers to provide feedback after their support interactions, whether positive or negative. Use this feedback to identify areas for improvement and implement necessary changes.</p>
<p>Positive feedback can be a powerful marketing tool. Showcase customer testimonials and success stories on your website and social media platforms to build trust with potential customers. Additionally, addressing negative feedback promptly and professionally can help you resolve issues and retain dissatisfied customers.</p>
<p>Conclusion-</p>
<p>customer support is no longer a cost center; it’s a revenue generator. By implementing these five customer support hacks, you can boost your business’s success, drive sales, and foster growth. Personalize your interactions, embrace omnichannel support, engage proactively, offer 24/7 assistance, and use feedback loops to continuously improve. With these strategies in place, you’ll not only satisfy your customers but also turn them into loyal advocates for your brand.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.reliablecommunication.co.in/boosting-business-success-implementing-5-customer-support-hacks-to-drive-sales-and-growth/">https://www.reliablecommunication.co.in/boosting-business-success-implementing-5-customer-support-hacks-to-drive-sales-and-growth/</a></p>
</section>
|
Boosting Business Success: Implementing 5 Customer Support Hacks to Drive Sales and Growth
In today’s fiercely competitive business landscape, customer support isn’t just about resolving issues; it’s a powerful tool for driving sales and fueling growth. The way you handle customer inquiries, concerns, and feedback can make or break your business. With that in mind, let’s explore five customer support hacks that can supercharge your business success and propel you ahead of the competition.
1. Personalization is Key
Customers want to feel valued and understood. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is through personalized customer support. When customers reach out, ensure that your support agents use their names and refer to past interactions or purchase history when relevant. Personalization creates a sense of connection and builds trust.
Moreover, invest in customer relationship management (CRM) software to keep track of customer information and preferences. This allows your team to tailor their responses and recommendations, making customers feel like they are being heard and catered to.
2. Omnichannel Support
In the digital age, customers reach out through various channels, from email and social media to chatbots and phone calls. An omnichannel support approach ensures that you are available to your customers wherever they are, whenever they need assistance. This not only enhances customer satisfaction but also leads to more sales opportunities.
Integrate your customer support systems to provide a seamless experience across all channels. When a customer contacts you via one channel, your agents should have access to the entire conversation history, regardless of the channel previously used. This way, you can offer consistent and efficient support across the board.
3. Proactive Engagement
Don’t wait for customers to come to you with their problems; anticipate their needs and reach out proactively. For example, if a customer frequently orders a specific product, you can send a personalized email with related product recommendations or promotions. This not only adds value to the customer but also increases your chances of making additional sales.
Utilize data analytics to identify patterns and trends in customer behavior. This information can help you tailor your proactive engagement strategies and send timely offers or information that aligns with your customer’s interests and buying patterns.
4. 24/7 Support
Customer support should be available around the clock, especially if you operate in a global market. Implementing 24/7 support may seem daunting, but it can significantly impact your business’s success. Consider using chatbots and automated responses during non-business hours to provide immediate assistance and collect customer inquiries for follow-up during regular hours.
Customers appreciate quick responses, and providing support at any time of day can lead to increased customer loyalty and repeat business. It’s also worth noting that a positive experience with 24/7 support can lead to word-of-mouth referrals and positive online reviews.
5. Feedback Loops
Closing the loop with your customers is crucial for continuous improvement. Encourage customers to provide feedback after their support interactions, whether positive or negative. Use this feedback to identify areas for improvement and implement necessary changes.
Positive feedback can be a powerful marketing tool. Showcase customer testimonials and success stories on your website and social media platforms to build trust with potential customers. Additionally, addressing negative feedback promptly and professionally can help you resolve issues and retain dissatisfied customers.
Conclusion-
customer support is no longer a cost center; it’s a revenue generator. By implementing these five customer support hacks, you can boost your business’s success, drive sales, and foster growth. Personalize your interactions, embrace omnichannel support, engage proactively, offer 24/7 assistance, and use feedback loops to continuously improve. With these strategies in place, you’ll not only satisfy your customers but also turn them into loyal advocates for your brand.
https://www.reliablecommunication.co.in/boosting-business-success-implementing-5-customer-support-hacks-to-drive-sales-and-growth/
|
01088045-e60f-5c9e-947a-b0128d69a197
|
25/08/2025 15:58:58
|
https://medium.com/@Heliosfinance/robert-walters-sees-pick-up-in-city-recruitment-http-on-ft-com-2o2u3ay-6d9597e1330a
|
medium.com
|
Robert Walters sees pick-up in City recruitment http://on.ft.com/2o2u3aY
| null |
Helios Finance
|
https://medium.com/@Heliosfinance
|
6d9597e1330a
| null |
0 min
|
2017-04-11T07:53:23.174000
|
2017-04-11T07:53:23.890000
|
2017-04-11T07:53:23.890000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Helies Finanace
|
<section>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/ftfinancenews/status/851684623436443648">Robert Walters sees pick-up in City recruitment http://on.ft.com/2o2u3aY </a>published first on <a href="http://ift.tt/2ljLF4B">http://ift.tt/2ljLF4B</a></p>
</section>
|
Robert Walters sees pick-up in City recruitment http://on.ft.com/2o2u3aY
Robert Walters sees pick-up in City recruitment http://on.ft.com/2o2u3aY published first on http://ift.tt/2ljLF4B
|
62834e34-909a-5f83-8027-653d3783d73a
|
25/08/2025 15:58:58
|
https://simonmainwaring.medium.com/purpose-at-work-how-alleyoop-disrupts-the-beauty-industry-by-empowering-women-2c2dfc2ad82b
|
medium.com
|
Purpose At Work: How Alleyoop Disrupts the Beauty Industry By Empowering Women
|
How do you gain recognition and market share in a crowded industry? Brands that look beyond product and put purpose first differentiate…
|
Simon Mainwaring
|
https://medium.com/@simonmainwaring
|
2c2dfc2ad82b
|
7 min
|
2020-08-25T23:58:43.787000
|
2020-08-25T23:59:51.788000
|
2021-12-15T17:23:41.828000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Beauty,Empowerment Of Women,Empowerment,Purpose,Csr
|
<section>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1794/1*Vvy3mXt-VPQB5RsSEZgL_w.jpeg" width="1794" height="386" loading="lazy" />
<p>How do you gain recognition and market share in a crowded industry? Brands that look beyond product and put purpose first differentiate themselves from the competition.</p>
<p>That’s certainly the case for <a href="https://meetalleyoop.com/collections/all">Alleyoop</a>. The beauty and body care brand is celebrating its one-year anniversary and has laid some impressive tracks in a short time. I had the pleasure of speaking with Leila Kashani, co-founder and CEO of Alleyoop and here’s what we discussed.</p>
<p><strong>Simon Mainwaring: </strong>How did Alleyoop come about?</p>
<p><strong>Leila Kashani:</strong> I used to do experiential marketing for brands like Nike. I was constantly living out of a suitcase. Even when I stopped moving around so much, I was super busy. Women today are taking on more than ever. I didn’t have time for beauty and body care products. There had to be a way to still make this accessible to me.</p>
<p>One day, it clicked. I was working at a toy company presenting a new line of products. Half way through the presentation, I realized the buyer wasn’t paying attention. She was looking at my underarm. I had shaved one armpit. It wasn’t intentional. We laughed about it. She said, ‘I miss spots all the time and need to do touch-ups but getting into the shower is so much work.’</p>
<p>The first product that made me take a leap of faith and start designing was a portable razor for quick fixes. It’s got everything you need to shave on the go with a water spray bottle and moisturizing bar inside. The razor completely changed the way we look at products.</p>
<p><strong>SM:</strong> So are common products out of touch with today’s lifestyle?</p>
<p>We’re constantly being marketed to. The desire to keep up with the trends is overwhelming. Nonconforming women have had enough. Some women aren’t there yet. When they meet Alleyoop, they can also get on board because they realize things can be simpler.</p>
<p>People ask me why there’s no bundle on the website to buy everything. That’s the opposite of what I stand for. I want her to think about the products she’ll actually use. I don’t want to sell her something because it was a trend that’s going to come and go. I want her to come back.</p>
<p>Research shows that most women own from three to 19 lipsticks, but they only use one to two colors. We develop products based on what they really use.</p>
<p><strong>SM:</strong> Why did you crowdsource your product innovations?</p>
<p><strong>LK:</strong> I’m just one person. The rest of the world has different needs. If I didn’t speak to them, I might have designed something in a silo. It helps me not sell more than people need.</p>
<p><strong>SM:</strong> Your products are sulfate and cruelty-free. Why is that important?</p>
<p><strong>LK:</strong> There’s a bunch of beauty brands considered clean and eco-friendly. People expect that more and more. It’s a part of our way of life. If it can do harm, it should not be in our products.</p>
<p><strong>SM:</strong> As a new, small company, did you feel any pushback from the established industry?</p>
<p><strong>LK:</strong> The hardest thing for me was getting labs to take me seriously. I would say, ‘Make this and don’t put this in and don’t put that in.’ They responded with, ‘No. This is the fastest and cheapest way to do it. We’re not going to spend more time on you, your order sizes are too small.’ That was an uphill battle until just this year. Now labs are coming to present their ideas.</p>
<p><strong>SM:</strong> Did you get a strong response out of the gate or was it sort of a slow burn?</p>
<p><strong>LK:</strong> It was a slow build. There were moments of accelerated growth. It wasn’t a straight line.</p>
<p>America is getting smarter. We want to test, learn and educate ourselves on the products we’re purchasing. We seek research and reviews. In order to have a faster build, you have to have that information. Once we started to see those come in, we started to grow faster.</p>
<p><strong>SM: </strong>How did COVID-19 affect you?</p>
<p><strong>LK:</strong> We launched in Ulta Beauty in February. We also have retail in Urban Outfitters, but we’re mainly B2C. When COVID-19 hit, we were just announcing retail. It was definitely a curveball, but because our brand is all about decluttering and paying attention we fared decently.</p>
<p>Maybe you had five makeup brushes, but you’re only using three of those. You’re decluttering and coming to us for one brush that solves all your problems.</p>
<p><strong>SM:</strong> In what ways have you shown up during COVID that provide support to others?</p>
<p><strong>LK:</strong> We’re a startup and every day counts. Nonetheless, when COVID-19 hit, all we could think about was, ‘What can we do?’ We donated $10,000 of leftover lotion inventory to health care workers whose hands were getting dry from all the sanitizer.</p>
<p>In our morning check-ins, we talk about what we are going to do today to make the world a better place.</p>
<p><strong>SM:</strong> So what is your <a href="https://simonmainwaring.com/uncategorized/purpose-at-work-how-home-depot-elevates-sustainability-and-impact-to-drive-growth/">company purpose</a>?</p>
<p><strong>LK:</strong> We want to help women move their lives forward. Alleyoop is named after the basketball reference. What that means to us is, ‘How do we help women achieve more on what matters to them in their life?’ That means giving them tools. It could be in the form of products, coaching or donations. We’re constantly partnering with organizations and looking at ways to help women move forward.</p>
<p>We continue to think about what those partnerships look like. We’re weighing whether to stick with one organization or constantly do a new one as we see fit.</p>
<p>When the Black Lives Matter movement happened we stopped all advertising. We sent the team out to protest. We will show up as the world needs us in different places.</p>
<p><strong>SM:</strong> What lessons have you learned on the way?</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/2848/1*P9v5RhBC6FPlGysvvvWe-Q.jpeg" width="2848" height="4288" loading="lazy" />
<p><strong>LK:</strong> I learned that finding good people is hard. You’ve got to know the difference between when to hire for talent and when to hire for culture and where to draw that line.</p>
<p>In the beginning, it was all about talent and it wasn’t about culture. It wasn’t fun for me to come to work every day until I felt like I was with people who were in line with the belief systems and purpose. Once I figured that out, I hired based on culture first and skill set second.</p>
<p><strong>SM:</strong> What’s your vision for the role of business moving forward?</p>
<p><strong>LK:</strong> Business should have a voice and responsibility. I recently got on a call with a company that we’re working with to figure out how much plastic we’re putting out. We’re constantly educating ourselves and learning about ways to participate in environmental sustainability.</p>
<p>If we start something and all my competitors are doing it in a year, I will be excited. We need to stop looking at competition from the eyes of competition, but instead as teammates trying to move the world forward. There’s a huge potential for impact if we work together.</p>
<p><strong>SM:</strong> How do you distinguish yourself from large players in the industry?</p>
<p><strong>LK:</strong> As long as it’s aligned with purpose, it’s not noisy. We focus on our mission to help women.</p>
<p><strong>SM:</strong> Have you been surprised by the reaction to a new makeup brand that does more with less?</p>
<p><strong>LK:</strong> I was humbled and shocked. We started getting DM’s on Instagram from people asking to be brand ambassadors. First, it was 10 a week, then 20, then 30, then 100.</p>
<p>We have to make a separate account for people who want to be TikTok creators for the brand because they’re so inspired. We are inside, drinking the Kool Aid all the time. It’s inspiring to have customers tell us the time they saved that day and the space they stayed in and how much they were able to accomplish. They regurgitate back to us what our mission is.</p>
<p><strong>SM:</strong> What are your plans for the future?</p>
<p><strong>LK:</strong> I don’t look at Alleyoop as a beauty or body care brand. I look up to us as a brand solving problems for women and helping them move the world forward. Maybe one day we’ll be in fashion or other areas where we can simplify people’s lives.</p>
<p>If we think about swag, for example, we don’t launch a sweater that just has our name on it for you to walk around branding with us. Instead, we launch a gratitude journal. We’re trying to think about how to make the world move forward and help you accomplish more in your life. We’re going to let our customers drive us by telling us what they need next.</p>
<p><strong>SM:</strong> So, you think of yourself as an innovation lab?</p>
<p><strong>LK:</strong> When we first launched the razor, everyone asked, ‘What hair removal product are you going to launch next?’ Everyone in the industry thinks, ‘Stay in your lane. That’s your category.’</p>
<p>With the razor, I thought, ‘That’s all she needs from me there. Everything else is efficient. Where can I go next?’ Beauty needs help. Let me help you to get simplified.</p>
<p><strong>SM:</strong> How have you codified your philosophy?</p>
<p><strong>LK:</strong> We have a 10-point checklist we use to determine whether or not to develop a product. We consider things like, does it take up less space? Does it take less time? Is it something of value?</p>
<p>A lot of times we go through development. We test formulas.Then we do that checklist again. Then we say, ‘This might be more than what she needs. Let’s not do it.’ It helps us have a North Star to work towards. When we think about waste and products we think about how to get you to buy less by filling up every single product.</p>
<p><strong>Simon Mainwaring:</strong> What gives you cause for optimism?</p>
<p><strong>Leila Kashani: </strong>I’m naturally optimistic. You attract what you put out. As a leader, it’s important to listen. You become more open-minded to opportunities and changes that we need to make as a society.</p>
</section>
|
Purpose At Work: How Alleyoop Disrupts the Beauty Industry By Empowering Women
How do you gain recognition and market share in a crowded industry? Brands that look beyond product and put purpose first differentiate themselves from the competition.
That’s certainly the case for Alleyoop. The beauty and body care brand is celebrating its one-year anniversary and has laid some impressive tracks in a short time. I had the pleasure of speaking with Leila Kashani, co-founder and CEO of Alleyoop and here’s what we discussed.
Simon Mainwaring: How did Alleyoop come about?
Leila Kashani: I used to do experiential marketing for brands like Nike. I was constantly living out of a suitcase. Even when I stopped moving around so much, I was super busy. Women today are taking on more than ever. I didn’t have time for beauty and body care products. There had to be a way to still make this accessible to me.
One day, it clicked. I was working at a toy company presenting a new line of products. Half way through the presentation, I realized the buyer wasn’t paying attention. She was looking at my underarm. I had shaved one armpit. It wasn’t intentional. We laughed about it. She said, ‘I miss spots all the time and need to do touch-ups but getting into the shower is so much work.’
The first product that made me take a leap of faith and start designing was a portable razor for quick fixes. It’s got everything you need to shave on the go with a water spray bottle and moisturizing bar inside. The razor completely changed the way we look at products.
SM: So are common products out of touch with today’s lifestyle?
We’re constantly being marketed to. The desire to keep up with the trends is overwhelming. Nonconforming women have had enough. Some women aren’t there yet. When they meet Alleyoop, they can also get on board because they realize things can be simpler.
People ask me why there’s no bundle on the website to buy everything. That’s the opposite of what I stand for. I want her to think about the products she’ll actually use. I don’t want to sell her something because it was a trend that’s going to come and go. I want her to come back.
Research shows that most women own from three to 19 lipsticks, but they only use one to two colors. We develop products based on what they really use.
SM: Why did you crowdsource your product innovations?
LK: I’m just one person. The rest of the world has different needs. If I didn’t speak to them, I might have designed something in a silo. It helps me not sell more than people need.
SM: Your products are sulfate and cruelty-free. Why is that important?
LK: There’s a bunch of beauty brands considered clean and eco-friendly. People expect that more and more. It’s a part of our way of life. If it can do harm, it should not be in our products.
SM: As a new, small company, did you feel any pushback from the established industry?
LK: The hardest thing for me was getting labs to take me seriously. I would say, ‘Make this and don’t put this in and don’t put that in.’ They responded with, ‘No. This is the fastest and cheapest way to do it. We’re not going to spend more time on you, your order sizes are too small.’ That was an uphill battle until just this year. Now labs are coming to present their ideas.
SM: Did you get a strong response out of the gate or was it sort of a slow burn?
LK: It was a slow build. There were moments of accelerated growth. It wasn’t a straight line.
America is getting smarter. We want to test, learn and educate ourselves on the products we’re purchasing. We seek research and reviews. In order to have a faster build, you have to have that information. Once we started to see those come in, we started to grow faster.
SM: How did COVID-19 affect you?
LK: We launched in Ulta Beauty in February. We also have retail in Urban Outfitters, but we’re mainly B2C. When COVID-19 hit, we were just announcing retail. It was definitely a curveball, but because our brand is all about decluttering and paying attention we fared decently.
Maybe you had five makeup brushes, but you’re only using three of those. You’re decluttering and coming to us for one brush that solves all your problems.
SM: In what ways have you shown up during COVID that provide support to others?
LK: We’re a startup and every day counts. Nonetheless, when COVID-19 hit, all we could think about was, ‘What can we do?’ We donated $10,000 of leftover lotion inventory to health care workers whose hands were getting dry from all the sanitizer.
In our morning check-ins, we talk about what we are going to do today to make the world a better place.
SM: So what is your company purpose?
LK: We want to help women move their lives forward. Alleyoop is named after the basketball reference. What that means to us is, ‘How do we help women achieve more on what matters to them in their life?’ That means giving them tools. It could be in the form of products, coaching or donations. We’re constantly partnering with organizations and looking at ways to help women move forward.
We continue to think about what those partnerships look like. We’re weighing whether to stick with one organization or constantly do a new one as we see fit.
When the Black Lives Matter movement happened we stopped all advertising. We sent the team out to protest. We will show up as the world needs us in different places.
SM: What lessons have you learned on the way?
LK: I learned that finding good people is hard. You’ve got to know the difference between when to hire for talent and when to hire for culture and where to draw that line.
In the beginning, it was all about talent and it wasn’t about culture. It wasn’t fun for me to come to work every day until I felt like I was with people who were in line with the belief systems and purpose. Once I figured that out, I hired based on culture first and skill set second.
SM: What’s your vision for the role of business moving forward?
LK: Business should have a voice and responsibility. I recently got on a call with a company that we’re working with to figure out how much plastic we’re putting out. We’re constantly educating ourselves and learning about ways to participate in environmental sustainability.
If we start something and all my competitors are doing it in a year, I will be excited. We need to stop looking at competition from the eyes of competition, but instead as teammates trying to move the world forward. There’s a huge potential for impact if we work together.
SM: How do you distinguish yourself from large players in the industry?
LK: As long as it’s aligned with purpose, it’s not noisy. We focus on our mission to help women.
SM: Have you been surprised by the reaction to a new makeup brand that does more with less?
LK: I was humbled and shocked. We started getting DM’s on Instagram from people asking to be brand ambassadors. First, it was 10 a week, then 20, then 30, then 100.
We have to make a separate account for people who want to be TikTok creators for the brand because they’re so inspired. We are inside, drinking the Kool Aid all the time. It’s inspiring to have customers tell us the time they saved that day and the space they stayed in and how much they were able to accomplish. They regurgitate back to us what our mission is.
SM: What are your plans for the future?
LK: I don’t look at Alleyoop as a beauty or body care brand. I look up to us as a brand solving problems for women and helping them move the world forward. Maybe one day we’ll be in fashion or other areas where we can simplify people’s lives.
If we think about swag, for example, we don’t launch a sweater that just has our name on it for you to walk around branding with us. Instead, we launch a gratitude journal. We’re trying to think about how to make the world move forward and help you accomplish more in your life. We’re going to let our customers drive us by telling us what they need next.
SM: So, you think of yourself as an innovation lab?
LK: When we first launched the razor, everyone asked, ‘What hair removal product are you going to launch next?’ Everyone in the industry thinks, ‘Stay in your lane. That’s your category.’
With the razor, I thought, ‘That’s all she needs from me there. Everything else is efficient. Where can I go next?’ Beauty needs help. Let me help you to get simplified.
SM: How have you codified your philosophy?
LK: We have a 10-point checklist we use to determine whether or not to develop a product. We consider things like, does it take up less space? Does it take less time? Is it something of value?
A lot of times we go through development. We test formulas.Then we do that checklist again. Then we say, ‘This might be more than what she needs. Let’s not do it.’ It helps us have a North Star to work towards. When we think about waste and products we think about how to get you to buy less by filling up every single product.
Simon Mainwaring: What gives you cause for optimism?
Leila Kashani: I’m naturally optimistic. You attract what you put out. As a leader, it’s important to listen. You become more open-minded to opportunities and changes that we need to make as a society.
|
56c1302e-7a48-5b61-b171-86ade3b0c064
|
25/08/2025 15:58:59
|
|
https://medium.com/@gratefullykelly/dear-sytahn-f27f8c3e1b42
|
medium.com
|
Dear Sytahn
|
Dear Sytahn,
|
Kelly Marie
|
https://medium.com/@gratefullykelly
|
f27f8c3e1b42
|
2 min
|
2016-07-07T21:41:04.477000
|
2016-07-08T02:09:10.877000
|
2016-07-08T02:09:10.877000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
BlackLivesMatter,Family,Diversity
|
<section>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/6048/1*GpHkNZTPiGmG4n4mhiqgRA.jpeg" width="6048" height="7558" loading="lazy" />
<p>Dear Sytahn,</p>
<p>The world is cruel. There are people in it who will be cruel to you. There are people in it who will be cruel to you because of the color of your skin. This is perhaps the world’s cruelest reality. I hope you never come to know it.</p>
<p>It pains my heart that anyone could look at you and not see your goodness. To think that anyone could discount your inherent inner beauty and purity because of their own prejudice and ignorance. That they could look at you and discount you as being less than in any way.</p>
<p>It hurts my soul to daily worry about you going out into this world. I worry that someone will harm you with suspicious looks. I worry that someone will harm you with unkind words. I worry that someone will harm you with their hands. I worry that someone will harm you with bullets. I worry I might not get to see you grow into a man.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/2160/1*vi2lIADwIHPtWstIBpsj2w.jpeg" width="2160" height="2160" loading="lazy" />
<p>I look at you today and wonder what kind of man you will be. I see you seek out justice and your concern for what is right and fair. I see how you care for others and are so willing to lend a helping hand. I see your resilience and how you have persevered through so many, too many, really, of life’s challenges. I see you light up the lives of everyone who knows you, both with your smile and your spirit. I want the world to see that. It deserves to see that. It needs to.</p>
<p>The world simply needs more people like you in it. I hope you never stopping caring about others as much as you do yourself. I hope you never stop fighting for what is right. I hope you never stop sharing your infectious smile. I hope this world’s attempts to make you question your own goodness and worth are unsuccessful. More than that, I hope love and light follow you as you continue to grow into an amazing and proud young black man.</p>
<p>As much as I want to, I cannot protect you from this world. But I can fight for you. I can fight for others who are oppressed and mistreated. I can fight for justice and equality in hopes of making this world a better place for you.</p>
<p>And I can love you. And I do, with every fiber of my being. You are one of my life’s greatest blessings and you are a blessing to this world. You are love and you are loved. Don’t ever forget that. Please, don’t ever let the world convince you otherwise.</p>
<p>All of my love is yours always,</p>
<p>Auntie Kelly</p>
</section>
|
Dear Sytahn
Dear Sytahn,
The world is cruel. There are people in it who will be cruel to you. There are people in it who will be cruel to you because of the color of your skin. This is perhaps the world’s cruelest reality. I hope you never come to know it.
It pains my heart that anyone could look at you and not see your goodness. To think that anyone could discount your inherent inner beauty and purity because of their own prejudice and ignorance. That they could look at you and discount you as being less than in any way.
It hurts my soul to daily worry about you going out into this world. I worry that someone will harm you with suspicious looks. I worry that someone will harm you with unkind words. I worry that someone will harm you with their hands. I worry that someone will harm you with bullets. I worry I might not get to see you grow into a man.
I look at you today and wonder what kind of man you will be. I see you seek out justice and your concern for what is right and fair. I see how you care for others and are so willing to lend a helping hand. I see your resilience and how you have persevered through so many, too many, really, of life’s challenges. I see you light up the lives of everyone who knows you, both with your smile and your spirit. I want the world to see that. It deserves to see that. It needs to.
The world simply needs more people like you in it. I hope you never stopping caring about others as much as you do yourself. I hope you never stop fighting for what is right. I hope you never stop sharing your infectious smile. I hope this world’s attempts to make you question your own goodness and worth are unsuccessful. More than that, I hope love and light follow you as you continue to grow into an amazing and proud young black man.
As much as I want to, I cannot protect you from this world. But I can fight for you. I can fight for others who are oppressed and mistreated. I can fight for justice and equality in hopes of making this world a better place for you.
And I can love you. And I do, with every fiber of my being. You are one of my life’s greatest blessings and you are a blessing to this world. You are love and you are loved. Don’t ever forget that. Please, don’t ever let the world convince you otherwise.
All of my love is yours always,
Auntie Kelly
|
d849c717-c0af-5d9d-93c7-d1d76a07d606
|
25/08/2025 15:58:59
|
|
https://mukundarajanvn.medium.com/the-riddle-of-karma-bb23eb86087b
|
medium.com
|
The riddle of Karma
|
I have lately been haunted by the theory of karma — the link between cause and effect, birth and rebirth. Personal suffering has opened the…
|
Mukundarajan V N
|
https://medium.com/@mukundarajanvn
|
bb23eb86087b
|
https://miro.medium.com/max/2000/0*zZJv1w8gQ38zrYg2.
|
2 min
|
2017-04-06T15:17:01.738000
|
2017-04-06T15:35:13.805000
|
2018-01-27T14:14:41.432000
| 0
| 3
|
en
|
Cats,Pets,Karma,Life Lessons,52 Week Writing Challenge
|
<section>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/448/0*zZJv1w8gQ38zrYg2." width="448" height="450" loading="lazy" />
<p>I have lately been haunted by the theory of karma — the link between cause and effect, birth and rebirth. Personal suffering has opened the doors of introspection. The inner eye has opened as it were to new realities of our existence. I am convinced that not all occurrences are coincidental, not all relationships are choice — born. There must be more to our life than what we perceive as reality. What is visible is not the perfect truth.</p>
<p>The death of a pet has deeply affected my mind as never before. I feel that even a pet must have had some link with our past life. The one month old stray cat walked into my home one night, famished and half dead. It appeared as if it walked into my place out of some intuition. The cat became part of the family. I was surprised that cats could show affection. The kitten followed me wherever I went ( inside the house of course). It slept beside me on my bed. It watched as I surfed the net, climbed into the car when cleaning it. Then tragedy struck one day. The kitten was killed by a stray cat when it ventured out. I was shell shocked. I felt a deep sense of bereavement for the first time in my life. The pain of the loss refused to go away even after months.</p>
<p>I began to wonder whether the kitten has had some link with my previous life. It stayed with me for a brief period perhaps to provide me with an opportunity to help it for some favour done in the previous life. There must be some connection with kitten in some life. Otherwise why was I so deeply affected by its death?</p>
<p>When I see people suffer I wonder what is it that made them undergo this deprivation. Could it be some bad karma of the previous life? The choices we make no doubt influence the outcome, but not everything can be explained by the decisions we make in life. The riddle of karma continues to preoccupy my mind. I am still searching for answers.</p>
</section>
|
The riddle of Karma
credit : www.123rf.com
I have lately been haunted by the theory of karma — the link between cause and effect, birth and rebirth. Personal suffering has opened the doors of introspection. The inner eye has opened as it were to new realities of our existence. I am convinced that not all occurrences are coincidental, not all relationships are choice — born. There must be more to our life than what we perceive as reality. What is visible is not the perfect truth.
The death of a pet has deeply affected my mind as never before. I feel that even a pet must have had some link with our past life. The one month old stray cat walked into my home one night, famished and half dead. It appeared as if it walked into my place out of some intuition. The cat became part of the family. I was surprised that cats could show affection. The kitten followed me wherever I went ( inside the house of course). It slept beside me on my bed. It watched as I surfed the net, climbed into the car when cleaning it. Then tragedy struck one day. The kitten was killed by a stray cat when it ventured out. I was shell shocked. I felt a deep sense of bereavement for the first time in my life. The pain of the loss refused to go away even after months.
I began to wonder whether the kitten has had some link with my previous life. It stayed with me for a brief period perhaps to provide me with an opportunity to help it for some favour done in the previous life. There must be some connection with kitten in some life. Otherwise why was I so deeply affected by its death?
When I see people suffer I wonder what is it that made them undergo this deprivation. Could it be some bad karma of the previous life? The choices we make no doubt influence the outcome, but not everything can be explained by the decisions we make in life. The riddle of karma continues to preoccupy my mind. I am still searching for answers.
|
286336ae-3a7e-5047-90e6-3edd60fc4f4b
|
25/08/2025 15:59:01
|
https://medium.com/small-advice/the-perfect-blueberry-pie-2b4ca8a135ae
|
medium.com
|
The Perfect Blueberry Pie
|
This will be a little departure from the normal life lessons but something I find absolutely amazing, Blueberry Pie!
|
Alex Wolfe
|
https://medium.com/@alexwolfe
|
2b4ca8a135ae
|
3 min
|
2016-12-29T22:11:11.262000
|
2016-12-30T14:50:35.090000
|
2017-01-13T14:40:44.701000
| 0
| 1
|
en
|
Food,Recipe,Blueberry,Blueberry Pie,Pie
|
<section>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/4032/1*umDgXI9vgLI8IdrQSJBDwQ.jpeg" width="4032" height="3024" loading="lazy" />
<p>This will be a little departure from the normal life lessons but something I find absolutely amazing, Blueberry Pie!</p>
<h1>Motivation</h1>
<p>Blueberry pie is my favorite food on earth. Given that it’s my favorite food (of all foods) I’ve decided it’s worthy of a post on how to make the perfect blueberry pie.</p>
<p>What do I think makes the perfect blueberry pie? Well, a long time ago Safeway used to freshly bake their very own blueberry pies. They still bake apple, pumpkin, berry, etc. but they have discontinued my favorite one, blueberry :( When this first happened, convinced the baker to still make them for me but eventually she left, and along with her the recipe left too! I’ve scoured the internet, looked at other Safeways, but alas, my favorite pie was gone forever.</p>
<p>I’ve tried many pies since then, fresh ones, fancy ones, frozen ones, etc, but none has satisfied my craving for Safeway Blueberry pie. I’ve done a lot of thinking (and research) on what made it so good (and how it was made). This pie is gooey, thick, perfectly sweetened (not too much or too little), and has a one of a kind blueberry taste. Below is the recipe for my perfect (Safeway) blueberry pie .Enjoy!</p>
<h2>Ingredients</h2>
<ul>
<li>2 cans of Comstock Blueberry pie filling (It must be Comstock!)</li>
<li>1/4 cups minute tapioca (wet measure, trust me)</li>
<li>1/2 cup sugar (wet measure)</li>
<li>1 box Pillsbury pie crusts (comes with 2 crusts)</li>
<li>1 pack sugar in the raw (optional)</li>
<li>9 inch pie pan</li>
</ul>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/4032/1*RyedZVYASGPh-nwN6eZdAg.jpeg" width="4032" height="3024" loading="lazy" />
<h2>Cooking Directions</h2>
<h3>Setup</h3>
<ul>
<li>Leave Pillsbury pie crust out at room temperature for 30 minutes (otherwise it may be hard to unroll)</li>
<li>Preheat oven to 425 degrees</li>
</ul>
<h3>Prepare Pie Filling</h3>
<ul>
<li>Mix Comstock pie filling, tapioca, and sugar in a bowl until ingredients are evenly distributed.</li>
</ul>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/3024/1*09ZAGsk84e86vmYsovcvDA.jpeg" width="3024" height="4032" loading="lazy" />
<ul>
<li>Unroll one pie crust and place into pie pan until it fits snugly.</li>
<li>Trim the edge of the pie crust even with the pie pan.</li>
<li>Fill pie crust with pie filling. Be careful not to overfill the pie, leave some room a the top. It should be filled just <strong>below the top</strong> (not even) otherwise it will be difficult to cover and may overflow when cooking.</li>
</ul>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/3024/1*zeRRIHfMRtMJzfQqj9B3Yw.jpeg" width="3024" height="4032" loading="lazy" />
<h3>Covering the Pie</h3>
<ul>
<li>Unroll second pie crust and place on top.</li>
<li>Fold pie crust over end under pie crust and pinch edges together to create an nice seal.</li>
</ul>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/3024/1*ZplpBksIWs7uhQOUpl82_A.jpeg" width="3024" height="4032" loading="lazy" />
<ul>
<li>When pie is covered, place strips of tinfoil around the edges so they do not burn when cooking (the edges cook faster than the center, this protects them from overcooking)</li>
<li>Create small cuts in the top of the pie so it can vent while cooking (wiggling the knife helps prevent the vents from resealing)</li>
</ul>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/4032/1*M5Zf-CzJEcuv57KLA0D87Q.jpeg" width="4032" height="3024" loading="lazy" />
<h3>Baking & Cooling</h3>
<ul>
<li>Place a drip pan on the bottom rack to catch filling if it overflows. This will likely not happen but it’s good to be prepared just in case.</li>
<li>Place the pie on the trop rack in the oven and <strong>cook for 50–55 minutes</strong>.</li>
<li>Remove from oven and <strong>let cool at room temp for 24 hours</strong> (yes 24 hours!!!). This will ensure the pie is gooey and settles perfectly.</li>
<li>Enjoy 😊</li>
</ul>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/3024/1*1Ay6kTzmGfBPgbT9QZVDrg.jpeg" width="3024" height="4032" loading="lazy" />
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/3024/1*4FMCiUU1Jg_lyEYQCmoUng.jpeg" width="3024" height="4032" loading="lazy" />
</section>
|
The Perfect Blueberry Pie
This will be a little departure from the normal life lessons but something I find absolutely amazing, Blueberry Pie!
Motivation
Blueberry pie is my favorite food on earth. Given that it’s my favorite food (of all foods) I’ve decided it’s worthy of a post on how to make the perfect blueberry pie.
What do I think makes the perfect blueberry pie? Well, a long time ago Safeway used to freshly bake their very own blueberry pies. They still bake apple, pumpkin, berry, etc. but they have discontinued my favorite one, blueberry :( When this first happened, convinced the baker to still make them for me but eventually she left, and along with her the recipe left too! I’ve scoured the internet, looked at other Safeways, but alas, my favorite pie was gone forever.
I’ve tried many pies since then, fresh ones, fancy ones, frozen ones, etc, but none has satisfied my craving for Safeway Blueberry pie. I’ve done a lot of thinking (and research) on what made it so good (and how it was made). This pie is gooey, thick, perfectly sweetened (not too much or too little), and has a one of a kind blueberry taste. Below is the recipe for my perfect (Safeway) blueberry pie .Enjoy!
Ingredients
2 cans of Comstock Blueberry pie filling (It must be Comstock!)
1/4 cups minute tapioca (wet measure, trust me)
1/2 cup sugar (wet measure)
1 box Pillsbury pie crusts (comes with 2 crusts)
1 pack sugar in the raw (optional)
9 inch pie pan
Cooking Directions
Setup
Leave Pillsbury pie crust out at room temperature for 30 minutes (otherwise it may be hard to unroll)
Preheat oven to 425 degrees
Prepare Pie Filling
Mix Comstock pie filling, tapioca, and sugar in a bowl until ingredients are evenly distributed.
Unroll one pie crust and place into pie pan until it fits snugly.
Trim the edge of the pie crust even with the pie pan.
Fill pie crust with pie filling. Be careful not to overfill the pie, leave some room a the top. It should be filled just below the top (not even) otherwise it will be difficult to cover and may overflow when cooking.
Covering the Pie
Unroll second pie crust and place on top.
Fold pie crust over end under pie crust and pinch edges together to create an nice seal.
When pie is covered, place strips of tinfoil around the edges so they do not burn when cooking (the edges cook faster than the center, this protects them from overcooking)
Create small cuts in the top of the pie so it can vent while cooking (wiggling the knife helps prevent the vents from resealing)
Baking & Cooling
Place a drip pan on the bottom rack to catch filling if it overflows. This will likely not happen but it’s good to be prepared just in case.
Place the pie on the trop rack in the oven and cook for 50–55 minutes.
Remove from oven and let cool at room temp for 24 hours (yes 24 hours!!!). This will ensure the pie is gooey and settles perfectly.
Enjoy 😊
|
f9652940-b18a-5be1-a311-fb9b1f6edf42
|
25/08/2025 15:59:01
|
|
https://medium.com/@mrudeee/why-are-you-being-so-hard-on-yourself-58c3d2649abb
|
medium.com
|
Why are you being so hard on yourself?
|
I know what you are thinking; just bear with me.
|
Mrudeee
|
https://medium.com/@mrudeee
|
58c3d2649abb
|
4 min
|
2025-01-20T09:02:27.367000
|
2025-01-20T10:26:21.975000
|
2025-01-20T11:28:53.931000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Self Love,Self Care,Compassion,Positive Thinking,Love
|
<section>
<p>I know what you are thinking; just bear with me.</p>
<p>Let me <em>quickly </em>walk you through a story.</p>
<p>A girl named <strong>Alba</strong>, living in eastern Germany, used to go to school every day. She was brilliant, her IQ towering others. Her skin tone was rosemery pink, eyes crystal blue, hairs sunny gold, and teeth looked white as marble. She was exceptional.</p>
<p>From day one, she was cast aside by every single girl in her class. No one would become her friend.</p>
<p>She wondered why the less-good-looking<em> (ugly would be a strong word)</em> girls didn’t reciprocate her enthusiasm for friendship. She sat alone, ate alone, studied alone and even played alone.</p>
<p>Years passed, and the scenario just kept getting worse. On one day, it became unbearable when the mean girls actually started to bully her. She didn’t have anyone to complain to; her parents had left her with her grandma when she was just 4. She didn’t want to burden her old, ageing grandma with her perils.</p>
<p>Alba then thought there must be something wrong with her; that’s why other girls would act such a way. There was no other reason her mind could perceive. Those girls might be jealous? This thought didn’t even cross her mind. How could it? She was pure and innocent at heart. And a pure and innocent soul has a downside: it never thinks that others can be capable of evil qualities. (<em>You must have noticed this about yourself as well. You never assume bad in others!)</em></p>
<p>She hence decided to act on it. She decided to blend in. She decided to try hard. Other girls had yellow teeth, so she started smoking, which eventually turned her teeth yellow. Now other girls hated her less. She was overjoyed with the result.</p>
<p><em>It’s working! She thought.</em></p>
<p>She then started to take brisk walks in the sunny afternoon, with strong oil scrapped over her skin. Within months, her beautiful skin lost its magic. The mean girls now stopped hating her.</p>
<p><em>Wow! She thought. I wonder if I continue this; they might even like me!</em></p>
<p>She was now determined to go further. On one horrific night, she bleached her hair, causing a huge hair loss. Her hair now looked lifeless. She even started to dress untidy and with bold images printed all over it. And it worked like a charm! The mean girls were completely okay with her, and eventually they made a friend out of her.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/664/1*-s870Lf7Q8-__cfQuaqi5A.png" width="664" height="771" loading="lazy" />
<p>Years passed by, and now Alba was one of the mean girls.</p>
<p>Smoking, drinking, getting high, rash driving, poor grades, and hookups had become common for her. On one such day, when she was attending the college with her dearest friends, the professor announced something. A girl approximately her age had been invited as a guest lecturer in her class. She strutted in with confidence, and began with her success story; her skin tone was rosemery pink, her eyes were crystal blue, her hair was gold, and her teeth looked white as marble.</p>
<p>Alba looked at her,</p>
<p><em>God, she is beautiful! And so successful! She thought.</em></p>
<p>That’s when girls in her group immediately started trash talking about the new girl. “What a nark! She looks like a female version of Adolf," “I bet she hasn’t lost her V card yet," and “Only a dumb girl would dress like that" Not even an hour had passed, but the mean girls were bullying her already.</p>
<p><strong>But Alba was stunned at core.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Her whole life flashed before her eyes! How she systematically destroyed her potential and truness, just to fit in. Just because she tried too hard!</strong></p>
<p><em><strong>That could have been.……. me! She </em>thought.</strong></p>
<p><strong>The class felt silent, and the world around her felt empty. It was just her and the girl who she could have been. She sat there long after the lecture had ended. Tears started to flow down her cheeks without her knowing.</strong></p>
<p>— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —</p>
<p>See how Alba's life has been ruined?</p>
<p>Sometimes we become too hard on ourselves in an attempt to succeed like others, fit in, or win others' approval. We put in so much effort that it actually diminishes our quality.</p>
<p>Maybe someone is rich and you are not, but that’s just a reflection of them on you. You don’t need to have that much money in your account to be happy. Don’t be surprised if you find out that you are actually more happy than them, and they live a life full of misery.</p>
<p>The girl next door may be slender and fit, while you may be a bit overweight. Who knows, though, that she might be hating herself for consuming that incredibly low-calorie, untasty food.</p>
<p>Maybe you are not successful in some other areas of life, and you are being hard on yourself to get there. But is it all worth it? Is it really worth it to give up on current moments joy over the so called societal perceived success? Is it really?</p>
<p><em><strong>I certainly cannot comment on what path you should choose, but just for a minute, just for a moment, stop being so hard on yourself. And see how liberating i</em>t feels!</strong></p>
<p>— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —</p>
<p>Hi, I am Prasad! I write and try to give a little relief to those who are stuck in the rat-race infamously known as 'the life’. Stay tuned for more!</p>
<p>P.S. You can support me by buying me a little cup of coffee! :)</p>
<p><a href="https://buymeacoffee.com/Yoursrolplaya">https://buymeacoffee.com/Yoursrolplaya</a></p>
</section>
|
Why are you being so hard on yourself?
I know what you are thinking; just bear with me.
Let me quickly walk you through a story.
A girl named Alba, living in eastern Germany, used to go to school every day. She was brilliant, her IQ towering others. Her skin tone was rosemery pink, eyes crystal blue, hairs sunny gold, and teeth looked white as marble. She was exceptional.
From day one, she was cast aside by every single girl in her class. No one would become her friend.
She wondered why the less-good-looking (ugly would be a strong word) girls didn’t reciprocate her enthusiasm for friendship. She sat alone, ate alone, studied alone and even played alone.
Years passed, and the scenario just kept getting worse. On one day, it became unbearable when the mean girls actually started to bully her. She didn’t have anyone to complain to; her parents had left her with her grandma when she was just 4. She didn’t want to burden her old, ageing grandma with her perils.
Alba then thought there must be something wrong with her; that’s why other girls would act such a way. There was no other reason her mind could perceive. Those girls might be jealous? This thought didn’t even cross her mind. How could it? She was pure and innocent at heart. And a pure and innocent soul has a downside: it never thinks that others can be capable of evil qualities. (You must have noticed this about yourself as well. You never assume bad in others!)
She hence decided to act on it. She decided to blend in. She decided to try hard. Other girls had yellow teeth, so she started smoking, which eventually turned her teeth yellow. Now other girls hated her less. She was overjoyed with the result.
It’s working! She thought.
She then started to take brisk walks in the sunny afternoon, with strong oil scrapped over her skin. Within months, her beautiful skin lost its magic. The mean girls now stopped hating her.
Wow! She thought. I wonder if I continue this; they might even like me!
She was now determined to go further. On one horrific night, she bleached her hair, causing a huge hair loss. Her hair now looked lifeless. She even started to dress untidy and with bold images printed all over it. And it worked like a charm! The mean girls were completely okay with her, and eventually they made a friend out of her.
Years passed by, and now Alba was one of the mean girls.
Smoking, drinking, getting high, rash driving, poor grades, and hookups had become common for her. On one such day, when she was attending the college with her dearest friends, the professor announced something. A girl approximately her age had been invited as a guest lecturer in her class. She strutted in with confidence, and began with her success story; her skin tone was rosemery pink, her eyes were crystal blue, her hair was gold, and her teeth looked white as marble.
Alba looked at her,
God, she is beautiful! And so successful! She thought.
That’s when girls in her group immediately started trash talking about the new girl. “What a nark! She looks like a female version of Adolf," “I bet she hasn’t lost her V card yet," and “Only a dumb girl would dress like that" Not even an hour had passed, but the mean girls were bullying her already.
But Alba was stunned at core.
Her whole life flashed before her eyes! How she systematically destroyed her potential and truness, just to fit in. Just because she tried too hard!
That could have been.……. me! She thought.
The class felt silent, and the world around her felt empty. It was just her and the girl who she could have been. She sat there long after the lecture had ended. Tears started to flow down her cheeks without her knowing.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
See how Alba's life has been ruined?
Sometimes we become too hard on ourselves in an attempt to succeed like others, fit in, or win others' approval. We put in so much effort that it actually diminishes our quality.
Maybe someone is rich and you are not, but that’s just a reflection of them on you. You don’t need to have that much money in your account to be happy. Don’t be surprised if you find out that you are actually more happy than them, and they live a life full of misery.
The girl next door may be slender and fit, while you may be a bit overweight. Who knows, though, that she might be hating herself for consuming that incredibly low-calorie, untasty food.
Maybe you are not successful in some other areas of life, and you are being hard on yourself to get there. But is it all worth it? Is it really worth it to give up on current moments joy over the so called societal perceived success? Is it really?
I certainly cannot comment on what path you should choose, but just for a minute, just for a moment, stop being so hard on yourself. And see how liberating it feels!
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Hi, I am Prasad! I write and try to give a little relief to those who are stuck in the rat-race infamously known as 'the life’. Stay tuned for more!
P.S. You can support me by buying me a little cup of coffee! :)
https://buymeacoffee.com/Yoursrolplaya
|
1e46afd9-75d1-510f-9f70-6046290c1484
|
25/08/2025 15:59:01
|
|
https://footstepsofthefuries.medium.com/amplitude-d76447034804
|
medium.com
|
Amplitude
|
June 3rd, 2025
|
footsteps of the Furies
|
https://medium.com/@footstepsofthefuries
|
d76447034804
|
1 min
|
2025-06-03T15:51:34.167000
|
2025-06-03T16:07:43.747000
|
2025-06-03T17:29:06.278000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Mediocrity
|
<section>
<p><em>June 3rd, 2025</em></p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/3000/1*h7P2y2KCFsWItc_6z4HhTw.jpeg" width="3000" height="2251" loading="lazy" />
<p>When the amplitude of each wave varies, I cannot find a middle ground. I move from one peak to another, up and down and sideways all over the horizontal axis. That is exhausting. And potentially dangerous. Yet, once I am moving like that within the dissonance of each wave crashing at me, it seems almost impossible to stop, to get hold of something boringly in the middle. And I don't mind boring and routine. I want to be boring, middle-of-the-road, and very average. I don't want any heights, since each one will bring a deeper equivalent at the bottom. Middle is safe, middle is invisible, middle is comfortable, middle is well-known. Yet, it seems like every day my oscillations are getting more pronounced, to the point of deep headaches and something like light vertigo. Or at least that is what I think vertigo is — the sudden and light imbalance in the head and motion. It keeps happening more often. Today I felt like that at least thrice. That reminds me of something about me from years past. Of course, I want to first exclude any potential physical health reasons, but I think I already know why this is happening. I will check with professionals nonetheless, and work on what I can personally do to alleviate it. And what I want is no expectations that come with mediocrity. No expectations means boring sameness and no pressure. And no stress, since there is nothing stressful when one is mediocre and boring. And that is what I want.</p>
</section>
|
Amplitude
June 3rd, 2025
When the amplitude of each wave varies, I cannot find a middle ground. I move from one peak to another, up and down and sideways all over the horizontal axis. That is exhausting. And potentially dangerous. Yet, once I am moving like that within the dissonance of each wave crashing at me, it seems almost impossible to stop, to get hold of something boringly in the middle. And I don't mind boring and routine. I want to be boring, middle-of-the-road, and very average. I don't want any heights, since each one will bring a deeper equivalent at the bottom. Middle is safe, middle is invisible, middle is comfortable, middle is well-known. Yet, it seems like every day my oscillations are getting more pronounced, to the point of deep headaches and something like light vertigo. Or at least that is what I think vertigo is — the sudden and light imbalance in the head and motion. It keeps happening more often. Today I felt like that at least thrice. That reminds me of something about me from years past. Of course, I want to first exclude any potential physical health reasons, but I think I already know why this is happening. I will check with professionals nonetheless, and work on what I can personally do to alleviate it. And what I want is no expectations that come with mediocrity. No expectations means boring sameness and no pressure. And no stress, since there is nothing stressful when one is mediocre and boring. And that is what I want.
|
7e5a9ea1-ad26-56c1-9818-0e2f4588dd46
|
25/08/2025 15:59:01
|
|
https://medium.com/rang-de/endurance-athlete-dr-amit-samarth-on-completing-the-toughest-race-in-the-world-b95546314b1c
|
medium.com
|
Completing the toughest race in the world: interview with endurance athlete Dr Amit Samarth
|
The way Amit Samarth describes it, participating in the Race Across America (RAAM) was an accident in his life. Samarth, who is a doctor by…
|
Rang De
|
https://medium.com/@RangDe
|
b95546314b1c
|
7 min
|
2018-05-29T05:19:11.457000
|
2018-05-29T05:35:30.818000
|
2018-06-21T05:12:38.906000
| 0
| 1
|
en
|
Cycling,Triathlon,India,Indian,Fundraising
|
<section>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1168/1*B5f-0ul_UajJkT8DU2WGNg.jpeg" width="1168" height="780" loading="lazy" />
<p>The way Amit Samarth describes it, participating in the Race Across America (RAAM) was an accident in his life. Samarth, who is a doctor by training as well as a serious endurance athlete from Nagpur, Maharasthra, was registered by his friends for the Deccan Cliff hanger, a 645 km race that starts from Pune city in Maharashtra and ends in the neighbouring state of Goa. On completing the race, he found that he had qualified for the RAAM.</p>
<p>Billed as one of the toughest ultra-distance races in the world, the RAAM is 3200 miles or 5000 kilometres long, spanning the entire breadth of the American continent, traversing deserts, mountain ranges, prairie and vast empty plains.</p>
<p>In June last year, Dr Samarth became the first Indian to successfully complete the RAAM on his maiden attempt, clocking a time of 11 days, 21 hours and 11 minutes. (Colonel Srinivas Gokulnath, an army doctor from Maharashtra, also completed the race with Dr Samarth but it was his second attempt).</p>
<p>In an interview with Rang De, Dr Samarth talks about his passion for endurance sports, why securing finance for endurance athletes remains a challenge and his experience of taking part in one of the toughest races in the world.</p>
<p><strong>Rang De: What inspired you to take up endurance sports? Were you always into athletics?</strong></p>
<p><strong>Dr Amit Samarth:</strong> In my college days, I was into body building. Before that, I was actually a chubby guy, a fat guy. You know, in the 11th and 12th standard you are only studying and because of that I put on a lot of weight. Just to lose that weight, I started to go to the gym.</p>
<p>In college, I took part in bodybuilding at the state level, representing Maharashtra. Then I got busy with studying medicine, got busy with the internship and the job and so I had to let go of that passion for training. I picked up training again when I took up martial arts in Hyderabad. I am a black belt in Taekwondo. Because of taekwondo, I used to run a lot, so I started running marathons, half-marathons etc.</p>
<p><strong>How did cycling and RAAM happen?</strong></p>
<p>I have been an endurance runner for quite some time. I then thought of taking part in the Ironman because it has three sports: running, swimming and cycling. And because of Ironman, I started cycling, back in 2011. <strong>And somehow when I tried some long distance cycling, I realised that I am good at it, where I can do this long cycling, where I can keep at it for almost more than 30 hours — 40 hours, nonstop.</strong></p>
<p>Then some of my friends realised that I could qualify for something called Race Across America. At the RAAM, you only get 288 hours to cycle 5000 kilometres. You have to do it within twelve days. You are given a definite route, 54 checkpoints. My friends encouraged me, told me I could do something like this, then I trained for it for one and half years.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/4640/1*cLTBIL_kwOtRCTkP_6hNQg.jpeg" width="4640" height="3480" loading="lazy" />
<p><strong>What was your training schedule like?</strong></p>
<p>For RAAM, I used to cycle more than 1200–1400 kilometres in a week. Then I used to do some 20–30 kilometres of running. Three to four times a week I used to go swimming. Of course, some weeks I used to train more, some weeks I used to train less, to recover myself.</p>
<h3>I also practiced cycling continuously for 24 hours, cycling through the night, because you have to practice sleep deprivation in this race.</h3>
<p>You see, you have to cycle more than 220 to 450 kilometres a day. To do that, you have to be on the cycle or the bike for 20–21 hours at a stretch, which means one and half to two hours of sleep. That’s the only way you can race successfully.</p>
<p><strong>Could you describe your diet through this period?</strong></p>
<p>On the cycle, while riding, I stuck to a liquid diet. Apart from that while training, I used to eat at home, mostly healthy stuff. I used to eat a lot of oil and ghee, because my calorie requirement was huge. Apart from that, nothing special. Just home cooked food with a lot of protein: egg and chicken and meat.</p>
<p><strong>I read an article where you mentioned that arranging the finances were a challenge. Could you speak a bit more about this?</strong></p>
<p>Yeah it is a big challenge, because for the corporates, cycling is not a big sport in India. From their point of view, cricket is the only sport where they see a lot of branding and visibility happening. They [corporate sponsors] are not very eager to sponsor a cyclist. Before the race, nobody was convinced that a person from Nagpur can train himself to compete at the international level, because you see, Nagpur is a small town.</p>
<p>There are no big corporate houses from Nagpur and so getting an audience with the top management at a corporate house is very difficult for someone from a small town.</p>
<h3>And for the cycling companies, Nagpur is not a big market for the high-end cycles, you know. They would rather sponsor somebody from Bengaluru or Mumbai.</h3>
<p>Even after doing the RAAM, it is difficult for me to get sponsorship from corporates. That’s just how it is.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1280/1*6yBnOnE3oXQv4Ip1b06wxQ.jpeg" width="1280" height="854" loading="lazy" />
<p><strong>You are a doctor by training and a race like RAAM can be extremely harsh on the body. How did you reconcile this position, where you know the potential damage that can happen to the body from the race but you go ahead and do it anyway?</strong></p>
<p>Actually RAAM is an extremely high-risk sport because you are pushing your body to its limits. You have to cycle almost 450 kilometres every day. The biggest challenge is sleep deprivation, when you are sleep deprived and you are doing this hard physical activity. Your mind will lose its orientation and its understanding.</p>
<h3>You know… this is kind of like a suicide mission.. [laughs] where you take your friends and family along with you on this suicide mission.</h3>
<p>Even if you see the commando training, the Special Protection Group (SPG) commandos are made to be sleepless for five days and five nights. Being sleepless for 12 days, you can imagine how your mind and body will behave in those situations.</p>
<p>Of course, after the race, you need two to three weeks to recover because it is a big mental drain. Your recovery depends on your food habits, how much you sleep and all that. But I am an extremely healthy guy, so there are no long-term effects.</p>
<p><strong>Was there a moment in the race where you found the going tough?</strong></p>
<p>There were points in the race, it was raining all night and I was cycling towards the rain. And when it rains in the USA, it becomes very cold at night and at the time my mind had lost its orientation. And West Virginia has a lot of hills also, very steep hills. And I was climbing the hills at the night, and a lot of gravel had come onto the road because of the water. And in Arizona I had dehydration problems. I had to take a longer break to recover at that point.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1280/1*72Q7ZfqRq7zdBB_YuUroLA.jpeg" width="1280" height="854" loading="lazy" />
<p><strong>What are the best moments? Crossing the finish line has to be one but any other moments you remember?</strong></p>
<p>Crossing the finish line… Of course that is one of the best moments in my life, not just for me but for all the crew members who supported me. And there are a lot of other moments, North America is an amazing continent.</p>
<h3>You are cycling across the continent, you get to see these amazing vistas. Colorado is very beautiful and Arizona has its own beauty even though it is very harsh. Kansas is very beautiful, it is all flat with agricultural land all around. You actually appreciate the planet itself.</h3>
<p>North America is such a huge continent and the kind of resources it has, you have to appreciate all those things. There is a clear night sky, you are cycling through a very big agricultural field, and you get to see a lot of shooting stars [laughs] all that is actually the experience of a lifetime.</p>
<p><strong>What is the advice you would give for someone who wants to get into fitness and endurance sports?</strong></p>
<p>The only advice I would give is that whatever people are pursuing, they should train properly for every race. For people who have run multiple marathons or ironmans, they exert themselves, they drain themselves out. So whatever it is they want to do, they have to train properly for six months and then have a lifetime habit of doing endurance sports rather than doing it for two or three years and you have injuries, you over exert yourself and you kind of feel bad because you no longer enjoy it.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1280/1*qkT7Q_aKKYPbfUkQXQtkcA.jpeg" width="1280" height="854" loading="lazy" />
<p><strong>Personally speaking how would you say endurance sports has changed your life?</strong></p>
<p>Patience, I think, because you have to cycle long hours, you have to sit long hours, you have to sit on the bike and practice that patience. So it is actually a kind of meditation only. It definitely changes your mind, your mind set, makes you mentally very strong.</p>
<p><em><strong>The tenacity and determination of Dr Amit Samarth is an inspiration to all of us here at Rang De. You can hear Dr Samarth speak at <a href="https://www.eventshigh.com/detail/mumbai/0997c09470d7247d52a9d49d072be448-the-human-race?src=ecbox">the ‘Human Race’, a fundraiser </a>organised by Rang De on 1 Jul</em>y 2018 a</strong>t Bengaluru. The proceeds from the event will be used to support Rang De’s borrowers in communities across India.</p>
</section>
|
Completing the toughest race in the world: interview with endurance athlete Dr Amit Samarth
Dr Amit Samarth became the first Indian to complete the Race Across America on his maiden attempt. (PC: Amit Samarth)
The way Amit Samarth describes it, participating in the Race Across America (RAAM) was an accident in his life. Samarth, who is a doctor by training as well as a serious endurance athlete from Nagpur, Maharasthra, was registered by his friends for the Deccan Cliff hanger, a 645 km race that starts from Pune city in Maharashtra and ends in the neighbouring state of Goa. On completing the race, he found that he had qualified for the RAAM.
Billed as one of the toughest ultra-distance races in the world, the RAAM is 3200 miles or 5000 kilometres long, spanning the entire breadth of the American continent, traversing deserts, mountain ranges, prairie and vast empty plains.
In June last year, Dr Samarth became the first Indian to successfully complete the RAAM on his maiden attempt, clocking a time of 11 days, 21 hours and 11 minutes. (Colonel Srinivas Gokulnath, an army doctor from Maharashtra, also completed the race with Dr Samarth but it was his second attempt).
In an interview with Rang De, Dr Samarth talks about his passion for endurance sports, why securing finance for endurance athletes remains a challenge and his experience of taking part in one of the toughest races in the world.
Rang De: What inspired you to take up endurance sports? Were you always into athletics?
Dr Amit Samarth: In my college days, I was into body building. Before that, I was actually a chubby guy, a fat guy. You know, in the 11th and 12th standard you are only studying and because of that I put on a lot of weight. Just to lose that weight, I started to go to the gym.
In college, I took part in bodybuilding at the state level, representing Maharashtra. Then I got busy with studying medicine, got busy with the internship and the job and so I had to let go of that passion for training. I picked up training again when I took up martial arts in Hyderabad. I am a black belt in Taekwondo. Because of taekwondo, I used to run a lot, so I started running marathons, half-marathons etc.
How did cycling and RAAM happen?
I have been an endurance runner for quite some time. I then thought of taking part in the Ironman because it has three sports: running, swimming and cycling. And because of Ironman, I started cycling, back in 2011. And somehow when I tried some long distance cycling, I realised that I am good at it, where I can do this long cycling, where I can keep at it for almost more than 30 hours — 40 hours, nonstop.
Then some of my friends realised that I could qualify for something called Race Across America. At the RAAM, you only get 288 hours to cycle 5000 kilometres. You have to do it within twelve days. You are given a definite route, 54 checkpoints. My friends encouraged me, told me I could do something like this, then I trained for it for one and half years.
Dr Amit Samarth trained for one and half years before taking part in the RAAM
What was your training schedule like?
For RAAM, I used to cycle more than 1200–1400 kilometres in a week. Then I used to do some 20–30 kilometres of running. Three to four times a week I used to go swimming. Of course, some weeks I used to train more, some weeks I used to train less, to recover myself.
I also practiced cycling continuously for 24 hours, cycling through the night, because you have to practice sleep deprivation in this race.
You see, you have to cycle more than 220 to 450 kilometres a day. To do that, you have to be on the cycle or the bike for 20–21 hours at a stretch, which means one and half to two hours of sleep. That’s the only way you can race successfully.
Could you describe your diet through this period?
On the cycle, while riding, I stuck to a liquid diet. Apart from that while training, I used to eat at home, mostly healthy stuff. I used to eat a lot of oil and ghee, because my calorie requirement was huge. Apart from that, nothing special. Just home cooked food with a lot of protein: egg and chicken and meat.
I read an article where you mentioned that arranging the finances were a challenge. Could you speak a bit more about this?
Yeah it is a big challenge, because for the corporates, cycling is not a big sport in India. From their point of view, cricket is the only sport where they see a lot of branding and visibility happening. They [corporate sponsors] are not very eager to sponsor a cyclist. Before the race, nobody was convinced that a person from Nagpur can train himself to compete at the international level, because you see, Nagpur is a small town.
There are no big corporate houses from Nagpur and so getting an audience with the top management at a corporate house is very difficult for someone from a small town.
And for the cycling companies, Nagpur is not a big market for the high-end cycles, you know. They would rather sponsor somebody from Bengaluru or Mumbai.
Even after doing the RAAM, it is difficult for me to get sponsorship from corporates. That’s just how it is.
You are a doctor by training and a race like RAAM can be extremely harsh on the body. How did you reconcile this position, where you know the potential damage that can happen to the body from the race but you go ahead and do it anyway?
Actually RAAM is an extremely high-risk sport because you are pushing your body to its limits. You have to cycle almost 450 kilometres every day. The biggest challenge is sleep deprivation, when you are sleep deprived and you are doing this hard physical activity. Your mind will lose its orientation and its understanding.
You know… this is kind of like a suicide mission.. [laughs] where you take your friends and family along with you on this suicide mission.
Even if you see the commando training, the Special Protection Group (SPG) commandos are made to be sleepless for five days and five nights. Being sleepless for 12 days, you can imagine how your mind and body will behave in those situations.
Of course, after the race, you need two to three weeks to recover because it is a big mental drain. Your recovery depends on your food habits, how much you sleep and all that. But I am an extremely healthy guy, so there are no long-term effects.
Was there a moment in the race where you found the going tough?
There were points in the race, it was raining all night and I was cycling towards the rain. And when it rains in the USA, it becomes very cold at night and at the time my mind had lost its orientation. And West Virginia has a lot of hills also, very steep hills. And I was climbing the hills at the night, and a lot of gravel had come onto the road because of the water. And in Arizona I had dehydration problems. I had to take a longer break to recover at that point.
The RAAM covers a diverse range of landscapes across the breadth of the American continent.
What are the best moments? Crossing the finish line has to be one but any other moments you remember?
Crossing the finish line… Of course that is one of the best moments in my life, not just for me but for all the crew members who supported me. And there are a lot of other moments, North America is an amazing continent.
You are cycling across the continent, you get to see these amazing vistas. Colorado is very beautiful and Arizona has its own beauty even though it is very harsh. Kansas is very beautiful, it is all flat with agricultural land all around. You actually appreciate the planet itself.
North America is such a huge continent and the kind of resources it has, you have to appreciate all those things. There is a clear night sky, you are cycling through a very big agricultural field, and you get to see a lot of shooting stars [laughs] all that is actually the experience of a lifetime.
What is the advice you would give for someone who wants to get into fitness and endurance sports?
The only advice I would give is that whatever people are pursuing, they should train properly for every race. For people who have run multiple marathons or ironmans, they exert themselves, they drain themselves out. So whatever it is they want to do, they have to train properly for six months and then have a lifetime habit of doing endurance sports rather than doing it for two or three years and you have injuries, you over exert yourself and you kind of feel bad because you no longer enjoy it.
Dr Samarth and his crew after they completed the RAAM.
Personally speaking how would you say endurance sports has changed your life?
Patience, I think, because you have to cycle long hours, you have to sit long hours, you have to sit on the bike and practice that patience. So it is actually a kind of meditation only. It definitely changes your mind, your mind set, makes you mentally very strong.
The tenacity and determination of Dr Amit Samarth is an inspiration to all of us here at Rang De. You can hear Dr Samarth speak at the ‘Human Race’, a fundraiser organised by Rang De on 1 July 2018 at Bengaluru. The proceeds from the event will be used to support Rang De’s borrowers in communities across India.
|
97df0720-1a8e-52d0-a20e-35f5400c9fc6
|
25/08/2025 15:59:02
|
|
https://medium.com/@cluster_official/featured-cluster-worlds-apr-2024-f57537633286
|
medium.com
|
Featured Cluster Worlds (Apr 2024)
|
Looking for some more worlds to explore? In this monthly series, we hope to introduce worlds created by fellow English speakers in Cluster…
|
Cluster Official
|
https://medium.com/@cluster_official
|
f57537633286
|
https://miro.medium.com/max/2000/0*j-OaE8BsA6L3lps1
|
3 min
|
2024-04-20T20:51:51.260000
|
2024-05-01T23:17:34.384000
|
2024-11-27T15:57:21.485000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Featured,Cluster,Metaverse,VR,Creators
|
<section>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1600/0*j-OaE8BsA6L3lps1" width="1600" height="1280" loading="lazy" />
<p>Looking for some more worlds to explore? In this monthly series, we hope to introduce worlds created by fellow English speakers in Cluster. For the feature from April 2024, we’re showcasing the following four worlds, also taken up in the Cluster’s official X account:</p>
<h1><strong>デンキノカミサマ / DENKINOKAMISAMA by toyookapi</strong></h1>
<p>Legend tells us that a higher being dwells in this forest — let’s be respectful near the temples so as not to evoke their fury!</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://cluster.mu/en/w/175b870d-30a6-4ca3-af67-9445e</strong>ea97476">DENKINOKAMISAMA/DENKINOKAMISAMA | Metaverse Platform - Cluster
<em>What is Denki no Kamisama (2024)It is an art work created during a stay in Katsurao-mura, Futaba-gun, Fukushima-ken in…</em>c</a>luster.mu</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1141/0*4d3C4fwEYLvMGbww" width="1141" height="648" loading="lazy" />
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1141/0*OA2mYvZDgMJh72XE" width="1141" height="648" loading="lazy" />
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1141/0*6A8pLVkYLkx_h79G" width="1141" height="648" loading="lazy" />
<h2><strong>湖上庵-桜2024- by blanc_meow</strong></h2>
<p><strong><a href="https://cluster.mu/en/w/72053e3c-8055-4a05-</strong>8964-fa8138282fe0">Koshoan -Sakura 2024- | Metaverse Platform — Cluster
<em>Spring came one step earlier at Koshoan. Please enjoy the flowers blooming all over the large cherry trees.</em>c</a>luster.mu</p>
<p>How about a boat ride to revisit the cherry blossoms?</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1141/0*c0MzbbXHSF8LstRh" width="1141" height="648" loading="lazy" />
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1141/0*TMJDtrJPiX6aS3yK" width="1141" height="648" loading="lazy" />
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1141/0*zMWG3shIFUdZ4NOX" width="1141" height="648" loading="lazy" />
<h2><strong>sunset by GJBzJCJXndv2nXj0</strong></h2>
<p><a href="https://cluster.mu/en/w/aef52637-bf39-442d-8d60-f2ea0af2b891">https://cluster.mu/en/w/aef52637-bf39-442d-8d60-f2ea0af2b891</a></p>
<p>What could be better than that feeling of accomplishment when you’ve set up your tent for the night and are ready to enjoy what the camp has to offer?</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1141/0*CxuWd1fsqdmBs1S0" width="1141" height="648" loading="lazy" />
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1141/0*8J5ZEwjR32MxDpj3" width="1141" height="648" loading="lazy" />
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1141/0*Ob0zfwaVu7tDSPbx" width="1141" height="648" loading="lazy" />
<p><strong>GODFATHER BAR (English & Japanese language exchange) by _deadpex_chaos</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="https://cluster.mu/en/w/41552375-5a1d-40a8-ba26-1eb49a3262ad">GODFATHER BA</strong>R (English & Japanese language exchange) | Metaverse Platform - Cluster
<em>A PLACE TO LAY LOW , And secrets to be explored by those who dare😈c</em>l</a>uster.mu</p>
<p>Definitely a go-to for anyone interested in cultural exchange!</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1141/0*Gak-QHSHTsP4T2ua" width="1141" height="648" loading="lazy" />
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1141/0*3hEC0jkSQZczI_CH" width="1141" height="648" loading="lazy" />
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1141/0*ObFDNCc8wQtJiYvg" width="1141" height="648" loading="lazy" />
<p>And that was it for the April 2024 Featured Worlds!</p>
<p>Keep an eye out for more featured worlds, both here on Medium, and on our official X page!</p>
<p>Do you have a favorite world? Are you looking to connect with other English-speaking users in Cluster? Let us know in our community chat on Discord:</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://discord.gg/JbF6CtecXW">Join th</strong>e Cluster User Community Discord Server!
<em>This is the (pretty-much) official Cluster Discord server. Please use this space to socialize and promote stuff! | 126…</em>d</a>iscord.gg</p>
</section>
|
Featured Cluster Worlds (Apr 2024)
Looking for some more worlds to explore? In this monthly series, we hope to introduce worlds created by fellow English speakers in Cluster. For the feature from April 2024, we’re showcasing the following four worlds, also taken up in the Cluster’s official X account:
デンキノカミサマ / DENKINOKAMISAMA by toyookapi
Legend tells us that a higher being dwells in this forest — let’s be respectful near the temples so as not to evoke their fury!
DENKINOKAMISAMA/DENKINOKAMISAMA | Metaverse Platform - Cluster
What is Denki no Kamisama (2024)It is an art work created during a stay in Katsurao-mura, Futaba-gun, Fukushima-ken in…cluster.mu
湖上庵-桜2024- by blanc_meow
Koshoan -Sakura 2024- | Metaverse Platform — Cluster
Spring came one step earlier at Koshoan. Please enjoy the flowers blooming all over the large cherry trees.cluster.mu
How about a boat ride to revisit the cherry blossoms?
sunset by GJBzJCJXndv2nXj0
https://cluster.mu/en/w/aef52637-bf39-442d-8d60-f2ea0af2b891
What could be better than that feeling of accomplishment when you’ve set up your tent for the night and are ready to enjoy what the camp has to offer?
GODFATHER BAR (English & Japanese language exchange) by _deadpex_chaos
GODFATHER BAR (English & Japanese language exchange) | Metaverse Platform - Cluster
A PLACE TO LAY LOW , And secrets to be explored by those who dare😈cluster.mu
Definitely a go-to for anyone interested in cultural exchange!
And that was it for the April 2024 Featured Worlds!
Keep an eye out for more featured worlds, both here on Medium, and on our official X page!
Do you have a favorite world? Are you looking to connect with other English-speaking users in Cluster? Let us know in our community chat on Discord:
Join the Cluster User Community Discord Server!
This is the (pretty-much) official Cluster Discord server. Please use this space to socialize and promote stuff! | 126…discord.gg
|
868caa8b-9bc2-5bf0-9849-c83c143b4d00
|
25/08/2025 15:59:03
|
https://medium.com/@romaincaisse/microsoft-ulink-creates-urls-for-every-screen-in-your-app-86b94cae5d96
|
medium.com
|
Microsoft uLink creates ‘URLs’ for every screen in your app
|
It’s not uncommon that people sometimes lose their place in a mobile app because they were interrupted by something else — like a…
|
Romain Caisse
|
https://medium.com/@romaincaisse
|
86b94cae5d96
| null |
1 min
|
2016-06-21T10:10:24.917000
|
2016-06-21T08:57:51
|
2017-09-14T04:01:19.856000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Microsoft,Apps
|
<section>
<p>It’s not uncommon that people sometimes lose their place in a mobile app because they were interrupted by something else — like a notification from another tool — and struggle to find their way back.</p>
<p>A team at Microsoft Research believes it has a solution to that problem, and it’s called <a href="http://research.microsoft.com/apps/pubs/default.aspx?id=264657">uLink</a>. It’s described as a mechanism that uses <a href="http://thenextweb.com/dd/2015/05/28/goo-gl-shortened-urls-can-now-direct-users-to-your-app-or-site/#gref">mobile deep linking</a> to generate a link and allows you to bookmark it — just as you would with Web URLs.</p>
<p>uLink is a new deep linking mechanism that brings the notion of web URLs to mobile apps. With uLink, users can bookmark links to app pages or search previously-seen pages with content of interest.</p>
<p>It also lets you search through your app browsing history. So if you came across a restaurant in a booking app, you can find it again just by typing a keyword from that page — like the city it’s located in — without having to bother swiping through the app in question to return to the page you’re looking for.</p>
<p>The team has implemented the uLink system on Android, and says that it requires minimal developer effort and achieves significantly higher coverage than other techniques. It isn’t yet clear if this will become available to users soon or show up on other platforms like iOS, but it’s certainly an idea worth pursuing.</p>
<p><a href="http://research.microsoft.com/apps/pubs/default.aspx?id=264657">uLink: Enabling user-defined deep linking to app content on Microsoft Research</a></p>
<p><em>Originally published at <a href="http://thenextweb.com/m</em>icrosoft/2016/06/21/microsoft-experimenting-creating-links-every-screen-mobile-app-2/">thenextweb.com</a> on June 21, 2016.</p>
</section>
|
Microsoft uLink creates ‘URLs’ for every screen in your app
It’s not uncommon that people sometimes lose their place in a mobile app because they were interrupted by something else — like a notification from another tool — and struggle to find their way back.
A team at Microsoft Research believes it has a solution to that problem, and it’s called uLink. It’s described as a mechanism that uses mobile deep linking to generate a link and allows you to bookmark it — just as you would with Web URLs.
uLink is a new deep linking mechanism that brings the notion of web URLs to mobile apps. With uLink, users can bookmark links to app pages or search previously-seen pages with content of interest.
It also lets you search through your app browsing history. So if you came across a restaurant in a booking app, you can find it again just by typing a keyword from that page — like the city it’s located in — without having to bother swiping through the app in question to return to the page you’re looking for.
The team has implemented the uLink system on Android, and says that it requires minimal developer effort and achieves significantly higher coverage than other techniques. It isn’t yet clear if this will become available to users soon or show up on other platforms like iOS, but it’s certainly an idea worth pursuing.
uLink: Enabling user-defined deep linking to app content on Microsoft Research
Originally published at thenextweb.com on June 21, 2016.
|
721662ac-741f-5506-bd8f-f24a3c87279a
|
25/08/2025 15:59:03
|
https://medium.com/@prathamlondhe22/day-16-server-webserver-and-website-8bd6fbc8f7e9
|
medium.com
|
Day 16 : Server, Webserver and Website
|
🌐 Introduction
|
Prathamlondhe
|
https://medium.com/@prathamlondhe22
|
8bd6fbc8f7e9
|
2 min
|
2025-08-24T07:04:20.704000
|
2025-08-24T07:08:04.059000
|
2025-08-24T08:29:39.625000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Cloud Computing,AWS,Technology
|
<section>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/960/1*-G5jzMdv3r2uTkf5E7wvfg.png" width="960" height="720" loading="lazy" />
<h1>🌐 Introduction</h1>
<p>Have you ever wondered what really happens when you type a website address like <em>google.com</em> in your browser? Behind that simple action lies an entire ecosystem of <strong>servers</strong>, <strong>web servers</strong>, and <strong>websites</strong> working together to deliver information right to your screen. Understanding these three core concepts is essential for anyone interested in technology, cloud computing, or web development. In this blog, let’s break it down step by step in the simplest way possible. ✅</p>
<h2>1. What is a Server?</h2>
<p>A <strong>server</strong> is a powerful computer designed to provide services, data, or resources to other devices (called <em>clients</em>) over a network.</p>
<ul>
<li>Unlike personal laptops or phones, servers are always on and connected.</li>
<li>They handle multiple requests simultaneously.</li>
<li>Servers can be physical machines or virtual machines in the cloud (like AWS, Azure, GCP).</li>
</ul>
<p>📌 E<strong>xample: </strong>When you search something on Google, your request is sent to Google’s servers, which process the request and return results.</p>
<h2>2. What is a Web Server?</h2>
<p>A <strong>web server</strong> is special software (or sometimes hardware) that delivers web pages to users through the internet.</p>
<ul>
<li>It listens to incoming requests (usually via <strong>HTTP/HTTPS protocols</strong>).</li>
<li>It finds the correct file (like index.html) and sends it back to the user’s browser.</li>
<li>Popular web servers: <strong>Nginx, Apache, Microsoft IIS</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<p>📌 E<strong>xample: </strong>If you host a website on AWS EC2 with Nginx, the web server ensures that when someone visits your domain, they see your site instead of an empty machine.</p>
<h2>3. What is a Website?</h2>
<p>A <strong>website</strong> is a collection of web pages (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, images, etc.) stored on a server and delivered to users through a web server.</p>
<ul>
<li>A website has a <strong>domain name</strong> (like example.com) which maps to the server’s IP.</li>
<li>It can be static (simple HTML/CSS) or dynamic (with databases and backend logic).</li>
<li>Users access it via browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.</li>
</ul>
<p>📌 E<strong>xample: </strong>Facebook is a dynamic website that interacts with huge databases, while a portfolio site built with only HTML and CSS is a static website.</p>
<h2>4. How They Work Together</h2>
<p>You type a domain (e.g., www.example.com) into your browser.</p>
<p>The domain name is converted into the server’s IP using <strong>DNS</strong>.</p>
<p>The request reaches the <strong>server</strong>.</p>
<p>The <strong>web server software</strong> (like Nginx) processes the request.</p>
<p>The requested <strong>website</strong> files are sent back to the browser.</p>
<p>The browser renders the website on your screen.</p>
<p>✅ This process takes place in milliseconds, giving you a seamless browsing experience.</p>
<h2>🔑 Key Takeaways</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>Server</strong> → The powerful computer that hosts data/services.</li>
<li><strong>Web Server</strong> → The software that serves websites over the internet.</li>
<li><strong>Website</strong> → The actual content (pages, apps, data) delivered to users.</li>
</ul>
</section>
|
Day 16 : Server, Webserver and Website
🌐 Introduction
Have you ever wondered what really happens when you type a website address like google.com in your browser? Behind that simple action lies an entire ecosystem of servers, web servers, and websites working together to deliver information right to your screen. Understanding these three core concepts is essential for anyone interested in technology, cloud computing, or web development. In this blog, let’s break it down step by step in the simplest way possible. ✅
1. What is a Server?
A server is a powerful computer designed to provide services, data, or resources to other devices (called clients) over a network.
Unlike personal laptops or phones, servers are always on and connected.
They handle multiple requests simultaneously.
Servers can be physical machines or virtual machines in the cloud (like AWS, Azure, GCP).
📌 Example: When you search something on Google, your request is sent to Google’s servers, which process the request and return results.
2. What is a Web Server?
A web server is special software (or sometimes hardware) that delivers web pages to users through the internet.
It listens to incoming requests (usually via HTTP/HTTPS protocols).
It finds the correct file (like index.html) and sends it back to the user’s browser.
Popular web servers: Nginx, Apache, Microsoft IIS.
📌 Example: If you host a website on AWS EC2 with Nginx, the web server ensures that when someone visits your domain, they see your site instead of an empty machine.
3. What is a Website?
A website is a collection of web pages (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, images, etc.) stored on a server and delivered to users through a web server.
A website has a domain name (like example.com) which maps to the server’s IP.
It can be static (simple HTML/CSS) or dynamic (with databases and backend logic).
Users access it via browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.
📌 Example: Facebook is a dynamic website that interacts with huge databases, while a portfolio site built with only HTML and CSS is a static website.
4. How They Work Together
You type a domain (e.g., www.example.com) into your browser.
The domain name is converted into the server’s IP using DNS.
The request reaches the server.
The web server software (like Nginx) processes the request.
The requested website files are sent back to the browser.
The browser renders the website on your screen.
✅ This process takes place in milliseconds, giving you a seamless browsing experience.
🔑 Key Takeaways
Server → The powerful computer that hosts data/services.
Web Server → The software that serves websites over the internet.
Website → The actual content (pages, apps, data) delivered to users.
|
92af1d81-fb99-5d82-8662-809de6d9325a
|
25/08/2025 15:59:04
|
|
https://blog.monumetric.com/how-a-genetic-researcher-quit-his-job-f56283510adc
|
medium.com
|
How a Genetic Researcher Quit His Job
|
Publishers come from all different backgrounds as do their sites. Some starting publishing as a hobby, others saw something bigger. John…
|
Monumetric
|
https://medium.com/@monumetric
|
f56283510adc
|
5 min
|
2017-05-30T20:16:57.964000
|
2017-02-06T00:00:00
|
2018-05-01T20:07:16.483000
| 0
| 5
|
en
|
Blogging,Publishers,Entrepreneurship
|
<section>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/3238/1*aU8eytvntoVKdXkCsKL6Iw.png" width="3238" height="4229" loading="lazy" />
<p>Publishers come from all different backgrounds as do their sites. Some starting publishing as a hobby, others saw something bigger. John Huntinghouse was definitely the latter. Hear his inspiring story of risking it all one post at a time.</p>
<p><strong>Please introduce us to your blog.
</strong>I started blogging on <a href="http://ldssmile.com/">LDS S.M.I.L.E.</a> with my wife a just a few years ago in November of 2013. We just wanted a way for us to talk about our religion but also do so in more of a light-hearted manner.</p>
<p><strong>What was your job before, when did you quit, and why?
</strong>Before I started blogging full-time I worked for Intermountain Healthcare as a cardiovascular genetic researcher. I loved my co-workers and boss, but I didn’t find fulfillment in my position nor did I think it suited my overall strengths and skill sets that I had to offer. Also, it’s a large corporation and as such you deal with the slowness that comes when working for a corporation. I get why it has to happen that way but it simply wasn’t for me.</p>
<p>I quit at the beginning of 2015 mainly for two reasons:</p>
<p>1) I wanted to create time and flexibility for myself and my family.</p>
<p>2) Capture more of the value that I was creating in market as opposed to having a corporation/firm capture that value.</p>
<p><strong>Did you have to take a pay cut?
</strong>Yes and no. I make the same amount as I did in my full-time job but before I quit. However, as I was making money from both my full-time job and the blog when I quit, I had to take a pay cut in the sense that I no longer had income from my full-time job.</p>
<p>My friends and especially my mom would ask me “why not just work at both places like you have?” which was an option and I easily could have made good money going that route.</p>
<p>But ultimately I didn’t want to work at a place that I couldn’t dedicate myself to and I wanted to spend more time at home with my family.</p>
<p>“I’ve come to realize that money is not the end all be all. Time and flexibility is ultimately what is most important to me and blogging full-time has given me a greater opportunity to harness both.”</p>
<p>A lot of my family thought about how risky the decision to quit was but really it wasn’t that risky at all. Worst case situation of quitting is that I don’t make enough money and I have to go back with my MBA and find another job and work full-time while blogging on the side, making a pretty good income.</p>
<p>However, the worst case situation in not pursuing blogging full-time is that I never get to find out what the “ceiling” truly is and if that ceiling is high (which it can very well be), I lose out on that potential income plus I lose out on all of the time and flexibility I was talking about earlier. Put in this light, the decision to quit to go blogging full-time was not a very hard one at all.</p>
<p><strong>How did your coworkers respond? How about others (family) in your life?</strong>
My coworkers realized that I had kind of checked out of my current job and knew that I was moving on but…</p>
<p>“When I told them that I was moving on to go blog, they all did a double take. They were like ‘seriously’?”</p>
<p>Both my family and in-laws have been supportive. My mom would have freaked out had I told her what I was going to do before I did it but that’s exactly why I kept it secret until I actually did quit. She’s still worried even now, mainly because she can’t see how someone could make money off a website. But she’s coming around.</p>
<p><strong>Have you always been entrepreneurial?</strong>
No, not always. Originally the plan was to go to medical school but after I decided to not go right before I started, I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do. During the MBA program at the University of Utah, I took a Venture Foundations class and it changed my life forever. That sparked the entrepreneurial bug and helped me hone my focus as to what I wanted to do and how to go about doing it.</p>
<p><strong>What is your traffic like and how did you grow it?</strong>
We get a million pageviews a month. We grew it mainly utilizing our own platform that we had grown (our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LDS.SMILE">Facebook Page</a>) and piggybacking off much larger websites and blogs.</p>
<p><strong>What advice would you give to bloggers who want to grow their traffic?</strong>
If you want to grow fast, there is really only two ways of doing it. Either pay your way through or find a larger engine. As almost all bloggers don’t have the money to buy their way through, finding a larger engine to grow your blog quickly is the key. Obviously, this is much easier said than done but it’s the only way to grow a new or smaller blog quickly.</p>
<p><strong>What part do you do and what does our wife Kara do? Has it always been a joint venture?</strong>
I do all of the backend stuff on the blog and we collaborate on almost all of our original posts that we do. It’s always been a joint venture with the blog and it’s been a great ride.</p>
<p><strong>How did Monumetric factor into your decision to become a full-time blogger?
</strong>I was going to quit either way but <strong><a href="ht</strong>tp://www.monumetric.com/">Monumetric </a>helped us make that jump sooner than later because of the great results we were seeing in the revenue we were generating from them.</p>
<p>The RPM that we are achieving with <strong><a href="ht</strong>tp://www.monumetric.com/">Monumetric </a>is about 30% higher than what we were getting from Google Adsense.</p>
<p>We’ve tried several networks but the dashboard and support, along with the revenue increase definitely made the jump easier and allowed us to do it sooner.</p>
<p><strong>In what ways have you successfully collaborated with other publishers?</strong>
The best way to get to know other publishers is to hang out where other publishers hang out. Finding blogger groups on Facebook and going to blogger conventions has always been a great place to meet up with them. Then, once you meet with them, get to know them and look for ways to help them out first before asking for any help from them regardless of how big or small their blogs may be. You never know when those connections will come in handy down the road.</p>
<p><strong>What’s your favorite part of being a full-time blogger, so far?</strong>
The flexibility and time that it allows me to do what I want to do has been awesome. All of this talk about working from home especially in a blog-like setting is awesome because I can blog from wherever I happen to be. Also, if I know that I’m going to be gone for a few days or something is going to prevent me from posting, I can just work a bit harder and schedule out those days to free up time later.</p>
<p>Another thing that I love about blogging specifically is that it gives me a platform by which I can share a message that is important to me to other individuals. It allows me to put forth my own ideas and thoughts and help shape the thoughts as well.</p>
<p><em>Thank you so much John for sharing some of your journey with us! If you want to be next, please email [email protected] to arrange a guest post or interview about how blogging changed your life.</em></p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/702/1*Yi4DrWsMwmESjWS2snJ3ug.png" width="702" height="212" loading="lazy" />
<p><em>Originally published at <a href="https://www.monumetric.com/201</em>7/02/06/how-a-cardiovascular-genetic-researcher-quit-his-job-to-blog-full-time/">www.monumetric.com</a> on February 6, 2017.</p>
</section>
|
How a Genetic Researcher Quit His Job
Publishers come from all different backgrounds as do their sites. Some starting publishing as a hobby, others saw something bigger. John Huntinghouse was definitely the latter. Hear his inspiring story of risking it all one post at a time.
Please introduce us to your blog.
I started blogging on LDS S.M.I.L.E. with my wife a just a few years ago in November of 2013. We just wanted a way for us to talk about our religion but also do so in more of a light-hearted manner.
What was your job before, when did you quit, and why?
Before I started blogging full-time I worked for Intermountain Healthcare as a cardiovascular genetic researcher. I loved my co-workers and boss, but I didn’t find fulfillment in my position nor did I think it suited my overall strengths and skill sets that I had to offer. Also, it’s a large corporation and as such you deal with the slowness that comes when working for a corporation. I get why it has to happen that way but it simply wasn’t for me.
I quit at the beginning of 2015 mainly for two reasons:
1) I wanted to create time and flexibility for myself and my family.
2) Capture more of the value that I was creating in market as opposed to having a corporation/firm capture that value.
Did you have to take a pay cut?
Yes and no. I make the same amount as I did in my full-time job but before I quit. However, as I was making money from both my full-time job and the blog when I quit, I had to take a pay cut in the sense that I no longer had income from my full-time job.
My friends and especially my mom would ask me “why not just work at both places like you have?” which was an option and I easily could have made good money going that route.
But ultimately I didn’t want to work at a place that I couldn’t dedicate myself to and I wanted to spend more time at home with my family.
“I’ve come to realize that money is not the end all be all. Time and flexibility is ultimately what is most important to me and blogging full-time has given me a greater opportunity to harness both.”
A lot of my family thought about how risky the decision to quit was but really it wasn’t that risky at all. Worst case situation of quitting is that I don’t make enough money and I have to go back with my MBA and find another job and work full-time while blogging on the side, making a pretty good income.
However, the worst case situation in not pursuing blogging full-time is that I never get to find out what the “ceiling” truly is and if that ceiling is high (which it can very well be), I lose out on that potential income plus I lose out on all of the time and flexibility I was talking about earlier. Put in this light, the decision to quit to go blogging full-time was not a very hard one at all.
How did your coworkers respond? How about others (family) in your life?
My coworkers realized that I had kind of checked out of my current job and knew that I was moving on but…
“When I told them that I was moving on to go blog, they all did a double take. They were like ‘seriously’?”
Both my family and in-laws have been supportive. My mom would have freaked out had I told her what I was going to do before I did it but that’s exactly why I kept it secret until I actually did quit. She’s still worried even now, mainly because she can’t see how someone could make money off a website. But she’s coming around.
Have you always been entrepreneurial?
No, not always. Originally the plan was to go to medical school but after I decided to not go right before I started, I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do. During the MBA program at the University of Utah, I took a Venture Foundations class and it changed my life forever. That sparked the entrepreneurial bug and helped me hone my focus as to what I wanted to do and how to go about doing it.
What is your traffic like and how did you grow it?
We get a million pageviews a month. We grew it mainly utilizing our own platform that we had grown (our Facebook Page) and piggybacking off much larger websites and blogs.
What advice would you give to bloggers who want to grow their traffic?
If you want to grow fast, there is really only two ways of doing it. Either pay your way through or find a larger engine. As almost all bloggers don’t have the money to buy their way through, finding a larger engine to grow your blog quickly is the key. Obviously, this is much easier said than done but it’s the only way to grow a new or smaller blog quickly.
What part do you do and what does our wife Kara do? Has it always been a joint venture?
I do all of the backend stuff on the blog and we collaborate on almost all of our original posts that we do. It’s always been a joint venture with the blog and it’s been a great ride.
How did Monumetric factor into your decision to become a full-time blogger?
I was going to quit either way but Monumetric helped us make that jump sooner than later because of the great results we were seeing in the revenue we were generating from them.
The RPM that we are achieving with Monumetric is about 30% higher than what we were getting from Google Adsense.
We’ve tried several networks but the dashboard and support, along with the revenue increase definitely made the jump easier and allowed us to do it sooner.
In what ways have you successfully collaborated with other publishers?
The best way to get to know other publishers is to hang out where other publishers hang out. Finding blogger groups on Facebook and going to blogger conventions has always been a great place to meet up with them. Then, once you meet with them, get to know them and look for ways to help them out first before asking for any help from them regardless of how big or small their blogs may be. You never know when those connections will come in handy down the road.
What’s your favorite part of being a full-time blogger, so far?
The flexibility and time that it allows me to do what I want to do has been awesome. All of this talk about working from home especially in a blog-like setting is awesome because I can blog from wherever I happen to be. Also, if I know that I’m going to be gone for a few days or something is going to prevent me from posting, I can just work a bit harder and schedule out those days to free up time later.
Another thing that I love about blogging specifically is that it gives me a platform by which I can share a message that is important to me to other individuals. It allows me to put forth my own ideas and thoughts and help shape the thoughts as well.
Thank you so much John for sharing some of your journey with us! If you want to be next, please email [email protected] to arrange a guest post or interview about how blogging changed your life.
https://www.monumetric.com/
Originally published at www.monumetric.com on February 6, 2017.
|
df3789e1-5579-5079-a738-e1f1a6103365
|
25/08/2025 15:59:05
|
|
https://ridersinsider.mlblogs.com/meet-the-press-2013-edition-f39bb6397ee8
|
medium.com
|
Meet the Press — 2013 Edition
| null |
Frisco RoughRiders
|
https://medium.com/@ridersreportblog
|
f39bb6397ee8
|
https://miro.medium.com/max/2000/0*FVNPTzw7t84eCzGa.
|
5 min
|
2016-10-27T11:27:27.971000
|
2013-04-02T21:05:19
|
2016-11-09T00:05:54.695000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
David Murphy,Eric Nadel,Frisco Roughriders,Nathan Barnett,Texas Rangers
|
<section>
<p>We’re just a few days away from the start of another baseball season and, even though <a href="http://atmilb.com/10sQCDJ">Tuesday night’s “Future Rangers Showcase” was rained out</a>, everyone here at the RoughRiders is excited to start our 11th season. Over the next five months, you’ll be a seeing a lot of new and interesting stuff in this space as we help you stay up to date with the team and let you get to know the players a little better. I’ll be keeping you up to date with news from the road the best I can, but since I won’t be the only one you’ll hear from, it’s only proper to introduce to you the other members of our blog team for the 2013 season. In addition to contributing here, Nathan Barnett will join me on the radio broadcasts this season while Ryan Garrett will be helping us run things up in the press box. Since they will undoubtedly do a better job writing about themselves than I can (a hiring prerequisite), I’ll turn it over to Nathan and Ryan so that they may introduce themselves in their own words (if you want to read a far less interesting introduction of yours truly, you may do so <a href="http://ridersinsider.mlblogs.com/2012/04/12/meet-the-press-3/">here</a>, even if it is not recommended).</p>
<p>- Alex</p>
<p><strong>Nathan Barnett</strong></p>
<p>The ever-present construction and stop-and-go traffic of I-30. The Dallas North Tollway exit from I-35, curving left over the grandstands of Reverchon Ballfield. The northbound Tollway exit at Royal Lane. The most herky-jerky moments during my ride back from Rangers Ballpark in Arlington (then simply known as the Ballpark in Arlington) that woke me from my slumber that had become oh-so-routine.</p>
<p>With heavy eyelids and a grumpy moan I woke from my slumber only to realize that waking wasn’t so bad. The cordial narrative coming from the radio, the smooth voice of Eric Nadel, reminded me that baseball was around me. My interrupted slumber caved way to pleasant surprise.</p>
<p>Maybe it was the waning moments of the game: a Jeff Zimmerman punch-out, a heroic whack from Pudge, or a miraculous feat by Rusty Greer or what was left of the Arlington faithful still screaming their voices hoarse.</p>
<p>Perhaps it was a highlight: “that ball is history,” punctuated at least once in the postgame show. If not twice. Or more (as often was the case with those mid 90s Rangers teams). A familiar and comfortable voice reminding me of the great night that was at the Ballpark, retold as if it was happening all over again — like I was there in my seat, when in reality, I was stuck at a red light at Royal Ln and Preston Rd in the back seat of my dad’s sedan.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/555/0*FVNPTzw7t84eCzGa." width="555" height="369" loading="lazy" />
<p>I didn’t realize it until I was a college senior, slamming down my LSAT Prep book — never to be opened again (it still sits, dusty and somehow lightly stained on my bookshelf at home) — that it was in that thirty-or-so minute car-ride back home, on a school night, when nine innings was almost never in the cards for a young boy of thoughtful parents, that I found a certain romance in calling a baseball game. That feeling of bringing someone the game.</p>
<p>No, more than that: of bringing someone <em>to</em> the game, away from everything else. Away from the bills, and the traffic and stress of everyday life for someone who doesn’t have the time, money or energy to make it to yard themselves. That is what I find so rewarding about what I (somehow) get paid to do.</p>
<p>This business can be crazy. In all the madness that is working in sports — working 100-hour weeks, pushing out 100 sales calls a day, sleeping on floors and even in dining rooms, broadcasting with the flu, calling games cramped two people to a three-foot wide table, staring at a computer on overnight bus trips — everything melts away when that pitcher toes the rubber for the first time and the batter kicks up the chalk of the box in the first.</p>
<p>One of my first mentors in sports once told me “working in sports beats working.” Getting to do the most fun thing I can imagine within sports — well, it is truly indescribable for me.</p>
<p>With this privilege comes obligation: I hope to bring you <em>to</em> the game not just bring you the game.</p>
<p>And here on the blog, I hope we can all bring you closer to the players, the coaches and to us, so that when and if you do tune in to Alex and/or myself on the air this season, the insights and information this forum can provide help attain that goal.</p>
<p>Who knows, maybe we too can feel like the comfortable and familiar voice I heard riding home, with droopy eyes, hearing my role model bring me back to the ballpark.</p>
<p>Or maybe in reading this here, we just get the occasional chuckle out of you. Or tweet. I sure would love that too.</p>
<p>- Nathan</p>
<p><strong>Ryan Garrett</strong></p>
<p>As a kid growing up in Roswell, NM, baseball was the one sport that I enjoyed playing. I was never the fastest runner, the best hitter (though I did hit the lone grand-slam of my 1999 little league team), or never was really competitive or athletic, but I loved the game and I loved spending time with my dad, who served as an assistant coach.</p>
<p>Through the years, especially after moving with my family to the Dallas area in 1998, my lack of athletic talent forced me to realize I was a better fit for watching the games, being an excited fan in the stands or in the comfort of my own home.</p>
<p>I’ve lived the majority of my life in nearby Rockwall, TX, active with school, church and a local boy scout troop. As a 6th grader, music became my passion and I began to play the clarinet. Through high school, I rooted on my Rockwall Yellowjackets as a member of the marching band, and was also the editor of the school newspaper. It was through the high school paper that I found my love for writing and journalism.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/555/0*EDAnQtHWbgvhKVtd." width="555" height="553" loading="lazy" />
<p>I began my first two years of college life in an unusual way, becoming a member of the Corps of Cadets at New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell (alma mater to Dallas Cowboys great Roger Staubach). At NMMI, I studied journalism and continued my music career, playing clarinet in Headquarters Troop, Regimental Band.</p>
<p>After graduating from junior college, I followed in the footsteps of my parents, sister and 20-plus other relatives, attending Baylor University, majoring in Journalism & Public Relations. I donned the uniform of the Baylor Golden Wave Band, and proudly had a front-row seat during RG3’s 2011 Heisman season, the 2012 National Champion Lady Bears’ 40–0 season, and a tremendous “Year of the Bear” in Baylor sports.</p>
<p>Through marching band, my love for sports has grown tremendously. I enjoy watching all sports, cheering on my Baylor Bears, Texas Rangers, Houston Texans and Washington Redskins (RG3). I graduated from Baylor this past December, and started work with the RoughRiders as the Media Intern in February. I love the game of baseball, and I look forward to this season with the ‘Riders, writing articles, blog postings and game stories and spending game days at Dr Pepper Ballpark.</p>
<p>- Ryan</p>
</section>
|
Meet the Press — 2013 Edition
We’re just a few days away from the start of another baseball season and, even though Tuesday night’s “Future Rangers Showcase” was rained out, everyone here at the RoughRiders is excited to start our 11th season. Over the next five months, you’ll be a seeing a lot of new and interesting stuff in this space as we help you stay up to date with the team and let you get to know the players a little better. I’ll be keeping you up to date with news from the road the best I can, but since I won’t be the only one you’ll hear from, it’s only proper to introduce to you the other members of our blog team for the 2013 season. In addition to contributing here, Nathan Barnett will join me on the radio broadcasts this season while Ryan Garrett will be helping us run things up in the press box. Since they will undoubtedly do a better job writing about themselves than I can (a hiring prerequisite), I’ll turn it over to Nathan and Ryan so that they may introduce themselves in their own words (if you want to read a far less interesting introduction of yours truly, you may do so here, even if it is not recommended).
- Alex
Nathan Barnett
The ever-present construction and stop-and-go traffic of I-30. The Dallas North Tollway exit from I-35, curving left over the grandstands of Reverchon Ballfield. The northbound Tollway exit at Royal Lane. The most herky-jerky moments during my ride back from Rangers Ballpark in Arlington (then simply known as the Ballpark in Arlington) that woke me from my slumber that had become oh-so-routine.
With heavy eyelids and a grumpy moan I woke from my slumber only to realize that waking wasn’t so bad. The cordial narrative coming from the radio, the smooth voice of Eric Nadel, reminded me that baseball was around me. My interrupted slumber caved way to pleasant surprise.
Maybe it was the waning moments of the game: a Jeff Zimmerman punch-out, a heroic whack from Pudge, or a miraculous feat by Rusty Greer or what was left of the Arlington faithful still screaming their voices hoarse.
Perhaps it was a highlight: “that ball is history,” punctuated at least once in the postgame show. If not twice. Or more (as often was the case with those mid 90s Rangers teams). A familiar and comfortable voice reminding me of the great night that was at the Ballpark, retold as if it was happening all over again — like I was there in my seat, when in reality, I was stuck at a red light at Royal Ln and Preston Rd in the back seat of my dad’s sedan.
Nathan can hardly look away from the action on the field at the SCCBL Championship Series.
I didn’t realize it until I was a college senior, slamming down my LSAT Prep book — never to be opened again (it still sits, dusty and somehow lightly stained on my bookshelf at home) — that it was in that thirty-or-so minute car-ride back home, on a school night, when nine innings was almost never in the cards for a young boy of thoughtful parents, that I found a certain romance in calling a baseball game. That feeling of bringing someone the game.
No, more than that: of bringing someone to the game, away from everything else. Away from the bills, and the traffic and stress of everyday life for someone who doesn’t have the time, money or energy to make it to yard themselves. That is what I find so rewarding about what I (somehow) get paid to do.
This business can be crazy. In all the madness that is working in sports — working 100-hour weeks, pushing out 100 sales calls a day, sleeping on floors and even in dining rooms, broadcasting with the flu, calling games cramped two people to a three-foot wide table, staring at a computer on overnight bus trips — everything melts away when that pitcher toes the rubber for the first time and the batter kicks up the chalk of the box in the first.
One of my first mentors in sports once told me “working in sports beats working.” Getting to do the most fun thing I can imagine within sports — well, it is truly indescribable for me.
With this privilege comes obligation: I hope to bring you to the game not just bring you the game.
And here on the blog, I hope we can all bring you closer to the players, the coaches and to us, so that when and if you do tune in to Alex and/or myself on the air this season, the insights and information this forum can provide help attain that goal.
Who knows, maybe we too can feel like the comfortable and familiar voice I heard riding home, with droopy eyes, hearing my role model bring me back to the ballpark.
Or maybe in reading this here, we just get the occasional chuckle out of you. Or tweet. I sure would love that too.
- Nathan
Ryan Garrett
As a kid growing up in Roswell, NM, baseball was the one sport that I enjoyed playing. I was never the fastest runner, the best hitter (though I did hit the lone grand-slam of my 1999 little league team), or never was really competitive or athletic, but I loved the game and I loved spending time with my dad, who served as an assistant coach.
Through the years, especially after moving with my family to the Dallas area in 1998, my lack of athletic talent forced me to realize I was a better fit for watching the games, being an excited fan in the stands or in the comfort of my own home.
I’ve lived the majority of my life in nearby Rockwall, TX, active with school, church and a local boy scout troop. As a 6th grader, music became my passion and I began to play the clarinet. Through high school, I rooted on my Rockwall Yellowjackets as a member of the marching band, and was also the editor of the school newspaper. It was through the high school paper that I found my love for writing and journalism.
A couple of Baylor Bears making sweet music.
I began my first two years of college life in an unusual way, becoming a member of the Corps of Cadets at New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell (alma mater to Dallas Cowboys great Roger Staubach). At NMMI, I studied journalism and continued my music career, playing clarinet in Headquarters Troop, Regimental Band.
After graduating from junior college, I followed in the footsteps of my parents, sister and 20-plus other relatives, attending Baylor University, majoring in Journalism & Public Relations. I donned the uniform of the Baylor Golden Wave Band, and proudly had a front-row seat during RG3’s 2011 Heisman season, the 2012 National Champion Lady Bears’ 40–0 season, and a tremendous “Year of the Bear” in Baylor sports.
Through marching band, my love for sports has grown tremendously. I enjoy watching all sports, cheering on my Baylor Bears, Texas Rangers, Houston Texans and Washington Redskins (RG3). I graduated from Baylor this past December, and started work with the RoughRiders as the Media Intern in February. I love the game of baseball, and I look forward to this season with the ‘Riders, writing articles, blog postings and game stories and spending game days at Dr Pepper Ballpark.
- Ryan
|
6bf489a6-3523-5a80-ac6f-d36f054f135b
|
25/08/2025 15:59:05
|
https://professionalhumancollective.medium.com/smell-54860fbce909
|
medium.com
|
Smell
|
Designing for what people breathe before they speak
|
Professional Humans World
|
https://medium.com/@professionalhumancollective
|
54860fbce909
|
3 min
|
2025-06-17T00:52:45.047000
|
2025-07-01T08:44:36.360000
|
2025-07-01T09:29:12.145000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Design,Reflections,Innovation,Psychology
|
<section>
<p>Designing for what people breathe before they speak</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/864/1*XkkINrvYX27gnwVE6AOXsA.jpeg" width="864" height="1008" loading="lazy" />
<p>Smell enters before we do. Our nostrils are the hidden user. It crosses the threshold ahead of our bodies, telling the nervous system before our minds can catch up. It is primal, wordless, & unnegotiable</p>
<p>You can’t think your way out of what your body knows about a smell</p>
<p>Smell is the first sense to develop in utero(I might be wrong here scientifically Im 80% sure) & the last to fade. It bypasses language. It doesn’t wait for logic. It speaks directly to memory & emotion</p>
<p>In service design, we often obsess over the “firsts” impressions. But smell isn’t an impression it’s a lasting imprint</p>
<p>It might signal to the body have I been here before?</p>
<h1>Smell is not neutral</h1>
<p>Smell is lasting. Walk into a job centre, housing office, or health clinic
What do you smell?</p>
<ul>
<li>Bleach</li>
<li>Microwaved food</li>
<li>Synthetic air freshener (orange its always the citrus one)</li>
<li>Carpet, metal</li>
<li>Fear, or warmth</li>
</ul>
<p>These are not neutral smells. They are continuous messages that say</p>
<ul>
<li>Whether a place has been cared for or merely cleaned</li>
<li>Whether a room invites presence or suppresses it</li>
<li>Whether someone has considered the emotional experience of arriving scared, ashamed, exhausted… or not at all</li>
</ul>
<p>There is no mesurment for how a space feels in your lungs. There is no budget line for olfactory<em> </em>trust. There is no workshop sticky note that says</p>
<p><em>The corridor smells like impatience</em></p>
<p>What if people do not assess trust through signage but they breathe it in?</p>
<h2>Smell as trauma informed design</h2>
<p>The body keeps the score & the nose keeps the receipts. Smell can trigger flashbacks faster than sight or sound. Designing with smell means designing with memory, safety, & embodied experience in mind</p>
<p>So why is this so important?</p>
<ul>
<li>A refugee might flinch at the smell of <strong>kerosene</strong> (from heating or cooking in refugee camps)</li>
<li>A mother in recovery may freeze at <strong>synthetic lavender</strong>, which mimics the scent in the family court where she lost custody of her child</li>
<li>A survivor of domestic violence might associate <strong>disinfectant</strong> with an institutional room where they had to recount trauma</li>
</ul>
<p>This is not soft. This is serious.</p>
<p>The importance of multisensory environments in reducing retraumatisation & that smell is central to be aware of when carrying out a discovery</p>
<h2>How can we embed smell in service design (<em>without turning it into a spa brochure</em>)</h2>
<h3>Audit the Air</h3>
<p>Walk through your service environment if you have acess to the reception, corridors, bathrooms, interview rooms. What smells dominate?
What shifts throughout the day? Include smell in environmental audits. Invite people with lived experience to describe how a space feels in their lungs</p>
<p><em>What about a homelessness centere where users describe the smell of the space as stress or like rubber gloves how would you changed the cleaning products & kitchen usage?</em></p>
<h3>Design for residue</h3>
<p>Instead of aiming for no smell what scent do we want to leave behind?</p>
<p>Suggestions</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Citrus</strong> in high traffic areas fresh, not sterile</li>
<li><strong>Herbal</strong> notes like rosemary or eucalyptus have been proven to lower cortisol & increase alertness (<em>Moss et al., 2003</em>)</li>
<li><strong>Woody</strong> undertones grounding, especially in community or youth spaces</li>
</ul>
<p><em>What if a crisis centre uses diffused chrysopogon zizanioides, (a rooty, earthy scent) in microdoses. It helps slow breathing, creating a felt sense of calm</em></p>
<h3>Can food be a feature?</h3>
<p>Food smell = emotional anchoring. Don’t hide it harness it</p>
<ul>
<li>Fresh toast, coffee, spices signal humanity not institution</li>
</ul>
<p><em>What if a youth centre moved its kitchen near the front entrance. The smell of tea and soup can become a signal of saftey and might increatse attendece from the youth</em></p>
<h3>Ventilation as dignity</h3>
<p>Fresh air isn’t just health its a reset</p>
<ul>
<li>Let people smell the outdoors rain, grass, traffic, life</li>
<li>Stale air breeds stuck feelings. Flow supports release</li>
</ul>
<p><em>What if a palliative care ward installed roof vents to allow fresh air into rooms. Would families stay longer? Would patients feel more at peace?</em></p>
<h3>Scent rituals</h3>
<p>Smell can mark transitions & co regulate</p>
<p><em>What if a suicide survivor group starts each session with an essential oil chosen by the group, dabbed onto a shared cloth. Could it become a ritual of safety? (This is streaching the thinking a little but there is data for this)</em></p>
<h2>Smell can be a marker for safety</h2>
<p>Smell isn’t some design flourish to add later. It can be an indicator of rejection or comfort with interacting with a designed outcome. Safety isn’t always spoken sometimes it’s inhaled</p>
<h2>Read more here</h2>
<ul>
<li>Feld, S. (1990). Sound & Sentiment: Birds, Weeping, Poetics, and Song in Kaluli Expression <a href="https://ia801006.us.archive.org/27/items/agenciamientos_aurales/Feld_soundAndSentiment.pdf">PDF via Internet Archive</a> (<a href="https://ia801006.us.archive.org/27/items/agenciamientos_aurales/Feld_soundAndSentiment.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com">ia801006.us.archive.org</a>)</li>
<li>Moss M. et al. (2003). “Aromas of rosemary & lavender enhance cognitive performance and mood.” International Journal of Neuroscience, 113(1):15–38 <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12690999/">PubMed abstract</a> (<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12690999/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov</a>) <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/10808709_Aromas_of_rosemary_and_lavender_essential_oils_differentially_affect_cognition_and_mood_in_healthy_adults">ResearchGate full PDF</a> (<a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/10808709_Aromas_of_rosemary_and_lavender_essential_oils_differentially_affect_cognition_and_mood_in_healthy_adults?utm_source=chatgpt.com">researchgate.net</a>)</li>
<li>Clemans S. et al. (2020). Trauma Informed Design Framework — Center for Health Design Access it via the Center for Health Design’s publications</li>
<li>Pallasmaa, J. (2005). The Eyes of the Skin: Architecture and the Senses Found at design libraries</li>
</ul>
</section>
|
Smell
Designing for what people breathe before they speak
Karl Ndieli
Smell enters before we do. Our nostrils are the hidden user. It crosses the threshold ahead of our bodies, telling the nervous system before our minds can catch up. It is primal, wordless, & unnegotiable
You can’t think your way out of what your body knows about a smell
Smell is the first sense to develop in utero(I might be wrong here scientifically Im 80% sure) & the last to fade. It bypasses language. It doesn’t wait for logic. It speaks directly to memory & emotion
In service design, we often obsess over the “firsts” impressions. But smell isn’t an impression it’s a lasting imprint
It might signal to the body have I been here before?
Smell is not neutral
Smell is lasting. Walk into a job centre, housing office, or health clinic
What do you smell?
Bleach
Microwaved food
Synthetic air freshener (orange its always the citrus one)
Carpet, metal
Fear, or warmth
These are not neutral smells. They are continuous messages that say
Whether a place has been cared for or merely cleaned
Whether a room invites presence or suppresses it
Whether someone has considered the emotional experience of arriving scared, ashamed, exhausted… or not at all
There is no mesurment for how a space feels in your lungs. There is no budget line for olfactory trust. There is no workshop sticky note that says
The corridor smells like impatience
What if people do not assess trust through signage but they breathe it in?
Smell as trauma informed design
The body keeps the score & the nose keeps the receipts. Smell can trigger flashbacks faster than sight or sound. Designing with smell means designing with memory, safety, & embodied experience in mind
So why is this so important?
A refugee might flinch at the smell of kerosene (from heating or cooking in refugee camps)
A mother in recovery may freeze at synthetic lavender, which mimics the scent in the family court where she lost custody of her child
A survivor of domestic violence might associate disinfectant with an institutional room where they had to recount trauma
This is not soft. This is serious.
The importance of multisensory environments in reducing retraumatisation & that smell is central to be aware of when carrying out a discovery
How can we embed smell in service design (without turning it into a spa brochure)
Audit the Air
Walk through your service environment if you have acess to the reception, corridors, bathrooms, interview rooms. What smells dominate?
What shifts throughout the day? Include smell in environmental audits. Invite people with lived experience to describe how a space feels in their lungs
What about a homelessness centere where users describe the smell of the space as stress or like rubber gloves how would you changed the cleaning products & kitchen usage?
Design for residue
Instead of aiming for no smell what scent do we want to leave behind?
Suggestions
Citrus in high traffic areas fresh, not sterile
Herbal notes like rosemary or eucalyptus have been proven to lower cortisol & increase alertness (Moss et al., 2003)
Woody undertones grounding, especially in community or youth spaces
What if a crisis centre uses diffused chrysopogon zizanioides, (a rooty, earthy scent) in microdoses. It helps slow breathing, creating a felt sense of calm
Can food be a feature?
Food smell = emotional anchoring. Don’t hide it harness it
Fresh toast, coffee, spices signal humanity not institution
What if a youth centre moved its kitchen near the front entrance. The smell of tea and soup can become a signal of saftey and might increatse attendece from the youth
Ventilation as dignity
Fresh air isn’t just health its a reset
Let people smell the outdoors rain, grass, traffic, life
Stale air breeds stuck feelings. Flow supports release
What if a palliative care ward installed roof vents to allow fresh air into rooms. Would families stay longer? Would patients feel more at peace?
Scent rituals
Smell can mark transitions & co regulate
What if a suicide survivor group starts each session with an essential oil chosen by the group, dabbed onto a shared cloth. Could it become a ritual of safety? (This is streaching the thinking a little but there is data for this)
Smell can be a marker for safety
Smell isn’t some design flourish to add later. It can be an indicator of rejection or comfort with interacting with a designed outcome. Safety isn’t always spoken sometimes it’s inhaled
Read more here
Feld, S. (1990). Sound & Sentiment: Birds, Weeping, Poetics, and Song in Kaluli Expression PDF via Internet Archive (ia801006.us.archive.org)
Moss M. et al. (2003). “Aromas of rosemary & lavender enhance cognitive performance and mood.” International Journal of Neuroscience, 113(1):15–38 PubMed abstract (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) ResearchGate full PDF (researchgate.net)
Clemans S. et al. (2020). Trauma Informed Design Framework — Center for Health Design Access it via the Center for Health Design’s publications
Pallasmaa, J. (2005). The Eyes of the Skin: Architecture and the Senses Found at design libraries
|
0c1136a2-93e3-5687-b259-b9c86987c0c1
|
25/08/2025 15:59:05
|
|
https://medium.com/@jamasoftware/the-myth-of-the-v-model-d508eac5b9b9
|
medium.com
|
The Myth of the V-Model
|
If you are building complex systems, then you have probably heard of the V-Model. Before we explain it, a word of caution: There are…
|
Jama Software
|
https://medium.com/@jamasoftware
|
d508eac5b9b9
|
4 min
|
2018-04-13T16:12:46.744000
|
2018-04-10T14:26:21
|
2018-04-14T09:24:08.810000
| 0
| 3
|
en
|
Agile,Systems Thinking,Product Development,Testing
|
<section>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/856/0*JKWQjo6Efwff3Fc2.png" width="856" height="573" loading="lazy" />
<p>If you are building complex systems, then you have probably heard of the V-Model. Before we explain it, a word of caution: There are different, partially contradicting definitions of the V-Model. Further, it’s easily misunderstood, which can be more harmful than helpful. This is also the source of the myths of the V-Model. Understanding the Myth of the V-Model helps you apply it correctly, thereby making you more effective.</p>
<p><strong>The V-Model in Brief</strong></p>
<p>Above is one visualization of the V-Model: To understand it, we start in the top left. Here you find the high-level requirements (“Concept of Operations”). Following the left arm of the V, the product definition is refined until we reach the implementation. The right arm of the V contains the corresponding items for validation and verification, like tests, analysis or inspection.</p>
<p>What’s unclear about the model (and frequently a source of confusion) are the relationships between the elements, visualized through arrows. Note that the various arrows have different meanings:</p>
<ul>
<li>The solid lines connecting the boxes represent dependencies. For instance, there is a relationship between “Requirements” and “Detailed Design” (the Detailed Design is a possible solution). If the requirement changes, then usually the design needs to change as well. For instance, changing the battery life from 24 to 48 hours (requirement) will probably require a larger battery (design).</li>
<li>The dashed “Verification & Validation” lines also represent a dependency, but this time for test coverage. Note that the arrows in the figure represent a “tests” relationship (“System Verification & Validation tests Requirements & Architecture”). The direction of the dependency is in the other direction (e.g., changing the battery life from 24 to 48 hours will trigger an update to the corresponding Systems Test).</li>
<li>The outer dashed lines denote activities, and broadly represent time. But here we have to be very careful because they do not represent a strict time sequence. This is a huge source of confusion.</li>
</ul>
<p>Now that we have a rough understanding of the V-Model, let’s look at four of its common myths:</p>
<p><strong>Myth: The V-Model is Only an Extended Waterfall</strong></p>
<p>If we take the time axis too literally, then the V-Model appears to be the Waterfall Model (the left side of the V), with the verification “folded” up. Just as a reminder, the Waterfall model is a linear development approach. It consists of different phases (requirements, design, implementation, etc.), where each one is completed before the next starts. The main difference between the V-Model and Waterfall is the fact that the V-Model iteratively increases the maturity of the development, affecting all items of the product description.</p>
<p><strong>Myth: The V-Model is Simply a Process</strong></p>
<p>This statement is correct, but not complete. Yes, the V-Model is a process. In fact, it is widely used, cited and standardized in various ways: There is the German “Das V-Modell,” a government standard and PRINCE2 method, which is used in the UK and US. Many standards reference it, including ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288.</p>
<p>But this view focuses on the process and ignores the fact that the V-Model also represents the artifacts of product development and their relationships. This second view can generate additional insights, especially if the artifacts are fine-grained: For instance, traditionally the box “requirements” in the figure above would represent a requirements process, with a process flow to the design process.</p>
<p>But if these represent individual requirements, with a precise traceability to design elements, this relationship can suddenly be used for coverage analysis (“ensure all requirements are covered”), change management (“after this requirement change, which design elements are affected?”) and much more.</p>
<p>Looking at both — the process and data model — significantly increases the value of the V-Model.</p>
<p><strong>Myth: The V-Model Cannot be Applied in an Agile Environment</strong></p>
<p>This myth is related to the previous one: The existing methods based on the V-Model were created in the ’90s, before the Agile Manifesto was created.</p>
<p>But the V-Model itself is not just compatible with Agile methods. It’s (almost) a prerequisite! To be more precise, a robust relationship model, like the V-Model, is the foundation for making changes with confidence. And frequent changes are one of the aspects of Agile development. A robust relationship model reflects the triangular relationship between requirement, test and implementation.</p>
<p><strong>Myth: During Development, We Move from Left to Right</strong></p>
<p>As already indicated in the two myth we busted, the V-Model requires jumping back and forth during development. Nevertheless, the assumption is that we need requirements before we can create the corresponding tests.</p>
<p>But the V-Model is well-suited to also support behavior-driven development (BDD). In BDD, the expected behavior is defined in a testable manner. Design only starts after the behavior is defined.</p>
<p>This corresponds to test-driven software development, where an automated test is written before the software implementation is created. For BDD to work, the relationships between the items concerned must be clearly defined and available for analysis and change management.</p>
<p>The V-Model provides the necessary structures for this process. In fact, this triangular relationship is visible in the V-Model’s triangular form, except that BDD uses a slightly different terminology.</p>
<p><strong>The V-Model and Product Development Platforms</strong></p>
<p>The V-Model can be confusing, as it relates to both process and data models. Product development platforms like Jama Software distinguish between these two aspects and address them separately:</p>
<ul>
<li>Works with a flexible data model consisting of item types and relationships. These can be tailored to existing artifacts and workflows. This allows the product description to evolve naturally, while managing the relationships automatically. The results are a clearer understanding of coverage without the fear of changes.</li>
<li>Allows workflows to guide the maturity of the product description, aligned with existing processes. This creates the confidence in the quality of the product, makes it easy to work in a compliant environment and takes the anxiety out of audits.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Conclusion</strong></p>
<p>The V-Model is a powerful concept. But it has been around for a long time: It was created in a time where document-based work was the norm, and where Agile was not yet an established approach. Applied in a modern context, the V-Model is the enabler for the faster development of better products. But in order to take advantage of this, it must be understood.</p>
<p><em>Learn how to overcome tight timelines, increasing product complexity and risk and regulation adversity with our webinar, “<a href="https://www.jamasoftware.com/resource/effective-requirements-management-</em>increases-productivity-webinar/">Do More with Less: How Effective Requirements Management Increases Productivity</a>.”</p>
<p>Michael Jastram | April 10, 2018</p>
<p><em>Originally published at <a href="https://www.jamasoftware.com/b</em>log/the-myth-of-the-v-model/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=medium">www.jamasoftware.com</a> on April 10, 2018.</p>
</section>
|
The Myth of the V-Model
If you are building complex systems, then you have probably heard of the V-Model. Before we explain it, a word of caution: There are different, partially contradicting definitions of the V-Model. Further, it’s easily misunderstood, which can be more harmful than helpful. This is also the source of the myths of the V-Model. Understanding the Myth of the V-Model helps you apply it correctly, thereby making you more effective.
The V-Model in Brief
Above is one visualization of the V-Model: To understand it, we start in the top left. Here you find the high-level requirements (“Concept of Operations”). Following the left arm of the V, the product definition is refined until we reach the implementation. The right arm of the V contains the corresponding items for validation and verification, like tests, analysis or inspection.
What’s unclear about the model (and frequently a source of confusion) are the relationships between the elements, visualized through arrows. Note that the various arrows have different meanings:
The solid lines connecting the boxes represent dependencies. For instance, there is a relationship between “Requirements” and “Detailed Design” (the Detailed Design is a possible solution). If the requirement changes, then usually the design needs to change as well. For instance, changing the battery life from 24 to 48 hours (requirement) will probably require a larger battery (design).
The dashed “Verification & Validation” lines also represent a dependency, but this time for test coverage. Note that the arrows in the figure represent a “tests” relationship (“System Verification & Validation tests Requirements & Architecture”). The direction of the dependency is in the other direction (e.g., changing the battery life from 24 to 48 hours will trigger an update to the corresponding Systems Test).
The outer dashed lines denote activities, and broadly represent time. But here we have to be very careful because they do not represent a strict time sequence. This is a huge source of confusion.
Now that we have a rough understanding of the V-Model, let’s look at four of its common myths:
Myth: The V-Model is Only an Extended Waterfall
If we take the time axis too literally, then the V-Model appears to be the Waterfall Model (the left side of the V), with the verification “folded” up. Just as a reminder, the Waterfall model is a linear development approach. It consists of different phases (requirements, design, implementation, etc.), where each one is completed before the next starts. The main difference between the V-Model and Waterfall is the fact that the V-Model iteratively increases the maturity of the development, affecting all items of the product description.
Myth: The V-Model is Simply a Process
This statement is correct, but not complete. Yes, the V-Model is a process. In fact, it is widely used, cited and standardized in various ways: There is the German “Das V-Modell,” a government standard and PRINCE2 method, which is used in the UK and US. Many standards reference it, including ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288.
But this view focuses on the process and ignores the fact that the V-Model also represents the artifacts of product development and their relationships. This second view can generate additional insights, especially if the artifacts are fine-grained: For instance, traditionally the box “requirements” in the figure above would represent a requirements process, with a process flow to the design process.
But if these represent individual requirements, with a precise traceability to design elements, this relationship can suddenly be used for coverage analysis (“ensure all requirements are covered”), change management (“after this requirement change, which design elements are affected?”) and much more.
Looking at both — the process and data model — significantly increases the value of the V-Model.
Myth: The V-Model Cannot be Applied in an Agile Environment
This myth is related to the previous one: The existing methods based on the V-Model were created in the ’90s, before the Agile Manifesto was created.
But the V-Model itself is not just compatible with Agile methods. It’s (almost) a prerequisite! To be more precise, a robust relationship model, like the V-Model, is the foundation for making changes with confidence. And frequent changes are one of the aspects of Agile development. A robust relationship model reflects the triangular relationship between requirement, test and implementation.
Myth: During Development, We Move from Left to Right
As already indicated in the two myth we busted, the V-Model requires jumping back and forth during development. Nevertheless, the assumption is that we need requirements before we can create the corresponding tests.
But the V-Model is well-suited to also support behavior-driven development (BDD). In BDD, the expected behavior is defined in a testable manner. Design only starts after the behavior is defined.
This corresponds to test-driven software development, where an automated test is written before the software implementation is created. For BDD to work, the relationships between the items concerned must be clearly defined and available for analysis and change management.
The V-Model provides the necessary structures for this process. In fact, this triangular relationship is visible in the V-Model’s triangular form, except that BDD uses a slightly different terminology.
The V-Model and Product Development Platforms
The V-Model can be confusing, as it relates to both process and data models. Product development platforms like Jama Software distinguish between these two aspects and address them separately:
Works with a flexible data model consisting of item types and relationships. These can be tailored to existing artifacts and workflows. This allows the product description to evolve naturally, while managing the relationships automatically. The results are a clearer understanding of coverage without the fear of changes.
Allows workflows to guide the maturity of the product description, aligned with existing processes. This creates the confidence in the quality of the product, makes it easy to work in a compliant environment and takes the anxiety out of audits.
Conclusion
The V-Model is a powerful concept. But it has been around for a long time: It was created in a time where document-based work was the norm, and where Agile was not yet an established approach. Applied in a modern context, the V-Model is the enabler for the faster development of better products. But in order to take advantage of this, it must be understood.
Learn how to overcome tight timelines, increasing product complexity and risk and regulation adversity with our webinar, “Do More with Less: How Effective Requirements Management Increases Productivity.”
Michael Jastram | April 10, 2018
Originally published at www.jamasoftware.com on April 10, 2018.
|
3f87b7cd-3d68-53de-876c-8725edba7a02
|
25/08/2025 15:59:05
|
|
https://medium.com/@nickcrawford_95635/happy-birthday-workplace-by-facebook-how-are-you-doing-155e4d121c12
|
medium.com
|
Happy Birthday Workplace by Facebook, how are you doing?
|
Happy First Birthday Workplace, going out to all the Workplace team, Customers and Partner network.
|
Nick Crawford
|
https://medium.com/@nickcrawford_95635
|
155e4d121c12
|
2 min
|
2017-10-26T07:43:05.696000
|
2017-10-26T08:09:47.403000
|
2018-02-10T10:25:29.903000
| 0
| 9
|
en
|
Workplace By Facebook,Digital Workplace,Internal Communications,Collaboration
|
<section>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1600/1*GGpKWwsOE3EIRvD264tR8A.jpeg" width="1600" height="1600" loading="lazy" />
<p>Happy First Birthday Workplace, going out to all the Workplace team, Customers and Partner network.</p>
<p>The ad in the FT today prompted me to suggest some things we’ve seen at <a href="https://www.worknetworks.co.uk/">Work Networks </a>that we think are worth celebrating from the first 12 months.</p>
<p><strong>Fast adoption — Over 30,000 companies </strong>are now connecting their people with Workplace, and quickly achieving previously unheard of levels of activity (we’re talking > 80% weekly active users being common place). These projects tend to move at an insane pace, because they can.</p>
<p><strong>Workplace Live broadcasts</strong> — seeing CEOs, MDs, senior leaders (and many others) opening the doors to their meetings, presentations, travels, thoughts and more via Live broadcasts into chosen Workplace Groups.</p>
<p><strong>Connecting the whole organisation</strong> — Field based people connecting with each other and with office based colleagues, allowing frontline information flow never before seen (from retail environments, to factories, to field sales agents. Best practice being shared, management and peer to peer recognition received, internal communications achieved.</p>
<p><strong>Connecting across language barriers</strong> — automatic translation is amazing, finally allowing people to be themselves, post in their own languages and allow anyone to understand them. This has been beyond useful rolling out Workplace globally.</p>
<p><strong>New Product Development and Innovation</strong> — New products being developed by cross functional, cross-geographical teams, enabling incredibly fast speed to market, and indeed products that otherwise wouldn’t exist</p>
<p><strong>Polls inviting input from across the business straight to the top</strong> — C-Suite leaders engaging directly with colleagues at all levels via dynamic weekly polls, whether as “mood-o-meters”, or involving people directly in prioritising challenges and shaping business strategy. This is a long way from the off the shelf annual engagement survey.</p>
<p><strong>Replacing traditional event apps with Workplace and Work Chat</strong> — Accelerating senior leader and other stakeholder adoption by using Workplace pre, during and post events. One of the best ways to enhance an event or conference, and to gain visible senior leader endorsement of the platform.</p>
<p><strong>Partners working with partners</strong> — from bots gold rush, to fundamental integrations (Sharepoint integration anyone?) there are partners developing everything and anything. And Workplace partners are a passionate bunch, all aligned by the knowledge that together changes everything.</p>
<p><strong>Internal Comms teams leading the way</strong> — we’re really seeing IC taking the lead, working well alongside IT and HR. This is helped massively by Workplace’s ability to have clear target audience announcement and discussion groups. They cater perfectly to IC needs, successfully bringing comms and collaboration to one place and expanding the importance of IC teams everywhere.</p>
<p>These are just some of the highlights we’ve seen working with forward thinking companies like Danone, pladis (McVities, Ulker, Godiva), Coty, Weatherbys Bank, and more.</p>
<p><strong>Big thanks, Happy Birthday and well done everyone involved. Together does indeed change everything : )</strong></p>
</section>
|
Happy Birthday Workplace by Facebook, how are you doing?
Workplace: Official 1st anniversary today, and “we’re only at 1%”
Happy First Birthday Workplace, going out to all the Workplace team, Customers and Partner network.
The ad in the FT today prompted me to suggest some things we’ve seen at Work Networks that we think are worth celebrating from the first 12 months.
Fast adoption — Over 30,000 companies are now connecting their people with Workplace, and quickly achieving previously unheard of levels of activity (we’re talking > 80% weekly active users being common place). These projects tend to move at an insane pace, because they can.
Workplace Live broadcasts — seeing CEOs, MDs, senior leaders (and many others) opening the doors to their meetings, presentations, travels, thoughts and more via Live broadcasts into chosen Workplace Groups.
Connecting the whole organisation — Field based people connecting with each other and with office based colleagues, allowing frontline information flow never before seen (from retail environments, to factories, to field sales agents. Best practice being shared, management and peer to peer recognition received, internal communications achieved.
Connecting across language barriers — automatic translation is amazing, finally allowing people to be themselves, post in their own languages and allow anyone to understand them. This has been beyond useful rolling out Workplace globally.
New Product Development and Innovation — New products being developed by cross functional, cross-geographical teams, enabling incredibly fast speed to market, and indeed products that otherwise wouldn’t exist
Polls inviting input from across the business straight to the top — C-Suite leaders engaging directly with colleagues at all levels via dynamic weekly polls, whether as “mood-o-meters”, or involving people directly in prioritising challenges and shaping business strategy. This is a long way from the off the shelf annual engagement survey.
Replacing traditional event apps with Workplace and Work Chat — Accelerating senior leader and other stakeholder adoption by using Workplace pre, during and post events. One of the best ways to enhance an event or conference, and to gain visible senior leader endorsement of the platform.
Partners working with partners — from bots gold rush, to fundamental integrations (Sharepoint integration anyone?) there are partners developing everything and anything. And Workplace partners are a passionate bunch, all aligned by the knowledge that together changes everything.
Internal Comms teams leading the way — we’re really seeing IC taking the lead, working well alongside IT and HR. This is helped massively by Workplace’s ability to have clear target audience announcement and discussion groups. They cater perfectly to IC needs, successfully bringing comms and collaboration to one place and expanding the importance of IC teams everywhere.
These are just some of the highlights we’ve seen working with forward thinking companies like Danone, pladis (McVities, Ulker, Godiva), Coty, Weatherbys Bank, and more.
Big thanks, Happy Birthday and well done everyone involved. Together does indeed change everything : )
|
42abfe8f-f260-554b-b260-89e4f745eed1
|
25/08/2025 15:59:05
|
|
https://medium.com/chicago-bulls-confidential/et-tu-jimmy-1115a54a4cb1
|
medium.com
|
Et Tu, Jimmy?
|
The Chicago Bulls second-half slump has affected Jimmy Butler, causing him to betray this Bulls fan’s lofty MVP dreams down the stretch.
|
Michael Walton II
|
https://medium.com/@zenmastermike
|
1115a54a4cb1
|
6 min
|
2017-03-19T06:24:32.501000
|
2017-03-20T13:22:41.389000
|
2018-04-24T15:49:12.859000
| 0
| 5
|
en
|
NBA,Sports,Chicago Bulls,Fred Hoiberg,Jimmy Butler
|
<section>
<p>The Chicago Bulls second-half slump has affected Jimmy Butler, causing him to betray this Bulls fan’s lofty MVP dreams down the stretch.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/4928/1*FYBVJR8_hfHUhzOohICV-g.jpeg" width="4928" height="3264" loading="lazy" />
<p>Jimmy Butler has given Chicago Bulls fans something to cheer about in the midst of one of the most deflating seasons in recent memory. His current stat line of 23.3 points, 5.2 assists, and 6.2 rebounds per game represents his most productive year as a pro. In the ‘16–17’ NBA regular season, only Russell Westbrook has had more “full-fledged-Terminator-F-U games” than Jimmy Butler.</p>
<p>Losses where you score 40 points on 59 percent shooting? Check.</p>
<p>Wins where you score 40 points on 60 percent shooting? Check.</p>
<p>Throughout this season, Butler has been the one Bulls player to bring it night-in, and night-out. He was rewarded by finally starting in an NBA All-Star game, but following the All-Star break, something weird happened.</p>
<p><strong>Jimmy pre-All Star Break: </strong>24.5 PPG on 45.2 FG%, 9.6 free throw attempts per game</p>
<p><strong>Jimmy post-All Star Break: </strong>18.3 PPG on 37.3 FG%, 5.8 free throw attempts per game</p>
<p>Butler’s post-All Star numbers have coincided with the team’s slide out of playoff contention. It’s like he literally <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0l5YsoopKPo">had his talents stolen by a group of….</a>you get the point. Butler has seen his scoring drop hastily, and that goes hand-in-hand with the drop in free throw attempts. The question is: why has his scoring dropped so drastically?</p>
<p>As a scorer, we have seen Butler excel in post-up, isolation, and pick-and-roll plays, with the latter being his most used play type. Hoiberg’s system hinges heavily on guard penetration off of pick-and-roll action. That initial action functions at its peak when there are multiple shooters on the floor to provide optimal spacing for drives to the rim.</p>
<p>That’s why the trade of Taj Gibson and Doug McDermott was not shocking. Gibson doesn’t shoot threes and McDermott seemed to be in an inescapable slump. Butler is the foundation, and he seems to be on the same page as Hoiberg style-wise, despite seeming to not like him at times.</p>
<p>Out of the pick-and-roll (per NBA.com), Butler gets to the free-throw line at higher rate than fellow NBA superstars James Harden, DeMar DeRozan and Kawhi Leonard. It’s a play that suits him because it gets him going downhill with a full head of steam. On top of that free throw prowess out of PnR, Butler scores 0.93 points per possession on the play, putting him in the top 80% of players in the league in that situation.</p>
<p>Butler has a penchant for holding on to the ball too long, a habit developed further by the Bulls need to be bailed out so often on offense. That habit is the only thing holding him back in pick-and-roll situations.</p>
<p>The next step in the development of Jimmy “G. Buckets” is him raising his game as a playmaker. This is important because the most likely reason for his decline is long-term fatigue. He is averaging nearly the same amount of minutes per game post-All Star break, yet he is shooting worse and scoring less. If he is tired (or, God forbid, hurt), he should definitely be relying on his teammates more.</p>
<p>Here is Butler’s free throw rate, assists percentage, and usage rate for this season as compared to — in my opinion — his closest peer, DeMar DeRozan.</p>
<p>Butler Free Throw Rate: <strong>54.5 percent</strong>, Assist Percentage: <strong>23.6 percent</strong>, Usage Rate: 26.6 percent</p>
<p>DeRozan: Free Throw Rate: 41.6 percent, Assist Percentage: 19.7 percent, Usage Rate: <strong>33.9 percent</strong></p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/728/1*o7g9BkzabxIO_j-8TJiLAA.jpeg" width="728" height="90" loading="lazy" />
<p>Butler has an assist percentage that is 4.4 percent higher than that of DeRozan, and he has played slightly more minutes. The key thing to look at here are the figures in bold: the usage rate of DeRozan and the free throw rate and assist percentage of Butler. DeRozan is a peer of Butler’s as a bigger wing who can score at will, but his team is in the upper echelon of the East because of the great supporting cast surrounding him. The fact that Butler is attaining a higher rate of free throws and assists when on the floor than DeRozan helps confirm my belief that Butler is an overall better player. If Butler is on the floor more than DeRozan, why is his usage percentage so much lower? Hoiberg needs to step in and <em>really </em>give him control of the offense since the Bulls role players don’t fulfill their roles very well. With Wade’s untimely injury, now is the time for Butler to really take the reins on offense.</p>
<p>If Butler wants to get out of the slump, he needs to find ways to impact the game on offense outside of scoring on a consistent basis. He also has some bad habits he needs to break. He has a penchant for passing to shooters on the wing out of pick-and-roll action, only to run back towards them in an effort to get the ball back. It is great that Butler wants to be the main scorer, but he needs to learn how to do it in a manner that puts his teammates in a position to score, rather than to get an offensive rebound. Butler has always appeared to be a player willing to do the work to evolve as a player, as evidenced by his steadily increasing career averages across the board. So now it is time for him to both put in the work of learning the tendencies of his young teammates and accept the role of (occasional) decoy on offense.</p>
<p>To summarize, my saying that Jimmy Butler needs to be more involved on offense doesn’t <em>necessarily </em>mean he needs to shoot more. What it does mean is that he needs to work on racking up the hockey assist, where he sets up another player for a passing opportunity that will lead to an easy assist. Defenses have worked on different ways of loading up on Butler. The book is out on him as a streaky mid-range shooter who can dominate if given easy lanes to the rim. It is now Butler’s (and Hoiberg’s) turn to strike back by figuring out how Butler can work those angles to generate easy scoring opportunities for a team that desperately needs them.</p>
<p>A nice ending note here is the breakdown of points per possession for Butler depending on the play type.</p>
<p><strong>Jimmy Butler Offense Breakdown:</strong></p>
<p><strong>Play Type/ Percentage Used/ Points Per Possession</strong></p>
<p><strong>ISOLATION / 12.9% / 0.95</strong></p>
<p><strong>POST UP / 4.8%/ 1.04</strong></p>
<p><strong>PICK-AND-ROLL / 36.4%/ 0.93</strong></p>
<p><strong>TRANSITION / 13% / 1.41</strong></p>
<p><strong>SPOT-UP/ 10%/ 1.19</strong></p>
<p>Butler excels out of the plays that are staples of Hoiberg’s offense: the pick-and-roll and transition. That should be of no shock to anyone who has watched even just a few plays of Jimmy “G. Buckets”. He is a bull in transition (no pun intended). He is near impossible to stop with a full head of steam, which is why he is so great in the pick-and-roll. The intriguing thing with Butler is that he functions just as well on post-up plays and as a spot-up shooter. If the Bulls want to grab a playoff spot as they close out the season, it is clear they need to play better. And to play better, Jimmy Butler has to adjust. The way I see it, there are two ways the season can end for Butler.</p>
<p>He can either:</p>
<p>Unleash his inner-James Harden and take up a huge portion of Dwyane Wade’s team-leading (yes, you read that correctly) <strong>29.7 percent </strong>usage rate. In this scenario, Butler starts making quicker decisions. He dictates the offense through his driving and passing. When there is no immediate scoring opportunity off of a drive to the lane, he will make the right pass, followed by a cut to the basket. In this reality, Butler starts to realize his dominance in the post and he regularly establishes position on the block. As a result, he manages to have his usage percentage increase closer to 30 percent, rather than his current <strong>26.6 percent</strong>. His assists per game rises to 6.0, and he makes All-NBA Second Team, but the Bulls narrowly miss the postseason.</p>
<p>Shift his focus to making NBA All-Defensive First Team. Butler relishes the role of stopper down the stretch, knowing the only chance the Bulls have of winning games is by locking down the opposition. In the absence of Wade, the Bulls relinquish complete control of the offense to Rajon <a href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/rondora01.html">“The Yoga Instructor (?)</a>” Rondo. The Bulls’ starting point guard becomes a double-double machine as Butler racks up a ridiculous string of 18-point, 5-steal games. The Bulls snag the eighth seed in the East and gear up for a battle against long-time Chicago Bulls-killer, LeBron James.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/600/1*WQhvOoI-VbHGrvvCJVEizQ.png" width="600" height="72" loading="lazy" />
</section>
|
Et Tu, Jimmy?
The Chicago Bulls second-half slump has affected Jimmy Butler, causing him to betray this Bulls fan’s lofty MVP dreams down the stretch.
Photo by: BKrie23
Jimmy Butler has given Chicago Bulls fans something to cheer about in the midst of one of the most deflating seasons in recent memory. His current stat line of 23.3 points, 5.2 assists, and 6.2 rebounds per game represents his most productive year as a pro. In the ‘16–17’ NBA regular season, only Russell Westbrook has had more “full-fledged-Terminator-F-U games” than Jimmy Butler.
Losses where you score 40 points on 59 percent shooting? Check.
Wins where you score 40 points on 60 percent shooting? Check.
Throughout this season, Butler has been the one Bulls player to bring it night-in, and night-out. He was rewarded by finally starting in an NBA All-Star game, but following the All-Star break, something weird happened.
Jimmy pre-All Star Break: 24.5 PPG on 45.2 FG%, 9.6 free throw attempts per game
Jimmy post-All Star Break: 18.3 PPG on 37.3 FG%, 5.8 free throw attempts per game
Butler’s post-All Star numbers have coincided with the team’s slide out of playoff contention. It’s like he literally had his talents stolen by a group of….you get the point. Butler has seen his scoring drop hastily, and that goes hand-in-hand with the drop in free throw attempts. The question is: why has his scoring dropped so drastically?
As a scorer, we have seen Butler excel in post-up, isolation, and pick-and-roll plays, with the latter being his most used play type. Hoiberg’s system hinges heavily on guard penetration off of pick-and-roll action. That initial action functions at its peak when there are multiple shooters on the floor to provide optimal spacing for drives to the rim.
That’s why the trade of Taj Gibson and Doug McDermott was not shocking. Gibson doesn’t shoot threes and McDermott seemed to be in an inescapable slump. Butler is the foundation, and he seems to be on the same page as Hoiberg style-wise, despite seeming to not like him at times.
Out of the pick-and-roll (per NBA.com), Butler gets to the free-throw line at higher rate than fellow NBA superstars James Harden, DeMar DeRozan and Kawhi Leonard. It’s a play that suits him because it gets him going downhill with a full head of steam. On top of that free throw prowess out of PnR, Butler scores 0.93 points per possession on the play, putting him in the top 80% of players in the league in that situation.
Butler has a penchant for holding on to the ball too long, a habit developed further by the Bulls need to be bailed out so often on offense. That habit is the only thing holding him back in pick-and-roll situations.
The next step in the development of Jimmy “G. Buckets” is him raising his game as a playmaker. This is important because the most likely reason for his decline is long-term fatigue. He is averaging nearly the same amount of minutes per game post-All Star break, yet he is shooting worse and scoring less. If he is tired (or, God forbid, hurt), he should definitely be relying on his teammates more.
Here is Butler’s free throw rate, assists percentage, and usage rate for this season as compared to — in my opinion — his closest peer, DeMar DeRozan.
Butler Free Throw Rate: 54.5 percent, Assist Percentage: 23.6 percent, Usage Rate: 26.6 percent
DeRozan: Free Throw Rate: 41.6 percent, Assist Percentage: 19.7 percent, Usage Rate: 33.9 percent
Butler has an assist percentage that is 4.4 percent higher than that of DeRozan, and he has played slightly more minutes. The key thing to look at here are the figures in bold: the usage rate of DeRozan and the free throw rate and assist percentage of Butler. DeRozan is a peer of Butler’s as a bigger wing who can score at will, but his team is in the upper echelon of the East because of the great supporting cast surrounding him. The fact that Butler is attaining a higher rate of free throws and assists when on the floor than DeRozan helps confirm my belief that Butler is an overall better player. If Butler is on the floor more than DeRozan, why is his usage percentage so much lower? Hoiberg needs to step in and really give him control of the offense since the Bulls role players don’t fulfill their roles very well. With Wade’s untimely injury, now is the time for Butler to really take the reins on offense.
If Butler wants to get out of the slump, he needs to find ways to impact the game on offense outside of scoring on a consistent basis. He also has some bad habits he needs to break. He has a penchant for passing to shooters on the wing out of pick-and-roll action, only to run back towards them in an effort to get the ball back. It is great that Butler wants to be the main scorer, but he needs to learn how to do it in a manner that puts his teammates in a position to score, rather than to get an offensive rebound. Butler has always appeared to be a player willing to do the work to evolve as a player, as evidenced by his steadily increasing career averages across the board. So now it is time for him to both put in the work of learning the tendencies of his young teammates and accept the role of (occasional) decoy on offense.
To summarize, my saying that Jimmy Butler needs to be more involved on offense doesn’t necessarily mean he needs to shoot more. What it does mean is that he needs to work on racking up the hockey assist, where he sets up another player for a passing opportunity that will lead to an easy assist. Defenses have worked on different ways of loading up on Butler. The book is out on him as a streaky mid-range shooter who can dominate if given easy lanes to the rim. It is now Butler’s (and Hoiberg’s) turn to strike back by figuring out how Butler can work those angles to generate easy scoring opportunities for a team that desperately needs them.
A nice ending note here is the breakdown of points per possession for Butler depending on the play type.
Jimmy Butler Offense Breakdown:
Play Type/ Percentage Used/ Points Per Possession
ISOLATION / 12.9% / 0.95
POST UP / 4.8%/ 1.04
PICK-AND-ROLL / 36.4%/ 0.93
TRANSITION / 13% / 1.41
SPOT-UP/ 10%/ 1.19
Butler excels out of the plays that are staples of Hoiberg’s offense: the pick-and-roll and transition. That should be of no shock to anyone who has watched even just a few plays of Jimmy “G. Buckets”. He is a bull in transition (no pun intended). He is near impossible to stop with a full head of steam, which is why he is so great in the pick-and-roll. The intriguing thing with Butler is that he functions just as well on post-up plays and as a spot-up shooter. If the Bulls want to grab a playoff spot as they close out the season, it is clear they need to play better. And to play better, Jimmy Butler has to adjust. The way I see it, there are two ways the season can end for Butler.
He can either:
Unleash his inner-James Harden and take up a huge portion of Dwyane Wade’s team-leading (yes, you read that correctly) 29.7 percent usage rate. In this scenario, Butler starts making quicker decisions. He dictates the offense through his driving and passing. When there is no immediate scoring opportunity off of a drive to the lane, he will make the right pass, followed by a cut to the basket. In this reality, Butler starts to realize his dominance in the post and he regularly establishes position on the block. As a result, he manages to have his usage percentage increase closer to 30 percent, rather than his current 26.6 percent. His assists per game rises to 6.0, and he makes All-NBA Second Team, but the Bulls narrowly miss the postseason.
Shift his focus to making NBA All-Defensive First Team. Butler relishes the role of stopper down the stretch, knowing the only chance the Bulls have of winning games is by locking down the opposition. In the absence of Wade, the Bulls relinquish complete control of the offense to Rajon “The Yoga Instructor (?)” Rondo. The Bulls’ starting point guard becomes a double-double machine as Butler racks up a ridiculous string of 18-point, 5-steal games. The Bulls snag the eighth seed in the East and gear up for a battle against long-time Chicago Bulls-killer, LeBron James.
|
d4415c92-7da7-582e-9f33-8619c470c998
|
25/08/2025 15:59:05
|
|
https://medium.com/etsah/qotd-train-yourself-and-wait-53d3fb819d81
|
medium.com
|
#QOTD TRAIN YOURSELF AND WAIT
| null |
obed nugroho
|
https://medium.com/@obedbanget
|
53d3fb819d81
|
0 min
|
2018-09-29T06:47:13.525000
|
2016-02-04T08:15:04
|
2018-10-01T03:30:39.902000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Scrapbook,Life,Preparation,Quote,Training
|
<section>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/319/0*4SEwQv8Gzvmy0Bb2.jpg" width="319" height="319" loading="lazy" />
</section>
|
#QOTD TRAIN YOURSELF AND WAIT
|
117d8881-c2d7-5897-99fa-4d5f64566ab8
|
25/08/2025 15:59:05
|
|
https://tidalsoundings.medium.com/the-twisted-logic-of-james-comey-that-sabotaged-the-clinton-campaign-a4fb2bb1f5e0
|
medium.com
|
The Twisted Logic Of James Comey That Sabotaged The Clinton Campaign
|
James Comey got some good news on Friday. The stories about Jared Kushner’s apparent collusion with the Russians totally overshadowed a CNN…
|
E.Eggert(m2c4)
|
https://medium.com/@tidalsoundings
|
a4fb2bb1f5e0
| null |
2 min
|
2017-05-28T11:52:27.030000
|
2017-05-28T04:51:00
|
2017-05-29T16:47:31.042000
| 0
| 4
|
en
|
Hillary Clinton,James Comey,FBI,Elections,Russia
|
<section>
<p>James Comey got some good news on Friday. The stories about Jared Kushner’s apparent collusion with the Russians totally overshadowed a CNN story that show just how convoluted Comey’s logic had to get in order to sabotage the Hillary Clinton campaign.</p>
<p>I have already written about the report that <a href="http://tidalsoundings.blogspot.com/2017/05/as-details-emerge-2016-election-becomes.html">Comey had apparently been duped by a Russian operation</a> that delivered a Russian intelligence analysis that Attorney General Loretta Lynch had compromised herself by agreeing to limit the investigation into Hillary’s emails. That report, along with Lynch’s meeting with Bill Clinton on the tarmac in Arizona, prompted Comey to unilaterally decide to ignore DOJ protocols, brazenly assume the duties of the Attorney General and the Deputy Attorney General, and hold a press conference characterizing Clinton as “extremely careless” while essentially exonerating her.</p>
<p>That report was later shown to be false but Comey had indicated that he took the report seriously on multiple occasions, including testimony before Congress. That seemed bad enough. But the CNN report shows that the truth is actually worse.</p>
<p>Even before that fateful July press conference, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/26/politics/james-comey-fbi-investigation-fake-russian-intelligence/index.html?sr=fbCNN052617james-comey-fbi-investigation-fake-russian-intelligence0506PMStoryLink&linkId=38052621">Comey knew that the document was false but that made absolutely no difference to him</a>. His rationale was that it would be assumed to be true if it ever became public and that would tarnish the entire investigation and its conclusions. Of course, if it did become public, the obvious position would be to come out and say that the document was known to be false Russian propaganda. But Comey did not want to have to deny the report because he felt that the denial would reveal the FBI’s sources and methods.</p>
<p>So, in order to protect the FBI’s sources and methods, Comey ended up, apparently wittingly, in colluding with the Russians in order to discredit Hillary Clinton and influence the election in Donald Trump’s favor.</p>
<p>Of course, Comey’s actions in July then led directly to his fateful decision to announce there was “new information” regarding Hillary’s emails just 11 days before the election, an unprecedented injection of the FBI into an election and a move that most independent analyses believe threw the election to Donald Trump. And Comey used the same twisted logic in that case. Again, he feared that if the information came out about the existence of the Abedin emails, it would taint his investigation. So he went and announced the existence of those emails before he even had any idea of whether they were relevant or not.</p>
<p>In essence, on multiple occasions James Comey spread Russian or Republican propaganda when he either knew it was false or had no good reason to believe was true simply because he didn’t want to deal with the consequences of the potential abuse he would take if that propaganda became public sometime later. It takes an incredible twist of logic to do what Comey did. But, in both cases, the result was far worse for Hillary Clinton than it was for James Comey.</p>
<p><em>Originally published at <a href="http://tidalsoundings.blogspot.com/</em>2017/05/the-twisted-logic-of-james-comey-that.html">tidalsoundings.blogspot.com</a> on May 28, 2017.</p>
</section>
|
The Twisted Logic Of James Comey That Sabotaged The Clinton Campaign
James Comey got some good news on Friday. The stories about Jared Kushner’s apparent collusion with the Russians totally overshadowed a CNN story that show just how convoluted Comey’s logic had to get in order to sabotage the Hillary Clinton campaign.
I have already written about the report that Comey had apparently been duped by a Russian operation that delivered a Russian intelligence analysis that Attorney General Loretta Lynch had compromised herself by agreeing to limit the investigation into Hillary’s emails. That report, along with Lynch’s meeting with Bill Clinton on the tarmac in Arizona, prompted Comey to unilaterally decide to ignore DOJ protocols, brazenly assume the duties of the Attorney General and the Deputy Attorney General, and hold a press conference characterizing Clinton as “extremely careless” while essentially exonerating her.
That report was later shown to be false but Comey had indicated that he took the report seriously on multiple occasions, including testimony before Congress. That seemed bad enough. But the CNN report shows that the truth is actually worse.
Even before that fateful July press conference, Comey knew that the document was false but that made absolutely no difference to him. His rationale was that it would be assumed to be true if it ever became public and that would tarnish the entire investigation and its conclusions. Of course, if it did become public, the obvious position would be to come out and say that the document was known to be false Russian propaganda. But Comey did not want to have to deny the report because he felt that the denial would reveal the FBI’s sources and methods.
So, in order to protect the FBI’s sources and methods, Comey ended up, apparently wittingly, in colluding with the Russians in order to discredit Hillary Clinton and influence the election in Donald Trump’s favor.
Of course, Comey’s actions in July then led directly to his fateful decision to announce there was “new information” regarding Hillary’s emails just 11 days before the election, an unprecedented injection of the FBI into an election and a move that most independent analyses believe threw the election to Donald Trump. And Comey used the same twisted logic in that case. Again, he feared that if the information came out about the existence of the Abedin emails, it would taint his investigation. So he went and announced the existence of those emails before he even had any idea of whether they were relevant or not.
In essence, on multiple occasions James Comey spread Russian or Republican propaganda when he either knew it was false or had no good reason to believe was true simply because he didn’t want to deal with the consequences of the potential abuse he would take if that propaganda became public sometime later. It takes an incredible twist of logic to do what Comey did. But, in both cases, the result was far worse for Hillary Clinton than it was for James Comey.
Originally published at tidalsoundings.blogspot.com on May 28, 2017.
|
c85260de-b73f-58d3-bed1-c03178e8915e
|
25/08/2025 15:59:06
|
https://medium.com/@jonathan.pearson/growth-strategy-driving-revenues-from-20mm-to-80mm-by-jonathan-pearson-ceo-bluzinc-fad698c31e62
|
medium.com
|
Growth Strategy driving Revenues from $20MM to $80MM by Jonathan Pearson — CEO, BluZinc
|
As CEO and Founder of BluZinc, my experiences with Ajilon and Hays Specialist Recruitment have given me deep insights into scaling a…
|
Jonathan Pearson - CEO, BluZinc
|
https://medium.com/@jonathan.pearson
|
fad698c31e62
| null |
3 min
|
2024-01-27T20:03:19.396000
|
2024-01-27T20:11:52.510000
|
2024-02-22T08:56:19.311000
| 0
| 45
|
en
|
Growth Strategy,People,Innovation Culture,Customers,Technology
|
<section>
<h1>Growth Strategy driving Revenues from $20MM to $80MM by Jonathan Pearson — CEO, BluZinc</h1>
<p>As CEO and Founder of BluZinc, my experiences with Adecco — Ajilon and Hays Specialist Recruitment have given me deep insights into scaling a business successfully. In addition, since 2015 the clients of BluZinc have been regularly going through growth curves up to to $10MM, to $50MM, to $250MM and some are on the way to $1B revenues. Growing a $20MM revenue D2C company to an $80MM enterprise within 2–5 years is a formidable yet achievable goal. It requires a strategic approach across several key areas: customers, people, processes, technology, and leadership.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://bluzinc.co/growing-revenues-strateg</strong>y-tactics-20mm-to-80mm/">Growth Strategy driving Revenues from $20MM to $80MM
<em>As CEO and Founder of BluZinc, my experiences with Ajilon and Hays Specialist Recruitment have given me deep insights…</em>b</a>luzinc.co</p>
<p><strong>Customer Experience and Retention:</strong> Prioritize customer satisfaction and retention. Implement feedback mechanisms to continuously improve the customer experience.</p>
<p><strong>Market Expansion:</strong> Explore new market segments and geographies. Tailor products and marketing strategies to these new customer bases.</p>
<p><strong>Product Innovation:</strong> Continuously innovate the product line to meet evolving customer needs and to stay ahead of the competition.</p>
<h2>People</h2>
<p><strong>Talent Acquisition and Development:</strong> Invest in hiring and developing top talent. Foster a culture of continuous learning and growth.</p>
<p><strong>Employee Engagement:</strong> Ensure employees are engaged and aligned with the company’s vision. Recognize and reward contributions.</p>
<p><strong>Leadership Development:</strong> Develop internal leadership to manage growing teams and new challenges effectively.</p>
<h2>Process</h2>
<p><strong>Scalable Systems:</strong> Implement scalable processes to handle increased operational complexity.</p>
<p><strong>Efficiency Optimization:</strong> Continually assess and improve operational efficiency.</p>
<p><strong>Risk Management:</strong> Develop robust risk management strategies to mitigate potential growth-related challenges.</p>
<h2>Technology</h2>
<p><strong>Technological Advancement:</strong> Leverage cutting-edge technology to streamline operations, enhance customer experience, and gain a competitive edge.</p>
<p><strong>Data Analytics:</strong> Utilize data analytics to inform decision-making and to identify growth opportunities.</p>
<p><strong>Cybersecurity:</strong> Strengthen cybersecurity measures to protect company and customer data.</p>
<h2>Senior Team</h2>
<p><strong>Strategic Vision:</strong> The senior team must align on a clear, strategic vision for growth.</p>
<p><strong>Communication:</strong> Maintain open and effective communication channels within the team and across the organization.</p>
<p><strong>Agility:</strong> Be prepared to adapt strategies as the market and business environment evolve.</p>
<h2>Lessons from Other CEOs/COOs</h2>
<p>From my network and experience, CEOs and COOs who have successfully scaled businesses emphasize:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Do Again:</strong> Invest in people, focus on customer-centric strategies, and make data-driven decisions.</li>
<li><strong>Wouldn’t Do:</strong> Avoid over-expansion without proper infrastructure, underestimating the importance of company culture, and neglecting work-life balance.</li>
<li><strong>Would Try:</strong> Many wished they had embraced technology and digital transformation earlier and had been more proactive in global market expansion.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Sustaining Long-Term Performance</h2>
<p>Once the big goals are achieved:</p>
<p><strong>Continuous Improvement:</strong> Never stop innovating and improving both products and processes.</p>
<p><strong>Sustainable Practices:</strong> Focus on long-term sustainability, including environmental and social governance.</p>
<p><strong>Employee Well-being:</strong> Prioritize the well-being and professional development of employees.</p>
<h2>Next Big Goals</h2>
<p>For the next phase, the CEO and COO might consider:</p>
<p><strong>Diversification:</strong> Exploring new business lines or products.</p>
<p><strong>Acquisitions:</strong> Acquiring complementary businesses to accelerate growth.</p>
<p><strong>Public Offering:</strong> Considering an IPO to raise capital and further enhance the company’s profile.</p>
<p>In conclusion, scaling a company from $20MM to $80MM requires a balanced approach focusing on customers, people, processes, technology, and leadership. Drawing from my experiences at Ajilon and Hays, it’s clear that the journey involves continuous learning, adapting, and a commitment to excellence at every stage.</p>
<p>Jonathan was a manager at Ajilon for years when they grew Computer People, the IT specialist recruitment and contractor placements business from £100MM to £350MM Revenue in the UK, within 4 years. Jonathan’s region and responsibility grew from 2 team members to 25 Recruitment Consultants, across 4 offices. He also worked for Hays Specialist Recruitment and Talent Solutions as a Director of Business Development and the organisation grew globally from £1B to £3.5B Revenues.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://bluzinc.co/growing-revenues-strateg</strong>y-tactics-20mm-to-80mm/">Growth Strategy driving Revenues from $20MM to $80MM
<em>As CEO and Founder of BluZinc, my experiences with Ajilon and Hays Specialist Recruitment have given me deep insights…</em>b</a>luzinc.co</p>
</section>
|
Growth Strategy driving Revenues from $20MM to $80MM by Jonathan Pearson — CEO, BluZinc
As CEO and Founder of BluZinc, my experiences with Adecco — Ajilon and Hays Specialist Recruitment have given me deep insights into scaling a business successfully. In addition, since 2015 the clients of BluZinc have been regularly going through growth curves up to to $10MM, to $50MM, to $250MM and some are on the way to $1B revenues. Growing a $20MM revenue D2C company to an $80MM enterprise within 2–5 years is a formidable yet achievable goal. It requires a strategic approach across several key areas: customers, people, processes, technology, and leadership.
Growth Strategy driving Revenues from $20MM to $80MM
As CEO and Founder of BluZinc, my experiences with Ajilon and Hays Specialist Recruitment have given me deep insights…bluzinc.co
Customer Experience and Retention: Prioritize customer satisfaction and retention. Implement feedback mechanisms to continuously improve the customer experience.
Market Expansion: Explore new market segments and geographies. Tailor products and marketing strategies to these new customer bases.
Product Innovation: Continuously innovate the product line to meet evolving customer needs and to stay ahead of the competition.
People
Talent Acquisition and Development: Invest in hiring and developing top talent. Foster a culture of continuous learning and growth.
Employee Engagement: Ensure employees are engaged and aligned with the company’s vision. Recognize and reward contributions.
Leadership Development: Develop internal leadership to manage growing teams and new challenges effectively.
Process
Scalable Systems: Implement scalable processes to handle increased operational complexity.
Efficiency Optimization: Continually assess and improve operational efficiency.
Risk Management: Develop robust risk management strategies to mitigate potential growth-related challenges.
Technology
Technological Advancement: Leverage cutting-edge technology to streamline operations, enhance customer experience, and gain a competitive edge.
Data Analytics: Utilize data analytics to inform decision-making and to identify growth opportunities.
Cybersecurity: Strengthen cybersecurity measures to protect company and customer data.
Senior Team
Strategic Vision: The senior team must align on a clear, strategic vision for growth.
Communication: Maintain open and effective communication channels within the team and across the organization.
Agility: Be prepared to adapt strategies as the market and business environment evolve.
Lessons from Other CEOs/COOs
From my network and experience, CEOs and COOs who have successfully scaled businesses emphasize:
Do Again: Invest in people, focus on customer-centric strategies, and make data-driven decisions.
Wouldn’t Do: Avoid over-expansion without proper infrastructure, underestimating the importance of company culture, and neglecting work-life balance.
Would Try: Many wished they had embraced technology and digital transformation earlier and had been more proactive in global market expansion.
Sustaining Long-Term Performance
Once the big goals are achieved:
Continuous Improvement: Never stop innovating and improving both products and processes.
Sustainable Practices: Focus on long-term sustainability, including environmental and social governance.
Employee Well-being: Prioritize the well-being and professional development of employees.
Next Big Goals
For the next phase, the CEO and COO might consider:
Diversification: Exploring new business lines or products.
Acquisitions: Acquiring complementary businesses to accelerate growth.
Public Offering: Considering an IPO to raise capital and further enhance the company’s profile.
In conclusion, scaling a company from $20MM to $80MM requires a balanced approach focusing on customers, people, processes, technology, and leadership. Drawing from my experiences at Ajilon and Hays, it’s clear that the journey involves continuous learning, adapting, and a commitment to excellence at every stage.
Jonathan was a manager at Ajilon for years when they grew Computer People, the IT specialist recruitment and contractor placements business from £100MM to £350MM Revenue in the UK, within 4 years. Jonathan’s region and responsibility grew from 2 team members to 25 Recruitment Consultants, across 4 offices. He also worked for Hays Specialist Recruitment and Talent Solutions as a Director of Business Development and the organisation grew globally from £1B to £3.5B Revenues.
Growth Strategy driving Revenues from $20MM to $80MM
As CEO and Founder of BluZinc, my experiences with Ajilon and Hays Specialist Recruitment have given me deep insights…bluzinc.co
|
21ac4deb-a008-5f4f-850d-8b3dc3e9ab77
|
25/08/2025 15:59:06
|
https://medium.com/@taylormegan1691/daryl-dixon-vest-774ab1a32404
|
medium.com
|
Daryl Dixon Vest
|
Daryl Dixon Vest for sale at Discounted price!!
|
megantaylor
|
https://medium.com/@taylormegan1691
|
774ab1a32404
|
0 min
|
2016-09-02T04:59:56.228000
|
2016-09-02T05:02:09.443000
|
2018-03-31T08:47:53.283000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Daryl Dixon Vest,Thewalkingdead,Leather Vest
|
<section>
<p>Daryl Dixon Vest for sale at Discounted price!!</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.black-leatherjacket.com/angel-the-walking-dead-daryl-d</strong>ixon-wings-leather-vest">Daryl Dixon Vest | Walking Dead Daryl Vest Jacket - black-leatherjacket.com
<em>Stylish outfits are a great thing for the men who want to look bold and stylish. If you are amongst those men who love…</em>www.black-leatherj</a>acket.com</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/900/1*v9lQDPo181UUu-45y2gXhw.jpeg" width="900" height="900" loading="lazy" />
</section>
|
Daryl Dixon Vest
Daryl Dixon Vest for sale at Discounted price!!
Daryl Dixon Vest | Walking Dead Daryl Vest Jacket - black-leatherjacket.com
Stylish outfits are a great thing for the men who want to look bold and stylish. If you are amongst those men who love…www.black-leatherjacket.com
|
9819e5da-98af-50e3-8157-ce04d986023a
|
25/08/2025 15:59:07
|
|
https://medium.com/fractured-atlas-blog/upcoming-grant-deadlines-and-opportunities-3-20-17-ec6c498d7297
|
medium.com
|
Upcoming Grant Deadlines and Opportunities (3/20/17)
|
by Theresa Hubbard, Program Specialist, Fiscal Sponsorship
|
Fractured Atlas
|
https://medium.com/@fracturedatlas
|
ec6c498d7297
|
5 min
|
2017-03-20T15:36:37.613000
|
2017-03-20T16:14:56.121000
|
2018-03-15T03:47:12.432000
| 0
| 1
|
en
|
Tips And Tools,Education,Funding
|
<section>
<h1>Upcoming Grant Deadlines and Opportunities (3/20/17)</h1>
<h3>by Theresa Hubbard, Program Specialist, Fiscal Sponsorship</h3>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1040/1*WAigvaJ3Z1Rw6cIO0bQdgw.png" width="1040" height="170" loading="lazy" />
<p><strong><a href="https://amphionfoundation.org/">The Amphion Foundation</a> is accepting ap</strong>plications for <a href="https://amphionfoundation.org/amphion-grant-application">its 2017 Spring Grant Program</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Description:</strong> The Amphion Foundation, Inc., founded in 1987 by Elliott and Helen Carter, was established to encourage the performance of contemporary concert music, particularly by American composers, through support to performing and presenting organizations that have demonstrated sustained artistic excellence, in addition to service organizations.</p>
<p>Applications may be submitted by publicly supported non-profit performing ensembles, presenters and music service organizations that have a history of substantial commitment to contemporary concert music at a high level of excellence. Organizations must have been in existence for at least two years. Performing ensembles, presenters, or organizations that are applying for support for performances must have presented two full seasons prior to the season for which support is requested, except for special projects of extraordinary significance.</p>
<p><strong>Geographic Focus:</strong> National</p>
<p><strong>Deadline:</strong> April 1, 2017</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/400/1*9yEXjKlI5BerGQb4Tr4N8A.png" width="400" height="150" loading="lazy" />
<p><strong><a href="http://harknessfoundation.org/">The Harkness Foundation for Dance</a> is accept</strong>ing applications for its <a href="http://harknessfoundation.org/application-guidelines/">Dance Grant Program</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Description: </strong>The Harkness Foundation for Dance is a private grant-making foundation dedicated to invigorating and supporting the dance art form, predominantly in New York City and the greater metropolitan area. Since its inception the Foundation has contributed significantly to the dance field, extending grants to over 560 organizations. The Harkness Board of Trustees meets three times annually to consider proposals.</p>
<p>The Foundation supports dance companies, dance presenting organizations, dance education organizations, and dance service organizations. Proposing organizations and artists must have non-profit status, with an in-force 501c3 letter or letter of fiscal sponsorship.</p>
<p><strong>Geographic Focus: </strong>New York City Metropolitan Area</p>
<p><strong>Deadline: </strong>April 1, 2017</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/255/1*zSutD26QKr5jdyF0eXQEwQ.png" width="255" height="265" loading="lazy" />
<p><strong><a href="http://www.chamber-music.org/">Chamber Music America</a> is accepting applications f</strong>or its <a href="http://www.chamber-music.org/programs/classical/grants#l408">2017 Classical Commissioning Program</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Description:</strong> Chamber Music America’s <em>Classical Commissioning Program</em> provides grants to U.S.-based presenters and professional contemporary classical and world music ensembles for the commissioning and performance of new works by American composers.</p>
<p>The program supports works scored for 2–10 musicians performing one per part, composed in any of the musical styles associated with contemporary classical music.</p>
<p><strong>Geographic Focus:</strong> National</p>
<p><strong>Deadline:</strong> April 2, 2017</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/2618/1*g4WxK_hySGx4Dg1gnXp7zA.png" width="2618" height="872" loading="lazy" />
<p><strong><a href="http://www.ehcc.org/">East Hawai’i Cultural Center/HMOCA</a> is accepting subm</strong>issions of <a href="https://www.fracturedatlas.org/admin/Helpdesk/view_attachment?id=000426427">Art and Critical Essays</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Description: </strong>The East Hawaii Cultural Council is an inclusive platform for the expression of the rich and complex cultural diversity that defines our communities through exhibitions, performances, workshops, and creative inquiry.</p>
<p>The East Hawaii Cultural Council issues a broad, open call for visual works and critical essays that engage a delineation of queer and response to the unsustainable resurgence of global conservative agenda. The presentation is organized in support of the UH Hilo LGBTQ+ Center and Hawaii Island Pride community. Submissions will be curated by a panel of four (4) Hawaii based visual artists/scholars, and selected for presentation in the main exhibition galleries through the month of May 2017.</p>
<p><strong>Geographic Focus: </strong>Hawaii</p>
<p><strong>Deadline: </strong>April 2, 2017 (digital review of art works and critical essays begins on April 3, 2017)</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/305/1*hi2OIoTiFnbiNGOZid1brA.png" width="305" height="81" loading="lazy" />
<p><strong><a href="http://www.midatlanticarts.org/">Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation</a> is accep</strong>ting applications for <a href="http://www.midatlanticarts.org/wp-content/uploads/USAI-FY17-Guidelines-RD-3.pdf">USArtists International</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Description:</strong> USArtists International (USAI) supports performances by American artists at important cultural festivals and arts marketplaces around the globe. Committed to the presence of US based artists on world stages, USArtists International provides grants to ensembles and individual performers in dance, music and theatre invited to perform at significant international festivals.</p>
<p>USAI encourages and promotes the vibrant diversity of American artists and creative expression in the performing arts by expanding opportunity and exposure to international audiences, encouraging international cultural exchange, and enhancing creative and professional development of US based artists by providing connections with presenters, curators and artists around the world. USAI extends the reach and impact of professional artists dependent on touring for continued sustainability and career advancement. USAI is open to American performing artists currently residing anywhere in the United States and its territories.</p>
<p><strong>Geographic Focus:</strong> National</p>
<p><strong>Deadline:</strong> April 5, 2017</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/350/1*ip_NqCNDDSg4FDgWIl2TiQ.png" width="350" height="94" loading="lazy" />
<p><strong><a href="http://arts.ca.gov/">The California Arts Council</a> is accepting applications for <a href="http://arts.ca.gov/p</strong>rograms/ais.php">Artists in Schools</a> and <a href="http://arts.ca.gov/programs/pdc.php">Professional Development and Consulting</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Descriptions:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><em>Artists in Schools (for Engagement and Professional Development)</em>: The arts play a critical role in shaping students’ overall well-being and academic achievement. Promoting and supporting arts education is a cornerstone of the California Arts Council’s (CAC) mission. Since 1976, the CAC has supported in-school and after-school arts programs that engage local arts organizations, teaching artists and school communities through the Artists in Schools (AIS) grant program.</li>
<li><em>The Professional Development and Consulting (PDC)</em> program assists arts organizations in building their capacity for success in two areas, Professional Development and Consulting Services. 1) Professional Development: Funding will support professional growth and leadership training opportunities for individual staff members, artists, arts administrators or arts educators employed by the applying organization. 2) Consulting Services: Funding will support the hiring of consultants to work with staff to strengthen the operations of the applicant organization in areas related to programmatic, administrative, financial or technical capabilities.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Geographic Focus:</strong> California</p>
<p><strong>Deadlines: </strong>April 5, 2017</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/200/1*igSy-ifgi_1FZD10czwNWg.png" width="200" height="150" loading="lazy" />
<p><strong><a href="http://www.jmkfund.org/">The J.M. Kaplan Fund</a> is accepting proposals</strong> for <a href="http://www.jmkfund.org/introduction2017-j-m-k-innovation-prize/2017-j-m-k-innovation-prize/">The 2017 J.M.K. Innovation Prize</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Description: </strong>The J.M.K. Innovation Prize is an exciting initiative of The J.M. Kaplan Fund, a New York-based family foundation. In 2017 up to ten Prizes will be awarded to those — nonprofits and mission-driven for-profits — tackling our country’s most pressing needs through social innovation. The Prize will provide up to three years of support at $50,000 per year, as well as a $25,000 “bank” of funds available for technical assistance or targeted project expenses, making a total award of $175,000. Specifically, the Prize seeks to support innovation in the fields of the environment, heritage conservation and social justice. The Prize is particularly designed for early stage ideas being piloted or prototyped by dynamic visionaries.</p>
<p><strong>Geographic Focus: </strong>National</p>
<p><strong>Deadline: </strong>April 28, 2017</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/960/1*1bYHZnPsOI603EQeiyVZfA.png" width="960" height="155" loading="lazy" />
<p><strong><a href="http://www.storynet.org/index.html">National Storytelling Network</a> is accepting preliminary proposals </strong>for the <a href="http://www.storynet.org/grants/brimstone.html">Brimstone Award for Applied Storytelling</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Description:</strong> The National Storytelling Network is dedicated to advancing the art of storytelling — as a performing art, a process of cultural transformation, and more.</p>
<p>The National Storytelling Network seeks to support a community-focused project that focuses on the transformative properties of storytelling in individuals and communities.</p>
<p>Grant applications are considered once a year. Only applications that use the application form and are emailed by the deadline are accepted.</p>
<p><strong>Geographic Focus:</strong> National</p>
<p><strong>Deadline:</strong> April 28, 2017</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/900/1*VRTrfsmXemY55nzyNaZCNg.png" width="900" height="619" loading="lazy" />
<p>Fractured Atlas is a nonprofit technology organization that helps artists with the business side of their creative work. To find our more about Fractured Atlas, or get involved, visit us <a href="http://www.fracturedatlas.org">here</a>.</p>
</section>
|
Upcoming Grant Deadlines and Opportunities (3/20/17)
by Theresa Hubbard, Program Specialist, Fiscal Sponsorship
The Amphion Foundation is accepting applications for its 2017 Spring Grant Program.
Description: The Amphion Foundation, Inc., founded in 1987 by Elliott and Helen Carter, was established to encourage the performance of contemporary concert music, particularly by American composers, through support to performing and presenting organizations that have demonstrated sustained artistic excellence, in addition to service organizations.
Applications may be submitted by publicly supported non-profit performing ensembles, presenters and music service organizations that have a history of substantial commitment to contemporary concert music at a high level of excellence. Organizations must have been in existence for at least two years. Performing ensembles, presenters, or organizations that are applying for support for performances must have presented two full seasons prior to the season for which support is requested, except for special projects of extraordinary significance.
Geographic Focus: National
Deadline: April 1, 2017
The Harkness Foundation for Dance is accepting applications for its Dance Grant Program.
Description: The Harkness Foundation for Dance is a private grant-making foundation dedicated to invigorating and supporting the dance art form, predominantly in New York City and the greater metropolitan area. Since its inception the Foundation has contributed significantly to the dance field, extending grants to over 560 organizations. The Harkness Board of Trustees meets three times annually to consider proposals.
The Foundation supports dance companies, dance presenting organizations, dance education organizations, and dance service organizations. Proposing organizations and artists must have non-profit status, with an in-force 501c3 letter or letter of fiscal sponsorship.
Geographic Focus: New York City Metropolitan Area
Deadline: April 1, 2017
Chamber Music America is accepting applications for its 2017 Classical Commissioning Program.
Description: Chamber Music America’s Classical Commissioning Program provides grants to U.S.-based presenters and professional contemporary classical and world music ensembles for the commissioning and performance of new works by American composers.
The program supports works scored for 2–10 musicians performing one per part, composed in any of the musical styles associated with contemporary classical music.
Geographic Focus: National
Deadline: April 2, 2017
East Hawai’i Cultural Center/HMOCA is accepting submissions of Art and Critical Essays.
Description: The East Hawaii Cultural Council is an inclusive platform for the expression of the rich and complex cultural diversity that defines our communities through exhibitions, performances, workshops, and creative inquiry.
The East Hawaii Cultural Council issues a broad, open call for visual works and critical essays that engage a delineation of queer and response to the unsustainable resurgence of global conservative agenda. The presentation is organized in support of the UH Hilo LGBTQ+ Center and Hawaii Island Pride community. Submissions will be curated by a panel of four (4) Hawaii based visual artists/scholars, and selected for presentation in the main exhibition galleries through the month of May 2017.
Geographic Focus: Hawaii
Deadline: April 2, 2017 (digital review of art works and critical essays begins on April 3, 2017)
Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation is accepting applications for USArtists International.
Description: USArtists International (USAI) supports performances by American artists at important cultural festivals and arts marketplaces around the globe. Committed to the presence of US based artists on world stages, USArtists International provides grants to ensembles and individual performers in dance, music and theatre invited to perform at significant international festivals.
USAI encourages and promotes the vibrant diversity of American artists and creative expression in the performing arts by expanding opportunity and exposure to international audiences, encouraging international cultural exchange, and enhancing creative and professional development of US based artists by providing connections with presenters, curators and artists around the world. USAI extends the reach and impact of professional artists dependent on touring for continued sustainability and career advancement. USAI is open to American performing artists currently residing anywhere in the United States and its territories.
Geographic Focus: National
Deadline: April 5, 2017
The California Arts Council is accepting applications for Artists in Schools and Professional Development and Consulting.
Descriptions:
Artists in Schools (for Engagement and Professional Development): The arts play a critical role in shaping students’ overall well-being and academic achievement. Promoting and supporting arts education is a cornerstone of the California Arts Council’s (CAC) mission. Since 1976, the CAC has supported in-school and after-school arts programs that engage local arts organizations, teaching artists and school communities through the Artists in Schools (AIS) grant program.
The Professional Development and Consulting (PDC) program assists arts organizations in building their capacity for success in two areas, Professional Development and Consulting Services. 1) Professional Development: Funding will support professional growth and leadership training opportunities for individual staff members, artists, arts administrators or arts educators employed by the applying organization. 2) Consulting Services: Funding will support the hiring of consultants to work with staff to strengthen the operations of the applicant organization in areas related to programmatic, administrative, financial or technical capabilities.
Geographic Focus: California
Deadlines: April 5, 2017
The J.M. Kaplan Fund is accepting proposals for The 2017 J.M.K. Innovation Prize.
Description: The J.M.K. Innovation Prize is an exciting initiative of The J.M. Kaplan Fund, a New York-based family foundation. In 2017 up to ten Prizes will be awarded to those — nonprofits and mission-driven for-profits — tackling our country’s most pressing needs through social innovation. The Prize will provide up to three years of support at $50,000 per year, as well as a $25,000 “bank” of funds available for technical assistance or targeted project expenses, making a total award of $175,000. Specifically, the Prize seeks to support innovation in the fields of the environment, heritage conservation and social justice. The Prize is particularly designed for early stage ideas being piloted or prototyped by dynamic visionaries.
Geographic Focus: National
Deadline: April 28, 2017
National Storytelling Network is accepting preliminary proposals for the Brimstone Award for Applied Storytelling.
Description: The National Storytelling Network is dedicated to advancing the art of storytelling — as a performing art, a process of cultural transformation, and more.
The National Storytelling Network seeks to support a community-focused project that focuses on the transformative properties of storytelling in individuals and communities.
Grant applications are considered once a year. Only applications that use the application form and are emailed by the deadline are accepted.
Geographic Focus: National
Deadline: April 28, 2017
Fractured Atlas is a nonprofit technology organization that helps artists with the business side of their creative work. To find our more about Fractured Atlas, or get involved, visit us here.
|
e2590074-6c83-5cf8-b3ba-22910773c90b
|
25/08/2025 15:59:07
|
|
https://lettersforblacklives.com/canadian-version-dear-mom-dad-uncle-auntie-black-lives-matter-to-us-too-da04d08f2c2e
|
medium.com
|
CANADIAN VERSION — Dear Mom, Dad, Uncle, Auntie: Black Lives Matter to Us, Too
|
This is the Canadian English version (with 19 translations) of the open letters created by Letters for Black Lives, an ongoing project…
|
Letters4BlackLives-Canada
|
https://medium.com/@lettersforblacklivescanada
|
da04d08f2c2e
| null |
4 min
|
2016-07-11T22:15:07.895000
|
2016-07-11T22:18:25.483000
|
2018-03-20T03:20:15.245000
| 0
| 215
|
en
|
Canada,Letters For Black Lives,Racism,Black Lives Matter
|
<section>
<p><em>This is the Canadian English version (<a href="https://medium.com/@lettersforblacklivescanada/listing-of-all-canadian-translations-ce5c2fe12cbf#.wsit3zkxo">with 19 translations</a>) of the open letters created by Letters for Black Lives, an ongoing project for people in the U.S. and Canada to create and translate resources on anti-Blackness for their communities in solidarity with #BlackLivesMatter and other movements for Black liberation. The letters were written and translated collaboratively by hundreds of people wh</em>o want to have honest and respectful conversations with their families and communities about an issue important to them.</p>
<p><em><strong>Translations of this letter are now available in 16+ languages at <a href="https://medium.com/%40lettersforblacklivescanada/">canada.letter</em>sforblac</strong>klives.com</a> and are <a href="https://medium.com/@lettersforblacklivescanada/listing-of-all-canadian-translations-ce5c2fe12cbf#.lwb4antsr">listed in full for your convenience here</a>.</p>
<p><em>We welcome and encourage people from all communities to adapt and build off of these resources! If you would like to help our translation efforts please contact us at <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a> and visit <</em>a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gX-BNz8vtMJ-98bX-kcsotNg-ZLs6jQIX28bnjyJIf8/edit">our Translation Project page</a> to start your own translation.</p>
<p>Dear Mom, Dad, Uncle, Auntie, Grandfather, Grandmother:</p>
<p>There’s something I’ve wanted to talk with you about. Black people are a part of my life in important ways: they’re my friends, my classmates, my partners, and my family. Today, I’m scared for them.</p>
<p>In July 2016, United States police killed a Black man named Alton Sterling while he was selling CDs in front of a store. The next day, police killed another Black man, Philando Castile, after pulling him over for a broken tail light while his girlfriend and four-year-old daughter were in the car.</p>
<p>In 2016, of the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/national/police-shootings-2016/">more than 500 people</a> already killed by U.S. police, 25% were Black, even though Black people make up 13% of the population. In Canada, Black people are also negatively stereotyped, targeted and treated violently by the police, and are overrepresented in prisons. Canadian police have recently claimed the lives of Andrew Loku, Jermaine Carby, Abdi Hirsi, Jean-Pierre Bony, and many other Black people. Overwhelmingly, police <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/investigative/2015/04/11/thousands-dead-few-prosecuted/">do not face any consequences</a> for ending these lives.</p>
<p>This is a terrifying reality that many of my Black friends live with every day.</p>
<p>Even as we hear about the dangers that Black people face, our instinct is sometimes to point at the ways we’re different from them, and to shield ourselves from their reality instead of empathizing. When a police officer shoots a Black person, it’s easy to think it’s the victim’s fault, because we hear so many negative stereotypes about them in the media, and at our own dinner tables.</p>
<p>I want to share with you how I’ve come to see things. I think you might see things similarly.</p>
<p>We face discrimination for being Asian in this country. Sometimes people judge us negatively because of our different accents, or deny us opportunities because they don’t think of us as “leadership material.” Many of our elders have not been able to practice their chosen professions because their education from home was seen as inadequate. Some of us struggle with poverty. Some of us are told we’re terrorists, and made to feel unwelcome.</p>
<p>But the police don’t regularly gun down our children and parents for simply existing to the same extent that they do with Black and Indigenous peoples. Employers, landlords and institutions also often treat us better than Black and Indigenous peoples.</p>
<p>There are reasons why our Black friends experience things differently. As you may already know, Europeans colonized this continent, stole land and resources from Indigenous peoples, and forcibly brought Black people from Africa as slaves. For centuries, their descendants, communities, families, and bodies were ripped apart for profit. Even after slavery, they continued to be treated as less than human and were given very little support to rebuild their lives. Black people had to fight for the right to vote or own homes, and faced constant threats of violence, which continue to this day.</p>
<p>In fighting for their own rights, Black activists have led the movement for equality not just for themselves, but for us as well. They’ve been beaten, jailed, and even killed, fighting for many of the rights that Asians in Canada enjoy today. We owe them so much in return. We are all fighting against the same unfair system that prefers we compete against each other. Many Black people come to Canada as immigrants or refugees, looking for a better life and safety for themselves and their families, just like many of you have. Our struggles, while not all the same, are interconnected.</p>
<p>For all of these reasons, I support Black Lives Matter and other movements for Black liberation. Part of that means speaking up when I see people in my community — or my own family — say or do things that diminish the humanity of Black people. I am telling you out of love, because I don’t want this issue to divide us.</p>
<p>I hope you join me in empathizing with the anger and grief of the parents, siblings, partners and children who have lost their loved ones to police violence. I hope you empathize with my anger and grief, and support me if I choose to be vocal or protest. I ask that you share this letter with your friends, and encourage them to be empathetic and vocal too. I know that it can feel scary to speak up. However, we cannot in good conscience stay silent while fellow human beings’ lives are endangered every day, especially by the very system that supposedly protects us.</p>
<p>As your child, I am proud and eternally grateful for your long, hard journey here, and that you’ve worked hard and lived in a place that hasn’t always been kind to you. You’ve never wished your struggles upon me. Instead, you’ve suffered through a prejudiced Canada to give me a better life than the one you had. We’re all in this together, and we cannot feel safe until ALL of our friends, loved ones, and neighbours are safe. We seek a place where everyone in Canada can live without fear of police violence, racism, and discrimination. This is the future that I want — I hope you do too.</p>
<p>With love and hope,</p>
<p><em>Your children</em></p>
<p><em>We welcome other folks from across Canada to join our team, to spread this letter in our communities, and to support with other aspects of this work. For any media inquiries, or to get involved, please contact us at <strong><a href="mailto:lettersforbl</em>acklives</strong>[email protected]">[email protected]</a></p>
<p><em>The Canadian team has been working hard to make this a truly collaborative and inclusive process. For transparency, we have saved a draft of our work in progress in our original Google Doc. If you are interested in taking a look at some of the behind-the-scenes work and conversation, please visit the original document <stro</em>ng><a h</strong>ref="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HuPqVjQS8wgX0CoA86uj2YlxPTl_de-dl4u5x5BAZvg/edit#">here</a></p>
</section>
|
CANADIAN VERSION — Dear Mom, Dad, Uncle, Auntie: Black Lives Matter to Us, Too
This is the Canadian English version (with 19 translations) of the open letters created by Letters for Black Lives, an ongoing project for people in the U.S. and Canada to create and translate resources on anti-Blackness for their communities in solidarity with #BlackLivesMatter and other movements for Black liberation. The letters were written and translated collaboratively by hundreds of people who want to have honest and respectful conversations with their families and communities about an issue important to them.
Translations of this letter are now available in 16+ languages at canada.lettersforblacklives.com and are listed in full for your convenience here.
We welcome and encourage people from all communities to adapt and build off of these resources! If you would like to help our translation efforts please contact us at [email protected] and visit our Translation Project page to start your own translation.
Dear Mom, Dad, Uncle, Auntie, Grandfather, Grandmother:
There’s something I’ve wanted to talk with you about. Black people are a part of my life in important ways: they’re my friends, my classmates, my partners, and my family. Today, I’m scared for them.
In July 2016, United States police killed a Black man named Alton Sterling while he was selling CDs in front of a store. The next day, police killed another Black man, Philando Castile, after pulling him over for a broken tail light while his girlfriend and four-year-old daughter were in the car.
In 2016, of the more than 500 people already killed by U.S. police, 25% were Black, even though Black people make up 13% of the population. In Canada, Black people are also negatively stereotyped, targeted and treated violently by the police, and are overrepresented in prisons. Canadian police have recently claimed the lives of Andrew Loku, Jermaine Carby, Abdi Hirsi, Jean-Pierre Bony, and many other Black people. Overwhelmingly, police do not face any consequences for ending these lives.
This is a terrifying reality that many of my Black friends live with every day.
Even as we hear about the dangers that Black people face, our instinct is sometimes to point at the ways we’re different from them, and to shield ourselves from their reality instead of empathizing. When a police officer shoots a Black person, it’s easy to think it’s the victim’s fault, because we hear so many negative stereotypes about them in the media, and at our own dinner tables.
I want to share with you how I’ve come to see things. I think you might see things similarly.
We face discrimination for being Asian in this country. Sometimes people judge us negatively because of our different accents, or deny us opportunities because they don’t think of us as “leadership material.” Many of our elders have not been able to practice their chosen professions because their education from home was seen as inadequate. Some of us struggle with poverty. Some of us are told we’re terrorists, and made to feel unwelcome.
But the police don’t regularly gun down our children and parents for simply existing to the same extent that they do with Black and Indigenous peoples. Employers, landlords and institutions also often treat us better than Black and Indigenous peoples.
There are reasons why our Black friends experience things differently. As you may already know, Europeans colonized this continent, stole land and resources from Indigenous peoples, and forcibly brought Black people from Africa as slaves. For centuries, their descendants, communities, families, and bodies were ripped apart for profit. Even after slavery, they continued to be treated as less than human and were given very little support to rebuild their lives. Black people had to fight for the right to vote or own homes, and faced constant threats of violence, which continue to this day.
In fighting for their own rights, Black activists have led the movement for equality not just for themselves, but for us as well. They’ve been beaten, jailed, and even killed, fighting for many of the rights that Asians in Canada enjoy today. We owe them so much in return. We are all fighting against the same unfair system that prefers we compete against each other. Many Black people come to Canada as immigrants or refugees, looking for a better life and safety for themselves and their families, just like many of you have. Our struggles, while not all the same, are interconnected.
For all of these reasons, I support Black Lives Matter and other movements for Black liberation. Part of that means speaking up when I see people in my community — or my own family — say or do things that diminish the humanity of Black people. I am telling you out of love, because I don’t want this issue to divide us.
I hope you join me in empathizing with the anger and grief of the parents, siblings, partners and children who have lost their loved ones to police violence. I hope you empathize with my anger and grief, and support me if I choose to be vocal or protest. I ask that you share this letter with your friends, and encourage them to be empathetic and vocal too. I know that it can feel scary to speak up. However, we cannot in good conscience stay silent while fellow human beings’ lives are endangered every day, especially by the very system that supposedly protects us.
As your child, I am proud and eternally grateful for your long, hard journey here, and that you’ve worked hard and lived in a place that hasn’t always been kind to you. You’ve never wished your struggles upon me. Instead, you’ve suffered through a prejudiced Canada to give me a better life than the one you had. We’re all in this together, and we cannot feel safe until ALL of our friends, loved ones, and neighbours are safe. We seek a place where everyone in Canada can live without fear of police violence, racism, and discrimination. This is the future that I want — I hope you do too.
With love and hope,
Your children
We welcome other folks from across Canada to join our team, to spread this letter in our communities, and to support with other aspects of this work. For any media inquiries, or to get involved, please contact us at [email protected]
The Canadian team has been working hard to make this a truly collaborative and inclusive process. For transparency, we have saved a draft of our work in progress in our original Google Doc. If you are interested in taking a look at some of the behind-the-scenes work and conversation, please visit the original document here
|
313a18c2-d91d-5fca-ae85-3bbf663dfaa6
|
25/08/2025 15:59:08
|
https://medium.com/@david.buchs/memorization-app-second-component-eebed28fbeab
|
medium.com
|
Memorization App — second component
|
I think the next component is a passage — all of the word components together.
|
David Buchs
|
https://medium.com/@david.buchs
|
eebed28fbeab
| null |
1 min
|
2023-10-10T01:54:12.312000
|
2023-10-11T12:09:15.396000
|
2023-10-11T12:09:20.807000
| 0
| 5
|
en
|
React,Functional Component,Mouse Event,Learning To Code,JavaScript
|
<section>
<p>I think the next component is a passage — all of the word components together.</p>
<pre><code class="language-javascript">export default function Passage({ words }) {
return (
words.map((item, index) => (
<Word key={index} word={item.word} clozed={item.clozed} />
))
);
}</code></pre>
<p>And here’s the updated invocation from the Home() function:</p>
<pre><code class="language-javascript">export default function Home() {
var pass = [
{ word: "This " },
{ word: "word ", clozed: "true" },
{ word: "is " },
{ word: "clozed."}
]
return (
<div style={{textAlign:"center", marginTop:"200px"}}>
<Passage words={pass} />
</div>
)
}</code></pre>
<p>I was glancing at the console and noticed this error: ‘Each child in a list should have a unique “key” prop.’</p>
<p>A quick search (<a href="https://codedamn.com/news/reactjs/each-child-in-a-list-should-have-a-unique-key-prop-how-to-fix-react-error">https://codedamn.com/news/reactjs/each-child-in-a-list-should-have-a-unique-key-prop-how-to-fix-react-error</a>) reminded me that React won’t be able to update the state for individual children unless they have unique keys. I was already iterating index in the map() function, but I wasn’t doing anything with it, so that was an easy fix.</p>
<p>I think that I won’t want to have separate components for Clozed and Unclozed words. Instead, I want to use state to change a Word from clozed to unclozed.</p>
<pre><code class="language-javascript">'use client'
import React, { useState } from 'react';
export function Word({ word, clozed }) {
const [myWord, setMyWord] = useState(clozed ? "_".repeat(word.length) : word);
const [Clozed, setClozed] = useState(clozed);
const handleMouseLeave = () => {
if (Clozed) {
setMyWord('_'.repeat(myWord.length));
}
};
return (<h1
onMouseEnter={() => setMyWord(word)}
onMouseLeave={handleMouseLeave}> {myWord} </h1 >);
}</code></pre>
<p>I remember now that there’s a key difference between class components and functional components. I’ll need to dig into that a bit more to make sense of how this is working.</p>
</section>
|
Memorization App — second component
I think the next component is a passage — all of the word components together.
export default function Passage({ words }) {
return (
words.map((item, index) => (
<Word key={index} word={item.word} clozed={item.clozed} />
))
);
}
And here’s the updated invocation from the Home() function:
export default function Home() {
var pass = [
{ word: "This " },
{ word: "word ", clozed: "true" },
{ word: "is " },
{ word: "clozed."}
]
return (
<div style={{textAlign:"center", marginTop:"200px"}}>
<Passage words={pass} />
</div>
)
}
I was glancing at the console and noticed this error: ‘Each child in a list should have a unique “key” prop.’
A quick search (https://codedamn.com/news/reactjs/each-child-in-a-list-should-have-a-unique-key-prop-how-to-fix-react-error) reminded me that React won’t be able to update the state for individual children unless they have unique keys. I was already iterating index in the map() function, but I wasn’t doing anything with it, so that was an easy fix.
I think that I won’t want to have separate components for Clozed and Unclozed words. Instead, I want to use state to change a Word from clozed to unclozed.
'use client'
import React, { useState } from 'react';
export function Word({ word, clozed }) {
const [myWord, setMyWord] = useState(clozed ? "_".repeat(word.length) : word);
const [Clozed, setClozed] = useState(clozed);
const handleMouseLeave = () => {
if (Clozed) {
setMyWord('_'.repeat(myWord.length));
}
};
return (<h1
onMouseEnter={() => setMyWord(word)}
onMouseLeave={handleMouseLeave}> {myWord} </h1 >);
}
I remember now that there’s a key difference between class components and functional components. I’ll need to dig into that a bit more to make sense of how this is working.
|
f3d79448-6ca9-5315-aae9-e78e33d229e6
|
25/08/2025 15:59:08
|
https://medium.com/brandeis-alumni-magazine/the-stuff-of-genius-743b2b48d1da
|
medium.com
|
The Stuff of Genius
|
Nerds, tech moguls and inveterate Googlers owe a debt to the underlying logic of Leslie Lamport, MA’63, PhD’72, H’17, a Turing Award winner…
|
Brandeis Alumni Magazine
|
https://medium.com/@brandeisscience
|
743b2b48d1da
|
11 min
|
2018-02-13T18:52:45.663000
|
2018-02-13T19:01:55.902000
|
2018-05-14T19:20:33.348000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Tech,Leslie Lamport,Microsoft,Computer Science,Mathematics
|
<section>
<h3>Nerds, tech moguls and inveterate Googlers owe a debt to the underlying logic of Leslie Lamport, MA’63, PhD’72, H’17, a Turing Award winner who developed many of the concepts behind 21st-century computing.</h3>
<p>By Lawrence Goodman</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/265/1*-VcrU84KOPtFRArrK8e68A.jpeg" width="265" height="285" loading="lazy" />
<p>In the late 1980s, computer scientist Leslie Lamport, MA’63, PhD’72, H’17, decided the best way to explain his latest theory was to make up a story about Paxos, a small island in Greece.</p>
<p>During ancient times, Paxos was a busy commercial center with a flourishing democracy, Lamport wrote in an academic paper. Unfortunately, its parliament was hobbled by what Lamport called the “peripatetic propensity of its part-time legislators.” Legislators would abruptly depart whenever they learned of a business opportunity on another island. In addition, poor acoustics in the parliamentary chamber meant lawmakers who were there couldn’t always hear if a vote had been taken.</p>
<p>Luckily, Lamport wrote, Paxos had achieved significant advances in mathematics. And so the tiny island determined the minimum number of legislators needed to establish a quorum. To ensure parliamentarians in the chamber knew about the last vote taken, it calculated routes for messengers to take between them. As a result, legislators might come and go, but there would always be a set number present who knew what was happening.</p>
<p>When Lamport delivered his first lecture on Paxos to colleagues, he dressed up like Indiana Jones, complete with fedora and hip flask, pretending to be an archaeologist who’d dug up remnants of this lost civilization. Not surprisingly, his colleagues thought it was all a joke. Lamport submitted his Paxos paper to a computer science journal, which rejected it as insignificant.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/647/1*VJO3h2qr6lB7VY8Lu_pDIg.jpeg" width="647" height="260" loading="lazy" />
<p>Nearly a decade passed before the journal reconsidered its decision and published the paper. Computer scientists now grasped the story’s significance. Parliament represented a computer network. The legislators were individual computers. The messages were the communications between the computers. Paxos’ mathematical formulas were a method for keeping a network running even as computers joined or went offline.</p>
<p>Today, critical computer systems at Microsoft, Google and Amazon all depend on the Paxos algorithm, a series of mathematical instructions derived by Lamport, who currently works at Microsoft Research in Silicon Valley and received an honorary degree from Brandeis in May.</p>
<p>The Paxos algorithm has made it possible for millions of computers to connect and communicate with one another. Lamport, says Brandeis computer-science professor Liuba Shrira, “originated some of the fundamental concepts behind today’s internet.”</p>
<p>In 2014, he received the A.M. Turing Award, viewed as the Nobel Prize for computer science. In a tribute to Lamport when he got the Turing, internet pioneer Robert Taylor put it bluntly: “You like using the internet, you owe Leslie.”</p>
<p><strong>Problems waiting to be solved</strong></p>
<p>At 76, Lamport is slightly bowed and walks with a small shuffle. Soft-spoken and mild-mannered, he chooses his words carefully and precisely, saying exactly what he must to make his point, then stopping. He’s comfortable with short pauses in conversation.</p>
<p>And then there’s his hair, a bushy white mane that makes him instantly identifiable. He’s worn it in the same style for decades, though it used to be thicker, darker and a little more kempt.</p>
<p>The work for which Lamport is best known focuses on a single question: How do you get computers to talk to one another efficiently and reliably? The question is harder than it sounds. Tens of thousands of computers exchanging millions of messages and executing tens of millions of interrelated functions is a recipe for chaos. Some kind of order must be imposed. The computers must operate in logical sequence.</p>
<p>A simple network consists of several computers calling in to a central server. But you wouldn’t want the computers of tens of thousands of World of Warcraft addicts calling in to the same server at once. One server wouldn’t be able to keep up with all the requests.</p>
<p>To do that, you need a distributed network, the kind of network Lamport researches. A distributed network isn’t arrayed around a single server. Instead, multiple computers talk to one another. Although each computer operates independently, the overall network behavior is coherent. This coherence is achieved through algorithms. When the algorithms are executed across the network, computers coordinate with maximum efficiency and functionality.</p>
<p>Lamport’s tendency to see computer networks as mathematical problems waiting to be solved sets him apart from many computer scientists who focus on mastering specific comput languages, like Java or HTML. Math is more fundamental, Lamport says. It’s the edifice on which the languages stand. College computer-science majors need to learn math, he says, not programming languages that will be obsolete in a few years.</p>
<p>When Lamport started his professional career in the 1970s, computers ran on a few dozen kilobytes of memory. ARPANET, an early progenitor of the internet developed by the U.S. Department of Defense, consisted of roughly 50 terminals writing to reel-to-reel magnetic tape mounted on several mainframe computers.</p>
<p>Lamport’s algorithms anticipated the time when millions of computers would be interconnected. In retrospect, it’s amazing how forward-looking his research was. Martín Abadi, a principal scientist at Google who collaborated with Lamport during the 1980s and ’90s, says that’s because he excels at understanding the large abstract principles at work in computer science, then finding a way to make the abstractions concrete enough to manipulate and apply.</p>
<p>“Leslie is extremely good at taking what might seem an intractable or ill-defined problem and turning it into something tractable,” Abadi says.</p>
<p>“I never had any grand idea of the future,” says Lamport. “I’m not sure anything that’s happened in my life was a conscious decision.” He says he simply goes where his intellectual curiosity takes him, choosing projects that strike him as fun.</p>
<p>To him, solving a problem is akin to completing a seemingly impossible jigsaw puzzle, though he prefers a different metaphor. “The feeling of figuring it out is very much like being in bed after you’ve had an orgasm,” he says. “There’s a wonderful feeling that you’ve done it, and you’re sort of basking in it.”</p>
<p><strong>Bulking up on math</strong></p>
<p>Lamport grew up lower-middle-class in the Bronx. Although his father planned to become a doctor, when the Depression came he took a job at a dry-cleaning company; his co-workers called him Doc. Lamport’s mother was a milliner-turned-housewife.</p>
<p>Their son attended the Bronx High School of Science, one of the city’s best public schools, open to those who pass a rigorous entrance exam. As a junior, Lamport published his first scholarly paper, an article on braid theory, in the school’s Math Journal. With a friend, he attempted to build a 4-bit computer out of discarded vacuum tubes scrounged from an IBM showroom in mid-Manhattan.</p>
<p>Lamport’s real introduction to computers took place during his summers working at the electric company Con Edison. Officially, his job was changing the magnetic tapes used to store data in hulking mainframe computers. But when everyone else went to lunch, he grabbed a computer and taught himself to program.</p>
<p>As an undergrad at MIT, he roomed with George Lakoff, who went on to become a pre-eminent linguist and is now an emeritus professor of cognitive science and linguistics at the University of California, Berkeley. Lakoff remembers Lamport arrived at MIT “very, very skinny and wimpy” yet determined to bulk up. He started sailing, learned karate and cross-country skied in Vermont on weekends. Lamport “would take up something, and could really do it, and do it, and do it,” Lakoff says.</p>
<p>A math major, Lamport regularly pulled all-nighters in a basement computer lab. Lakoff says no matter how arcane or technical the problem, Lamport always wanted to know “what does this mean to human life? He was trying to make sense of mathematics.”</p>
<p>Entering grad school at Brandeis in 1960, Lamport took classes with Richard Palais, a renowned geometry expert, now professor emeritus at Brandeis and adjunct professor of math at the University of California, Irvine. Lamport admired Palais’ rigor, and the elegance and simplicity of the theorems he developed. “I don’t know whether he thought like I thought or he taught me to think like him,” Lamport says, but Palais “had a mind that was very simpatico to my own.” The two remain friends.</p>
<p>Yet Lamport often felt adrift. “I wasn’t studying,” he says. After getting his master’s, he left Brandeis to teach at Marlboro College, in Vermont. What was his experience like there? “Recall that it was the ’60s,” he says. “Enough said.” Eventually, his passion for learning returned, and he came back to Brandeis to get his doctorate.</p>
<p>In 1970, while still working on his PhD, Lamport joined Massachusetts Computer Associates, a now-defunct software company outside Boston. His supervisors gave him free rein to do what he wanted. “The people I was working for saw I was pretty smart and I could do things if they left me alone,” he says.</p>
<h1>The bakery algorithm’s sweet spot</h1>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/265/1*11IfhLz_er8p6ik2wmT_vw.jpeg" width="265" height="285" loading="lazy" />
<p>Only a few years earlier, the Dutch computer scientist Edsger Dijkstra had posed what became known as the mutual exclusion problem. Take two networked computers, press “print” on both of them, and you’re liable to have a logjam, because the printer can handle only one file at a time. Dijkstra realized a system was needed to ensure computers took turns, a system that ensured mutual exclusivity. When a computer was using a shared resource like a printer or a hard drive, no other computer would be able to gain access.</p>
<p>In a 1974 paper, Lamport announced his solution to the mutual exclusion problem. It had dawned on him that computers trying to access a printer simultaneously were a lot like bakery customers demanding to be served. As a kid, he’d lived near a bakery. People came in, took a numbered ticket and waited until their number was called. The earlier you arrived, the lower the number on your ticket.</p>
<p>Like customers, computers needed to be assigned a number and then called when their number came up. The tricky part is that distributed networks don’t have a central server — that is, a single ticket counter — the computers can check. So Lamport devised an algorithm that gets a computer to ask the other computers in the network for their numbers. It then assigns itself a higher number than all the rest. The “bakery algorithm” achieved fairness: Computers are waited upon on a first-come, first-served basis.</p>
<p>Lamport spent the next several years exploring the bakery algorithm further before achieving the breakthrough that vaulted him to fame in his field. He started thinking about time. Clocks on a computer are often inaccurate, perhaps because the time was set wrong or because of “clock drift,” where even the most precise timing device eventually becomes inaccurate.</p>
<p>There was another problem: Computers may have weak processors or slow internet connections. Suppose two computers try to print. One sends its request first, but if the other computer has a better chip or a better router, its request could reach the printer faster.</p>
<p>So Lamport decided to throw real-world clocks out the window. Instead, a computer network would keep its own “time,” based on mathematical logic. If computer B receives a message from computer A, computer B determines computer A comes before it. If computer C receives a message from computer B, it determines computer B comes before it. Computer C can go a step further on the basis of the law of syllogism — if A comes before B and B comes before C, you can logically assume that A comes before C, too.</p>
<p>As messages are exchanged across the network, these if-then statements give rise to an overall order. This system became known as a “logical clock,” and “Lamport timestamps” assigned each computer a number in line.</p>
<p>The paper Lamport eventually published about this, “Time, Clocks and the Ordering of Events in a Distributed System,” remains one of the most cited in the computer science field.</p>
<h2>Battle ready</h2>
<p>During the 1980s, Lamport achieved more stunning breakthroughs. He developed LaTeX (an abbreviation of Lamport TeX), a plain-text editor ideal for typesetting mathematical equations. “It’s quite incredible how widely used LaTeX still is,” says Justin Boyan, a computer scientist and former product manager at Google. “Literally multiple generations of software have come and gone while LaTeX keeps chugging along.”</p>
<p>And in 1982, Lamport and colleagues Marshall Pease and Robert Shostak devised a solution to the “Byzantine generals problem.” Imagine a group of generals who’ve camped at different locations around an enemy city. Their opponent is fierce and can be defeated only if the generals attack together. The generals dispatch messengers to find out the exact time the assault will happen. But there are traitors in their midst: Some messages may report a wrong time of attack, ensuring defeat. The good news is that each general receives some true messages from loyal generals. The challenge is to weed out a false message after receiving as few messages as possible.</p>
<p>In this problem, the “traitors” are computers that go on the fritz, perhaps because of a software bug or malfunctioning hardware. A faulty message sent by a computer can crash a network. Like the generals, the computers in the network must discern the bogus communications and continue operating on the basis of the legitimate ones. They do this by comparing the messages they’ve received and using a set of conditions and criteria to determine which are the most shared among them. The outliers are then judged as faulty or deceptive, and ignored.</p>
<p>The risk of traitors operating in a computer network is constant, and their presence can prove lethal — literally. If a hospital computer malfunctions, patients may die. If a computer in an air-traffic control system goes haywire, airplanes may crash. These systems and many others rely on Lamport’s solution to remain operative in the wake of breakdowns.</p>
<h2>Think before you code</h2>
<p>In 2005, just weeks before Microsoft unveiled the Xbox 360, a Microsoft intern was asked to check the game console’s programming for bugs. He ran the software code through a rigorous analytical process called the temporal logic of actions (TLA+), developed by Lamport when he joined Microsoft Research several years earlier.</p>
<p>Sure enough, the TLA+ check uncovered a serious bug. If it hadn’t been caught, every single Xbox would have crashed after only four hours of use.</p>
<p>Lamport developed TLA+ as part of a larger crusade to get his colleagues to think better. Programmers, he says, sometimes write code without asking themselves big questions. What do they want their program to do? How should it do those things?</p>
<p>TLA+ brings to programming the rigor and precision that mathematical proofs demand. Before you start writing software code, you create an outline, expressed in mathematical theorems, that explains what your program will do and how it will do it. You lay out the big concepts at work in the software, then demonstrate that they will function together successfully.</p>
<p>Given the competitive and financial pressures many software engineers work under, they often feel they don’t have time to step back and examine the big picture. But Lamport says the failure to answer big questions first results in software written ad hoc. Programmers scramble to figure out their objectives. Inevitably, bugs creep in. The code becomes sloppy and bloated.</p>
<p>“Architects draw detailed plans before a brick is laid or a nail is hammered. Programmers and software engineers don’t,” Lamport wrote in a 2013 article in Wired magazine. “Can this be why houses seldom collapse and programs often crash?”</p>
<p>You can’t possibly test software for every possible contingency before it’s released. Once users start putting it through its paces, all sorts of bugs will emerge. But if its underlying logic is sound, there’s a much better chance it can handle whatever users throw at it. TLA+ helps prove the underlying logic is sound.</p>
<p>Lamport’s address to Brandeis computer-science graduates at this year’s Commencement was characteristically modest and witty. He cited what he calls Lamport’s Law — “the abilities required to obtain a position are unrelated to the abilities required to do a good job in that position” — then added, “I don’t think there’s any need for me to explain how this law applies to American politics today.”</p>
<p>He offered graduates one piece of advice: learn to write. He makes the same suggestion in talks to colleagues, often citing the cartoonist Dick Guindon: “Writing is nature’s way of letting you know how sloppy your thinking is.” Through the crucible of writing, thoughts obtain clarity and precision.</p>
<p>At the beginning of his Brandeis address, Lamport promised to limit his speaking time to eight minutes. He was unsure, he said, “if I can even keep you awake for the next six minutes and 40 seconds.”</p>
<p>When eight minutes had passed, his watch alarm sounded. “I’m afraid that’s all the inspiration I have to offer,” he said.</p>
<p>Most likely, it will last generations.</p>
</section>
|
The Stuff of Genius
Nerds, tech moguls and inveterate Googlers owe a debt to the underlying logic of Leslie Lamport, MA’63, PhD’72, H’17, a Turing Award winner who developed many of the concepts behind 21st-century computing.
By Lawrence Goodman
In the late 1980s, computer scientist Leslie Lamport, MA’63, PhD’72, H’17, decided the best way to explain his latest theory was to make up a story about Paxos, a small island in Greece.
During ancient times, Paxos was a busy commercial center with a flourishing democracy, Lamport wrote in an academic paper. Unfortunately, its parliament was hobbled by what Lamport called the “peripatetic propensity of its part-time legislators.” Legislators would abruptly depart whenever they learned of a business opportunity on another island. In addition, poor acoustics in the parliamentary chamber meant lawmakers who were there couldn’t always hear if a vote had been taken.
Luckily, Lamport wrote, Paxos had achieved significant advances in mathematics. And so the tiny island determined the minimum number of legislators needed to establish a quorum. To ensure parliamentarians in the chamber knew about the last vote taken, it calculated routes for messengers to take between them. As a result, legislators might come and go, but there would always be a set number present who knew what was happening.
When Lamport delivered his first lecture on Paxos to colleagues, he dressed up like Indiana Jones, complete with fedora and hip flask, pretending to be an archaeologist who’d dug up remnants of this lost civilization. Not surprisingly, his colleagues thought it was all a joke. Lamport submitted his Paxos paper to a computer science journal, which rejected it as insignificant.
Nearly a decade passed before the journal reconsidered its decision and published the paper. Computer scientists now grasped the story’s significance. Parliament represented a computer network. The legislators were individual computers. The messages were the communications between the computers. Paxos’ mathematical formulas were a method for keeping a network running even as computers joined or went offline.
Today, critical computer systems at Microsoft, Google and Amazon all depend on the Paxos algorithm, a series of mathematical instructions derived by Lamport, who currently works at Microsoft Research in Silicon Valley and received an honorary degree from Brandeis in May.
The Paxos algorithm has made it possible for millions of computers to connect and communicate with one another. Lamport, says Brandeis computer-science professor Liuba Shrira, “originated some of the fundamental concepts behind today’s internet.”
In 2014, he received the A.M. Turing Award, viewed as the Nobel Prize for computer science. In a tribute to Lamport when he got the Turing, internet pioneer Robert Taylor put it bluntly: “You like using the internet, you owe Leslie.”
Problems waiting to be solved
At 76, Lamport is slightly bowed and walks with a small shuffle. Soft-spoken and mild-mannered, he chooses his words carefully and precisely, saying exactly what he must to make his point, then stopping. He’s comfortable with short pauses in conversation.
And then there’s his hair, a bushy white mane that makes him instantly identifiable. He’s worn it in the same style for decades, though it used to be thicker, darker and a little more kempt.
The work for which Lamport is best known focuses on a single question: How do you get computers to talk to one another efficiently and reliably? The question is harder than it sounds. Tens of thousands of computers exchanging millions of messages and executing tens of millions of interrelated functions is a recipe for chaos. Some kind of order must be imposed. The computers must operate in logical sequence.
A simple network consists of several computers calling in to a central server. But you wouldn’t want the computers of tens of thousands of World of Warcraft addicts calling in to the same server at once. One server wouldn’t be able to keep up with all the requests.
To do that, you need a distributed network, the kind of network Lamport researches. A distributed network isn’t arrayed around a single server. Instead, multiple computers talk to one another. Although each computer operates independently, the overall network behavior is coherent. This coherence is achieved through algorithms. When the algorithms are executed across the network, computers coordinate with maximum efficiency and functionality.
Lamport’s tendency to see computer networks as mathematical problems waiting to be solved sets him apart from many computer scientists who focus on mastering specific comput languages, like Java or HTML. Math is more fundamental, Lamport says. It’s the edifice on which the languages stand. College computer-science majors need to learn math, he says, not programming languages that will be obsolete in a few years.
When Lamport started his professional career in the 1970s, computers ran on a few dozen kilobytes of memory. ARPANET, an early progenitor of the internet developed by the U.S. Department of Defense, consisted of roughly 50 terminals writing to reel-to-reel magnetic tape mounted on several mainframe computers.
Lamport’s algorithms anticipated the time when millions of computers would be interconnected. In retrospect, it’s amazing how forward-looking his research was. Martín Abadi, a principal scientist at Google who collaborated with Lamport during the 1980s and ’90s, says that’s because he excels at understanding the large abstract principles at work in computer science, then finding a way to make the abstractions concrete enough to manipulate and apply.
“Leslie is extremely good at taking what might seem an intractable or ill-defined problem and turning it into something tractable,” Abadi says.
“I never had any grand idea of the future,” says Lamport. “I’m not sure anything that’s happened in my life was a conscious decision.” He says he simply goes where his intellectual curiosity takes him, choosing projects that strike him as fun.
To him, solving a problem is akin to completing a seemingly impossible jigsaw puzzle, though he prefers a different metaphor. “The feeling of figuring it out is very much like being in bed after you’ve had an orgasm,” he says. “There’s a wonderful feeling that you’ve done it, and you’re sort of basking in it.”
Bulking up on math
Lamport grew up lower-middle-class in the Bronx. Although his father planned to become a doctor, when the Depression came he took a job at a dry-cleaning company; his co-workers called him Doc. Lamport’s mother was a milliner-turned-housewife.
Their son attended the Bronx High School of Science, one of the city’s best public schools, open to those who pass a rigorous entrance exam. As a junior, Lamport published his first scholarly paper, an article on braid theory, in the school’s Math Journal. With a friend, he attempted to build a 4-bit computer out of discarded vacuum tubes scrounged from an IBM showroom in mid-Manhattan.
Lamport’s real introduction to computers took place during his summers working at the electric company Con Edison. Officially, his job was changing the magnetic tapes used to store data in hulking mainframe computers. But when everyone else went to lunch, he grabbed a computer and taught himself to program.
As an undergrad at MIT, he roomed with George Lakoff, who went on to become a pre-eminent linguist and is now an emeritus professor of cognitive science and linguistics at the University of California, Berkeley. Lakoff remembers Lamport arrived at MIT “very, very skinny and wimpy” yet determined to bulk up. He started sailing, learned karate and cross-country skied in Vermont on weekends. Lamport “would take up something, and could really do it, and do it, and do it,” Lakoff says.
A math major, Lamport regularly pulled all-nighters in a basement computer lab. Lakoff says no matter how arcane or technical the problem, Lamport always wanted to know “what does this mean to human life? He was trying to make sense of mathematics.”
Entering grad school at Brandeis in 1960, Lamport took classes with Richard Palais, a renowned geometry expert, now professor emeritus at Brandeis and adjunct professor of math at the University of California, Irvine. Lamport admired Palais’ rigor, and the elegance and simplicity of the theorems he developed. “I don’t know whether he thought like I thought or he taught me to think like him,” Lamport says, but Palais “had a mind that was very simpatico to my own.” The two remain friends.
Yet Lamport often felt adrift. “I wasn’t studying,” he says. After getting his master’s, he left Brandeis to teach at Marlboro College, in Vermont. What was his experience like there? “Recall that it was the ’60s,” he says. “Enough said.” Eventually, his passion for learning returned, and he came back to Brandeis to get his doctorate.
In 1970, while still working on his PhD, Lamport joined Massachusetts Computer Associates, a now-defunct software company outside Boston. His supervisors gave him free rein to do what he wanted. “The people I was working for saw I was pretty smart and I could do things if they left me alone,” he says.
The bakery algorithm’s sweet spot
Only a few years earlier, the Dutch computer scientist Edsger Dijkstra had posed what became known as the mutual exclusion problem. Take two networked computers, press “print” on both of them, and you’re liable to have a logjam, because the printer can handle only one file at a time. Dijkstra realized a system was needed to ensure computers took turns, a system that ensured mutual exclusivity. When a computer was using a shared resource like a printer or a hard drive, no other computer would be able to gain access.
In a 1974 paper, Lamport announced his solution to the mutual exclusion problem. It had dawned on him that computers trying to access a printer simultaneously were a lot like bakery customers demanding to be served. As a kid, he’d lived near a bakery. People came in, took a numbered ticket and waited until their number was called. The earlier you arrived, the lower the number on your ticket.
Like customers, computers needed to be assigned a number and then called when their number came up. The tricky part is that distributed networks don’t have a central server — that is, a single ticket counter — the computers can check. So Lamport devised an algorithm that gets a computer to ask the other computers in the network for their numbers. It then assigns itself a higher number than all the rest. The “bakery algorithm” achieved fairness: Computers are waited upon on a first-come, first-served basis.
Lamport spent the next several years exploring the bakery algorithm further before achieving the breakthrough that vaulted him to fame in his field. He started thinking about time. Clocks on a computer are often inaccurate, perhaps because the time was set wrong or because of “clock drift,” where even the most precise timing device eventually becomes inaccurate.
There was another problem: Computers may have weak processors or slow internet connections. Suppose two computers try to print. One sends its request first, but if the other computer has a better chip or a better router, its request could reach the printer faster.
So Lamport decided to throw real-world clocks out the window. Instead, a computer network would keep its own “time,” based on mathematical logic. If computer B receives a message from computer A, computer B determines computer A comes before it. If computer C receives a message from computer B, it determines computer B comes before it. Computer C can go a step further on the basis of the law of syllogism — if A comes before B and B comes before C, you can logically assume that A comes before C, too.
As messages are exchanged across the network, these if-then statements give rise to an overall order. This system became known as a “logical clock,” and “Lamport timestamps” assigned each computer a number in line.
The paper Lamport eventually published about this, “Time, Clocks and the Ordering of Events in a Distributed System,” remains one of the most cited in the computer science field.
Battle ready
During the 1980s, Lamport achieved more stunning breakthroughs. He developed LaTeX (an abbreviation of Lamport TeX), a plain-text editor ideal for typesetting mathematical equations. “It’s quite incredible how widely used LaTeX still is,” says Justin Boyan, a computer scientist and former product manager at Google. “Literally multiple generations of software have come and gone while LaTeX keeps chugging along.”
And in 1982, Lamport and colleagues Marshall Pease and Robert Shostak devised a solution to the “Byzantine generals problem.” Imagine a group of generals who’ve camped at different locations around an enemy city. Their opponent is fierce and can be defeated only if the generals attack together. The generals dispatch messengers to find out the exact time the assault will happen. But there are traitors in their midst: Some messages may report a wrong time of attack, ensuring defeat. The good news is that each general receives some true messages from loyal generals. The challenge is to weed out a false message after receiving as few messages as possible.
In this problem, the “traitors” are computers that go on the fritz, perhaps because of a software bug or malfunctioning hardware. A faulty message sent by a computer can crash a network. Like the generals, the computers in the network must discern the bogus communications and continue operating on the basis of the legitimate ones. They do this by comparing the messages they’ve received and using a set of conditions and criteria to determine which are the most shared among them. The outliers are then judged as faulty or deceptive, and ignored.
The risk of traitors operating in a computer network is constant, and their presence can prove lethal — literally. If a hospital computer malfunctions, patients may die. If a computer in an air-traffic control system goes haywire, airplanes may crash. These systems and many others rely on Lamport’s solution to remain operative in the wake of breakdowns.
Think before you code
In 2005, just weeks before Microsoft unveiled the Xbox 360, a Microsoft intern was asked to check the game console’s programming for bugs. He ran the software code through a rigorous analytical process called the temporal logic of actions (TLA+), developed by Lamport when he joined Microsoft Research several years earlier.
Sure enough, the TLA+ check uncovered a serious bug. If it hadn’t been caught, every single Xbox would have crashed after only four hours of use.
Lamport developed TLA+ as part of a larger crusade to get his colleagues to think better. Programmers, he says, sometimes write code without asking themselves big questions. What do they want their program to do? How should it do those things?
TLA+ brings to programming the rigor and precision that mathematical proofs demand. Before you start writing software code, you create an outline, expressed in mathematical theorems, that explains what your program will do and how it will do it. You lay out the big concepts at work in the software, then demonstrate that they will function together successfully.
Given the competitive and financial pressures many software engineers work under, they often feel they don’t have time to step back and examine the big picture. But Lamport says the failure to answer big questions first results in software written ad hoc. Programmers scramble to figure out their objectives. Inevitably, bugs creep in. The code becomes sloppy and bloated.
“Architects draw detailed plans before a brick is laid or a nail is hammered. Programmers and software engineers don’t,” Lamport wrote in a 2013 article in Wired magazine. “Can this be why houses seldom collapse and programs often crash?”
You can’t possibly test software for every possible contingency before it’s released. Once users start putting it through its paces, all sorts of bugs will emerge. But if its underlying logic is sound, there’s a much better chance it can handle whatever users throw at it. TLA+ helps prove the underlying logic is sound.
Lamport’s address to Brandeis computer-science graduates at this year’s Commencement was characteristically modest and witty. He cited what he calls Lamport’s Law — “the abilities required to obtain a position are unrelated to the abilities required to do a good job in that position” — then added, “I don’t think there’s any need for me to explain how this law applies to American politics today.”
He offered graduates one piece of advice: learn to write. He makes the same suggestion in talks to colleagues, often citing the cartoonist Dick Guindon: “Writing is nature’s way of letting you know how sloppy your thinking is.” Through the crucible of writing, thoughts obtain clarity and precision.
At the beginning of his Brandeis address, Lamport promised to limit his speaking time to eight minutes. He was unsure, he said, “if I can even keep you awake for the next six minutes and 40 seconds.”
When eight minutes had passed, his watch alarm sounded. “I’m afraid that’s all the inspiration I have to offer,” he said.
Most likely, it will last generations.
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d6a3b34d-33ef-5483-a79d-204cd3d1b388
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25/08/2025 15:59:08
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https://bharaniswati.medium.com/decoding-storytelling-inn-c6e95551cb11
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medium.com
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Decoding Storytelling inn
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Katherine Boo, a renowned Journalist says in the book, Telling Good Stories-
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Swati Bharani
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https://medium.com/@bharaniswati
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c6e95551cb11
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6 min
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2023-11-13T11:56:18.384000
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2023-12-18T09:53:47.240000
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2025-03-25T12:28:55.202000
| 1
| 19
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en
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Storytelling,Data,Journalism,Narrative,Scriptwriting
|
<section>
<p><em>Disclaimer — This piece describes the nature of storytelling arcs in writing journalistic pieces. An arc is sometimes a consequence, not something the author was getting at while presenting investigations, sources etc. But sometimes when we trace back, an arc emerges, maybe completely unintended by the author originally. My article is for my own learning self, who wants to understand how a story, replete with too many sources and details are laid out. Happy reading!</em></p>
<p>Katherine Boo, a renowned Journalist says in the book, “Telling Good Stories” -</p>
<p>Not choosing a Narrative means not being read at all.</p>
<p>Knowingly or unknowingly we are all a bunch of storytellers. Storytelling, as an art-form is prevalent in whichever field we work in, but varies with the medium. From movies, to novels, advertisements, marketing campaigns, product pitches or even sitting around with friends recalling school days.</p>
<p>I am intrigued by how various worlds come together in the form of stories. So through this article, I will be focussing on how journalism makes use of stories through the Three-Act Structure and explaining what it is in the process. Here, I am covering key events in an article published by Newslaundry <a href="https://www.newslaundry.com/2021/05/17/how-sadhguru-built-his-isha-empire-illegally">here</a> (a screenshot below) which is a brilliant piece on Investigative Journalism. But don’t worry you don’t need to go through the original article to understand this article. :)</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1206/1*eLDQNgnx49hbCuOM6fuKEA.png" width="1206" height="1286" loading="lazy" />
<p>I will look at major events as they occur in the article. Covered in the order in which they occur. This will help us decode how journalists tell a story. Please note that the original article is done <em>without</em> visuals. However, without visuals it is difficult to showcase the Storytelling Acts. So, to help break down the story progression, I will do it <em>with</em> visuals in an illustrative manner.</p>
<h3>The Three-Act Structure</h3>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1280/1*JZr9i9OzIZZvnmHKLzGjjA.jpeg" width="1280" height="1216" loading="lazy" />
<p>Look at the above picture closely once. Do not be afraid if you understand nothing. I will help uncover each of the Acts above by using the article as an example, as it is used in the context of Journalism. This is the grand talisman of every story told in the world. This is borrowed from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gustav_Freytag">Freytag’s pyramid</a>, a German storywright.</p>
<h3><strong>Why should you care?</strong></h3>
<p>This will guide writers or people who do storytelling of any kind in their work to lay out the narrative. The second bonus of this article is to showcase how any kind of explanatory articles can do much better with visuals :)</p>
<h1>The Story</h1>
<p>The whole article is centered around one <strong>Main Character</strong> — <strong>Isha Foundation.</strong> What provides the story its movement is the alleged illegal construction of its campus in the hilly region of Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore. Various events lend the story its moments of <em>Risin</em>g and <em>Falling Action, </em>as seen in the Freytag’s pyramid above.</p>
<p>Isha Foundation constructed a 150-acre campus in this eco-sensitive area over 15 years starting from 1997 to 2011, without due permissions from HACA (Hill Area Conservation Authority), the regulatory authority for construction on hilly areas. What ensues is a tussle between the government and the foundation.</p>
<p>The timeline of major events in the article is from 2011 to 2020. Prior to 2011 when the approval was sought, the Construction of Campus had been almost 65% complete.</p>
<p>The following is the <strong>timeline of events</strong> as they unfold in the article, in the order in which they occur. Respective to each, the year is also written below, in paranthesis —</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1280/1*o1HaCCwxPB39cwiW6pW6cw.png" width="1280" height="832" loading="lazy" />
<p>As we see the events in order of the article as shown below, we can divide the whole story into its respective Acts. Along with that, the Plot points 1 and 2 are also shown above. Details below-</p>
<p><strong>Act 1:</strong></p>
<p>Act 1 sets the background, the context of the place where Isha Foundation is constructed and introduces all the main parties including HACA.</p>
<p>It shows how most of the construction of Campus had already been done by 2011, and the approval was only sought afterwards.</p>
<p><strong>Plot point 1</strong>- First evidence when the main character, Isha Foundation, faces a Conflict — legal scrutiny by the Forest Officer. The conflict here is that the Forest Officer finds out that the construction was indeed done on an Elephant Corridor. And no such approval was sought.</p>
<p>The officer is transferred, a temporary solution to an impending disaster. Sets the tone and gives the readers a glimpse of what is to come.</p>
<h3><strong>Act 2:</strong></h3>
<p>The middle section comprising Act 2 has the most coverage. Here, <strong>2012</strong> has the most action. So, it has the most number of pages and subsequently the most coverage in Act 2.</p>
<p>Through Act 2, it is shown with relevant evidence how tension was mounting:</p>
<p>Stop Work Notice, and Sealing Notice are sent to the Foundation in 2012.</p>
<p>Another set of parties involved, who endanger Isha’s argument are also introduced here. Poovulagin Nanbargal, an NGO sends out multiple petitions.</p>
<p>An Adivasi farmer, whose crops are damaged also files a petition.</p>
<p>The Reader still doesn’t know how the problems would be solved, yet. Unless, Isha finds a way to resolve the problems, its existence is under a massive doubt.</p>
<p><strong>Plot Point 2</strong> — The PM himself inaugurates the Statue on Mahashivratri festival in 2017, despite Isha’s murky legalities shown so far. It was the kind of stamp of approval Isha needed. It allows the reader to get the <strong>resolution of the Conflict</strong> which was introduced at the end of first Act.</p>
<p>It also sets the stage for all the subsequent resolution of legalities which marks the second Act.</p>
<h3><strong>Act 3:</strong></h3>
<p>Resolution of legalities happen as follows -</p>
<p>HACA states Isha campus was not built on an Elephant Corridor but it was situated “adjacent” to an Elephant “Habitat”.</p>
<p>It regularizes the plot in 2020, owing to the fact that it did not lie in the corridor anymore (allegedly).</p>
<p>NGT (National Green Tribunal), the statutory body for environmental protection says no pollution is caused on the Mahashivratri festival, in reply to the NGO’s petition.</p>
<p>Isha Foundation claims it got the approval in 2017, the same year PM inaugurated the Statue.</p>
<p>HACA head does not invite any more questions on it and says, “You can write anything you want”. <strong>There is no more resolution needed to the story.</strong> So, the story began with HACA disapproving the construction to finally giving it a green signal, making the <strong>contrast</strong> evident which is present in every good story.</p>
<h3><strong>Conclusion</strong></h3>
<p>The format of Storytelling is different with varying mediums. In journalism, or in any writing mediums, unknown to the reader, some devices of storytelling are always used.</p>
<p>As you can see in the Middle Section, how the drama escalates by unfolding events quickly. It begins with the forest transfer of officer to PM Inauguration.</p>
<p>The middle Section has the most coverage, that is going from years 2012 to 2017.</p>
<p>Contrast this with the First Section (years — 2011 and 2012) and the Third section (years — 2017 to 2020).</p>
<p>In addition, it can be seen below each event in parentheses how years are jumbled up. It bunches together pieces that are relevant for each other and together, move the story forward.</p>
<p>This article is a pure creative endeavor as I was curious as to how storytelling pervades our life. As in every piece of writing, whether fiction or nonfiction, a movie or stand-up comedy, even classical Indian dance form of Bharatnatyam!</p>
<p>To conclude, I will leave you with a <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54110137-sapiens">Yuval Noah Harari</a>’s quote,</p>
<p>Homo sapiens is a storytelling animal that thinks in stories rather than in numbers or graphs, and believes that the universe itself works like a story.</p>
<p>PS — If you are a comedy aficionado like me, you’d love the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xEW4PD4OBE&t=1718s&ab_channel=SonOfAbish">‘Journey of a Joke</a>’ series on Youtube, which talks about storytelling in stand-up comedy. This was also a spark of an idea for me to build on.</p>
</section>
|
The Art and Craft of Narratives in Journalism: A Case Study
Disclaimer — This piece describes the nature of storytelling arcs in writing journalistic pieces. An arc is sometimes a consequence, not something the author was getting at while presenting investigations, sources etc. But sometimes when we trace back, an arc emerges, maybe completely unintended by the author originally. My article is for my own learning self, who wants to understand how a story, replete with too many sources and details are laid out. Happy reading!
Katherine Boo, a renowned Journalist says in the book, “Telling Good Stories” -
Not choosing a Narrative means not being read at all.
Knowingly or unknowingly we are all a bunch of storytellers. Storytelling, as an art-form is prevalent in whichever field we work in, but varies with the medium. From movies, to novels, advertisements, marketing campaigns, product pitches or even sitting around with friends recalling school days.
I am intrigued by how various worlds come together in the form of stories. So through this article, I will be focussing on how journalism makes use of stories through the Three-Act Structure and explaining what it is in the process. Here, I am covering key events in an article published by Newslaundry here (a screenshot below) which is a brilliant piece on Investigative Journalism. But don’t worry you don’t need to go through the original article to understand this article. :)
Screenshot from the original article
I will look at major events as they occur in the article. Covered in the order in which they occur. This will help us decode how journalists tell a story. Please note that the original article is done without visuals. However, without visuals it is difficult to showcase the Storytelling Acts. So, to help break down the story progression, I will do it with visuals in an illustrative manner.
The Three-Act Structure
Three-Act Narrative Structure of Stories
Look at the above picture closely once. Do not be afraid if you understand nothing. I will help uncover each of the Acts above by using the article as an example, as it is used in the context of Journalism. This is the grand talisman of every story told in the world. This is borrowed from Freytag’s pyramid, a German storywright.
Why should you care?
This will guide writers or people who do storytelling of any kind in their work to lay out the narrative. The second bonus of this article is to showcase how any kind of explanatory articles can do much better with visuals :)
The Story
The whole article is centered around one Main Character — Isha Foundation. What provides the story its movement is the alleged illegal construction of its campus in the hilly region of Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore. Various events lend the story its moments of Rising and Falling Action, as seen in the Freytag’s pyramid above.
Isha Foundation constructed a 150-acre campus in this eco-sensitive area over 15 years starting from 1997 to 2011, without due permissions from HACA (Hill Area Conservation Authority), the regulatory authority for construction on hilly areas. What ensues is a tussle between the government and the foundation.
The timeline of major events in the article is from 2011 to 2020. Prior to 2011 when the approval was sought, the Construction of Campus had been almost 65% complete.
The following is the timeline of events as they unfold in the article, in the order in which they occur. Respective to each, the year is also written below, in paranthesis —
Three Acts in the narrative in the order of events of the article; Statue inaugurated by PM Modi in the background
As we see the events in order of the article as shown below, we can divide the whole story into its respective Acts. Along with that, the Plot points 1 and 2 are also shown above. Details below-
Act 1:
Act 1 sets the background, the context of the place where Isha Foundation is constructed and introduces all the main parties including HACA.
It shows how most of the construction of Campus had already been done by 2011, and the approval was only sought afterwards.
Plot point 1- First evidence when the main character, Isha Foundation, faces a Conflict — legal scrutiny by the Forest Officer. The conflict here is that the Forest Officer finds out that the construction was indeed done on an Elephant Corridor. And no such approval was sought.
The officer is transferred, a temporary solution to an impending disaster. Sets the tone and gives the readers a glimpse of what is to come.
Act 2:
The middle section comprising Act 2 has the most coverage. Here, 2012 has the most action. So, it has the most number of pages and subsequently the most coverage in Act 2.
Through Act 2, it is shown with relevant evidence how tension was mounting:
Stop Work Notice, and Sealing Notice are sent to the Foundation in 2012.
Another set of parties involved, who endanger Isha’s argument are also introduced here. Poovulagin Nanbargal, an NGO sends out multiple petitions.
An Adivasi farmer, whose crops are damaged also files a petition.
The Reader still doesn’t know how the problems would be solved, yet. Unless, Isha finds a way to resolve the problems, its existence is under a massive doubt.
Plot Point 2 — The PM himself inaugurates the Statue on Mahashivratri festival in 2017, despite Isha’s murky legalities shown so far. It was the kind of stamp of approval Isha needed. It allows the reader to get the resolution of the Conflict which was introduced at the end of first Act.
It also sets the stage for all the subsequent resolution of legalities which marks the second Act.
Act 3:
Resolution of legalities happen as follows -
HACA states Isha campus was not built on an Elephant Corridor but it was situated “adjacent” to an Elephant “Habitat”.
It regularizes the plot in 2020, owing to the fact that it did not lie in the corridor anymore (allegedly).
NGT (National Green Tribunal), the statutory body for environmental protection says no pollution is caused on the Mahashivratri festival, in reply to the NGO’s petition.
Isha Foundation claims it got the approval in 2017, the same year PM inaugurated the Statue.
HACA head does not invite any more questions on it and says, “You can write anything you want”. There is no more resolution needed to the story. So, the story began with HACA disapproving the construction to finally giving it a green signal, making the contrast evident which is present in every good story.
Conclusion
The format of Storytelling is different with varying mediums. In journalism, or in any writing mediums, unknown to the reader, some devices of storytelling are always used.
As you can see in the Middle Section, how the drama escalates by unfolding events quickly. It begins with the forest transfer of officer to PM Inauguration.
The middle Section has the most coverage, that is going from years 2012 to 2017.
Contrast this with the First Section (years — 2011 and 2012) and the Third section (years — 2017 to 2020).
In addition, it can be seen below each event in parentheses how years are jumbled up. It bunches together pieces that are relevant for each other and together, move the story forward.
This article is a pure creative endeavor as I was curious as to how storytelling pervades our life. As in every piece of writing, whether fiction or nonfiction, a movie or stand-up comedy, even classical Indian dance form of Bharatnatyam!
To conclude, I will leave you with a Yuval Noah Harari’s quote,
Homo sapiens is a storytelling animal that thinks in stories rather than in numbers or graphs, and believes that the universe itself works like a story.
PS — If you are a comedy aficionado like me, you’d love the ‘Journey of a Joke’ series on Youtube, which talks about storytelling in stand-up comedy. This was also a spark of an idea for me to build on.
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c44add31-5751-5403-b32c-7adbb8bed7ca
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25/08/2025 15:59:09
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https://medium.com/@saeedhm/6-essential-skills-to-master-the-art-of-negotiation-d7723f6e81fb
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medium.com
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6 Essential Skills to Master the Art of Negotiation
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“I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.” ~ Don Vito Corleone
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Saeed Mirfattah
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https://medium.com/@saeedhm
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d7723f6e81fb
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7 min
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2017-06-01T13:01:00.444000
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2017-06-01T13:00:00
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2018-02-27T01:16:06.881000
| 0
| 0
|
en
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Negotiation,Work,Persuasion,Salary Negotiations,Communication
|
<section>
<h1>6 Essential Skills to Master the Art of Negotiation</h1>
<p><em><strong>“I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.” ~ Don Vito </em>Corleone</strong></p>
<p>Negotiation plays a major role in all aspects of our personal and professional lives. Most people think negotiating is the same as compromising. They are wrong. Successful negotiation is an art form that comes naturally to some, but must be learned by most. Whether it’s a salary increase or where you’ll spend your next family vacation, if you want to get far in your career and in your life, you have to learn to master the art of negotiation.</p>
<p>A skilled negotiator needs to demonstrate at least 10 <em><strong>essentia</em>l traits</strong>:</p>
<p>1. Empathy</p>
<p>2. Responsibility</p>
<p>3. Respect</p>
<p>4. Flexibility</p>
<p>5. Fairness</p>
<p>6. Personal Integrity</p>
<p>7. Patience</p>
<p>8. Self discipline</p>
<p>9. Humor</p>
<p>10. Stamina</p>
<p>Now, let’s break down the <em><strong>essentia</em>l skills </strong>you need that enhance or impede any negotiation process.</p>
<p><strong>1. Skilled negotiators are well prepared. </strong>Preparation is the single most important element to successful negotiations. Careful preparation prior to the discussion lays the foundation for the desired outcome. Understanding the issues prior to discussing them develops inner confidence. That is the key to developing a <strong>position of strength</strong>. It also provides a complete and inclusive bank of knowledge to support and reinforce your position.</p>
<p>There are always trade-offs in negotiations. It is essential that you clearly <strong>define your limits</strong>. Identify the intended objective and set limits to achieve the objective. Lack of preparation will most often result in unexpected outcomes that may be far less than anticipated and in some cases counter-productive to the goal and purpose of the negotiation process.</p>
<p><strong>2. Skilled negotiators are skilled communicators. </strong>Effective communication plays a <strong>fundamental role</strong> in any interaction and is essential to successful negotiations. Effective communication skills include: the ability to listen and understand the intended message of the sender, clearly expressing your own thoughts and ideas in a way that is easily followed and understood by others, and accurately interpreting the messages expressed through body language. Discuss the concept in an open, receptive manner that allows the other side to hear and understand the message and appropriately respond to that message in a constructive way. <strong>Clarity is key:</strong> Present the issues clearly and check for understanding. <strong>Listen actively</strong>. Clear your mind of pre-judgment and distraction so you can actively listen to the other person.</p>
<p>Effective communication is not limited to what say and hear. It also includes <strong>body language</strong> — messages or responses sent through facial expressions, eyes and body. Correctly interpreting body language is challenging, yet necessary to accurately understand the message delivered by the sender. For your part, pay attention to your posture. Make sure that your body language does not signal <strong>closed reception</strong>. Make direct eye contact with the speaker so that they know they have your full attention.</p>
<p><strong>3. Skilled negotiators ask good questions. </strong>If you enter the conversation with <strong>assumptions </strong>about what you know, you’ll miss vital opportunities to turn the conversation to your advantage. Ask questions that can help to identify key issues of the discussion. Use the information that was acquired during pre-negotiation preparation to formulate questions that can narrow the issues of the discussion. Use well-crafted <strong>open-ended questions</strong> (“what,” “why,” “how”) that get the other party talking and<strong> revealing.</strong></p>
<p>Follow-up with questions that will require a more specific answer when responses are too general. A good questioner sets the pace and direction of the conversation. Keep your responses short and very specific to the questions being asked of you.<strong> Avoid</strong> inserting information that may be interesting, but not necessarily specific to the subject.</p>
<p>4. <strong>Skilled negotiators are emotionally neutral. </strong>Emotional control plays a pivotal role in successful negotiations. The higher the perceived stakes in a negotiating process, the greater the chance that emotions will play an important role in the final outcome. Techniques to <strong>regulate your emotions</strong> become an important asset to ensure an optimal outcome. Regulating your emotions starts with understanding your own personal strengths and weaknesses, then building on those strengths while minimizing weaknesses.</p>
<p>Regulating emotions and maintaining <strong>emotional distance</strong> is necessary to be effective. This helps to <strong>neutralize</strong> the situation and avoid conflict. There isn’t a single technique that can be effective in all scenarios for self control; however, one of the best tips to maintain control is the all-time favorite that we practice with our children: <strong>‘time-out’</strong>. Seriously. If you find things are getting out of control, create an opportunity for a time out. Make an excuse to go to the bathroom, get a file or get more info from another source. It doesn’t matter. Just give yourself some <strong>mental space</strong> for a few moments. The ability to recognize when a time-out is necessary is an important skill to cultivate. This helps you create emotional distance to allow a recharging of <strong>self-confidence</strong> and <strong>self control</strong>.</p>
<p><strong>5. Skilled negotiators find pain points and solve them. </strong>It’s a simple formula. Solve their problems and people will be grateful. That’s just a fundamental rule of business and life. But an important point to remember is that some people can’t put their finger on the specific pain point or can’t comprehend the larger picture of what is ailing them immediately. So, be ready to break down a complicated concept into more manageable parts– working systematically from ideas that can be readily understood, then building on that knowledge to the more difficult, or complex issues.</p>
<p>Sometimes, you have to translate and compartmentalize the issue in ways others can comprehend. But remember that no matter how persuasive your argument, the other side will not agree to your proposal unless it solves their discontent. <strong>People make decisions in order to solve a problem.</strong> Understand their pain and then show how your approach will help alleviate it.</p>
<p><strong>6. Skilled negotiators close the deal. </strong>Closing a deal is the <strong>ultimate goal</strong> to any negotiating process; however, closing a deal is not always possible. It’s important for any successful negotiator to recognize agreement or impasse and bring the meeting to a close. The final closing of any negotiation, either as the result of reaching an agreement or recognizing an impasse, is an <strong>important skill</strong> to learn and practice. A win-win is achieved through honesty and respect from both parties. But remember that a <strong>‘win-win’</strong> outcome is based on the subjective perception of a ‘win’ as defined in the initial objectives established during the preparation process. That is to say, each side moves to their final limits defined prior to the negotiation process.</p>
<p>Closing the deal means knowing when all elements of the objectives have been met and all that remains is to finalize the process to implement the plan. If an agreement has been reached, it is important that all elements of that agreement be briefly summarized prior to the conclusion of the meeting. If an agreement cannot be reached, it is essential that the outstanding issues be briefly summarized to assure that both parties agree that no further movement is possible. Like everything that is done well, a <strong>great negotiator</strong> will systematically demonstrate skills that can enhance the final outcome of a negotiation process. Using the skills outlined above, you will <strong>significantly increase your chances</strong> of closing the deal with a favorable outcome and avoiding a ‘lose-lose.’</p>
<p><strong>Summary</strong></p>
<p>In the real world, we win some battles and lose others. It’s important that we learn to deal with the frustration and discouragement associated with the lost battles to become more effective in the battles of tomorrow. Perhaps one of life’s most important lessons is the realization that not all people are agreeable and easy to deal with. There are difficult people in the world and our ability to recognize and deal with the many personalities we encounter can help us to be more successful in any interactions we may attempt. Unfortunately, people demonstrate traits, even as adults, that may be considered counterproductive or even childish.</p>
<p>Any discussion that requires a decision at some level with an expected or unexpected outcome involves and requires negotiating skills. Whether you’re building support or overcoming resistance, you’re negotiating. In the workplace you negotiate with colleagues and clients to obtain consensus and buy-in and in your personal life you negotiate with your neighbors, your family and your friends. The above set of skills and traits will help you be a stronger negotiator in the most challenging situations and with the most difficult people.</p>
<p>Unless you’re ‘negotiating’ with a toddler who is having a temper tantrum in the middle of the super market isle to the horror of standers by. In that case, I have no advice to offer. You’re on your own.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p><strong>©2017 — All Content by Saeed H. Mirfattah, M.A.</strong></p>
<p>I really appreciate that you are reading my post. If you found it helpful, I invite you to follow me on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/saeedmirfattah/">LinkedIn</a> or subscribe to read exclusive content on my <a href="https://saeedmirfattah.com/">BLOG.</a></p>
<p>Why would you follow me?</p>
<p>I write personal and professional development articles to help readers be the most effective human being they can be; in short, to help you find your inner awesomeness. By liking, commenting, sharing, and following, you are encouraging me to keep going. It is my direct feedback loop that tells me that I am providing value to you.</p>
<p>I also love connecting with new people and seeing what others are up to in the world.</p>
<p>Last thing, if you liked this post, consider checking out my other recent posts for inspiration and concrete actions steps to become more effective at work and life.</p>
<p>Best,</p>
<p>Saeed</p>
<p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/your-bad-boss-heart-everything-else-saeed-h-mirfattah-m-a-">Your Bad Boss is Bad for Your Heart (and everything else)</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/12-reasons-why-you-should-work-like-entrepreneur-saeed-mirfattah">12 Reasons Why You Should Work Like an Entrepreneur</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-your-meetings-suck-how-improve-them-saeed-mirfattah">Why Your Meetings Suck and How to Improve Them</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/6-secret-weapons-supervise-like-superhero-saeed-mirfattah">6 Secret Weapons to Supervise Like a Superhero</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/10-easy-ways-increase-your-social-intelligence-people-saeed-mirfattah">10 Easy Ways to Increase Your Social Intelligence and Motivate Your People</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/top-10-tips-10x-your-productivity-take-back-saeed-mirfattah-1">Top 10 Tips To 10x Your Productivity And Take Back Your Creativity</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/3-things-babies-can-teach-us-employee-engagement-saeed-mirfattah">3 Things Babies Can Teach Us About Employee Engagement</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/12-reasons-why-you-should-work-like-consultant-saeed-mirfattah">12 Reasons Why You Should Work Like A Consultant</a></p>
<p><em>Originally published at <a href="https://saeedmirfattah.com</em>/2017/06/01/6-essential-skills-to-master-the-art-of-negotiation/">saeedmirfattah.com</a> on June 1, 2017.</p>
</section>
|
6 Essential Skills to Master the Art of Negotiation
“I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.” ~ Don Vito Corleone
Negotiation plays a major role in all aspects of our personal and professional lives. Most people think negotiating is the same as compromising. They are wrong. Successful negotiation is an art form that comes naturally to some, but must be learned by most. Whether it’s a salary increase or where you’ll spend your next family vacation, if you want to get far in your career and in your life, you have to learn to master the art of negotiation.
A skilled negotiator needs to demonstrate at least 10 essential traits:
1. Empathy
2. Responsibility
3. Respect
4. Flexibility
5. Fairness
6. Personal Integrity
7. Patience
8. Self discipline
9. Humor
10. Stamina
Now, let’s break down the essential skills you need that enhance or impede any negotiation process.
1. Skilled negotiators are well prepared. Preparation is the single most important element to successful negotiations. Careful preparation prior to the discussion lays the foundation for the desired outcome. Understanding the issues prior to discussing them develops inner confidence. That is the key to developing a position of strength. It also provides a complete and inclusive bank of knowledge to support and reinforce your position.
There are always trade-offs in negotiations. It is essential that you clearly define your limits. Identify the intended objective and set limits to achieve the objective. Lack of preparation will most often result in unexpected outcomes that may be far less than anticipated and in some cases counter-productive to the goal and purpose of the negotiation process.
2. Skilled negotiators are skilled communicators. Effective communication plays a fundamental role in any interaction and is essential to successful negotiations. Effective communication skills include: the ability to listen and understand the intended message of the sender, clearly expressing your own thoughts and ideas in a way that is easily followed and understood by others, and accurately interpreting the messages expressed through body language. Discuss the concept in an open, receptive manner that allows the other side to hear and understand the message and appropriately respond to that message in a constructive way. Clarity is key: Present the issues clearly and check for understanding. Listen actively. Clear your mind of pre-judgment and distraction so you can actively listen to the other person.
Effective communication is not limited to what say and hear. It also includes body language — messages or responses sent through facial expressions, eyes and body. Correctly interpreting body language is challenging, yet necessary to accurately understand the message delivered by the sender. For your part, pay attention to your posture. Make sure that your body language does not signal closed reception. Make direct eye contact with the speaker so that they know they have your full attention.
3. Skilled negotiators ask good questions. If you enter the conversation with assumptions about what you know, you’ll miss vital opportunities to turn the conversation to your advantage. Ask questions that can help to identify key issues of the discussion. Use the information that was acquired during pre-negotiation preparation to formulate questions that can narrow the issues of the discussion. Use well-crafted open-ended questions (“what,” “why,” “how”) that get the other party talking and revealing.
Follow-up with questions that will require a more specific answer when responses are too general. A good questioner sets the pace and direction of the conversation. Keep your responses short and very specific to the questions being asked of you. Avoid inserting information that may be interesting, but not necessarily specific to the subject.
4. Skilled negotiators are emotionally neutral. Emotional control plays a pivotal role in successful negotiations. The higher the perceived stakes in a negotiating process, the greater the chance that emotions will play an important role in the final outcome. Techniques to regulate your emotions become an important asset to ensure an optimal outcome. Regulating your emotions starts with understanding your own personal strengths and weaknesses, then building on those strengths while minimizing weaknesses.
Regulating emotions and maintaining emotional distance is necessary to be effective. This helps to neutralize the situation and avoid conflict. There isn’t a single technique that can be effective in all scenarios for self control; however, one of the best tips to maintain control is the all-time favorite that we practice with our children: ‘time-out’. Seriously. If you find things are getting out of control, create an opportunity for a time out. Make an excuse to go to the bathroom, get a file or get more info from another source. It doesn’t matter. Just give yourself some mental space for a few moments. The ability to recognize when a time-out is necessary is an important skill to cultivate. This helps you create emotional distance to allow a recharging of self-confidence and self control.
5. Skilled negotiators find pain points and solve them. It’s a simple formula. Solve their problems and people will be grateful. That’s just a fundamental rule of business and life. But an important point to remember is that some people can’t put their finger on the specific pain point or can’t comprehend the larger picture of what is ailing them immediately. So, be ready to break down a complicated concept into more manageable parts– working systematically from ideas that can be readily understood, then building on that knowledge to the more difficult, or complex issues.
Sometimes, you have to translate and compartmentalize the issue in ways others can comprehend. But remember that no matter how persuasive your argument, the other side will not agree to your proposal unless it solves their discontent. People make decisions in order to solve a problem. Understand their pain and then show how your approach will help alleviate it.
6. Skilled negotiators close the deal. Closing a deal is the ultimate goal to any negotiating process; however, closing a deal is not always possible. It’s important for any successful negotiator to recognize agreement or impasse and bring the meeting to a close. The final closing of any negotiation, either as the result of reaching an agreement or recognizing an impasse, is an important skill to learn and practice. A win-win is achieved through honesty and respect from both parties. But remember that a ‘win-win’ outcome is based on the subjective perception of a ‘win’ as defined in the initial objectives established during the preparation process. That is to say, each side moves to their final limits defined prior to the negotiation process.
Closing the deal means knowing when all elements of the objectives have been met and all that remains is to finalize the process to implement the plan. If an agreement has been reached, it is important that all elements of that agreement be briefly summarized prior to the conclusion of the meeting. If an agreement cannot be reached, it is essential that the outstanding issues be briefly summarized to assure that both parties agree that no further movement is possible. Like everything that is done well, a great negotiator will systematically demonstrate skills that can enhance the final outcome of a negotiation process. Using the skills outlined above, you will significantly increase your chances of closing the deal with a favorable outcome and avoiding a ‘lose-lose.’
Summary
In the real world, we win some battles and lose others. It’s important that we learn to deal with the frustration and discouragement associated with the lost battles to become more effective in the battles of tomorrow. Perhaps one of life’s most important lessons is the realization that not all people are agreeable and easy to deal with. There are difficult people in the world and our ability to recognize and deal with the many personalities we encounter can help us to be more successful in any interactions we may attempt. Unfortunately, people demonstrate traits, even as adults, that may be considered counterproductive or even childish.
Any discussion that requires a decision at some level with an expected or unexpected outcome involves and requires negotiating skills. Whether you’re building support or overcoming resistance, you’re negotiating. In the workplace you negotiate with colleagues and clients to obtain consensus and buy-in and in your personal life you negotiate with your neighbors, your family and your friends. The above set of skills and traits will help you be a stronger negotiator in the most challenging situations and with the most difficult people.
Unless you’re ‘negotiating’ with a toddler who is having a temper tantrum in the middle of the super market isle to the horror of standers by. In that case, I have no advice to offer. You’re on your own.
Good luck.
©2017 — All Content by Saeed H. Mirfattah, M.A.
I really appreciate that you are reading my post. If you found it helpful, I invite you to follow me on LinkedIn or subscribe to read exclusive content on my BLOG.
Why would you follow me?
I write personal and professional development articles to help readers be the most effective human being they can be; in short, to help you find your inner awesomeness. By liking, commenting, sharing, and following, you are encouraging me to keep going. It is my direct feedback loop that tells me that I am providing value to you.
I also love connecting with new people and seeing what others are up to in the world.
Last thing, if you liked this post, consider checking out my other recent posts for inspiration and concrete actions steps to become more effective at work and life.
Best,
Saeed
Your Bad Boss is Bad for Your Heart (and everything else)
12 Reasons Why You Should Work Like an Entrepreneur
Why Your Meetings Suck and How to Improve Them
6 Secret Weapons to Supervise Like a Superhero
10 Easy Ways to Increase Your Social Intelligence and Motivate Your People
Top 10 Tips To 10x Your Productivity And Take Back Your Creativity
3 Things Babies Can Teach Us About Employee Engagement
12 Reasons Why You Should Work Like A Consultant
Originally published at saeedmirfattah.com on June 1, 2017.
|
d2268c6e-279d-5860-b641-4961ad5304a8
|
25/08/2025 15:59:09
|
|
https://ronmayanja.medium.com/the-african-american-problem-171896c2a238
|
medium.com
|
The African American Problem
|
The Trouble of Prefixing and Subsetting American Citizens With Terms Like Black and African.
|
Ron Mayanja
|
https://medium.com/@ronmayanja
|
171896c2a238
| https://miro.medium.com/…[email protected]
|
3 min
|
2020-06-05T12:14:45.272000
|
2020-06-05T12:37:29.076000
|
2021-12-14T18:18:58.900000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
BlackLivesMatter,Protest,USA,America,African American
|
<section>
<p>The Trouble of Prefixing and Subsetting American Citizens With Terms Like Black and African.</p>
<p>‘Customer service agent needed in aisle 6!’ said a voice over the PA. I was standing staring at the dental shelf in the personal hygiene section, also known as Aisle 6, of a CVS in Manhattan, New York. I needed to buy tooth paste badly that early morning — I had skirted the block a couple of times looking for a shop. Unlike most other times when I went outside anywhere in the US, I was not dressed ‘up’ to discrimination that snowy morning.</p>
<p>Standing there deciding what to pick up, I heard the PA come on the second time; I got curious then, so I looked around to see where I was, and sure as hell I was standing in aisle 6. I didn’t need help though, I had spoken to the counter lady and she had directed me here, and really I was only keen on finding tooth paste and I would be out of there. I needed no help with that.</p>
<p>Needless to say, before I checked out, I walked around the shop to see if I could grab more things so I can void walking back in the cold! As I made the turn into aisle 5, the PA came on announcing for a customer agent to check out aisle 5. I knew for a fact that I didn’t need help, so I looked around and it was clear then that I was alone, and that I wasn’t just being ‘watched’, the PAs where made intentionally for me to not even think about shoplifting. If anything, to pay up and hurry back to the Projects. I stayed at the Radisson Blu across the street.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1200/1*[email protected]" width="1200" height="800" loading="lazy" />
<p>This experience, brief as it was, profoundly painted the picture of what black Americans have to face every day. Having a target on your back. Having to always state your intentions, check your posture, how much time you spend in a particular store, your overall demeanor.</p>
<p>The cause of a significant part of the discrimination black people face in America is rooted in the very fact that they allow to be referred to with the terms Black/s and African-American. These terms not only stand in the way of achieving American rights and liberties, they are redundant and carry with them more negative sentiments than they do affirmative. Not forgetting that black as a color and as a word, is used literally and figuratively to mean all that is devoid of good or light (which ironically is represented by white).</p>
<p>It is time to move away from that world. And America can not make anymore excuses. It is time to call all its citizens American and to account for all of them.</p>
<p>To further illustrate the psychological ploy that is race based subsets; Every time the term ‘Florida man’ is used in an article or news story I have come to expect bizarre occurrences, in spite the fact that I am not in any bit racist. I can’t imagine the term having a different effect on my children or their children if it’s allowed to exist.</p>
<p>The UK and many other countries don’t face similar levels of race based discrimination particularly because the case of African-Britons, or rather absurdly the case of Blacks has never been argued. Everyone is British. Different thoughts are invoked when a person is referred to as ‘Black man’ instead of just rightly as ‘British man’.</p>
<p>Prefixing African to a word used to describe black citizens is one of the major reasons for why we are where we are in the world today. If children all across America are raised to call everyone that is American, American — without a prefix or any reference to their race, then we can start to defeat racism.</p>
<p>Black Lives Matter and always have, shame upon the US for making that seem like an alternate fact for so long.</p>
</section>
|
The African American Problem
The Trouble of Prefixing and Subsetting American Citizens With Terms Like Black and African.
‘Customer service agent needed in aisle 6!’ said a voice over the PA. I was standing staring at the dental shelf in the personal hygiene section, also known as Aisle 6, of a CVS in Manhattan, New York. I needed to buy tooth paste badly that early morning — I had skirted the block a couple of times looking for a shop. Unlike most other times when I went outside anywhere in the US, I was not dressed ‘up’ to discrimination that snowy morning.
Standing there deciding what to pick up, I heard the PA come on the second time; I got curious then, so I looked around to see where I was, and sure as hell I was standing in aisle 6. I didn’t need help though, I had spoken to the counter lady and she had directed me here, and really I was only keen on finding tooth paste and I would be out of there. I needed no help with that.
Needless to say, before I checked out, I walked around the shop to see if I could grab more things so I can void walking back in the cold! As I made the turn into aisle 5, the PA came on announcing for a customer agent to check out aisle 5. I knew for a fact that I didn’t need help, so I looked around and it was clear then that I was alone, and that I wasn’t just being ‘watched’, the PAs where made intentionally for me to not even think about shoplifting. If anything, to pay up and hurry back to the Projects. I stayed at the Radisson Blu across the street.
This experience, brief as it was, profoundly painted the picture of what black Americans have to face every day. Having a target on your back. Having to always state your intentions, check your posture, how much time you spend in a particular store, your overall demeanor.
The cause of a significant part of the discrimination black people face in America is rooted in the very fact that they allow to be referred to with the terms Black/s and African-American. These terms not only stand in the way of achieving American rights and liberties, they are redundant and carry with them more negative sentiments than they do affirmative. Not forgetting that black as a color and as a word, is used literally and figuratively to mean all that is devoid of good or light (which ironically is represented by white).
It is time to move away from that world. And America can not make anymore excuses. It is time to call all its citizens American and to account for all of them.
To further illustrate the psychological ploy that is race based subsets; Every time the term ‘Florida man’ is used in an article or news story I have come to expect bizarre occurrences, in spite the fact that I am not in any bit racist. I can’t imagine the term having a different effect on my children or their children if it’s allowed to exist.
The UK and many other countries don’t face similar levels of race based discrimination particularly because the case of African-Britons, or rather absurdly the case of Blacks has never been argued. Everyone is British. Different thoughts are invoked when a person is referred to as ‘Black man’ instead of just rightly as ‘British man’.
Prefixing African to a word used to describe black citizens is one of the major reasons for why we are where we are in the world today. If children all across America are raised to call everyone that is American, American — without a prefix or any reference to their race, then we can start to defeat racism.
Black Lives Matter and always have, shame upon the US for making that seem like an alternate fact for so long.
|
f6a61f09-734e-564c-98cd-6ce452103f8b
|
25/08/2025 15:59:09
|
https://medium.com/illuminations-mirror/3-best-passive-income-streams-to-make-100-a-day-with-resources-7da2c82f5120
|
medium.com
|
3 Best Passive Income Streams to Make $100 a Day (With Resources)
|
Exploring passive income streams is an excellent plan in the pursuit of financial freedom. Earn $100 per day passively, these streams can…
|
Make money online using AI Apps
|
https://medium.com/@eshanuk12
|
7da2c82f5120
|
2 min
|
2023-10-13T07:07:55.692000
|
2023-10-13T10:56:51.980000
|
2023-10-26T22:07:51.225000
| 0
| 6
|
en
|
Make Money Online,Passive Income,Make Money Online Fast,Earn Money Online,Passive Income Streams
|
<section>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/6381/1*Uh8xKe11jk_XPPIpxUTmJw.jpeg" width="6381" height="4254" loading="lazy" />
<p>Exploring passive income streams is an excellent plan in the pursuit of financial freedom. Earn $100 per day passively, these streams can significantly boost your income over time. In this medium post, we’ll look at five tried-and-true passive income streams with resources that can help you reach that goal and beyond.</p>
<h3>#1: Online Courses or Webinars:</h3>
<p>Creating online courses or offering webinars in your field of expertise can turn into a profitable source of passive income. Platforms such as Udemy and Teachable allow you to host and sell your courses, generating a continuing cash stream as more students join.</p>
<h3>Resource:</h3>
<p><strong><a href="https://medium.com/@eshanuk12/copy-our-ai-reels-academy-course-</strong>and-make-100-a-day-no-big-investment-7f772006cfd6">Copy Our AI Reels Academy Course and Make $100 a Day (No Big Investment)
<em>Start Your Own AI Business with PLR rights!</em>m</a>edium.com</p>
<h3>#2. Create and Sell eBooks:</h3>
<p>Consider creating and selling ebooks if you have insight into a particular field. When ebooks are published, they can give a consistent revenue as they are purchased over time. Platforms such as Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing provide a fantastic way to get started.</p>
<h3>Resource:</h3>
<p><strong><a href="https://medium.com/lampshade-of-illumination/how-t</strong>o-make-100-a-day-from-amazon-kindle-secret-ai-trick-069a761cec2b">How to make $100 a Day from Amazon Kindle (Secret AI Trick)
<em>Passive Income Method</em>m</a>edium.com</p>
<h3>#3. Affiliate Marketing:</h3>
<p>Affiliate marketing is a great method to earn money passively. You earn a commission on each sale made via your recommendation by promoting the products or services of other businesses. Choose trustworthy affiliate networks and use a variety of marketing methods to drive traffic and sales.</p>
<h3>Resource:</h3>
<p><strong><a href="https://medium.com/@eshanuk12/get-paid-1</strong>00-a-day-to-compare-products-on-amazon-384519dfe4d8">Get Paid $100 a Day to Compare Products on Amazon
<em>Revealing a Secret Method</em>m</a>edium.com</p>
<p><strong>In Conclusion</strong>, diversifying your earnings sources and dedicating time and effort to creating and nurturing them can result in a consistent $100 per day in passive income. Choose the streams that correspond to your abilities, hobbies, and resources, and begin generating passive money now.</p>
<p><em>I hope that this post has inspired you to start making money online and given you some ideas on how to get started. Good luck on your journey to earn online, do follow me here on medium for more practical online earning strategies and case studies coming your way in future, Thank you so much.</em></p>
</section>
|
3 Best Passive Income Streams to Make $100 a Day (With Resources)
Photo by Vlada Karpovich on Pexels
Exploring passive income streams is an excellent plan in the pursuit of financial freedom. Earn $100 per day passively, these streams can significantly boost your income over time. In this medium post, we’ll look at five tried-and-true passive income streams with resources that can help you reach that goal and beyond.
#1: Online Courses or Webinars:
Creating online courses or offering webinars in your field of expertise can turn into a profitable source of passive income. Platforms such as Udemy and Teachable allow you to host and sell your courses, generating a continuing cash stream as more students join.
Resource:
Copy Our AI Reels Academy Course and Make $100 a Day (No Big Investment)
Start Your Own AI Business with PLR rights!medium.com
#2. Create and Sell eBooks:
Consider creating and selling ebooks if you have insight into a particular field. When ebooks are published, they can give a consistent revenue as they are purchased over time. Platforms such as Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing provide a fantastic way to get started.
Resource:
How to make $100 a Day from Amazon Kindle (Secret AI Trick)
Passive Income Methodmedium.com
#3. Affiliate Marketing:
Affiliate marketing is a great method to earn money passively. You earn a commission on each sale made via your recommendation by promoting the products or services of other businesses. Choose trustworthy affiliate networks and use a variety of marketing methods to drive traffic and sales.
Resource:
Get Paid $100 a Day to Compare Products on Amazon
Revealing a Secret Methodmedium.com
In Conclusion, diversifying your earnings sources and dedicating time and effort to creating and nurturing them can result in a consistent $100 per day in passive income. Choose the streams that correspond to your abilities, hobbies, and resources, and begin generating passive money now.
I hope that this post has inspired you to start making money online and given you some ideas on how to get started. Good luck on your journey to earn online, do follow me here on medium for more practical online earning strategies and case studies coming your way in future, Thank you so much.
|
971ad72b-923a-5bc0-9896-09795d0378fd
|
25/08/2025 15:59:10
|
|
https://lorraine-shaw.medium.com/the-surprising-power-of-ideas-that-dont-make-sense-part-2-70d50c3d998a
|
medium.com
|
THE SURPRISING POWER OF IDEAS THAT DON’T MAKE SENSE: PART 2
|
In our last issue of Why Customers Buy, we discussed how doing things differently than your competition could be the most reliable path to…
|
Colin Shaw
|
https://medium.com/@lorraine-shaw
|
70d50c3d998a
|
7 min
|
2020-06-05T15:37:04.973000
|
2020-06-05T15:39:21.484000
|
2021-12-14T18:15:07.882000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Customer Service,Cx,Behavioral Marketing,Customer Experience,Customer Engagement
|
<section>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1024/0*B-nt7rgM9sZW2hng.png" width="1024" height="512" loading="lazy" />
<p>In our last issue of Why Customers Buy, we discussed how doing things differently than your competition could be the most reliable path to success for your brand. Today, we are going to discuss in more detail why this works and what you can do to implement these surprising ideas that don’t make sense to encourage the success of your brand.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/0*21bngUFO5PfprVzb" width="1400" height="743" loading="lazy" />
<p>Before we get into that, let me remind you that this issue is based on <a href="https://beyondphilosophy.com/the-dark-art-of-creating-magic-in-brands/">a conversation we had on our podcast recently</a> with advertising legend <a href="https://ogilvy.co.uk/people/rorys">Rory Sutherland</a> (@rorysutherland), who is the current Vice-Chairman of Ogilvy in the UK. In addition to his TED Talks and contributions to <em>Impact</em> and <em>Wired</em>, he is also the author of the book, <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Alchemy-Surprising-Power-Ideas</em>-Sense-ebook/dp/B01F1HOAWA">Alchemy: The Surprising Power of Ideas That Don’t Make Sense</a>, which gets into these concepts in greater detail. Moreover, I highly recommend the book if you haven’t read it. Here are a few things we discussed.</p>
<h1>DARE TO BE TRIVIAL</h1>
<p>Among Sutherland’s <a href="https://www.penguin.co.uk/articles/2019/may/11-rules-of-succeeding-with-nonsensical-ideas-rory-sutherland.html">11 rules of succeeding with nonsensical ideas</a>, is the idea that small things can have a massive effect. Sutherland says this concept ties into the idea of magic. By magic, he doesn’t mean pulling a rabbit out of a hat. Sutherland means that by making a tiny (and often inexpensive) change to your experience, you can affect customer behavior in a significant way. Sutherland also refers and compares these to butterfly effects, a term in pop culture that denotes how a minor action or occurrence can have major impacts in unexpected ways.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1376/0*lxpeChLaeP-8bvIw" width="1376" height="774" loading="lazy" />
<p>Sutherland explains that there are butterfly effects in any system which is non-linear and where there are feedback loops. You get butterfly effects in psychology a lot. For example, a tiny change in wording can lead to a significant difference in behavior.</p>
<p>However, people don’t want to believe in magic. They like a world where to obtain a substantial effect, you must create a large and expensive intervention. The assumption is the only means to get a considerable impact is to do things differently.</p>
<p>In reality, Sutherland says, that isn’t true. There are opportunities to find butterflies all over the place if you intervene in a complex system at precisely the right time in the right way. Moreover, because of the nature of complex systems, you can achieve a return on investment of thousands to one.</p>
<h2>IF THERE IS ALREADY A LOGICAL ANSWER, WE WOULD HAVE ALREADY FOUND IT</h2>
<p>Sutherland says there isn’t a shortage of people using well-established, consensus-approved models to address problems. These people are looking at things in precisely the same way. In other words, there are far brighter people than me using analytical tools. The likelihood that I can out-logic them using their devices is slim.</p>
<p><em>If you deploy a different way of thinking, the solution space broadens excitingly.</em></p>
<p>On the other hand, if you deploy a different way of thinking, the solution space broadens excitingly. A classic example would be the train service. Eurostar, an international high-speed train line in Europe, wanted to get people to go to Paris who wouldn’t otherwise go. So, how should they? Speed isn’t the answer; you can’t make a train faster than an airplane. Instead, it would help if you made train journeys more productive or enjoyable. In this case, the novelty of the train does that in itself, Sutherland explains, because lots of people went to Paris because they wanted to go on the Eurostar.</p>
<p>The same idea applies to cruise lines. No one says, when they cross the Atlantic in a cruise ship, that they took their family to the US for a holiday. No! They say they took a cruise to the US.</p>
<p>Another example, Sutherland says, is Heathrow Pod Parking at terminal 5. It’s not that it’s that big of savings from short-term parking, unlike the car park that uses bus service to get you to the terminal. It’s surprising, considering the Pod Parking is still some distance away from the terminal. Nevertheless, it often fills up, so the airport upgrades you to the short-term parking for the same rate.</p>
<p>However, it turns out that this upgrade was still a huge disappointment. Why? Most of the drivers that wanted to park in Pod Parking were looking forward to riding in the pod. And who can blame them?</p>
<p></p>
<p>Much more refreshing than the bus from the car park if you ask me.</p>
<h2>SO, WHAT SHOULD WE DO?</h2>
<p>We are all facing or entering a “new normal” as we come out of the pandemic. Undoubtedly it’s had a massive effect on people’s psyche and behaviors. It is going to have a dramatic impact on how customers feel moving forward. Sutherland is reluctant to make predictions, except for one thing: We will end up doing a bit more of what we did during the crisis and a bit less of what we didn’t do.</p>
<p>Sutherland says that we get trapped in two things as humans, habits, and social norms. When a lot of people are forced to do something different at the same time, a lot of behaviors enjoy reinvention or recalibration. An example could be using Zoom for long-distance meetings.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1292/0*s0KYk2_ZuJYa16m8" width="1292" height="838" loading="lazy" />
<p>Sutherland says that what used to kill video conferencing was that the least technological person determined the video conference’s quality. If they don’t understand mute or sign in from their visit to a missile testing range, they ruin the call for everyone else. However, Sutherland says that once everybody gets quite good at teleconferencing on Zoom, the functionality is spectacular. Sutherland describes a day where he presented to 40 people in Romania via Zoom. Then, he had a meeting with three people in Atlanta and later that day caught up with a friend who lived in Australia. He jokes that a Lear jet wouldn’t be as capable as Zoom to get business done all over the world.</p>
<p>I imagine grocery deliveries will be carrying on as well. During the pandemic, people who had never used grocery deliveries before were trying it out during stay-at-home orders. Sutherland agrees, adding that local shops will remember who their customers are and go the extra mile for these customers. Moreover, people will rebalance towards Relational Capitalism away from Transactional Capitalism. Capitalism has over-optimized on efficiency and under-optimized on resilience, which Sutherland attributes to the fact that gains for efficiency are more comfortable with quantifying and faster to lay claim to than benefits from resilience and redundancy.</p>
<p>Sutherland’s next book will be about is the tradeoff between the need for certainty and ambiguity avoidance. He was inspired, but what he sees in the concept of broadening the ideas past what is business-as-usual. When you’re desperate for certainty and the pretense of a single right optimal answer, the invisible price you’re paying for that certainty is that you’re constrained to a small number of solutions. Moreover, those solutions produced tend to be expensive and entail large-scale interventions.</p>
<p>However, if you’re prepared to be a bit ambiguous and believe in magic, it broadens your solutions set considerably. You do pay the price in that your recommendation is harder to justify and may require experimentation. But where you gain is that you broaden the solution set, giving you access to solutions that may be surprisingly inexpensive to implement.</p>
<p>Sutherland doesn’t think most organizations, and particularly management consultants, have been immune to trading ingenuity for certainty. Also, management consultants apply the same methodologies to all firms, even competing organizations within the same space. This practice is horrific for your competitive differentiation.</p>
<p><em>Instead of choosing what’s measurable, quantifiable, and immediate, he encourages organizations to consider what’s fuzzy, hard-to-quantify and long-range thinking.</em></p>
<p>He would rather have organizations not make this tradeoff. Instead of choosing what’s measurable, quantifiable, and immediate, he encourages organizations to consider what’s fuzzy, hard-to-quantify and long-range thinking.</p>
<p>If you haven’t, I would recommend that you read Sutherland’s book and watch his TED talks. Furthermore, I would suggest that you embrace his ideas. The way he approaches problems with creativity is hard to match, in part because he has a unique mind, but even embracing the way he thinks can lead to some radically different insight. We have all been trained to use our problem-solving skills in the same way, but Sutherland uses them in a new way, and it fixes problems in a new way also.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1280/0*3lLSlkqwOYdRHXKz" width="1280" height="720" loading="lazy" />
<p>When I am speaking at conferences, I ask people to raise their hands if they think that business is going to get easier over the next ten years. Few hands go up. Sure, when you encounter these new difficulties in coming weeks, months, and years, you can approach them the same old way you always have, or you can try new, seemingly illogical and irrational ways of solving the problems. Moreover, you might think they need to be big, but you would be surprised how often that is not the case.</p>
<p>Also, test these new ideas. Remember, when you are trying new illogical ideas, you don’t have to do a full implementation. You can check them first. If it doesn’t work, fine, move on to the next idea, and then, test that one.</p>
<p>One last important thing to remember, you must get more people in your organization to embrace these ideas. If that means you start giving them this newsletter or forward them <a href="https://beyondphilosophy.com/podcasts/">our podcast</a> (or even the <a href="https://beyondphilosophy.com/podcastsummary/">podcast summaries</a>), then great. However, if you don’t have people in your organization that share your ideas about what will work, you will have a harder time getting your ideas across.</p>
<p><em><strong>To hear more about this idea in more detail, <a href="https://beyondphilo</em>sophy.co</strong>m/the-dark-art-of-creating-magic-in-brands/">listen to the complete podcast here.</a></p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/300/0*jfOHwU4qfG_p4roZ.png" width="300" height="235" loading="lazy" />
<p><em>What customers say they want and what they really want are often different things. It is vital to know what drives value for your organization. Our Emotional Signature research can tell you where you are compared to other organizations and what to focus on to drive value for your customers. To learn more, <a href="https://b</em>eyondphilosophy.com/cx-services/emotional-signature/">please click here</a>.</p>
<p><em><strong><a href="http://beyondphilosophy.com/our-team/colin-shaw/?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=pulse&utm_campaign=n2n">Colin Shaw</a> is the founder and CEO of<a href="http://bit.ly/189lvWr"> Beyond Philosophy</a>, one of the wor</em>ld’s lea</strong>ding <a href="https://beyondphilosophy.com/customer-experience/">Customer experience</a> consultancy & training organizations. Colin is an international author of<a href="http://bit.ly/IrQ8uB"> six bestselling books</a> and an engaging keynote speaker.</p>
<p><em>Follow Colin Shaw on Twitter <a href="http</em>://bit.ly/1hxF3H7">@ColinShaw_CX</a></p>
</section>
|
THE SURPRISING POWER OF IDEAS THAT DON’T MAKE SENSE: PART 2
In our last issue of Why Customers Buy, we discussed how doing things differently than your competition could be the most reliable path to success for your brand. Today, we are going to discuss in more detail why this works and what you can do to implement these surprising ideas that don’t make sense to encourage the success of your brand.
Before we get into that, let me remind you that this issue is based on a conversation we had on our podcast recently with advertising legend Rory Sutherland (@rorysutherland), who is the current Vice-Chairman of Ogilvy in the UK. In addition to his TED Talks and contributions to Impact and Wired, he is also the author of the book, Alchemy: The Surprising Power of Ideas That Don’t Make Sense, which gets into these concepts in greater detail. Moreover, I highly recommend the book if you haven’t read it. Here are a few things we discussed.
DARE TO BE TRIVIAL
Among Sutherland’s 11 rules of succeeding with nonsensical ideas, is the idea that small things can have a massive effect. Sutherland says this concept ties into the idea of magic. By magic, he doesn’t mean pulling a rabbit out of a hat. Sutherland means that by making a tiny (and often inexpensive) change to your experience, you can affect customer behavior in a significant way. Sutherland also refers and compares these to butterfly effects, a term in pop culture that denotes how a minor action or occurrence can have major impacts in unexpected ways.
Sutherland explains that there are butterfly effects in any system which is non-linear and where there are feedback loops. You get butterfly effects in psychology a lot. For example, a tiny change in wording can lead to a significant difference in behavior.
However, people don’t want to believe in magic. They like a world where to obtain a substantial effect, you must create a large and expensive intervention. The assumption is the only means to get a considerable impact is to do things differently.
In reality, Sutherland says, that isn’t true. There are opportunities to find butterflies all over the place if you intervene in a complex system at precisely the right time in the right way. Moreover, because of the nature of complex systems, you can achieve a return on investment of thousands to one.
IF THERE IS ALREADY A LOGICAL ANSWER, WE WOULD HAVE ALREADY FOUND IT
Sutherland says there isn’t a shortage of people using well-established, consensus-approved models to address problems. These people are looking at things in precisely the same way. In other words, there are far brighter people than me using analytical tools. The likelihood that I can out-logic them using their devices is slim.
If you deploy a different way of thinking, the solution space broadens excitingly.
On the other hand, if you deploy a different way of thinking, the solution space broadens excitingly. A classic example would be the train service. Eurostar, an international high-speed train line in Europe, wanted to get people to go to Paris who wouldn’t otherwise go. So, how should they? Speed isn’t the answer; you can’t make a train faster than an airplane. Instead, it would help if you made train journeys more productive or enjoyable. In this case, the novelty of the train does that in itself, Sutherland explains, because lots of people went to Paris because they wanted to go on the Eurostar.
The same idea applies to cruise lines. No one says, when they cross the Atlantic in a cruise ship, that they took their family to the US for a holiday. No! They say they took a cruise to the US.
Another example, Sutherland says, is Heathrow Pod Parking at terminal 5. It’s not that it’s that big of savings from short-term parking, unlike the car park that uses bus service to get you to the terminal. It’s surprising, considering the Pod Parking is still some distance away from the terminal. Nevertheless, it often fills up, so the airport upgrades you to the short-term parking for the same rate.
However, it turns out that this upgrade was still a huge disappointment. Why? Most of the drivers that wanted to park in Pod Parking were looking forward to riding in the pod. And who can blame them?
Much more refreshing than the bus from the car park if you ask me.
SO, WHAT SHOULD WE DO?
We are all facing or entering a “new normal” as we come out of the pandemic. Undoubtedly it’s had a massive effect on people’s psyche and behaviors. It is going to have a dramatic impact on how customers feel moving forward. Sutherland is reluctant to make predictions, except for one thing: We will end up doing a bit more of what we did during the crisis and a bit less of what we didn’t do.
Sutherland says that we get trapped in two things as humans, habits, and social norms. When a lot of people are forced to do something different at the same time, a lot of behaviors enjoy reinvention or recalibration. An example could be using Zoom for long-distance meetings.
Sutherland says that what used to kill video conferencing was that the least technological person determined the video conference’s quality. If they don’t understand mute or sign in from their visit to a missile testing range, they ruin the call for everyone else. However, Sutherland says that once everybody gets quite good at teleconferencing on Zoom, the functionality is spectacular. Sutherland describes a day where he presented to 40 people in Romania via Zoom. Then, he had a meeting with three people in Atlanta and later that day caught up with a friend who lived in Australia. He jokes that a Lear jet wouldn’t be as capable as Zoom to get business done all over the world.
I imagine grocery deliveries will be carrying on as well. During the pandemic, people who had never used grocery deliveries before were trying it out during stay-at-home orders. Sutherland agrees, adding that local shops will remember who their customers are and go the extra mile for these customers. Moreover, people will rebalance towards Relational Capitalism away from Transactional Capitalism. Capitalism has over-optimized on efficiency and under-optimized on resilience, which Sutherland attributes to the fact that gains for efficiency are more comfortable with quantifying and faster to lay claim to than benefits from resilience and redundancy.
Sutherland’s next book will be about is the tradeoff between the need for certainty and ambiguity avoidance. He was inspired, but what he sees in the concept of broadening the ideas past what is business-as-usual. When you’re desperate for certainty and the pretense of a single right optimal answer, the invisible price you’re paying for that certainty is that you’re constrained to a small number of solutions. Moreover, those solutions produced tend to be expensive and entail large-scale interventions.
However, if you’re prepared to be a bit ambiguous and believe in magic, it broadens your solutions set considerably. You do pay the price in that your recommendation is harder to justify and may require experimentation. But where you gain is that you broaden the solution set, giving you access to solutions that may be surprisingly inexpensive to implement.
Sutherland doesn’t think most organizations, and particularly management consultants, have been immune to trading ingenuity for certainty. Also, management consultants apply the same methodologies to all firms, even competing organizations within the same space. This practice is horrific for your competitive differentiation.
Instead of choosing what’s measurable, quantifiable, and immediate, he encourages organizations to consider what’s fuzzy, hard-to-quantify and long-range thinking.
He would rather have organizations not make this tradeoff. Instead of choosing what’s measurable, quantifiable, and immediate, he encourages organizations to consider what’s fuzzy, hard-to-quantify and long-range thinking.
If you haven’t, I would recommend that you read Sutherland’s book and watch his TED talks. Furthermore, I would suggest that you embrace his ideas. The way he approaches problems with creativity is hard to match, in part because he has a unique mind, but even embracing the way he thinks can lead to some radically different insight. We have all been trained to use our problem-solving skills in the same way, but Sutherland uses them in a new way, and it fixes problems in a new way also.
When I am speaking at conferences, I ask people to raise their hands if they think that business is going to get easier over the next ten years. Few hands go up. Sure, when you encounter these new difficulties in coming weeks, months, and years, you can approach them the same old way you always have, or you can try new, seemingly illogical and irrational ways of solving the problems. Moreover, you might think they need to be big, but you would be surprised how often that is not the case.
Also, test these new ideas. Remember, when you are trying new illogical ideas, you don’t have to do a full implementation. You can check them first. If it doesn’t work, fine, move on to the next idea, and then, test that one.
One last important thing to remember, you must get more people in your organization to embrace these ideas. If that means you start giving them this newsletter or forward them our podcast (or even the podcast summaries), then great. However, if you don’t have people in your organization that share your ideas about what will work, you will have a harder time getting your ideas across.
To hear more about this idea in more detail, listen to the complete podcast here.
What customers say they want and what they really want are often different things. It is vital to know what drives value for your organization. Our Emotional Signature research can tell you where you are compared to other organizations and what to focus on to drive value for your customers. To learn more, please click here.
Colin Shaw is the founder and CEO of Beyond Philosophy, one of the world’s leading Customer experience consultancy & training organizations. Colin is an international author of six bestselling books and an engaging keynote speaker.
Follow Colin Shaw on Twitter @ColinShaw_CX
|
b05b3f26-8a81-56f1-9302-1edcdc7bbcd0
|
25/08/2025 15:59:10
|
|
https://medium.com/ride-the-pine/los-angeles-kings-win-good-enough-reason-for-more-paulina-gretzky-pictures-5c5cb80949a9
|
medium.com
|
Los Angeles Kings Win — Good Enough Reason For More Paulina Gretzky Pictures
| null |
Alex B.
|
https://medium.com/@RTPSports
|
5c5cb80949a9
|
1 min
|
2016-12-07T14:57:24.439000
|
2012-05-16T14:05:29
|
2016-12-09T14:15:22.113000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Bleacher Babes,Paulina Gretzky
|
<section>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/612/0*sSxMQDs7e4scNcBw.jpg" width="612" height="612" loading="lazy" />
<p>The <strong>Los Angeles Kings</strong> took a commanding 2–0 lead in the Western Conference Finals against the <strong>Phoenix Coyotes</strong>. The legendary <strong>Wayne Gretzky</strong> played for many years with the Kings and was, at one time, a partial owner of the Coyotes so you can imagine that he has a strong interest in this series.</p>
<p>We don’t.</p>
<p>We just want to thank Wayne for all that time spent away from home that has caused his daughter Paulina Gretzky to go bathing suit-posting crazy online.</p>
<p>Thank You, Great One! <em>(clapclap-clapclapclap)</em></p>
</section>
|
Los Angeles Kings Win — Good Enough Reason For More Paulina Gretzky Pictures
The Los Angeles Kings took a commanding 2–0 lead in the Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Coyotes. The legendary Wayne Gretzky played for many years with the Kings and was, at one time, a partial owner of the Coyotes so you can imagine that he has a strong interest in this series.
We don’t.
We just want to thank Wayne for all that time spent away from home that has caused his daughter Paulina Gretzky to go bathing suit-posting crazy online.
Thank You, Great One! (clapclap-clapclapclap)
|
69691cde-2105-531c-b55b-b4ae7eae8dac
|
25/08/2025 15:59:10
|
|
https://medium.com/@zoealexandra_54060/i-am-the-easter-bunny-and-peep-on-the-shelf-isnt-real-267abe35c1b9
|
medium.com
|
I am the Easter Bunny and Peep on the Shelf Isn’t Real!
|
Mornings are my least favorite time of the day but unfortunately for me, they are my children’s favorite. “Just five more minutes”, I’ll…
|
Zoe Doyle
|
https://medium.com/@zoealexandra_54060
|
267abe35c1b9
| null |
3 min
|
2022-04-14T02:25:14.183000
|
2022-04-14T02:59:53.427000
|
2022-04-16T02:08:09.703000
| 1
| 2
|
en
|
Easter,Elf On The Shelf,Parents,Moms,YouTube
|
<section>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/225/1*DQvQnMuQfhrQ4Glbyhe-Ig.jpeg" width="225" height="225" loading="lazy" />
<p>Mornings are my least favorite time of the day but unfortunately for me, they are my children’s favorite. “Just five more minutes”, I’ll groan from my bed before the monotone beeping from Iphone 13 begins. Such is the way when you hate mornings and your kids wake up at 5 AM. Rubbing my eyes and desperately pleading for the Keurig to pump out warm black liquid that will allow me to wake up is usually how I begin my day. Then two overly excited children, pumped up on Youtube and natural vitality, explain why the lives of these children on tiny screens are better than their own.</p>
<p>Usually it begins with, “Mom, can we get this…” or “Can you believe what these parents let their kids do?” to which I prepare myself to chug more coffee and ridicule the annoying children of Youtube. “It’s not real, Izzy”, I tell my my seven year old, “These kid’s parents are making money off them. They get sent free products to advertise on their show. If their parents truly loved them, they wouldn’t need these obnoxious toys to fill the void…” I answer. This is all well and good, but my kids are only half-listening, ready to show me the next thing they’d like to purchase.</p>
<p>On this particular day, just a few days away from Easter, my girls have discovered a show so heinous, so repulsive, I must will myself not to yell, “Shut it off.” It is not my kid’s fault that they have fallen for the dumbest trick in the book. They are just children afteall, three and seven years old respectively. The video in question features two average looking white children who answer a ringing doorbell to be greeted with two easter baskets and a note. The easter basket, we find out, contains a “Peep on the Shelf” or some such nonsense. The children read the note aloud which is written by the Easter Bunny himself. It says, “Hello children, I am the Peep on the shelf, sent to make sure you are being good for Mom and Dad. If you do what they ask, I will tell the Easter Bunny and you will be handsomely rewarded.” I already hate where this is going.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/225/1*DQvQnMuQfhrQ4Glbyhe-Ig.jpeg" width="225" height="225" loading="lazy" />
<p>The Peep on the Shelf, much like it’s more popular Elf counterpart is basically just a huge commitment for over-tired over-worked parents. Those who refuse to particpate in this magical activity of placing the Elf in life-like poses, creating Christmas mischief, are terrible parents whose kids feel personally snubbed by the Santa Claus himself. So, the only right thing top do is order one of these dumb Elves, give it a punchy name like Clover or Jellybeans and get the fuck to work. That’s right, you’ve got to change this Elf’s pose nightly for your children’s amusement or you are the Grinch himself. So, as you can imagine, the thought of a Peep on the shelf, another nightly chore, after cleaning the dishes and making school lunches that will likely go uneaten, you now have to come up with a clever scenario, write a cheezy note and set Little Clover up to wow your kids the next day. The people who invented Peep on a Shelf, obviously don’t have kids or are masochists of some kind.</p>
<p>“I told Willow that the Peep on the Shelf is coming soon”, my older daughter announces. “Right, mom?” I am already enraged at this annoying woman on Youtube, just causually making videos that add to our TO-DO-LISTS. “I am the Easter Bunny and there is no such thing as a Peep on a shelf!”, I want to shout but instead, I do what I do best, half asleep between sips of not so fresh tasting Keurig coffee, I answer, “No one’s ever seen the Easter Bunny but the truth is, those parents made up Peep on the Shelf and it’s not a real thing. It’s just on this show” and just like that, I have done my part for humanity. My kid will go to school and tell everyone that Peep on the Shelf is not a real thing. Parents, you can thank me later!</p>
</section>
|
I am the Easter Bunny and Peep on the Shelf Isn’t Real!
Peep this.
Mornings are my least favorite time of the day but unfortunately for me, they are my children’s favorite. “Just five more minutes”, I’ll groan from my bed before the monotone beeping from Iphone 13 begins. Such is the way when you hate mornings and your kids wake up at 5 AM. Rubbing my eyes and desperately pleading for the Keurig to pump out warm black liquid that will allow me to wake up is usually how I begin my day. Then two overly excited children, pumped up on Youtube and natural vitality, explain why the lives of these children on tiny screens are better than their own.
Usually it begins with, “Mom, can we get this…” or “Can you believe what these parents let their kids do?” to which I prepare myself to chug more coffee and ridicule the annoying children of Youtube. “It’s not real, Izzy”, I tell my my seven year old, “These kid’s parents are making money off them. They get sent free products to advertise on their show. If their parents truly loved them, they wouldn’t need these obnoxious toys to fill the void…” I answer. This is all well and good, but my kids are only half-listening, ready to show me the next thing they’d like to purchase.
On this particular day, just a few days away from Easter, my girls have discovered a show so heinous, so repulsive, I must will myself not to yell, “Shut it off.” It is not my kid’s fault that they have fallen for the dumbest trick in the book. They are just children afteall, three and seven years old respectively. The video in question features two average looking white children who answer a ringing doorbell to be greeted with two easter baskets and a note. The easter basket, we find out, contains a “Peep on the Shelf” or some such nonsense. The children read the note aloud which is written by the Easter Bunny himself. It says, “Hello children, I am the Peep on the shelf, sent to make sure you are being good for Mom and Dad. If you do what they ask, I will tell the Easter Bunny and you will be handsomely rewarded.” I already hate where this is going.
The Peep on the Shelf, much like it’s more popular Elf counterpart is basically just a huge commitment for over-tired over-worked parents. Those who refuse to particpate in this magical activity of placing the Elf in life-like poses, creating Christmas mischief, are terrible parents whose kids feel personally snubbed by the Santa Claus himself. So, the only right thing top do is order one of these dumb Elves, give it a punchy name like Clover or Jellybeans and get the fuck to work. That’s right, you’ve got to change this Elf’s pose nightly for your children’s amusement or you are the Grinch himself. So, as you can imagine, the thought of a Peep on the shelf, another nightly chore, after cleaning the dishes and making school lunches that will likely go uneaten, you now have to come up with a clever scenario, write a cheezy note and set Little Clover up to wow your kids the next day. The people who invented Peep on a Shelf, obviously don’t have kids or are masochists of some kind.
“I told Willow that the Peep on the Shelf is coming soon”, my older daughter announces. “Right, mom?” I am already enraged at this annoying woman on Youtube, just causually making videos that add to our TO-DO-LISTS. “I am the Easter Bunny and there is no such thing as a Peep on a shelf!”, I want to shout but instead, I do what I do best, half asleep between sips of not so fresh tasting Keurig coffee, I answer, “No one’s ever seen the Easter Bunny but the truth is, those parents made up Peep on the Shelf and it’s not a real thing. It’s just on this show” and just like that, I have done my part for humanity. My kid will go to school and tell everyone that Peep on the Shelf is not a real thing. Parents, you can thank me later!
|
96f4419c-b2c0-5fbd-9114-5b225f2535a8
|
25/08/2025 15:59:10
|
https://medium.com/capgemini-microsoft-team/microsoft-dynamics-365-upgrade-eba9bf29ad4c
|
medium.com
|
Microsoft Dynamics 365 upgrade
|
Continuous evolution of business requirements changes expectations for existing software implementations. Software developed several years…
|
Dmitriy Kraevoy
|
https://medium.com/@dkraevoy
|
eba9bf29ad4c
|
4 min
|
2018-08-24T14:59:10.892000
|
2018-08-28T09:59:56.803000
|
2018-08-28T10:00:29.924000
| 0
| 63
|
en
|
Business,Microsoft,Dynamics 365,Dynamics Crm,Dynamics
|
<section>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/416/1*7602rNI5jpqdA7E1OzdSrw.jpeg" width="416" height="518" loading="lazy" />
<p>Continuous evolution of business requirements changes expectations for existing software implementations. Software developed several years ago might not be a right solution for problems organisations are facing today. The question many organisations are trying to find an answer for is whether existing Dynamics implementation brings value or is holding the business back.</p>
<h1>Why upgrade to Dynamics 365?</h1>
<p>Dynamics 365 is a software as a service, there is no need to worry about infrastructure, security or patching. Microsoft provides 99.9% money backed SLA.</p>
<h2>How easy is to upgrade?</h2>
<p>Dynamics 365 requires customers to upgrade at least once per year, this widens the gap between Dynamics 365 online and on-premise legacy implementations of Dynamics. The differences between Microsoft Dynamics 365 online makes upgrading a difficult task. It requires careful planning and a good level of understanding and experience. Before starting on an upgrade journey every organisation must understand:</p>
<p>· Which part of the system to upgrade and what can be replaced with new standard functionality.</p>
<p>· What to do with the existing data and how much of this data to migrate into Dynamics.</p>
<p>· What are the associated costs. These should include not only upgrade related costs but all additional tasks like data cleansing, data migration, additional infrastructure, storage, hosting, etc.</p>
<p>· Upgrades must go through all intermediate versions of Dynamics CRM, which requires new environment just to support an upgrade process.</p>
<p>When these questions are answered the next problem is how to upgrade and test</p>
<h2>Upgrade or reimplement?</h2>
<p>There are two main strategies to upgrade to Dynamics 365: upgrade or reimplementation.</p>
<p>Upgrade can bring data and customisations (given they are still supported) to the latest version. If existing implementation is based on Dynamics CRM 2013 or above, most of the functionality will work the same way. Implementations of Dynamics CRM before 2013 would require training to simplify user adoption but a potential candidate for complete refactoring.</p>
<p>Reimplementation starts fresh from a new implementation of Dynamics 365. To re-evaluate requirements, to revisit business processes, to realign business and technology. Redeployment can be a very significant undertaking that can impact every aspect of existing customisations, reports or data.</p>
<p>Even new implementations can contain features that are now deprecated (dialogs are an obvious example) or rely on 3rd party solutions that can be replaced with new platform features or unsupported on Dynamics 365. Each implementation is unique and there is no universal answer.</p>
<h2>What to keep in mind</h2>
<p>Dynamics 365 today is different from Dynamics CRM few years ago. If the upgrade strategy is understood there are still other areas to consider:</p>
<p>· Licencing model changed when Microsoft rebranded the product to Dynamics 365</p>
<p>· All customisations must be reviewed for compatibility with Dynamics 365, unsupported customisations must be removed</p>
<p>· All reports must be reviewed. Only FetchXML reports are natively supported. Data Export Service or Power BI can become a solution.</p>
<p>· Existing integration points must be scrutinised, some may become obsolete and some may not work with Dynamics 365</p>
<p>· 3rd party applications must be assessed for compatibility and related business value</p>
<p>· Client environment including existing end user software, hardware specification, internet connectivity, firewall restrictions</p>
<h2>Do I need help?</h2>
<p>For some organisations it is possible to upgrade using internal expertise or utilising partnership with Microsoft. FastTrack from Microsoft is designed to help organisations to move to the cloud faster and easier.</p>
<p>For others the idea of performing an upgrade themselves is daunting. There is no easy way to identify unsupported customisations; integration needs are complex; data migration can be time consuming and challenging. It is easy to miss parts of the upgrade process. For these organisations bringing external partner to evaluate existing implementation, to provide recommendations, to speed-up and simplify the whole process can be an answer.</p>
<h2>How to go about an upgrade?</h2>
<p>Planning and preparation are vital for a successful upgrade.</p>
<p>Following stages can bring the structure to the whole process.</p>
<p><strong>Analysis</strong></p>
<p>• Identify new business requirements and evaluate them with respect to the new version.</p>
<p>• Determine the technical and functional approaches to the upgrade.</p>
<p><strong>Design</strong></p>
<p>• Define how the upgrade will be implemented and establish the required steps for the upgrade.</p>
<p>• Review the existing implementation including integrations, customisations, and interfaces to determine any potential design impact.</p>
<p><strong>Development</strong></p>
<p>• Perform the upgrade, modify customisations, integrations, interfaces and data.</p>
<p>• Perform regression testing</p>
<p><strong>Deployment</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Deliver user training, user acceptance testing, prepare upgraded production environment and perform the actual cutover.</li>
</ul>
<p>Evaluate the existing implementation to ensure good understanding of complexity</p>
<ul>
<li>Forms</li>
<li>SDK Processing Steps (plugins)</li>
<li>Processes (workflows, actions, dialogs, business rules)</li>
<li>Reports</li>
<li>Web resources (JavaScript, HTML)</li>
<li>Integration requirements</li>
<li>External dependencies</li>
<li>Licences, users, security roles</li>
<li>Entities relationship</li>
<li>Data volume</li>
<li>Security implementation</li>
</ul>
<p>During upgrade consider the following steps</p>
<p><strong>SSRS Reports</strong></p>
<p>· Rewrite FetchXML</p>
<p>· Configure Data Export Service</p>
<p>· Convert to Power BI</p>
<p><strong>Integration</strong></p>
<p>· Validate accessibility</p>
<p>· Upgrade authentication</p>
<p>· Refactor integration architecture</p>
<p>· Remove dependency on SOAP endpoint</p>
<p><strong>Documents\Files</strong></p>
<p>· Transform to SharePoint or OneDrive</p>
<p>· Plan SharePoint transition</p>
<p><strong>Data Migration</strong></p>
<p>· Bespoke data migration</p>
<p>· SSIS and KingswaySoft</p>
<h2>Summary</h2>
<p>· Dynamics 365 upgrade is difficult</p>
<p>· Recent implementation does not mean painless upgrade</p>
<p>· Re-implementation can be faster, less expensive and in general better option</p>
<p>· There are many factors to consider</p>
<p>· You are not alone!</p>
<p>Picture from <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tdashworth/">Tom Ashworth</a></p>
</section>
|
Microsoft Dynamics 365 upgrade
Continuous evolution of business requirements changes expectations for existing software implementations. Software developed several years ago might not be a right solution for problems organisations are facing today. The question many organisations are trying to find an answer for is whether existing Dynamics implementation brings value or is holding the business back.
Why upgrade to Dynamics 365?
Dynamics 365 is a software as a service, there is no need to worry about infrastructure, security or patching. Microsoft provides 99.9% money backed SLA.
How easy is to upgrade?
Dynamics 365 requires customers to upgrade at least once per year, this widens the gap between Dynamics 365 online and on-premise legacy implementations of Dynamics. The differences between Microsoft Dynamics 365 online makes upgrading a difficult task. It requires careful planning and a good level of understanding and experience. Before starting on an upgrade journey every organisation must understand:
· Which part of the system to upgrade and what can be replaced with new standard functionality.
· What to do with the existing data and how much of this data to migrate into Dynamics.
· What are the associated costs. These should include not only upgrade related costs but all additional tasks like data cleansing, data migration, additional infrastructure, storage, hosting, etc.
· Upgrades must go through all intermediate versions of Dynamics CRM, which requires new environment just to support an upgrade process.
When these questions are answered the next problem is how to upgrade and test
Upgrade or reimplement?
There are two main strategies to upgrade to Dynamics 365: upgrade or reimplementation.
Upgrade can bring data and customisations (given they are still supported) to the latest version. If existing implementation is based on Dynamics CRM 2013 or above, most of the functionality will work the same way. Implementations of Dynamics CRM before 2013 would require training to simplify user adoption but a potential candidate for complete refactoring.
Reimplementation starts fresh from a new implementation of Dynamics 365. To re-evaluate requirements, to revisit business processes, to realign business and technology. Redeployment can be a very significant undertaking that can impact every aspect of existing customisations, reports or data.
Even new implementations can contain features that are now deprecated (dialogs are an obvious example) or rely on 3rd party solutions that can be replaced with new platform features or unsupported on Dynamics 365. Each implementation is unique and there is no universal answer.
What to keep in mind
Dynamics 365 today is different from Dynamics CRM few years ago. If the upgrade strategy is understood there are still other areas to consider:
· Licencing model changed when Microsoft rebranded the product to Dynamics 365
· All customisations must be reviewed for compatibility with Dynamics 365, unsupported customisations must be removed
· All reports must be reviewed. Only FetchXML reports are natively supported. Data Export Service or Power BI can become a solution.
· Existing integration points must be scrutinised, some may become obsolete and some may not work with Dynamics 365
· 3rd party applications must be assessed for compatibility and related business value
· Client environment including existing end user software, hardware specification, internet connectivity, firewall restrictions
Do I need help?
For some organisations it is possible to upgrade using internal expertise or utilising partnership with Microsoft. FastTrack from Microsoft is designed to help organisations to move to the cloud faster and easier.
For others the idea of performing an upgrade themselves is daunting. There is no easy way to identify unsupported customisations; integration needs are complex; data migration can be time consuming and challenging. It is easy to miss parts of the upgrade process. For these organisations bringing external partner to evaluate existing implementation, to provide recommendations, to speed-up and simplify the whole process can be an answer.
How to go about an upgrade?
Planning and preparation are vital for a successful upgrade.
Following stages can bring the structure to the whole process.
Analysis
• Identify new business requirements and evaluate them with respect to the new version.
• Determine the technical and functional approaches to the upgrade.
Design
• Define how the upgrade will be implemented and establish the required steps for the upgrade.
• Review the existing implementation including integrations, customisations, and interfaces to determine any potential design impact.
Development
• Perform the upgrade, modify customisations, integrations, interfaces and data.
• Perform regression testing
Deployment
Deliver user training, user acceptance testing, prepare upgraded production environment and perform the actual cutover.
Evaluate the existing implementation to ensure good understanding of complexity
Forms
SDK Processing Steps (plugins)
Processes (workflows, actions, dialogs, business rules)
Reports
Web resources (JavaScript, HTML)
Integration requirements
External dependencies
Licences, users, security roles
Entities relationship
Data volume
Security implementation
During upgrade consider the following steps
SSRS Reports
· Rewrite FetchXML
· Configure Data Export Service
· Convert to Power BI
Integration
· Validate accessibility
· Upgrade authentication
· Refactor integration architecture
· Remove dependency on SOAP endpoint
Documents\Files
· Transform to SharePoint or OneDrive
· Plan SharePoint transition
Data Migration
· Bespoke data migration
· SSIS and KingswaySoft
Summary
· Dynamics 365 upgrade is difficult
· Recent implementation does not mean painless upgrade
· Re-implementation can be faster, less expensive and in general better option
· There are many factors to consider
· You are not alone!
Picture from Tom Ashworth
|
fcceb039-6ed0-53d6-bca5-6b0fc2e53433
|
25/08/2025 15:59:11
|
|
https://medium.com/@HanleyinMD/hillary-clinton-the-non-partisan-choice-for-president-8065fa179c49
|
medium.com
|
Hillary Clinton: The non-partisan choice for President
|
I was waiting in line late one evening last week at our local store, the woman ahead of me talking with the clerk about Hillary Clinton. In…
|
Christian M. Hanley
|
https://medium.com/@HanleyinMD
|
8065fa179c49
| null |
6 min
|
2016-11-03T19:47:22.734000
|
2016-11-04T12:19:55.196000
|
2018-01-31T14:27:43.215000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Hillary Clinton,Politics,2016 Election,Elections,Presidential Campaign
|
<section>
<p>I was waiting in line late one evening last week at our local store, the woman ahead of me talking with the clerk about Hillary Clinton. In this small store in a small town, the cashier was happy to indulge the chatty customer.</p>
<p>To this clerk, however, the patron’s chosen candidate had changed positions on too many key issues in the past several years to earn her vote. The customer, eager to convince the cashier to vote Democrat rather than third party, spoke passionately of the Secretary’s competence, abilities, and “good heart”. The clerk, for her part, was unpersuaded, and by conversation’s end remained an undecided voter.</p>
<p>The cashier’s tepid feelings toward the former Secretary of State were understandable. When previously asked about her position on marriage equality, Clinton once stammered that she was “pro-civil union” in an effort to put a positive spin on her more moderate stance. (She has since become pro-marriage equality.) Earlier this year, Secretary Clinton called the Trans-Pacific Partnership (or TPP, the highly controversial trade deal between the United States and several Pacific Rim nations) the “gold standard”. After withering attacks from the left, spearheaded by primary opponent Bernie Sanders, the Secretary pulled all support for the treaty, breaking with the incumbent Democratic President on the issue.</p>
<p>Clinton’s numerous changes of heart, coupled with her penchant for privacy and guardedness, have given her a dark and mysterious aura in the eyes of many voters. Conservative and Republican voters have an additional glare obscuring their view of the Democratic nominee emanating from a conservative media apparatus that works 24 hours a day to attack anyone to the left of Ayn Rand. This glare, as we saw during the primaries, can occasionally blind those on the left as well.</p>
<p>Recent news stories have done nothing but exacerbate the distorted and at times contrived views of Mrs. Clinton. Stolen correspondence disseminated by a malevolent recluse in London and hyped stories of an inchoate quid pro quo have seized upon the imagination of an electorate. With the minds of voters inundated for more than a quarter century with false narratives birthed from the hysterical fever dreams of right-wing operatives, this was not a difficult thing to do.</p>
<p>Many who have believed the false narratives played out for them on television, radio, and the front pages of right-leaning publications could be forgiven for their distorted views of the former Secretary of State. The stories they have been told have been custom tailored to fit their underlying ideologies and viewpoints, worded and crafted to evoke the strongest of emotions. The most fervent and reactionary of these voters, sadly, are lost. They have followed a new fringe movement and its nascent media outlets down a conspiratorial rabbit hole in which objectivity is an unknown concept and in which Roger Ailes’ former employer is just another cog in the establishment media wheel.</p>
<p>For the rest, however, for those who are not yet “with her” but who struggle to reconcile the vulgar ravings of a marginally successful developer from Queens with their own beliefs and values, there is still time.</p>
<p>When they strip away the attacks, the distortions, and the outright falsehoods, they will begin to find in Hillary Clinton a candidate for President with incredibly broad appeal. She is first and foremost a pragmatist, concerned with competent leadership and the effective operation of government. She is also a wonk, passionately interested in the finer points of complex policies and detail-oriented in a way that would put a smile on the face of any hiring manager.</p>
<p>Hillary Rodham Clinton is not an ideologue. This simple fact made her vulnerable during the primaries when a devout ideologue from Brooklyn by way of Vermont challenged her from the left. She fought in state after state to secure the nomination, and in the end, Democratic voters chose the pragmatist and policy wonk over the social democrat (he would say “democratic socialist”). The left bemoans Sanders’ loss to the pragmatic Clinton, while the right continues to lambast the former First Lady for her alleged leftist ideology. The two narratives cannot logically co-exist.</p>
<p>On issues ranging from free trade to healthcare to human rights, Clinton has acted strategically, calculating her decisions and planning her moves to maximize the impact of her efforts in spite of often fierce opposition. In hyperbolic news stories, this makes her a cold and calculating politician who puts her self-interest above all else. In reality, this makes her a brilliantly effective leader.</p>
<p>During an age of rapid globalization, technological advancement, and erratic terrorism, the United States needs at the helm a shrewd and skillful operator, knowledgeable in the workings of government and international relations. Fortunately, in this otherwise disheartening and despicable election season, we as a nation do have just such a choice standing before us. With her years as a United States Senator from New York and her experience as Secretary of State, she has the highly specialized skills she will need to cooperate with competing interests both foreign and domestic her first day in office.</p>
<p>Her prioritization of pragmatism and good governance over strict dogmatism should, all else being equal, endear her to a wide swath of the electorate. True, she is a Democrat, but her record places her more than a few steps closer to the center than the junior Senator from Vermont or the senior Senator from Massachusetts. While on the one hand she has pushed for expanded access to healthcare, she has also been more than dismissive of her primary opponent’s single payer aspirations. Her prowess as a deal-maker and diplomat speaks for itself, and yet she is in no way a dove, standing firm on her commitments to Israel and America’s strategic partners on the global stage. With her positions on domestic and international issues spanning traditional American left-right divides, it is her tenacity, endurance, and practicality that stand out as her key strengths.</p>
<p>To many, the skills and experience of the former Secretary and Senator simply are not enough to overcome her reputation as a scandal-prone and self-interested politician. Taken in isolation, this may be a valid and respectable point of view. In our two-party system, however, we are left with a binary choice after the Democratic and Republican National Conventions. Sadly, the latter provided us with a candidate fundamentally unprepared and manifestly unfit for office.</p>
<p>As the Washington Post Editorial Board <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-hillary-clinton-email-story-is-out-of-control/2016/09/08/692947d0-75fc-11e6-8149-b8d05321db62_story.html?tid=sm_fb&utm_term=.ec76db0e7e7e">has already emphatically protested</a>, comparisons of Secretary Clinton to her opponent as an equally flawed candidate are ridiculous false equivalences. After shouldering more than her fair share of bad press in the past thirty years, the former First Lady has made mistakes out of prudence and defensiveness, always vigilant of the next negative story or conspiracy theory. This is her flaw. It is this overabundance of caution that has driven Secretary Clinton to tightly control her message, habitually circle the proverbial wagons, and keep her email server always within sight — decisions that have generated more bad optics than grave consequences.</p>
<p>Her opponent, in stark contrast, is a deluded narcissist whose race-baiting on the campaign trail is the worst this country has seen in half a century. He launched his campaign by leveling the most appalling and racially charged accusations against our southern neighbor and trade partner, and in the year and a half since, has repeatedly fueled his campaign with hate speech and bile. He has called for banning anyone belonging to an entire religion from entering the United States, mocked the disabled, belittled women, and engaged in appalling, ignorant characterizations of Black Americans.</p>
<p>Unhinged tirades against a former beauty pageant contestant, a confession to groping women in a 2005 video, and darkly misogynistic responses to accusations of sexual assault from numerous women are all recent examples of his lack of fitness. Amazingly, however, they are no longer at the forefront. He has now begun questioning not just the general perceived unfairness of American life in the early 21st century economy but the fundamental fairness and structural integrity of American elections themselves. At the third (and thankfully final) debate, he declined to state without equivocation whether he would accept the outcome of the election. Let no commentator fool you: this is unprecedented. Comparisons to Al Gore do not hold water.</p>
<p>Her opponent’s disqualifying behavior aside, Secretary Clinton’s experience, determination, and preference for pragmatism over idealism are appealing on their own. The Secretary’s positions on the issues align with the views of a majority of Americans, from affordable healthcare to higher education and human rights. Those holdouts who remain unpersuaded by Mrs. Clinton’s qualifications alone must take one final analytical step and compare her formidable strengths — and flaws — to those of the only other candidate for President in 2016.</p>
<p>They will see the choice is an easy one.</p>
</section>
|
Hillary Clinton: The non-partisan choice for President
I was waiting in line late one evening last week at our local store, the woman ahead of me talking with the clerk about Hillary Clinton. In this small store in a small town, the cashier was happy to indulge the chatty customer.
To this clerk, however, the patron’s chosen candidate had changed positions on too many key issues in the past several years to earn her vote. The customer, eager to convince the cashier to vote Democrat rather than third party, spoke passionately of the Secretary’s competence, abilities, and “good heart”. The clerk, for her part, was unpersuaded, and by conversation’s end remained an undecided voter.
The cashier’s tepid feelings toward the former Secretary of State were understandable. When previously asked about her position on marriage equality, Clinton once stammered that she was “pro-civil union” in an effort to put a positive spin on her more moderate stance. (She has since become pro-marriage equality.) Earlier this year, Secretary Clinton called the Trans-Pacific Partnership (or TPP, the highly controversial trade deal between the United States and several Pacific Rim nations) the “gold standard”. After withering attacks from the left, spearheaded by primary opponent Bernie Sanders, the Secretary pulled all support for the treaty, breaking with the incumbent Democratic President on the issue.
Clinton’s numerous changes of heart, coupled with her penchant for privacy and guardedness, have given her a dark and mysterious aura in the eyes of many voters. Conservative and Republican voters have an additional glare obscuring their view of the Democratic nominee emanating from a conservative media apparatus that works 24 hours a day to attack anyone to the left of Ayn Rand. This glare, as we saw during the primaries, can occasionally blind those on the left as well.
Recent news stories have done nothing but exacerbate the distorted and at times contrived views of Mrs. Clinton. Stolen correspondence disseminated by a malevolent recluse in London and hyped stories of an inchoate quid pro quo have seized upon the imagination of an electorate. With the minds of voters inundated for more than a quarter century with false narratives birthed from the hysterical fever dreams of right-wing operatives, this was not a difficult thing to do.
Many who have believed the false narratives played out for them on television, radio, and the front pages of right-leaning publications could be forgiven for their distorted views of the former Secretary of State. The stories they have been told have been custom tailored to fit their underlying ideologies and viewpoints, worded and crafted to evoke the strongest of emotions. The most fervent and reactionary of these voters, sadly, are lost. They have followed a new fringe movement and its nascent media outlets down a conspiratorial rabbit hole in which objectivity is an unknown concept and in which Roger Ailes’ former employer is just another cog in the establishment media wheel.
For the rest, however, for those who are not yet “with her” but who struggle to reconcile the vulgar ravings of a marginally successful developer from Queens with their own beliefs and values, there is still time.
When they strip away the attacks, the distortions, and the outright falsehoods, they will begin to find in Hillary Clinton a candidate for President with incredibly broad appeal. She is first and foremost a pragmatist, concerned with competent leadership and the effective operation of government. She is also a wonk, passionately interested in the finer points of complex policies and detail-oriented in a way that would put a smile on the face of any hiring manager.
Hillary Rodham Clinton is not an ideologue. This simple fact made her vulnerable during the primaries when a devout ideologue from Brooklyn by way of Vermont challenged her from the left. She fought in state after state to secure the nomination, and in the end, Democratic voters chose the pragmatist and policy wonk over the social democrat (he would say “democratic socialist”). The left bemoans Sanders’ loss to the pragmatic Clinton, while the right continues to lambast the former First Lady for her alleged leftist ideology. The two narratives cannot logically co-exist.
On issues ranging from free trade to healthcare to human rights, Clinton has acted strategically, calculating her decisions and planning her moves to maximize the impact of her efforts in spite of often fierce opposition. In hyperbolic news stories, this makes her a cold and calculating politician who puts her self-interest above all else. In reality, this makes her a brilliantly effective leader.
During an age of rapid globalization, technological advancement, and erratic terrorism, the United States needs at the helm a shrewd and skillful operator, knowledgeable in the workings of government and international relations. Fortunately, in this otherwise disheartening and despicable election season, we as a nation do have just such a choice standing before us. With her years as a United States Senator from New York and her experience as Secretary of State, she has the highly specialized skills she will need to cooperate with competing interests both foreign and domestic her first day in office.
Her prioritization of pragmatism and good governance over strict dogmatism should, all else being equal, endear her to a wide swath of the electorate. True, she is a Democrat, but her record places her more than a few steps closer to the center than the junior Senator from Vermont or the senior Senator from Massachusetts. While on the one hand she has pushed for expanded access to healthcare, she has also been more than dismissive of her primary opponent’s single payer aspirations. Her prowess as a deal-maker and diplomat speaks for itself, and yet she is in no way a dove, standing firm on her commitments to Israel and America’s strategic partners on the global stage. With her positions on domestic and international issues spanning traditional American left-right divides, it is her tenacity, endurance, and practicality that stand out as her key strengths.
To many, the skills and experience of the former Secretary and Senator simply are not enough to overcome her reputation as a scandal-prone and self-interested politician. Taken in isolation, this may be a valid and respectable point of view. In our two-party system, however, we are left with a binary choice after the Democratic and Republican National Conventions. Sadly, the latter provided us with a candidate fundamentally unprepared and manifestly unfit for office.
As the Washington Post Editorial Board has already emphatically protested, comparisons of Secretary Clinton to her opponent as an equally flawed candidate are ridiculous false equivalences. After shouldering more than her fair share of bad press in the past thirty years, the former First Lady has made mistakes out of prudence and defensiveness, always vigilant of the next negative story or conspiracy theory. This is her flaw. It is this overabundance of caution that has driven Secretary Clinton to tightly control her message, habitually circle the proverbial wagons, and keep her email server always within sight — decisions that have generated more bad optics than grave consequences.
Her opponent, in stark contrast, is a deluded narcissist whose race-baiting on the campaign trail is the worst this country has seen in half a century. He launched his campaign by leveling the most appalling and racially charged accusations against our southern neighbor and trade partner, and in the year and a half since, has repeatedly fueled his campaign with hate speech and bile. He has called for banning anyone belonging to an entire religion from entering the United States, mocked the disabled, belittled women, and engaged in appalling, ignorant characterizations of Black Americans.
Unhinged tirades against a former beauty pageant contestant, a confession to groping women in a 2005 video, and darkly misogynistic responses to accusations of sexual assault from numerous women are all recent examples of his lack of fitness. Amazingly, however, they are no longer at the forefront. He has now begun questioning not just the general perceived unfairness of American life in the early 21st century economy but the fundamental fairness and structural integrity of American elections themselves. At the third (and thankfully final) debate, he declined to state without equivocation whether he would accept the outcome of the election. Let no commentator fool you: this is unprecedented. Comparisons to Al Gore do not hold water.
Her opponent’s disqualifying behavior aside, Secretary Clinton’s experience, determination, and preference for pragmatism over idealism are appealing on their own. The Secretary’s positions on the issues align with the views of a majority of Americans, from affordable healthcare to higher education and human rights. Those holdouts who remain unpersuaded by Mrs. Clinton’s qualifications alone must take one final analytical step and compare her formidable strengths — and flaws — to those of the only other candidate for President in 2016.
They will see the choice is an easy one.
|
e4b4df27-ef07-59de-b086-b6d7b1b8d2b6
|
25/08/2025 15:59:11
|
https://dashboard.mlblogs.com/winston-salem-tweaks-bullpen-5de1a2e7153b
|
medium.com
|
Winston-Salem tweaks bullpen
| null |
Winston-Salem Dash
|
https://medium.com/@wsdashbaseball
|
5de1a2e7153b
| null |
1 min
|
2016-10-26T14:08:31.316000
|
2014-04-17T18:30:12
|
2016-11-08T19:43:44.500000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Birmingham Barons,Evan Crawford,Jesse Crain,Kannapolis Intimidators,Promotion
|
<section>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/300/0*6S8ih4QShTb4evxw." width="300" height="199" loading="lazy" />
<p>The Dash’s roster has not changed much thus far this season, but the White Sox did announce a pair of promotions affecting the Winston-Salem bullpen on Thursday afternoon. <strong>Evan Crawford</strong> has jumped up to Double-A Birmingham after two efforts in the Carolina League, while fellow southpaw <strong>Sean Bierman</strong> has earned a spot in the Dash’s clubhouse after starting the season in Low-A Kannapolis.</p>
<p>Crawford, who <a href="http://dashboard.mlblogs.com/2014/04/11/former-big-leaguer-added-to-pitching-staff/">logged 10 appearances</a> with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2012, joined the White Sox organization via the Triple-A phase of the Rule 5 Draft. He tossed two and two-thirds innings with Winston-Salem over two outings and surrendered two runs (one earned) on one hit. He will head to the Double-A level, where he has made 80 appearances over his seven-season minor league career.</p>
<p>Thanks to this promotion, the Dash have added another left-hander in Bierman, who made two starts with the Intimidators to begin the season. Bierman, who went 0–1 with a 7.00 earned run average in those efforts, was 11–8 with a 3.00 ERA in 31 outings with the Tampa Bay organization. He came over to the White Sox from the Rays as one of the players to be named later in the <strong>Jesse Crain</strong> trade, which was agreed to in July and completed in October.</p>
<p>As a result, the Dash’s roster remains at 25, with 13 of those men being pitchers. Winston-Salem aims to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Frederick Keys tonight at 7. A full preview is on the way later.</p>
<p>- Brian</p>
</section>
|
Winston-Salem tweaks bullpen
After two outings in Kannapolis, southpaw Sean Bierman has made the leap to the Dash (photo via the Kannapolis Intimidators).
The Dash’s roster has not changed much thus far this season, but the White Sox did announce a pair of promotions affecting the Winston-Salem bullpen on Thursday afternoon. Evan Crawford has jumped up to Double-A Birmingham after two efforts in the Carolina League, while fellow southpaw Sean Bierman has earned a spot in the Dash’s clubhouse after starting the season in Low-A Kannapolis.
Crawford, who logged 10 appearances with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2012, joined the White Sox organization via the Triple-A phase of the Rule 5 Draft. He tossed two and two-thirds innings with Winston-Salem over two outings and surrendered two runs (one earned) on one hit. He will head to the Double-A level, where he has made 80 appearances over his seven-season minor league career.
Thanks to this promotion, the Dash have added another left-hander in Bierman, who made two starts with the Intimidators to begin the season. Bierman, who went 0–1 with a 7.00 earned run average in those efforts, was 11–8 with a 3.00 ERA in 31 outings with the Tampa Bay organization. He came over to the White Sox from the Rays as one of the players to be named later in the Jesse Crain trade, which was agreed to in July and completed in October.
As a result, the Dash’s roster remains at 25, with 13 of those men being pitchers. Winston-Salem aims to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Frederick Keys tonight at 7. A full preview is on the way later.
- Brian
|
e0bbdf0d-5980-51a4-94a1-0f9176c33323
|
25/08/2025 15:59:11
|
https://medium.com/@edwardbusiness3/summary-of-the-book-the-cat-in-the-hat-by-dr-seuss-b2a5e02fb966
|
medium.com
|
Summary of the book “The Cat in the Hat” by Dr. Seuss
|
“The Cat in the Hat” by Dr. Seuss is a beloved children’s book that has captured the hearts of readers for generations. With its playful…
|
Oliver Lionel
|
https://medium.com/@edwardbusiness3
|
b2a5e02fb966
|
2 min
|
2023-06-29T14:18:15.914000
|
2023-06-29T14:22:21.927000
|
2023-06-29T14:22:28.461000
| 0
| 1
|
en
|
Childrens Books,Kids Stories,The Cat In The Hat,Book Review,Fantasy
|
<section>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/640/1*usdQDZF6L7jDEMC6YjZKMA.jpeg" width="640" height="832" loading="lazy" />
<p>“The Cat in the Hat” by Dr. Seuss is a beloved children’s book that has captured the hearts of readers for generations. With its playful rhymes, whimsical illustrations, and memorable characters, this book has become a classic in children’s literature.</p>
<p>The story begins on a rainy day, as two bored children, Sally and her brother, sit indoors with nothing to do. Suddenly, their mundane afternoon is interrupted by the arrival of a mischievous cat wearing a tall, striped hat. The Cat in the Hat introduces himself and announces his intention to entertain the children.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://amzn.to/3r3gnSB">GET “The Cat</strong> in the Hat” by Dr. Seuss FOR FREE</a></p>
<p>With his energetic personality and boundless imagination, the Cat in the Hat brings chaos and excitement into the children’s home. He performs various tricks and stunts, balancing on a ball while holding an umbrella and juggling various household items. As the children watch in awe, they become swept up in the cat’s playful antics.</p>
<p>However, things quickly spiral out of control. The children’s pet fish, who serves as the voice of reason, warns them about the consequences of the cat’s actions. Despite the fish’s objections, the Cat in the Hat continues to create mess and havoc throughout the house.</p>
<p>Just as the situation seems hopeless, the children’s mother returns home. Horrified by the chaotic scene, she demands an explanation from her children. However, the Cat in the Hat, in a final act of redemption, quickly tidies up the house with the help of his companions, Thing One and Thing Two. With the house restored to its original state, the Cat in the Hat bids farewell and leaves the children and their home.</p>
<p>“The Cat in the Hat” is not only a delightful and entertaining story, but it also carries important themes and messages. The book encourages imagination, creativity, and the joy of spontaneous play. It showcases the power of imagination to transform ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures. Through the character of the Cat in the Hat, children are encouraged to embrace their own imaginative spirit and let their creativity soar.</p>
<p>Dr. Seuss’ unique writing style, characterized by his inventive use of rhyme, rhythm, and repetition, adds to the book’s appeal. The playful language and catchy verses make the story engaging and enjoyable for young readers. The colorful and whimsical illustrations further bring the characters and the story to life, capturing the attention and imagination of children.</p>
<p>“The Cat in the Hat” has not only entertained millions of children but has also played a significant role in promoting literacy and a love of reading. Its simple yet engaging storytelling style, combined with its vibrant illustrations, make it accessible and captivating for young readers. The book’s enduring popularity and cultural impact have solidified its place as a timeless classic in children’s literature.</p>
<p>In conclusion, “The Cat in the Hat” is a charming and delightful children’s book that continues to captivate readers of all ages. With its playful rhymes, imaginative storytelling, and memorable characters, it has become a beloved classic that celebrates the power of imagination and the joy of reading. Dr. Seuss’ timeless creation has left an indelible mark on children’s literature, inspiring generations of young readers to embark on their own imaginative journeys.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://amzn.to/3r3gnSB">GET “The Cat</strong> in the Hat” by Dr. Seuss FOR FREE</a></p>
</section>
|
Summary of the book “The Cat in the Hat” by Dr. Seuss
“The Cat in the Hat” by Dr. Seuss is a beloved children’s book that has captured the hearts of readers for generations. With its playful rhymes, whimsical illustrations, and memorable characters, this book has become a classic in children’s literature.
The story begins on a rainy day, as two bored children, Sally and her brother, sit indoors with nothing to do. Suddenly, their mundane afternoon is interrupted by the arrival of a mischievous cat wearing a tall, striped hat. The Cat in the Hat introduces himself and announces his intention to entertain the children.
GET “The Cat in the Hat” by Dr. Seuss FOR FREE
With his energetic personality and boundless imagination, the Cat in the Hat brings chaos and excitement into the children’s home. He performs various tricks and stunts, balancing on a ball while holding an umbrella and juggling various household items. As the children watch in awe, they become swept up in the cat’s playful antics.
However, things quickly spiral out of control. The children’s pet fish, who serves as the voice of reason, warns them about the consequences of the cat’s actions. Despite the fish’s objections, the Cat in the Hat continues to create mess and havoc throughout the house.
Just as the situation seems hopeless, the children’s mother returns home. Horrified by the chaotic scene, she demands an explanation from her children. However, the Cat in the Hat, in a final act of redemption, quickly tidies up the house with the help of his companions, Thing One and Thing Two. With the house restored to its original state, the Cat in the Hat bids farewell and leaves the children and their home.
“The Cat in the Hat” is not only a delightful and entertaining story, but it also carries important themes and messages. The book encourages imagination, creativity, and the joy of spontaneous play. It showcases the power of imagination to transform ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures. Through the character of the Cat in the Hat, children are encouraged to embrace their own imaginative spirit and let their creativity soar.
Dr. Seuss’ unique writing style, characterized by his inventive use of rhyme, rhythm, and repetition, adds to the book’s appeal. The playful language and catchy verses make the story engaging and enjoyable for young readers. The colorful and whimsical illustrations further bring the characters and the story to life, capturing the attention and imagination of children.
“The Cat in the Hat” has not only entertained millions of children but has also played a significant role in promoting literacy and a love of reading. Its simple yet engaging storytelling style, combined with its vibrant illustrations, make it accessible and captivating for young readers. The book’s enduring popularity and cultural impact have solidified its place as a timeless classic in children’s literature.
In conclusion, “The Cat in the Hat” is a charming and delightful children’s book that continues to captivate readers of all ages. With its playful rhymes, imaginative storytelling, and memorable characters, it has become a beloved classic that celebrates the power of imagination and the joy of reading. Dr. Seuss’ timeless creation has left an indelible mark on children’s literature, inspiring generations of young readers to embark on their own imaginative journeys.
GET “The Cat in the Hat” by Dr. Seuss FOR FREE
|
3fdc405d-fbcb-5207-b61c-fe705b8d3750
|
25/08/2025 15:59:12
|
|
https://blog.ebizmarts.com/staying-relevant-in-the-world-of-brick-and-mortar-retail-a485227e3e98
|
medium.com
|
Staying Relevant in the World of Brick-and-Mortar Retail
|
Two things are continually proving themselves to be true at the pass of every quarter: one, it’s no doubt that ecommerce giants…
|
ebizmarts
|
https://medium.com/@ebizmarts
|
a485227e3e98
|
6 min
|
2017-07-21T15:33:53.733000
|
2017-08-01T20:38:21.773000
|
2018-05-05T16:28:54.158000
| 0
| 1
|
en
|
Retail,Pos,Retail Technology,Magento,iPad
|
<section>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/6000/1*oahCkmxYBlyLPmtROo1beQ.jpeg" width="6000" height="2546" loading="lazy" />
<p>Two things are continually proving themselves to be true at the pass of every quarter: one, it’s no doubt that ecommerce giants persistently prove to be a worthy foe to the brick-and-mortar cornerstone of our retail upbringing; and two, that we in the retail technology sector can testify that innovative solutions continue to arise to combat these new challenges.</p>
<p>There couldn’t be a better time for brick-and-mortar based retail environments to sharpen their proverbial knives and fortify their strategies in an ever-increasingly competitive environment requiring them to go head on with ecommerce Goliaths such as Amazon. As convenience increases with the continued rise of ecommerce, so does the importance of the customer experience. This is where brick-and-mortar based retail undoubtedly has an edge.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/3012/1*H9sqRuK453ywP9A54xFwNw.jpeg" width="3012" height="3012" loading="lazy" />
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/3393/1*jJuUMThqZyCVa1BdkiEMqA.jpeg" width="3393" height="3393" loading="lazy" />
<p>Customers can now obtain the items they want from the comfort of their own homes, and as a result many strategies employed by various retailers in an attempt to dazzle and draw in foot traffic alone are likely not sufficient or sustainable in the long run. After all, shoppers don’t have to leave their house to <a href="http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/can-store-experiences-save-retail/">drink champagne while they shop</a>. Instead, Denise Dahlhoff, research director at Wharton’s <a href="https://bakerretail.wharton.upenn.edu/">Jay H. Baker Retailing Center</a> recommends a more holistic approach to customer experience. After all, this capitalises on the one thing online shopping will never do for the customer: provide an experience in-store that’s superior to that of their expectations, online or off.</p>
<p>Thanks to developments in technology such as omnichannel capability, we’re well positioned to leverage the same benefits that accompany the ecommerce experience inside the doors of our physical shops. But let’s start by defining omnichannel. Omnichannel is the integration of information across multiple channels of the retail environment into one streamlined platform. For the customer, that means creating one seamless experience whether they’re using your online shop or are shopping in-store. This is characterised by a variety of features that contribute to strategy focused on what matters most: your customers.</p>
<p>Take the following features as examples of how to integrate the ecommerce experience into your brick-and-mortar channel:</p>
<p><strong><a href="https:</strong>//blog.ebizmarts.com/ebizmarts-pos-feature-showcase-endless-aisle-df216b19b938">Endless Aisle</a>: Sometimes the items your customers come for aren’t always in stock, and that’s no problem. By combining your exterior inventory with your in-store product offering via omnichannel technology, you can still fulfill orders right from the shop floor for items out of stock or held in another location.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://blog.ebizmarts.com/pos</strong>-feature-showcase-full-catalogue-with-full-content-experience-a333e77e9795">Full catalogue and content experience</a>: Empower your sales staff and customers with highly intelligent and intuitive product information right in the palm of their hands. With mobile on the rise with no signs of tapering (think: <a href="http://www.outerboxdesign.com/web-design-articles/mobile-ecommerce-statistics">nearly 80% of shoppers using their mobile device while in-store to look up reviews, compare prices or search other store locations</a>) what better a way to keep up with ever increasingly empowered shoppers?</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://</strong>blog.ebizmarts.com/pos-feature-showcase-ship-from-store-5ff26cd357d3">Ship from store</a>: Enable your shop to selectively ship items from the nearest store or warehouse to a customer. This allows retailers of any size to capitalise on lower time and logistics costs and provide a more pleasant, responsive experience for customers.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://b</strong>log.ebizmarts.com/increase-up-sells-with-in-store-pick-up-using-ebizmarts-pos-75447c8a79ad">Pick up in store</a>: <a href="http://www.cmo.com/opinion/articles/2015/2/5/buy_online_pick.html#gs.null">78% of internet users</a> find the idea of in store pickup to be appealing. The added time convenience of being able to pick up orders as soon as an order is placed, the simple return process and the added peace of mind that packages will not be left unattended are key benefits that sway shoppers toward in store pickup. Furthermore, <a href="https://www.emarketer.com/Article/Why-Retailers-Should-Offer-Buy-Online-Pick-Up-In-Store/1012579">two thirds of retail customers</a> have stated they’re likely to shop for other items when they visit the store for pickup, meaning higher revenues and increased upsells for you.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https:</strong>//blog.ebizmarts.com/decrease-in-store-wait-times-at-the-till-with-ebizmarts-pos-f36bb8083aca">Queue busting</a>: <a href="http://www.fierceretail.com/operations/report-after-8-minutes-line-shoppers-walk-out">77% of customers would be less likely to return to the same store after experiencing a long queue</a>, so why not provide a seamless checkout experience wherever your sales staff find themselves on the shop floor? Whether it’s outside the fitting room or at the clearance rack, your staff should be able to accept payments and have your customers out the door in no time, cutting queue times, increasing customer satisfaction, and minimizing lost conversions with queue busting power.</p>
<p>The list continues. In this day and age, these invaluable features are priceless for keeping your strategy current and holistically customer focused in an industry dominated by convenience, not to mention they could help capitalise on space and move customers through the store quicker (Think: a more efficient use of shop square footage and faster and higher volumes of foot traffic in a landscape of <a href="https://qz.com/1032723/theres-much-more-empty-retail-space-in-the-us-than-in-other-countries-on-a-per-capita-level/">over abundant, shrinking retail space</a>). But it doesn’t stop there. What about focusing on customers as individuals as well?</p>
<p>Peter Fader, marketing professor at the Wharton School believes that a higher focus on analytics to contribute to individual <a href="http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/160811b_kwradio_fader-mariychin-mp3-zodiac/">customer lifetime value</a> could be a winning strategy as well. As Fader puts it, “Can we look at what a customer has done in the past and make a pretty accurate projection of what they are likely to do in the future?”</p>
<p>This is where data analytics come into play. Via an omnichannel strategy, it’s possible to connect the dots between channels and specific customers to assess their needs and buying habits to better serve them in the future. Take for example in-store <a href="https://blog.ebizmarts.com/boost-recommendation-power-with-ebizmarts-pos-e1252c4d492e">recommendation power</a> that generates recommendations based on:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://blog.ebizmarts.com/boost-recommendation-power-with-ebizmarts-pos-e1252c4d492e">complementary items</a></li>
<li><a href="https://blog.ebizmarts.com/boost-recommendation-power-with-ebizmarts-pos-e1252c4d492e">items frequently purchased together</a></li>
<li><a href="https://blog.ebizmarts.com/boost-recommendation-power-with-ebizmarts-pos-e1252c4d492e">personalised user recommendations for individual customers</a></li>
</ul>
<p>Essentially, the main idea is to create a highly personalised experience for your most valuable customers. A key aspect of serving your customers as a whole is to begin to recognise their individual needs in the long run. This is a key component of customer retention, and the level of customer service created by the conjunction of personalised experiences and in-store customer attention is second to none.</p>
<p>As we’ve mentioned before, there’s no force in the retail world as potent as a brick-and-mortar store that is willing to embrace the advantages of ecommerce, and the ecommerce realm will always be limited in some capacity by lacking the very component that brick-and-mortar stores have taken for granted for decades.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/4392/1*ha53RYYWVDwraI_kr0SRsg.jpeg" width="4392" height="1936" loading="lazy" />
<p>Let’s take a step back into the past. Imagine strolling through town with your friends, family or spouse; passing from store to store, feeling the textures of an endless variety of products in your hands, receiving help face to face from a real associate and walking out of the store with the item you came in search of in your hands — certainly among various other unexpected items not included on the shopping list.</p>
<blockquote>“Some people want to go out on a Friday night. They want to do something; they don’t want to hang out in their house the whole time.”</blockquote>
<p>The aesthetic, physical and increasingly nostalgic experiences of going shopping will always be unique to the world of brick-and-mortar and perhaps there is no substitute. Barbara Kahn, marketing professor at the Wharton Institute puts it like this. “<a href="http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/can-store-experiences-save-retail/">Some people want to go out on a Friday night. They want to do something; they don’t want to hang out in their house the whole time.</a>” Sometimes a weekend soirée calls for perusing the shops and congregating over dinner with friends to blow off steam from the long work week grind.</p>
<p>That’s probably never going to change, and we’re positive retail is here to stay. That said, that doesn’t mean it’s not getting more competitive, and we should always look to the future and be prepared for new challenges. The only question is are you willing to embrace modern omnichannel strategies to stay relevant?</p>
<p><strong>If you’re keen to stay ahead of the curve with brick-and-mortar technology solutions, take the first step by visiting us at <a href="https://pos.ebizmar</strong>ts.com/">https://pos.ebizmarts.com/</a> .</p>
</section>
|
Staying Relevant in the World of Brick-and-Mortar Retail
Two things are continually proving themselves to be true at the pass of every quarter: one, it’s no doubt that ecommerce giants persistently prove to be a worthy foe to the brick-and-mortar cornerstone of our retail upbringing; and two, that we in the retail technology sector can testify that innovative solutions continue to arise to combat these new challenges.
There couldn’t be a better time for brick-and-mortar based retail environments to sharpen their proverbial knives and fortify their strategies in an ever-increasingly competitive environment requiring them to go head on with ecommerce Goliaths such as Amazon. As convenience increases with the continued rise of ecommerce, so does the importance of the customer experience. This is where brick-and-mortar based retail undoubtedly has an edge.
“Retail square feet per capita in the United States is more than six times that of Europe or Japan. And this doesn’t count digital commerce. Our industry, not unlike the housing industry, saw too much square footage capacity added in the 1990s and early 2000s.” — Urban Outfitters CEO, Richard Haynes
Customers can now obtain the items they want from the comfort of their own homes, and as a result many strategies employed by various retailers in an attempt to dazzle and draw in foot traffic alone are likely not sufficient or sustainable in the long run. After all, shoppers don’t have to leave their house to drink champagne while they shop. Instead, Denise Dahlhoff, research director at Wharton’s Jay H. Baker Retailing Center recommends a more holistic approach to customer experience. After all, this capitalises on the one thing online shopping will never do for the customer: provide an experience in-store that’s superior to that of their expectations, online or off.
Thanks to developments in technology such as omnichannel capability, we’re well positioned to leverage the same benefits that accompany the ecommerce experience inside the doors of our physical shops. But let’s start by defining omnichannel. Omnichannel is the integration of information across multiple channels of the retail environment into one streamlined platform. For the customer, that means creating one seamless experience whether they’re using your online shop or are shopping in-store. This is characterised by a variety of features that contribute to strategy focused on what matters most: your customers.
Take the following features as examples of how to integrate the ecommerce experience into your brick-and-mortar channel:
Endless Aisle: Sometimes the items your customers come for aren’t always in stock, and that’s no problem. By combining your exterior inventory with your in-store product offering via omnichannel technology, you can still fulfill orders right from the shop floor for items out of stock or held in another location.
Full catalogue and content experience: Empower your sales staff and customers with highly intelligent and intuitive product information right in the palm of their hands. With mobile on the rise with no signs of tapering (think: nearly 80% of shoppers using their mobile device while in-store to look up reviews, compare prices or search other store locations) what better a way to keep up with ever increasingly empowered shoppers?
Ship from store: Enable your shop to selectively ship items from the nearest store or warehouse to a customer. This allows retailers of any size to capitalise on lower time and logistics costs and provide a more pleasant, responsive experience for customers.
Pick up in store: 78% of internet users find the idea of in store pickup to be appealing. The added time convenience of being able to pick up orders as soon as an order is placed, the simple return process and the added peace of mind that packages will not be left unattended are key benefits that sway shoppers toward in store pickup. Furthermore, two thirds of retail customers have stated they’re likely to shop for other items when they visit the store for pickup, meaning higher revenues and increased upsells for you.
Queue busting: 77% of customers would be less likely to return to the same store after experiencing a long queue, so why not provide a seamless checkout experience wherever your sales staff find themselves on the shop floor? Whether it’s outside the fitting room or at the clearance rack, your staff should be able to accept payments and have your customers out the door in no time, cutting queue times, increasing customer satisfaction, and minimizing lost conversions with queue busting power.
The list continues. In this day and age, these invaluable features are priceless for keeping your strategy current and holistically customer focused in an industry dominated by convenience, not to mention they could help capitalise on space and move customers through the store quicker (Think: a more efficient use of shop square footage and faster and higher volumes of foot traffic in a landscape of over abundant, shrinking retail space). But it doesn’t stop there. What about focusing on customers as individuals as well?
Peter Fader, marketing professor at the Wharton School believes that a higher focus on analytics to contribute to individual customer lifetime value could be a winning strategy as well. As Fader puts it, “Can we look at what a customer has done in the past and make a pretty accurate projection of what they are likely to do in the future?”
This is where data analytics come into play. Via an omnichannel strategy, it’s possible to connect the dots between channels and specific customers to assess their needs and buying habits to better serve them in the future. Take for example in-store recommendation power that generates recommendations based on:
complementary items
items frequently purchased together
personalised user recommendations for individual customers
Essentially, the main idea is to create a highly personalised experience for your most valuable customers. A key aspect of serving your customers as a whole is to begin to recognise their individual needs in the long run. This is a key component of customer retention, and the level of customer service created by the conjunction of personalised experiences and in-store customer attention is second to none.
As we’ve mentioned before, there’s no force in the retail world as potent as a brick-and-mortar store that is willing to embrace the advantages of ecommerce, and the ecommerce realm will always be limited in some capacity by lacking the very component that brick-and-mortar stores have taken for granted for decades.
For many, going shopping is a valued way to enjoy the company of others and blow off steam from the grind of daily life — and could be one reason retail is here to stay.
Let’s take a step back into the past. Imagine strolling through town with your friends, family or spouse; passing from store to store, feeling the textures of an endless variety of products in your hands, receiving help face to face from a real associate and walking out of the store with the item you came in search of in your hands — certainly among various other unexpected items not included on the shopping list.
“Some people want to go out on a Friday night. They want to do something; they don’t want to hang out in their house the whole time.”
The aesthetic, physical and increasingly nostalgic experiences of going shopping will always be unique to the world of brick-and-mortar and perhaps there is no substitute. Barbara Kahn, marketing professor at the Wharton Institute puts it like this. “Some people want to go out on a Friday night. They want to do something; they don’t want to hang out in their house the whole time.” Sometimes a weekend soirée calls for perusing the shops and congregating over dinner with friends to blow off steam from the long work week grind.
That’s probably never going to change, and we’re positive retail is here to stay. That said, that doesn’t mean it’s not getting more competitive, and we should always look to the future and be prepared for new challenges. The only question is are you willing to embrace modern omnichannel strategies to stay relevant?
If you’re keen to stay ahead of the curve with brick-and-mortar technology solutions, take the first step by visiting us at https://pos.ebizmarts.com/ .
|
a536e8e1-a5d2-5835-9299-a0518de24754
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25/08/2025 15:59:12
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https://medium.com/@sprdsheet/5-lesson-part-2-learn-to-code-with-microsoft-m-language-real-world-project-mashing-up-data-8e35cfcacb77
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medium.com
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#5 Lesson — Part 2 | Learn to Code with Microsoft M-Language: Real World Project — Mashing up Data
|
We did quite a lot in the Part 1 of this lesson.
|
SPRDsheet
|
https://medium.com/@sprdsheet
|
8e35cfcacb77
|
7 min
|
2018-03-19T11:18:18.802000
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2018-03-29T13:07:24.970000
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2018-03-30T11:34:16.068000
| 0
| 0
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en
|
Programming,Business,Technology,Microsoft,Excel
|
<section>
<p>We did quite a lot in the Part 1 of this lesson.</p>
<p>First, we converted a list and a record into a table, and then we merged those two newly created tables with another table using a unique index. If you went through each single lesson, you might have made an interesting observation in Lesson 5: We did quite complex stuff (compared to writing “Hello World!” in Lesson 1) without writing a single a single line of code.</p>
<h3>You can use M-Langauge without actually writing code</h3>
<p>So, why bother learning to code at all? Seriously, that’s a good question. My favourite book on M-Language <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Data-Monkey-Guide-Language-Excel/dp/1615470344/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1521462515&sr=8-1&keywords=m+is+for+data+monkey">“M is for (Data) Monkey”</a> by Ken Plus and Miguel Escobar does exactly that: It teaches you to perform pretty complex queries with M-Language without writing too much code (maybe a line here and there).</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/385/1*zvztY3XqIRXATR8QvFvKKw.jpeg" width="385" height="500" loading="lazy" />
<p>Like I said in the introduction to my course, M-Language has one tremendously great advantage over other programming languages: You can write code, you can click through the UI … or both. That way, it’s impossible to fail.</p>
<p>Having a fundamental understanding of M-Language is not a prerequisite to actually use it in practice. However, I firmly believe it’s good to be able to look under the hood, read and understand M-Language code. Especially, if you want to get started with programming and later move from a a query language like M-Language to a object oriented programming language such as Python. You might not be able to instantly understand every single line of M-Language code, but mastery will come with practice.</p>
<h3>First learn to read, then to write</h3>
<p>One thing I learned along the way, when learning to code with M-Language, is that there is a major similarity with aquiring a natural language. Reading comes before writing. Once you master the very basics (as we did in the previous lessions), you will be able to read most of the M-Language code. The more you read, the more comfortable you are going to be at actually writing code — not only in M-Language, but further down the road also in other languages.</p>
<p>Let’s do exactly that.</p>
<h3>Let’s read the code that was autogenerated for us.</h3>
<p>Open up the SupportData Excel Sheet. Go to the Data Ribbon and select Queries & Connections.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1366/1*jIn6hdu9l3QOmb_HKvwByA.png" width="1366" height="768" loading="lazy" />
<p>Right click CountryList, select Edit and hit the Advanced Editor on the Home Ribbon. Your code should look like this.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/736/1*-cQnUk-hQt0YcoBoJzF-4Q.png" width="736" height="105" loading="lazy" />
<p>If you need a refresher on the very basics of M-Language, please go back to the previous lessons. Now, let’s take a closer look at the code above.</p>
<p>The first five lines constitute a Let Expression. “An expression is a formula used to construct values.” as you can read in the <a href="https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/mt807488.aspx">Microsoft M-Language Specification</a>. Now, let’s go through the code, line by line:</p>
<p>We took a list, which is nothing but a structured value … consisting of primitive text values</p>
<p>We then converted the list into a table, we decided not to use any delimiters and to show extra columns as errors</p>
<p>We then renamed the Table Column name from Column1 to Countries</p>
<p>Finally, we added an Index Column which strarted with 0</p>
<p>This result of this computation was then presented as an output underneath in. Let’s look briefly into the UI which we used to autogenerate the code.</p>
<p>This is our list, which we converted to a table.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1366/1*V-cIcJPzNrIUZFDyxqoyDQ.png" width="1366" height="767" loading="lazy" />
<p>We selected the default settings as far as delimiters and error handling goes.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1366/1*Qt7iQy7KRfoDgakCGcFAkw.png" width="1366" height="768" loading="lazy" />
<p>Next, under Query Settings > Properties > Name we changed the default name to a more meaningful one.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1366/1*DKTwkHtiMjX00CSbzFAe3Q.png" width="1366" height="768" loading="lazy" />
<p>Last but not least, we added an Index Column.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1366/1*BuJ8qf2KU0pLEq9NuwQ3Kg.png" width="1366" height="768" loading="lazy" />
<p>We used three different table functions to get the job done.</p>
<pre><code class="language-">Table.FromList
Table.RenameColumns
Table.AddIndexColumn</code></pre>
<p>Eeach of them might look a bit odd to you in the beginning. Let’s take a coser look at the third function.</p>
<pre><code class="language-">#"Added Index" = Table.AddIndexColumn(#"Renamed Columns", "Index", 0, 1)</code></pre>
<p>First, the identifier left to the equal sign might look a bit off to you. Remember you first “Hello World!” line of code? It looked very much like this.</p>
<pre><code class="language-">let
Source = "Hello World!"
in
Source</code></pre>
<p>Alternatively, your identifier could look like this.</p>
<pre><code class="language-">let
#"This is my first line of code" = "Hello World!"
in
#"This is my first line of code"</code></pre>
<p>In case your identifier consists of more than one word, you need to use the pound sign and put your identifier into parentheses. That’s exactly the case with our Table.AddIndexColumn function.</p>
<p>Now let’s take a look what’s happening right to the equal sign. One great source is the <a href="https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/1ed840b1-7e20-4419-ad2f-d82054c9b2ab">Power Query M function reference</a>. On this page, go to the Table Functions Section.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1366/1*HjdWPbIJE9UGJh_oty3hAQ.png" width="1366" height="768" loading="lazy" />
<p>Scroll down the Table functions list.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1366/1*NRWHn65BfOMdrPEoml6wBw.png" width="1366" height="768" loading="lazy" />
<p>Click on Table.AddColumn. You will find an explanation how to work with this function, what the components are of which it consists … and an example.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/874/1*_8JB83M4JDAMRbFWYBMowQ.png" width="874" height="522" loading="lazy" />
<p>Look at the code. Notice one thing?</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/872/1*XXSs4MowL54dXjJKjusufw.png" width="872" height="523" loading="lazy" />
<p>It’s the same code twice! Why so? Because we’re all humans, and humans make errors. Here’s just another example of this universal truth :-) Let’s grab the highlighted code above. In your open Excel Workbook, launch a Blank Query and go to the Advanced Editor, just as you did in previous lessons.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1366/1*0MuQHIK4pyygE9rdDtApMw.png" width="1366" height="768" loading="lazy" />
<p>Next, remove both quotation marks right to the Source identifier in the Let expression and dump the code here. Just dump it.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1366/1*Aa2dZTOHxexi7sDXSlMs1Q.png" width="1366" height="768" loading="lazy" />
<p>Hit done and see what happens.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1366/1*1W9TNA511C9caxe0kNzguQ.png" width="1366" height="768" loading="lazy" />
<p>Boom! Your Table.AddColumn function added a column which gets you the Total Price of Price + Shipping for each record. Let’s open the Advanced Editor for a minute again. You see the original records.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1366/1*g0NzDQ6KVEucyBDOpnvIrQ.png" width="1366" height="768" loading="lazy" />
<p>Next, the Table.AddColumn function looks at each records and calculates the Total Price.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1366/1*XrHAa-qmm5X50tSr7AbC6A.png" width="1366" height="768" loading="lazy" />
<p>You might have noticed that I am not a big theory guy. In my course, I provide theory in a homeopathic dosage, as I prefer to learn by playing … just grab code, dump it into your Advanced Editor, see what it does (or what it doesn’t) , manipulate it, see what happens … and then go back to the theory if needed.</p>
<p>On a side note: This is not the best example in the world, as adding calculated columns & writing measures is something you would do with DAX, Microsoft’s Data Analysis Expressions language (I touched upon it briefly in the foreword to this course). M-Language is great for mashing up data from different sources, or if you want to clean up data, which we are going to discuss in the next lesson. We already mashed up data in the previous lesson.</p>
<p>Also, one important thing to know: M-Language has no knowledge whatsoever of indentations. You could, if you wanted, write the entire Let expression in one, ridiculously long line of code. For now, let’s put a space at the end of our Let expression.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1366/1*iGzRp272SShAFng70NcHNQ.png" width="1366" height="768" loading="lazy" />
<p>Likewise, you can place indentations whenever you think they make sense in order to make your code more readable. I invite you to play around with your code, before we move on to the next lesson.</p>
<p>Have fun!</p>
<h3>This is my entire course</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://medium.com/@sprdsheet/foreword-crunching-data-for-absolute-beginners-learn-to-code-with-microsoft-m-language-for-excel-aa82e62ae222">Foreword | Crunching Data for Absolute Beginners: Learn to Code with
Microsoft M-Language for Excel</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medium.com/@sprdsheet/1-lesson-learn-to-code-with-microsoft-m-language-select-your-environment-34718bf7e556">#1 Lesson | Learn to Code with Microsoft M-Language: Select your Environment</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medium.com/@sprdsheet/2-lesson-learn-to-code-with-microsoft-m-language-write-your-first-hello-world-program-2b5b52b3ad5a">#2 Lesson | Learn to Code with Microsoft M-Language: Write your first
“Hello World!” Program</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medium.com/@sprdsheet/3-lesson-learn-to-code-with-microsoft-m-language-working-with-primitive-values-77d893a2f4f2">#3 Lesson | Learn to Code with Microsoft M-Language: Working with
Primitive Values</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medium.com/@sprdsheet/4-lesson-learn-to-code-with-microsoft-m-language-working-with-structured-values-89c8d5969108">#4 Lesson | Learn to Code with Microsoft M-Language: Working with
Structured Values</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medium.com/@sprdsheet/5-lesson-part-1-learn-to-code-with-microsoft-m-language-real-world-project-mashing-up-data-5383fac89508">#5 Lesson — Part 1 | Learn to Code with Microsoft M-Language: Real
World Project — Mashing up Data</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medium.com/@sprdsheet/5-lesson-part-2-learn-to-code-with-microsoft-m-language-real-world-project-mashing-up-data-8e35cfcacb77">#5 Lesson — Part 2 | Learn to Code with Microsoft M-Language: Real
World Project — Mashing up Data</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medium.com/@sprdsheet/6-lesson-part-1-learn-to-code-with-microsoft-m-language-real-world-project-pull-clean-up-7fc7bb8f4f0d">#6 Lesson — Part 1 | Learn to Code with Microsoft M-Language: Real
World Project — Pull & Clean up Data from Meetup.com via API</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medium.com/@sprdsheet/6-lesson-part-2-learn-to-code-with-microsoft-m-language-real-world-project-pull-clean-up-5297cac10a15">#6 Lesson — Part 2 | Learn to Code with Microsoft M-Language: Real
World Project — Pull & Clean up Data from Meetup.com via API</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medium.com/@sprdsheet/6-lesson-part-3-learn-to-code-with-microsoft-m-language-real-world-project-pull-clean-up-a0648c41c52">#6 Lesson — Part 3 | Learn to Code with Microsoft M-Language: Real
World Project — Pull & Clean up Data from Meetup.com via API</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medium.com/@sprdsheet/final-chapter-crunching-data-for-absolute-beginners-learn-to-code-with-microsoft-m-language-for-c439cd95bd4">Final Chapter | Crunching Data for Absolute Beginners: Learn to Code
with Microsoft M-Language for Excel</a></li>
</ul>
</section>
|
#5 Lesson — Part 2 | Learn to Code with Microsoft M-Language: Real World Project — Mashing up Data
We did quite a lot in the Part 1 of this lesson.
First, we converted a list and a record into a table, and then we merged those two newly created tables with another table using a unique index. If you went through each single lesson, you might have made an interesting observation in Lesson 5: We did quite complex stuff (compared to writing “Hello World!” in Lesson 1) without writing a single a single line of code.
You can use M-Langauge without actually writing code
So, why bother learning to code at all? Seriously, that’s a good question. My favourite book on M-Language “M is for (Data) Monkey” by Ken Plus and Miguel Escobar does exactly that: It teaches you to perform pretty complex queries with M-Language without writing too much code (maybe a line here and there).
Like I said in the introduction to my course, M-Language has one tremendously great advantage over other programming languages: You can write code, you can click through the UI … or both. That way, it’s impossible to fail.
Having a fundamental understanding of M-Language is not a prerequisite to actually use it in practice. However, I firmly believe it’s good to be able to look under the hood, read and understand M-Language code. Especially, if you want to get started with programming and later move from a a query language like M-Language to a object oriented programming language such as Python. You might not be able to instantly understand every single line of M-Language code, but mastery will come with practice.
First learn to read, then to write
One thing I learned along the way, when learning to code with M-Language, is that there is a major similarity with aquiring a natural language. Reading comes before writing. Once you master the very basics (as we did in the previous lessions), you will be able to read most of the M-Language code. The more you read, the more comfortable you are going to be at actually writing code — not only in M-Language, but further down the road also in other languages.
Let’s do exactly that.
Let’s read the code that was autogenerated for us.
Open up the SupportData Excel Sheet. Go to the Data Ribbon and select Queries & Connections.
Right click CountryList, select Edit and hit the Advanced Editor on the Home Ribbon. Your code should look like this.
If you need a refresher on the very basics of M-Language, please go back to the previous lessons. Now, let’s take a closer look at the code above.
The first five lines constitute a Let Expression. “An expression is a formula used to construct values.” as you can read in the Microsoft M-Language Specification. Now, let’s go through the code, line by line:
We took a list, which is nothing but a structured value … consisting of primitive text values
We then converted the list into a table, we decided not to use any delimiters and to show extra columns as errors
We then renamed the Table Column name from Column1 to Countries
Finally, we added an Index Column which strarted with 0
This result of this computation was then presented as an output underneath in. Let’s look briefly into the UI which we used to autogenerate the code.
This is our list, which we converted to a table.
We selected the default settings as far as delimiters and error handling goes.
Next, under Query Settings > Properties > Name we changed the default name to a more meaningful one.
Last but not least, we added an Index Column.
We used three different table functions to get the job done.
Table.FromList
Table.RenameColumns
Table.AddIndexColumn
Eeach of them might look a bit odd to you in the beginning. Let’s take a coser look at the third function.
#"Added Index" = Table.AddIndexColumn(#"Renamed Columns", "Index", 0, 1)
First, the identifier left to the equal sign might look a bit off to you. Remember you first “Hello World!” line of code? It looked very much like this.
let
Source = "Hello World!"
in
Source
Alternatively, your identifier could look like this.
let
#"This is my first line of code" = "Hello World!"
in
#"This is my first line of code"
In case your identifier consists of more than one word, you need to use the pound sign and put your identifier into parentheses. That’s exactly the case with our Table.AddIndexColumn function.
Now let’s take a look what’s happening right to the equal sign. One great source is the Power Query M function reference. On this page, go to the Table Functions Section.
Scroll down the Table functions list.
Click on Table.AddColumn. You will find an explanation how to work with this function, what the components are of which it consists … and an example.
Look at the code. Notice one thing?
It’s the same code twice! Why so? Because we’re all humans, and humans make errors. Here’s just another example of this universal truth :-) Let’s grab the highlighted code above. In your open Excel Workbook, launch a Blank Query and go to the Advanced Editor, just as you did in previous lessons.
Next, remove both quotation marks right to the Source identifier in the Let expression and dump the code here. Just dump it.
Hit done and see what happens.
Boom! Your Table.AddColumn function added a column which gets you the Total Price of Price + Shipping for each record. Let’s open the Advanced Editor for a minute again. You see the original records.
Next, the Table.AddColumn function looks at each records and calculates the Total Price.
You might have noticed that I am not a big theory guy. In my course, I provide theory in a homeopathic dosage, as I prefer to learn by playing … just grab code, dump it into your Advanced Editor, see what it does (or what it doesn’t) , manipulate it, see what happens … and then go back to the theory if needed.
On a side note: This is not the best example in the world, as adding calculated columns & writing measures is something you would do with DAX, Microsoft’s Data Analysis Expressions language (I touched upon it briefly in the foreword to this course). M-Language is great for mashing up data from different sources, or if you want to clean up data, which we are going to discuss in the next lesson. We already mashed up data in the previous lesson.
Also, one important thing to know: M-Language has no knowledge whatsoever of indentations. You could, if you wanted, write the entire Let expression in one, ridiculously long line of code. For now, let’s put a space at the end of our Let expression.
Likewise, you can place indentations whenever you think they make sense in order to make your code more readable. I invite you to play around with your code, before we move on to the next lesson.
Have fun!
This is my entire course
Foreword | Crunching Data for Absolute Beginners: Learn to Code with
Microsoft M-Language for Excel
#1 Lesson | Learn to Code with Microsoft M-Language: Select your Environment
#2 Lesson | Learn to Code with Microsoft M-Language: Write your first
“Hello World!” Program
#3 Lesson | Learn to Code with Microsoft M-Language: Working with
Primitive Values
#4 Lesson | Learn to Code with Microsoft M-Language: Working with
Structured Values
#5 Lesson — Part 1 | Learn to Code with Microsoft M-Language: Real
World Project — Mashing up Data
#5 Lesson — Part 2 | Learn to Code with Microsoft M-Language: Real
World Project — Mashing up Data
#6 Lesson — Part 1 | Learn to Code with Microsoft M-Language: Real
World Project — Pull & Clean up Data from Meetup.com via API
#6 Lesson — Part 2 | Learn to Code with Microsoft M-Language: Real
World Project — Pull & Clean up Data from Meetup.com via API
#6 Lesson — Part 3 | Learn to Code with Microsoft M-Language: Real
World Project — Pull & Clean up Data from Meetup.com via API
Final Chapter | Crunching Data for Absolute Beginners: Learn to Code
with Microsoft M-Language for Excel
|
850be28d-836b-5d10-91bb-057ea375b093
|
25/08/2025 15:59:13
|
|
https://medium.com/@koradeganesh/understanding-c-memory-management-a-practical-approach-69a3444f68c9
|
medium.com
|
Understanding C++ Memory Management: A Practical Approach
|
Introduction:
|
Ganesh Korade
|
https://medium.com/@koradeganesh
|
69a3444f68c9
| null |
4 min
|
2025-03-28T11:17:09.616000
|
2025-03-28T12:32:59.021000
|
2025-03-28T15:28:23.673000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Cpp,Memory Management,Technology,Software Development,Programming
|
<section>
<h1>Introduction:</h1>
<p>Memory management is a critical aspect of programming in C++. Unlike higher-level languages like Python or Java, which handle memory automatically through garbage collection, C++ gives developers direct control over memory allocation and deallocation. This <strong>power comes with great responsibility,</strong> as improper memory management can lead to bugs, memory leaks, and crashes. In this article, we’ll explore the fundamentals of memory management in C++, common pitfalls, and best practices to write efficient and safe code.</p>
<h2>Why Memory Management Matters in C++</h2>
<p>C++ is a systems programming language. It is typically used to develop high-performance applications like operating systems, game engines and embedded systems. These types of applications are efficiency-critical when it comes to using memory.</p>
<p>Memory management in C++ has generally been based on explicit memory allocation and deallocation through pointers and dynamic memory allocation operators such as new and delete. Although such a method provides unmatched flexibility, it also brings with it the possibility of memory leaks and other memory-related mistakes. But with the introduction of new C++ features like smart pointers and memory management tools, the risks involved in making software more robust can be minimized while writing code that is not only safer but also more maintainable and concise.</p>
<p>C++ provides developers with the ability to allocate memory space on the stack or heap, each with its own advantages and trade-offs.</p>
<p>- <strong>Stack Memory:</strong> Fast and automatically managed, but limited in size.</p>
<p>- <strong>Heap Memory:</strong> Larger and more flexible, but requires manual management.</p>
<h2>Stack vs. Heap: What’s the Difference?</h2>
<h3>Stack Memory</h3>
<p>The stack is a region of memory that operates in a Last-In-First-Out (LIFO) manner. It is used for storing local variables, function parameters, and return addresses. Stack memory is automatically managed by the compiler, meaning memory is allocated when a function is called and deallocated when the function exits.</p>
<p>Understanding how to use these memory regions effectively is key to writing robust C++ programs.</p>
<pre><code class="language-cpp">void myFunction() {
int x = 10; // 'x' is allocated on the stack
} // 'x' is automatically deallocated when myFunction() exits</code></pre>
<p><strong>Advantages:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Fast allocation and deallocation.</li>
<li>No risk of memory leaks (automatic cleanup).</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Limitations:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Limited size (typically a few MB).</li>
<li>Not suitable for large or dynamically sized data.</li>
</ul>
<h3><strong>Heap Memory</strong></h3>
<p>The heap is a larger pool of memory that can be used for dynamic memory allocation. Unlike the stack, heap memory must be manually managed using `new` and `delete` (or `malloc` and `free` in C-style code).</p>
<pre><code class="language-cpp">int* ptr = new int(42); // Allocate memory on the heap
// Use ptr...
delete ptr; // Deallocate memory to avoid leaks</code></pre>
<p><strong>Advantages:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Flexible and can handle large amounts of data.</li>
<li>Memory persists until explicitly deallocated.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Limitations:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Slower than stack memory.</li>
<li>Requires careful management to avoid leaks, double frees, and dangling pointers.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Common Memory Management Pitfalls</h2>
<h3><strong>1. Memory Leaks</strong></h3>
<p>A memory leak occurs when dynamically allocated memory is not deallocated. Over time, this can consume all available memory, causing the program to crash.</p>
<pre><code class="language-cpp">void leakyFunction() {
int* ptr = new int(100);
// Forgot to call delete ptr;
}</code></pre>
<p><strong>Solution:</strong> Always pair `new` with `delete` or use smart pointers.</p>
<h3>2. Dangling Pointers</h3>
<p>A dangling pointer occurs when a pointer points to memory that has already been deallocated.</p>
<pre><code class="language-cpp">int* ptr = new int(50);
delete ptr;
*ptr = 10; // Undefined behavior: ptr is now a dangling pointer</code></pre>
<p><strong>Solution:</strong> Set pointers to `nullptr` after deletion and avoid using them afterward.</p>
<h3>3. Double Deletion</h3>
<p>Double deletion happens when `delete` is called on the same memory block twice.</p>
<pre><code class="language-cpp">int* ptr = new int(20);
delete ptr;
delete ptr; // Undefined behavior: double deletion</code></pre>
<p><strong>Solution:</strong> Use smart pointers or set pointers to `nullptr` after deletion.</p>
<h3>4. Uninitialized Pointers</h3>
<p>Using uninitialized pointers can lead to undefined behavior.</p>
<pre><code class="language-cpp">int* ptr; // Uninitialized
*ptr = 5; // Undefined behavior</code></pre>
<p><strong>Solution: </strong>Always initialize pointers before use.</p>
<h2>Best Practices for Memory Management in C++</h2>
<h3>1. Use Smart Pointers</h3>
<p>Smart pointers (<strong>std::unique_ptr, std::shared_ptr, and std::weak_ptr</strong>) automatically manage memory and help prevent leaks and dangling pointers.</p>
<p><strong>A. std::unique_ptr (Exclusive Ownership)</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Ensures only one owner exists.</li>
<li>Memory is freed when the pointer goes out of scope.</li>
<li>Non-copyable but movable.</li>
<pre><code class="language-cpp">#include <memory>
std::unique_ptr<int> uptr = std::make_unique<int>(42);
// Automatically deleted when uptr goes out of scope</code></pre>
</ul>
<p><strong>B. std::shared_ptr (Shared Ownership)</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Multiple pointers can own the same object.</li>
<li>Uses reference counting to track ownership.</li>
<li>Memory is freed when the last `shared_ptr` is destroyed.</li>
<pre><code class="language-cpp">std::shared_ptr<int> sptr1 = std::make_shared<int>(42);
std::shared_ptr<int> sptr2 = sptr1; // Reference count = 2</code></pre>
</ul>
<p><strong>C. std::weak_ptr (Avoiding Circular References)</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Used alongside `shared_ptr` to break circular dependencies.</li>
<li>Does not increase the reference count.</li>
<pre><code class="language-cpp">#include <iostream>
#include <memory>
int main() {
// Create a shared_ptr
std::shared_ptr<int> sptr = std::make_shared<int>(42);
// Create a weak_ptr from shared_ptr
std::weak_ptr<int> wptr = sptr;
// Lock the weak_ptr to obtain a shared_ptr
if (std::shared_ptr<int> temp = wptr.lock()) {
*temp = 100; // Modify the value
std::cout << "Value after modification: " << *temp << std::endl;
} else {
std::cout << "Resource no longer available!" << std::endl;
}
return 0;
}</code></pre>
</ul>
<h3>2. Follow the RAII Principle</h3>
<p>RAII (Resource Acquisition Is Initialization) is a C++ idiom that ties resource management to object lifetime. By encapsulating resources (like memory) within objects, you ensure they are properly cleaned up when the object goes out of scope.</p>
<pre><code class="language-cpp">class Resource {
public:
Resource() { ptr = new int(100); }
~Resource() { delete ptr; }
private:
int* ptr;
};</code></pre>
<h3>3. Prefer Stack Allocation</h3>
<p>Whenever possible, use stack allocation instead of heap allocation. It’s faster, safer, and easier to manage.</p>
<pre><code class="language-csharp">void stackExample() {
int x = 10; // Stack allocation
// No need to worry about deallocation
}</code></pre>
<h3>4. Avoid Raw Pointers</h3>
<p>Raw pointers require manual memory management, which is error-prone. Use smart pointers or containers like `std::vector` and `std::string` instead.</p>
<h3>5. Use Containers from the Standard Library</h3>
<p>The C++ Standard Library provides containers like `std::vector`, `std::string`, and `std::map` that handle memory management internally.</p>
<pre><code class="language-cpp">#include <vector>
void vectorExample() {
std::vector<int> vec = {1, 2, 3};
// No need to worry about memory management
}</code></pre>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Memory management is a fundamental skill for C++ developers. By understanding the differences between stack and heap memory, avoiding common pitfalls, and following best practices like using smart pointers and RAII, you can write efficient, safe, and maintainable code. Remember, with <strong>great power comes great responsibility </strong>use your control over memory wisely!</p>
<h3>References:</h3>
<p><em><a href="https://docs.micro</em>soft.com/en-us/cpp/cpp/">Microsoft C++ Documentation</a></p>
<p><em><a href="http</em>s://en.cppreference.com/w/">C++ Reference</a></p>
<p><em><a href</em>="https://isocpp.org/">ISO C++</a></p>
</section>
|
Understanding C++ Memory Management: A Practical Approach
Introduction:
Memory management is a critical aspect of programming in C++. Unlike higher-level languages like Python or Java, which handle memory automatically through garbage collection, C++ gives developers direct control over memory allocation and deallocation. This power comes with great responsibility, as improper memory management can lead to bugs, memory leaks, and crashes. In this article, we’ll explore the fundamentals of memory management in C++, common pitfalls, and best practices to write efficient and safe code.
Why Memory Management Matters in C++
C++ is a systems programming language. It is typically used to develop high-performance applications like operating systems, game engines and embedded systems. These types of applications are efficiency-critical when it comes to using memory.
Memory management in C++ has generally been based on explicit memory allocation and deallocation through pointers and dynamic memory allocation operators such as new and delete. Although such a method provides unmatched flexibility, it also brings with it the possibility of memory leaks and other memory-related mistakes. But with the introduction of new C++ features like smart pointers and memory management tools, the risks involved in making software more robust can be minimized while writing code that is not only safer but also more maintainable and concise.
C++ provides developers with the ability to allocate memory space on the stack or heap, each with its own advantages and trade-offs.
- Stack Memory: Fast and automatically managed, but limited in size.
- Heap Memory: Larger and more flexible, but requires manual management.
Stack vs. Heap: What’s the Difference?
Stack Memory
The stack is a region of memory that operates in a Last-In-First-Out (LIFO) manner. It is used for storing local variables, function parameters, and return addresses. Stack memory is automatically managed by the compiler, meaning memory is allocated when a function is called and deallocated when the function exits.
Understanding how to use these memory regions effectively is key to writing robust C++ programs.
void myFunction() {
int x = 10; // 'x' is allocated on the stack
} // 'x' is automatically deallocated when myFunction() exits
Advantages:
Fast allocation and deallocation.
No risk of memory leaks (automatic cleanup).
Limitations:
Limited size (typically a few MB).
Not suitable for large or dynamically sized data.
Heap Memory
The heap is a larger pool of memory that can be used for dynamic memory allocation. Unlike the stack, heap memory must be manually managed using `new` and `delete` (or `malloc` and `free` in C-style code).
int* ptr = new int(42); // Allocate memory on the heap
// Use ptr...
delete ptr; // Deallocate memory to avoid leaks
Advantages:
Flexible and can handle large amounts of data.
Memory persists until explicitly deallocated.
Limitations:
Slower than stack memory.
Requires careful management to avoid leaks, double frees, and dangling pointers.
Common Memory Management Pitfalls
1. Memory Leaks
A memory leak occurs when dynamically allocated memory is not deallocated. Over time, this can consume all available memory, causing the program to crash.
void leakyFunction() {
int* ptr = new int(100);
// Forgot to call delete ptr;
}
Solution: Always pair `new` with `delete` or use smart pointers.
2. Dangling Pointers
A dangling pointer occurs when a pointer points to memory that has already been deallocated.
int* ptr = new int(50);
delete ptr;
*ptr = 10; // Undefined behavior: ptr is now a dangling pointer
Solution: Set pointers to `nullptr` after deletion and avoid using them afterward.
3. Double Deletion
Double deletion happens when `delete` is called on the same memory block twice.
int* ptr = new int(20);
delete ptr;
delete ptr; // Undefined behavior: double deletion
Solution: Use smart pointers or set pointers to `nullptr` after deletion.
4. Uninitialized Pointers
Using uninitialized pointers can lead to undefined behavior.
int* ptr; // Uninitialized
*ptr = 5; // Undefined behavior
Solution: Always initialize pointers before use.
Best Practices for Memory Management in C++
1. Use Smart Pointers
Smart pointers (std::unique_ptr, std::shared_ptr, and std::weak_ptr) automatically manage memory and help prevent leaks and dangling pointers.
A. std::unique_ptr (Exclusive Ownership)
Ensures only one owner exists.
Memory is freed when the pointer goes out of scope.
Non-copyable but movable.
#include <memory>
std::unique_ptr<int> uptr = std::make_unique<int>(42);
// Automatically deleted when uptr goes out of scope
B. std::shared_ptr (Shared Ownership)
Multiple pointers can own the same object.
Uses reference counting to track ownership.
Memory is freed when the last `shared_ptr` is destroyed.
std::shared_ptr<int> sptr1 = std::make_shared<int>(42);
std::shared_ptr<int> sptr2 = sptr1; // Reference count = 2
C. std::weak_ptr (Avoiding Circular References)
Used alongside `shared_ptr` to break circular dependencies.
Does not increase the reference count.
#include <iostream>
#include <memory>
int main() {
// Create a shared_ptr
std::shared_ptr<int> sptr = std::make_shared<int>(42);
// Create a weak_ptr from shared_ptr
std::weak_ptr<int> wptr = sptr;
// Lock the weak_ptr to obtain a shared_ptr
if (std::shared_ptr<int> temp = wptr.lock()) {
*temp = 100; // Modify the value
std::cout << "Value after modification: " << *temp << std::endl;
} else {
std::cout << "Resource no longer available!" << std::endl;
}
return 0;
}
2. Follow the RAII Principle
RAII (Resource Acquisition Is Initialization) is a C++ idiom that ties resource management to object lifetime. By encapsulating resources (like memory) within objects, you ensure they are properly cleaned up when the object goes out of scope.
class Resource {
public:
Resource() { ptr = new int(100); }
~Resource() { delete ptr; }
private:
int* ptr;
};
3. Prefer Stack Allocation
Whenever possible, use stack allocation instead of heap allocation. It’s faster, safer, and easier to manage.
void stackExample() {
int x = 10; // Stack allocation
// No need to worry about deallocation
}
4. Avoid Raw Pointers
Raw pointers require manual memory management, which is error-prone. Use smart pointers or containers like `std::vector` and `std::string` instead.
5. Use Containers from the Standard Library
The C++ Standard Library provides containers like `std::vector`, `std::string`, and `std::map` that handle memory management internally.
#include <vector>
void vectorExample() {
std::vector<int> vec = {1, 2, 3};
// No need to worry about memory management
}
Conclusion
Memory management is a fundamental skill for C++ developers. By understanding the differences between stack and heap memory, avoiding common pitfalls, and following best practices like using smart pointers and RAII, you can write efficient, safe, and maintainable code. Remember, with great power comes great responsibility use your control over memory wisely!
References:
Microsoft C++ Documentation
C++ Reference
ISO C++
|
25d12245-f90f-52d9-adf7-70ee4959c2eb
|
25/08/2025 15:59:13
|
https://medium.com/jobonics/why-outsourcing-your-recruitment-may-be-a-bad-idea-1f8523c511c
|
medium.com
|
Why outsourcing your recruitment may be a bad idea
|
Recruitment is hard, time-consuming & costly. At least that’s what the recruiting agencies will tell you during their pitch. And maybe it…
|
Stella Ngugi
|
https://medium.com/@stellangugi
|
1f8523c511c
|
5 min
|
2018-11-29T05:57:02.832000
|
2019-01-31T10:19:44.219000
|
2024-12-04T13:32:47.119000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Recruiting,Hiring,HR,Talent Acquisition,Employer Branding
|
<section>
<p>Recruitment is often described as hard, time-consuming, and costly — at least that’s what recruitment agencies will tell you in their sales pitch. And perhaps they’re right. For example, in the UK, replacing a staff member can cost over £30,000 and take nearly 30 days. In large companies like Amazon and Google, it’s not uncommon to receive over 50,000 CVs per week! With such demands, recruitment agencies often use the tagline: <em>“We handle your recruitment so you can focus on your core business functions.”</em></p>
<p>But is outsourcing really the best approach? What could be more important than choosing the people who will drive your company’s success? After all, we know that a company is only as good as its people. This is a sentiment echoed by many business leaders and career sites, and it’s backed by the success of companies whose leaders not only talk about the importance of hiring but act on it. Think of Steve Jobs (Apple), Bill Gates (Microsoft), or Marc Benioff (Salesforce).</p>
<p>Joe Kraus : “The cost of hiring someone bad is so much greater than missing out on someone good.”</p>
<p>Marc Bennioff, CEO Salesforce: “Acquiring the right talent is the most important key to growth. Hiring was-and still is- the most important thing we do.”</p>
<p>Lawrence Bossidy, Former COO General Electric: “Nothing we do is more important than hiring. At the end of the day, you bet on people, not strategies.”</p>
<p>Bill Gates, Microsoft: “The key for us, number one, has always been hiring smart people.”</p>
<p>V Khosla- A company becomes the people it hires and not the plan it makes.</p>
<p>The talent team has the hardest and most important job in the company.-Anon</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max//1*1gDUHz2Lb0Vi6h-8ahVdyg.png" width="" height="" loading="lazy" />
<p>So why shouldn’t you outsource your hiring process?</p>
<h3>1. It’s Your #1 Priority</h3>
<p>Steve Jobs enforced strict hiring principles at Apple, and the results speak for themselves. He knew exactly what kind of people he wanted: not just anyone, but individuals who shared his vision of creating beautiful, functional products. Jobs was relentless about maintaining high standards in recruitment, and this commitment played a crucial role in Apple’s success. By being hands-on with hiring, you ensure that your team is aligned with your company’s values and vision. More on that in my follow up article <a href="https://medium.com/jobonics/the-7-must-haves-to-building-a-solid-company-culture-that-outlasts-you-lessons-from-steve-jobs-5c9f3f6cef4b">here</a>.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/640/0*uz8MKOGipd9y-1kE.jpg" width="640" height="274" loading="lazy" />
<h3>2. The more you control, the more you can improve</h3>
<p>When you oversee the entire recruitment process, from <a href="https://medium.com/jobonics/is-your-job-ad-the-weakest-link-in-your-hiring-process-42dbc9bc2126">the ad</a> to the <a href="https://medium.com/jobonics/time-to-brush-up-on-your-interview-etiquette-recruiters-guide-part-2-75fa31eecec3">interview experience</a> to the offer, overseeing the entire process is advisable. Monitoring this will also show you where candidates are dropping off in the process or are most dissatisfied and with these insights, you can learn how to improve the process. If the agency is messing up on a stage, it’s unlikely you will find this out unless someone outs them out. you gain valuable insights into where candidates drop off or express dissatisfaction. These insights allow you to continuously refine your approach. If you outsource the process, you may never know if an agency is making mistakes unless they’re pointed out. By taking control, you can ensure that your hiring process is as efficient and effective as possible.</p>
<p>For more on how to improve your hiring process, check out our previous post on key hiring metrics and how to build a high-performing hiring team <a href="https://medium.com/jobonics/transform-your-hiring-team-into-a-high-performance-team-by-adopting-a-service-level-agreement-32d2ee8bd9be">here</a>.</p>
<h3>3. No One Can Sell Your Company Better Than You</h3>
<p>Employer branding is crucial in today’s competitive job market. Millennials and Gen Z are particularly selective, and they <a href="https://medium.com/jobonics/how-your-employees-can-help-you-reach-your-employer-branding-goals-recruiting-marketing-series-1-59606c021965">expect companies to actively convince them to join</a>. Your recruitment message must be authentic — candidates can easily detect inauthenticity. No one knows your company culture better than you, and only you can communicate its values and vision in a way that resonates with potential hires. An external agency, juggling multiple clients, is <a href="https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/talent-acquisition/pages/how-external-recruiters-reflect-your-employer-brand.aspx">unlikely to provide the personalized experience that sets your company apart</a>.</p>
<p>By managing recruitment in-house, you control the narrative and ensure that your employer brand shines through in every interaction.</p>
<h3>4. It Improves Candidate Satisfaction</h3>
<p>Many <a href="https://medium.com/jobonics/reviews-a-gamechanger-for-hiring-8376ee46a9c2">candidates share negative hiring experiences online</a>, and some <a href="https://medium.com/jobonics/interview-etiquette-prospecting-employers-must-mind-their-manners-too-407524346c3c">may even decide never to apply again</a>. A poor candidate experience can harm your reputation and make it harder to attract top talent in the future. Monitoring your hiring process and measuring candidate satisfaction is essential. By taking direct control, you can offer a more personalized, engaging experience that leaves candidates feeling valued.</p>
<p><a href="https://medium.com/jobonics/hr-meets-marketing-part-10-key-hiring-metrics-in-the-age-of-digital-marketing-bba52125a459">Consider using metrics like Net Promoter Score</a> (NPS) to gauge candidate satisfaction and continually improve your hiring process. Candidates want a human touch, and outsourcing to agencies or relying on automated systems creates barriers between you and your future star employee.</p>
<h3>5. <strong>If Hiring Feels Like Boring Admin, You’re Doing It Wrong</strong></h3>
<p>In his book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Linchpin-Are-Indispensable-Seth-Godin/dp/1591844096">Linchpin, Seth Godin</a> describes in great detail the tragedy that is a job. In the quest for profit, companies & factories chose over 200 years ago the industrial model that Adam Smith tells in <em>Wealth of Nations, </em>makes it clear that the way for businesses to win is to break the production of goods into tiny tasks, tasks that can be undertaken by low-paid people following simple instructions. A culture then was established in the workplace called Faustian bargain, in which <em>we trade our genius and artistry for apparent stability.</em> He further goes on to show how most white-collar jobs in today’s economy are still designed to be like factory work in the 1900s.</p>
<p><em>“It’s factory work because it’s planned, controlled, and measured.”-Linchpin</em></p>
<p>If you’re outsourcing your hiring because it feels like boring administrative work, you might be missing the point. Recruitment isn’t just about filling positions; it’s about identifying and attracting talent that will drive your company forward.</p>
<p>Talent acquisition (TA) is <a href="https://medium.com/jobonics/how-to-hire-technical-talent-the-right-way-part-2-longterm-talent-strategies-9df43fc75633">a long-term, strategic process that goes beyond basic recruitment</a>. It’s creative, impactful, and integral to your company’s success. Instead of viewing hiring as a series of administrative tasks, consider it an opportunity to shape your company’s future. Streamline the process by using tools like bots for scheduling or automating onboarding, but don’t outsource the critical parts — like candidate engagement and decision-making — that require a human touch. As we mentioned <a href="https://medium.com/jobonics/the-4bs-for-the-workplace-of-the-future-89b15aad7abd">here</a>, TA is about reconfiguring your hiring teams’ mindset, skillset & toolset to make your company top of mind for candidates & the community while achieving tangible business value and ensuring you’re maximizing your teams’ efforts, time & budget.</p>
<p>By rethinking your recruitment strategy and using a mix of tools and techniques, you can <a href="https://medium.com/jobonics/the-4bs-for-the-workplace-of-the-future-89b15aad7abd">build a hiring process that aligns with your company’s values, needs, and goals.</a></p>
<p>Yes, hiring can be expensive and time-consuming, but it is also one of the most important responsibilities of any business leader. It’s a process that requires attention, dedication, and strategy. Outsourcing recruitment may seem like an easy fix, but it risks diluting the quality and authenticity of your hiring efforts. If you want to build a strong, sustainable business, recruitment cannot be neglected or outsourced.</p>
<p>The results will speak for themselves.</p>
<p>All the best.</p>
<p>Still looking for more? Check out <a href="https://medium.com/jobonics/is-your-job-ad-the-weakest-link-in-your-hiring-process-part-3-cffd57aca588">https://medium.com/jobonics/is-your-job-ad-the-weakest-link-in-your-hiring-process-part-3-cffd57aca588</a></p>
</section>
|
Why outsourcing your recruitment is a bad idea
Recruitment is often described as hard, time-consuming, and costly — at least that’s what recruitment agencies will tell you in their sales pitch. And perhaps they’re right. For example, in the UK, replacing a staff member can cost over £30,000 and take nearly 30 days. In large companies like Amazon and Google, it’s not uncommon to receive over 50,000 CVs per week! With such demands, recruitment agencies often use the tagline: “We handle your recruitment so you can focus on your core business functions.”
But is outsourcing really the best approach? What could be more important than choosing the people who will drive your company’s success? After all, we know that a company is only as good as its people. This is a sentiment echoed by many business leaders and career sites, and it’s backed by the success of companies whose leaders not only talk about the importance of hiring but act on it. Think of Steve Jobs (Apple), Bill Gates (Microsoft), or Marc Benioff (Salesforce).
Joe Kraus : “The cost of hiring someone bad is so much greater than missing out on someone good.”
Marc Bennioff, CEO Salesforce: “Acquiring the right talent is the most important key to growth. Hiring was-and still is- the most important thing we do.”
Lawrence Bossidy, Former COO General Electric: “Nothing we do is more important than hiring. At the end of the day, you bet on people, not strategies.”
Bill Gates, Microsoft: “The key for us, number one, has always been hiring smart people.”
V Khosla- A company becomes the people it hires and not the plan it makes.
The talent team has the hardest and most important job in the company.-Anon
So why shouldn’t you outsource your hiring process?
1. It’s Your #1 Priority
Steve Jobs enforced strict hiring principles at Apple, and the results speak for themselves. He knew exactly what kind of people he wanted: not just anyone, but individuals who shared his vision of creating beautiful, functional products. Jobs was relentless about maintaining high standards in recruitment, and this commitment played a crucial role in Apple’s success. By being hands-on with hiring, you ensure that your team is aligned with your company’s values and vision. More on that in my follow up article here.
2. The more you control, the more you can improve
When you oversee the entire recruitment process, from the ad to the interview experience to the offer, overseeing the entire process is advisable. Monitoring this will also show you where candidates are dropping off in the process or are most dissatisfied and with these insights, you can learn how to improve the process. If the agency is messing up on a stage, it’s unlikely you will find this out unless someone outs them out. you gain valuable insights into where candidates drop off or express dissatisfaction. These insights allow you to continuously refine your approach. If you outsource the process, you may never know if an agency is making mistakes unless they’re pointed out. By taking control, you can ensure that your hiring process is as efficient and effective as possible.
For more on how to improve your hiring process, check out our previous post on key hiring metrics and how to build a high-performing hiring team here.
3. No One Can Sell Your Company Better Than You
Employer branding is crucial in today’s competitive job market. Millennials and Gen Z are particularly selective, and they expect companies to actively convince them to join. Your recruitment message must be authentic — candidates can easily detect inauthenticity. No one knows your company culture better than you, and only you can communicate its values and vision in a way that resonates with potential hires. An external agency, juggling multiple clients, is unlikely to provide the personalized experience that sets your company apart.
By managing recruitment in-house, you control the narrative and ensure that your employer brand shines through in every interaction.
4. It Improves Candidate Satisfaction
Many candidates share negative hiring experiences online, and some may even decide never to apply again. A poor candidate experience can harm your reputation and make it harder to attract top talent in the future. Monitoring your hiring process and measuring candidate satisfaction is essential. By taking direct control, you can offer a more personalized, engaging experience that leaves candidates feeling valued.
Consider using metrics like Net Promoter Score (NPS) to gauge candidate satisfaction and continually improve your hiring process. Candidates want a human touch, and outsourcing to agencies or relying on automated systems creates barriers between you and your future star employee.
5. If Hiring Feels Like Boring Admin, You’re Doing It Wrong
In his book Linchpin, Seth Godin describes in great detail the tragedy that is a job. In the quest for profit, companies & factories chose over 200 years ago the industrial model that Adam Smith tells in Wealth of Nations, makes it clear that the way for businesses to win is to break the production of goods into tiny tasks, tasks that can be undertaken by low-paid people following simple instructions. A culture then was established in the workplace called Faustian bargain, in which we trade our genius and artistry for apparent stability. He further goes on to show how most white-collar jobs in today’s economy are still designed to be like factory work in the 1900s.
“It’s factory work because it’s planned, controlled, and measured.”-Linchpin
If you’re outsourcing your hiring because it feels like boring administrative work, you might be missing the point. Recruitment isn’t just about filling positions; it’s about identifying and attracting talent that will drive your company forward.
Talent acquisition (TA) is a long-term, strategic process that goes beyond basic recruitment. It’s creative, impactful, and integral to your company’s success. Instead of viewing hiring as a series of administrative tasks, consider it an opportunity to shape your company’s future. Streamline the process by using tools like bots for scheduling or automating onboarding, but don’t outsource the critical parts — like candidate engagement and decision-making — that require a human touch. As we mentioned here, TA is about reconfiguring your hiring teams’ mindset, skillset & toolset to make your company top of mind for candidates & the community while achieving tangible business value and ensuring you’re maximizing your teams’ efforts, time & budget.
By rethinking your recruitment strategy and using a mix of tools and techniques, you can build a hiring process that aligns with your company’s values, needs, and goals.
Yes, hiring can be expensive and time-consuming, but it is also one of the most important responsibilities of any business leader. It’s a process that requires attention, dedication, and strategy. Outsourcing recruitment may seem like an easy fix, but it risks diluting the quality and authenticity of your hiring efforts. If you want to build a strong, sustainable business, recruitment cannot be neglected or outsourced.
The results will speak for themselves.
All the best.
Still looking for more? Check out https://medium.com/jobonics/is-your-job-ad-the-weakest-link-in-your-hiring-process-part-3-cffd57aca588
|
5b52f970-9c74-5ebd-93ed-3a2601332222
|
25/08/2025 15:59:14
|
|
https://medium.com/@saraisrael/from-chaos-to-calm-how-routines-and-reward-charts-can-transform-your-childs-day-and-night-9150593a2c22
|
medium.com
|
Dear Parents, Get Your Nights Back.
|
Are you tired of the constant struggle with your kids to get them into bed on time?
|
Sara Israel
|
https://medium.com/@saraisrael
|
9150593a2c22
|
4 min
|
2023-03-14T10:41:10.035000
|
2023-03-14T11:46:08.999000
|
2023-06-05T18:39:57.441000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Parenting Tips,Parenting Toddlers,Incentives,Rewards Programs,Childrens Books
|
<section>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/970/1*IHd1JZVWOpLoS86VbYt-DA.jpeg" width="970" height="600" loading="lazy" />
<p>Are you tired of the constant struggle with your kids to get them into bed on time?</p>
<p>Do you have difficulty getting your kids ready in the morning and are always running late for school or work?</p>
<p>Establishing a healthy nighttime and morning routine can instill good habits in our children at a young age. Plus, by incorporating a reward system, you can even make these routines enjoyable for your kids. So, let’s discuss the importance of routines, how to implement them, and how rewarding your kids can help them with that little bit of motivation that they may need to do their best.</p>
<p><strong>The Importance of Nighttime Routines:</strong></p>
<p>· <em>Promotes better sleep:</em> A timely and consistent bedtime routine helps your child know when it’s time to start winding down and getting ready for bed. This will help with a calmer transition into bed and a more relaxed way to fall asleep.</p>
<p>· <em>Reduces anxiety:</em> Some children have a hard time transitioning from one activity to another without proper and extended warning. Knowing what to expect at bedtime can help reduce anxiety and transition easier to make your child feel more secure.</p>
<p>· <em>Encourages reading and bonding:</em> Incorporating reading into your child’s bedtime routine can help put them in a calm state of mind and add extra bonding time with you and your child before bed.</p>
<p><em><a href="https://mybook.to/Itsbedtimenowwhat">(Click here for a great bedtime story that I have written for my own little ones to help them learn a healthy nighttime </em>routine and feel more relaxed going into bed!)</a></p>
<p><strong>The Importance of Morning Routines:</strong></p>
<p>· <em>Sets the tone for the day:</em> A scheduled morning routine can help your child feel more organized, and can lead to a more productive day.</p>
<p>· <em>Teaches time management:</em> By giving your child a set schedule to follow in the morning, they can learn to more effectively manage their time. (They may even find that they have time for breakfast!)</p>
<p>· E<em>ncourages independence:</em> Just like with nighttime routines, morning routines can help your child learn to do things on their own, such as getting dressed and packing their own backpacks and lunches (which makes life a lot easier for us parents as well!).</p>
<p><strong>The Benefits of a Reward System:</strong></p>
<p>· <em>Motivates children:</em> We all need a little extra motivation to get things done (even grown-ups). What better way than being rewarded with a prize for a job well done?</p>
<p>· <em>Provides confidence building and positive reinforcement:</em> By rewarding efforts and showing how proud you are, you, as a parent, can help build their confidence.</p>
<p>· <em>Provides a sense of accomplishment:</em> Nothing feels better than working hard for something and accomplishing a goal. By earning rewards, your child will feel gratification and pride in their progress.</p>
<p><em><a href="https://mybook.to/Rewardchartjournal">(Click here to check out the “Weekly Reward Chart Journal“ that I have created that helps tre</em>mendously with morning and nighttime routines!)</a></p>
<p><strong>If you are looking for ways to start guiding your kids in a positive direction, here are some tools that I have created and written to help make these routines fun and exciting for kids:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><em>It’s bedtime, Now What?</em>: This charming bedtime story follows a little bear as he takes you through his nighttime routine, from dinner to bath to goodnight kisses. With adorable illustrations and entertaining rhymes, this book is sure to become a favorite part of your child’s bedtime routine. Perfect for ages 1–3. <em><a href="https://mybook.to/</em>Itsbedtimenowwhat">Click here to check it out.</a></li>
</ul>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/650/1*5Ha4h6EO6YMAS7ng53SKTA.jpeg" width="650" height="400" loading="lazy" />
<ul>
<li><em>Weekly Reward Chart Journal for Morning and Nighttime Routine</em>: This journal is perfect for parents who are looking for a fun and rewarding system for their kids to follow. With charts for both morning and nighttime routines (as well as additional customizable charts), your child can earn weekly checks and rewards for completing tasks like brushing their teeth, getting dressed, and getting into bed nicely. This journal allows your children to track their progress and feel proud of their accomplishments. Great for ages 3 and up. <em><a href="https://mybook.to/</em>Rewardchartjournal">Click here to check it out.</a></li>
</ul>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/650/1*2Qv9xViJJZKgib92L7fhdA.jpeg" width="650" height="400" loading="lazy" />
<p><strong>Conclusion:</strong></p>
<p>Establishing nighttime and morning routines for your kids is extremely important for their overall success. By adding a reward system, you can make these routines exciting and enjoyable as well. Just don’t forget to keep it fun and light-hearted; a positive attitude goes a long way.</p>
<p>*You can check out the rest of my books and journals as well as my journey to create them on <a href="https://www.inkandadream.com/">inkandadream.com</a></p>
<p><em>Disclaimer: The books being endorsed in this article are written by the writer of this article. While the writer has made every effort to provide accurate and honest assessments of their books, readers should approach their recommendations with critical thinking and make their own evaluations based on their individual preferences and needs.</em></p>
</section>
|
Dear Parents, Get Your Nights Back.
Are you tired of the constant struggle with your kids to get them into bed on time?
Do you have difficulty getting your kids ready in the morning and are always running late for school or work?
Establishing a healthy nighttime and morning routine can instill good habits in our children at a young age. Plus, by incorporating a reward system, you can even make these routines enjoyable for your kids. So, let’s discuss the importance of routines, how to implement them, and how rewarding your kids can help them with that little bit of motivation that they may need to do their best.
The Importance of Nighttime Routines:
· Promotes better sleep: A timely and consistent bedtime routine helps your child know when it’s time to start winding down and getting ready for bed. This will help with a calmer transition into bed and a more relaxed way to fall asleep.
· Reduces anxiety: Some children have a hard time transitioning from one activity to another without proper and extended warning. Knowing what to expect at bedtime can help reduce anxiety and transition easier to make your child feel more secure.
· Encourages reading and bonding: Incorporating reading into your child’s bedtime routine can help put them in a calm state of mind and add extra bonding time with you and your child before bed.
(Click here for a great bedtime story that I have written for my own little ones to help them learn a healthy nighttime routine and feel more relaxed going into bed!)
The Importance of Morning Routines:
· Sets the tone for the day: A scheduled morning routine can help your child feel more organized, and can lead to a more productive day.
· Teaches time management: By giving your child a set schedule to follow in the morning, they can learn to more effectively manage their time. (They may even find that they have time for breakfast!)
· Encourages independence: Just like with nighttime routines, morning routines can help your child learn to do things on their own, such as getting dressed and packing their own backpacks and lunches (which makes life a lot easier for us parents as well!).
The Benefits of a Reward System:
· Motivates children: We all need a little extra motivation to get things done (even grown-ups). What better way than being rewarded with a prize for a job well done?
· Provides confidence building and positive reinforcement: By rewarding efforts and showing how proud you are, you, as a parent, can help build their confidence.
· Provides a sense of accomplishment: Nothing feels better than working hard for something and accomplishing a goal. By earning rewards, your child will feel gratification and pride in their progress.
(Click here to check out the “Weekly Reward Chart Journal“ that I have created that helps tremendously with morning and nighttime routines!)
If you are looking for ways to start guiding your kids in a positive direction, here are some tools that I have created and written to help make these routines fun and exciting for kids:
It’s bedtime, Now What?: This charming bedtime story follows a little bear as he takes you through his nighttime routine, from dinner to bath to goodnight kisses. With adorable illustrations and entertaining rhymes, this book is sure to become a favorite part of your child’s bedtime routine. Perfect for ages 1–3. Click here to check it out.
Weekly Reward Chart Journal for Morning and Nighttime Routine: This journal is perfect for parents who are looking for a fun and rewarding system for their kids to follow. With charts for both morning and nighttime routines (as well as additional customizable charts), your child can earn weekly checks and rewards for completing tasks like brushing their teeth, getting dressed, and getting into bed nicely. This journal allows your children to track their progress and feel proud of their accomplishments. Great for ages 3 and up. Click here to check it out.
Conclusion:
Establishing nighttime and morning routines for your kids is extremely important for their overall success. By adding a reward system, you can make these routines exciting and enjoyable as well. Just don’t forget to keep it fun and light-hearted; a positive attitude goes a long way.
*You can check out the rest of my books and journals as well as my journey to create them on inkandadream.com
Disclaimer: The books being endorsed in this article are written by the writer of this article. While the writer has made every effort to provide accurate and honest assessments of their books, readers should approach their recommendations with critical thinking and make their own evaluations based on their individual preferences and needs.
|
8132d4f4-88cd-5c9a-8d39-1e874bc9cfb9
|
25/08/2025 15:59:14
|
|
https://medium.com/@wenxli18/how-to-configure-a-windows-firewall-9b3fb23553f8
|
medium.com
|
How to Configure a Windows Firewall
|
In my previous blog, I talked about firewall and its importance. so now, I am going to tell you how to configure a firewall.
|
Wen Xuan Li
|
https://medium.com/@wenxli18
|
9b3fb23553f8
|
1 min
|
2017-10-02T01:06:03.639000
|
2017-10-02T03:09:41.684000
|
2017-10-02T03:11:56.637000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Firewall
|
<section>
<h1>How to Configure a Windows Firewall</h1>
<p>In my previous blog, I talked about firewall and its importance. so now, I am going to tell you how to configure a firewall.</p>
<h2>How to enable the Windows firewall</h2>
<p>Open the <strong>Control Panel</strong></p>
<p>Click on <strong>System and Security</strong></p>
<p>Click on <strong>Windows Firewall</strong></p>
<p>If the Windows Firewall is disabled, the Windows Firewall state will be Off. To turn it on, in the left navigation pane, click on <strong>Turn Windows Firewall on</strong> <strong>or off</strong></p>
<p>In the Customize Settings window, select <strong>Turn on Windows Firewall</strong> and click OK</p>
<h2>How to add rules to accept/deny traffic</h2>
<p>Open the <strong>Control Panel</strong></p>
<p>Click on <strong>System and Security</strong></p>
<p>Click on <strong>Windows Firewall</strong></p>
<p>Select <strong>Advanced settings</strong> in the left column</p>
<p>Select <strong>Inbound Rules</strong> in the left column</p>
<p>Select <strong>New Rule</strong> in the right column</p>
<p>Set up your rule</p>
<p>Name your rule</p>
<p>If you want to add rules to outbound traffic, select <strong>Outbound Rules </strong>instead of Inbound Rules in step 5.</p>
<h2>Basic configuration rule to start with</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>Block by default</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>— Block all the traffic by default and only those traffic that you trust are allowed. This will help you to control the traffic and reduces the risk of your server.</p>
</section>
|
How to Configure a Windows Firewall
In my previous blog, I talked about firewall and its importance. so now, I am going to tell you how to configure a firewall.
How to enable the Windows firewall
Open the Control Panel
Click on System and Security
Click on Windows Firewall
If the Windows Firewall is disabled, the Windows Firewall state will be Off. To turn it on, in the left navigation pane, click on Turn Windows Firewall on or off
In the Customize Settings window, select Turn on Windows Firewall and click OK
How to add rules to accept/deny traffic
Open the Control Panel
Click on System and Security
Click on Windows Firewall
Select Advanced settings in the left column
Select Inbound Rules in the left column
Select New Rule in the right column
Set up your rule
Name your rule
If you want to add rules to outbound traffic, select Outbound Rules instead of Inbound Rules in step 5.
Basic configuration rule to start with
Block by default
— Block all the traffic by default and only those traffic that you trust are allowed. This will help you to control the traffic and reduces the risk of your server.
|
0936475a-9509-51a9-805b-70586ecf310e
|
25/08/2025 15:59:15
|
|
https://medium.com/better-marketing/7-future-trends-of-affiliate-marketing-a1294f7d1b33
|
medium.com
|
7 Future Trends of Affiliate Marketing
|
Did you know that the USA, Japan, and Germany spend the most on affiliate networks? The number of partner services grew by 26% only in 2021…
|
Pulsar Ads
|
https://medium.com/@pulsar.ads
|
a1294f7d1b33
|
https://miro.medium.com/max/2000/0*5Vm8gAz9nQ_0xCda
|
4 min
|
2022-10-18T11:13:23.467000
|
2022-10-26T14:02:26.608000
|
2022-10-26T14:02:29.775000
| 1
| 96
|
en
|
Affiliate Marketing,Marketing Technology,Cpa Marketing,Trends
|
<section>
<p>Did you know that the USA, Japan, and Germany spend the most on affiliate networks? The number of partner services grew <strong>by 26% only in 2021</strong> and Affiliate strategies spend an average of 9% of the marketing budget.</p>
<p>So what is the future of affiliate marketing? How much will investments grow in this industry and what trends will dominate the market in the coming years?</p>
<p>According to Statista, US affiliate marketing spending should reach <strong>$8.2 billion by the end of 2022</strong>, up from $5.4 billion in 2017. It is still too early to draw conclusions, but we have every reason to believe these data.</p>
<p>If you plan to start your career in affiliate marketing, you should use these trends to be one step ahead of your competitors:</p>
<h1><strong>1. Importance of the brand</strong></h1>
<p>People want to know who they are buying from. They like honest and conscious brands that care about the environment, show the process of creating a product, and share the success of their employees. Request live and high-quality content that tells about the brand and use it in your advertising campaigns.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1600/0*5Vm8gAz9nQ_0xCda" width="1600" height="1157" loading="lazy" />
<h2><strong>2. Passion for virtual shopping</strong></h2>
<p>With virtual shopping, customers can view products and make purchases from the comfort of their homes.</p>
<p>All giant e-commerce retailers including Amazon, eBay, Alibaba and others are already planning to implement virtual shopping. You, as an affiliate, need to choose the right products to promote, build your affiliate links, and use VR shopping to increase sales.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1600/0*jXTu2wcYx6COVotd" width="1600" height="1066" loading="lazy" />
<h2><strong>3. Product Awareness</strong></h2>
<p>In most cases, before buying, people monitor product information and look at reviews. Tell your audience about the product using different approaches. It can be:</p>
<ul>
<li>Product reviews (preferably in video format)</li>
<li>Product Comparison</li>
<li>Analysis of functions, etc.</li>
</ul>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1600/0*bzJtfw6sufzUauCW" width="1600" height="1066" loading="lazy" />
<h2><strong>4. Popularity of video content</strong></h2>
<p>Let’s start with some statistics. 72% of people would rather watch a video to learn about a product or service. Users are also 95% more likely to remember a call to action after watching a video, compared to 10% when watching it in text format.</p>
<p>Video content can be product reviews, unboxing videos, and how-to videos (it all depends on your capabilities and the product itself). You can use Youtube as a platform. All you have to do is create and upload content that your target audience will love, then embed affiliate links in the video itself or in your description.</p>
<p>You can also upload videos to pre-landers — the so-called transit pages or spacers.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1600/0*lLv5mGdPCAaIvJwR" width="1600" height="1066" loading="lazy" />
<h2><strong>5. Feedback from other buyers</strong></h2>
<p>Often, consumers lose trust in brands and then turn to other consumers for information about products and services. Other buyers leave reviews on social networks, on the product website, on forums. Therefore, the use of social proof in advertising content is becoming increasingly important.</p>
<p>Request reviews and include screenshots of them in your campaigns so that potential customers feel the trust and value of the product or service</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1600/0*bbGHImEBPZZQLEkV" width="1600" height="1066" loading="lazy" />
<h2><strong>6. Loyalty program as part of the affiliate marketing mix</strong></h2>
<p>Loyalty marketing aims to retain the existing customer base. It builds customer confidence by incentivizing more interaction with the brand and buying its products. Loyalty programs offer customers some sort of reward for repeat purchases of a product or service. It can also provide valuable insights into your customer base, which can then help you create personalized offers.</p>
<p>Loyalty marketing will become part of the affiliate marketing mix to keep shoppers coming back for more. Business needs to implement a loyalty program, and partners need to remind the target audience about it.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1600/0*cGFZ-2up4iqGa6tF" width="1600" height="1068" loading="lazy" />
<h2><strong>7. Increase Affiliate Marketing Budgets</strong></h2>
<p>In recent years, more and more companies are diving into affiliate marketing due to the pandemic and the constant growth of online shopping. I wonder what the statistics on the budget will be at the beginning of next year? I keep my finger on the pulse and will inform you about interesting figures and trends.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1600/0*4u72_ibcuedIADqj" width="1600" height="1066" loading="lazy" />
<p>What other trends do you think will dominate the market in the near future? Write below — I’m interested to know your opinion on this matter.</p>
</section>
|
7 Future Trends of Affiliate Marketing
Did you know that the USA, Japan, and Germany spend the most on affiliate networks? The number of partner services grew by 26% only in 2021 and Affiliate strategies spend an average of 9% of the marketing budget.
So what is the future of affiliate marketing? How much will investments grow in this industry and what trends will dominate the market in the coming years?
According to Statista, US affiliate marketing spending should reach $8.2 billion by the end of 2022, up from $5.4 billion in 2017. It is still too early to draw conclusions, but we have every reason to believe these data.
If you plan to start your career in affiliate marketing, you should use these trends to be one step ahead of your competitors:
1. Importance of the brand
People want to know who they are buying from. They like honest and conscious brands that care about the environment, show the process of creating a product, and share the success of their employees. Request live and high-quality content that tells about the brand and use it in your advertising campaigns.
2. Passion for virtual shopping
With virtual shopping, customers can view products and make purchases from the comfort of their homes.
All giant e-commerce retailers including Amazon, eBay, Alibaba and others are already planning to implement virtual shopping. You, as an affiliate, need to choose the right products to promote, build your affiliate links, and use VR shopping to increase sales.
3. Product Awareness
In most cases, before buying, people monitor product information and look at reviews. Tell your audience about the product using different approaches. It can be:
Product reviews (preferably in video format)
Product Comparison
Analysis of functions, etc.
4. Popularity of video content
Let’s start with some statistics. 72% of people would rather watch a video to learn about a product or service. Users are also 95% more likely to remember a call to action after watching a video, compared to 10% when watching it in text format.
Video content can be product reviews, unboxing videos, and how-to videos (it all depends on your capabilities and the product itself). You can use Youtube as a platform. All you have to do is create and upload content that your target audience will love, then embed affiliate links in the video itself or in your description.
You can also upload videos to pre-landers — the so-called transit pages or spacers.
5. Feedback from other buyers
Often, consumers lose trust in brands and then turn to other consumers for information about products and services. Other buyers leave reviews on social networks, on the product website, on forums. Therefore, the use of social proof in advertising content is becoming increasingly important.
Request reviews and include screenshots of them in your campaigns so that potential customers feel the trust and value of the product or service
6. Loyalty program as part of the affiliate marketing mix
Loyalty marketing aims to retain the existing customer base. It builds customer confidence by incentivizing more interaction with the brand and buying its products. Loyalty programs offer customers some sort of reward for repeat purchases of a product or service. It can also provide valuable insights into your customer base, which can then help you create personalized offers.
Loyalty marketing will become part of the affiliate marketing mix to keep shoppers coming back for more. Business needs to implement a loyalty program, and partners need to remind the target audience about it.
7. Increase Affiliate Marketing Budgets
In recent years, more and more companies are diving into affiliate marketing due to the pandemic and the constant growth of online shopping. I wonder what the statistics on the budget will be at the beginning of next year? I keep my finger on the pulse and will inform you about interesting figures and trends.
What other trends do you think will dominate the market in the near future? Write below — I’m interested to know your opinion on this matter.
|
fd73dc21-0bc8-5b5c-aac1-1679ed8f8bfa
|
25/08/2025 15:59:15
|
https://medium.com/@randalllsnyder/how-savage-to-be-71d020f2ee59
|
medium.com
|
How savage to be …
|
The Butterfly
|
Randall Snyder
|
https://medium.com/@randalllsnyder
|
71d020f2ee59
|
2 min
|
2022-01-09T03:47:59.159000
|
2022-01-09T03:57:38.262000
|
2022-12-18T05:47:39.612000
| 1
| 51
|
en
|
Poetry,Philosophy,Cruelty,Observation,Angelic
|
<section>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1600/1*cQVBCFT23tYeDceaR_jj9Q.jpeg" width="1600" height="1200" loading="lazy" />
<p><em>Yes, my child,
</em>there are the oppressed who sleep on frozen floors,
sharing their private space with mice not men,
dark and tormenting, innocent but for their want
of respect, and a few beans for all, how savage
to be condemned for wanting equality among all
men, how harsh a fate to be chained and beaten,
wishing only to speak of peace, or worse, freedom.</p>
<p><em>Yes, my child,
</em>there are those who suffer blows at the fists of
captors who were not taught to empathize when
they were young, only to brutalize, to enslave
and to self-satisfy at all cost, “to hell with others”,
they say, though for their sake, pray they should
that hell does not exist, how tragic such malice
and contempt, how sad such ill and ignorance
and the passing of it from parent to child, it is
the curse of despicable ancestry, though it need
not be our destiny, we bleed but we can change,
no beating heart is set in stone despite how heavy
it may seem, and babies are not born to create
misery, or to hate, that only comes later when
sophisticated grown-ups have their say, beware,
persuasion can be full of poison, feel good is not
the root of joy, or redemption, how foolishly and
stubbornly we convince ourselves that there is no
better decision than the one that we are making, now.</p>
<p><em>Yes, my child,</em></p>
<p>it is true, there are the condemned and the abused,
tortured solely for their views on truth while the
cruel in power hide behind their luxury and lies,
evil shines with might in the greed and the grime of
mankind, while arrogance magnifies brutish folly,
oh how unholy the realm of unrighteous demand
and self-idolatry, leaving us in tears to wonder,
is hope our only solace, let it not be so, I plead to
let goodwill and godliness be honored, for is it not
deserved, if only kindness were always taught to
little boys and girls in school, but it is not, though
it could be, and it should be.</p>
<p><em>Oh no, my child,</em></p>
<p>it is not old age that will take us with rage into the
long, long night, but a darkened side of a human
heart, torched and left to rot when not exposed to
love and forgiveness, what a waste when a soul
is enslaved, entombed in a vile self, unable to give,
unable to escape, while others awaken, but there is
always the possibility of change, have you not seen
a caterpillar become a butterfly, from larva to painted
wings without impediment of mind, if only we could
blossom as nature pleases, if only freewill had not the
right to ignore it’s given soul or to stain it with the
muck and tar of recurring sin, if only every heart was
free to fulfill its highest calling, to know compassion,
to offer kindness, and to embrace the brotherhood of
man, never again to be selfishly denied.</p>
<p><em>Oh no, my child,</em></p>
<p>this is not a lullaby, this is not a nursery rhyme,
but still, I ask that you worry not, for if tomorrow
hatred reigns, and we are stricken in sleep or wake
by some ungodly deed of man, you and I will meet
one day again on higher ground, in spirit or in form,
lifted by faith in the power of light, seeing that which
is gracious, good and right, all the while knowing
that only a forgiving heart can take angelic flight.</p>
<p>© Randall Snyder</p>
</section>
|
The Butterfly
Photo: © Randall Snyder
Yes, my child,
there are the oppressed who sleep on frozen floors,
sharing their private space with mice not men,
dark and tormenting, innocent but for their want
of respect, and a few beans for all, how savage
to be condemned for wanting equality among all
men, how harsh a fate to be chained and beaten,
wishing only to speak of peace, or worse, freedom.
Yes, my child,
there are those who suffer blows at the fists of
captors who were not taught to empathize when
they were young, only to brutalize, to enslave
and to self-satisfy at all cost, “to hell with others”,
they say, though for their sake, pray they should
that hell does not exist, how tragic such malice
and contempt, how sad such ill and ignorance
and the passing of it from parent to child, it is
the curse of despicable ancestry, though it need
not be our destiny, we bleed but we can change,
no beating heart is set in stone despite how heavy
it may seem, and babies are not born to create
misery, or to hate, that only comes later when
sophisticated grown-ups have their say, beware,
persuasion can be full of poison, feel good is not
the root of joy, or redemption, how foolishly and
stubbornly we convince ourselves that there is no
better decision than the one that we are making, now.
Yes, my child,
it is true, there are the condemned and the abused,
tortured solely for their views on truth while the
cruel in power hide behind their luxury and lies,
evil shines with might in the greed and the grime of
mankind, while arrogance magnifies brutish folly,
oh how unholy the realm of unrighteous demand
and self-idolatry, leaving us in tears to wonder,
is hope our only solace, let it not be so, I plead to
let goodwill and godliness be honored, for is it not
deserved, if only kindness were always taught to
little boys and girls in school, but it is not, though
it could be, and it should be.
Oh no, my child,
it is not old age that will take us with rage into the
long, long night, but a darkened side of a human
heart, torched and left to rot when not exposed to
love and forgiveness, what a waste when a soul
is enslaved, entombed in a vile self, unable to give,
unable to escape, while others awaken, but there is
always the possibility of change, have you not seen
a caterpillar become a butterfly, from larva to painted
wings without impediment of mind, if only we could
blossom as nature pleases, if only freewill had not the
right to ignore it’s given soul or to stain it with the
muck and tar of recurring sin, if only every heart was
free to fulfill its highest calling, to know compassion,
to offer kindness, and to embrace the brotherhood of
man, never again to be selfishly denied.
Oh no, my child,
this is not a lullaby, this is not a nursery rhyme,
but still, I ask that you worry not, for if tomorrow
hatred reigns, and we are stricken in sleep or wake
by some ungodly deed of man, you and I will meet
one day again on higher ground, in spirit or in form,
lifted by faith in the power of light, seeing that which
is gracious, good and right, all the while knowing
that only a forgiving heart can take angelic flight.
© Randall Snyder
|
cdce9a04-9a09-5459-bb89-1178c5dbcbda
|
25/08/2025 15:59:16
|
|
https://medium.com/@arwafathima42/her-story-b4ddfdd5b7d6
|
medium.com
|
HER STORY
|
She was a girl born in an orthodox family.she always hated her family.but she is forced to live with them.her family members never…
|
Arwafathima
|
https://medium.com/@arwafathima42
|
b4ddfdd5b7d6
| null |
2 min
|
2025-07-15T14:45:28.956000
|
2025-07-15T15:32:17.181000
|
2025-07-15T16:29:00.322000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Changes In Life
|
<section>
<p>She was a girl born in an orthodox family.she always hated her family.but she is forced to live with them.her family members never supported her at all.they wanted her to get married right after her higher secondary schooling.she had two sisters and a brother in her home.as both of the sisters are her elders,the entire belongings she always had were used by her sisters except a watch.she had a watch with strange icons but never knew the meanings of those icons.she even doesn’t have an idea when did she get that…</p>
<p>that last day of he schooling came across…she scribbled in her diary like:”it is the saddest morning i ever waken up…”she wanted to run away to somewhere on the way to returning to he home,but she unable to do that…suddenly she collided with a gentleman,he told sorry and walked away…but at the moment of exact collision some waves of mystery,excitement and happiness passed through her.for a moment,she was struck…her watch rang by a ringtone that she never heard till then…she was surprised but never knew what happened.she felt a feel of comfort and happiness that she never felt before…she quickly walked back to find that gentleman…but unlucky was the fate…she went back to house.</p>
<p>the next day,she was already late from home itself…and forgot almost school stuffs…at the right time she came to the same loation where that gentleman collided.to ensure the time she tried taking out her watch but she has forgotten her watch at home in a rush.doubtfully she stood there..and then she saw that man…walking to her.but he was so busy with his calls and text messages…today he has guards with him…she felt strange and shy at the same time.however she approached the man with a heavy plus light heart.she introduced herself and told the incident.the man laughed hearing that strange story and told her that it must be her imagination and how could someone feel strange by touching someone…but she never gave up.he told that she was a teenager and she might feel such illusions at this age…she was disappointed and went back…</p>
<p>after a month it was her engagement and he came to the shop for buying her bridal attires and jewellery.she suddenly saw that and was startled…there was that gentleman holding a photo of hers and the caption was ‘MISSING’.she ran to that man and he suddenly hugged her…he dragged her to his car and drove fast…they reached an enormous banglow and a guard opened her car door.she stepped out and the man pointed her to the banglow…she entered and the scene really made her heart vacant…there was a wall written ‘STELLA’ on that and photos of her since she born…she couldn’t understand anything…but then they told the story that she was kidnapped by some huge team and the team has many more homes and houses like hers..she was disappointed..</p>
</section>
|
HER STORY
She was a girl born in an orthodox family.she always hated her family.but she is forced to live with them.her family members never supported her at all.they wanted her to get married right after her higher secondary schooling.she had two sisters and a brother in her home.as both of the sisters are her elders,the entire belongings she always had were used by her sisters except a watch.she had a watch with strange icons but never knew the meanings of those icons.she even doesn’t have an idea when did she get that…
that last day of he schooling came across…she scribbled in her diary like:”it is the saddest morning i ever waken up…”she wanted to run away to somewhere on the way to returning to he home,but she unable to do that…suddenly she collided with a gentleman,he told sorry and walked away…but at the moment of exact collision some waves of mystery,excitement and happiness passed through her.for a moment,she was struck…her watch rang by a ringtone that she never heard till then…she was surprised but never knew what happened.she felt a feel of comfort and happiness that she never felt before…she quickly walked back to find that gentleman…but unlucky was the fate…she went back to house.
the next day,she was already late from home itself…and forgot almost school stuffs…at the right time she came to the same loation where that gentleman collided.to ensure the time she tried taking out her watch but she has forgotten her watch at home in a rush.doubtfully she stood there..and then she saw that man…walking to her.but he was so busy with his calls and text messages…today he has guards with him…she felt strange and shy at the same time.however she approached the man with a heavy plus light heart.she introduced herself and told the incident.the man laughed hearing that strange story and told her that it must be her imagination and how could someone feel strange by touching someone…but she never gave up.he told that she was a teenager and she might feel such illusions at this age…she was disappointed and went back…
after a month it was her engagement and he came to the shop for buying her bridal attires and jewellery.she suddenly saw that and was startled…there was that gentleman holding a photo of hers and the caption was ‘MISSING’.she ran to that man and he suddenly hugged her…he dragged her to his car and drove fast…they reached an enormous banglow and a guard opened her car door.she stepped out and the man pointed her to the banglow…she entered and the scene really made her heart vacant…there was a wall written ‘STELLA’ on that and photos of her since she born…she couldn’t understand anything…but then they told the story that she was kidnapped by some huge team and the team has many more homes and houses like hers..she was disappointed..
|
28d869df-9ee9-5431-880c-3ad63cf8ec8d
|
25/08/2025 15:59:16
|
https://medium.com/@Heliosfinance/senators-arrest-senate-leadership-shakeup-could-derail-reforms-analysts-say-via-meltlopez-30ace40d3e66
|
medium.com
|
Senator’s arrest, Senate leadership shakeup could derail reforms, analysts say | via @meltlopez…
|
Senator’s arrest, Senate leadership shakeup could derail reforms, analysts say | via @meltlopez http://bit.ly/risksreform…
|
Helios Finance
|
https://medium.com/@Heliosfinance
|
30ace40d3e66
|
https://miro.medium.com/max/2000/0*Vco56JoMvj3ymJ2z.
|
0 min
|
2017-03-06T16:25:37.243000
|
2017-03-06T16:25:37.967000
|
2017-03-06T16:25:37.967000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Helies Finanace
|
<section>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/550/0*Vco56JoMvj3ymJ2z." width="550" height="300" loading="lazy" />
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/bworldph/status/838782729038671872">Senator’s arrest, Senate leadership shakeup could derail reforms, analysts say | via @meltlopez http://bit.ly/risksreform pic.twitter.com/XRQgGNhxDv</a> published first on <a href="http://ift.tt/2ljLF4B">http://ift.tt/2ljLF4B</a></p>
</section>
|
Senator’s arrest, Senate leadership shakeup could derail reforms, analysts say | via @meltlopez http://bit.ly/risksreform http://pic.twitter.com/XRQgGNhxDv
Senator’s arrest, Senate leadership shakeup could derail reforms, analysts say | via @meltlopez http://bit.ly/risksreform pic.twitter.com/XRQgGNhxDv published first on http://ift.tt/2ljLF4B
|
57cb34d8-f246-5768-91c8-e897d9571df7
|
25/08/2025 15:59:16
|
https://medium.com/chalkboard/paint-cacb032a77e2
|
medium.com
|
Paint
|
A one-line poem prompt
|
Kathy Jacobs
|
https://medium.com/@callkathy
|
cacb032a77e2
|
1 min
|
2017-02-01T01:32:14.490000
|
2017-02-01T16:12:05.249000
|
2018-04-06T03:42:15.840000
| 33
| 69
|
en
|
Poetry,Depression,Life,One Line,One Line Poetry Prompt
|
<section>
<h3>A <a href="https://medium.com/chalkboard/one-line-poems/home">one-line poem</a> prompt</h3>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1280/1*WyXmeNQdbgHeYuUIMs5rFQ.png" width="1280" height="720" loading="lazy" />
<blockquote>My feelings paint the world in a rainbow of bright colors,
Fending off the stark black and white of pain.</blockquote>
<h3>Please leave me your one-line poem on the word “paint”.</h3>
<p>You can do it as a response to this post or give it a home of its own and leave an embed in a comment below so we can all find it.</p>
<p><a href="#">alto</a>, <a href="#">Ali Aoun</a>, <a href="#">Alise Leslie</a>, <a href="#">Amy Echstenkamper</a>, <a href="#">Anna Now</a>, <a href="#">Anto Rinish</a>, <a href="#">Aphrodite Samadhi</a>, <a href="#">Ayesha Talib Wissanji</a>, <a href="#">BHD</a>, <a href="#">Betta Tryptophan</a>, <a href="#">Bryce Reynolds</a>, <a href="#">Carolyn Dagenais</a>, <a href="#">Chany N. Steward</a>, <a href="#">Chris Hackett</a>, <a href="#">Colette</a>, <a href="#">Crooked Little Flower</a>, <a href="#">Crystal Lady</a>, <a href="#">Danish Z</a>, <a href="#">Dennis Hatfield</a>, <a href="#">Dennett</a>, <a href="#">Dewi</a>, <a href="#">Don Dennis</a>, <a href="#">Emily Roberts</a>, <a href="#">Eric Jennings</a>, <a href="#">Evelyn Marie</a>, <a href="#">Garnet</a>, <a href="#">Heath Houston</a>, <a href="#">Jack Herlocker</a>, <a href="#">j.s.lamb</a>, <a href="#">Jackie Ann</a>, <a href="#">Jason Stelzner</a>, <a href="#">John Wryter</a>, <a href="#">Judy Ann Giorchino</a>, <a href="#">JusTee</a>, <a href="#">Kaj Schougaard</a>, <a href="#">Karl Milfburn</a>, <a href="#">Kathy Jacobs</a>, <a href="#">Kerry Kuhn</a>, <a href="#">Kim Ferrer</a>, <a href="#">Kim Smyth</a>, <a href="#">Mairead O Donoghue</a>, <a href="#">marika bianca</a>, <a href="#">Mavis Chuma</a>, <a href="#">Meg Barclay</a>, <a href="#">Michael Adewunmi</a>, <a href="#">Michael Ramsburg</a>, <a href="#">Nancy E. Pitts</a>, <a href="#">Nugra Gente</a>, <a href="#">Onimisi Onipe</a>, <a href="#">Orisirisi</a>, <a href="#">Osasu Elaiho</a>, <a href="#">Parijat Bhattacharjee</a>, <a href="#">Rachel B. Baxter</a>, <a href="#">Randomly Me</a>, <a href="#">Ré Harris</a>, <a href="#">Rebecca Dennett Gravely</a>, <a href="#">Richard Palmquist,</a> <a href="#">rinigitanusajagadhita</a>, <a href="#">Rizky Luthfianto</a>, <a href="#">Rocket Worley</a>, <a href="#">Samantha Star</a>, <a href="#">Sherry Caris</a>, <a href="#">Sherry Kappel</a>, <a href="#">simpleman</a>, <a href="#">Stephen C. Rose</a>, <a href="#">Stuart James</a>, <a href="#">Susan Christiana</a>, <a href="#">Susan Ranscht</a>, <a href="#">Tamyka Bell</a>, <a href="#">TeriJo</a>, <a href="#">Tien Skye</a>, <a href="#">Thomas Fortenberry</a>, <a href="#">Vinod Shenoy</a>, <a href="#">walkerjojones</a>, <a href="#">Wendy Diamond</a>, <a href="#">Wild Flower</a>, <a href="#">Willow T. Lovelace</a></p>
<p>*Full disclosure: I copy-pasted this list because I too can’t remember the whole thing. If I’ve forgotten anyone (or if you want to be added), let me know! Even better, become a reader of <a href="https://medium.com/chalkboard">Chalkboard!</a> ❤</p>
</section>
|
Paint
A one-line poem prompt
Image by Kathy Jacobs
My feelings paint the world in a rainbow of bright colors,
Fending off the stark black and white of pain.
Please leave me your one-line poem on the word “paint”.
You can do it as a response to this post or give it a home of its own and leave an embed in a comment below so we can all find it.
alto, Ali Aoun, Alise Leslie, Amy Echstenkamper, Anna Now, Anto Rinish, Aphrodite Samadhi, Ayesha Talib Wissanji, BHD, Betta Tryptophan, Bryce Reynolds, Carolyn Dagenais, Chany N. Steward, Chris Hackett, Colette, Crooked Little Flower, Crystal Lady, Danish Z, Dennis Hatfield, Dennett, Dewi, Don Dennis, Emily Roberts, Eric Jennings, Evelyn Marie, Garnet, Heath Houston, Jack Herlocker, j.s.lamb, Jackie Ann, Jason Stelzner, John Wryter, Judy Ann Giorchino, JusTee, Kaj Schougaard, Karl Milfburn, Kathy Jacobs, Kerry Kuhn, Kim Ferrer, Kim Smyth, Mairead O Donoghue, marika bianca, Mavis Chuma, Meg Barclay, Michael Adewunmi, Michael Ramsburg, Nancy E. Pitts, Nugra Gente, Onimisi Onipe, Orisirisi, Osasu Elaiho, Parijat Bhattacharjee, Rachel B. Baxter, Randomly Me, Ré Harris, Rebecca Dennett Gravely, Richard Palmquist, rinigitanusajagadhita, Rizky Luthfianto, Rocket Worley, Samantha Star, Sherry Caris, Sherry Kappel, simpleman, Stephen C. Rose, Stuart James, Susan Christiana, Susan Ranscht, Tamyka Bell, TeriJo, Tien Skye, Thomas Fortenberry, Vinod Shenoy, walkerjojones, Wendy Diamond, Wild Flower, Willow T. Lovelace
*Full disclosure: I copy-pasted this list because I too can’t remember the whole thing. If I’ve forgotten anyone (or if you want to be added), let me know! Even better, become a reader of Chalkboard! ❤
|
516f4e89-a6d5-57a3-8dfd-58a85c842fbd
|
25/08/2025 15:59:17
|
|
https://ottergazer.medium.com/confessions-of-a-tech-fetishist-part-2-90733b8d9783
|
medium.com
|
Confessions of a techno-fetishist, part 2
|
The big beige box
|
OtterGaze
|
https://medium.com/@ottergazer
|
90733b8d9783
|
6 min
|
2025-04-30T19:29:41.703000
|
2025-04-30T20:02:12.678000
|
2025-05-02T17:28:30.012000
| 0
| 3
|
en
|
Culture,Technology,Tech,Philosophy,Blog
|
<section>
<h3>The big beige box</h3>
<p>This is a continuation of a prior post which you can read <a href="https://medium.com/@ottergazer/confessions-of-a-techno-fetishist-part-1-94a59ca5c173">here</a></p>
<p>What the heck do I mean by fetish? I am not talking about marrying your 1971 Ford Falcon automobile (a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sVtOgKTmYM">true story from down under</a>) and then having a grand old time on its leather upholstery (did that happen? Probably not…). I am speaking of the way these alluring microprocessed thingummyjiggiloos and engineered desire machines become objects of irrational commitments, emotional investment and substitutes for unconscious, unnameable and elusive desires.</p>
<p><strong>Beige memory</strong></p>
<p>Ever since I was a wee lad, you could say I have fetishized consumer electronics. There was something <em>mystical </em>about my dad’s stamped steel and plastic chassis, containing its high-density interconnected PCBs, palladium and gold-laden conductors and connectors, cables, and the myriads of copper wires. It is also still unclear to me, if the sickly yellowish beige was due to my dad’s indoor smoking, or if it was the natural hue of the PC chassis.</p>
<p>Nevertheless!</p>
<p>To my 1990s self?</p>
<p>This technological marvel might as well have been some kind of alchemical, or magical device…</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/568/0*jfFPXqgwHOaOEAjG.png" width="568" height="858" loading="lazy" />
<p><em>From Wikimedia Commons</em></p>
<p>Take, for example, the Windows operating system, its function is to literally make manifest a variety of windows. Yes, they were only virtual windows, but to my childhood me, they represented portals to a myriad of alternate, extra-dimensional realms, ripe for exploration! Indeed, even to this day I could not tell you how these windows actually operate, the interaction between software and hardware, or how these bits and bytes are transformed — to then manifest in front of me via the cathode ray tube monstrosity of a monitor. When I read descriptions of the inner workings of a CRT, I would be hard-pressed to distinguish it from a world-building fragment in a cyberpunk or cheap Sci-Fi novel. Something about electron guns, beams, and phosphor screens?</p>
<p>This post is not about my dad’s dusty old Intel 1990s Pentium office computer, but I had to illuminate my earliest memories of the machinic to create a through-line from my childhood to present day. In actuality, this series of essays was spurred to existence in part due to my recent acquisition of the Meta Quest 3 virtual reality (VR) headset. My dad’s glorified Turing machine remains a vivid memory, as it now most likely lives out its days buried somewhere under Ghanaian earth in Agbogbloshie. It could possibly also have been picked apart by e-waste processors in the Guangdong Province in China. I’d like to imagine, that the chassis has been claimed by a <a href="https://www.howtogeek.com/744750/what-to-do-about-ants-in-your-computer/">queendom of Ghanaian ants</a>, or utilized as an estate by a family of scarab beetles and their tiny white grub larvae.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/602/0*LoxbNoaF4qZnAZr8.png" width="602" height="409" loading="lazy" />
<p><em>E-landfill in Agbogbloshie</em></p>
<p><strong>My virtuality</strong></p>
<p>It was this new headset that made me ponder on my continuing fetishization of consumer electronics and technology in my adulthood. Every once in a while — once a year or so — I get the urge to splurge (despite increasingly debilitating financial conditions) on a new slab of silicon, in a vain attempt to reach somewhere beyond my present mental structures, to touch something transcendental. Alongside the immersive, virtual worlds provided by a virtual reality headset, my dusky Hifiman, the monolithic graphics card and the reflective black mirror of a brand new 4k TV, all promise increased resolutions, more lifelike visuals, or qualities or dimensions, that is sure to usher my gaming, home cinema or music listening experiences to new standards of immersion, and enthrallment.</p>
<p>But does this cycle ever end? It makes me picture Sisyphus pushing his proverbial high pixel count boulder in ad nauseam, now outfitted with Amazon Echo Frames augmented reality glasses and gold-plated earphones embedded with Swarovski crystals.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/470/0*_ukjg1ZplbsTQN3V.jpeg" width="470" height="534" loading="lazy" />
<p><em>My main man Sisyphus [From Wikimedia Commons]</em></p>
<p>These techno-fetishist fixations are of course not genuine receptacles of transcendence.</p>
<p>High resolution rendering does not render my life in a higher resolution.</p>
<p>Planar magnetic headphones do not help me hear or listen to the frequencies of living that truly matter.</p>
<p>Virtual reality distracts me from the virtuality of myself, like the seed that contains its virtual structure, and shapes its future to, ultimately, become a tree</p>
<p>The virtual reality of VR is a simulated virtuality, but what is the virtual structure and potential of my seed/self and how can I <em>know</em> it in a simulation? What kind of tree can I become?</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/480/0*U0FBkERmjZn4LvQ3.png" width="480" height="416" loading="lazy" />
<p>Comparatively, when taking a glance at social media, virtual potentiality becomes part of a simulated and mechanistic machine that rewards or exploits certain performances, appearances and behaviors, which, in turn, become curated as part of a greater, engineered whole. In this cyberspace of regulations and conducts, we walk a fine line between subsuming and cultivating our selves according to the decrees in power inside the castle walls built from algorithmic mortar and bricks of data, surrounded by moats of forgotten memes and discarded hot takes and opinions.</p>
<p>Lead-up to the silicon empire</p>
<p>It is when looking back retroactively at my childhood and the escapist alchemy that computers, gadgets and consoles provided for me, that a pattern can be identified. In a way, many of us are born — not with a silver spoon in our mouths — but with a smart phone or tablet in our hand, a game controller, or, perhaps in the future when the technology allows for cheaper manufacturing, augmented reality lenses in our eyes that provide an endless feed of YouTube Kids videos. These devices and gizmos free up the parent to do household chores, go to work or are used to console a crying baby. To illustrate my point, nowadays, <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8037713/">more than 40% of children aged 0–5 years are using mobile devices</a>. Is this good or bad, I am not equipped to say! Some research results do seem to indicate that early adoption of information technology can help with the development of language skills and digital literacy.</p>
<p>My point here is not to debate the problematic aspects of creating a quantified data spectre of children the minute they are born, that will be used for lifelong profiling and targeted advertising in the coming <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/yanis-varoufakis-technofeudalism-interview/">technofeudal era</a>. The crux of the matter lies in the very way we become entrenched in the system of the self-reproducing techno-fetishist religion (or techno-social religion when concerning our increasingly early adoption of social media and mobile devices).</p>
<p>My ushering into this cathedral of machines and devices started early for me, as seen in the earlier story about my dad’s big beige box. I then became an avid internet user from an early age, and a gamer to boot. I learned to alt+F4 and plug in a SCART cable before I learned how to tie my shoes.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1456/0*lBeD3OkkGEZNAqzL.jpeg" width="1456" height="808" loading="lazy" />
<p>I do not dislike games, I do not dislike consumer electronics nor technology for that matter. To me, video games can be incredible entertainment, recreation, and art as well. Technology, moreover, is also primarily about how it is used, and thus can be both good and bad depending on how we–as societies– grapple with it.</p>
<p>However,</p>
<p>I do want to interrogate the seemingly passive way many of us adopt this religion, what its potential problems are, and how design minimalism only aids in promoting the modern-day sacredness of these techno-talismans and totems. The next post will be a more incisive look at the non-neutrality of consumer electronics as commodities, the subtle but coercive way we are programmed to join in on the endless Sisyphean endeavor in this silicon empire where we are steered towards upgrading our hardware, and how minimalism cloaks this under a superficial veil of beautiful, albeit benign, symmetry.</p>
<p>Thanks for reading!</p>
</section>
|
Confessions of a techno-fetishist, part 2
The big beige box
This is a continuation of a prior post which you can read here
What the heck do I mean by fetish? I am not talking about marrying your 1971 Ford Falcon automobile (a true story from down under) and then having a grand old time on its leather upholstery (did that happen? Probably not…). I am speaking of the way these alluring microprocessed thingummyjiggiloos and engineered desire machines become objects of irrational commitments, emotional investment and substitutes for unconscious, unnameable and elusive desires.
Beige memory
Ever since I was a wee lad, you could say I have fetishized consumer electronics. There was something mystical about my dad’s stamped steel and plastic chassis, containing its high-density interconnected PCBs, palladium and gold-laden conductors and connectors, cables, and the myriads of copper wires. It is also still unclear to me, if the sickly yellowish beige was due to my dad’s indoor smoking, or if it was the natural hue of the PC chassis.
Nevertheless!
To my 1990s self?
This technological marvel might as well have been some kind of alchemical, or magical device…
From Wikimedia Commons
Take, for example, the Windows operating system, its function is to literally make manifest a variety of windows. Yes, they were only virtual windows, but to my childhood me, they represented portals to a myriad of alternate, extra-dimensional realms, ripe for exploration! Indeed, even to this day I could not tell you how these windows actually operate, the interaction between software and hardware, or how these bits and bytes are transformed — to then manifest in front of me via the cathode ray tube monstrosity of a monitor. When I read descriptions of the inner workings of a CRT, I would be hard-pressed to distinguish it from a world-building fragment in a cyberpunk or cheap Sci-Fi novel. Something about electron guns, beams, and phosphor screens?
This post is not about my dad’s dusty old Intel 1990s Pentium office computer, but I had to illuminate my earliest memories of the machinic to create a through-line from my childhood to present day. In actuality, this series of essays was spurred to existence in part due to my recent acquisition of the Meta Quest 3 virtual reality (VR) headset. My dad’s glorified Turing machine remains a vivid memory, as it now most likely lives out its days buried somewhere under Ghanaian earth in Agbogbloshie. It could possibly also have been picked apart by e-waste processors in the Guangdong Province in China. I’d like to imagine, that the chassis has been claimed by a queendom of Ghanaian ants, or utilized as an estate by a family of scarab beetles and their tiny white grub larvae.
E-landfill in Agbogbloshie
My virtuality
It was this new headset that made me ponder on my continuing fetishization of consumer electronics and technology in my adulthood. Every once in a while — once a year or so — I get the urge to splurge (despite increasingly debilitating financial conditions) on a new slab of silicon, in a vain attempt to reach somewhere beyond my present mental structures, to touch something transcendental. Alongside the immersive, virtual worlds provided by a virtual reality headset, my dusky Hifiman, the monolithic graphics card and the reflective black mirror of a brand new 4k TV, all promise increased resolutions, more lifelike visuals, or qualities or dimensions, that is sure to usher my gaming, home cinema or music listening experiences to new standards of immersion, and enthrallment.
But does this cycle ever end? It makes me picture Sisyphus pushing his proverbial high pixel count boulder in ad nauseam, now outfitted with Amazon Echo Frames augmented reality glasses and gold-plated earphones embedded with Swarovski crystals.
My main man Sisyphus [From Wikimedia Commons]
These techno-fetishist fixations are of course not genuine receptacles of transcendence.
High resolution rendering does not render my life in a higher resolution.
Planar magnetic headphones do not help me hear or listen to the frequencies of living that truly matter.
Virtual reality distracts me from the virtuality of myself, like the seed that contains its virtual structure, and shapes its future to, ultimately, become a tree
The virtual reality of VR is a simulated virtuality, but what is the virtual structure and potential of my seed/self and how can I know it in a simulation? What kind of tree can I become?
Comparatively, when taking a glance at social media, virtual potentiality becomes part of a simulated and mechanistic machine that rewards or exploits certain performances, appearances and behaviors, which, in turn, become curated as part of a greater, engineered whole. In this cyberspace of regulations and conducts, we walk a fine line between subsuming and cultivating our selves according to the decrees in power inside the castle walls built from algorithmic mortar and bricks of data, surrounded by moats of forgotten memes and discarded hot takes and opinions.
Lead-up to the silicon empire
It is when looking back retroactively at my childhood and the escapist alchemy that computers, gadgets and consoles provided for me, that a pattern can be identified. In a way, many of us are born — not with a silver spoon in our mouths — but with a smart phone or tablet in our hand, a game controller, or, perhaps in the future when the technology allows for cheaper manufacturing, augmented reality lenses in our eyes that provide an endless feed of YouTube Kids videos. These devices and gizmos free up the parent to do household chores, go to work or are used to console a crying baby. To illustrate my point, nowadays, more than 40% of children aged 0–5 years are using mobile devices. Is this good or bad, I am not equipped to say! Some research results do seem to indicate that early adoption of information technology can help with the development of language skills and digital literacy.
My point here is not to debate the problematic aspects of creating a quantified data spectre of children the minute they are born, that will be used for lifelong profiling and targeted advertising in the coming technofeudal era. The crux of the matter lies in the very way we become entrenched in the system of the self-reproducing techno-fetishist religion (or techno-social religion when concerning our increasingly early adoption of social media and mobile devices).
My ushering into this cathedral of machines and devices started early for me, as seen in the earlier story about my dad’s big beige box. I then became an avid internet user from an early age, and a gamer to boot. I learned to alt+F4 and plug in a SCART cable before I learned how to tie my shoes.
I do not dislike games, I do not dislike consumer electronics nor technology for that matter. To me, video games can be incredible entertainment, recreation, and art as well. Technology, moreover, is also primarily about how it is used, and thus can be both good and bad depending on how we–as societies– grapple with it.
However,
I do want to interrogate the seemingly passive way many of us adopt this religion, what its potential problems are, and how design minimalism only aids in promoting the modern-day sacredness of these techno-talismans and totems. The next post will be a more incisive look at the non-neutrality of consumer electronics as commodities, the subtle but coercive way we are programmed to join in on the endless Sisyphean endeavor in this silicon empire where we are steered towards upgrading our hardware, and how minimalism cloaks this under a superficial veil of beautiful, albeit benign, symmetry.
Thanks for reading!
|
876c93f2-76c8-5d41-8c6b-67055fa8d349
|
25/08/2025 15:59:18
|
|
https://medium.com/@JordanArizmendi/putin-will-interfere-in-next-elections-but-whose-side-will-the-fake-news-be-on-d89d43155c2e
|
medium.com
|
Putin Will Interfere in Next Elections, but Whose Side will the “Fake News” be on?
| null |
Jordan Arizmendi
|
https://medium.com/@JordanArizmendi
|
d89d43155c2e
|
2 min
|
2017-06-29T12:47:28.626000
|
2017-06-29T12:47:29.605000
|
2017-06-29T12:47:35.532000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Donald Trump,Election,Media,Putin,Russia
|
<section>
<p><strong>***Alert to all worshiping Trumpkins</strong>: The Donald has finally admitted that Russia<strong> did</strong> hack our democracy. All seventeen government investigations concluded that Russia <strong>did</strong> in fact inject fake news into our media in an attempt of persuading voter sentiment. Many Americans are petrified that Russia will hijack our elections again. The burning question however, is whose side will Putin be on?</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1600/0*NgJPi_uDoeWiI9At.jpg" width="1600" height="900" loading="lazy" />
<p>At least now we don’t have to ask if Putin influenced our election, but ‘why’ is the question. That is a no-brainer. A few years ago, Russia was on the precipice of destruction. Russia’s entire economy hinges on oil. With oil prices as low as they have been plus, those sanctions the western world has imposed on Russia, financial devastation seems inevitable. No one knows what is going on in Putin’s head. A safe assumption though, would be that if he helped the world’s leaders get elected, then they would lift those sanctions.</p>
<p>Sucks for Putin, but it doesn’t seem like that is going to happen. Putin’s troubles have only gotten worse under President Trump. Just a few weeks ago, congress voted to apply <strong>heavier</strong> sanctions on Russia. All the effort the poor guy expended, and now Putin is worse off than he was before he placed The Donald in office. Why would Putin want to keep helping out republicans?</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/2048/0*b1BepoIMbcQuBxY_." width="2048" height="1152" loading="lazy" />
<p>A few months ago, the future looked quite promising for Putin. Back then, Trump was just elected, England just voted to get out of Brexit and the upcoming French election looked very good. Since then, everything has gone downhill for Putin. How much faith do you think he has in Trump? Could it be less than you or me? Before you answer that one, remember that you aren’t risking billions of dollars on him.</p>
<p>What will Putin’s role be in our next election? Things won’t get much better for Putin under democratic rule, but it sure as heck-fire won’t get any worse. Perhaps Putin holds some resentment, considering all he did for Trump and he got squat in return. The world is laughing at Putin. Not many people get the best of Putin, the world’s wealthiest man. Do you think Putin will continue to work to get republicans in office? What have republicans done for him?</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/854/0*6s_FaOZKaRG-HP8d.png" width="854" height="480" loading="lazy" />
<p>He might have been on Trump’s side last election. Next election though, after Trump failed to live up to his side of the bargain, Putin will have a bone to pick.</p>
<p>Grab your popcorn. This could be good!!!!</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://politicalhaze.com/2017/06/putin-will-interfere-next-elections-whos</strong>e-side-will-fake-news/">Putin Will Interfere in Next Elections, but Whose Side will the "Fake News" be on?
<em>No longer can people speculate that Russia interfered with our elections. Even President Trump is jumping on that…</em>politica</a>lhaze.com</p>
</section>
|
No longer can people speculate that Russia interfered with our elections. Even President Trump is jumping on that bandwagon, and blaming former president Obama for turning the other cheek.
***Alert to all worshiping Trumpkins: The Donald has finally admitted that Russia did hack our democracy. All seventeen government investigations concluded that Russia did in fact inject fake news into our media in an attempt of persuading voter sentiment. Many Americans are petrified that Russia will hijack our elections again. The burning question however, is whose side will Putin be on?
At least now we don’t have to ask if Putin influenced our election, but ‘why’ is the question. That is a no-brainer. A few years ago, Russia was on the precipice of destruction. Russia’s entire economy hinges on oil. With oil prices as low as they have been plus, those sanctions the western world has imposed on Russia, financial devastation seems inevitable. No one knows what is going on in Putin’s head. A safe assumption though, would be that if he helped the world’s leaders get elected, then they would lift those sanctions.
Sucks for Putin, but it doesn’t seem like that is going to happen. Putin’s troubles have only gotten worse under President Trump. Just a few weeks ago, congress voted to apply heavier sanctions on Russia. All the effort the poor guy expended, and now Putin is worse off than he was before he placed The Donald in office. Why would Putin want to keep helping out republicans?
A few months ago, the future looked quite promising for Putin. Back then, Trump was just elected, England just voted to get out of Brexit and the upcoming French election looked very good. Since then, everything has gone downhill for Putin. How much faith do you think he has in Trump? Could it be less than you or me? Before you answer that one, remember that you aren’t risking billions of dollars on him.
What will Putin’s role be in our next election? Things won’t get much better for Putin under democratic rule, but it sure as heck-fire won’t get any worse. Perhaps Putin holds some resentment, considering all he did for Trump and he got squat in return. The world is laughing at Putin. Not many people get the best of Putin, the world’s wealthiest man. Do you think Putin will continue to work to get republicans in office? What have republicans done for him?
He might have been on Trump’s side last election. Next election though, after Trump failed to live up to his side of the bargain, Putin will have a bone to pick.
Grab your popcorn. This could be good!!!!
Putin Will Interfere in Next Elections, but Whose Side will the "Fake News" be on?
No longer can people speculate that Russia interfered with our elections. Even President Trump is jumping on that…politicalhaze.com
|
4bbceb36-5532-580d-b17b-09fadde09372
|
25/08/2025 15:59:18
|
|
https://medium.com/@MobileHelix/surface-pro-v-ipad-3-legal-mobility-insights-from-the-ilta-technology-survey-6b4db7f9a657
|
medium.com
|
Surface Pro v. iPad: 3 Legal Mobility Insights from the ILTA Technology Survey
|
Each December the International Legal Technology Association (ILTA) publishes their tour de force Technology Survey. Where BlackBerries…
|
Working While Mobile
|
https://medium.com/@MobileHelix
|
6b4db7f9a657
|
3 min
|
2016-01-05T12:28:23.255000
|
2016-01-04T14:30:56
|
2016-01-05T12:32:35.440000
| 0
| 48
|
en
|
Microsoft,Apple,Legal
|
<section>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/584/0*_ZKPWB1c83OlGPov.jpg" width="584" height="331" loading="lazy" />
<p>Each December the International Legal Technology Association (ILTA) publishes their tour de force Technology Survey. Where BlackBerries were indispensable, iPhones dominate and iPads are nearly ubiquitous — but the Legal mobility scenario is dynamic. Here’s a look at three charts from the survey.</p>
<p><strong>Microsoft Surface Pro — Making a Run for It</strong></p>
<p>Is it a bird, is it a plane? Is a Surface Pro a tablet or a notebook PC? Whatever you call it, the Surface Pro is on the radar in Legal now.</p>
<p>For example, in October law firm Blank Rome announced that they were the <a href="https://www.blankrome.com/index.cfm?contentID=31&itemID=3537">first firm to roll-out the Surface Pro 3 firm-wide for all legal employees</a>.</p>
<p>Curious as to why the Surface Pro might be gaining ground in Legal? Here’s Microsoft’s hook: lawyers live in Word and Outlook. Try using the Word app on iPad (although very good) compared to full Word on a very light Windows computer with a handy keyboard. Need I say more?</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/300/0*rrMpy5mTAPwQ3ktN.png" width="300" height="298" loading="lazy" />
<p>What PRIMARY brand of notebook/laptop computer was the last major purchase you made for your firm?</p>
<p>It’s no surprise that Dell, Lenovo and HP currently lead the pack in laptop usage.</p>
<p>But Microsoft Surface debuts at 3%.</p>
<p>In contrast to Legal, if your tech company is within 50 miles of Cupertino, don’t even dream of trying to hire top talent without offering some flavor of the MacBook. While MacBook usage may be relatively low today in Legal, we do see adoption, especially at the larger firms.</p>
<p><strong>Is Surface Pro Really in the Race?</strong></p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/300/0*zm9TCy9LeDuPsosB.png" width="300" height="298" loading="lazy" />
<p>Which statement below represents your firm’s position on adoption of the Microsoft Surface Pro device?</p>
<p>How interested <em>are</em> Legal teams in Surface Pros?</p>
<p>The sum of these responses:</p>
<p>-Evaluating or testing — 27%</p>
<p>-Deployed to a small group of users — 10%</p>
<p>-Offering in lieu of traditional laptop or desktop to some users — 6%</p>
<p>tallies up to a tidy 43% of firms seriously considering using Surface Pros.</p>
<p><strong>Today’s Winner and Still Champion: iOS</strong></p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/300/0*KDS17r45wdd4N-q8.png" width="300" height="195" loading="lazy" />
<p>Which of these popular wireless EMAIL devices are in use at your firm — by OS (multiple responses allowed)</p>
<p>Quoting Jeff Richarson, aka @iPhoneJD, the <a href="http://www.iphonejd.com/iphone_jd/2015/12/ilta-survey.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+iphonejd%2FkBay+%28iPhone+J.D.%29">“ILTA survey shows that virtually all law firms support the iPhone, iPad.” </a>Indeed. 99% of firms have iOS devices in use.</p>
<p>Android is at a healthy 79% today. This is a number to watch, however, as some firms have cut back on allowing Android devices due to the difficulty of upgrading for security patches.</p>
<p>BlackBerry, once the lifeline in Legal, is at 47%, down from 84% in 2012. Windows Phone is losing ground as well at 31%.</p>
<p><strong>What do you think? Is the iPad too sleek to be unseated by the Surface Pro? Does Word trump all?</strong></p>
<p>My next post — 3 intriguing points on mobile security from the <a href="http://www.iltanet.org/MainMenuCategory/Publications/WhitePapersandSurveys/2015-Technology-Survey.html">2015 ILTA Technology Survey</a>.</p>
<p>–Maureen</p>
<p>On Twitter we are: @mobilehelix</p>
<p>The 2015 ILTA Technology Survey of 420 firms is summarized at <a href="http://insidelegal.typepad.com/files/2015/11/2015-ilta-technology-survey-published-security-is-king-queen-and-pawn.html">InsideLegal</a>.</p>
<h1>Like this:</h1>
<p>Like Loading…</p>
<p><em>Originally published at <a href="http://blog.mobilehelix.com/201</em>6/01/04/surface-pro-v-ipad-3-legal-mobility-insights-from-the-ilta-technology-survey/">blog.mobilehelix.com</a> on January 4, 2016.</p>
</section>
|
Surface Pro v. iPad: 3 Legal Mobility Insights from the ILTA Technology Survey
Each December the International Legal Technology Association (ILTA) publishes their tour de force Technology Survey. Where BlackBerries were indispensable, iPhones dominate and iPads are nearly ubiquitous — but the Legal mobility scenario is dynamic. Here’s a look at three charts from the survey.
Microsoft Surface Pro — Making a Run for It
Is it a bird, is it a plane? Is a Surface Pro a tablet or a notebook PC? Whatever you call it, the Surface Pro is on the radar in Legal now.
For example, in October law firm Blank Rome announced that they were the first firm to roll-out the Surface Pro 3 firm-wide for all legal employees.
Curious as to why the Surface Pro might be gaining ground in Legal? Here’s Microsoft’s hook: lawyers live in Word and Outlook. Try using the Word app on iPad (although very good) compared to full Word on a very light Windows computer with a handy keyboard. Need I say more?
What PRIMARY brand of notebook/laptop computer was the last major purchase you made for your firm?
It’s no surprise that Dell, Lenovo and HP currently lead the pack in laptop usage.
But Microsoft Surface debuts at 3%.
In contrast to Legal, if your tech company is within 50 miles of Cupertino, don’t even dream of trying to hire top talent without offering some flavor of the MacBook. While MacBook usage may be relatively low today in Legal, we do see adoption, especially at the larger firms.
Is Surface Pro Really in the Race?
Which statement below represents your firm’s position on adoption of the Microsoft Surface Pro device?
How interested are Legal teams in Surface Pros?
The sum of these responses:
-Evaluating or testing — 27%
-Deployed to a small group of users — 10%
-Offering in lieu of traditional laptop or desktop to some users — 6%
tallies up to a tidy 43% of firms seriously considering using Surface Pros.
Today’s Winner and Still Champion: iOS
Which of these popular wireless EMAIL devices are in use at your firm — by OS (multiple responses allowed)
Quoting Jeff Richarson, aka @iPhoneJD, the “ILTA survey shows that virtually all law firms support the iPhone, iPad.” Indeed. 99% of firms have iOS devices in use.
Android is at a healthy 79% today. This is a number to watch, however, as some firms have cut back on allowing Android devices due to the difficulty of upgrading for security patches.
BlackBerry, once the lifeline in Legal, is at 47%, down from 84% in 2012. Windows Phone is losing ground as well at 31%.
What do you think? Is the iPad too sleek to be unseated by the Surface Pro? Does Word trump all?
My next post — 3 intriguing points on mobile security from the 2015 ILTA Technology Survey.
–Maureen
On Twitter we are: @mobilehelix
The 2015 ILTA Technology Survey of 420 firms is summarized at InsideLegal.
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Originally published at blog.mobilehelix.com on January 4, 2016.
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8e869e09-7a76-52c0-9b0f-1ce217decc86
|
25/08/2025 15:59:18
|
|
https://komamarius.medium.com/prepare-for-change-a71d3c363bac
|
medium.com
|
Prepare for change …
|
To endure the consequences of change, or to prepare for it to come out better.
|
Rev. Marius Koma
|
https://medium.com/@komamarius
|
a71d3c363bac
| null |
2 min
|
2020-10-08T10:46:36.314000
|
2020-10-08T10:48:22.629000
|
2021-12-16T03:58:31.536000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Religion,Encouragement,Life Lessons,Business
|
<section>
<p><em>To endure the consequences of change, or to prepare for it to come out better.</em></p>
<p>Change is a fact. Everything existential is subject to change: nature, environment, climate, man. Believe me even God.
Many of my fellow pastors or priests will say that I obstruct the Bible by declaring that Jesus Christ (considered as a functional or eternal Father and Son) does not change. Cf: Hebrews 13: 8
[8] Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Saint Paul in this passage makes an unchangeable presentation of God as a “person”. For him, the characters of love, kindness, compassion, fidelity etc. of God will never change, as will his supremacy and reign. For he is God forever.
On the other hand, God changes in his plans and actions. I take as an example the case of Moses in the desert discussing with God not to destroy the people who had just given themselves up to a worship addressed to another divinity and contemptuous by means of ingratitude, the One who had just delivered them from the slavery to which they had been subjected for 400 long and painful years. Cf: Exodus 32: 1–14
[14] And the Lord repented of the evil which he had said he wanted to do to his people. As we read the bible in this way, we may find that God himself is obligated to foresee change; both for us and for him.
Where am I going with this?
Let us think of the different systems that govern this world, a world that has become difficult to control as before. Of course, this is irrefutable proof of the notion of change. We can cite the economic, health, judicial, political and financial fields. We must prepare in advance to deal with their impacts, which are often intended to be positive for some (the minority) and negative for others (the majority). Let us ask ourselves a little while: how will we manage to escape the drama? How to survive in this chaotic world? How should I manage to be comfortable without stress in the face of the drastic change in the world?
Simple answer: Take charge of my life and decide to fulfill my vision.
As soon as you decide to run after your vision, you are prepared against any negative eventuality of the governance systems of this world. How do we know the real reason why we are on this earth, or are we there to accompany and help others to enrich themselves on our backs?</p>
</section>
|
Prepare for change …
To endure the consequences of change, or to prepare for it to come out better.
Change is a fact. Everything existential is subject to change: nature, environment, climate, man. Believe me even God.
Many of my fellow pastors or priests will say that I obstruct the Bible by declaring that Jesus Christ (considered as a functional or eternal Father and Son) does not change. Cf: Hebrews 13: 8
[8] Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Saint Paul in this passage makes an unchangeable presentation of God as a “person”. For him, the characters of love, kindness, compassion, fidelity etc. of God will never change, as will his supremacy and reign. For he is God forever.
On the other hand, God changes in his plans and actions. I take as an example the case of Moses in the desert discussing with God not to destroy the people who had just given themselves up to a worship addressed to another divinity and contemptuous by means of ingratitude, the One who had just delivered them from the slavery to which they had been subjected for 400 long and painful years. Cf: Exodus 32: 1–14
[14] And the Lord repented of the evil which he had said he wanted to do to his people. As we read the bible in this way, we may find that God himself is obligated to foresee change; both for us and for him.
Where am I going with this?
Let us think of the different systems that govern this world, a world that has become difficult to control as before. Of course, this is irrefutable proof of the notion of change. We can cite the economic, health, judicial, political and financial fields. We must prepare in advance to deal with their impacts, which are often intended to be positive for some (the minority) and negative for others (the majority). Let us ask ourselves a little while: how will we manage to escape the drama? How to survive in this chaotic world? How should I manage to be comfortable without stress in the face of the drastic change in the world?
Simple answer: Take charge of my life and decide to fulfill my vision.
As soon as you decide to run after your vision, you are prepared against any negative eventuality of the governance systems of this world. How do we know the real reason why we are on this earth, or are we there to accompany and help others to enrich themselves on our backs?
|
c672f4c5-7111-5da5-a9d3-c6a0536e36e9
|
25/08/2025 15:59:18
|
https://medium.com/@MBaitani/is-freedom-of-media-singing-a-same-song-with-the-state-1c2ecf45b5a0
|
medium.com
|
Is Freedom of Media singing a same song with the State?
|
Reflection by Mujuni Baitani
|
MUJUNI BAITANI,JR
|
https://medium.com/@MBaitani
|
1c2ecf45b5a0
|
4 min
|
2016-09-28T19:18:03.639000
|
2016-09-28T19:39:20.153000
|
2018-01-16T07:10:41.329000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Journalism,Africa,Tanzania,Governance,East Africa
|
<section>
<h1>Is Freedom of Media singing a same song with the State?</h1>
<p>Reflection by Mujuni Baitani</p>
<p><em><strong>“Freedom and development are as completely linked together as Chicken and eggs. Without chickens, you get no eggs; and without eggs you soon have no chickens. Similarly, without freedom you get no development, and without development you very soon lose your freedom” — Mwalimu JK Nyere</em>re, 1970</strong></p>
<p>It is not a simple fact to deny that freedom is the process of human liberation and human growth. It is clear that freedom cannot go in a side-line without mentioning development. According to global transformations “internet” has been used as a media that plays an important role in the development sectors. Internet has open a wide spectrum of gathering information and educating the society in different issues that needs to be heard.
In East African countries “Internet” has been given a special attention by the users and the states in different angles. Referring to countries like Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania,Rwanda; Internet is given a potential attention to ensure that it bridges the gap of information and brings up progress in society development. Frankly, it has not been as easy as one can think, most of the users have been passing over different challenges to achieve freedom of media in these countries. In most of the states of East Africa users who have tried to use “Internet” as a media to put their potentates in check have either succeeded or ended landing into deep situations. This implies that our states plays a vital role to ensure the media users sing the same song with them.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1024/1*JhFjIbLpe3hvqt4XuYjauA.jpeg" width="1024" height="768" loading="lazy" />
<p>In the United Republic of Tanzania the Constitution provides for the right of freedom of conscience which entitle the individual to the freedom of opinion and expression and the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers. In addition, every citizen has a right to be kept informed of developments in the country and in the world which are of concern for the life of the people and their work and of the questions of concern to the community.
One of the ways of actualizing enjoyment of these rights is through guaranteeing existence of free but not to limit the freedom of media usage. One of the friend once reminded me of the quotation from Iddi Amin telling me that eras of fearing critics is over, the states can use the critics to develop better policy, better constitutions and better day to day activity performance.</p>
<p><em><strong>“There is freedom of speech, but I cannot guarantee freedom after s</em>peech”- </strong>His Excellency <strong>President for Life</strong>, <strong>Field Marshal</strong> Al Hadji <strong>Doctor</strong> Idi Amin, VC, DSO, MC, CBE, <strong>Lord</strong> of all the Beasts of the Earth and Fishes of the Sea, and Conqueror of the British Empire in Africa in General and Uganda in Particular.</p>
<p>However, things have not always been easy for African Medias. As Randy Pausch explained in his last lecture that complaining does not work as a strategy. We all have finite time and energy. The more time we spend on whining is unlikely to help us achieve our goals. We all understand what we real face in our states concerning freedom of media. It is our morale obligations to champion changes of freedom in media. There has been serious cases of harassment of the media; internet, newspaper article even radio broadcasting, but we are still silent seeing the situation as a normal.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/624/1*eYOKLhwkFMuHRPMvWl9dFA.jpeg" width="624" height="351" loading="lazy" />
<p>The law applicable to media gives tremendous powers to the government to control the media and the government has not hesitated to use it effectively over its people. Therefore time has come we consult our governments on laws even policies concerning media, due to huge number of beneficial users. Every citizens needs information as it contributes to development welfare.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1500/1*27OfuM2yrNmnB_M2eWCxiQ.png" width="1500" height="994" loading="lazy" />
<p>It is important to have a clear elaboration of freedom of media from the Constitution in which we believe it’s a mother law governing any state. By doing that we won’t just be solving complications on Journalists but to all information end users. Starting with the governing laws is the best option than having thousands of resolution on data and information access while the states still deny and hypocrisies on the right of information.</p>
<p>“For too long, information, opportunities, and resources have been constraints, they need to be the bridges.” — Sharad Vivek Sagar</p>
<p>I would say that time has come for Freedom of media to be taken serious. It’s our moral obligations as media end users to acknowledge and strive to make sure together we champion the freedom of our medias. Let us not forget that smart governance comprises of transparency and accountability. Let us not misuse the opportunity today.</p>
</section>
|
Is Freedom of Media singing a same song with the State?
Reflection by Mujuni Baitani
“Freedom and development are as completely linked together as Chicken and eggs. Without chickens, you get no eggs; and without eggs you soon have no chickens. Similarly, without freedom you get no development, and without development you very soon lose your freedom” — Mwalimu JK Nyerere, 1970
It is not a simple fact to deny that freedom is the process of human liberation and human growth. It is clear that freedom cannot go in a side-line without mentioning development. According to global transformations “internet” has been used as a media that plays an important role in the development sectors. Internet has open a wide spectrum of gathering information and educating the society in different issues that needs to be heard.
In East African countries “Internet” has been given a special attention by the users and the states in different angles. Referring to countries like Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania,Rwanda; Internet is given a potential attention to ensure that it bridges the gap of information and brings up progress in society development. Frankly, it has not been as easy as one can think, most of the users have been passing over different challenges to achieve freedom of media in these countries. In most of the states of East Africa users who have tried to use “Internet” as a media to put their potentates in check have either succeeded or ended landing into deep situations. This implies that our states plays a vital role to ensure the media users sing the same song with them.
Photo Credits: Google images
In the United Republic of Tanzania the Constitution provides for the right of freedom of conscience which entitle the individual to the freedom of opinion and expression and the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers. In addition, every citizen has a right to be kept informed of developments in the country and in the world which are of concern for the life of the people and their work and of the questions of concern to the community.
One of the ways of actualizing enjoyment of these rights is through guaranteeing existence of free but not to limit the freedom of media usage. One of the friend once reminded me of the quotation from Iddi Amin telling me that eras of fearing critics is over, the states can use the critics to develop better policy, better constitutions and better day to day activity performance.
“There is freedom of speech, but I cannot guarantee freedom after speech”- His Excellency President for Life, Field Marshal Al Hadji Doctor Idi Amin, VC, DSO, MC, CBE, Lord of all the Beasts of the Earth and Fishes of the Sea, and Conqueror of the British Empire in Africa in General and Uganda in Particular.
However, things have not always been easy for African Medias. As Randy Pausch explained in his last lecture that complaining does not work as a strategy. We all have finite time and energy. The more time we spend on whining is unlikely to help us achieve our goals. We all understand what we real face in our states concerning freedom of media. It is our morale obligations to champion changes of freedom in media. There has been serious cases of harassment of the media; internet, newspaper article even radio broadcasting, but we are still silent seeing the situation as a normal.
PhotoCredits: BBC Media Action Tanzania
The law applicable to media gives tremendous powers to the government to control the media and the government has not hesitated to use it effectively over its people. Therefore time has come we consult our governments on laws even policies concerning media, due to huge number of beneficial users. Every citizens needs information as it contributes to development welfare.
Photo Credits: Jua Katiba Tanzania
It is important to have a clear elaboration of freedom of media from the Constitution in which we believe it’s a mother law governing any state. By doing that we won’t just be solving complications on Journalists but to all information end users. Starting with the governing laws is the best option than having thousands of resolution on data and information access while the states still deny and hypocrisies on the right of information.
“For too long, information, opportunities, and resources have been constraints, they need to be the bridges.” — Sharad Vivek Sagar
I would say that time has come for Freedom of media to be taken serious. It’s our moral obligations as media end users to acknowledge and strive to make sure together we champion the freedom of our medias. Let us not forget that smart governance comprises of transparency and accountability. Let us not misuse the opportunity today.
|
a0640ce7-d3b1-5259-9c7a-581f064b3c91
|
25/08/2025 15:59:18
|
|
https://medium.com/@TeshyT5/crytocurrency-scams-505391377781
|
medium.com
|
Cryptocurrency Scams
|
What is a scam?
|
Tesh
|
https://medium.com/@TeshyT5
|
505391377781
| null |
3 min
|
2021-10-17T23:17:41.448000
|
2021-10-17T23:18:16.864000
|
2022-01-04T21:14:14.546000
| 1
| 4
|
en
|
Crytocurrency,Scam,Bitcoin,Altcoins,Exchange
|
<section>
<p>What is a scam?</p>
<p>Merriam-Webster following a quick google search describes a scam as a <em>fraudulent or deceptive act or operation.</em></p>
<p>In simpler terms, a scam is an action perpetuated by someone to steal what is yours.</p>
<p>Scams exists in all aspects of life such as a beggar scam whereby an individual who panhandles for money but is well off. Another well known Scam in society is MLM known as Multi level Marketing whereby an individual earns money by selling to people they know and asking them to recruit others so they can create an “upstream of income”.</p>
<p>But I am not here to talk about everyday scams. I will outline the most common cryptocurrency scams that I know and how they function. Hopefully by knowing some of these, it will help keep you safe in your crypto journey.</p>
<p>Firstly what is a Crypto Scam?</p>
<p>Well a crypto scam falls under the same general definition of a scam. A fraudulent individual/party is trying to either obtain your information to drain you of your funds or trying to get you to invest in a deceptive project.</p>
<p><strong>1 — Information Phising</strong></p>
<p>Phising is the most common way a scammer will try to gain access to your information. Phising is a type of social engineering whereby an attacker will trick you in sending them sensitive information.</p>
<p>In most cases, they will attempt to get you to reveal your Passphrase/Seedphrase/Mnemonic phrase through a fraudulent way such as a Website Scam, or a fake administrator private message.</p>
<p>Always remember to check your website links/ playstore application before engaging in anything cryptocurrency. <strong>A cryptocurrency team will NEVER ask you to share your Passphrase/Seedphrase/Mnemonic phrase under any circumstances. </strong>Cryptocurrency teams will also never make first contact for an issue — this is similar to the software call centre scams whereby you receive a call from an individual stating that they work for ‘X’ software company and have found a bug</p>
<p><strong>2 — Exit Scam</strong></p>
<p>Crytocurrency is currently experiencing a significant growth in projects. Many project rely on a high degree of trust of the investors part to gain & retain investment capital through coin and token sales. This is because investors normally invest based on a project’s future capabilities and technology.</p>
<p>Scammers have started using this to create fake projects in hope that users will invest into their project. Once the project has received enough capital, they will then undertake an exit scam, essentially removing all liquidity and disappearing with the money. Unfortunately it is a bit harder to spot these scam projects as they normally seem well written and backed.</p>
<p>Always remember to <strong>Do Your Own Research</strong> well before investing into any project. <strong>Be wary of Shillfluencers</strong> who are often paid to promote a project or are part of the scam itself.</p>
<p><strong>3 — Token Pump and Dump Scams</strong></p>
<p>One of the most recent scams that has turned up in the crypto space is the pump and dump scams. Normally these be undertaken by creating a token which is easy nowadays as the tools are available online.</p>
<p>Scammers will create a new token, add some liquidity and get Shillfluencers to pump the project. The scammers will retain a significant portion of the tokens. Once the project pumps, the scammers will dump the tokens on the market, leaving the holders with bags of token worth nothing.</p>
<p>Pump and dump scams are generally operated by private groups who keep creating and dumping on users or if a token is popular, they will start manipulating the price to gain profit.</p>
<p>Again always remember to Do Your Own Research well before investing into any project. Be wary of Shillfluencers who are often paid to promote a project or are part of the scam itself. Make sure to understand if your token has a use case or utility before investing.</p>
<p>Unfortunately pump and dump schemes has created a negative connotation to many new cryptocurrency project who have genuine use case and utility.</p>
<p><strong>4 — Exchange/NFT Project Scam</strong></p>
<p>This scam is the most complex scam. You will find that in the cryptocurrency space, many projects’ source code is available online. This has lead to clone projects coming online.</p>
<p>The clone projects are generally created to show an air of legitimacy for a project but in the long term, they will pull an exit scam on their users.</p>
<p>Be wary of clone projects as they will normally look similar to other projects but will attempt to offer insane yields to try and lure users.</p>
<p>If it is too good to be true, it often is.</p>
<p>This scam can also be form of phising. If you share your wallet detail to the site, it can give the scammer access to your funds, so be wary which sites you are linking your wallet to.</p>
<p><strong>5 — Airdrop Scam</strong></p>
<p>Airdropping scam fall under two category;</p>
<p>· Phising — A fake airdrop website, will attempt to gather your information to try and scam you</p>
<p>· Dusting — A fake/fraudulent token will be sent to your wallet. This token will allow the scammer to keep an eye on your address as they can watch all transactions. Interacting and entering with a contract with this token may also open your wallet to the scammer through some nefarious contract codes.</p>
<p>Be safe out in the cryptocurrency environment. While it is a great space, anything involving money will have scammers sniffing around.</p>
</section>
|
Cryptocurrency Scams
What is a scam?
Merriam-Webster following a quick google search describes a scam as a fraudulent or deceptive act or operation.
In simpler terms, a scam is an action perpetuated by someone to steal what is yours.
Scams exists in all aspects of life such as a beggar scam whereby an individual who panhandles for money but is well off. Another well known Scam in society is MLM known as Multi level Marketing whereby an individual earns money by selling to people they know and asking them to recruit others so they can create an “upstream of income”.
But I am not here to talk about everyday scams. I will outline the most common cryptocurrency scams that I know and how they function. Hopefully by knowing some of these, it will help keep you safe in your crypto journey.
Firstly what is a Crypto Scam?
Well a crypto scam falls under the same general definition of a scam. A fraudulent individual/party is trying to either obtain your information to drain you of your funds or trying to get you to invest in a deceptive project.
1 — Information Phising
Phising is the most common way a scammer will try to gain access to your information. Phising is a type of social engineering whereby an attacker will trick you in sending them sensitive information.
In most cases, they will attempt to get you to reveal your Passphrase/Seedphrase/Mnemonic phrase through a fraudulent way such as a Website Scam, or a fake administrator private message.
Always remember to check your website links/ playstore application before engaging in anything cryptocurrency. A cryptocurrency team will NEVER ask you to share your Passphrase/Seedphrase/Mnemonic phrase under any circumstances. Cryptocurrency teams will also never make first contact for an issue — this is similar to the software call centre scams whereby you receive a call from an individual stating that they work for ‘X’ software company and have found a bug
2 — Exit Scam
Crytocurrency is currently experiencing a significant growth in projects. Many project rely on a high degree of trust of the investors part to gain & retain investment capital through coin and token sales. This is because investors normally invest based on a project’s future capabilities and technology.
Scammers have started using this to create fake projects in hope that users will invest into their project. Once the project has received enough capital, they will then undertake an exit scam, essentially removing all liquidity and disappearing with the money. Unfortunately it is a bit harder to spot these scam projects as they normally seem well written and backed.
Always remember to Do Your Own Research well before investing into any project. Be wary of Shillfluencers who are often paid to promote a project or are part of the scam itself.
3 — Token Pump and Dump Scams
One of the most recent scams that has turned up in the crypto space is the pump and dump scams. Normally these be undertaken by creating a token which is easy nowadays as the tools are available online.
Scammers will create a new token, add some liquidity and get Shillfluencers to pump the project. The scammers will retain a significant portion of the tokens. Once the project pumps, the scammers will dump the tokens on the market, leaving the holders with bags of token worth nothing.
Pump and dump scams are generally operated by private groups who keep creating and dumping on users or if a token is popular, they will start manipulating the price to gain profit.
Again always remember to Do Your Own Research well before investing into any project. Be wary of Shillfluencers who are often paid to promote a project or are part of the scam itself. Make sure to understand if your token has a use case or utility before investing.
Unfortunately pump and dump schemes has created a negative connotation to many new cryptocurrency project who have genuine use case and utility.
4 — Exchange/NFT Project Scam
This scam is the most complex scam. You will find that in the cryptocurrency space, many projects’ source code is available online. This has lead to clone projects coming online.
The clone projects are generally created to show an air of legitimacy for a project but in the long term, they will pull an exit scam on their users.
Be wary of clone projects as they will normally look similar to other projects but will attempt to offer insane yields to try and lure users.
If it is too good to be true, it often is.
This scam can also be form of phising. If you share your wallet detail to the site, it can give the scammer access to your funds, so be wary which sites you are linking your wallet to.
5 — Airdrop Scam
Airdropping scam fall under two category;
· Phising — A fake airdrop website, will attempt to gather your information to try and scam you
· Dusting — A fake/fraudulent token will be sent to your wallet. This token will allow the scammer to keep an eye on your address as they can watch all transactions. Interacting and entering with a contract with this token may also open your wallet to the scammer through some nefarious contract codes.
Be safe out in the cryptocurrency environment. While it is a great space, anything involving money will have scammers sniffing around.
|
c40d7f02-3d7b-5529-9661-e9f21cb4013d
|
25/08/2025 15:59:19
|
https://rounakdhillon619.medium.com/discover-how-self-service-is-a-key-to-improved-customer-experience-9fbcf47cf865
|
medium.com
|
Discover how self service is a key to improved customer experience.
| null |
Rounak Dhillon
|
https://medium.com/@rounakdhillon619
|
9fbcf47cf865
|
0 min
|
2018-07-30T11:55:21.178000
|
2018-07-30T11:58:33.483000
|
2018-07-30T11:59:18.791000
| 0
| 0
|
en
|
Customer Service,Customer Experience,Self Service Portal
|
<section>
<p><strong><a href="https://bit.ly/2LZ8HY5">Waiting Lines are Passe. It's the Era o</strong>f Self Service! | KocharTech Blog
<em>Categories: How long would you keep your customers stuck in waiting lines? The customers who do not receive responses…</</a>em>bit.ly</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/862/0*axwKn6HS3Ejlhjli.jpg" width="862" height="476" loading="lazy" />
</section>
|
Discover how self service is a key to improved customer experience.
Waiting Lines are Passe. It's the Era of Self Service! | KocharTech Blog
Categories: How long would you keep your customers stuck in waiting lines? The customers who do not receive responses…bit.ly
|
d3b428cd-a85c-5fda-833d-2130c1547920
|
25/08/2025 15:59:20
|
|
https://medium.com/data-science/genetic-algorithm-an-optimization-approach-dd60e23261e6
|
medium.com
|
Genetic Algorithm — An Optimization Approach
|
An introduction to optimization using genetic algorithms and implementations in R
|
Prasun Biswas
|
https://medium.com/@prasunbiswas90
|
dd60e23261e6
|
7 min
|
2022-11-14T11:48:43.514000
|
2022-11-15T18:39:22.059000
|
2022-11-16T04:52:00.509000
| 0
| 339
|
en
|
Optimization,Genetic Algorithm,Retail,Healthcare,R Language
|
<section>
<h3>An introduction to optimization using genetic algorithms and implementations in R</h3>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/5184/1*KKYZK_GTHja7MIKqVO26Sw.jpeg" width="5184" height="3456" loading="lazy" />
<p>Optimization is a very important concept in any business domain be it retail, finance, automobile or healthcare. In simple words, the purpose of optimization is to find a point or set of points in the search space by minimizing/maximizing the loss/cost function, that gives us the optimal solution for the problem in hand. Here, we try to minimize/maximize the objective function f(x) subject to one/multiple constraints like,</p>
<pre><code class="language-scss">Minimize f(x)
Subject to:
g(x) = 0 (equality constraint)
h(x) <= 0 (inequality constraint)
lb <= x <= ub (lb: lower bound, ub: upper bound)</code></pre>
<p>This article will help you to understand how we can optimize the problem statement using genetic algorithm (GA), which is one of the simplest evolutionary algorithms (EAs).</p>
<p><strong>What is a Genetic Algorithm and how it works?</strong></p>
<p>The basic intuition of the evolutionary algorithm is to select the best individuals as parents from the population, asking them to reproduce to extend the generation. During this reproduction process genes from both the parent’s crossover and in a way, an un-inherited error occurs which is known as mutation. Then the next generations are asked to reproduce their offspring and the process continues. The evolutionary algorithm is inspired on this theory of crossover and mutation, where basically Crossover is used to create new solutions from population’s genetic information and mutation occurs to bring new information or maintain diversity within the population and prevent premature convergence to make the solution more generic.</p>
<p>Genetic Algorithm (GA) is a search-based optimization technique based on the principles of biological evolutions though Genetics and Natural Selection. It is commonly used to find optimal or near-optimal solutions to the problems from the search space which otherwise would have taken a significant amount to solve. Now, let’s talk about the fundamentals of the working algorithm.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/687/1*Sz29pCCtToB-wTjCdZWSRg.png" width="687" height="479" loading="lazy" />
<p><strong>Initiate the Population</strong></p>
<p>Let us first understand what population means in GA.</p>
<p><em>Population (or Generation):</em> It is a set of all possible solutions (candidate solutions) to initiate the search. GA will iterate over multiple generations until it finds an optimized solution.</p>
<p><em>Chromosome:</em> It represents one particular(candidate) solution present in the population.</p>
<p><em>Gene:</em> It is a single element of the decision variable that contains the value(allele) and position(locus) of the particular Chromosome.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/975/1*RqTx-wCR1K9CQzzAp1oakw.png" width="975" height="281" loading="lazy" />
<p>First-generation is randomly initiated <em>(Random Initialization)</em>. The algorithm generally starts with the randomly generated population. The size of the population depends on the nature of the problem and is determined by the size of the decision variable. The same size of the population is maintained throughout all the generations. Also, there is another option to initiate the population using a known heuristic for the problem <em>(Heuristic Initialization)</em> but it is not recommended usually as it can result in the population having similar solutions and very little diversity.</p>
<p><strong>Evaluate the Fitness</strong></p>
<p>The fitness function evaluates how fit a candidate solution is for the objective. It gives a fitness score (probability value) to each individual based on which that individual will be selected for reproduction.</p>
<p>Usually, the fitness function can be thought as an objective function but in case of complex problems, where multiple objectives and constraints are present, fitness function can be designed differently.</p>
<p>A fitness function should have the following characteristics:</p>
<p><em>· The fitness function should be sufficiently fast to compute.</em></p>
<p><em>· It must quantitatively measure how fit a given solution is or how fit individuals can be produced from the given solution.</em></p>
<p><strong>Select Parents</strong></p>
<p>Parent selection is the process of identifying the fittest solution from a population, and it reproduces next generation of solutions. It helps the next generation to inherit the “good” features naturally. As in generation 0, we do not have any offsprings, we select parents from the population initiated.</p>
<p>This selection is very critical as it drives individuals to better and fitter solutions and hence leading to convergence of the algorithm. Also, one of the key characteristics of the parent should be maintaining good diversity in the population. There are different methods to select parents (read <a href="https://www.tutorialspoint.com/genetic_algorithms/genetic_algorithms_parent_selection.htm">here</a>).</p>
<p><strong>Crossover</strong></p>
<p>Crossover helps to generate new offspring. As GA is random-based EA, the amount of genes carried from each parent is random. Certain genes from both the parent chromosomes are overlapped or mixed to produce new generation. Since the offspring is the result of the parent chromosomes’ crossover, it inherits both the parents’ characteristics. Sometimes the offspring takes half of its genes from one parent and the other half from the other parent and sometimes such percent changes.</p>
<p>There are different methods like single point crossover, double point crossover, uniform crossover. Uniform crossover is the popular one to perform the crossover. Here, genes are randomly chosen from the parent chromosome. Here the genes which are inherited are marked as 1 and others as 0, which comes from the uniform distribution (let say these are called unif_value). Now the unif_value gets multiplied with the gene value of each parent chromosome. The parent selection and crossover operations are repeated multiple times until the number of the solutions in the next generation reaches the population_size (the same size of the population is maintained throughout all the generations).</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/826/1*uMMAQieLF4yP4ZXhbP5yvQ.png" width="826" height="284" loading="lazy" />
<p><strong>Mutation</strong></p>
<p>Mutation helps to include new characteristics into the gene, which basically maintain the diversity within the population and prevent premature convergence of the process. Mutation is the part of the GA which is related to the “exploration” of the search space. Hence, mutation is essential to the convergence of the GA while crossover is not.</p>
<p><strong>Criteria Satisfied</strong></p>
<p>The algorithm terminates when it has reached to its convergence i.e., it does not produce offspring which are significantly different from earlier generation. Usually, the algorithm terminates if any of the following criteria is satisfied:</p>
<p><em>· if there is no fitness improvement in the population for next X iterations</em></p>
<p><em>· If objective function has attained the optimal or pre-defined value</em></p>
<p><em>· If maximum number of generations have been reached</em></p>
<p><strong>Why Genetic algorithm</strong></p>
<p>Genetic Algorithm (GA) has the ability to provide a “good-enough” solution “fast-enough” in large-scale problems, where traditional algorithms might fail to deliver a solution. It provides a generic framework for solving the complex optimization problem. Below are few advantages of using GA algorithm:</p>
<p><em>a) Overcomes the failure of Traditional optimization algorithm</em></p>
<p>A function is differentiable if we can calculate the gradient for any given point. Traditional algorithms like gradient descent, newton’s method use derivative approach to obtain optimal solution. It starts with a random point and by moving in the direction of the gradient, till we reach the peak. This technique is efficient and works very well for linear regression type of problem where we have single-peaked objective function. But, in real world we have a complex problem having multiple peaks and many valleys (non convex objective function). Here the traditional algorithms suffer from an inherent tendency of getting stuck at the local optima.</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/802/1*R1O6pyhlP-xkvxE-q20YPA.png" width="802" height="524" loading="lazy" />
<p>Whereas, the genetic algorithm does not require the gradient of the objective function. It can be used to variety of optimization problems where the objective function is discontinuous, non-differentiable, stochastic, or highly nonlinear.</p>
<p><em>b) This can be easily parallelized.</em></p>
<p><em>c) GA is quite fast and explores the search space in a relatively short computation time.</em></p>
<p><em>d) Multiple complex optimization objectives can be included</em></p>
<p><strong>Limitations</strong></p>
<p>a) GA might not converge to optimal solution if not implemented properly</p>
<p>b) Might be computationally expensive as fitness function is calculated repeatedly.</p>
<p>c) Sometimes GA doesn’t allow hard constraints, so need to pass them as penalties in the objective function. Penalty function reduces the fitness of infeasible solutions, so that the fitness is reduced in proportion with the number of constraints violated or the distance from the feasible region.</p>
<p><strong>Few examples as Use Cases</strong></p>
<p>a) Inventory optimization: This can help the replenishment decisions which will avoid to stock-out conditions and therefore lost in sales.</p>
<p>b) Store Space optimization: This can help to increase the sales of the store by reshuffling the space, keeping some factors as constraint.</p>
<p>c) Power supply optimization</p>
<p><strong>Implementation: Code Snippet in R</strong></p>
<pre><code class="language-r"># Define the functions:
pred_eval_fun_P <- function(x) {}: # Defining fuction for calculating predicted demand
orig_eval_fun_P <- function(x) {}: # Defining fuction for calculating actual demand
eval_g_ineq1 <- function(x) {}: # Creating 1st constraint
eval_g_ineq2 <- function(x) {}: # Creating 2nd constraint
fitness_P <- function(x) {}: # Creating the objective function and adding penalty as it can't take hard constraint. As example like below:
{
f <- pred_eval_fun_P(x) # maximise f(x)
p <- sqrt(.Machine$double.xmax) # penalty term
pel_int <- abs(eval_g_ineq1(x))
pel_int1 <- abs(eval_g_ineq2(x))
penalty1 <- # define as needed
penalty2 <- # define as needed
f-penalty1-penalty2 # fitness function value
}
lb: # Defining the lower bound
ub: # Defining the upper bound
no_cores <- detectCores() - 1
# Also define starting, max_gen, hard_gen as needed
# Run the optimization:
library(snow)
library(rgenoud)
cl1 <- makeCluster(no_cores, type="SOCK")
clusterExport(cl1, list("fitness_P","lb","ub","pred_eval_fun_P","eval_g_ineq1","eval_g_ineq2","starting","max_gen","hard_gen"))
GA_P1 <- genoud(fitness_P, Domains=cbind(lb,ub), nvars=length(lb), pop.size=100, max=TRUE,wait.generations = 50, max.generations = max_gen, hard.generation.limit=hard_gen, data.type.int=TRUE, cluster = cl1,print.level = 1, solution.tolerance = 0.001)
final_reco <- as.numeric(as.character(GA_P1$par))
stopCluster(cl1)</code></pre>
<p><em>Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article is the opinion of the author in his personal capacity and not of his employer</em></p>
</section>
|
Genetic Algorithm — An Optimization Approach
An introduction to optimization using genetic algorithms and implementations in R
Photo: Unsplash
Optimization is a very important concept in any business domain be it retail, finance, automobile or healthcare. In simple words, the purpose of optimization is to find a point or set of points in the search space by minimizing/maximizing the loss/cost function, that gives us the optimal solution for the problem in hand. Here, we try to minimize/maximize the objective function f(x) subject to one/multiple constraints like,
Minimize f(x)
Subject to:
g(x) = 0 (equality constraint)
h(x) <= 0 (inequality constraint)
lb <= x <= ub (lb: lower bound, ub: upper bound)
This article will help you to understand how we can optimize the problem statement using genetic algorithm (GA), which is one of the simplest evolutionary algorithms (EAs).
What is a Genetic Algorithm and how it works?
The basic intuition of the evolutionary algorithm is to select the best individuals as parents from the population, asking them to reproduce to extend the generation. During this reproduction process genes from both the parent’s crossover and in a way, an un-inherited error occurs which is known as mutation. Then the next generations are asked to reproduce their offspring and the process continues. The evolutionary algorithm is inspired on this theory of crossover and mutation, where basically Crossover is used to create new solutions from population’s genetic information and mutation occurs to bring new information or maintain diversity within the population and prevent premature convergence to make the solution more generic.
Genetic Algorithm (GA) is a search-based optimization technique based on the principles of biological evolutions though Genetics and Natural Selection. It is commonly used to find optimal or near-optimal solutions to the problems from the search space which otherwise would have taken a significant amount to solve. Now, let’s talk about the fundamentals of the working algorithm.
Image by Author
Initiate the Population
Let us first understand what population means in GA.
Population (or Generation): It is a set of all possible solutions (candidate solutions) to initiate the search. GA will iterate over multiple generations until it finds an optimized solution.
Chromosome: It represents one particular(candidate) solution present in the population.
Gene: It is a single element of the decision variable that contains the value(allele) and position(locus) of the particular Chromosome.
Image by Author
First-generation is randomly initiated (Random Initialization). The algorithm generally starts with the randomly generated population. The size of the population depends on the nature of the problem and is determined by the size of the decision variable. The same size of the population is maintained throughout all the generations. Also, there is another option to initiate the population using a known heuristic for the problem (Heuristic Initialization) but it is not recommended usually as it can result in the population having similar solutions and very little diversity.
Evaluate the Fitness
The fitness function evaluates how fit a candidate solution is for the objective. It gives a fitness score (probability value) to each individual based on which that individual will be selected for reproduction.
Usually, the fitness function can be thought as an objective function but in case of complex problems, where multiple objectives and constraints are present, fitness function can be designed differently.
A fitness function should have the following characteristics:
· The fitness function should be sufficiently fast to compute.
· It must quantitatively measure how fit a given solution is or how fit individuals can be produced from the given solution.
Select Parents
Parent selection is the process of identifying the fittest solution from a population, and it reproduces next generation of solutions. It helps the next generation to inherit the “good” features naturally. As in generation 0, we do not have any offsprings, we select parents from the population initiated.
This selection is very critical as it drives individuals to better and fitter solutions and hence leading to convergence of the algorithm. Also, one of the key characteristics of the parent should be maintaining good diversity in the population. There are different methods to select parents (read here).
Crossover
Crossover helps to generate new offspring. As GA is random-based EA, the amount of genes carried from each parent is random. Certain genes from both the parent chromosomes are overlapped or mixed to produce new generation. Since the offspring is the result of the parent chromosomes’ crossover, it inherits both the parents’ characteristics. Sometimes the offspring takes half of its genes from one parent and the other half from the other parent and sometimes such percent changes.
There are different methods like single point crossover, double point crossover, uniform crossover. Uniform crossover is the popular one to perform the crossover. Here, genes are randomly chosen from the parent chromosome. Here the genes which are inherited are marked as 1 and others as 0, which comes from the uniform distribution (let say these are called unif_value). Now the unif_value gets multiplied with the gene value of each parent chromosome. The parent selection and crossover operations are repeated multiple times until the number of the solutions in the next generation reaches the population_size (the same size of the population is maintained throughout all the generations).
Image by Author
Mutation
Mutation helps to include new characteristics into the gene, which basically maintain the diversity within the population and prevent premature convergence of the process. Mutation is the part of the GA which is related to the “exploration” of the search space. Hence, mutation is essential to the convergence of the GA while crossover is not.
Criteria Satisfied
The algorithm terminates when it has reached to its convergence i.e., it does not produce offspring which are significantly different from earlier generation. Usually, the algorithm terminates if any of the following criteria is satisfied:
· if there is no fitness improvement in the population for next X iterations
· If objective function has attained the optimal or pre-defined value
· If maximum number of generations have been reached
Why Genetic algorithm
Genetic Algorithm (GA) has the ability to provide a “good-enough” solution “fast-enough” in large-scale problems, where traditional algorithms might fail to deliver a solution. It provides a generic framework for solving the complex optimization problem. Below are few advantages of using GA algorithm:
a) Overcomes the failure of Traditional optimization algorithm
A function is differentiable if we can calculate the gradient for any given point. Traditional algorithms like gradient descent, newton’s method use derivative approach to obtain optimal solution. It starts with a random point and by moving in the direction of the gradient, till we reach the peak. This technique is efficient and works very well for linear regression type of problem where we have single-peaked objective function. But, in real world we have a complex problem having multiple peaks and many valleys (non convex objective function). Here the traditional algorithms suffer from an inherent tendency of getting stuck at the local optima.
Image by Author
Whereas, the genetic algorithm does not require the gradient of the objective function. It can be used to variety of optimization problems where the objective function is discontinuous, non-differentiable, stochastic, or highly nonlinear.
b) This can be easily parallelized.
c) GA is quite fast and explores the search space in a relatively short computation time.
d) Multiple complex optimization objectives can be included
Limitations
a) GA might not converge to optimal solution if not implemented properly
b) Might be computationally expensive as fitness function is calculated repeatedly.
c) Sometimes GA doesn’t allow hard constraints, so need to pass them as penalties in the objective function. Penalty function reduces the fitness of infeasible solutions, so that the fitness is reduced in proportion with the number of constraints violated or the distance from the feasible region.
Few examples as Use Cases
a) Inventory optimization: This can help the replenishment decisions which will avoid to stock-out conditions and therefore lost in sales.
b) Store Space optimization: This can help to increase the sales of the store by reshuffling the space, keeping some factors as constraint.
c) Power supply optimization
Implementation: Code Snippet in R
# Define the functions:
pred_eval_fun_P <- function(x) {}: # Defining fuction for calculating predicted demand
orig_eval_fun_P <- function(x) {}: # Defining fuction for calculating actual demand
eval_g_ineq1 <- function(x) {}: # Creating 1st constraint
eval_g_ineq2 <- function(x) {}: # Creating 2nd constraint
fitness_P <- function(x) {}: # Creating the objective function and adding penalty as it can't take hard constraint. As example like below:
{
f <- pred_eval_fun_P(x) # maximise f(x)
p <- sqrt(.Machine$double.xmax) # penalty term
pel_int <- abs(eval_g_ineq1(x))
pel_int1 <- abs(eval_g_ineq2(x))
penalty1 <- # define as needed
penalty2 <- # define as needed
f-penalty1-penalty2 # fitness function value
}
lb: # Defining the lower bound
ub: # Defining the upper bound
no_cores <- detectCores() - 1
# Also define starting, max_gen, hard_gen as needed
# Run the optimization:
library(snow)
library(rgenoud)
cl1 <- makeCluster(no_cores, type="SOCK")
clusterExport(cl1, list("fitness_P","lb","ub","pred_eval_fun_P","eval_g_ineq1","eval_g_ineq2","starting","max_gen","hard_gen"))
GA_P1 <- genoud(fitness_P, Domains=cbind(lb,ub), nvars=length(lb), pop.size=100, max=TRUE,wait.generations = 50, max.generations = max_gen, hard.generation.limit=hard_gen, data.type.int=TRUE, cluster = cl1,print.level = 1, solution.tolerance = 0.001)
final_reco <- as.numeric(as.character(GA_P1$par))
stopCluster(cl1)
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article is the opinion of the author in his personal capacity and not of his employer
|
2c3036ad-4074-5075-9d15-de2b6a508c20
|
25/08/2025 15:59:20
|
|
https://medium.com/@julescross/working-saturday-freedom-joy-and-creativity-cf3870d7b054
|
medium.com
|
Why I like to work on Saturday?
|
Agile working journey
|
Jules Cross
|
https://medium.com/@julescross
|
cf3870d7b054
|
4 min
|
2016-05-04T12:40:09.199000
|
2016-05-04T14:08:21.897000
|
2018-04-24T15:14:01.529000
| 0
| 1
|
en
|
Education,Remote Working,Agile
|
<section>
<h3>Agile working journey</h3>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/640/1*syeQAFTe-BeY1tnGVTSnaA.jpeg" width="640" height="640" loading="lazy" />
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/640/1*_hGGvpgh-pvIFuwDU-luVA.jpeg" width="640" height="640" loading="lazy" />
<p>I was talking to my colleague the other day about how much I enjoy working on Saturdays. As you can imagine, she was a bit surprised. Now, I’m not some lonely person with nothing to do on the weekends or a workaholic that thrives on constant work. I work at an Agile working company so I’m often given the opportunity to experience working at unusual times and it just so happens that working on the odd Saturday or Sunday agrees with me.</p>
<p>Weekend working becomes a hybrid of both your normal working day and the precious weekend, I generally get up a little later in the day, make myself a slow drip coffee and settle down to work. But here’s the major difference, I start with the work I enjoy. Perhaps, reading some inspiring articles, allowing myself to explore ideas and doing a bit of general thinking, writing and planning. This is due to the fact that I feel a greater ownership over the time I am spending working (because it is my weekend). Then after a while I might check the calendar and work on a few of the non-negotiable’s that are on the schedule.</p>
<p>Later, I’m more likely to go for a longer lunch break and treat myself to a favourite cafe for the afternoon. Because it is still a hybrid of work and a day off, I am making sure that I am enjoying it, focusing on the work I enjoy first. This is a role reversal to the usual regular working day: starting with what needs to be done and then working down the list to the work that is less likely to equal tangible value to the company.</p>
<p>In our society we are captives of short term thinking and this resonates through everything that we do. We always make sure that what needs to be done is done now, but we are not great at investing in the future.
In this weekend bubble I feel like I am working for myself, I have taken ownership of my time rather than feeling like it is owned by the company. Let’s face it, while at work, the company pays for you to deliver value with the hours that you work. You have less freedom to explore and play with ideas, spending more time doing than actually thinking.</p>
<p>With this new found ownership of my time, I find that work is more enjoyable, I focus on the things that make me feel good, areas and aspects of the business that I can change and improve, and find time to slot the mandatory work (which frankly can be a little dull) in throughout the day. But here’s the thing, I actually enjoy the mandatory work more, I like the slightly repetitive tasks, filling in spreadsheets and sending invoices. They actually become a welcome break from thinking.</p>
<p><strong>So how is it that I can have a higher level of enjoyment to the same work, just on a different day?</strong></p>
<p>Positive thinking, I feel like I am getting ahead and I don’t have any external time pressure or expectations on the work I produce. I have also taken time and effort to make sure that I have enjoyed my environment and have taken more time for myself, taken ownership of my time, starting the day with tasks that I enjoy an leading with what I want to do and not what I must do because it is my weekend.</p>
<p>I am weighing personal achievement against external recognition. Saturday working is all about me and my relationship to the work not what someone else thinks about how or what I am doing. The benefits and sense of accomplishment are all my own.</p>
<p>All of this makes me think about how we are educated as children: the transition that we go through from excitable learners that crave information and knowledge in order to grow, to older children craving external recognition and approval.</p>
<p>We naturally wish to learn, and as small children you are (or should be) encouraged to learn at your own pace and given ownership over your learning (normally referred to as playing) but as we get older we are taught that learning is something not to be enjoyed but to be endured, we learn in classrooms at strict times. We learn what the teacher needs us to, we start to reinforce the vast difference between our own time (playing) and the time that we owe to the school (learning).</p>
<p>Some people thrive on this and do very well, they exist in the divided “work or play” system and then go on to create similar spaces for others (business owners/innovators) to thrive from it. The system works well for some, ok for others and not at all for the rest. But if you, like me, want to feel a real connection to the work you do and get that Saturday working feeling everyday we need to take back ownership of our hours. We need to play, learn and explore at work and we need to make sure that we have the freedom to think.</p>
<p>Believe me it is a hard battle, no one said it would be easy going up against how our entire society is based, but I truly believe it will be worth it.
Just look at the example of Finland embracing the importance of play in schools and you see all that could be possible…</p>
</section>
|
Why I like to work on Saturday?
Agile working journey
I was talking to my colleague the other day about how much I enjoy working on Saturdays. As you can imagine, she was a bit surprised. Now, I’m not some lonely person with nothing to do on the weekends or a workaholic that thrives on constant work. I work at an Agile working company so I’m often given the opportunity to experience working at unusual times and it just so happens that working on the odd Saturday or Sunday agrees with me.
Weekend working becomes a hybrid of both your normal working day and the precious weekend, I generally get up a little later in the day, make myself a slow drip coffee and settle down to work. But here’s the major difference, I start with the work I enjoy. Perhaps, reading some inspiring articles, allowing myself to explore ideas and doing a bit of general thinking, writing and planning. This is due to the fact that I feel a greater ownership over the time I am spending working (because it is my weekend). Then after a while I might check the calendar and work on a few of the non-negotiable’s that are on the schedule.
Later, I’m more likely to go for a longer lunch break and treat myself to a favourite cafe for the afternoon. Because it is still a hybrid of work and a day off, I am making sure that I am enjoying it, focusing on the work I enjoy first. This is a role reversal to the usual regular working day: starting with what needs to be done and then working down the list to the work that is less likely to equal tangible value to the company.
In our society we are captives of short term thinking and this resonates through everything that we do. We always make sure that what needs to be done is done now, but we are not great at investing in the future.
In this weekend bubble I feel like I am working for myself, I have taken ownership of my time rather than feeling like it is owned by the company. Let’s face it, while at work, the company pays for you to deliver value with the hours that you work. You have less freedom to explore and play with ideas, spending more time doing than actually thinking.
With this new found ownership of my time, I find that work is more enjoyable, I focus on the things that make me feel good, areas and aspects of the business that I can change and improve, and find time to slot the mandatory work (which frankly can be a little dull) in throughout the day. But here’s the thing, I actually enjoy the mandatory work more, I like the slightly repetitive tasks, filling in spreadsheets and sending invoices. They actually become a welcome break from thinking.
So how is it that I can have a higher level of enjoyment to the same work, just on a different day?
Positive thinking, I feel like I am getting ahead and I don’t have any external time pressure or expectations on the work I produce. I have also taken time and effort to make sure that I have enjoyed my environment and have taken more time for myself, taken ownership of my time, starting the day with tasks that I enjoy an leading with what I want to do and not what I must do because it is my weekend.
I am weighing personal achievement against external recognition. Saturday working is all about me and my relationship to the work not what someone else thinks about how or what I am doing. The benefits and sense of accomplishment are all my own.
All of this makes me think about how we are educated as children: the transition that we go through from excitable learners that crave information and knowledge in order to grow, to older children craving external recognition and approval.
We naturally wish to learn, and as small children you are (or should be) encouraged to learn at your own pace and given ownership over your learning (normally referred to as playing) but as we get older we are taught that learning is something not to be enjoyed but to be endured, we learn in classrooms at strict times. We learn what the teacher needs us to, we start to reinforce the vast difference between our own time (playing) and the time that we owe to the school (learning).
Some people thrive on this and do very well, they exist in the divided “work or play” system and then go on to create similar spaces for others (business owners/innovators) to thrive from it. The system works well for some, ok for others and not at all for the rest. But if you, like me, want to feel a real connection to the work you do and get that Saturday working feeling everyday we need to take back ownership of our hours. We need to play, learn and explore at work and we need to make sure that we have the freedom to think.
Believe me it is a hard battle, no one said it would be easy going up against how our entire society is based, but I truly believe it will be worth it.
Just look at the example of Finland embracing the importance of play in schools and you see all that could be possible…
|
f8bbcf3b-e31d-5a4d-bbfc-2cf4b7a07e9b
|
25/08/2025 15:59:21
|
|
https://medium.com/@chrispapps2/darker-mornings-b56ce7f9a18e
|
medium.com
|
Darker mornings
|
A poem of change
|
chris papps
|
https://medium.com/@chrispapps2
|
b56ce7f9a18e
|
https://miro.medium.com/max/2000/0*dX-T7baQlQg5c8Gv
|
0 min
|
2024-03-19T22:25:58.135000
|
2024-03-19T22:29:29.490000
|
2024-03-20T04:20:28.364000
| 1
| 150
|
en
|
Poetry,Poem,Morning
|
<section>
<p>A poem of change</p>
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/4992/0*dX-T7baQlQg5c8Gv" width="4992" height="3328" loading="lazy" />
<p>Seasons unfurl softly slowly
in our dull senses
we rely on loud reminders
manufactured meaning
today I sat and noticed
that the morning was darker.</p>
<p>Chris 2024</p>
</section>
|
Darker mornings
A poem of change
Photo by Tim Foster on Unsplash
Seasons unfurl softly slowly
in our dull senses
we rely on loud reminders
manufactured meaning
today I sat and noticed
that the morning was darker.
Chris 2024
|
80669caf-6b31-5ea0-8d44-6346f218def2
|
25/08/2025 15:59:21
|
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