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Score a Job by Keeping a Programming Journal | Why keep a learning journal at all?
Articulating throughts
Coders tend to think through problems, and this is just the sort of strategy that interviewers wish to see in interviewees.
The techniques and strategies that you will go through when encountering a new problem do not change (are invariant) across different problems, and even different programming languages.
A beginner may use a try-experiment loop that works for simple problems, but can’t scale for more complex and innovative problems.
An intermediate begins to put into place a pattern of attempting known good strategies for solutions, based on problems that have been attempted before.
A learning journal records these strategies (steps of algorithms, design processes and even fixes for IDEs etc.) so patterns can be found and drawn out.
With a formal process in place you are assisted in the following:
seeing the problem before you with clarity
break the problem down into smaller parts(decomposition)
see links between previous problems and the current problem
put steps into place between simple and complex problems
eliminate errors through documenting the problem and previous errors
Increase productivity
Analysis paralysis is a real problem and can prevent us from improving in our work as we move from task to task and problem to problem.
There is so much going on in life. Being productive can mean having a focus.
The act of writing down a problem makes it real, and can leave you to focus on the problem at hand, and improve concentration.
You only have a limited amount of memory resource, and focusing on one area or problem not only limits distractions but frees you think about what is really important.
Planning and focussing keeps your mind on the problem, and in reality pushes you towards planning and away from those hours of unfocussed debugging of a problem that you do not even truly understand.
Recording your progress and development
One disadvantage to learning to code, or improving your existing work is that you are blind to your own progress and feel like you just aren’t getting better. This is tied into our development, since until we are 4 years old we do not understand that information is tied into our perspective, and the ability to understand ones past self as someone without access to your current knowledge a further leap.
Not understanding your own progress is toxic for motivation, and makes some people stop developing altogether.
Keeping a log of your work shows you not just the work you are putting into your development, but how far you have come in your understanding and progress.
Physical writing
Many developers keep their learning journal by hand rather than on a computer.
One possible advantage of this is the action of writing can help improve memory, but another is the permission to take a break from using a computer all day.
There are real benefits to taking a break from work at a computer, not just for your posture but for your memory too.
According to a 2014 study you should be taking 17 minutes away from a computer for every 52 minutes of work. Hiding in the toilet is not a good use of that time, having a learning journal enables you to record your progress away from a screen. | https://stevenpcurtis.medium.com/score-a-job-by-keeping-a-programming-journal-90b2d07c66a7 | ['Steven Curtis'] | 2020-01-05 03:32:10.045000+00:00 | ['New Year Resolution', 'Software Engineering', 'Programming', 'Software Development'] |
Top 5 Peace Quotes | “Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.” — Gautama Buddha
“The day the power of love overrules the love of power, the world will know peace.” — Mahatma Gandhi
“Peace is conscious and active participation in your own life.” ― Mayra Porrata
“Peace is not something you wish for; It’s something you make, Something you do , Something you are, And something you give away.” ― John Lennon
“Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.” — Albert Einstein
Originally Posted By QuotesDiaries
Visit For More 138 Peace Quotes at QuotesDiaries | https://medium.com/@quotesdiaries/top-5-peace-quotes-ed799cca1b41 | ['Quotes Diaries'] | 2020-12-19 09:50:16.650000+00:00 | ['Peace', 'Quotesdiaries', 'Peace Of Mind', 'Quotes', 'Peace Quotes'] |
We’re All Hypocrites! | We say we hate when people park poorly, but park diagonally across the line when we’re in a hurry.
We say we respect everyone’s opinions, but can’t even talk to someone who has different political beliefs.
We say we love and appreciate mothers but don’t want to know what they go through or help lessen that burden.
We say women’s bodies should be covered, but not in porn or clubs designed for men.
We say “all lives matter,” but only care about saving white American lives.
We say children are the future, but lock them in cages, jail cells, and group homes.
We say we follow God but ignore his true teachings and values.
We say we want “freedom” but don’t like when people do things freely.
We are hypocrites. All of us. I remember when I was a kid and realized that all adults were hypocrites. It was a devastating, yet freeing piece of knowledge. On the one hand, I was incredulous that adults just said whatever they wanted and did the exact thing they claimed to hate. On the other hand, knowledge is power, and this new fact helped me deal with a lot of disappointment and hard truths. It also helped me readjust my expectations of people. Everyone is a hypocrite. We all say things and then do the opposite. I firmly believe that it’s in our DNA as humans. What I’m not as sure about is why. Why do we pretend or, at least, claim to believe something and then do the opposite? Why not just admit we don’t care or that we believe something different? Why are we all hypocrites?
I’m a very curious person by nature; I ask a lot of “whys” about things that other people don’t feel the need to ask about. This is an annoying personality trait to many people, I know. I’m like a five year old who never grew out of that stage — but WHY do we have to go, mom?! It comes from a genuine wonderment of why the world works as it does, and specifically human societies. We get complacent, especially as we grow older, with the way things have always been. I’m not sure if it’s more hopeless or apathetic. But in our complacency we forget to question things that really don’t make sense. Like when did it become acceptable to say you value honesty and then lie to the American public? Why do we pretend, or even really believe inside that we value something strongly, only to act against our own intentions?
I’ve always really respected orthodox religious people for this reason. I may not agree with some of their beliefs or actions, but the fact that they’re living their beliefs is honorable to me. I know what to expect, and that’s comforting. The problem I see is when people are touting these values and doing the opposite, because that is some clear-cut hypocrisy. While it may seem weird to say, I would rather deal with a murderer whose like, whole life plan was to murder people and who was always saying some crazy shit than some local sheriff who went to church every week with his perfect family and was low-key raping and murdering girls on the side. Because hypocrisy is confusing. It’s like lying, but both more obvious and convoluted to others. We are tricking ourselves into believing what we are saying is true, even though we are doing something else — something we know we don’t like. Yet, we are comforting ourselves with the idea that we don’t like that thing so we couldn’t possibly be doing it.
So, why can we as humans not admit to ourselves that maybe we actually don’t believe that as strongly as we thought? Or maybe we don’t even care about it at all? Why do we care SO much about our so-called values that we would rather go against them than admit we don’t follow them anymore? Here are my guesses: 1) It’s our pride. Since we touted this belief loudly for so long, we can’t admit we were wrong and, even more humiliating, did the exact thing we said not to do for so long! 2) We want to believe we are moral, good people (whatever that means to us) and don’t want to see ourselves as flawed, imperfect beings. Also, if we do figure out we were wrong, we are bad at being transparent and accountable for our wrongdoings. 3) Similarly, we don’t like realizing or admitting that other people are right and have been all along. AND we like to pick out other people’s wrongdoings rather than notice our own, even when they are the exact same thing. 4) We’re not great at connecting our thoughts and actions. Classic examples being “you’re saying one thing, but doing another” and “actions speak louder than words.” Except, while these are super obvious to other people, they are way harder to spot in ourselves. Which leads to: 5) Introspection is hard, y’all. First, it can be hard to determine our own beliefs and values separate from our parents/family/friends/community/society. This process is called differentiation, and mostly happens in adolescence; but it can be delayed wayyyy into adulthood by complicating factors like trauma, addiction, family separation & death, or other adverse experiences. Let’s say we make it to adulthood around 24 (let’s be realistic here) rockin some core beliefs and values that we’re sharing with anyone who will listen (Facebook, holla!). Well, we haven’t really had a chance to test them out as an adult. So, when that test comes, maybe we act differently in the moment than we thought we would based on our beliefs. Makes sense. How could we really know what we would do without experiencing it? But then, the logical thing would be for our brains to recognize that and recalibrate our beliefs and values based on those test experiences. That involves taking time to self-reflect and determine if we actually do support our belief in practice or not, and if not, figure out what our new belief may be OR how to change our actions to match it. Instead, it seems like we double down on ourselves, insisting that, “NO, we do believe this!!” (back to our five year old selves again) And we continue to spout beliefs and act hypocritically rather than be humbled or embarrassed. Part of the problem is that because everyone is doing this, it’s hard to call each other out for this and hard to respond well if we are called out. It’s easy to get defensive, since that is our go-to option as humans. It’s way harder to suck it up and admit that we are a hypocrite. 6) This pattern continues until it’s cemented in and we can’t even recognize the confusion and tension within ourselves. So, we stand tall as hypocrites, spouting our beliefs and doing the opposite as the children watch us.
If those are some of the reasons why we are all hypocrites, then how can we change this? Here are some of my opinions. Not researched, just well thought out approaches.
Introspection: doing 👏that 👏work 👏to reflect on our beliefs and play a nice little matching game with our actions! Each time you get a match, give yourself a token, get to five, you get bingo! (That was a joke, but I might actually try it…) If you’re noticing a pattern of these not matching, maybe reevaluate some beliefs and/or actions. Also, we need to be honest about things we don’t care about and learn to accept that in ourselves and each other. It might seem harsh at first, but it’s way easier to get over someone else not caring about something you do than being a hypocrite about it. (Ex. not caring about eating meat, rather than saying you’re a vegetarian because you care about animals but then owning tons of fur and leather. This is always more annoying.)
Practice Taking Responsibility: this is a hard one. We are NOT taught how to do this well in the U.S. We are taught to lie, get defensive, make excuses, blame others, or just be silent rather than admit we are wrong and take responsibility for our actions! We are so scared of punishment, shame, retribution, revenge, embarrassment, and being seen as “weak” that we cannot practice accountability. We can’t change our actions if we don’t admit we did them and recognize the pain or destruction they caused. I have tried to practice this with small things to build up a tolerance for the big ones. I practiced giving genuine, thought-out apologies and stopped saying sorry for things I wasn’t actually sorry for. That way, I was able to become more clear on what my beliefs and values are based on my sense of accountability and remorse for my actions. Even so, I still notice myself or get called out for doing or saying things that don’t align with my beliefs — because I’m a hypocrite, just like you!
Accept that we’re ALL hypocrites: the sooner we accept that we are all in the same boat in terms of hypocrisy, the sooner we can try to change ourselves and the larger culture around hypocrisy. If we admit it to ourselves and each other, it’s not as shameful or dirty a word, it’s just a truth about our culture. (Is this true in most cultures? Idk, but would like to find out!) We are not that great at hiding it, anyway; kids can usually spot it in adults pretty quickly. And how refreshing would it be if we called out our friend or uncle and they said, “I’m being a hypocrite about this. I’m saying one thing and doing the opposite.” First, we would be shocked almost out of our anger or hurt. Then we could talk and think about it. There would be a place to begin finding a way through that problem, towards more aligned beliefs and actions.
I don’t think these things would stop us from being hypocrites all together, but it would probably help start some good conversations and maybe lessen the occurrences of hypocrisy in our everyday lives. Which would make my kid-self really happy. | https://medium.com/@maxgreenberg_55717/were-all-hypocrites-ee8fd371f2a1 | ['Max Greenberg'] | 2020-02-10 07:25:31.289000+00:00 | ['American', 'Values', 'Humanity', 'Hypocrisy', 'Introspection'] |
hi :) i’m new to this app and i wanted to come on here and put some positivity just to remind… | hi :) i’m new to this app and i wanted to come on here and put some positivity just to remind someone that there loved! remember to wake up everyday and know how important you are! you are so special! when you see this if it is in the morning then go look in the mirror and tell yourself how beautiful you are! if it is at night do the same then lay in bed and get some amazing sleep you deserve it ! also daily reminder if you haven’t ate GO EAT ! pretty please ❤️ | https://medium.com/@cadencearesvik/hi-im-new-to-this-app-and-i-wanted-to-come-on-here-and-put-some-positivity-just-to-remind-9779b9e88ec6 | ['Cadence Aresvik'] | 2020-12-19 09:25:39.967000+00:00 | ['Kindness', 'Positive Thinking', 'Love', 'Reminder'] |
Docker และ Kubernetes คืออะไร Part 1 | Learn more. Medium is an open platform where 170 million readers come to find insightful and dynamic thinking. Here, expert and undiscovered voices alike dive into the heart of any topic and bring new ideas to the surface. Learn more
Make Medium yours. Follow the writers, publications, and topics that matter to you, and you’ll see them on your homepage and in your inbox. Explore | https://medium.com/kbtg-life/docker-%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B0-kubernetes-%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%B7%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%B0%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%A3-%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%B3%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%96%E0%B8%B6%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%B9%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%88%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B0-part-1-fe318ba5b36 | ['Guide Tinnapat'] | 2020-12-17 10:33:19.672000+00:00 | ['Kubernetes', 'Technology', 'Infrastructure', 'Docker', 'Application'] |
This Sporting Life | This Sporting Life
It’s all change for sporting Britain
Photo by Rob Pumphrey on Unsplash
In a letter to the London Times recently it was suggested that from now on we should swat flies with a tennis racket in order to give them a sporting chance. This, apparently, is the British way.
Obviously this sense of fairness and sportsmanship is a great thing and should be carried much further, and so the various sporting bodies have now brought in a whole raft of new measures.
From now on any football team playing against England will be allowed to play two goalkeepers and they will be granted an extra ten minutes at the end should they find themselves a goal down.
Any tennis player coming up against a British player at Wimbledon will be given a one set start, and all tie breaks will start with the British player two nil down.
In future all British swimmers will have one hand tied behind their back, and if the inevitable going-round-in-circles should disturb the other swimmers they will be disqualified.
In motor racing, British drivers will only be allowed to drive a Prius, and in motor cycle racing British riders will be allowed nothing more powerful than a Lambretta 150.
Athletics will be completely different now as British runners will have lead weights tied to their ankles, and for the high jump all British competitors will have the bar one foot higher than the competition; for the long jump they will be blindfolded.
In horse racing any British horse will be ridden with the jockey facing backwards.
In the world of cricket there will be major changes as all English players will now have to bowl and bat left-handed, and in netball one of the nets will be twice the size of the other, and the opposition will always play that way.
In golf English players will be docked one shot if they reach the green in regulation, and they must also putt using their driver.
So that’s it, the world of sport adjusted for the swatting-flies-with-a-tennis-racket era.
You know it makes sense. | https://medium.com/muddyum/this-sporting-life-f2084bc57d5d | ['Robert Bush'] | 2020-08-05 23:48:07.862000+00:00 | ['Short Story', 'Humor', 'Sports', 'Satire', 'Comedy'] |
Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) | So what is Object-Oriented Programming?
Object-Oriented Programming, abbreviated as OOP, is a computer programming model that arranges software design around data, or objects, rather than functions and logic, systematically.
An object can be defined as a data field with unique attributes and behavior. It contains properties and methods. Let’s take an example; in a library management system, a book can be the object.
Object BOOK
It can have properties like ISBN, Title, Author and Year; and methods like inserting a book, updating a book, deleting or retrieving a book and so on.
Now let’s move on to the four pillars of Object-oriented Programming.
4 Pillars of OOP
Image taken from vivaxsolutions.com
As you can see the four pillars of OOP are:
Inheritance
Abstraction
Encapsulation
Polymorphism
1. INHERITANCE
geeksforgeeks.org
In inheritance there is one class/object subclasses another one. The object/class that is derived from the main class can be called the derived class while the main class can be called the base class.
Note: The term class can be used for the term object.
Let’s take an example, from the Book Object itself. Now all books will have to have an ISBN, a Title, an Author and a publication year. Some books may have an illustrator, some may not. Some books may have a co-author, some may not and some books may have ban on selling in some countries. If you form each book separately then it would look like this.
But if you take all the properties and put that in a base class…
…and make the books subclass the base class and add only the extra properties to the books. This is called inheritance.
2. ABSTRACTION
Abstraction is another vital practice in Object-Oriented Programming. Abstraction is used to show only the required attributes and hide unnecessary details of an object from the user. For example, you are logging into Google; you enter your Email ID and Password and click login. After you click login, how the data is sent to the Google servers, how it is checked, encrypted and all that is hidden from you, since you don’t need to know that information. All that you know is whether the login was successful or unsuccessful.
Login
3. ENCAPSULATION
Encapsulation in Java is a mechanism of wrapping the data (variables) and code acting on the data (methods) together as a single unit. In encapsulation, the variables of a class will be hidden from other classes, and can be accessed only through the methods of their current class. Therefore, it is also known as data hiding. For example, a user’s name. If you use encapsulation on a user’s name, the person running the program can’t just hit user.name to get the name. He will have to use functions like getName() or showName() to see the user’s name.
3.1 ENCAPSULATION V/S ABSTRACTION
Source: Quora.com
4. POLYMORPHISM
Polymorphism is the ability of an object to take on many forms. The most common use of polymorphism in OOP occurs when a parent class reference is used to refer to a child class object. Any Java object that can pass more than one IS-A test is considered to be polymorphic.
Source: AskPython
4.1 POLYMORPHISM V/S INHERITENCE
Source: pediaa.com
This was a quick look at Object-Oriented Programming. Hope you liked it! | https://medium.com/swlh/object-oriented-programming-oop-d2af747e925a | ['Rushi A Ranade'] | 2020-12-06 17:27:12.222000+00:00 | ['Programming', 'Quick Looks', 'Object Oriented'] |
When the Fog Lifts | Barbara Mock
There are some days that I feel like I’m in a fog. The gray rainy days during fall and winter in the Pacific Northwest, added to foggy mornings can make driving a little scary and going outside cold and uncomfortably damp.
When it is foggy you can’t see clearly and apathy and discouragement can set it. I’ve had a number of days like that this past fall. Some times it is hard to roll out of bed, grab a cup of tea and then sit in front of a computer screen on zoom meetings all day with no breaks. I find that it can be hard to be motivated and keep a positive attitude.
However, if even a little bit of sunshine breaks through, we all grab the dog leash, put on our hats, gloves, and coats, and get outside, even if it is just for a little while. I have had more days than I can count of being locked in my little office, working full time during a quarantine that seems to be lasting even longer (through Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year) than anyone could ever have anticipated. When the sun shines on a weekend I can’t wait to get out of my little room.
Recently, we watched the weather report and it was promising. We decided we wanted to hike that day. I wanted to hike to Oyster Dome and my husband said, “that’s too steep and too far to drive.” I said, “Okay, you choose — but we are going somewhere!” He did some research and found a trail that was less than a 15-minute drive, called the Langus Riverfront Trail. Then, the fog rolled in!
I was so discouraged! We talked about turning back but we both decided to keep going, I’m very glad we did. While we started our walk in the damp, gray, fog, it wasn’t long before the sun burned through and it lifted to reveal a beautiful clear day.
Our walk was through a series of wetlands, streams, tidewaters, and sloughs. When the settlers came they made changes by creating dikes, dams, and weirs to this resource area and began farming. Now, with a better understanding of the impact, this had on our ecosystem and the adverse effect on our salmon runs, the land is being restored and the dikes are being breached. Life is returning to this area that is a much better habitat for young salmon.
We enjoyed a leisurely flat walk on newly paved trails and then went across a bridge to Spencer Island and a muddy trail. With each step, we were closer to the
gorgeous views of Mount Pilchuck, Glacier Peak, and the Cascade Mountain range. With cooling temperatures during the preceding days of rain, there was new snow on the peaks that shown white in the blue sky.
We saw a pair of eagles and spied their nest and watched them roost high up in a tree. We talked to someone who was also watching them and he said that he had been photographing them for the past seven years! He loves to see their new baby (sometimes two) each spring.
What I’m learning is that while my retirement journey and my plans may be a little foggy, I know that someday the fog will lift and things will become more clear for me. I would love to have all the answers right now, but with the pandemic raging, that is not possible. At this present moment, I’ll look for those few sunny days. I’ll put one foot in front of the other and try to see life from a bigger picture perspective. Whether I take the easy paved path or the muddy trail doesn’t really matter. I just need to keep moving.
Instead of being stuck and discouraged, I’m trying to remember what the eagles see from high up. Their perspective is completely different from mine. Because I might be walking in the valley, in some wetlands for now, but someday soon I’ll be climbing to the top of a viewpoint and looking down at a new beautiful life. For those gray foggy days, I can look at the photos I took with my phone, (that really can’t do justice to how beautiful it is) and remember that the fog will live and sunny days are ahead. | https://medium.com/@kathekline/when-the-fog-lifts-ccf8add17b56 | ['Kathe Kline'] | 2020-12-18 14:37:08.024000+00:00 | ['Retirementlifestyle', 'Retirementprocess', 'Retirement'] |
The Spiritual Physics of Gender, and Why We Urgently Need to Understand It: An Introduction | Understanding gender is the key to our collective liberation
The path of a determined spiritual seeker is supposed to end in so-called self-realisation. Arguably, however, the spiritual path only ever leads to an intellectual understanding of what this term point to. Namely, the ‘non-dual’ conception of reality that once brought worldwide attention to Indian gurus, such as Ramana Maharshi and Nisargadatta Maharaj. Today, there’s no shortage of Western gurus who teach the exact same message, to their scores of devoted followers. For one reason or another, however, few of these devotees ever seem to become enlightened, or experience the promised bliss that’s seemingly up for grabs. But, needless to say, it’s a promise that keeps people coming back for more; whether in terms of buying the latest books, watching the newest videos, or attending the next available satsang. I’m not implying that Advaita Vedanta is a scam, as such, but it can certainly become a trap, particularly if it’s accepted, at face value, as being ‘the end of the Vedas’ (the end of spiritual knowledge).
Speaking personally, as a lifelong spiritual seeker, I had always trusted myself to know, intuitively, when I had found the Truth. And, despite a certain attraction to Advaita Vedanta, I could never quite embrace it as being “the Truth.” In fact, my internal alarm bells went off at the merest suggestion of it representing any kind of final step on the spiritual path. Certainly, it would seem to represent an end point, given the inherently ultimate nature of the philosophy. But then, I’m apparently not alone in realising that it could also be characterised as a ‘spiritual bypass’.
And so, turning away from books, and lectures, and gurus, I began to earnestly speak to Source, often from within the dream state. And, much to my surprise, She spoke back, not least on the spiritual significance of gender, which I formerly had no idea about.
From the perspective of Advaita Vedanta, the issue of gender is completely meaningless, for both sexes are experienced by the one underlying Awareness. However, Awareness is not a sterile, aloof witness, as it’s often portrayed as being. In fact, it’s inherently feminine in nature, and by definition (awareness is receptive to impression). The fact that Awareness is universal has been misinterpreted to mean that it transcends gender, or is somehow independent of gender. But nothing could be further from the Truth. Gender is actually the mechanism through which Source experiences Herself, as if from an alternate perspective (see illustration).
Nevertheless, the divine masculine is a distinctly different enough frequency, or vibration, for it to be considered subordinate to — and, therefore, in service of — its feminine Source. If you’re a man who has a problem with this, well, that’s hardly surprising. For it’s precisely this “ego,” of the divine masculine, that led to what can only be described as a rebellion in heaven. This is the true Genesis narrative, which has obviously been ignored, in favour of patriarchal alternatives.
However, the suppression and subjugation of women, by men, is not an ancient story, requiring belief. It’s the reality that we’ve been manifesting, for thousands of years. It is, in fact, our story. And yet, whether in terms of spiritual concepts or religious doctrines, we have collectively chosen to ignore what is self-evidently true, and immanent, in favour of myths and philosophies that we need to believe in, or have faith in, or might someday realise, if we meditate hard enough, or find the right guru.
No!
All we need to realise is that the world is a physical manifestation of spiritual Truth; the invisible appearing visible. Truth has never been kept from us; we haven’t needed to seek it out, in books, or to learn it, from gurus. We’ve only ever needed to observe, and pay a kind of ‘detached attention’ to the world, in order to understand what’s actually going on here. The answers, to everything, have been hidden in plain sight, all long. And whatever one’s conception of God might be, She has also been with us, all along, albeit unrecognised and unacknowledged. For we have been persuaded to invest ourselves, instead, in man-made religions and spiritual philosophies, of one sort or another. Others have descended into scientific materialism.
Patriarchy doesn’t care which of these camps people fall into, because either will keep them away from the Truth. Even those who are awake, right now, in terms of the unfolding global agenda, are nevertheless clueless, as to the ultimate nature of the problem. And so they are unable to offer any real solutions. However, once the problem is fully known, and understood, the solution becomes ridiculously obvious and simple.
https://goddessinreallife.wordpress.com/ | https://medium.com/@jcshakti/the-spiritual-physics-of-gender-and-why-we-urgently-need-to-understand-it-an-introduction-b71fdbb7a075 | ['Jay Campbell'] | 2020-12-27 17:36:33.910000+00:00 | ['Sexuality', 'Spirituality', 'Religion', 'Feminism', 'God'] |
The Surprising Lessons that Buddhism and Cynicism Can Teach You About Being Present and Happy | One of the paradoxes of life is that to be happier you don’t have to get more stuff or do new things. You only have to live the life you already have and be more fully present in it. I can give you a story to explain.
After planning for more than a decade, my wife and I finally travelled to St. Lucia in the Caribbean. While there, we thought to visit one gorgeous waterfall. The problem?
Everyone else had the same idea.
There were literal lines of people to take photos in front of the falls. So we fidgeted, waited, and pushed a little to get up to the front. When our turn came, we entered the cold mountain water in front of the falls and took our photos quickly. Then, wet, cold, and irritated, we left.
It was only when we were back in our vehicle that I realized we had traded a photo opportunity for tranquility, a mere sign that we had been somewhere for the opportunity to stand in the presence of rare natural beauty.
That waterfall experience is unfortunately typical in contemporary life. It offered both the perfect opportunity to be present, and, on account of packed crowds and commercialization, made it difficult to achieve that presence.
So, what are we to do about it?
Surprisingly ancient Buddhism and ancient Cynicism converge on a reply. Both recognize this experience as typical of human life. Both philosophies urge that being present is needed to live well — to achieve “happiness” in contemporary lingo. And both develop practices to help us in achieving that stillness.
Yet, both philosophies are also misunderstood.
Buddhism has found an enduring place in “Western” culture. Yet, even though being present is a common topic, the path of Right Concentration is not focal in many “Western” discussions of Buddhism. Alan Watts, for example, barely discusses the path in his book The Way of Zen.
Cynicism is almost completely misunderstood. Once the most widely discussed philosophy of the ancient Greek and Roman world, having started around 400 BCE, Cynicism is today reduced to mean-spiritedness, or to a person who thinks only of themselves.
Theoretically, I forward the claim that these two philosophies share this outlook because their views of happiness require a certain amount of minimalism in life.
Practically, I hope to show you how to coordinate their very different practices to live a better, happier life in five main lessons.
To organize those differences we’re going to start with the Cynics’ more misunderstood path by simplicity before turning to the Buddhist path by concentration.
Presence by Simplicity
Crates of Thebes (360–280 BCE) was among the founding members of Cynicism in ancient Greece. His most famous pupil was Zeno of Citium, who founded Stoicism. This connection explains why both schools share an emphasis on the need to address the sources of your shame and to embrace vulnerability to be happy.
But if we can accept the portrait that the ancient historian Diogenes Laertius draws in his Lives of Eminent Philosophers, Crates’ life is most like Siddartha Gautama (the Buddha). Crates was born into a rich, landowning family and, like Gautama, gave up everything for philosophy. Unlike Gautama, he did not change because he saw death and disease, but because he witnessed the tragedy of Telephus (DL 6.87).
In the tragedy, Telephus is wounded by Achilles. The wound does not heal, and an oracle tells him that only the spear that smote him can heal the wound. Telephus thus disguises himself as a beggar, enters the Greek camp, and begs for Achilles’ help.
Inspired by the play, Crates sold his lands and distributed his money to the people of Thebes, in a characteristic act of renunciation. Cynicism, then, is demanding but it also makes sense.
At its heart, Cynicism is a philosophical view that holds to three key points:
The right way to live is to follow the path of nature (physis DL 6.71). Society and its conventions (nomos) distract from that path. That the solution is to break free from those conventions by living according to reason.
What we can know with certainty for the Cynics, moreover, is only the present moment (DL 6.18).
We should therefore learn to live in the present, not distracted by memories, anticipations of the future, or concern with what other people think.
And to do that, to be here now, you must simplify your life — though perhaps not as drastically as Crates did. For example, another Cynic, Antisthenes, owned a modest home. Even Crates eventually married and had children.
In any case, the shocking actions of the early Cynics earned them an inaccurate reputation for urging that humans should live (only) as dogs. In Greek “Cyon” is a dog, and the name of the school was meant to be an insult.
What in fact they urged was a path to living in the present by simplification — they were the first minimalists. What follows are two of their key practices, two ways to apply this wisdom.
1. The Way of Elimination
In his Republic, Plato has Socrates develop a thought experiment about freedom (578e). It goes like this.
Suppose that a man manages to become a tyrant of a city. He rules by fear and everyone does what he says. Is the tyrant free? Well, imagine that a god were to drop him outside his city without his guards. Surely, if any citizen found him in that state, he would kill the tyrant.
But doesn’t that mean that the tyrant is actually a slave to his possessions, his office, and his guards? Has he not traded the freedom of a simple life for a pair of golden handcuffs?
The thought experiment illustrates the idea behind the Cynical practice of elimination: our stuff (generally) makes us unfree.
It does this by distracting you from what really matters. You’ll worry about how to pay the bills for a recent purchase, or take on a “side hustle” to get a little extra money, and so on. And you’ll do that instead of spending time with those you love.
What we need to do is take on the ponos (Greek for “work” and “pain”) of eliminating as much as we can from our lives (D. Chr. 8.16). Again, some Cynics were homeless, others not. So there doesn’t seem to be an exact rule at work here. The Cynics’ challenge that follows is:
what can you eliminate today? What can you donate today?
What you can do is start by picking one area of your life, maybe a room or closet, and get rid of as much as you can.
Of course, there is a reciprocal problem: you need to restrict the inflow of junk into your life.
2. The Way of Restriction
Have you ever bought something that you actively hated? My wife and I were given a large television that, for a time, was great, but eventually became “the grey beast.”
This was more than a decade ago when flat-screen TVs were new but not thin. It weighed more than 100 pounds, was bulky, and had sharp edges. Every time we moved — which was frequent — someone got injured.
Eventually, a student agreed to take it off my hands for free! I think he wanted to turn it into an aquarium, but his purpose mattered not. To this day I still think fondly of my last moments with the beast: stuffing the monstrosity into his car and watching him drive away.
The story illustrates another Cynical point: many of the things that we have make us actively unhappy. Often, however, we don’t even recognize it. Crates described a utopia in a poem as follows:
There is a city, Pera, in the middle of wine-dark smoke, beautiful and rich with soil. … To it sail no fools or parasites … Instead, it brings forth thyme and garlic and figs and loaves of bread. For such things nobody fights wars (DL 6.85).
Crates’ point is straightforward: to live in the present, you need to restrict unnecessary things from cluttering your life. “Pera” in Greek is a “handbag,” so the suggestion is that you only really need a handbag’s worth of stuff to live well.
Before you get something, then, ask yourself: what would collapse if you didn’t get this thing? To slow yourself down, especially with luxuries, try donating a comparable amount of money first — it’ll be good for you and the world.
Cynical philosophy thus aims to guide us towards presence by eliminating what distracts us. Buddhism, by contrast, develops practices that turn our attention away from our surroundings and towards our mind’s own activities.
Presence by Concentration
Buddhism is a tradition of philosophy with many forms. My experience as a university professor suggests a favorite source: Thich Nhat Hanh.
Nominated for the Nobel Peace prize by Martin Luther King Jr., Nhat Hanh is a Zen Buddhist who innovates in that path by developing it towards “engaged” Buddhism — a form that seeks to transform the world through loving action.
In Old Path White Clouds, an introduction to Buddhism by stories, a king comes to visit Gautama to ask him about the practice of detachment and love. Gautama, the Buddha, distinguishes between needy attachment, a problematic love, and compassionate attachment, which is wholesome.
This compassionate love is what Gautama urges for political rule. He tells the king:
Majesty, last year I visited my family in the kingdom of Sakya. … There I spent much time reflecting on a politics based on nonviolence. I saw that … a ruler who nourishes his compassion does not need to depend on violent means (247).
Yet to have a compassionate love that radiates outward, you’ll first need understanding. And that understanding cannot be had unless you follow the eightfold path to liberation.
Right Concentration (samyak samadhi) is a staple on that path. In The Heart of the Buddha’s Teachings, Nhat Hanh writes that the reason “we concentrate [is] to make ourselves deeply present” (106). When we practice Right Concentration, in short, we learn to be here now.
Though there are innumerable practices to help us to develop presence, Nhat Hanh distinguishes three primary ways to concentrate: active, selective, and interpersonal concentration.
3. Active Concentration
In active concentration
the mind dwells on whatever is happening in the present moment, even as it changes (105).
The idea is just to notice whatever enters your mind and then to let it pass by.
When I began to practice Buddhist principles in my own life, my childhood friend Kyle, who is also a yoga instructor and philosopher, took me with him to a hot yoga class. We arrived early and he told me that while waiting we should lie on our backs in mountain pose. My job was to let my thoughts come and go. In brief, we were going to practice active concentration.
Yet, while Kyle lay on the floor placidly, I fidgeted in the hot room trying to “be comfortable.” When I wasn’t concerned with the people slowly filling the room — Kyle and I were the only men — my mind got caught up in specific topics rather than letting the ideas come and go.
Nhat Hanh wrote a short poem that can help you return to the activity of letting thoughts go. It runs:
In, out Deep, slow Calm, ease Smile, release Present moment, wonderful moment (71).
If you only repeat this poem, you will in fact be doing selective concentration, but it can help you in active concentration by bringing your thoughts back if they get away from you.
And since we just brought up selective concentration, let’s turn to its practice now.
4. Selective Concentration
The idea at work is the opposite of active concentration. Nhat Hanh writes:
When we practice “selective concentration,” we choose one object and hold onto it (106).
You could focus only on your breath, but you could also focus only on repeating a poem, or on repeating a single mantra, or even a single philosophical idea.
Much of Zen Buddhist training centers on selective concentration, which divides into nine different levels of activity. Different practices also suggest just on what you are to concentrate. This is how Nhat Hanh explains concentration on impermanence — one of many topics:
To practice Concentration on Impermanence, every time you look at your beloved, see him as impermanent, and do your best to make him happy today. If you think he is permanent, you may believe that he will never improve (110).
Impermanence in the “West” is often associated with death, but the Buddhist focus is always on liberation.
Of course, some people do go to their graves unchanged. The Buddist point is double: people always can change, and people sometimes do become redeemable despite not changing in the ways you’d expect.
My paternal grandfather was one such man. He was a handsome man, born into relative wealth, and he was intelligent — graduating from university as a mathematician. Yet he was haunted by a gnawing sense of shame and inadequacy.
He spent his life, as a result, seeking validation from others. With men, he sought above all to best them in athletic competitions. With women, he sought to persuade them into his bed.
His life’s story, then, was one of mismanagement. My fondest memories with him are those spent in a bowling alley that he owned. Yet I only did that until about age 9, since he lost the business through poor administration of its finances. He was also a life-long philanderer, unsurprisingly divorced several times, and died married to a woman 40 years his junior who was also an alcoholic.
When he tried to stop his young wife from going on another bender, she called the police and accused him of abuse. He then spent a night in jail.
Though nothing came of the incident legally, when my father picked my grandfather up, the older man changed a little — recognizing who mattered in his life. He rewrote his will, designated his youngest son (my father) the executor of his estate, and then began to reconnect with the family he had neglected for 60 years of his life.
It wasn’t enough to cure all wounds, but he did not die alone. His sons, their wives, and his grandchildren visited him at his bed. No one is a total lost cause, even if they don’t change in the way that you expect.
Of course, we often change the most because we are present with people, which brings the discussion to its last practice.
5. Interpersonal Concentration
Nhat Hanh introduces the topic of interpersonal concentration with an incident in the Vietnamese epic poem Tale of Kieu. He writes:
Kieu returns to the apartment of her beloved, Kim Trong, and finds him fast asleep at his desk … Kim Trong hears Kieu’s footsteps, but, not quite awake, he asks, “Are you really there, or am I dreaming?” Kieu replies, “Now we have the opportunity to see each other clearly. But if we do not live deeply this moment, it will only be a dream” (65).
The point is well taken: if you are not fully present with a person, then you will be with them only in the way that you are “with” people while dreaming. Being present is what allows us to have relationships with each other at all.
The key to this practice is simple: just listen.
Do it earnestly and without judgment, just as you are not to judge your thoughts when you are practicing Active Concentration.
The actor Matthew McConaughey relates a story in his memoir Greenlights that illustrates the point well. Apparently, he had a difficult time with celebrity status. In the course of a single weekend he went from an almost unknown actor to international acclaim for his role in A Time To Kill.
He couldn’t reconcile the adulation people had for him with his own self-image, and he knew that while his acting was good, no one could earn what he had now received.
To cope, he went on a retreat to The Monastery of Christ in the desert of New Mexico. On his first full day there, he met with a mentor, Brother Christian, who helped him by listening patiently for hours. In McConaughey’s words:
At hour four we found ourselves back at the chapel sitting on a bench just outside the entrance. Now weeping, I eventually came to the end of my confession. We sat in silence while I awaited Christian’s judgment. Nothing. Finally, in the unrest of the stillness, I looked up. Brother Christian, who hadn’t said one word to me this entire time, looked me in the eyes and in almost a whisper, said to me: ‘Me, too’” (149).
To connect with other people, you only need to be there and be present with them. Practice by listening to what they say and what they really mean — not what you think they mean or for what you would like to say next. That is the key to living well.
The Good Life
Nhat Hanh begins his section on Right Concentration by explaining that learning this practice is crucial for a good life, because only if you remain present in life can you escape a craving “for status or a desire to keep more than you need” (Heart of the Buddha, 106).
Being present leads to right action. This is true for ancient Greek Cynicism and Zen Buddhism. Interestingly, this practical convergence follows from a deeper theoretical convergence.
Antisthenes (445–365 BCE), often considered the first Cynic, held that you can only really say “A is A” and not “A is B” (DL 6.18). This is a logical way of claiming that only the present can be understood, that even language is a distraction from the truth of nature. Zen Buddhists, similarly, hold that language distracts from the truth that can only be grasped by an intuition — one often gained in meditation.
For Cynics, however, the path to living in the present follows the way of simplification, of de-cluttering your circumstances. For Buddhists, the path follows the way of concentration, of focusing your mind on what really matters.
Each of these lessons is surprising, for they tell you how to live better at no cost at all. They urge: do your life as you live it now, but in a simpler way and with a present mind.
This wisdom changes everything without touching anything. When my wife and I were in St. Lucia, we didn’t need a different experience, but the same one with a different point of view.
I’ll leave you with a final quote from Nhat Hanh that encapsulates the lesson: | https://medium.com/illumination-curated/the-surprising-lessons-that-buddhism-and-cynicism-can-teach-you-about-being-present-and-happy-5465ff5bd4b2 | ['Sebastian Purcell'] | 2020-12-11 16:25:45.879000+00:00 | ['Happiness', 'Life Lessons', 'Mindfulness', 'Buddhism', 'Philosophy'] |
Recipe of Favorite Apple Cider Turkey | Hey everyone, welcome to our recipe page, if you’re looking for Apple Cider Turkey recipe, look no further! We provide you only the perfect Apple Cider Turkey recipe here. We also have wide variety of recipes to try.
Before you jump to Apple Cider Turkey recipe, you may want to read this short interesting healthy tips about Try Using Food to Improve Your Mood.
Most of us think that comfort foods are not good for us and that we need to avoid them. If your comfort food is candy or junk food this is true. Other times, comfort foods can be perfectly healthy and good for us to eat. A number of foods actually do boost your mood when you consume them. When you are feeling a little down and are needing an emotional boost, try a couple of these.
Eggs, believe it or not, can be actually terrific at beating back depression. You need to see to it, however, that what you make includes the egg yolk. When you would like to cheer yourself up, the egg yolk is the most essential part of the egg. Eggs, especially the egg yolks, are full of B vitamins. These B vitamins are great for helping to raise your mood. This is because they help improve the function of your neural transmitters, the components of your brain that dictate your mood. Eat an egg and feel happier!
Now you know that junk food isn’t necessarily what you should eat when you want to help your moods get better. Try these tips instead!
We hope you got benefit from reading it, now let’s go back to apple cider turkey recipe. To cook apple cider turkey you need 13 ingredients and 8 steps. Here is how you do it.
The ingredients needed to make Apple Cider Turkey:
Prepare of Turkey (Washed). Prepare of Oranges. Use of Apple Cider. Prepare of cosher salt. Take of I cup brown sugar. Use of Garlic 8–10 cloves(crushed). Take of Ginger 8–10 (slices). You need of Oranges quartered. Use of Clean Bucket/cooler (to hold turkey). Get of apple cider vinegar. Get of red pepper flakes. Provide of sage, rosemary, thyme (2 each). Take of ice.
Steps to make Apple Cider Turkey:
Warm apple cider and dissolve salt and brown sugar add to bucket with water(just enough to cover turkey). Add cider mixture to bucket with apple cider vinegar, add garlic, ginger, pepper flakes. Place rosemary,thyme, sage.. Add Turkey and bag of ice. Marinate overnight in cool area. (Chilled outside or in fridge with ice). Place in roasting pan, pat dry, remove sage,thyme,rosemary. Brush extra virgin olive oil on both sides.. Cook breast upsidedown add 1 bottle reds alcohol in water pan@ to 325° for 1hr20min. Flip bird right side up baste and cook @300–325 for 1hr/1hr 10min. Brush on butter baste and cook till 160° (internal)remove from grill wrap in foil and rest for 10–15 min.
More Recipe For your cooking days | https://medium.com/@cookpedia/recipe-of-favorite-apple-cider-turkey-4a59c94ad1fe | [] | 2020-12-21 20:12:38.519000+00:00 | ['Recipe', 'Recipe Book', 'Recipes For Cooking'] |
Regression and its variants: Simple, Multiple, LASSO, Ridge and Stepwise Regression | Let’s say as a data scientist you want to analyze a student dataset that has records of their height and weight. You observe that there is a missing value in the weight column. Can you make a prediction of this missing value?
A hypothetical student dataset
Regression helps solve these kinds of problems. In real-world machine learning applications, regression models are frequently used to make predictions of unknown values based on known features (e.g. determining the price of a used car based on make, model, mileage etc.) and it is done by building a statistical relationship between an unknown variable (a.k.a dependent variable) and known features (a.k.a. independent variables). This relationship can be expressed as:
dependent_variable = f(independent_variable_1, independent_variable_2 ….)
This statistical relationship can take many different forms depending on the type of predictors, outcomes and the function used to build the relationship. Below are five types of regression models that are frequently encountered. I’m describing them in a way to explicitly link one type to the next so that it is easy to understand the similarities and differences.
1) Simple linear regression
As the name suggests, simple regression is literally the simplest form of all regressions. It has only one dependent variable and is explained by one independent variable, both represented in a two-dimensional scatter diagram. The example above — the relationship between height and weight — is a classic example of simple linear regression. The mathematical formulation of a simple linear regression model takes the following form:
Weight = b0+ b1*Height + e
where, b0 = intercept, b1 = coefficient and e = error term
2) Multiple regression
Multiple regression is similar to simple linear regression, but in this case, instead of one, there will be multiple independent variables. If we follow the above example again and suppose weight is predicted not just by height but an additional variable — let’s say age — then it’s multiple regression. In the mathematical formulation we just add that additional variable:
Weight = b0+ b1*Height + b2*Age + e
3) LASSO regression
So, multiple regression is better than simple linear regression, right? Since there are more predictors the prediction must be more accurate! Not really, not always. Sometimes simpler models perform better than a complex one. The multiple regression above has 2 independent variables, which is still quite simple, but what if there are 20 or 200 variables in the dataset? That’s where data scientists need to think hard about how many and which features to keep and which ones to let go.
In machine learning, feature selection is an important step to eliminate overfitting, which is also the case in regression. So in LASSO, if there are too many features, some of them are completely eliminated. And it is done by setting the coefficients to zero. This process is known as “L1 Regularization” in machine learning vocab.
4) Ridge regression
In LASSO regression, we simplify regression equations that have too many features and we do so by completely eliminating some of them. Ridge regression serves the same purpose, i.e. simplifies models, but instead of eliminating features entirely it minimizes their effect.
So in ridge regression, the feature coefficients are shrunk to close to zero but not exactly zero (a process known as L2 Regularization). In machine learning ridge regression models, a hyperparameter called lambda is used to control the weight of the penalty associated with the loss function.
Since no feature is completely eliminated, ridge regression is not used for feature selection.
5) Stepwise regression
So far we’ve been looking into various ways of manipulating features to enhance model performance. There is an old school, yet equally effective approach for finding better models, known as “Stepwise regression”.
As the name suggests, in stepwise regression you start with the simplest model (e.g. 1 dependent and 1 independent variable), then evaluate its performance. Then you add another variable and evaluate the performance again and compare two models to find the better one. This process is repeated until the best performing model is found.
An estimator called Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) is used to compare model performance in stepwise regression.
Summary
Regression quantifies the relationship between a dependent and one or more independent variables and there are many different ways to establish and quantify this relationship. In this article, I focused on 5 types of regression which, as a data scientist, you will most frequently encounter. One thing to remember, although there are differences between them, they are not entirely different classes. There are more similarities than differences. So when learning regression (or any modeling family for that matter), it is better to learn them altogether rather than one at a time. | https://towardsdatascience.com/regression-and-its-variants-simple-multiple-lassso-ridge-and-stepwise-regression-9c144fd7a7b2 | ['Mahbubul Alam'] | 2020-11-10 03:00:55.540000+00:00 | ['Regression', 'Ridge Regression', 'Lasso Regression', 'Data Science', 'Machine Learning'] |
Se puede ser vegano y estar sano | Learn more. Medium is an open platform where 170 million readers come to find insightful and dynamic thinking. Here, expert and undiscovered voices alike dive into the heart of any topic and bring new ideas to the surface. Learn more
Make Medium yours. Follow the writers, publications, and topics that matter to you, and you’ll see them on your homepage and in your inbox. Explore | https://medium.com/shizenmen/se-puede-ser-vegano-y-estar-sano-7577a36d24fd | ['Iñaki Zurdo Mantas'] | 2020-11-23 04:53:20.640000+00:00 | ['Español', 'Veganismo', 'Salud', 'Alimentación', 'Vegano'] |
Evaluate Topic Models: Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) | Model Implementation
The complete code is available as a Jupyter Notebook on GitHub
Loading data Data Cleaning Phrase Modeling: Bi-grams and Tri-grams Data transformation: Corpus and Dictionary Base Model Hyperparameter Tuning Final Model Visualize Results
Loading Data
For this tutorial, we’ll use the dataset of papers published in NIPS conference. The NIPS conference (Neural Information Processing Systems) is one of the most prestigious yearly events in the machine learning community. The CSV data file contains information on the different NIPS papers that were published from 1987 until 2016 (29 years!). These papers discuss a wide variety of topics in machine learning, from neural networks to optimization methods, and many more.
Let’s start by looking at the content of the file
# Importing modules
import pandas as pd
import os os.chdir('..') # Read data into papers
papers = pd.read_csv('./data/NIPS Papers/papers.csv') # Print head
papers.head()
Data Cleaning
Since the goal of this analysis is to perform topic modeling, we will solely focus on the text data from each paper, and drop other metadata columns
# Remove the columns
papers = papers.drop(columns=['id', 'title', 'abstract',
'event_type', 'pdf_name', 'year'], axis=1) # sample only 100 papers
papers = papers.sample(100) # Print out the first rows of papers
papers.head()
Remove punctuation/lower casing
Next, let’s perform a simple preprocessing on the content of paper_text column to make them more amenable for analysis, and reliable results. To do that, we’ll use a regular expression to remove any punctuation, and then lowercase the text
# Load the regular expression library
import re # Remove punctuation
papers['paper_text_processed'] = papers['paper_text'].map(lambda x: re.sub('[,\.!?]', '', x)) # Convert the titles to lowercase
papers['paper_text_processed'] = papers['paper_text_processed'].map(lambda x: x.lower()) # Print out the first rows of papers
papers['paper_text_processed'].head()
Tokenize words and further clean-up text
Let’s tokenize each sentence into a list of words, removing punctuations and unnecessary characters altogether.
import gensim
from gensim.utils import simple_preprocess def sent_to_words(sentences):
for sentence in sentences:
yield(gensim.utils.simple_preprocess(str(sentence), deacc=True)) # deacc=True removes punctuations data = papers.paper_text_processed.values.tolist()
data_words = list(sent_to_words(data)) print(data_words[:1][0][:30])
Phrase Modeling: Bigram and Trigram Models
Bigrams are two words frequently occurring together in the document. Trigrams are 3 words frequently occurring. Some examples in our example are: ‘back_bumper’, ‘oil_leakage’, ‘maryland_college_park’ etc.
Gensim’s Phrases model can build and implement the bigrams, trigrams, quadgrams and more. The two important arguments to Phrases are min_count and threshold.
The higher the values of these param, the harder it is for words to be combined.
# Build the bigram and trigram models
bigram = gensim.models.Phrases(data_words, min_count=5, threshold=100) # higher threshold fewer phrases.
trigram = gensim.models.Phrases(bigram[data_words], threshold=100) # Faster way to get a sentence clubbed as a trigram/bigram
bigram_mod = gensim.models.phrases.Phraser(bigram)
trigram_mod = gensim.models.phrases.Phraser(trigram)
Remove Stopwords, Make Bigrams and Lemmatize
The phrase models are ready. Let’s define the functions to remove the stopwords, make trigrams and lemmatization and call them sequentially.
# NLTK Stop words
# import nltk
# nltk.download('stopwords')
from nltk.corpus import stopwords stop_words = stopwords.words('english')
stop_words.extend(['from', 'subject', 're', 'edu', 'use']) # Define functions for stopwords, bigrams, trigrams and lemmatization def remove_stopwords(texts):
return [[word for word in simple_preprocess(str(doc)) if word not in stop_words] for doc in texts] def make_bigrams(texts):
return [bigram_mod[doc] for doc in texts] def make_trigrams(texts):
return [trigram_mod[bigram_mod[doc]] for doc in texts]
"""
texts_out = []
for sent in texts:
doc = nlp(" ".join(sent))
texts_out.append([token.lemma_ for token in doc if token.pos_ in allowed_postags])
return texts_out def lemmatization(texts, allowed_postags=['NOUN', 'ADJ', 'VERB', 'ADV']):""" https://spacy.io/api/annotation """texts_out = []for sent in texts:doc = nlp(" ".join(sent))texts_out.append([token.lemma_ for token in doc if token.pos_ in allowed_postags])return texts_out
Let’s call the functions in order.
import spacy # Remove Stop Words
data_words_nostops = remove_stopwords(data_words) # Form Bigrams
data_words_bigrams = make_bigrams(data_words_nostops) # Initialize spacy 'en' model, keeping only tagger component (for efficiency)
nlp = spacy.load("en_core_web_sm", disable=['parser', 'ner']) # Do lemmatization keeping only noun, adj, vb, adv
data_lemmatized = lemmatization(data_words_bigrams, allowed_postags=['NOUN', 'ADJ', 'VERB', 'ADV']) print(data_lemmatized[:1])
Data Transformation: Corpus and Dictionary
The two main inputs to the LDA topic model are the dictionary(id2word) and the corpus. Let’s create them.
import gensim.corpora as corpora # Create Dictionary
id2word = corpora.Dictionary(data_lemmatized) # Create Corpus
texts = data_lemmatized # Term Document Frequency
corpus = [id2word.doc2bow(text) for text in texts] # View
print(corpus[:1])
Gensim creates a unique id for each word in the document. The produced corpus shown above is a mapping of (word_id, word_frequency).
For example, (0, 7) above implies, word id 0 occurs seven times in the first document. Likewise, word id 1 occurs thrice and so on
Base Model
We have everything required to train the base LDA model. In addition to the corpus and dictionary, you need to provide the number of topics as well. Apart from that, alpha and eta are hyperparameters that affect sparsity of the topics. According to the Gensim docs, both defaults to 1.0/num_topics prior (we’ll use default for the base model).
chunksize controls how many documents are processed at a time in the training algorithm. Increasing chunksize will speed up training, at least as long as the chunk of documents easily fit into memory. passes controls how often we train the model on the entire corpus (set to 10). Another word for passes might be “epochs”. iterations is somewhat technical, but essentially it controls how often we repeat a particular loop over each document. It is important to set the number of “passes” and “iterations” high enough.
# Build LDA model
lda_model = gensim.models.LdaMulticore(corpus=corpus,
id2word=id2word,
num_topics=10,
random_state=100,
chunksize=100,
passes=10,
per_word_topics=True)
View the topics in LDA model
The above LDA model is built with 10 different topics where each topic is a combination of keywords and each keyword contributes a certain weightage to the topic.
You can see the keywords for each topic and the weightage(importance) of each keyword using lda_model.print_topics()
from pprint import pprint # Print the Keyword in the 10 topics
pprint(lda_model.print_topics())
doc_lda = lda_model[corpus]
Compute Model Perplexity and Coherence Score
Let’s calculate the baseline coherence score
from gensim.models import CoherenceModel # Compute Coherence Score
coherence_model_lda = CoherenceModel(model=lda_model, texts=data_lemmatized, dictionary=id2word, coherence='c_v')
coherence_lda = coherence_model_lda.get_coherence() print('
Coherence Score: ', coherence_lda)
Coherence Score: 0.301
Hyperparameter Tuning
First, let’s differentiate between model hyperparameters and model parameters :
Model hyperparameters can be thought of as settings for a machine learning algorithm that are tuned by the data scientist before training. Examples would be the number of trees in the random forest, or in our case, number of topics K Model parameters can be thought of as what the model learns during training, such as the weights for each word in a given topic
Now that we have the baseline coherence score for the default LDA model, let’s perform a series of sensitivity tests to help determine the following model hyperparameters:
Number of Topics (K) Dirichlet hyperparameter alpha: Document-Topic Density Dirichlet hyperparameter beta: Word-Topic Density
We’ll perform these tests in sequence, one parameter at a time by keeping others constant and run them over the two different validation corpus sets. We’ll use C_v as our choice of metric for performance comparison
# supporting function
def compute_coherence_values(corpus, dictionary, k, a, b):
lda_model = gensim.models.LdaMulticore(corpus=corpus,
id2word=dictionary,
num_topics=k,
random_state=100,
chunksize=100,
passes=10,
alpha=a,
eta=b)
coherence_model_lda = CoherenceModel(model=lda_model, texts=data_lemmatized, dictionary=id2word, coherence='c_v')
return coherence_model_lda.get_coherence()
Let’s call the function, and iterate it over the range of topics, alpha, and beta parameter values
import numpy as np
import tqdm grid = {}
grid['Validation_Set'] = {} # Topics range
min_topics = 2
max_topics = 11
step_size = 1
topics_range = range(min_topics, max_topics, step_size) # Alpha parameter
alpha = list(np.arange(0.01, 1, 0.3))
alpha.append('symmetric')
alpha.append('asymmetric') # Beta parameter
beta = list(np.arange(0.01, 1, 0.3))
beta.append('symmetric') # Validation sets
num_of_docs = len(corpus)
corpus_sets = [# gensim.utils.ClippedCorpus(corpus, num_of_docs*0.25),
# gensim.utils.ClippedCorpus(corpus, num_of_docs*0.5),
gensim.utils.ClippedCorpus(corpus, num_of_docs*0.75),
corpus] corpus_title = ['75% Corpus', '100% Corpus'] model_results = {'Validation_Set': [],
'Topics': [],
'Alpha': [],
'Beta': [],
'Coherence': []
} # Can take a long time to run
if 1 == 1:
pbar = tqdm.tqdm(total=540)
# iterate through validation corpuses
for i in range(len(corpus_sets)):
# iterate through number of topics
for k in topics_range:
# iterate through alpha values
for a in alpha:
# iterare through beta values
for b in beta:
# get the coherence score for the given parameters
cv = compute_coherence_values(corpus=corpus_sets[i], dictionary=id2word,
k=k, a=a, b=b)
# Save the model results
model_results['Validation_Set'].append(corpus_title[i])
model_results['Topics'].append(k)
model_results['Alpha'].append(a)
model_results['Beta'].append(b)
model_results['Coherence'].append(cv)
pbar.update(1)
pd.DataFrame(model_results).to_csv('lda_tuning_results.csv', index=False)
pbar.close()
Investigate Results
Let’s start by determining the optimal number of topics. The chart below outlines the coherence score, C_v, for the number of topics across two validation sets, and a fixed alpha = 0.01 and beta = 0.1
With the coherence score seems to keep increasing with the number of topics, it may make better sense to pick the model that gave the highest CV before flattening out or a major drop. In this case, we picked K=8
Next, we want to select the optimal alpha and beta parameters. While there are other sophisticated approaches to tackle the selection process, for this tutorial, we choose the values that yielded maximum C_v score for K=8
alpha=0.01 beta=0.9 K=8
That yields approx. 17% improvement over the baseline score
Final Model
Let’s train the final model using the above selected parameters
lda_model = gensim.models.LdaMulticore(corpus=corpus,
id2word=id2word,
num_topics=8,
random_state=100,
chunksize=100,
passes=10,
alpha=0.01,
eta=0.9)
Visualize Topics
import pyLDAvis.gensim
import pickle
import pyLDAvis # Visualize the topics
pyLDAvis.enable_notebook() LDAvis_prepared = pyLDAvis.gensim.prepare(lda_model, corpus, id2word) LDAvis_prepared
Closing Notes
We started with understanding why evaluating the topic model is essential. Next, we reviewed existing methods and scratched the surface of topic coherence, along with the available coherence measures. Then we built a default LDA model using Gensim implementation to establish the baseline coherence score and reviewed practical ways to optimize the LDA hyperparameters.
Hopefully, this article has managed to shed light on the underlying topic evaluation strategies, and intuitions behind it.
References: | https://towardsdatascience.com/evaluate-topic-model-in-python-latent-dirichlet-allocation-lda-7d57484bb5d0 | ['Shashank Kapadia'] | 2020-12-29 21:44:27.942000+00:00 | ['Data Science', 'Topic Modeling', 'In Depth Analysis', 'Towards Data Science', 'Python'] |
Why my google colab GPU is slow?. If yes, then this notebook is for you… | Have you ever encountered that your Keras Image classification model is training very slow during the 1st few epochs?
If yes, then this article is for you. We generally store the training images in our gdrive in order to use them in future also. Keeping them in colab temporary drive might lead to loss to data once the session expires.
However, storing images in gdrive comes with challenges. The colab runtime has to perform read operation continuously from the mounted gdrive. This read operation is very slow when compared to the read operation done from colab temporary drive. It can be sometimes 40 times slower to read data from gdrive when compared to colab temporary drive.
This slowness often leads to a slowdown of the training process by a significant amount. It has been noted that in some cases it makes the training process 40 times slower than the normal speed.
In this article, we will learn to tackle this problem of slowness by making the zip file of the image folder and then transferring the zip file to the colab temporary drive and using it for training from colab temporary drive.
Summary of steps to follow to prepare data: | https://medium.com/@amit-manbansh01/have-you-ever-encountered-that-your-keras-image-classification-model-is-training-very-slow-during-962f1c1bb95f | ['Amit Manbansh'] | 2020-12-19 03:51:37.137000+00:00 | ['TensorFlow', 'Jupyter Notebook', 'Gdrive', 'Keras', 'Colab'] |
Redux-Saga race conditions | Photo by Jan Starek on Unsplash
Asynchronous program flow is a well known feature in JavaScript environments. All of us extensively use callbacks, Promises at the implementation level. These structures often grow to an unmanageable beast, known as callback-, and Promise hell.
Partly therefore a lot of projects choose the Redux-Saga Library to ease the handling of the asynchronous challenges.
Redux-Saga has introduced a way of multi-tasking. Multi-tasking in the sense, that you can start a lot of parallel tasks -which of them can be blocked at any time — without blocking the whole application program flow. This behavior was possible only by using web workers in JavaScript before the introduction of the so called “generator functions”, which can pause and resume their operation. These possibilities allow coders to flatten the formerly mentioned callback hell, or more generally, the nested asynchronous calls.
Multi-threading and multi-tasking are different technologies, but from the application point of view, both offer parallel execution of tasks. As I mentioned above, you can run tasks parallel in JavaScript using web workers, through it’s multi-threading from technical point of view. This would mean that:
The number of concurrent tasks is limited
Task are running on separate CPU threads
The application has no control over how exactly the execution of tasks is scheduled to each other
Using the generator functions based multi-tasking solutions, however, is different:
The number of tasks is unlimited
The tasks are running on single CPU thread
This is cooperative multi-tasking — meaning that the individual task can handle over the execution by using the “yield” keyword (however, this depends on the task runner/scheduler implementation)
Multi-tasking is truly a powerful tool in our hands, but we should be aware of its characteristics, both in the good and bad sense. It’s really obvious when multiple tasks are in place ( and operating ) at the same time, they will “race” for the resources. Depending on the implementation of the task runner environment ( in our particular case on Redux-Saga ), they will be paused at certain steps, and the next task will run for a while. Just to remark, this situation is just like accessing the database in a multi-user environment. In the multi-tasking world the shared state also exists. In our case, the shared data manifests in the Redux store.
Let us see a pretty obvious example to warmup, just so we get closer to the topic.
We all are accustomed to asynchronous operation in JavaScript. Regardless we use callbacks, Promises or the newer “async / await” syntax. These asynchronous operations often modify a shared state, so programmers usually pay attention to avoid the possible race conditions. Using the generator functions in Redux-Saga, we can flatten this async code structures, making the async calls less obvious, because these calls will look like sync ones.
In the example above, the program flow will wait for the result of the backend call, causing the task to pause. During this time, all other tasks keep running and possibly dispatch state modifications as well.
All the things up to this point are not exactly new, so go forward a little bit.
The “yield” keyword is used to pause the operation of the generator function and hand over the execution to another task, until it pauses on the upcoming yield instruction. By this theory we could expect that the task runner will pause the tasks at each “yield” expression and transfer the operation to the next task. Thinking in concurrency and race conditions we could assume that the shared state could be altered between two consecutive “yield” expressions by any another saga-task. This assumption forces us to pay extra attention to the shared state related operations. For example, all the read-modify-update like functions are really dangerous from the race-conditions point of view.
Keep in mind any state update related operation containing more than one “yield” counts to be a non-atomic one, holding the possibility of a race-condition!
Theory and practice sometimes differ…
To be honest, the task scheduling in Redux-Saga is a little bit different than the above mentioned, classical cooperative multi-tasking. Despite the experienced behavior, Saga tasks are not paused, and the control is not passed to the next task on each yield expressions. Sagas seem to run continuously until the next async effect (also a yield expression) like “delay” or promise resulting function calls. Following this track, we would think, that the code in our first example would run continuously until the “fetch backend data” async operation, but the reality seems to be different… again.
Some effects run continuously, like “select” and sometimes “call” too (when the called function returns a non-promise value), but what about “put” effect? We could assume it shares its behavior with the previously mentioned ones, and runs without stopping, but wait! It works differently. “Put” effects cause the task to stop, and the execution is handed over to the next task.
Let us check out the following lab experiment:
We have a simple reducer, containing only two fields and we will start two simple test tasks in parallel, reading and updating the central state.
And the result is the following. The expected values in the example assume that the “put” effects are not causing task pausing and execution handover.
The test results clearly show that the Redux-Saga task scheduler pauses the tasks at the “put” effects as well, handing the execution over to the next task. This means that we have the risk to experience “nice” unwanted bugs originating from this little-known behavior. | https://medium.com/docler-engineering/redux-saga-race-conditions-1e3b6a22e9cd | ['Szabolcs Damján'] | 2020-11-24 16:39:21.293000+00:00 | ['Multitasking', 'Redux Saga', 'Redux', 'Javascript Development', 'JavaScript'] |
Fine Art or Soft Porn? | An object that has been made under the premise of ‘art’, does not make it such. Art is more complicated than that, it has to be, otherwise we give in to those innumerable masses who stand in front of a Malevich, say, and declare ‘I could have done that.’ And to prove their point perhaps will paint a red square on a white background and call it art. And if we have to admit that their creation is art, then every doodle and emoji and emoticon and spray painted scrawl is art. And if all this is art then we really have lost our standards.
Kasimir Malevich, Black Square (1915) Picture credit: Tate
I have spent a lot of time looking at pictures of naked people, and at real naked people, in a non-sexual sense. What makes it art instead of porn?
Let’s look at Venus, goddess of (among other things) sex.
Depicted multiple times over the course of her existence (and even now, her name is given to all sorts of unexpected objects and figures), she has managed to shoehorn herself, like every aspiring courtesan’s hopes to, into the conservative homes of the elite. As a goddess with a pretty blue background (not to say birth), it seems quite a feat that Venus has always been depicted under the guise of fine art. That is, until the nineteenth century, when something terrible happens. She slips off the ethereal goddess cloak and turns instead, to soft porn.
Sandro Botticelli, The Birth of Venus (c. 1480’s) Picture credit: Uffizzi
William-Adolphe Bouguereau, The Birth of Venus (1879) Picture credit: Wikipedia
What is the difference between these two images? Same subject, same scene. One is fine art, the other (regardless of how it has been lauded through history) is straight up softcore porn. A number of subtle differences create this jarringly different end. These fall under three headings; pose, reason for creation, and imagined aftermath. (I believe you can use these headings in order to analyse other such paintings to the same effect.)
One. The pose. Botticelli’s Venus poses in the manner of ancient statuary. This is something the educated Renaissance viewer would have recognised. Inadvertently flaunting her nudity in a half-hearted attempt to cover her modesty, the goddess averts her eyes from the viewer, allowing him the privacy in which to view her body. Even the three other figures have the same distant gaze. Despite the in-your-face grandeur and glitz of Botticelli’s painting when you see it in the flesh, this is a somewhat distant image. Certainly the nude is closer to inanimate sculpture (something to be viewed at leisure) than any living body.
Conversely, Bouguereau’s Venus, painted around four hundred years later, adopts the proudly sexual pose later popularised by the pin-up girls of the 1950’s. Her downwards gaze directly at the viewer makes him complicit in her nudity. Transactional, even.
That Bouguereau has chosen to leave the hair of his Venus hanging down her back, rather than have her attempting to cover herself up with it (as with Botticelli’s), coupled with this inherently sexual pose, implies a certain knowledge of the figure that she is a sexual object. She’s even messing with her hair, a sure fire flirting technique (if the CosmoGirl magazines of my youth were anything to go by). Certainly the gathering of fantastical creatures gazing at her do nothing to disband this theory.
Two. What are the reasons these two paintings were created? Botticelli’s tells a story. The figures (to Renaissance eyes) have been signposted as to who they are. They fit snugly within the classical trope. Bouguereau’s Venus, on the other hand, is surrounded by generic mythological figures. The only signpost we have that she is the goddess is her standing on a scallop shell. Otherwise she is an anonymous naked women surrounded by strange fish-humans and babies. The reasoning behind this painting isn’t to tell a story, it’s to brazenly display a sexualised naked woman. It may be well painted but it’s lazy, it’s basic, and it’s not art.
Three. Aftermath? Well, we can clearly see what will happen to Botticelli’s Venus- she floats to the shore, gets robed up and heads off onto the island. And Bouguereau’s? Well I can only imagine some kind of weird kinky orgy. PornHub with mermaids.
For centuries, people have been trying to get away with looking at sexy pictures under the guise of less animalistic pleasures (research the sixteenth-century Venetian taste of having your courtesan painted as a mythological figure for more of this). Throughout the Italian Renaissance, artists played the classic game ‘how sexy can I make this picture and still have it accepted into the church?’ It’s certainly one of the skills of a great artist, elevating the animal to a higher plane, be it sex (see Michelangelo and his Neo-Platonism for a prime example of this), food, drink or fighting. And Bouguereau, well, he just doesn’t cut it. Unfortunately, the art world doesn’t seem to have learnt this lesson. Which is why this perv is still at large…
Jeff Koons, Dirty-Jeff on Top (1991). Picture credit: www.jeffkoons.com
I can’t stand all that bullshit about art being life and life being art. It’s a cop-out. If all life is art, and every action we take, we take as artists, the whole thing loses its meaning. Art is something extra to add to life, it can be difficult or joyful or perverse, but it is more than our general existence. And sex is certainly not art, it’s shagging. And straight up naked pictures, well, they’re just porn. | https://medium.com/swlh/fine-art-or-soft-porn-3c8a93175e28 | ['Francesca Ramsay'] | 2019-11-04 22:21:03.384000+00:00 | ['Art', 'Opinion', 'Painting', 'Sex', 'Criticism'] |
11 travel pet peeves that ensure your place doesn’t get the coverage it deserves — and their simple solutions | Quick note / warning: this post is dedicated to a number of unnamed places we’ve visited where we’ve experienced some travel pet peeves. This is also a bit of a rant.
Bloggers like myself take pride in showcasing what a place has to offer, and some places make it easy to make them look good — exhibits are well-lit, guides are friendly, and signage is plentiful. Some places can be a bit harder to love — their budget prevents needed upgrades, the price doesn’t quite match what’s inside, and so on.
After 11 years of travel writing and over 2,000 posts written during that time, I’ve come up with a list of travel pet peeves that ensure a place won’t get covered, doesn’t get visited, or doesn’t get recommended.
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Don’t allow guests to take photos
Act scared of a person with a camera! Give me a BS reason why your centuries-old artwork can’t be photographed by mere mortals. The best excuses I’ve heard:
“Our exhibits are copyrighted.” This is unlikely. Pretty much anything of a creative form created before the early 20th century is considered public domain. Trademarks and patents expire after years or decades, not centuries. More modern art may fall under copyright, but allowing people to take pictures falls under the principle of fair use. (Criticism, comment, news reporting, and research are all considered fair use of a copyrighted thing.) To be sure, ‘fair use’ is not explicitly written into every country’s copyright law, but it is an internationally accepted principle that dates back centuries.
Even if they are copyrighted, at least one reputable source says “Modern copyright has established that it is not the owner of a work of art who is the copyright holder, but the creator: possession does not automatically convey copyright.”
“Our benefactor has chosen not to allow photos.” Ahh, the classic ‘pass the buck’ game! Lame! See above — it’s not necessarily their right to choose that.
We’re trying to protect the dignity of our exhibits.” (Heard at a collection of human bones in the US) No, you’re not. First, you’re using said bones and remains to charge admission and allow the public to see them. Second, you’ve already taken pictures of them and used them in your overpriced hardcover books and other souvenirs. How do either of those things protect their dignity?
“We don’t want the pieces to be damaged.” Of course you don’t, and neither do I. Taking a photograph does zero damage to an object, regardless of whether it’s made with paper, clay, oil, canvas, or rock. Using flash photography can lead to the degradation of some items, and I completely understand the need for ‘no flash’ rules. Tripods and selfie sticks can also fairly be restricted since they can take up a bit of room in a cramped area and may create a tripping hazard. A blanket ban on photography, however, is like using a sledgehammer to pound in a tiny nail.
“It’s a security risk.” No, it’s probably not. My camera need not be a DSLR or smartphone — it might be built into the bridge of my glasses Mission Impossible style, it might be built into the end of a pen, or a thousand other places you’d never think to look for. If I had a decent memory, I could simply remember the pertinent ‘security risks’ a photograph would show, then write or sketch them in my notebook. Whatever security risks a camera might show are flaws in your infrastructure or personnel that ought to be handled in a different way. Creating security theater doesn’t make anyone safer.
I have heard at least one plausible reason to not allow photos: it disrupts the flow / experience of the museum. In a case like this, I wouldn’t like it, but I could accept it. A bit of explanation goes a long way in this case.
Solution: know your collection, and make specific rules. If some exhibits would genuinely be damaged by flash photography (or if the science isn’t in and you want to play it safe), prohibit flash photography. Make signs that prohibit tripods, selfie sticks, or the like instead of a blanket ban.
Along these lines, don’t tell people they’re not allowed to take photos until after they’ve entered / paid.
It feels like a bait and switch. If you’re going to set a rule, make it known before you enter or as you approach the ticket counter.
Solution: see above. If there’s a no-flash or no-tripod rule, put up signs outside the building, on entrance / admission signs, etc.
Have a lengthy or required introductory video.
If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard something like “OK, let’s just go into the next room and I’ll start the video for you”… Seriously. I cringe when I hear this. What’s in the video that isn’t on display in the museum? Making matters worse, too many of these look like they were produced in the 1990’s or were an intern’s side project years ago. Some are best used as enticements to get people in the door — once they’re here, though, let ’em at it! Respect people’s time.
How long is too long? With only two exceptions I can think of offhand, 5–6 minutes. I came to see the place, not watch a video.
Solution: re-evaluate your video. If recent, relevant, and still watchable, upload the video to Youtube, your website, or your blog, If outdated, retire. If a couple of signs can replace the video altogether, do that.
Ask for donations multiple times after I’ve paid for admission
I understand the marketing here — people often need to see or hear an appeal more than once. At best, it’s cheeky; at worst, it’s rather off-putting. Religious places (where donation boxes are ubiquitous) or places where entrance is free are off the hook here.
Solution: get strategic about where and when to request donations. The middle of the museum between two major / costly exhibitions is a good potential place. The end, right by the credits, is another.
Have zero information on / about your exhibits
There’s really no excuse here. Whether it’s a brochure, an e-book, a tablet, a typewritten scrap of paper, or an audioguide, exhibits should not be naked (e.g. without accompanying information). To have no context or information suggests a lack of curation, that you just don’t care, or that you don’t know the provenance of your own collection.
(Less annoying but kind of odd: seeing multiple generations of signage. Think typewritten labels from the 1960’s alongside a modern wall sign. The info may not have changed, but the presentation ends up looking less than uniform.)
Solution: add info to your exhibits — wall signs, brochures, etc.
Overblown or long-winded signage
Walls of text should not be a literal thing unless you’re looking to bore people. It’s a museum, not an encyclopedia.
Solution: distill the information down to what’s needed to enjoy that particular exhibit.
Allow private tour guides to sell their services inside
I’ve seen this in Egypt and Lebanon — seriously? I can only guess, of course, that the museum gets a bribe kickback from the tour guides, who may well be making stuff up . The few places I’ve seen this had precious little or zero signage to verify a guide’s stories.
Solution: employ or license tour guides for people that want them. Have signs for everyone else.
Have only a fraction of the place open, or close large parts of the place off — then neglect to mention it at the entrance
This happened in Italy — of the dozen or so rooms to enjoy in a place, a handful or so were closed for renovation. Can’t get in. Can’t see them. You paid full price to get in, though.
I’ve also seen this at American art galleries — the permanent collection is open, but they’re between special exhibits. It’s fair to charge half the price if only half the space has exhibits.
In another case, a European museum’s special exhibit didn’t interest us, so we opted to just purchase the regular ticket. No can do — the way the museum had it set up, you had to walk through the special exhibit to get to the permanent collection… which means you need a special exhibit ticket. The museum couldn’t be bothered to set up a direct path or bypass.
Solution: if between exhibits, have a standard fee for enjoying just the permanent collection. If renovating, have clear signage by the entrance of what’s off-limits, or re-price accordingly.
Charge a ‘photography fee’, a required ‘special exhibit’ fee, or other nickel-and-diming tactics.
Admission: 10 Romanian lei (a little under $3 USD). Permission to take amateur photos? 120 Romanian lei, over twelve times the cost of getting in.
Airlines nickel-and-dime people. Know how much people like them?
We’ve seen this in Europe and northern Africa, and have been a bit confused each time. What are you doing to earn a photography fee? Turning on the lights?
Solution: Assume your exhibits are wonderful enough that everyone with a camera wants to use it. Don’t assume your guests need to see every part of the collection every visit.
Be overly self-congratulatory to your sponsors / partners
The reality of many museums is that their members and corporate sponsors pay for exhibits or curation efforts. A tasteful panel by an entrance or exit is one thing; a distracting placard repeated throughout the museum is not. Further, I cannot recall the last thing I bought as a result of seeing someone’s personal or company name at a museum.
Solution: find the balance that allows sponsors to be notable but doesn’t interfere with guest’s enjoyment.
Charge different prices for locals and foreigners (AKA dual-pricing)
Dual-pricing is perhaps my biggest pet peeve, so I’ve saved it for last. The only justification for dual-pricing I can think of is that the locals have directly subsidized the place (e.g. through their taxes) in a way that foreigners haven’t. This justification is harder to accept in countries where people actively avoid paying taxes or aren’t paying taxes, but that’s a different story.
In Thailand’s case, it seemed a matter of ‘we’ll charge the foreigners more because we can’. In Egypt, it seemed more a matter of ‘they’re in no position to complain’. “But the foreigners are rich!” Relatively speaking, perhaps. Perhaps you missed the wealthy locals skating in on a local’s ticket, or perhaps your outdated beliefs on your own country are blinding you to the BMW’s parked in the lot.
Solution: charge one price per category (e.g. Adult, Senior Citizen) unless you’re demonstrably subsidized by the people of a given area.
Over to you
What pet peeves do you have while traveling? | https://medium.com/@chrisbacke/11-travel-pet-peeves-that-ensure-your-place-doesnt-get-the-coverage-it-deserves-and-their-simple-104eaf0e4832 | ['Chris Backe', 'Worthy Go', 'Entro Games'] | 2019-05-06 09:46:30.599000+00:00 | ['Publicrelations', 'Petpeeves', 'Blogging'] |
Guided and Gliding | The Inscription erodes,
erodes by the hour’s ticking,
I wait alone, being the lover’s longing.
My phrases of love keep floating,
floating in the jasmine scented air,
waiting, wishing to reach your ears,
gliding in the night sky,
guided by the ancient Polaris.
did it reach you? | https://medium.com/broads-non-grata/guided-and-gliding-cf07fae66e9d | ['Somsubhra Banerjee'] | 2020-11-11 09:37:03.399000+00:00 | ['Thoughts', 'Love', 'Longing', 'Poetry', 'Broads Non Grata'] |
“Influencers” Are Not Smarter Than You And I. | Influencers who think they’re smarter than us are the problem.
The moment you become an influencer and think you’re smarter than everybody else is the moment your ego goes out of control. Intelligence is not measured by influence and it never will be. Creating a divide between people is what fuels wars and creates conflict.
Aim to bring people together. Focus on doing what you love rather than trying to force people to be “influenced.” Drop the attitude that leads you to think you’re smarter because all of us can be an influencer if we want to.
We can all game the social media newsfeed algorithms.
We can all sit on a phone all day and create click-bait content.
We can all pay people in third world countries to send fake followers to our fan page. | https://medium.com/the-mission/influencers-are-not-smarter-than-you-and-i-6e64980f4fc0 | ['Tim Denning'] | 2017-11-13 13:36:01.798000+00:00 | ['Tech', 'Instagram', 'Entrepreneurship', 'Startup', 'Social Media'] |
Walking Alone | I knew there was a light at the end of the tunnel. I am a high self-aware person. I knew what I wanted, and I knew I was going to get there one day. Too many things happened on the way. I made a radical change in my life (again!) started over (again!) but never gave up. I have achieved what I wanted step by step. It could be called luck, it could be called success. Not big things, but the things I needed to have for a mid-level life. There was only one important thing to achieve in life for me; it was “the happiness”, being happy! After health, for sure. Being happy was directly connected to being in those houses for me. When I think about the future, I used to remember those walks, those houses, and that feeling; happy for those families, but not happy for myself.
Happiness was those families I used to see from the outside in those houses with lights, especially at Christmas times with the Christmas decorations.
Time passed, I got older, many things have changed in my life, like everybody’s.
Now, I am sitting in my leaving room, writing this article, looking at the Christmas lights and Christmas decorations in my house, listening to jazz music with a glass of red wine. Having a small chat with my husband, watching my cats while they are playing with their toys.
Thinking of the people outside… thinking of the people who are far away from their families, who lost their loved ones… Half of me is not happy, broken… I know I cannot do much about this. I know I have to accept the fact that life is something like that.
I think I have been feeling guilty because of being happy, have been thinking a lot about this feeling lately. Maybe I was trying to understand deeply when I wrote about “feeling guilty” a couple of months ago:
I wanted to share my thoughts and feelings with this writing, and also I would like to know if there are some people out there who share this feeling with me? Happy at Christmas but feeling upset at the same time for the people who miss their families… | https://medium.com/@neslihan-laidler/walking-alone-7217e2001e76 | ['Nes Laidler'] | 2020-12-22 08:22:42.430000+00:00 | ['Christmas', 'Family', 'Self', 'Awareness', 'Development'] |
Fueled | We give in. Become
the soft crumble of prediction
that quits rushing to count stones
piled continuously to fill craters
of excuses.
Fire catches a toehold
of shadowy selves between circles
we dance, billowing so lightly
we don’t pause to gaze
at those holding the tinder.
In the ring of a pit we didn’t choose,
knowing it’ll only take one twig
offers no consolation
for what’s already ash. | https://medium.com/chance-encounters/fueled-f2a71d511ca2 | ['Elizabeth Helmich'] | 2020-09-24 15:33:00.573000+00:00 | ['Introspection', 'Positive Thinking', 'Chance Encounters', 'Poetry', 'Photography'] |
12 Tips and 24 Examples of Awesome Estate Agent Videos | If you keep hearing you should be doing video to promote your estate agency but have no idea where to start or what you should cover, you’ve come to the right place.
Video marketing for estate agents doesn’t have to be daunting. Our mantra at Starberry is: “Grab your phone and video everything!” You can then easily edit those videos and use them across your entire website and your other digital marketing channels: social media, email marketing, your proposals and other stages of your sales process. It’s that simple.
Watch my video for some inspiration and some great examples of how estate agents can use video to market their business and what kind of video marketing works best to grab attention and generate leads at different customer touch points in the property journey.
From brand stories and welcome video messages on your website homepage to video testimonials, property walkthroughs, video area guides and video bytes showcasing your team, you can easily do them yourself with the tips provided in this video.
Or you can let digital marketing experts like us do them for you. Shout out for more tips & resources on video marketing for estate agents or to find out more about our video service. | https://medium.com/@starberry.social/12-tips-and-24-examples-of-awesome-estate-agent-videos-807dcf55bda1 | ['Steve Berry'] | 2021-11-29 07:00:06.696000+00:00 | ['Videomarketing', 'Lead Generation', 'Estate Agents', 'Estate Agent Videos'] |
In the Puddle | Dreams vanish
and I find myself
in the throe of
scary nightmares
Where did they go?
the sweet love songs
replaced by
the tragic dissonance
High notes come down
and the base strikes me
I’m on the floor
in the puddle of my sorrow
Grief appears
like an old friend
taking my hand
to the sea of weeping
Drowning in
the waves of my tears
I’m taken over
by the force beyond me
Will I come back
to the place of flowering
where nectars flow
and dreams continue?
Will I share in
the joy everlasting
beyond the veneer
and into something true?
(365 Days of Poetry — Day 334) | https://medium.com/scribe/in-the-puddle-4676fd172d4f | ['Afiyah The Poet'] | 2020-12-16 09:33:42.946000+00:00 | ['Pain', 'Life', 'Sorrow', '365 Days Of Poetry', 'Poetry'] |
Understanding the Risks, Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment of Heart Attacks in girls | Understanding the Risks, Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment of Heart Attacks in girls
Heart disease is quite a significant health issue, it’s the number-one reason for death in each girls and men: roughly 600,000 individuals die of cardiopathy within the U.S. every year. however as a result of girls have longer anticipation than men, they represent a bigger proportion of the aged population during which the probability of disorder is greatest.
For the past 3 decades, there are vital declines in cardiopathy mortality for each man and ladies, particularly within the older population. However, recent knowledge suggests an absence of improvement in cardiopathy rates in girls age fifty-five and younger. browse on to seek out out a lot of regarding cardiopathy and heart attacks in girls, and build your awareness of gender variations in designation treatment.
Coronary artery illness (CAD), which may cause heart attacks, is the commonest style of cardiopathy. An attack happens once the blood and chemical element provide to the center muscle is partly or fully compromised, sometimes because of steroid alcohol plaque buildup within the blood vessels. In women, attacks cause one in 3 deaths every year; someone girl dies from a heart attack each minute.
Although each man and ladies get heart attacks that area unit caused by obstruction of the center arteries by plaque and clots, the approach these clots develop differs. girls tend to possess plaque erosion, which suggests little items of plaque break off and become exposed. This causes the formation of smaller clots, which can not cause a complete blockage (or “occlusion”) promptly. (This explains a lot of refined symptoms than for men.) additionally, girls tend to expertise heart attacks some ten years later than men, after the area unit a lot of fragile and certain to possess alternative health problems.
One of the explanations girls generally have heart attacks later than men is because of the decrease in steroid hormone that accompanies climacteric. The reason for heart attacks and therefore the warning symptoms that lead patients to hunt immediate medical attention area units completely different in girls and men, too. girls United Nations agency don’t acknowledge these variations might expertise delayed and inappropriate designation and treatment.
Compared to men, girls with heart attacks tend to report symptoms like chest pressure, heaviness or fullness and sweating less ofttimes. girls usually attribute these symptoms to alternative less grave conditions, together with stomach upset, muscle pain, and traditional aging. girls area unit a lot of possibilities to explain symptoms like shortness of breath; arm, back, or jaw pain; nausea; heart pounding; lightheadedness; or loss of craving. This presentation in girls has been connected to the delay in each designation and therefore the delivery of life-saving treatment ways.
Risk Factors for Heart Disease: The distinction between girls and Men
Traditional risk factors for developing viscus illness have an effect on girls and men in numerous ways.
Estrogen helps maintain the traditional pressure level in girls before climacteric. however once climacteric, girls develop high-pressure level quite men: solely forty-four % come through the management of their pressure level, compared to fifty-one % in men.
Elevated steroid alcohol levels have similar harmful effects for vessel health in each man and ladies. Medications normally won’t to management steroid alcohol have similar effectiveness for each man and ladies. However, among the aged, girls area unit less possible to require cholesterol-lowering medication than men, for a spread of reasons.
Women United Nations agency smoke area unit twenty-five % a lot of possible to expertise heart events than men United Nations agency smoke. to boot, the mixture of smoking and anovulant use will increase cardiopathy risk.
Elevated blood glucose (known as polygenic disorder Mellitus) includes a larger impact on girls than men. In fact, for a woman with a polygenic disorder, the danger of cardiopathy is four to 5 times on top of it might be for a person of a similar age. Prediabetic girls have an earlier vascular and metabolic injury than prediabetic men, as well.
Obstructive apnea (OSA) could be a doubtless serious disorder during which respiration repeatedly stops and starts throughout sleep. It will decrease chemical elements provide to all or any of the organs, however, the center is especially at risk of these drops and therefore the later injury. Common symptoms area unit daytime drowsiness or fatigue, restlessness throughout sleep, and snoring. girls with OSA is shown to possess higher inflammatory markers, a lot of depression, and larger issue dominant pressure level than men with a similar condition.
When it involves heart health, avoirdupois includes a lot of vital impacts on girls than men. avoirdupois will increase the relative risk of cardiopathy by sixty-four % in girls, as opposition forty-six % for men.
There is associate degree inverse relationship between physical activity and cardiopathy and longevity. in step with knowledge from a 2011 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) in adults, inactivity was higher among girls than men (33.2 % versus a pair of9.9 percent).
Risk Factors for cardiopathy Specific to girls
Besides the standard risk factors mentioned on top of, their area unit risk factors exclusive to girls, like pregnancy-related complications and secretion factors. alternative conditions tied to the event of cardiopathy, together with depression, anxiety, response diseases (lupus and rheumy arthritis), and migraines, area unit considerably a lot of frequent in girls.
PCOS could be a condition during which a woman’s hormones area unit out of balance. It will cause issues with discharge and create it troublesome to induce pregnantly. girls with PCOS have a better prevalence of polygenic disorder, obesity, and high-pressure level. there’s a famed relationship between these conditions and cardiopathy. additionally, girls with PCOS have higher levels of Ca within the heart arteries, which will increase the danger of heart attacks.
Pregnancy is taken into account a check. once a girl fails this check, complications like toxemia, eclampsia, physiological condition polygenic disorder, and preterm delivery (birth before thirty-seven weeks) will develop. These complications area unit related to associate degree augmented risk of cardiopathy (a risk that persists later in life, way on the far side the affected maternity period). for instance, toxemia triples the danger of attack and quadruples the danger of high-pressure levels.13Gestational polygenic disorder will increase the danger of developing polygenic disorder seven-fold, the danger of stroke two-fold, and therefore the risk of an attack later in life four-fold. Inflammation, infection, and vascular disease area units thought to be concerned in these correlations.
Diseases like general lupus (SLE) and autoimmune disease area unit a lot of common in girls than men and area unit related to a fifty % higher risk of cardiopathy than for non-affected girls. to boot, the utilization of corticosteroids as a treatment for these conditions will increase the incidence of inflammation in the vessel walls.
There has been tremendous improvement within the survival rates of carcinoma. sadly, this improvement in outcomes conjointly will increase the prevalence of chemotherapy- and radiotherapy-associated heart toxicity. Patients with carcinoma United Nations agency have undergone bound varieties of therapy and have had radiation to their chests ought to be monitored for viscus conditions over the long-run.
Both conditions area unit a lot of common in girls than men and are related to the augmented risk of cardiopathy and stroke. One study showed that moderate to severe depression doubles the danger of attack within the next 2 years and will increase the danger of death. As such, the Yankee Heart Association (AHA) recommends that each girl is screened and treated for depression. Migraines, particularly with aura (symptoms you notice shortly before the headache begins) are related to elevated steroid alcohol, marked inactivity, depression, sleep disturbances, and heart attacks.
Despite the useful effects of bound medicines or augmented accuracy of diagnostic ways for cardiopathy, each of these is found to be delayed in girls.
*Women area units are less possible to induce stress testing to diagnose cardiopathy.
*Women have higher rates of admittance to the hospital once an attack or episode of cardiopathy.
* Medications were famed to enhance the end result once an attack (including analgesic, beta-blockers, and statins) area unit prescribed to girls less ofttimes.
*Fewer girls than men perform the counseled a hundred and fifty minutes of exercise every week.
Although cardiopathy is that the leading reason for death in girls within the U.S., risk factors together with avoirdupois, lack of exercise, high-pressure level, blood glucose and steroid alcohol still rise in young girls. Being attentive to female-specific risks and therefore the symptoms of cardiopathy factors will facilitate girls to stop and acknowledge heart attacks. girls got to not solely bear in mind of treatment choices once an attack however conjointly become assertive regarding asking their doctor regarding those treatments and referrals. | https://medium.com/@suport.yoonlaservice/understanding-the-risks-signs-symptoms-and-treatment-of-heart-attacks-in-girls-701256044d8e | ['Suraia Kabir'] | 2019-11-28 16:06:14.153000+00:00 | ['Health Foods', 'Health Recipe', 'Health', 'Healthcare', 'Headlines'] |
4 Strategies for Leading Through Crisis | 4 Strategies for Leading Through Crisis
Photo by Louie Rahil, MBA
I once walked off a job interview because I did not sense that the hiring manager cares enough about his employees. He was offended and sent me a horrible email that I still read to inspire me to be a better leader. Little did he know that he would apply to work for me a few years later.
I interviewed him; unfortunately, I did not hire him. I say unfortunately because he worked on himself so much that he became one of the best leaders that I know.
I start with this story to emphasize two points, caring about your team members matters, and continuing to learn and grow is critical to your leadership.
2020 pandemic exposed most leaders.
There are two things that most leaders let go of at the beginning of this pandemic. Caring about their teams and learning. Most leaders were managers who claimed that they were leaders, and there is a big difference between management and leadership.
Managers manage, leaders Lead.
Managers manage operations, and they do a great job as long as they are not required to change anything. Leaders lead. They influence others, they respond, they adapt, they evolve, and they pivot every day.
Managers follow the procedure. They follow a map. The pandemic forced us to act with no tangible map, no defined standard operating procedures, and managers who refuse to lead got lost.
They did not know how to manage their team remotely. They did not know what to measure and how to measure. Leaders led. They knew that they needed to treat their team members as humans. They understood that they need to ask, “How is your family?” before they asked about productivity.
They were able to adapt and pivot their operation. They held virtual meetings and allowed people to connect with their families first, and their work second, and their organizations are better off because of it.
Our society is better off because few leaders stopped managing their teams and led them to a better tomorrow.
When leaders lead, we all win, and by leaders, I mean all of us. We all lead with or without a title. We all have the ability to care more, to connect better, and to judge less. We all have the ability to reach our team members and say, “How are you?”
1- Be Exceedingly Human
Patrick Lencioni states the importance of connecting with your team on a personal level. He encourages leaders to be exceedingly human. Leaders should ask their employees about their fears, dreams, and anxieties. This pandemic is challenging us on multiple fronts, health, socially, and economically. Everyone wants to work for a leader who cares about their lives as much as they care about their business.
2- Let Them Hear Your Voice
Andy Stanley encourages leaders to step out of their comfort zone and to connect with their team members, “During times of disruption, your voice is more important than your words. It’s not enough for people to read your words. Emails and texts are for normal times. In times of disruption, people need to hear your voice.” To connect with your team, they have to hear your voice, do not hide behind a computer screen, expect them to come to you, go where they are at, and talk to them.
3- Do Not Ignore Your Team Emotional State
Rebecca Knight wrote a brilliant article in HBR titled How to Talk to Your Team When the Future Is Uncertain, she explains that it’s important to make a special effort to understand your team members. Leaders make a horrible mistake when they ignore their team’s emotional state and focus on business 100 % of the time.
4- Lead with Empathy
Connect with your team and do not lead out of fear. As Paul Argenti, a professor of corporate communication at Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business, articulates in the Harvard Business Review, “When dealing with uncertainty, leaders need to look at communication from the perspective of your audience and have empathy for them rather than fear of doing the wrong thing. Once employees feel that you care about them, they will become more responsive and caring about each other. | https://medium.com/illumination/4-strategies-for-leading-through-crisis-d170152ee446 | ['Louie Rahil'] | 2020-11-21 23:57:48.948000+00:00 | ['Change Management', 'Business', 'Crisis Management', 'Leadership', '2020'] |
[Live Stream] 2021 Soul Train Music Awards | Full Show On “BET” | [Live Stream] 2021 Soul Train Music Awards | Full Show On “BET”
2021 Soul Train Music Awards, at New York’s Apollo Theater, Sunday Nov 28, 2021 at 20PM
<< GO LIVE NOW >>
▶▶ https://cutt.ly/8T2eQlA
SHOW INFO :
Event : 2021 Soul Train Music Awards
Date/Time : Sunday Nov 28, 2021 at 20PM
Venue : New York’s Apollo Theater, USA
Hosted by Tisha Campbell and Tichina Arnold
Ashanti will be honored with the Lady of Soul Award, while Maxwell will receive the Legend Award.
Song of the Year: Blxst feat. Ty Dolla $Ign & Tyga — “Chosen”; Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak (Silk Sonic) — “Leave the Door Open”; H.E.R. — “Damage”; Jazmine Sullivan — “Pick Up Your Feelings”; Wizkid feat. Tems — “Essence”; Yung Bleu feat. Drake — “You’re Mines Still”
Album of the Year: Blxst — No Love Lost; Doja Cat — Planet Her; Giveon — When It’s All Said and Done… Take Time; H.E.R. — Back of My Mind; Jazmine Sullivan — Heaux Tales; Wizkid — Made in Lagos
Video of the Year: Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak (Silk Sonic) — “Leave the Door Open”; Chris Brown, Young Thug feat. Future, Lil Durk, Latto — “Go Crazy (Remix)”; H.E.R. — “Damage”; Jazmine Sullivan — “Pick Up Your Feelings”; Normani feat. Cardi B — “Wild Side”; Wizkid feat. Tems — “Essence”.
❖ ALL CATEGORY WATCHTED ❖
An action story is similar to adventure, and the protagonist usually takes a risky turn, which leads to desperate scenarios (including explosions, fight scenes, daring escapes, etc.). Action and adventure usually are categorized together (sometimes even while “action-adventure”) because they have much in common, and many stories are categorized as both genres simultaneously (for instance, the James Bond series can be classified as both).
Continuing their survival through an age of a Zombie-apocalypse as a makeshift family, Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), Wichita (Emma Stone), and Little Rock (Abagail Breslin) have found their balance as a team, settling into the now vacant White House to spend some safe quality time with one another as they figure out their next move. However, spend time at the Presidential residents raise some uncertainty as Columbus proposes to Wichita, which freaks out the independent, lone warrior out, while Little Rock starts to feel the need to be on her own. The women suddenly decide to escape in the middle of the night, leaving the men concerned about Little Rock, who’s quickly joined by Berkley (Avan Jogia), a hitchhiking hippie on his way to place called Babylon, a fortified commune that’s supposed to be safe haven against the zombies of the land. Hitting the road to retrieved their loved one, Tallahassee and Columbus meet Madison (Zoey Deutch), a dim-witted survivor who takes an immediate liking to Columbus, complicating his relationship with Wichita.
✅ ANALYZER GOOD / BAD ✅
To be honest, I didn’t catch Zombieland when it first got released (in theaters) back in 2009. Of course, the movie pre-dated a lot of the pop culture phenomenon of the usage of zombies-esque as the main antagonist (i.e Game of Thrones, The Maze Runner trilogy, The Walking Dead, World War Z, The Last of Us, etc.), but I’ve never been keen on the whole “Zombie” craze as others are. So, despite the comedy talents on the project, I didn’t see Zombieland….until it came to TV a year or so later. Surprisingly, however, I did like it. Naturally, the zombie apocalypse thing was fine (just wasn’t my thing), but I really enjoyed the film’s humor-based comedy throughout much of the feature. With the exception of 2008’s Shaun of the Dead, majority of the past (and future) endeavors of this narrative have always been serious, so it was kind of refreshing to see comedic levity being brought into the mix. Plus, the film’s cast was great, with the four main leads being one of the film’s greatest assets. As mentioned above, Zombieland didn’t make much of a huge splash at the box office, but certainly gained a strong cult following, including myself, in the following years.
Flash forward a decade after its release and Zombieland finally got a sequel with Zombieland: Double Tap, the central focus of this review post. Given how the original film ended, it was clear that a sequel to the 2009 movie was indeed possible, but it seemed like it was in no rush as the years kept passing by. So, I was quite surprised to hear that Zombieland was getting a sequel, but also a bit not surprised as well as Hollywood’s recent endeavors have been of the “belated sequels” variety; finding mixed results on each of these projects. I did see the film’s movie trailer, which definitely was what I was looking for in this Zombieland 2 movie, with Eisenberg, Harrelson, Stone, Breslin returning to reprise their respective characters again. I knew I wasn’t expecting anything drastically different from the 2009 movie, so I entered Double Tap with good frame of my mind and somewhat eagerly expecting to catch up with this dysfunctional zombie killing family. Unfortunately, while I did see the movie a week after its release, my review for it fell to the wayside as my life in retail got a hold of me during the holidays as well as being sick for a good week and half after seeing the movie. So, with me still playing “catch up” I finally have the time to share my opinions on Zombieland: Double Tap. And what are they? Well, to be honest, my opinions on the film was good. Despite some problems here and there, Zombieland: Double Tap is definitely a fun sequel that’s worth the decade long wait. It doesn’t “redefine” the Zombie genre interest or outmatch its predecessor, but this next chapter of Zombieland still provides an entertaining entry….and that’s all that matters.
Returning to the director’s chair is director Ruben Fleischer, who helmed the first Zombieland movie as well as other film projects such as 30 Minutes or Less, Gangster Squad, and Venom. Thus, given his previous knowledge of shaping the first film, it seems quite suitable (and obvious) for Fleischer to direct this movie and (to that affect), Double Tap succeeds. Of course, with the first film being a “cult classic” of sorts, Fleischer probably knew that it wasn’t going to be easy to replicate the same formula in this sequel, especially since the 10-year gap between the films. Luckily, Fleischer certainly excels in bringing the same type of comedic nuances and cinematic aspects that made the first Zombieland enjoyable to Double Tap; creating a second installment that has plenty of fun and entertainment throughout. A lot of the familiar / likeable aspects of the first film, including the witty banter between four main lead characters, continues to be at the forefront of this sequel; touching upon each character in a amusing way, with plenty of nods and winks to the original 2009 film that’s done skillfully and not so much unnecessarily ham-fisted. Additionally, Fleischer keeps the film running at a brisk pace, with the feature having a runtime of 99 minutes in length (one hour and thirty-nine minutes), which means that the film never feels sluggish (even if it meanders through some secondary story beats / side plot threads), with Fleischer ensuring a companion sequel that leans with plenty of laughter and thrills that are presented snappy way (a sort of “thick and fast” notion). Speaking of which, the comedic aspect of the first Zombieland movie is well-represented in Double Tap, with Fleischer still utilizing its cast (more on that below) in a smart and hilarious by mixing comedic personalities / personas with something as serious / gravitas as fighting endless hordes of zombies every where they go. Basically, if you were a fan of the first Zombieland flick, you’ll definitely find Double Tap to your liking.
In terms of production quality, Double Tap is a good feature. Granted, much like the last film, I knew that the overall setting and background layouts weren’t going to be something elaborate and / or expansive. Thus, my opinion of this subject of the movie’s technical presentation isn’t that critical. Taking that into account, Double Tap does (at least) does have that standard “post-apocalyptic” setting of an abandoned building, cityscapes, and roads throughout the feature; littered with unmanned vehicles and rubbish. It certainly has that “look and feel” of the post-zombie world, so Double Tap’s visual aesthetics gets a solid industry standard in my book. Thus, a lot of the other areas that I usually mentioned (i.e set decorations, costumes, cinematography, etc.) fit into that same category as meeting the standards for a 202 movie. Thus, as a whole, the movie’s background nuances and presentation is good, but nothing grand as I didn’t expect to be “wowed” over it. So, it sort of breaks even. This also extends to the film’s score, which was done by David Sardy, which provides a good musical composition for the feature’s various scenes as well as a musical song selection thrown into the mix; interjecting the various zombie and humor bits equally well.
There are some problems that are bit glaring that Double Tap, while effectively fun and entertaining, can’t overcome, which hinders the film from overtaking its predecessor. Perhaps one of the most notable criticism that the movie can’t get right is the narrative being told. Of course, the narrative in the first Zombieland wasn’t exactly the best, but still combined zombie-killing action with its combination of group dynamics between its lead characters. Double Tap, however, is fun, but messy at the same time; creating a frustrating narrative that sounds good on paper, but thinly written when executed. Thus, problem lies within the movie’s script, which was penned by Dave Callaham, Rhett Reese, and Paul Wernick, which is a bit thinly sketched in certain areas of the story, including a side-story involving Tallahassee wanting to head to Graceland, which involves some of the movie’s new supporting characters. It’s fun sequence of events that follows, but adds little to the main narrative and ultimately could’ve been cut completely. Thus, I kind of wanted see Double Tap have more a substance within its narrative. Heck, they even had a decade long gap to come up with a new yarn to spin for this sequel…and it looks like they came up a bit shorter than expected.
Another point of criticism that I have about this is that there aren’t enough zombie action bits as there were in the first Zombieland movie. Much like the Walking Dead series as become, Double Tap seems more focused on its characters (and the dynamics that they share with each other) rather than the group facing the sparse groupings of mindless zombies. However, that was some of the fun of the first movie and Double Tap takes away that element. Yes, there are zombies in the movie and the gang is ready to take care of them (in gruesome fashion), but these mindless beings sort take a back seat for much of the film, with the script and Fleischer seemed more focused on showcasing witty banter between Columbus, Tallahassee, Wichita, and Little Rock. Of course, the ending climatic piece in the third act gives us the best zombie action scenes of the feature, but it feels a bit “too little, too late” in my opinion. To be honest, this big sequence is a little manufactured and not as fun and unique as the final battle scene in the first film. I know that sounds a bit contrive and weird, but, while the third act big fight seems more polished and staged well, it sort of feels more restricted and doesn’t flow cohesively with the rest of the film’s flow (in matter of speaking).
What’s certainly elevates these points of criticism is the film’s cast, with the main quartet lead acting talents returning to reprise their roles in Double Tap, which is absolutely the “hands down” best part of this sequel. Naturally, I’m talking about the talents of Jessie Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin in their respective roles Zombieland character roles of Columbus, Tallahassee, Wichita, and Little Rock. Of the four, Harrelson, known for his roles in Cheers, True Detective, and War for the Planet of the Apes, shines as the brightest in the movie, with dialogue lines of Tallahassee proving to be the most hilarious comedy stuff on the sequel. Harrelson certainly knows how to lay it on “thick and fast” with the character and the s**t he says in the movie is definitely funny (regardless if the joke is slightly or dated). Behind him, Eisenberg, known for his roles in The Art of Self-Defense, The Social Network, and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, is somewhere in the middle of pack, but still continues to act as the somewhat main protagonist of the feature, including being a narrator for us (the viewers) in this post-zombie apocalypse world. Of course, Eisenberg’s nervous voice and twitchy body movements certainly help the character of Columbus to be likeable and does have a few comedic timing / bits with each of co-stars. Stone, known for her roles in The Help, Superbad, and La La Land, and Breslin, known for her roles in Signs, Little Miss Sunshine, and Definitely, Maybe, round out the quartet; providing some more grown-up / mature character of the group, with Wichita and Little Rock trying to find their place in the world and how they must deal with some of the party members on a personal level. Collectively, these four are what certainly the first movie fun and hilarious and their overall camaraderie / screen-presence with each other hasn’t diminished in the decade long absence. To be it simply, these four are simply riot in the Zombieland and are again in Double Tap.
With the movie keeping the focus on the main quartet of lead Zombieland characters, the one newcomer that certainly takes the spotlight is actress Zoey Deutch, who plays the character of Madison, a dim-witted blonde who joins the group and takes a liking to Columbus. Known for her roles in Before I Fall, The Politician, and Set It Up, Deutch is a somewhat “breath of fresh air” by acting as the tagalong team member to the quartet in a humorous way. Though there isn’t much insight or depth to the character of Madison, Deutch’s ditzy / air-head portrayal of her is quite hilarious and is fun when she’s making comments to Harrelson’s Tallahassee (again, he’s just a riot in the movie).
The rest of the cast, including actor Avan Jogia (Now Apocalypse and Shaft) as Berkeley, a pacifist hippie that quickly befriends Little Rock on her journey, actress Rosario Dawson (Rent and Sin City) as Nevada, the owner of a Elvis-themed motel who Tallahassee quickly takes a shine to, and actors Luke Wilson (Legally Blonde and Old School) and Thomas Middleditch (Silicon Valley and Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie) as Albuquerque and Flagstaff, two traveling zombie-killing partners that are mimic reflections of Tallahassee and Columbus, are in minor supporting roles in Double Tap. While all of these acting talents are good and definitely bring a certain humorous quality to their characters, the characters themselves could’ve been easily expanded upon, with many just being thinly written caricatures. Of course, the movie focuses heavily on the Zombieland quartet (and newcomer Madison), but I wished that these characters could’ve been fleshed out a bit.
Lastly, be sure to still around for the film’s ending credits, with Double Tap offering up two Easter Eggs scenes (one mid-credits and one post-credit scenes). While I won’t spoil them, I do have mention that they are pretty hilarious.
✅ FINAL THOUGHTS ✅
It’s been awhile, but the Zombieland gang is back and are ready to hit the road once again in the movie Zombieland: Double Tap. Director Reuben Fleischer’s latest film sees the return the dysfunctional zombie-killing makeshift family of survivors for another round of bickering, banting, and trying to find their way in a post-apocalyptic world. While the movie’s narrative is a bit messy and could’ve been refined in the storyboarding process as well as having a bit more zombie action, the rest of the feature provides to be a fun endeavor, especially with Fleischer returning to direct the project, the snappy / witty banter amongst its characters, a breezy runtime, and the four lead returning acting talents. Personally, I liked this movie. I definitely found it to my liking as I laugh many times throughout the movie, with the main principal cast lending their screen presence in this post-apocalyptic zombie movie. Thus, my recommendation for this movie is favorable “recommended” as I’m sure it will please many fans of the first movie as well as to the uninitiated (the film is quite easy to follow for newcomers). While the movie doesn’t redefine what was previous done back in 2009, Zombieland: Double Tap still provides a riot of laughs with this make-shift quartet of zombie survivors; giving us give us (the viewers) fun and entertaining companion sequel to the original feature. | https://medium.com/@2021_Soul-Train-Music-Awards/live-stream-2021-soul-train-music-awards-full-show-on-bet-7e7167c0c89e | ['Soul Train Music Awards', 'Full Show'] | 2021-11-28 11:52:45.133000+00:00 | ['Technology', 'Bussiness', 'Music', 'Festivals', 'Awards'] |
Integrate Storybook with VueJS | What is Storybook?
Storybook lets us interactively develop and test user interface components without having to run an application. Because Storybook acts as a component library with its own Webpack configuration, so we can develop in isolation without worrying about project dependencies and requirements.
You can access its official documentation here. In this blog, we are going to learn how to integrate Storybook in a Vue.js project.
Create a new Vue project using Vue CLI
Add Vue CLI globally on your system using the following command.
npm install -g @vue/cli
OR
yarn global add @vue/cli
2. Add Vue CLI Service globally using the following.
npm install -g @vue/cli @vue/cli-service-global
OR
yarn global add @vue/cli @vue/cli-service-global
3. Create a new Vue project.
vue create storybook-demo
4. Setting up Storybook with our project
npx sb init
npm run storybook
The command above will make the following changes to your local environment:
📦 Install the required dependencies.
🛠 Setup the necessary scripts to run and build Storybook.
🛠 Add the default Storybook configuration.
📝 Add some boilerplate stories to get you started.
5. Install CSS-related NPM packages in order to load CSS styles inside your Storybook stories by issuing this command.
yarn add vue-loader babel-loader babel-preset-vue
yarn add css-loader style-loader
6. Finally, create an npm script that lets you start and run Storybook easily. Under the scripts section of your package.json file, add the following:
“storybook”: “start-storybook -p 6006 -c .storybook”
The -p command argument specifies the port where Storybook is going to run locally: in this case 6006. The -c command argument tells Storybook to look for a .storybook directory for configuration settings.
7. Configuring Storybook with Vue
Within .storybook directory , create a main.js file to hold all the configuration settings.
The main configuration file, main.js controls the behavior of the Storybook server.
Stories — an array of globs that describe the location of your story files, relative to main.js. This makes the maintenance of the main.js file much easier by keeping it highly focused on the configuration of Storybook rather than its implementation. You can require as many stories as you need.
Add-ons — a list of all the add-ons you are using (we will be describing what add-ons are, as we go).
Babel — custom babel configuration.
Note: You must always restart the Storybook’s process when you modify the main.js so as to update it.
8. To use any third-party libraries or UI component library, you can configure it in preview.js in the .storybook directory
import Buefy from "buefy";
import VueMoment from 'vue-moment';
import "@fortawesome/fontawesome-free/css/fontawesome.css"; Vue.use(VueMoment);
Here, I have used Buefy for UI Components and VueMoment for utilizing different filters of Moment.js.
9. Creating Stories from Storybook.
The above image shows the code for trafficlights.stories.js. I have used a simple traffic lights component whose state can be altered using Storybook Controls. The below image shows the current state of isActive as true, hence the traffic light displayed is green in color.
Add-ons are plugins in Storybook used to perform advanced functionalities on components. Examples are actions, knobs etc.
The actions add-on is used to display data received by an event handler (callback) arguments in your stories.
The knobs add-on allows you to dynamically interact with a component’s args (inputs). Experiment with alternate configurations of the component to discover edge cases.
We can pass multiple props to our custom story and manipulate them using these Controls. Hence, Storybook helps you document components for reuse and automatically visually test your components to prevent bugs.
10. Import assets into stories
You can import any media assets by importing them. Configure a directory (or a list of directories) where your assets live when starting Storybook.
Use the -s flag in your npm script like so:
"start-storybook": "start-storybook -s ./public -p 6006"
Here ./public is your static directory.
11. Customize your Story Layout
The layout global parameter allows you to configure how stories are positioned in Storybook's Canvas tab.
You can add the parameter to your ./storybook/preview.js , like so:
// .storybook/preview.js
export const parameters = { layout: 'centered' };
Storybook will center all stories in the UI. layout accepts these options:
centered : center the component horizontally and vertically in the Canvas
: center the component horizontally and vertically in the Canvas fullscreen : allow the component to expand to the full width and height of the Canvas
: allow the component to expand to the full width and height of the Canvas padded : Add extra padding around the component
If you want to use your own styles, use decorators instead. | https://medium.com/bitontree/integrate-storybook-with-vuejs-d80e5b246ed8 | ['Virti Shah'] | 2020-12-18 05:13:55.886000+00:00 | ['JavaScript', 'Vuejs', 'Bitontree', 'Storybook', 'Stories'] |
Web crawling vs web scraping? | Web crawling vs web scraping for business — it’s a tale as old as the technologies themselves. The important thing to note is while the two are very similar technologies, they still have some key differences which define their use.
Web crawling is done by spider bots and is used by companies such as Google to index websites. On the other hand, Web scraping is done by scraper bots and is used to accumulate vital data and information from readily available or inaccessible places.
These technologies work through the use of bots, proxies, and several other things. In this article, we’ll explore web scraping and web crawling, and give you some key reasons why your business can benefit from using both of them.
Web Scraping and Why You Should Care About It
Web scraping, better known as data harvesting, is a process done by bots that extract vast amounts of data from websites. This data can be readily available on the websites or can be hidden behind firewalls and proxies.
The use of web scraping for business has been well documented, and it’s not necessarily legal for some purposes like corporate espionage. Otherwise, the use of data scraping bots for accumulating vast amounts of data is completely legal, as long as it’s not breaking any laws.
Scraping bots are at the forefront of many-a technologies, most notable of which is big data. Big data is a technology that defines huge data centers, which are vital to other technologies such as AI and machine learning, and can serve important analytical purposes.
In the past, this process was manually by human operators, and in use to take quite a lot of time. These days, the process is automatic using bots, which cuts down on costs, improves performance, and streamlines data harvesting as a whole. Companies can focus on data analysis and decision making rather than data gathering processes.
Web Crawling vs Web Scraping
Web crawling vs web scraping, the differences are far more apparent than you might think. Crawling merely crawls the web to index the content found on websites. On the other hand, Web scraping uses crawler bots to save the data found on various websites, usually in a cloud or drive storage or spreadsheet format. If you want to delve deeper into web crawling vs web scraping differences, we suggest you read more on the Oxylabs website.
Businesses Should Be Using Both
Both of them are fantastic technologies that have a lot of business applications and work best when combined. Companies can accumulate vast amounts of data for further analysis, indexing, or recovery purposes through these technologies.
To put this into perspective, companies can use these vast data storages to overcome issues they haven’t even encountered yet. It can also accumulate accurate data to cut down on data refinement costs, thus streamlining machine learning.
How They Can Help Your Business Grow
The benefits that the combination of web crawling and data harvesting have for business are irrefutable. The first thing that comes to mind is the lead generation potential of these two technologies. No longer will businesses have to struggle with overly-elaborate lead generation strategies, as web scraping promises to simplify them by a considerable margin.
Another thing that comes to mind is the UX and UI aspects. Through data harvesting and web crawling, companies can accumulate a lot of data on existing customers and prospects. This data can then in use to create a unique and adaptable UI that augments the UX massively.
Optimizing internal operations has always been a dreaded and tedious task. But through the use of data harvesting. So, companies can have a better perspective on their business based on the performance of their competition. That allows them to streamline internal processes, modify or optimize their pricing, and increase ROI while cutting down operational costs.
Lastly, the use of these two technologies in marketing and data science is good. Through web crawling and data harvesting, more efficient SEO monitoring becomes a possibility. Allowing companies to create content that appeals to their target demographic. Companies can also gather competitive information and ensure data-driven marketing, pricing, and other business strategies.
Alternatively, data analysis is also a far more efficient and cost-effective endeavor. When there is more data to study, analyze, and research.
Web Scraping for Business Conclusion
These two technologies will revolutionize the world of business in more ways than one. So, their combination promises to change the world of data as we know it. While companies such as Google have been using these technologies for a while. So, they’re just now starting to reach their full potential.
Businesses of any size can benefit from large data centers. Through these technologies, they can create these in a streamlined and cost-effective way. | https://medium.com/@visualmodo/web-crawling-vs-web-scraping-3424635a085 | [] | 2020-12-20 03:41:05.036000+00:00 | ['Web Scraping', 'Seo Tips', 'Web Crawling', 'Crawlingmat Market Trends', 'Web Crawling Services'] |
How Intercountry Adoption Causes African Children To Be Unnecessarily Separated From Their Families | Monday, May 10th:
On Sunday March 9, Alicia Marie Harding left a comment on this article that said the following:
Charlotte, I would like to know how you tried to contact me. I've never heard or seen your name before, and just in case I missed your message somehow, checked all my inboxes and don't have any record of you reaching out. But the most important issue at hand here... is the wellbeing of the twins, and handling the damage that has been done due to creating a story based on untruth. What you didn't include in your story, and other facts that I believe make a huge difference are these... 1) We do NOT believe in breaking up families. We have helped many orphan children by supporting their community. But this was a critically time sensitive issue that was brought to us and we chose to help in a way that would help the vulnerable babies survive. Before we even met the twins, I asked the lady on the very first phone call what they were asking us to do, to keep the babies temporarily or permenantly. We wanted to be prepared for either, and thier reply was that the need for adoption was a possibility. We didnt take these babies away from thier home. They were literally handed to us by the father and social worker in our home. We didn't seek them out. 2) In an effort build a healthy and positive relatioship with the family, we have a schedule throughout the year to meet with both sides of the family. We have already financially covered travel, lodging and meals to the father, aunts and uncles multiple times so they could spend time in our home and with the babies. We have also agreed to continue to make trips to the village so they can connect there. 3) At 3 months WE initiated reaching out to the social worker to contact the extended family to see if they wanted the babies back or if we should start with the adoption. We realize it would be harder for the babies to adjust back to a very vulnerable village life the older they got, and wanted to make that transition as early as possible. NO ONE in the family would/could take them were ALL supportive of them staying in our home. 4) The ONLY time any family member wanted the babies back was when they thought someone else was getting money of out if, and when lies were circulating that the children were being sold for body parts to be used in witch craft. Since that has been cleared, there has been NO one in their community to keep the babies. We even offered to supply them with formula if they did. 5) Since my last posts, the father has abandoned his other children and no one has been able to reach him. 6) It is very typical when you do help some families in these situations, that supplies, food, clothing, or bedding provided, is sold for money and then ran off with by a family member. And the children it was inteded for never get the benefits. It has happened to us previously with other orphaned children cared for by the grandmother. 7) You talk about the trauma these newborns have of leaving the village home. If they had been children, that would have been different. They didn't know their home. We were the only home they ever had. Their mother died at birth, the babies spent a 3 nights in the hospital, and spent only 1 night with an overwhlemed grandma before they came to us. We were called because the health dept and social welfare said the babies would not survive in that invironment and there was no one else who would take them. 8) There seems to be an issue with us naming them. Niether the mother nor the father gave them a name, and the social worker asked us what we wanted to name them. We inlcuded a Tongan name to honor thier tribe and heritage. 9) There are other parts of this story that dramtically effected the adoption process and decisions that were made that are too sensitive to share here or on my IG, and niether should I have to. 10) We never looked for a loophole in the law as you stated. "loop-hole" might have been the wrong choice of word, but our intent was to find someone who would stand by us WITHIN the law, when the officials wanted to take the babies, not back to their family, but away from us due ungrounded reasons (child trafficing cases, and other reasons I can't disclose to protect the persons involved.) I would like to ask you, and all those that read this story... Is it rasism to love your neighbor as yourself? To give someone that has nothing, inlcuding the risk of loosing their lives, the gift of your heart and home and everything you have? Should that gift be withheld based on the color of their skin or what culture they come from? Could it be, that by giving these children a chance at life, and love, education and opportunity that they would never have in their current situation, that they could go back to their communities one day and make a bigger impact in their communities and country than we ever could or ever will? If we are blessed with anything, what good does it do if we can't use those recourses to bless others? This is what we chose to do. And I would humbly ask that you share the rest of the story for others to know.
My response to that statement:
We did, in fact, reach out to Alicia Marie Harding. Not through our personal Instagram accounts, but through the account of a social welfare project we’re involved in. We contacted Alicia Marie on April 3rd, to try and help her see the bigger picture in what her and her husband are doing. This was duly ignored, and we can provide evidence of this.
We have not enticed anyone into sending hateful messages, and our communication regarding this case has been nothing but appropriate. However, once we don’t receive any response and the story is put out there, we don’t have control over how others will respond to the situation at hand. We don’t condone sending abusive and nasty DMs/emails to Alicia. It isn’t useful, and distracts from the situation to ensure the right thing is done for the twins. If you want to engage in a conversation, please do so in a productive way.
If what Alicia is saying about the father’s departure is true, there are myriad possible explanations for this. The authorities should be the ones looking into this matter. The fact remains that when the twins’ father expressed the desire to look after his children, this should have been seen as a wonderful opportunity to assist and support his whole family to parent the twins. A relatively small investment into the family’s health, wellbeing and material/economic situation would have not only helped the twins and the father, but the whole family. Sadly, Alicia saw a father’s attempt to parent his own twins as a ‘roadblock’ to adoption, rather than — looking at it from a Christian perspective — realigning the situation to God’s natural order of things.
The twins’ father has lost his wife only a few months ago. He, and in fact the whole family, are grieving. The lack of empathy, support and respect that Alicia and her husband have shown for the whole grieving family — which is clearly being displayed on her Instagram account — is incredibly sad, but not uncommon in intercountry adoption. The trauma, stress and worry of losing someone and being left with twins is significant, and families that go through such terrible events need counselling and support — not have their children removed to then be adopted. We have seen no empathy or support for the first family and the situation that these people found themselves in — just a crusade to adopt the twins through ANY means necessary.
Playing out the adoption process online, through one’s social media accounts and without the consent of the twins’ father, shows the imbalance of power and lack of respect in intercountry adoption processes. This man has lost both his wife and his children and yet his situation is being beamed around the world, without his permission. His very personal loss and trauma has been turned into a public circus. This is NOT okay. Did the twins’ father give written permission to Alicia for sharing photos of the twins, their community, etc.? We highly doubt it.
The father, the twins and their extended family should discreetly and privately be turned into the centre of an intervention to support them through this tragedy. The center stage should not be taken by white, privileged missionaries who have turned adopting the twins into an online crusade.
We hope and actively encourage EVERYONE involved in this process to 1) ensure that the twins are taken back to their father, extended family and/or their community, 2) ensure that the father and family are provided with the right emotional, health and economic support that ensures the twins are safe, healthy and protected, 3) make sure that the family’s privacy is respected as they parent the twins and are given the space to grieve the loss of a loved one. We also hope that Alicia and her family support the father and the twins, and take the time to step back from social media and reflect on the damaging nature of intercountry adoption. There is a large amount of information on this topic out there, that isn’t hard to get your hands on. | https://medium.com/@charlotte-simons/how-intercountry-adoption-causes-african-children-to-be-unnecessarily-removed-from-their-homes-e32bdd0db38 | ['Charlotte Simons'] | 2021-05-18 16:20:06.831000+00:00 | ['Adoption', 'Child Protection', 'Zambia', 'Alicia Marie Harding', 'Intercountry Adoption'] |
Pilot Story: Can a multi-purpose UAV operation in Malawi help realise the impact of UAVs in development and humanitarian contexts? | Pilot Story: Can a multi-purpose UAV operation in Malawi help realise the impact of UAVs in development and humanitarian contexts? Ruth McPake Follow Dec 23, 2020 · 1 min read
See the story of the pilot and our insights on UAVs here
“Since the introduction of air logistics, service delivery at the hospital has exponentially increased to accommodate the increased demand for healthcare evidenced at district health centres.” Daniel Mvumbe, Riders for Health
The Frontier Technologies Hub has been working with Swoop Aero and UNICEF in Malawi to test the potential of UAVs to support medical supply chains, conduct mapping flights and provide data for flood modelling and, crucially to explore whether a multi purpose operation offers cost efficiencies that might lead to long term financial sustainability.
In this pilot story, we reflect on what we’ve learned over the course of this year as priorities shifted in response to the pandemic.
You can find the publication here. | https://medium.com/frontier-technologies-hub/pilot-story-can-a-multi-purpose-uav-operation-in-malawi-help-realise-the-impact-of-uavs-in-8be165a611b8 | ['Ruth Mcpake'] | 2021-01-04 18:04:48.647000+00:00 | ['Supply Chain', 'Malawi', 'Uav', 'Live Streaming', 'Frontier Tech'] |
NerveNetwork LP Staking Tutorial | LP Participates in NerveNetwork Staking
The NerveNetwork now supports LPs participating in staking to obtain NVT rewards. Currently supported LPs include Cake-LP and UNI-V2. The specific LP’s rate of return can be found in the Nerve wallet and Nerve Explorer.
Asset reserve (using BNB as an example)
Adding the liquidity of WBNB-NVT requires two assets, BNB and NVT. These two assets need to be on the BSC network.
Use MetaMask to connect to the BSC mainnet.
Create a BSC network address and withdraw BNB from the exchange to this address:
(1) Fill in the BSC address into the address input box.
(2) Select the main network as BEP20 (BSC).
(3) Enter the cash withdrawal amount.
After the BNB withdrawal is complete, the assets can be transferred out of the NVT to the BSC network through the Nerve webpage.
BSC network NVT contract address: 0xf0e406c49c63abf358030a299c0e00118c4c6ba5
You can add tokens through the contract address and check the number of NVTs on the BSC network in MetaMask.
After the BNB and NVT assets are ready, you can add liquidity to obtain Cake-LP.
Obtain LP (using Cake-LP as an example)
After preparing BNB and NVT on the BSC network, you can add liquidity to obtain Cake-LP and enter PancakeSwap.
Connect to MetaMask wallet and authorize. Select the address of the ready asset to connect.
When you are ready, select Liquidity under Trade:
Enter the add liquidity page:
Click Add Liquidity.
The above input selects BNB, and the BNB balance is also be displayed. Click Select a Currency.
The asset selection window pops up, enter the contract address of NVT in the BSC network: 0xf0e406c49c63abf358030a299c0e00118c4c6ba5 ,
search and select the asset:
After selecting the asset, enter the amount of liquidity you want to participate in, and participate in the liquidity. You need to click Approve NVT to authorize the first time, and then click Supply to add after the authorization is successful.
After confirming the assets, click Supply, and a confirmation window will pop up. Click Confirm Supply to wake up MetaMask to confirm sending the transaction. After confirming on MetaMask, wait for the transaction confirmation to obtain Cake-LP.
Cake-LP’s contract address is:
0xee31a8bb1edb26d8de688e2a1ca086e5c11f5978
You can add Tokens on MetaMask to check the balance.
At this point, Cake-LP is successfully obtained. The next step is to transfer Cake-LP to the Nerve network to participate in staking.
Cake-LP participates in staking
After obtaining Cake-LP, cross-chain Cake-LP needs to be transferred to the Nerve network.
After Cake-LP has successfully transferred to the Nerve network, it can be used to participate in staking to obtain NVT rewards:
Enter the stake page, click “Stake For Reward”, and a pop-up window will appear to select the asset “Cake-LP.” Enter the amount of pledge and click “Confirm” to confirm. Enter the password to initiate the transaction, after the transaction is confirmed, staking is successful. Please wait for the reward to be issued.
UNI-V2 participates in NerveNetwork staking
UNI-V2 is a token generated by participating in ETH-NVT liquidity on UNIswap. Its operation is similar to Cake-LP. NVT’s contract on the Ethereum network: 0x7b6f71c8b123b38aa8099e0098bec7fbc35b8a13
Cross-chain transfer of NVT assets from Nerve network to Ethereum network
How to obtain NVT
NVT can be obtained on exchanges: MXC, Bittrex, BitZ, NerveDEX, etc.
This can also be in PancakeSwap and Uniswap in exchange for transactions. | https://medium.com/@nervenetwork/nervenetwork-lp-staking-tutorial-a0cc96227fc2 | [] | 2020-12-15 10:53:32.699000+00:00 | ['Defi', 'Nerve Network', 'Liquidity', 'Staking', 'Farming'] |
A Practical Guide for Deploying Embedding-Based Machine Learning Models | Orchestrating the model deployment with Kubeflow Pipelines
The tools and frameworks are identified to be able to perform a model deployment. Now we will need to define all the steps that will be required to execute a reliable model deployment. The required steps are, from a high-level point of view:
Deploy the new model version next to the current one. Direct streaming updates to both model versions. Start bulk load in order to backfill the new model version with all the re-calculated historical records. Once the bulk load has been processed by the new model version, it is ready to receive traffic and we can gradually shift traffic from the old to the new model. Remove the old model version
Figure 9. Steps to perform the model deployment.
Kubeflow Pipelines is an orchestrator that lets you define a set of operations and their order of execution. Each operation is defined by a Docker container. It is also possible to transfer information from one operation to another, this is extremely helpful if you have a dependent operation that needs the output of one of the previous operations. This is often the case with Machine Learning related workflows, where for example you pass on the storage bucket path to the preprocessed data to your training operation.
Ramped Model Deployment
The least complicated model deployment is to gradually ramp traffic from one model version to another in a fully automated fashion by defining a step-wise function that shifts X % every Y seconds. The speed at which you shift traffic highly depends on the volume of your traffic as you want to properly let the new model version scale in order to meet the traffic demand it gets.
Figure 10. Traffic gradually shifted from version 1 to version 2 in a fully-automated manner.
If all the deployment steps mentioned above are properly containerized, it is possible to chain this set of operations together in an execution graph so that the deployment can be reliably orchestrated. We can inspect the execution graph:
Figure 11: High-level orchestration pipeline to deploy the new model in a ramped manner.
In the ‘ramp’ step, the target weight percentages are updated so that traffic is gradually ramped to the other model version, as visualized in figure 10.
A/B Model Deployment
The steps 4 and 5 are slightly different for the A/B model deployment scenario as the model version to be promoted is variable. In this scenario, a pause step is introduced during the ramp. Based on the model performance, new target weight percentages are defined and the ramping interactively continues until a model is promoted. Traditionally in A/B testing, the new model version will only receive a small portion of the traffic at first and it will be checked how the new model version responds to real traffic. Depending on these results, the traffic might be gradually increased if the new model appears to be better. For example, this is a scenario where after a 50/50% traffic split it was decided to rollback to model version 1:
Figure 12. A/B model deployment scenario where version 1 is rolled back after splitting traffic all the way up to 50%/50%.
A simple tool to input these target weight percentages could be a message queue like Google Cloud Pub/Sub. The pipeline simply reads messages from a message queue and deploys the target weight percentages. In this case, the execution graph will have a ‘promote’ and ‘rollback’ branch, depending on the results of the A/B testing.
Figure 13. High-level orchestration pipeline to deploy a new model in A/B mode.
Conclusion
In order to benefit from the wide range of available Machine Learning Models, we need to be able to deploy them in production applications. Embedding-based models are particularly hard to deploy since all embeddings in the system need to be recalculated for each model version and traffic needs to be routed correctly while doing the model update.
We described a concrete set of tools and frameworks that can be used to implement the deployment strategy for these embedding-based models. Kubernetes makes it possible to deploy our embedding-based system, configure scaling behavior and expose services. Istio unlocks fine-grained traffic routing control mechanisms that are required to correctly split and route traffic across the model versions. Kubeflow Pipelines allows us to execute the set of operations, that are required to deploy a new model version, in a reliable and reproducible manner.
Mastering the technique for crafting model deployment pipelines as ‘a push on the button’ will unlock an immense potential. You will be able to test new machine learning models swiftly, without pain. Your engineering team does not need to spend time on redoing manual deployments over and over again. Instead, model deployments are automated, reliable, reproducible and can be triggered with a simple push on a button. This practice is often referred to as MLOps, analogous to DevOps.
About ML6
We are a team of AI experts and the fastest growing AI company in Belgium. With offices in Ghent, Amsterdam, Berlin and London, we build and implement self learning systems across different sectors to help our clients operate more efficiently. We do this by staying on top of research, innovation and applying our expertise in practice. To find out more, please visit www.ml6.eu | https://blog.ml6.eu/a-practical-guide-for-deploying-embedding-based-machine-learning-models-949f5dbd697d | ['Sven Degroote'] | 2020-04-23 13:16:16.306000+00:00 | ['Kubernetes', 'Kubeflow Pipelines', 'Machine Learning', 'Production', 'Recommendation System'] |
7 Winter Car Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Car Safe | Winter Car Maintenance Tips
Winter is at the peak, and hence most of the USA areas are swallowed under the snow. In states with heavy snowfall, protecting your outdoor assets are a major concern. Among all, it’s your car that faces the biggest troubles as the engine halts for long during the winter, and that gives birth to further issues during the early spring.
Each year, 24 percent of weather-related vehicle crashes occur on snowy, slushy, or icy pavement, and 15 percent happen during snowfall or sleet. Over 1,300 people are killed, and more than 116,800 people are injured in vehicle crashes on snowy, slushy, or icy pavement annually.
With heavy snowfall, icy roads, and chilled weather comes problems to your car. But wait! With some car maintenance tips, you can keep its wheels rolling throughout the year and enhance its lifespan. So, check out 11 car maintenance tips that are a must to follow during the winter season.
1. Order Snow Tiers Today: Standard tires aren’t effective run smoothly on icy roads. Hence, you need snow-tires specially built to maintain the car’s grip and keep it balanced. Remember, regular tires mostly slip when accelerated and hence increases your chances of car crash.
However, if you have already installed the snow tires, heed the wear status. During winter, minor negligence can result in a big mishappening.
2. Ensure Battery is Working Properly: Battery is the heart of your car, which must remain alive in whatsoever weather you live in. Hence, you should regularly check the battery voltage and ensure it has enough power to start your car in a single attempt. If required, you must have a spare battery to jumpstart your car and bring your car back to life.
3. Check Headlights and Foglamps: During winter, days and small and is mostly covered with dense fog. Hence, your headlights and foglamps play a vital role in marking your presence when driving. Foglamps can pierce the fog and alter other drivers about your presence. Thus, you must ensure all lights and foglamps are in working condition. Further, you must also check the light intensity and replace them whichever is required.
4. Service Your Car: Servicing your vehicle enhances its lifespan and makes the driving smooth. During winter, you must ensure the car is parked after a complete servicing. Complete service commonly includes oil change, coolant change, complete indoor & outdoor washing, etc. With timely servicing, you can safeguard your engine from freezing during heavy snowfall.
5. Check Braking System: Brakes are another essential component of your car that must be in tip-top condition. During winters, disk oil and disk pads must be checked to ensure they are in good condition and your car braking system is working perfectly. If required, you are suggested to replace the disk pads. Further, it’s better to keep a space set of disk pads to replace than in the situation when you aren’t in reach of a mechanic. Get the braking system checked by a professional mechanic before taking your car to the road.
6. Regularly Wash Your Car: Regular washing helps to remove snow and keep the car protected from snow salt. Areas with heavy snowfall require frequent wipe-off of snow. Further, rock salt can be used to melt the snow and bring your car in the limelight again. However, avoid using heavy salt as it may cause rusting and degrades your car’s lifespan.
7. Buy Metal Carport/Garage: To overcome all these hurdles and keep your car safe from heavy snow load, high winds, etc., you must choose the perfect Metal Carports are the utmost option for car parking that you should choose. You can order custom metal carports to park your car, ATV, Motorhome, and even Recreational Vehicles.
So, are you ready to keep your vehicles safe this winter? | https://medium.com/metal-buildings-for-sale/7-winter-car-maintenance-tips-to-keep-your-car-safe-62aa9ce86180 | ['Chris Egg'] | 2020-12-24 08:24:00.410000+00:00 | ['Maintenance', 'Metal Building', 'Car Maintenance Tips', 'Cars'] |
How to Use the Kaggle API in Python | Datasets
Kaggle gives us several options for downloading datasets. The two you’re most likely to use are for downloading competition datasets, or standalone datasets.
A competition dataset is related to a current or past competition, for example, the dataset used in the Sentiment Analysis on Movie Reviews competition.
Standalone datasets are not accompanied by a competition and can be uploaded by anyone — like this 1.6M Sentiment of Tweets dataset.
We use two different methods for each of these.
Competition Datasets
We can see that our dataset is paired with a competition through the URL of the dataset, it will always begin with kaggle.com/c/ — the c representing competition.
To download a competition dataset, we use the competition_download_file method, take the competition name (given in the URL) and write:
Here we download both the training and test datasets to the current directory ./ — both are zipped.
Alternatively, we can simply download all competition datasets with:
api.competition_download_files('sentiment-analysis-on-movie-reviews', path='./')
You may need to setup your local directory to receive them without error — I always find downloading each individual dataset more convenient.
Standalone Datasets
On the dataset page, we can see the user’s name and the dataset name (or in the address bar). We put both together like user/dataset , and execute dataset_download_file like so:
This will download the zipped file into our current directory ./ .
Again, just like we did with the competition datasets, we can download all files for a specific dataset like so:
api.dataset_download_files('kazanova/sentiment140', path='./')
Unzipping
A final point, every dataset you download with the Kaggle API will be downloaded as a ZIP file. You can unzip the data manually, or simply use Python like so:
Once unzipped, we read our data into Python as per usual! | https://medium.com/python-in-plain-english/how-to-use-the-kaggle-api-in-python-4d4c812c39c7 | ['James Briggs'] | 2020-11-25 06:41:44.974000+00:00 | ['Python', 'Technology', 'Data Science', 'Programming', 'Machine Learning'] |
Summer Blues | The summer season is upon us, and it’s okay if that doesn’t have you jumping for joy.
The first few sunny and warm days of the season — when flowers are in bloom and people flock to the park, beach, or patio in droves — are supposed to be days of excitement and happiness. Sunshine is supposed to equal joy, isn’t it?
Not necessarily.
While warm weather, longer days, and more vacation time can make some people feel euphoric and free, it can make others feel agitated, guilty, and jealous.
If you have depression or just aren’t feeling particularly happy, the sunshine and all the people off on fun-looking adventures can make you feel even worse.
If you stay inside when the sun is out, you may feel as though you’re wasting the good weather, you may have FOMO, or you may be frustrated that part of you genuinely does want to go outside but you can’t seem to get yourself out of bed.
These feelings of isolation and guilt can add to your poor mental state. If you experience this at all this summer, just remember that you’re not alone.
Summer Affective Disorder
About 10% of people who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) experience their depression in the summer rather than the winter.
While winter depression can make people eat and sleep more, summer depression tends to make people eat less and have insomnia. This in turn makes them feel weaker and less excited about undertaking fun in the sun activities.
Heat and light are the main contributors to summer SAD, so try to keep yourself cool and stay away from harsh light if you’re feeling depressed this summer
If summer is getting the best of you, try to limit the amount of bright light and heat in your home. Close the blinds, get light-blocking curtains, and invest in an air conditioner (or two).
Plan to get some exercise or go out to see friends in the morning when the temperature is still relatively cool. This will help give you those feel-good endorphins and make you feel less isolated while also potentially raising your energy levels for the rest of the day.
And instead of trying to meet your friends’ high energy activities like hiking and partying, plan some lowkey activities that you’d enjoy — whether they’re considered weather appropriate or not. Do something quiet and creative, go to a movie, walk around an air conditioned museum, or watch a play.
It’s not a competition
With social media being so pervasive in our lives, it’s hard not to feel like we’re constantly missing out on something or competing over who can snap the coolest photos, especially in the summer months when there’s always someone away on a dream vacation.
Sometimes the pictures are so beautiful and the captions are so witty that you start longing for something you’ve never actually really liked or wanted before. In these moments, remind yourself that it’s okay if you don’t love camping or snorkeling.
If all of your Facebook friends are posting pictures of themselves with giddy smiles at an outdoor music festival, be happy for them while knowing that not being in a loud, crowded, sweaty environment is the best call for you at the moment.
You may choose to stay at home for your whole vacation catching up on reading, Netflix binging, and that project you started last year but never had time to finish. It’s okay if you don’t go flitting off to Spain this summer, regardless of how many of the people you follow on Instagram do.
Don’t force yourself to do something because you feel like it’s what you’re supposed to do simply due to the time of year. This is true every season, but there’s something a little pushy about summer that can make it incredibly fun when you’re in a particular frame of mind and kind of nightmarish when in another.
Do what feels best for you — in mind and body — and remember that this season too shall pass. | https://medium.com/@ventovertea/summer-blues-a3cd023a7c69 | ['Vent Over Tea'] | 2020-07-23 15:09:34.228000+00:00 | ['Blues', 'Mental Health', 'Summer', 'Depression', 'Season'] |
You’ve got an extra hour in bed, use it wisely | In celebration of that blessed extra hour, here’s bumper edition of upday UK’s long reads roundup
The unofficial queen of sad-but-fun-girl dance music (Robyn) has released a new album
Who is Philip Green?
The unmasking of the man behind the ‘UK’s #MeToo moment’ took less than 48 hours. But what do we really know about Philip Green? (This isn’t that long, but it’s still interesting).
He doesn’t do email. He still operates two old Nokia phones and text messaging is about as much as you will get from him
Robyn, Robyn, ROBYN!
This is one of those you either really care about, or really don’t. Me? I’m in the corner, very much the former. Robyn’s much-anticipated and from what I can tell universally-adored new album came out this week. This (very) long read about Robyn, however, isn’t actually from this week, it’s from September. So sue me.
Robyn had two US hits and disappeared. But she didn’t need to sing the 90s’ most iconic song to change the course of pop music.
Life in the frozen north
This beautiful bit of writing has been named the first winner of The Independent’s Rupert Cornwell prize for foreign journalism. It’s a detailed, absorbing account of the hardships of life in a remote Canadian town.
We saw one guy jumping out of the window on the fifth floor. He was in flames. He’d burned himself
A billionaire’s murder that went unsolved
Last year, a Canadian pharmaceutical executive, Barry Sherman, and his wife Honey, were strangled in their home. The murders are still a mystery. This Bloomberg feature examines the facts.
In this vacuum, the theorizing about the Shermans has taken on a Murder on the Orient Express quality, with everyone a potential suspect.
https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2018-apotex-billionaire-murder/
What’s going on in Yemen and why you should care
This week, the UN warned that half the population of Yemen is at risk of famine. Here, Refinery29 speaks to three women to find out what’s going on, and why we should care.
Simple tasks and errands are becoming a challenge, and people are fed up and exhausted. I’m lucky to be one of the few people in Yemen who still receives an income and has a job.
The story of a tiny football club that took on the developers and won
Dulwich Hamlet is a South London non-league football club (they’re currently in the National League South). They also have a passionate (and growing) band of supporters — home game numbers often push the 3,000 capacity. In 2017, that was all threatened by developers. This is a story for fans of David vs Goliath epics, football, or nice pictures of cool people drinking beer.
Four minutes later he scored another, after which he skidded on his knees toward the rusted pitchside barrier as if this were Wembley, not an away game at a leisure centre off the A309.
Until next week!
You can also follow upday UK on Twitter and Instagram 👍
Questions or suggestions? Email us at [email protected] 👋 | https://medium.com/upday-uk/youve-got-an-extra-hour-in-bed-use-it-wisely-b68df6ba89a5 | ['Ellie Clayton'] | 2018-10-28 10:43:31.468000+00:00 | ['Long Reads', 'Politics', 'News'] |
Building a Web App Using Nuxt.js and Firebase | Combine Nuxt.js and Firebase
Why I decided to build a blog from scratch using Nuxt.js and hosted it by deploying to Firebase Functions
I created this website from scratch. Instead of the usual Wordpress site or any existing headless CMS, I chose to build it from the ground up (with a little help from other exiting projects) using Nuxt.js as the foundation. Nuxt.js, promised being an intuitive, yet proweful framework for building Vue.js applications. After trying it out for about half an hour, Nuxt.js and Vue.js felt most intuitive and fun, compared to its alternatives Angular or React, especially in terms rendering content from the server (SSR), which was a crucial reason to pick Nuxt.js
Additionally, I wanted to deploy the app to firebase functions, as I was planning to use Firebase Auth, Firestore in combination with Firebase hosting already and wanted everything in one place. Firebase offers a great selection of products that really simplify app developments (also web apps), and has a pretty generous free tier, so I was very interested to learn the tools as part of this project.
In this article I’ll share my approach of making this happen. I’ll be using Nuxt.js, following the Nuxt.js installation guide, as well as Firebase, using the Firebase CLI to set up the projects template and deploy to Firebase hosting.
I’m not going to run through these steps in too much detail as there’s plenty of good documentation on it, plus, I’ve created a template repository on Github for anyone interested in creating a similar setup.
Getting started
First, you will have to create a Firebase account and set up a firebase project, following these steps in the firebase setup guide. Make sure you upgrade from the Free “Spark” plan to the Pay as you go “Blaze” plan, as you’ll need this to deploy your app later.
Now, you will have to set up setup up your local project folder. Create a directory with your project name:
$ mkdir <my-firebase-nuxt-project>
$ cd <my-firebase-nuxt-project>
Install Firebase
Install Firebase CLI — if you don’t have it installed already — log in and initiate firebase:
$ firebase login
$ firebase init
Use the following installation defaults if you’re unsure which to choose from: during the installation:
Choose Firebase functions and hosting Choose the project you set up in the first step, or create new one, and give it an ID and name. This will be your project in the Google Firebase Console. Choose Javascript Skip ESLint Don’t install dependencies now, as we’ll do that later Choose ‘public’ as your default public folder. (This is where the static files go later) Don’t configure as single page app (don’t rewrite all urls to the index.html files) Skip automatic builds and deploys with Github
Congratulations! Your Firebase setup should be complete and will have created a folder structure that looks something like this:
Remember this folder structure as it is key to understanding the next steps. The server files sit in the functions folder, you'll see the index.js with the commented out "helloWorld" function:
This is where your Nuxt.js files go later, but first let’s create a local nuxt.js project.
Create Nuxt.js app
These next steps are base on the regular Nuxt.js installation from the Nuxt.js installtion guide.
Within the root directory of your ‘my-firebase-nuxt-project’ project create a new Nuxt.js instance called ‘src’ with the following command:
$ yarn create nuxt-app src
Using src in the command above will install the Nuxt project in the src folder, which is where we want it to sit - seperate from the firebase files. You can choose the the setup options as you please.
In order for the application to work, we need to generate all the files for the server and client. Generating the Nuxt files in the src directory will work out of the box, like with any other Nuxt project. Run
$ cd src
$ yarn build
It output should look should look something like this:
Notice the .nuxt folder within the src directory - these are your generated Nuxt files, with the dist folder containing both server and client files. You will need to put them into the correct locations for Firebase functions to know what to do with them. This is the key to deploying Nuxt to Firebase functions. We'll do this later.
Connecting Nuxt to Firebase
Now that we have Firebase and Nuxt.js set up, let’s connect the two. In ./functions/node.js add the following code:
const { Nuxt } = require('nuxt-start'); const nuxtConfig = require('../src/nuxt.config.js'); const config = {
...nuxtConfig,
dev: false,
debug: false
}; const nuxt = new Nuxt(config); exports.ssrapp = functions.https.onRequest(async (req, res) => {
await nuxt.ready();
nuxt.render(req, res);
});
As you can see, we require an extra dependency in the functions folder: “nuxt-start” to create a server. Install all node modules, then add in the functions folder, and add the nuxt-start package:
$ cd ../functions
$ yarn install
$ yarn add nuxt-start
At this point firebase won’t pick up any Nuxt files yet, as Firebase won’t know what to look for.
Pay attention to the exports.ssrapp function in the code we copied above. In order for firebase to know what to do with this, we need to tell it to look for this function in the Firebase settings.
Replace the content of firebase.json file, in the root folder of your project, with the following:
{
"functions": {
"source": "functions"
},
"hosting": {
"public": "public",
"ignore": [
"firebase.json",
"**/.*",
"**/node_modules/**"
],
"rewrites": [
{
"source": "**",
"function": "ssrapp"
}
]
}
}
Your server is set up and you’re pretty much ready to go. The only part that’s missing is coping your Nuxt.js files to the right directory, for Firebase to find them, otherwise starting the server will result in a Internal Server Error.
For this we will need to copy our Nuxt.js files we generated earlier, when running the $ yarn build command from the src directory to our functions folder.
The server files need to sit in /functions/.nuxt/dist/server . In the root folder of your project run the following command:
$ mkdir -p functions/.nuxt/dist/
$ cp -r src/.nuxt/dist/server functions/.nuxt/dist/
We’ll also need to provide the correct files for the client to load on the front-end. First we delete the default Firebase files in the public directory as we won’t need them:
$ rm ./public/*
Then, copy all the static files for the client to the public directory, within a new _nuxt folder, as that's the default path for static Nuxt files.
$ mkdir -p public/_nuxt
$ cp -r src/.nuxt/dist/client/ public/_nuxt && cp -a src/static/. public/
You can now ‘test’ the Firebase functions on a local environment using the following command:
$ yarn serve --only functions,hosting
You should see firebase setting up a local environment for functions and hosting, and confirm the successful set up with the message: “All emulators are ready! View status and logs at http://localhost:4000". It should start the execution of “ssrapp”, and confirm you local server is running on http://localhost:5000, and that it is serving local files from the “public” directory.
You’re all set up.
All that’s left is to deploy your app.
$ yarn deploy
Once everything is uploaded, you should receive a message:
✔ Deploy complete!
That’s it, you’re ready to start working on your own Nuxt.js application, and deploying it to Firebase — it should look something like this Demo.
In order to save yourself manually copying the generated files every time you want to deploy we can set up some automation scrips. I’ve added them to the template of this project.
You can download the repository here https://github.com/benmayer/nuxt-ssr-firebase-template | https://medium.com/swlh/building-a-web-app-using-nuxt-js-and-firebase-5ff04a67e385 | ['Ben Mayer'] | 2021-01-25 00:19:38.205000+00:00 | ['Tutorial', 'Nuxt', 'Web App Development', 'Nuxtjs', 'Firebase'] |
8 Classic Pieces of Jewelry That Will Never Go Out of Style | Jewelry is a timeless investment. Whether you’re looking for something to mark an anniversary, or just want to treat yourself, jewelry is the perfect way to make any day more special. And it’s even better when you find that one piece that never goes out of style! In this article we’ll be talking about 8 classic pieces of jewelry that will never go out of style and how they can add some sparkle to your life.
Diamond Studs
There’s just something about diamond studs that makes them so timeless and classic. Maybe it’s the simplicity of their design, or the way they can be worn with virtually any outfit. No matter what your reasoning may be, there’s no doubt that diamond studs are a must-have in any jewelry collection. Here are just a few of the many reasons why diamond studs are so popular.
1) They are extremely versatile
Diamond studs can be worn with just about any outfit, making them the perfect go-to piece of jewelry. Whether you’re dressing up for a special occasion or just want to add a touch of glamour to your everyday look, diamond studs will do the trick.
2) They are timeless
Unlike other pieces of jewelry that may go in and out of style, diamond studs will always be a classic. With their simple design, they can easily be dressed up or down, making them perfect for any occasion.
3) They are affordable
Despite their classic status, diamond studs are actually quite affordable. You can find a great pair of diamond studs for under $500, which is a fraction of the cost of other pieces of classic jewelry.
4) They make a great gift
Diamond studs are the perfect gift for any woman in your life. Whether it’s your mother, sister or best friend; diamond studs will always be an elegant choice that she’ll love to receive.
Thin Gold Bands
Thin gold bands have been around since the beginning of time, and they continue to be a popular choice for jewelry. There are many reasons why thin gold bands are so popular, but one of the main reasons is that they can be worn with just about anything.
A simple, slender gold band can be worn as a standalone piece or paired with other jewelry for an elegant look. Gold bands come in all different styles, so there’s sure to be one perfect for you.
Additionally, thin gold bands are a classic piece of jewelry that will never go out of style. Whether you’re looking for an everyday piece of jewelry or something special for a special occasion, a thin gold band is always a good option.
Two-Tone Watch
As a kid, I loved going to watch my grandma open her jewelry box. It was like a treasure trove of gems and precious metals. She would take out her diamond necklace or ruby bracelet and I would admire the way the light caught in the facets. Even now, as an adult, I love classic pieces of jewelry like these- simple, elegant, and timeless. And one of my favorite classic pieces is a two-tone watch.
When you think about it, watches are really just another piece of jewelry- but with a practical purpose! A nice two-tone watch can add some elegance to any outfit, from a business suit to your favorite sundress. Plus, they’re perfect for special occasions too — weddings, parties, etc.
Solid Hoop Earrings
Solid hoop earrings are classic pieces of jewelry that never go out of style. Though they may seem like a simple design, these earrings can make a big statement when worn properly. Here’s everything you need to know about styling solid hoop earrings for any occasion.
1) Pair with a simple outfit for a casual look
Solid hoop earrings are perfect for when you want to keep your outfit low-key. Just add a plain t-shirt and some jeans, and the earrings will do all the talking.
2) Go glam for a formal event
If you’re dressing up for a formal occasion, swap out your traditional earrings for some solid hoop earrings instead. They’ll dress up your look without being too over-the-top.
3) Try out a new hair color
If you’re thinking about going red or blonde, solid hoop earrings are the perfect way to test out your look before you commit. The classic style will complement any shade of hair from platinum to jet black.
4) Try out a new hairstyle
When you’re in the mood to switch up your look, solid hoop earrings are an easy way to test drive some different styles without committing. Wear them with straight or braided hairstyles for simple and sweet outfits. Or go glam with crimped hair and voluminous curls — they’ll help give height and definition to your style.
Statement Rings
When it comes to accessories, there’s nothing quite as timeless as a statement ring. Statement rings are classic jewelry pieces that add a touch of glamour to any outfit. They come in many different styles, so you can find the perfect one to match your look. A well-chosen ring can add personality and character to any outfit, from everyday wear to formal attire. Plus, they make great conversation starters! Whether you’re looking for something simple or unique, a statement ring is definitely a must-have in your jewelry collection, and they’re perfect for gifting too!
Huggie Hoop Earrings
There’s something about hoop earrings that just makes them so timeless and classic. They’re perfect for any outfit, formal or casual, and can really dress up an outfit. Plus, they’re so versatile — you can wear them with your hair up or down, and they’ll always look great. If you’re looking for a new jewelry piece to add to your collection, consider a pair of huggie hoop earrings! Here are some tips on how to style huggie hoop earrings for different occasions.
1) Casual
Huggie hoop earrings are the perfect accessory for causal wear. They pair well with a t-shirt and jeans, or can be dressed up with cute flats, booties ,or sandals . When you’re styling huggie hoops for casual occasions make sure that they aren’t too big (unless you want to make a statement) and keep the rest of your outfit simple.
2) Dressy
For dressier occasions, try pairing huggie hoop earrings with a dress or skirt. A maxi dress is the perfect outfit to show off your hoops! You can also style them with a cute blouse and jeans for a more casual look. When choosing what type of jewelry to wear with huggie hoops, remember that the earrings should be the focal point. The outfit should complement it, not compete with your jewelry .
3) Everyday
For everyday, go for a simple style. Try wearing huggie hoop earrings with a t-shirt and jeans or a dressy top and skirt. This is the perfect way to show off your hoops without trying too hard.
Single Stone Necklace
There is something about a single stone necklace that makes it so captivating. Maybe it is the simplicity of the design, or the way the stone catches the light. No matter what it is, single stone necklaces are classic pieces that never go out of style. Whether you are looking for a gift for a special occasion or just want to add a little bit of sparkle to your own wardrobe, a single stone necklace is always a great choice. Here are some tips on how to choose the perfect single stone necklace for you.
1) White topaz necklace
The best earrings are classic, simple and never go out of style. If you are looking for a gift that will not date quickly or end up in the back of someone’s jewelry box then white topaz studs may be exactly what you’ve been searching for. White topaz is one of those stones that can work with any outfit and it is also a great choice for people who are just starting to build their jewelry collection.
2) Diamond solitaire necklace
When most people think of classic jewelry, the first thing that comes to mind is a diamond solitaire necklace. A simple design with just one large diamond makes this style of necklace timeless and elegant. Diamonds are also a very versatile stone so they can be paired with almost any outfit.
3) Pearl necklace
Pearls are a classic piece of jewelry that is always in style. They can be worn to formal occasions or everyday activities. The most popular type of pearl necklaces are white, but they come in every color imaginable so you can find one that matches your outfit perfectly!
4) Gold chain necklace
Gold is one of the most classic pieces of jewelry and it will never go out of style. A gold chain necklace can be worn on its own or paired with other necklaces such as a pearl, diamond solitaire, etc. for an added touch of glamour!
Tennis Bracelets
There is something about tennis bracelets that just makes them so classic and timeless. They have been around for many years and continue to be a popular jewelry choice for women of all ages. What is it about tennis bracelets that make them so special? Here are three reasons why we think tennis bracelets are so special:
1) They are affordable
Tennis bracelets are often more affordable than other types of jewelry, making them a great option for those on a budget.
2) They can be worn with any outfit
Tennis bracelets go with virtually any outfit, making them a versatile piece of jewelry.
3) They come in a variety of styles
There is a style of tennis bracelet for everyone, ensuring that you can find the perfect one to suit your personality.
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking for a timeless piece of jewelry or something with a little more edge, the pieces we’ve listed above are perfect for just about any occasion. From elegant to edgy, these 8 classic pieces of jewelry will never go out of style and can be worn again and again by generations to come. Which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comment below at SenseOrient. | https://medium.com/@hooswilliams/8-classic-pieces-of-jewelry-that-will-never-go-out-of-style-7efae9aad9ac | ['Sam Williams'] | 2021-12-27 08:44:39.786000+00:00 | ['Fashionblogger', 'Jewelry', 'Jewellery', 'Fashion Trends', 'Fashion'] |
Black and Asian Solidarity in American History: The Power of Unity Exemplified by 5 Major Events | 1. Frederick Douglass’s opposition to restrictions on Chinese immigration
Chinese immigration to the United States became a salient political issue in the 1800s. In his 1869 “Composite Nation” speech, abolitionist Frederick Douglass argued on behalf of Chinese immigration to America, urging Americans not to fear Asian languages or cultures. He advocated for free migration and emphasized equality and human rights:
“It is this great right that I assert for the Chinese and Japanese, and for all other varieties of men equally with yourselves, now and forever. I know of no rights of race superior to the rights of humanity, and when there is a supposed conflict between human and national rights, it is safe to go to the side of humanity.”
Recognizing the common humanity of Asian immigrants, Douglass maintained that the arguments made for restricting Chinese immigration would have also justified banning immigration from Europe. Despite the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882, Douglass’s hope for a “composite nation” did not waver, and he called for an end to prejudice in the last speech of his life, “Lessons of the Hour” (1894).
2. Black support for the Filipino community during the Philippine-American War (1899–1913)
The Philippine-American War began in 1899 after the United States gained colonial rule of the Philippines following the Spanish-American War (1898). Black leaders such as Ida B. Wells and Bishop Henry M. Turner supported Philippine independence and characterized American colonialism as “an unholy war of conquest.” Additionally, the experiences of Filipino people resonated with the Black community because they shared similar histories of imperialism, racism, and economic exploitation.
As the war progressed, many Black soldiers who initially fought on the American side became disillusioned with the war and deserted their U.S. military positions to join the Filipino freedom fighters. Back in the U.S., Black leaders called for solidarity with Filipinos, arguing that they were used as instruments by White leaders to oppress another people of color.
3. Black opposition to the Vietnam War (1955–75)
The Black community was a strong opponent of the Vietnam War for two main reasons, the first being that Black men were disproportionately drafted for the war. In 1967, 64% of all eligible African Americans were drafted, but only 31% of eligible White Americans were. Black men also had a casualty rate twice that of White men from 1965 to 1966.
Second, the Vietnam War was emblematic of the racist ideology that permeated every aspect of American society in the 1950s through the ’70s. While race was not explicitly stated as a reason for starting the war, racist ideology shaped the justifications for escalating the conflict. This racist ideology was reflected on the ground; White soldiers in Vietnam wore Ku Klux Klan robes and carried the Confederate flag to express their self-perceived superiority over the native Vietnamese people.
Recognizing the unjust nature of the war, African American leaders such as Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. openly denounced it. In the 1967 Harlem Peace March, African Americans underscored the contradictory nature of their involvement in the war by carrying signs that read, “Black men should fight White racism, not Vietnamese freedom fighters.” The marchers understood the experiences of the Vietnamese freedom fighters because of their own oppressive histories shaped by White supremacy, and consequently, they chose to stand in solidarity with them.
4. Asian American women activists’ work in abolition and Black liberation
Grace Lee Boggs and Yuri Kochiyama (Photo credits: American Revolutionary and Brown University)
Two Asian American women activists, Grace Lee Boggs (1915–2015) and Yuri Kochiyama (1921–2014), were heavily involved in activism surrounding abolition and liberation.
Grace Lee Boggs was a Chinese American activist who focused on labor and tenants’ rights. She was a member of the Workers Party and stressed the importance of community building, with a focus on marginalized groups such as women and people of color. Her writing emphasized the value of working alongside unions and the Black Power Movement to achieve the collective liberation of all marginalized groups. She embodied this by organizing alongside Black autoworkers in Detroit to denounce World War II. She also joined the Great Walk to Freedom in Detroit, which was headlined by Martin Luther King, Jr., and contributed to Black-led Save Our Sons and Daughters (SOSAD), which organized marches against violence and advocated for conflict-resolution curriculum in Detroit’s public schools. Furthermore, she worked with Malcolm X and even provided him a place to stay when he delivered his famous “Message to the Grassroots” speech in Detroit.
Yuri Kochiyama was a Japanese American civil rights activist. Following Pearl Harbor, she and her family were incarcerated, during which she first gained exposure to the racism of the Jim Crow South. When World War II ended, she married Bill Kochiyama, whom she had met in the incarceration camps, and moved to New York City. She and her husband lived in housing projects with large Black and Puerto Rican populations, which motivated her to join the Civil Rights Movement. Kochiyama became a close friend of Malcolm X, who inspired her to incorporate Black nationalism into her work. Throughout the 1960s and ’70s, Kochiyama and her husband opened up their home to activists in need of a place to stay. In the years following, Kochiyama helped organize campaigns to free activists whom she believed had been imprisoned unjustly such as former Black Panther and radio journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal.
The work of Boggs and Kochiyama demonstrates the intersectional nature of civil rights activism and the need for continued solidarity in the years to come.
5. The Third World Liberation Front
The Third World Liberation Front began at San Francisco State University in 1968. Its inception is owed to Black student activists who created the first Black Student Union (BSU) in the country and successfully gained additional slots for Black students in the university’s admissions process. Seeing that Asian American and Latinx students were also limited in entry to the university, BSU leaders urged students of color to form their own coalition, i.e., the Third World Liberation Front. Together, BSU and the Third World Liberation Front battled the administration, demanding reforms such as the hiring of minority faculty members.
Black student activists at UC Berkeley, who were inspired by their counterparts at San Francisco State University, joined forces with the Mexican American Student Confederation (MASC), the Asian American Political Alliance (AAPA), and the Native American Student Alliance (NASA) to advocate for their own ethnic-focused programs. Pulling from the students at San Francisco State University, they called themselves the Third World Liberation Front, with the ultimate goal of starting a Third World College that would incorporate conversations on identity and oppression into historically Eurocentric academia. | https://medium.com/advancing-justice-aajc/black-and-asian-solidarity-in-american-history-the-power-of-unity-exemplified-by-5-major-events-391025bbf228 | ['Advancing Justice'] | 2021-06-16 13:52:18.016000+00:00 | ['Asian American', 'Solidarity', 'Black History Month', 'African American', 'Coalition Building'] |
WORLD’S FIRST CAMPAIGN FOR STAR VOTING MOVES TO NEXT STAGE: | Lane County petitioners celebrate historic first campaign to institute STAR Voting
Eugene, OR, November 6th, 2018. Campaign organizers and volunteers gathered Tuesday night to watch the election returns roll in for the world’s first campaign to institute STAR Voting in public elections. STAR Voting would have replaced Lane County’s “Top Two” primary/general election system with a single November election using STAR Voting. STAR Voting allows voters to support candidates on a 0–5 scale, and elects the majority favorite between the two top-scoring candidates. Although the final tally was 42.0% in favor and 46.4% opposed, with 11.6% abstaining, campaign supporters were jubilant.
“Almost 75,000 Lane County voters chose YES to support a fundamentally new political process,” said Co-Petitioner Mark Frohnmayer. “This result, for a brand new system that many voters only learned about when they received their ballots three weeks ago, is simply phenomenal. It speaks to voters’ frustration with the political status quo, the long term political viability, and the common sense accessibility of the STAR Voting reform. We are deeply grateful for the incredible support from our volunteer team and our peers around the county. We’re just getting started.”
If measure 20–290 had passed, Lane County, OR would have been the first in the world to adopt a voting method in which every citizen’s vote carries equal voting power. The fundamental inequality with the current “Chose-One-Only” ballot, comes from vote-splitting, where similar candidates can leave supporters divided and conquered, allowing a candidate who was opposed by the majority to win. Vote splitting is at the root of the Spoiler Effect, which then leads to polarization, strategic voting, and wasted votes.
Campaign manager Sara Wolf had this to say, “Voters we talked with were overwhelmingly positive and supportive of STAR Voting once they had the chance to learn about it. Unfortunately, we did hear from a number of voters who had left the question blank on their ballots due to confusion on the ballot language. The ballot title referred to Score-Then-Automatic-Runoff Voting but didn’t use the more common name, STAR Voting. The number of voters who left the question blank was more than double the amount needed to have
secured a win, so this may have been a significant factor.
“This narrow loss has stoked our fire and has left us hungry for more. We went into this as impassioned and inspired election reformers. We came out seasoned organizers with a stellar proposal, top-notch educational materials, a committed canvassing team, and over 70,000 new fans. This is only the beginning. Look out 2020!”
The campaign plans to “Open Source” all of the educational materials it created as a STAR as a campaign starter kit for reformers around the country.
A video overview of the STAR Voting system can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VerGTcCex8k
20–290 Lane County Adopts STAR Voting
Yes: 74408
No: 82157
Total 156565
Abstain: 20534
YES: 42.0%
NO: 46.4%
Abstain: 11.6% | https://medium.com/countydemocratreader/worlds-first-campaign-for-star-voting-moves-to-next-stage-904cfe4d597f | ['Sara Wolk'] | 2018-12-16 15:20:22.536000+00:00 | ['Politics', 'Eugene', 'Oregon', 'Lane County', 'Star Voting'] |
The AKRO Tokenomics 101: Part II — the full scope of the AKRO token model | The AKRO Tokenomics 101: Part II — the full scope of the AKRO token model Akropolis Follow Jul 26, 2019 · 4 min read
In the first part of our blogpost series, the AKRO tokenomics 101 we explained how AKRO would be used to validate blocks in the AKRO chain. Let us dig deeper in this second installment, and understand in full what AKRO can do within the AkroChain.
The main goal of Akropolis is to deliver a product that will serve millions of people taking part in online and offline communities, such as DAOs, cooperatives, mutuals and savings groups. We are building a protocol layer for secure mutual financial cooperation, community-based savings, investments, and social security services. However, releasing good products is not only about the use-case: we have to make them scalable and interoperable with as many networks/protocols and digital assets as possible.
The first version of Akropolis MVP and crypto-financial primitive C2FC were released in the Ethereum ecosystem. But, using Ethereum as a basic blockchain layer cannot provide the scalability and interoperability for our product. Despite all the advantages of Ethereum, we understand, that our Ethereum-based product releases can be used only on public testing of business logic by early adopters and active members of the Akropolis community. Therefore, a future milestone of our project is to have a domain-specific chain, the AkroChain — which we are building using the Substrate framework. Therefore, our AKRO token model design will evolve over time.
As mentioned in the first installment, we need to ensure the security of the AkroChain by enabling dPoS consensus run by block validators. The number of validators is finite and any AKRO holder can contribute to the network security by token delegation. At the network launch, there will be 30 validators that are defined for every epoch (round). Each round will take approximately 30 minutes. The minimum stake for became a validator is 1,000,000 AKRO tokens. However, the node is not required to acquire 1,000,000 tokens — they can be pooled from the community by token delegation. When it comes to launching a node-candidate for validator positions, only 100,000 AKRO will be required as an initial stake.
To incentivize validators, we have considered two possibilities: high inflation during the first years of the network operation or granting them other sources of rewards, besides minting new coins. Projects such as Bitcoin, Ethereum and many others are based on the inflationary model to attract miners. In our case, we don’t see the point to use this model and therefore we implemented an additional (albeit relatively low) fee into our product, besides the basic network commission for transactions: the “cost of service”.
The cost of service is a special fee applied to selected operations in the Akropolis ecosystem. This fee is implemented with two goals: the first goal is to provide the necessary incentives to network validators based on additional income — which will increase with network growth. The second one is to motivate AFOs to take part in the network consensus as validators or delegators. Every AFO can compensate the charged fees by earning rewards from the validators’ work (or from tokens delegation). If the token stake of certain AFO is relatively large, it can even earn additional rewards for its members on the delegation, and not only compensate for the “cost of service” fee. As we consider AFO as the elementary unit of our network (or network host), it is important to make network consensus run by a large set of the internal actors rather than several “whale” token holders.
The logic of community trust and governance mechanics: every AFO could use tokens, delegated to a validator as collateral for attracting loans. If the AFO doesn’t need financing, it can use tokens in the Community trust model and delegate “collateral” rights to another AFO, receiving the stability fee as a reward. The values of key network variables are defined by AKRO holders in the governance process. For the reference of the voting model, we used the MakerDAO approach. The principal governance mechanics remains the same. The proposed update of token design adds mechanics, related to the AkroChain consensus to the previously proposed features.
The Consensus algorithm of the AkroChain
The AkroChain will be launched as a public blockchain and operate based on dPOS consensus algorithm. The choice of building the AkroChain has as goal to make the voice of each AKRO holder valuable by granting the possibility to influence the decisions on validators selection by token delegation. The mechanics of dPOS is based on epochs (or rounds). For each round, a new set of validators is selected. The principal rules of our dPOS implementation are presented below:
The set of validators in the network will be limited by a certain number. At the network launch, there will be 30 validators slots (30 top nodes sorted by the stake size); The minimal number of tokens, required to become validator is 1,000,000 AKRO. The node has to own 100,000 tokens while the remaining part can be attracted from community members (delegation); Each AKRO holder can delegate their tokens to a selected validator, receiving part of his reward. Validators charge maintenance fees for his services; If the node’s offline, failed the chain synchronization — no reward will be granted to it and it shall be dropped from the top-30 list; In the case of dishonest/fraudulent activity of a node, its stake will be slashed; The set of top-30 validators is defined for every round. Round time is set as 30 minutes.
The values of all mentioned parameters such as a number of validators, maintenance fee, round time are initially defined by the development team. After the network launch, all parameters can be changed in the governance process by voting.
At the moment, our team is working on the AkroChain implementation and relevant integrations into the ecosystem according to logic, mentioned above. Stay tuned, our fellow Akropolis community! | https://medium.com/akropolis/the-akro-tokenomics-101-part-ii-the-full-scope-of-the-akro-token-model-9f3e61871550 | [] | 2019-07-26 14:00:53.468000+00:00 | ['Akrochain', 'Akropolis', 'Updates', 'Tokenomics', 'Staking'] |
Donald Trump voters accept Joe Biden election win ‘with reservations’ | Robert Reed says he will always believe the 2020 election was stolen from President Donald Trump. The retired police officer-turned-construction worker believes fraud marred the vote, no matter how many courts rejected that claim. Still, a day after the Electoral College made Joe Biden’s win official, the ardent Trump supporter from the suburbs of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was ready to move on.
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“I think it’s pretty much over,” Reed said of Trump’s ongoing quest to overturn the results of the election. ”I trust the Electoral College.”
For weeks, Trump has been on a mission to convince his loyal base that his victory was stolen and the contest was rigged. With help from conservative media, polls show he’s had considerable success. But now that the Electoral College has formalized Biden’s win and Republican officials, including Senate Leader Mitch McConnell, are finally acknowledging Biden as president-elect, many Trump voters across the country seem to be doing the same.
Interviews with voters, along with fresh surveys of Republicans, suggest their unfounded doubts about the integrity of the vote remain. But there is far less consensus on what should be done about it and whether to carry that resentment forward.
For some, like Reed, the Electoral College vote was the clear end of a process. Others have vowed to continue to protest with demonstrations like the one that turned violent in Washington, D.C., over the weekend. And some said they hoped GOP leaders would press for more investigations to put the doubts Trump sowed to rest.
They are people like Scott Adams, a retiree and Trump voter living in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, who said he accepts Biden’s victory — but “with reservations.”
Adams said he’s heard too much discussion about irregularities in the vote count on Fox News Channel and conservative talk radio to trust the election’s outcome and doesn’t feel he’ll ever know the true margin of victory. (Biden won the Electoral College by a vote of 306 to 232.)
But Adams doesn’t think the election was rigged enough to change the outcome, even if he believes it was “rigged enough that it should be questioned more.” He’d like to see more investigations.
Republicans across the country — from local officials to governors to Attorney General William Barr — have said repeatedly there is no evidence mass voter fraud affected the outcome. Trump and his allies brought a flurry of lawsuits, but nearly all have been dismissed by judges. The Supreme Court, which includes three Trump-nominated justices, denied requests to hear a pair of cases aimed at invalidating the outcome of the election in key battleground states.
Still, coming to terms with this pile of evidence has been difficult for many Trump voters. They expressed disbelief that Trump could have lost, given the huge crowds he drew to his rallies. Some said their suspicions were heightened by the mainstream media’s reluctance to air Trump’s baseless claims. And they repeatedly pointed to the slower-than-usual vote count as evidence something had gone awry.
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“Something’s not right here,” said Reed, who lives in East Lampeter Township.
The explanation is well known — in many states, an influx of mail-in ballots, overwhelmingly cast by Democrats, were tallied later than ballots cast in person. Still, Reed said he thought the courts should have spent more time investigating.
“I’ll always believe that it was stolen from him. I’ll really never be able to have peace of mind that it wasn’t,” he said.
Others were less willing to go along.
“I don’t trust that result. I think that the election was a fraud. I think the election was stolen. I don’t know how anybody could not think that. All you have to do is look at the results,” said Katherine Negrete, 55, a teacher living in Peoria, Arizona.
Negrete is among those who holds out hope that Trump can win if the Supreme Court intervenes (there is no indication that will happen) or Congress chooses to accept an “alternative slate” of Trump electors from several states. Election experts have said that scheme has no legal pathway and Republican Senate leaders have discouraged it.
Still, Negrete said, “hopefully Congress will do the right thing” and she expressed frustration with dwindling options.
“I don’t know what we can do about that. If we don’t have the courts that stand up for us,” she said. “If we don’t have an attorney general that will stand up and say, ‘This was wrong and we need to investigate it.’ What are we supposed to do? Do we need to fight brother against brother? It’s crazy.”
Biden has vowed to bring Americans together and work across the aisle. His success on both fronts may depend on how many Republicans hold on to their election grievances. A Quinnipiac University poll from earlier this month found that 38% of registered voters, including 77% of Republicans, said they believe there was widespread fraud in the presidential election.
And a recent Fox News poll found 36% of voters, including 77% of Trump voters, believe the election was stolen from Trump. However, the same poll also found that about 8 in 10 voters overall, and about half of Trump voters, said they will at least give Biden a chance as president.
Matt Vereline, 52, a member of the pro-Trump group “Long Island Loud Majority” is not in the mood for reconciliation.
Vereline, who lives in Bohemia, New York, is convinced “there was a lot more voter fraud than we know about,” though he’s not sure whether it changed the outcome. But that won’t keep him from rallying around what he thinks was an injustice. After all, that’s what Democrats did to Trump, he says.
“Did they not cry for four years about Russian collusion, which wasn’t proven? So now I’m going to to cry about voter fraud for four years,” he said. “They didn’t accept it. Why should I accept Biden? I know I can’t do nothing about it. I know a rally is not going to change the course of who gets elected president. It’s whatever will be will be. But if my friends want to get together and complain about it in a peaceful way and voice our opinions, I’m going.”
Others believe Biden won fair and square. Steve Volkman, a Republican who works in construction in Mesa, Arizona, said he made peace with Trump’s loss weeks ago.
“I voted for Trump, but people gotta get over it,” Volkman said, while leaning against his pickup truck. “For sure, he (Biden) won the majority vote — landslide. To me, it’s already over.”
Catherine Templeton, a South Carolina Republican who served in former Gov. Nikki Haley’s administration, said that, despite the level of support for Trump in red states like her own, she felt sure voters would be willing to accept Biden as president.
“Obviously, South Carolina supports President Trump, but I think you’ll see when Republicans don’t get their way, they move on,” said Templeton, who lives in Charleston. “It’s time to move on.”
It remains to be seen, for now, how lingering concerns over the integrity of the vote will affect turnout in future elections. Both parties have been focused on Georgia, where a pair of runoff elections will determine which party controls the U.S. Senate.
Denise Adams, 50, said she has her doubts about “questionable activity” in the general election. But she turned out to vote early on Monday in Kennesaw, a suburb northwest of Atlanta.
“I don’t want to lose our freedoms,” she said, repeating misleading GOP claims that the Democrats would usher in “socialism.” “We’re losing our rights and freedoms in our country.”
“I’ve never had a problem before now trusting it, but now I feel like there may be something going on that I don’t trust,” echoed Melissa McJunkin, 40, who remains concerned about the integrity of her vote after hearing stories of voter fraud in the general election, but turned out anyway.
“I think it’s important for what’s going to happen next,” she said.
___
Republished with permission of The Associated Press. | https://medium.com/@dollyhantema/donald-trump-voters-accept-joe-biden-election-win-with-reservations-919d3efa04dc | [] | 2020-12-16 12:13:29.813000+00:00 | ['New York', 'Bbc News', 'Donald Trump', 'Us', 'Joe Biden'] |
A KinK-Mas Carol [2] | Image from Pixabay
Guest Written by Nero Black. It’s still Christmas eve and Ebony Scrooge, closed minded agony aunt, is expecting a visit from a ghost, as promised by her long-dead mentor. What can a spirit from the past teach her?[Part 1 available here]
Her eyes weren’t closed long before they were opened again by the chime of her clock. As she blinked and tried to focus, she saw it was 1 am — had she slept at all? She blinked again, noticing another shadowy apparition at the foot of her bed. This time it wasn’t Marley, it was… Miranda?
“Miri?” called out an incredulous Ebony “why are you here?” This night had started out crazy enough already and Ebony wasn’t even going to question why her college roommate was in her dreams. This was a dream, right? It had to be a dream, it was so surreal and nothing made sense.
“I’m the ghost of Xmas Past, girlfriend!” laughed Miri. “I’m here to remind you of all the fun we had at University, and to get you to pull your head out of your puritanical arse. What happened to you? You weren’t always a stick in the mud, remember?”
Ebony winced as the memories came flooding back. Her scholarship at a prestigious University had pulled her far from home, far from her working class neighborhood, far from her family and her church. Without these anchors Ebony had drifted into a maelstrom of varsity life. It wasn’t quite ‘Girls Gone Wild’ but it had got crazy.
Like her, Miri was there on a ‘diversity scholarship’ so naturally they were assigned the same dorm room on arrival. On a floor full of white girls, the only two women of colour, one West Indian from Brixton and one South African Londoner, got parked together, at the end of the corridor…
“By the Fire Exit!” laughed Miri, finishing Ebony’s thought. Their room had only been one floor up and the girls had quickly discovered they could climb out of the window and down the steel stairwell outside without triggering alarm. From there it was a mad dash into the local town, down some back streets, and across the cobbled lane to the Pig & Whistle — a 200 year old pub where a girl could find a local lad willing to shout them a drink in return for a laugh and the hope of something more.
The girls very quickly became adept at scoring free drinks by dancing provocatively and playing the men off against each other. They’d sneak out of the dorm every Friday at 10pm, rush to the pub, to down as many drinks as they could before ‘last orders’ at 11pm. Of course the barman wouldn’t toss them out until midnight, meaning the girls could keep moving from table to table to help the boys finish their pints.
In the first semester they would wobble back to their dorm immediately after closing time, but in the second term Miri had cajoled Ebony to accept an offer from two likely lads to ‘come back to ours’ for another night cap. Ebony was wary, but couldn’t leave her friend alone — they were safer sticking together.
“Safer?” snorted Miri, “that’s a laugh! And don’t rearrange your memories to put it all on me. You were just as naughty. I might have convinced you to go back to theirs — but it only took one round of vodka shots before you suggested we all play a game of strip poker”
“I did no such thing,” retorted Ebony “I proposed we play cards, because Phil was getting ‘handsie’ and trying to cop a feel. It was YOU who suggested strip poker to ‘make it interesting’”
“Really? Such selective memory,” snapped back Miri, “you had no problem with Phil’s hands when he had you bent over his knee and was spanking you!”
Ebony shuddered at the memory, but it was true. She wasn’t good at poker so it wasn’t long before she was down to her bra and knickers. That wasn’t a big deal, she’d reasoned with herself it was no different to wearing a revealing bikini on the beach, but when she lost the next hand she baulked at what was expected. She might have been drunk but she was not taking off her bra. OR her knickers, which was what a laughing Miri had been demanding.
Sensing her discomfort, Phil had playfully suggested she pay a forfeit instead and, without waiting for an answer, he had grabbed her wrist and yanked her to him. In one quick movement he pulled her onto his lap, manhandling her into position over his knee.
“People who break the rules need to be punished” he had said sternly, and suddenly he had brought his open hand down on her arse. Ebony was shocked — she hadn’t been spanked since she was a little girl when her father had been angry with her for going to the park by herself. That day, her father’s rage had shocked her so she’d learned to be a good girl going forward — but this was entirely different.
She was in a stranger’s flat, clad only in her lacy black bra and panties, and this brute had her laid over his knee and was ‘disciplining’ her! She struggled and squirmed but Phil was just too strong. He held her wrists with one hand as he slapped her butt with the other, and then–
“Uh huh, don’t stop” said Miri softly, “I was there sis, I saw what happened next too.”
Ebony gasped aloud as the full force of the memory came flooding back.
Unable to break free from Phil’s grasp, she was at his mercy — but he was showing none. He kept swatting her arse with his hand. She felt her cheeks getting hotter and hotter with every blow. The abrasive burr of his rough denim jeans rubbed against the soft skin of her tummy with every blow.
She felt the firm bulge in his pants as his erection grew and the hardness pressed against her. But most of all she could feel the wetness flooding her cunt as the heat spread from her red arse to her throbbing clit.
She was warm all over, the feeling was electric and it all seemed focussed on one point — it was zeroing in on her clit. At the very moment that Phil decided she’d had enough and released her from his grip, as he delivered that one final blow to her ass … as all that dark, unexplainable pleasure peaked in one final tumultuous wave. Ebony came.
Ebony felt like she’d been struck by lightning and twitched and convulsed on Phil’s lap as more waves of pleasure washed over her.
But the moment was immediately ruined when Phil, oblivious to what his spanking had done, concluded she’d had too much to drink and suggested it was a good time for Miri to take her home. So the pair made their long walk of shame back to the dorm. Ebony resolved, despite being sent home, that next weekend she would persuade Phil to take her back to his room where he could hold her down on the bed and fuck her hard as he spanked her arse with wild abandon.
“Yeah but you didn’t, did you?” interjected Miri. “You got cold feet, you claimed we were never going back there. You said we had to focus on final exams and shouldn’t be wandering around town like sluts and whores…”
“I wanted to be a writer,” countered Ebony, “I had a scholarship and I didn’t intend to throw away that opportunity on a few local boys. I could have had a dozen similar if I’d stayed home.”
“Yes Ebony, but if you want to be a great writer you should have something to write about. You need life experiences. Anyone can write a blog, anyone can be an Agony Aunt in a magazine, but to be a real writer you need to live life and write about that. That night I saw a spark in you that I’d never seen before. It broke my heart to watch you snuff it out so quickly”
Miri took a step back, shaking her head as she observed Ebony pitifully. As she moved further into the shadows, Ebony realised she was leaving.
“Don’t go!” she cried out, “don’t leave me! Tell me what I should do…”
“Go to a fucking Sex Club” laughed Miri, her voice trailing away as she vanished into the darkness. “You live in London… there’s… hun… dreds…”
And she was gone.
Ebony looked at the clock. It was five past one and yet she felt like she’d been up for hours. She pulled the covers over her head and shivered. She wanted to sleep, badly. Damn that cheese!
Continued here by May More - also on Medium | https://medium.com/tantalizing-tales/a-kink-mas-carol-2-1b5134d56a17 | ['Posy Churchgate'] | 2021-02-14 20:07:22.371000+00:00 | ['Kink', 'Erotica', 'Kinkmas', 'Nsfw Sex Fiction', 'Posyc'] |
IoT and Augmented Reality — a connection, that was meant to be. | At the latest since the Bosch commercial “Like-a-Bosch”, the subject of Internet of Things, short IoT, has become a much more familiar and tangible concept to private households in all around.
With the help of IoT, devices, mechanical and digital machines, objects, people or animals are networked with each other and data exchange within a network is possible without the need for human-to-human or human-to-machine interaction. Data of any origin is collected and transformed into information. One problem, however, is that the majority of this data is not used optimally. Standard visualization tools contribute to making it difficult to interpret the enormous amount of data, as they are often inefficient at presenting data from many sources. However, it is of great importance that the data is visualized in a simplified form in order to understand and interpret it.
This is where augmented reality technologies come into play. By complementing Augmented Reality (AR), information can be visualized in an understandable form that is situation specific. Many companies plan to make greater use of AR technologies in the future, some are already using them.
But how can IoT and AR be combined with business benefits?
IoT-AR solutions are most useful in business situations where employees and non-automated systems make some or all decisions and where digital data is needed to interact more effectively with physical objects such as machines and rooms. The combination of IoT and AR helps companies make smarter decisions by presenting large amounts of different, context-specific data combined in a single view.
In the following application areas, AR represents a crucial add-on for companies using IoT, some of which have already been implemented or are in planning.
Education and training with the help of AR
Used correctly, AR can become a powerful tool for addressing skill shortages or closing the skills gap in the long term. Despite increasingly complex requirements, many companies still use the conventional “just-in-case” approach to train employees. Training programs provide the information that a skilled worker might need at some point. The rest is based on the hope that the learners will be able to remember the information on the one hand and apply it correctly on the other. However, with the ever-increasing complexity of work processes, this approach is not enough. New training formats that use AR technology follow a “just-in-time” approach, where information about AR technology is made available exactly when and where it is needed.
This results in reduced training times, faster and more accurate maintenance and development solutions, and better qualification of those involved in the manufacturing process, resulting in increased efficiency, profits and thus the competitiveness of a company.
Manage rooms and inventory
IoT and AR technologies can help companies optimize the use of a warehouse by determining the amount of space that needs to be allocated to high-revenue products, monitoring the condition of the inventory, and identifying aging inventory that needs to be moved out. In addition, employees can be guided through the warehouse in the most efficient way and unnecessary product searches can be reduced. This reduces energy costs, saves time and improves labor productivity.
In addition, AR headsets could use live IoT data from in-store sensors to enable employees to walk through the aisles of a store and identify problems. Alerts could be displayed if products are out of stock, in the wrong location or have the wrong barcode, for example.
Cross-site and resource-efficient operation
IoT-AR solutions help employees make smarter decisions by combining a large amount and variety of context-specific data in a single view. IoT-AR applications can also connect employees with experts at remote locations who can provide real-time guidance. In addition, AR technology makes it possible to perform a repair with text and video on a head-up display. Additionally, safety messages can be displayed to the technician. This means that when the technician is performing the repair, he or she will receive alerts if there is a danger of removing certain components.
Increased performance with IoT and AR
By implementing IoT-AR solutions, companies can achieve a significant increase in labor productivity. The provision of AR-controlled instructions can reduce the time needed for repairs and increase productivity. As remote support reduces the need for expert travel, each specialist can respond to more service requests. Reduce material waste and rework. AR-based instructions, combined with IoT verification, can ensure that repairs are completed the first time, eliminating the need for rework and reordering parts.
The combination of IoT and AR technologies brings many benefits. Be it obvious improvements such as user-friendly visualization of complex, large amounts of data, or more hidden benefits such as less and more efficient training, IoT and AR are a great asset for companies in this highly connected world. | https://medium.com/@getbaff/iot-and-augmented-reality-a-connection-that-was-meant-to-be-c32bbd554418 | [] | 2020-12-10 11:27:50.362000+00:00 | ['IoT', 'Internet of Things', 'AR', 'Digitalization', 'Augmented Reality'] |
Your First website with Flask | Flask is one of the most popular web framework in Python.
Its is very east that you can deploy your website in fewer lines of code.
Install Flask in your system.
pip install flask
File structure is important.
In this tutorial we will learn how to write your flask web app.
=>Application folder
==>Hello.py
==>templates
====> hello.html
from flask import Flask app = Flask(__name__)
def index():
return render_template(‘hello.html’)
if __name__ == ‘__main__’:
app.run(debug = True) @app .route(‘/’)def index():return render_template(‘hello.html’)if __name__ == ‘__main__’:app.run(debug = True)
and now make some simple html page
<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en"> <head> <meta charset="UTF-8"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0"> <title>Your first Flask Website</title> </head> <body> <h1> Follow @nitish_leeo at Instagram </h1> </body> </html>
Thank you !! | https://medium.com/@nitis3211/your-first-website-with-flask-29242dfc2eff | ['Nitish Kumar'] | 2020-12-26 14:02:42.086000+00:00 | ['Website', 'Pyth', 'Python Framework', 'Flask'] |
The Magic of Angels At Christmas | Learn more. Medium is an open platform where 170 million readers come to find insightful and dynamic thinking. Here, expert and undiscovered voices alike dive into the heart of any topic and bring new ideas to the surface. Learn more
Make Medium yours. Follow the writers, publications, and topics that matter to you, and you’ll see them on your homepage and in your inbox. Explore | https://medium.com/illumination/the-magic-of-angels-at-christmas-568cc9dd464a | ['Tree Langdon'] | 2020-12-22 16:52:00.325000+00:00 | ['Self Improvement', 'Poetry', 'Angels', 'Christmas', 'Magic'] |
At the Point of a Gun | At the Point of a Gun
Memorial Day Reflections
Lets forget our dreams of mining asteroids and admit for a minute that there is only a finite amount of resources on Earth, and that all the people on Earth are competing for these resources. We’ll call groups of these competing peoples “nations”. Furthermore, let’s assume that resources like arable land, energy and water aren’t actually that abundant,and that really everyone can’t have everything; there simply isn't enough to go around. So the laws of scarcity kick in and only those nations who have these resources can accumulate the capital required to keep these resources. How does one gain or keep resources? At the point of a gun.
The simple, disheartening fact of the matter is that it doesn't appear there are enough resources on Earth to allow all 7 billion to enjoy the incredibly resource intensive western way of life. If all resources were magically distributed evenly, the western way of life would see a decrease in quality and the third world way of life a significant increase. But every last one of the 7 billion want and have as much of a right to the way of life we currently enjoy at the top as any of the other 7 billion. The only way to maintain this inequitable distribution of resources is, yes, at the point of a gun.
I keep bringing this gun thing up because I think of myself as a pacifist. I detest war and violence, both are foolish, doomed endeavors, and I do everything in my life to avoid it. I've often thought there are two types of people when it comes to conflict: fighters and refugees. I've always thought of myself as a refugee. If I was ever confronted with conflict, I would do everything in my ability to avoid it, and that includes running away. I feel that nothing is worth my life or the life of another human being, and that may be cowardice to some, but to me it’s not only survival, but survival without doing harm. But I cannot live in the western world and be an innocent refugee. It is impossible. Everything I have, every right and privilege I enjoy I am able to enjoy because it has been taken from someone else at the cost of life. Harm has been done to wrest these precious resources from the hands of the weak into my hands, you guessed it, at the point of a gun.
Despite being a refugee at heart, I must admit that I owe an enormous debt to the fighting men and women who have done the dirty work of obtaining that which I enjoy. How can I think of myself as a refugee, a pacifist, or anything more than a lucky coward if I’m just enjoying life on the backs of the lives of others, not only on the backs of those who have fought for my wealth and security, but on the backs of those who have lost their own. If it is true that an equitable distribution of resources would diminish my quality of life, and if I am unwilling to accept that, I must therefore be willing to take what I need to maintain my life at, yet again, the point of a gun.
So where does that leave people like me? If a person who thinks like me does not willingly give up what they have for the good of others, we are unfortunately in an awkward position of hypocrisy. I donate my money to worthy causes, sure, but I still take a larger part of the global resource pie than most. It is a difficult question to which I have not yet found an answer. So I think. I meditate on this apparent conflict between my beliefs and my nature, and I come to the unavoidable conclusion that while I may not agree with the method, I owe an important and unpayable debt to those who secure my way of life at the point of a gun. | https://medium.com/i-m-h-o/at-the-point-of-a-gun-46df5849cb73 | ['Jeremy Martin'] | 2015-02-25 23:16:56.649000+00:00 | ['Reflection', 'Thankfulness'] |
Using Firestore With Typescript | Boost your Firestore and TS skills with a couple of lines of clean code.
Photo by Camylla Battani on Unsplash
TLDR;
Typesafe read/write with Firestore:
GIST with comments and examples
Clean GIST
Part 2 with some kind of support for update() methods:
The Problem:
Something that’s been on my TODO for a while now has been to figure out a slick and clean way of using Firestore in a more type-safe way. I was fed up of doing:
const someData = firebaseDocumentRef.data() as SomeType
I have to import the type in each file I use it. What if I get the type wrong? More code to write etc. etc.
Something else that gives me the chills is having to write the collection names all over the place (and spell them correctly).
// file/somewher.ts
const userCollection = firestore().collection('users') // file/somewhere/else.ts
const userCollection = firestore().collection('users') // file/going/to/make/a/bug.ts
const userCollection = firestore().collection('usrs')
Even in a small project, this quickly gets out of hand. I need to remember collection names, spell them correctly and write lots of boiler. And what happens if you decide to change a collection name down the line. Nightmare.
The Solution:
I’ve gone around the houses with a solution to this. The obvious start is to abstract away the Firestore library into a helper function, but then we need to wrap all of the functions that it provides and add types to them. This seems a bit over-the-top and means we need to keep up to date with changes to the Firestore SDK.
I started just solving the issue of keeping track of the collection names by maintaining an object that I import when I want to access the Firestore database:
// utils/db.ts
const db = {
users: firestore().collection('users')
} export { db }
// some/other/file
import { db } from '~/utils/db'
import { User } from '~/@types' const example = async () => {
const userQuery = await db.users.get()
const users = userQuery.docs.map(x => x.data() as User)
}
This works quite well, but you see we still need to manually cast types to everything.
Then I found the magic method. Firestore’s .withConverter()
const augmentedCollection = firestore()
.collection('users')
.withConverter(converterFunction) // more on this in a mo
I’ve not read about this method in the docs — it’s probably in there, but as a bit of a Firestore veteran, I don’t look at them often at all. It’s easily missed and seems almost useless… Until you bring in Typescript!
The withConverter method applies a custom data converter to a firestore Query (ie a collection reference). The method takes a single argument which is a FirestoreDataConverter object. This object should have two keys, both of which are functions:
toFirestore
fromFirestore
The toFirestore function gets passed whatever object you pass to the set or update functions as it’s first and only argument:
// newUser is passed to the toFirestore function
firestore().collection('users').doc('1').set(newUser) // updatedUser is passed to the toFirestore function firestore().collection('users').doc('1').update(updatedUser)
The fromFirestore method receives the data returned from awaiting a get function — the object usually accessed with .data()
const doc = firestore().collection('users').doc('1').get() // data here will be what is available in the fromFirestore function
const data = doc.data()
With this knowledge we could set the Types for a query in a very clean way like so:
import { User } from '~/@types' const converter = {
toFirestore: (data: User) => data,
fromFirestore: (snap: FirebaseFirestore.QueryDocumentSnapshot) =>
snap.data() as User
} const doc = firestore()
.collection('users')
.withConverter(converter)
.doc('1').get() const user = doc.data() // user will be typed! Wooohooo! // it even checks the type passed to a set or update function
await firestore()
.collection('users')
.withConverter(converter)
.doc('1')
.set({
userName: 'Jamie',
someBadKey: false // Type Error!
})
This is pretty awesome! All we need to do now is abstract it out. I made a few functions to help us do this. The first is a generic converter function that will take a type argument and create a typed FirestoreDataConverter object:
// utils/db import { firestore } from "firebase-admin" const converter = <T>() => ({
toFirestore: (data: T) => data,
fromFirestore: (snap: FirebaseFirestore.QueryDocumentSnapshot) =>
snap.data() as T
})
The next part is a function that abstracts out the lengthy path to a collection reference with a data converter. It takes the path to the collection as a string as it’s first and only argument. It also has a Type argument which will end up being passed through to the firestore data converter:
// utils/db // ... const dataPoint = <T>(collectionPath: string) => firestore().collection(collectionPath).withConverter(converter<T>())
We can then use the dataPoint function to create our db object and magically have types!
// utils/db // ... import { User } from '~/@types' const db = {
users: dataPoint<User>('users')
} export { db }
We can then use this db object in all our files and know that our types will be safe 🚀:
import { db } from '~/utils/db' // firestore just as you know it, but with types
const userDoc = await db.users.doc(id).get()
const {
userName: 'Jamie',
someBadKey: false // Type Error!
} = userDoc.data() await db.users.doc(id).set({
userName: 'Jamie',
someBadKey: false // Type Error!
})
When you want to add more database collections to the db object, simply add another key with a dataPoint function:
// utils/db // ...
import { User, Post } from '~/@types' const db = {
users: dataPoint<User>('users'),
posts: dataPoint<Post>('posts')
} export { db }
If you want to target a subcollection in Firestore that may have a dynamic path, you can just write a function in the db object:
// utils/db // ...
import { User, Post, UserPost } from '~/@types' const db = {
users: dataPoint<User>('users'),
posts: dataPoint<Post>('posts'),
userPosts: (userId: string) => dataPoint<UserPost>(`users/${userId}/posts`) export { db }
And use it like this:
import { db } from '~/utils/db' const userPost = await db.userPosts('1').doc('postid123').get()
const post = userPost.data()
That’s about as far as I’ve got for now — if you have any questions or comments or enhancements please don’t forget to leave a clap or a comment 🙌
The whole file for the db util looks like this:
// import firstore (obviously)
import { firestore } from "firebase-admin" // Import or define your types
// import { YourType } from '~/@types' const converter = <T>() => ({
toFirestore: (data: Partial<T>) => data,
fromFirestore: (snap: FirebaseFirestore.QueryDocumentSnapshot) => snap.data() as T
}) const dataPoint = <T>(collectionPath: string) => firestore().collection(collectionPath).withConverter(converter<T>()) const db = {
// list your collections here
// users: dataPoint<YourType>('users')
} export { db }
export default db
And here’s a gist of the code if you’d like to peruse / copy / paste / comment / fork / enhance:
GIST with comments and examples
Clean GIST
Thanks for reading! | https://medium.com/swlh/using-firestore-with-typescript-65bd2a602945 | ['Jamie Curnow'] | 2021-03-15 10:22:42.434000+00:00 | ['Firestore', 'Typescript', 'Nodejs', 'Firebase'] |
DOCTOR WHO, 12.10 — ‘The Timeless Children’ | It’s the only trace of what seems to be a series of significant early lives prior to The First Doctor we originally encountered in the junkyard in 1963. The clock we saw in the police station is a gift from The Division, or the Garda in the filtered version, and presented to Brendan, the avatar representing The Doctor. Hence, his fall from the clifftop and recovery is a cloaked version of the timeless child’s own history and how The Doctor’s former lives were deleted by the Time Lords. The Master then transmitted that trace of her past to The Doctor as she tracked the Cybermen. Is that trace just a clue or an apology from Tecteun? Presumably, we’ll see The Division explored further in the next series?
This exposition, carried in the main by an always watchable Sacha Dhawan, is a huge amount to foist upon a single episode and on an audience who may not know the entire Time Lord backstory. Specifically, it will be divisive to many long-term fans as it effectively rewrites Time Lord history and uses The Doctor’s genetic code as the urtext for their existence. Previously, she was simply a member of that race who decided to run away from their hidebound society and explore the universe. However, there were suggestions, certainly during the final series of the classic show overseen by script editor Andrew Cartmel, that The Doctor was something more than a Time Lord, with a past shrouded in mystery again. Chibnall has returned to this premise and posits The Doctor is again unknowable, her appearance at the gateway unexplained, her chain of lives prior to The First Doctor’s appearance erased by The Division.
As if to underline this, The Doctor, apparently defeated, meets herself again, in the form of Ruth Clayton (Jo Martin). In answer to some of the questions that fans may have posed and acting as a form of assurance, she encourages The Doctor to look beyond the confusion about her unknown past lives and to focus on what The Doctor represents. “Have you ever been limited by who you were before?” she asks. Of course, she hasn’t. She’s needed and it’s time to rejoin the fight. “I know this place has blown your mind. Maybe you should return the compliment?” suggests The Ruth Clayton Doctor. “All this history. All these lives, it’s too much stimulus,” The Doctor concludes. She promptly uses her amassed memories to flood the Matrix and to deny its reality.
It’s a glorious sequence, with a very rare example of the main title theme being used to score a scene within an episode, that flashes through what seems to be hundreds of clips of past adventures, past companions, past enemies and monsters and, finally, onto past Doctors. One wonders if Chibnall’s strategy here was to fix a few anomalies while he was at it. It can only explain what happens when we get through the various Doctors, all present and correct (well, not Peter Cushing, but who’s to say his Doctor isn’t a past incarnation now that it seems The Doctor has had many, many past lives?), and we flash beyond William Hartnell as the First Doctor. We see the various timeless children looked after by Tecteun, progressing from the young girl she discovered at the gateway to the adult male at the meeting of The Division, and then, surprisingly, to the range of faces seen in the mind battle between The Doctor and renegade Time Lord, Morbius in “The Brain of Morbius” (1976). That’s seven more faces. Plus Brendan and the Ruth Clayton Doctor at the end of the sequence.
To go back and confirm the “Morbius” continuity at the same time that he’s also clearing the decks of Time Lord history will certainly ensure Chibnall’s notoriety. Depending on your opinion, he’s either the showrunner who ruined Doctor Who or injected something very new into it. The First Doctor is still the first and Hartnell’s legacy is safe and sound. The question remains as to where the ‘Ruth Doctor’ fits in as she’s at the end of the sequence featuring the timeless children. Does this suggest that The Doctor was at that point being regressed by The Division to her life as a child? And was the Ruth Doctor on the run from The Division in “ Fugitive of the Judoon “, hiding away from them on Earth? This also throws up questions about the Time Lords granting new life cycles to both The Master and The Doctor in the past? If The Doctor is actually immortal and has unlimited regenerations, were the Time Lords pulling a fast one? Could they actually grant new life cycles given Tecteun’s limit?
So many questions that the last act of the episode seems almost perfunctory in nature. The Doctor escapes from the Matrix, is reunited with her “fam”, a load of explosives and a plan. Her companions successfully blow up the Cyber-carrier (featuring some excellent VFX) and thus eliminate any opportunity for The Master to create a vast army of “endlessly regenerating” Cyber-Masters. I assume it’s The Doctor’s genetic imprint that’s been used to create them and they’re not limited to twelve regenerations? Very conveniently, Ruvio recalls the myth of the Death Particle as The Doctor racks her brains about Ashad’s claim that “the death of everything is within me”. She challenges The Master to one last standoff, having equipped herself with the miniaturised Ashad and a bomb, with a “hand detonation only” cliche, to set off the Death Particle. It’s the only way to destroy the organic Time Lord material of the Cyber-Masters but, rather inconveniently, it’ll kill everyone else.
She packs everyone off in a TARDIS and sends them to safety on Earth. It’s then just her, The Master and his Cyber Masters. Except, of course, The Master calls her bluff. She simply doesn’t have the will to detonate the bomb. Equally convenient, old Ko Sharmus is willing to step in so that she can live. If we’d had a really emotional connection to Sharmus then this may have had more impact. It simply shows up the problem with Chibnall overreaching in this finale. The companions, the surviving humans and Sharmus are rather sidelined in favour of action and the massive information dump about Gallifrey and the Time Lords. While The Doctor’s departure from the TARDIS does strike an emotional chord, both in her scene with Yaz and her entreaty to all of them to “live great lives”, there’s been too little of an emotional connection with them. Although some dialogue has signalled Sharmus’ do-or-die approach to matters, we don’t really feel that aggrieved when he finds The Doctor, offering to emulate Obi-Wan Kenobi and sacrifice himself. It’s also a well-used motif to get The Doctor out of such situations, often to prevent an act of genocide, and defuse the entailing tricky moral implications.
Once we’ve seen everyone home safely, The Doctor’s pinched another TARDIS to get back to where she parked her own (leaving one on Earth and on the planet seems rather cavalier), and the Judoon have shown up and flung her into a cell on what looks like Shada, the Time Lord’s own prison facility, the important question is: just who is The Doctor now? Has she “become death”, as The Master suggests, quoting Robert Oppenheimer as he clapped eyes on the Trinity nuclear test (Gallifrey’s disintegration at the end of the episode looks like a mushroom cloud).
It might be worth looking at Oppenheimer’s quote “Now, I am become death, destroyer of all worlds”, a somewhat rough translation from the Bhagavad-Gita Hindu scripture. It is a dialogue between the warrior-prince Arjuna and his charioteer Lord Krishna, an incarnation of the god Vishnu. Arjuna faces an army of his friends and relatives and is caught in an impossible dilemma about whether to fight them. Krishna offers an alternative philosophy, allowing Arjuna to fulfil his destiny despite personal complications.
This is Dharma. Krishna suggests it’s Arjuna’s duty to fight. The people that die are truly killed by Krishna, not Arjuna. They are all fated to die. Arjuna is just the instrument. For Krishna himself is time or death. The Master merely wants The Doctor to become his instrument, to become death. It would please him if she did her duty and killed them all. Certainly, we could see this as a variation on the themes at the heart of the story, the idea that reincarnation or rebirth defeats death but time eventually destroys all things. The Doctor lives on as the timeless child but the Time Lords are gone once Ko Sharmus presses the button to fulfil The Master’s death wish. Sharmus rather than The Doctor accepts The Master’s offer to “become me” and his reasoning is that he alone must accept responsibility for starting all this, having been part of the resistance unit that sent the Cyberium back though time and space.
As Matthew Sweet pointed out, there’s also something of Walt Whitman’s Song of Myself in her declaration to The Master. He’s not broken her because she now has the gift of “myself”, she is now more than she was and contains “multitudes more than I ever thought, or knew.” She tells The Master “I am so much more than you”, suggesting that not only has she many more incarnations that she never knew about but that genetically she is more than he is. He’s a Time Lord, limited to a wonky regeneration cycle, and she is a mysterious, immortal alien who can go on forever.
However, the latter, which is a neat bit of rejigging of the series’ main principle and frees it up a bit, seems to get written over by the implication that we’ve also swapped one great big bit of canon for another. We may end up being constrained by the fact that The Doctor was part of some dubious Time Lord organisation and have loads of other Doctors popping up all over the place. The Ruth Doctor could be implicated in why The Doctor had her previous memories wiped and I suspect we’ll be seeing more of her again as that story has been left inconclusive. I also expect The Master to return. His last line “all of you, through here now” implies he was making a quick exit into a TARDIS.
Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed the episode. It has its problems, in terms of how to use TV to tell a story in flashback, in leaving your central character as someone to be talked at rather participating in the making of her own story, and is a further example of how character development needs to have an emotional underpinning. However, it’s sustained by decent, if often barmy ideas, two rather good performances from Sacha Dhawan and Jodie Whittaker (despite The Doctor being left powerless to explore her own hidden past), impressive production design, VFX, and costumes. Uneven as it is, director Jamie Magnus Stone deserves the credit for managing to keep 65-minutes of wild ideas moving, and he gives them convincing scale and pacy, visual interest.
Click for other recaps
Cast & Crew
writer: Chris Chibnall.
director: Jamie Magnus Stone.
starring: Jodie Whittaker, Bradley Walsh, Tosin Cole, Mandip Gill, Ian McElhinney, Julie Graham & Sacha Dhawan.
Originally published at https://www.framerated.co.uk on March 6, 2020. | https://medium.com/framerated/doctor-who-12-10-the-timeless-children-d2a28a3bebe2 | ['Frank Collins'] | 2020-03-07 18:31:00.935000+00:00 | ['Doctor Who', 'Television', 'Review', 'Culture', 'TV'] |
i18n in Flutter: the best alternative | In this post, I will explain how I managed to make my Flutter application translatable with the I18n_extension package, which in my opinion is the best alternative for it.
Hello everyone! Today, I’m going to explain which library I chose to translate my Flutter app and why did I choose it.
First of all, I want to mention that the most popular alternatives that I found available in 2020 were the following ones:
i18n plugin : The Flutter i18n Plugin for IntelliJ IDEA created by Razvan Lung. A plugin that simplify i18n managment in your project. You can find it perfectly explained on this article: https://dev.to/pedromassango/how-to-i18n-in-flutter-46km
: The Flutter i18n Plugin for IntelliJ IDEA created by Razvan Lung. A plugin that simplify i18n managment in your project. You can find it perfectly explained on this article: https://dev.to/pedromassango/how-to-i18n-in-flutter-46km i18n : dart package that translates automatically your labels in YAML files to Dart classes. I didn’t find it really useful in my app, because you need to access manually to the labels you are interested in for each language in your code. You can find documentation here https://pub.flutter-io.cn/packages/i18n
: dart package that translates automatically your labels in YAML files to Dart classes. I didn’t find it really useful in my app, because you need to access manually to the labels you are interested in for each language in your code. You can find documentation here https://pub.flutter-io.cn/packages/i18n i18n_extension: personally, the option I found suits best for a Flutter app. It is about non-boilerplate translations. Besides, this package was mentioned by Google during the Dart 2.7 announcement.
So let me explain why and how I introduced the i18n_extension to my project.
First, you need to add the next dependencies in your pubspeck.yaml file:
flutter_localizations:
sdk: flutter
i18n_extension: any
The package “flutter_localizations” is also needed to track the device’s locale (the user’s preferred language).
After that, you need to go to your main.dart file and add the next:
import 'package:i18n_extension/i18n_widget.dart';
import 'package:flutter_localizations/flutter_localizations.dart';
...
@override
Widget build(BuildContext context) {
return MaterialApp(
localizationsDelegates: [
GlobalMaterialLocalizations.delegate,
GlobalWidgetsLocalizations.delegate,
GlobalCupertinoLocalizations.delegate,
],
supportedLocales: [
const Locale('en'), // you can Add Country code if you want
const Locale('es'),
const Locale('fr'),
const Locale('pt'),
],
debugShowCheckedModeBanner: false,
theme: ThemeData(
primarySwatch: Colors.blue,
),
home: I18n(
initialLocale: Locale("es"),
child: MyStatefulWidget()
),
);
}
}
Now it’s time to start creating our translation files. To do so, we start by creating a dart file to hold them. This file can have any name, but I suggest you give it the same name as your widget and change the termination to .i18n.dart.
For example, if your widget is in file my_widget.dart, the translations could be in file my_widget.i18n.dart.
You must then remove the default import:
import 'package:i18n_extension/i18n_widget.dart';
And instead import your own translation file:
import 'my_widget.i18n.dart';
Your translations file will be something like this:
import 'package:i18n_extension/i18n_extension.dart';
extension Localization on String {
static var _t = Translations("en_us") +
{
"en_us": "Hello, how are you?",
"pt_br": "Olá, como vai você?",
"es": "¿Hola! Cómo estás?",
"fr": "Salut, comment ca va?",
"de": "Hallo, wie geht es dir?",
};
String get i18n => localize(this, _t);
}
BUT: if your Dart version is smaller than:
sdk: ">=2.6.0 <3.0.0"
You might have issues creating your extension files!
You can, however, translate as many strings as you want, by simply adding more translation maps:
import 'package:i18n_extension/i18n_extension.dart';
extension Localization on String {
static var _t = Translations("en_us") +
{
"en_us": "Hello, how are you?",
"pt_br": "Olá, como vai você?",
} +
{
"en_us": "Hi",
"pt_br": "Olá",
} +
{
"en_us": "Goodbye",
"pt_br": "Adeus",
};
String get i18n => localize(this, _t);
}
String themselves are the translation keys
The locale you pass in the Translations("en_us") constructor is called the default locale. All translatable strings in the widget file should be in the language of that locale.
The strings themselves are used as keys when searching for translations to the other locales. For example, in the Text below, "Hello, how are you?" is both the translation to English and the key to use when searching for its other translations:
Text("Hello, how are you?".i18n)
Managing keys
Other translation packages ask you to define key identifiers for each translation, and use those. For example, the above text key could be helloHowAreYou or simply greetings . And then you could access it like this: MyLocalizations.of(context).greetings .
However, having to define identifiers is not only a boring task, but it also forces you to navigate to the translation if you need to remember the exact text of the widget.
With i18n_extension you can simply type the text you want and that's it.
If some string is already translated and you later change it in the widget file,
this will break the link between the key and the translation map. However, the package is smart enough to let you know when that happens, so it's easy to fix.
Last points
Finally, I think is important to mention that you can also provide the translations by locale/language, instead of by key. You can do that by using the Translations.byLocale() constructor.
static var _t = Translations.byLocale("en_us") +
{
"en_us": {
"Hi.": "Hi.",
"Goodbye.": "Goodbye.",
},
"es_es": {
"Hi.": "Hola.",
"Goodbye.": "Adiós.",
}
}
You can also combine different translations and use translation modifiers (for example, you can change a sentence and have different translations that depend on a number quantity. Instead of .i18n you can use .plural() and pass it a number. For example: | https://medium.com/@patriciajuane/i18n-in-flutter-the-best-alternative-62ed653940c7 | ['Patricia Juane'] | 2020-06-23 12:24:09.955000+00:00 | ['iOS', 'I18n', 'Flutter', 'Android', 'Dart'] |
5 Reasons Why You Should Avoid This Killer Story | You don’t listen well, do you?
Well, as long as you’re here, listen up.
There are Five outstanding reasons to avoid taking the bait.
And one even better reason to set one.
Ready? Here we go.
#5 It’s obviously a clickbait.
You knew that, but you clicked anyway. Curiosity got the better of you, and that’s the point. You were even warned that it’s a clickbait.
#4 There is nothing of value here.
Or at least nothing new. I am just going to tell you that the interwebs are full of clickbait stories that sucker you into reading.
#3 What is the point?
If you’re asking me that, then you’re asking the wrong person. I told you not to read it. Maybe you should learn a little bit about being discerning when you’re curious.
#2 There is very little value if any.
Okay, you learned that you need to be discerning when you’re curious. As a friend of mine is fond of saying, even a blind squirrel finds a nut sometimes.
#1 I told you so.
The number one reason you shouldn’t have clicked on this story is that you knew there are many reasons you shouldn’t, but you didn’t listen. And now you’re shaking your head and cursing me for tricking you into clicking. But I warned you.
Here is the takeaway.
The takeaway depends on whether you’re a reader or a writer.
If you’re a reader, stay away from stories that use clickbait headlines. At the least, be discerning about how you spend your time online.
If you’re a writer, it is evident that you should put in time and effort into crafting your headlines. If they are not enticing or inviting, no one will click on your story, and all the hard work you put into creating the masterpiece of an article will be for naught.
The main inspiration for this came from Caroline de Braganza’s excellent story in the Rogues’ Gallery.
However, I would be remiss if I didn’t recognize Linda Caroll, who is a master of delivering exceptional value using listicles, and Sinem Günel, whose success has inspired me to revisit my why for writing on this platform.
Also, writers like Sherry McGuinn, P.G. Barnett, Timothy Key, and Helen Cassidy Page, have taught me that you don’t have to be a stand-up comic to create and add humor to your work.
Holly Jahangiri, Sharon Hurley Hall, Paul Myers MBA, Joe Luca, Tim Maudlin, Ming Qian, Bob Jasper, Dr. Mehmet Yildiz, Michele Thill, Trista Ainsworth, Amy Marley, Aurora Eliam, CMP, Gurpreet Dhariwal, Dipti Pande, Henery X (long), Manasi Diwakar, and Desiree Driesenaar, are among many who keep me on my toes to do my best. I don’t always succeed, but I am a work in progress.
As always, thank you for reading and responding.
Here are a couple of related stories:
Graphic created by Rasheed Hooda using Canva
Rasheed Hooda is a published author, and a regular contributor and editor for ILLUMINATION, a writers’ community on Medium, where writers support each other.
He is a self-proclaimed weirdo who lives a Freedom Lifestyle and writes about related topics — Travel (a top writer), Personal Growth, Freedom, and entrepreneurship. (Get the Newsletter)
More about me:
An interview by Dr. M Yildiz for ILLUMINATION
Testimonial by other writers. | https://medium.com/narrative/5-reasons-why-you-should-avoid-this-killer-story-a0f10cb8e724 | ['Rasheed Hooda'] | 2020-08-08 23:41:26.283000+00:00 | ['Advice', 'Inspiration', 'Humor', 'Writing', 'Self Improvement'] |
Attitude — The Decider of Success!!! | Photo by Doran Erickson on Unsplash
Attitude plays a big role in life. Once attitude is set, you will be driven to your destination slowly even without your notice. Then the question arises — what if nobody had the desired attitude? Which factors play the role in creating an attitude? How do you identify a bad attitude and so on? Before you begin to improve your attitude, you must understand how important your life is and how your attitude influences every aspect of your life. You should also realize that a healthy attitude is vital in life to ensure the continued motivation toward your goal.
When a problem surfaces, a winning attitude sees it as a challenge to be solved and not a failure to be ignored. If you have a winning attitude, you will enjoy healthier, more vibrant days. You will have more energy to do the things you love doing the most. A positive attitude can also help you recover from illness in less time. Remember, a healthy attitude delivers a healthy body.
The greatest obstacle toward achieving success in life is the inability to believe that success is possible. Remember Knowledge, Skills, and Attitude are the three vital elements of Success, and if you improve these three elements to achieve your goal, nobody can stop you from becoming successful. | https://medium.com/@pradipndas/attitude-the-decider-of-success-6ee72c9b5806 | [] | 2020-12-26 16:56:47.505000+00:00 | ['Knowledge', 'Skills', 'Attitude', 'Positive Attitude', 'Success'] |
Taking Responsibility For Recycling During COVID-19 — @OlumideClimate | I’ve been staying at home for the past few weeks with very good reason — preventing the spread of COVID-19 and taking necessary precautions. During this time, you all probably are generating more waste, particularly food and beverage packaging along with Pet bottles, takeout containers and cardboard boxes.
As household waste increases, it’s more important than ever to be mindful of the right things to put in your recycling bin. When it comes to recycling, it’s super important to know exactly what and how to recycle. One contaminated item in your recycling bin can ruin the entire batch, sending it to the landfill instead of the recycling centre — and, just like that, all your good recycling intentions go to waste. | https://medium.com/climatewed/taking-responsibility-for-recycling-during-covid-19-olumideclimate-333007403cb9 | ['Iccdi Africa'] | 2020-05-08 08:37:18.783000+00:00 | ['Recycling Services', 'Women', 'Covid 19', 'Climate Change', 'Recycling'] |
Professional Dreamer | A dream will remain a dream if you only think about it. You can plan to become a professional footballer, but when you train consistently, meet new teammates, feel the joy of success, experience difficulties in training & matches, that’s when you're on the way to achieving your dream.
Football’s Natural Selection:
> All footballers have dreams that they would like to achieve
> Most of them take action about that dream
> Most of them don’t expect the hard and long journey they need to take to achieve their goals so their expectations don’t fit the reality of the football life
> So, few of them will start to take an action about it which is quitting from football
> Those that continue try until they face further difficult times in football, then football becomes a hobby and they quit > Some of them make it to the high level, but feel that they are stuck with their job and they have a difficult time, doing work that feels never-ending and repetitive
> The rest of them are still being consistent and are getting closer and closer to their dreams
> Only a small number of footballers can make it to their dreams
Life is not linear. You have a dream (target), then you try your best to reach that dream, then either everything goes smoothly and you get what you want, or you just quit. If that is your approach, you’ll quit in everything you do. Instead, realize that in your football journey, you can learn and grow, get more experiences, and more knowledge about how to forward with your life.
Author Zaya Mardika
Editor Charalambos Elias
Photographer Aditya Aji | https://medium.com/folition/professional-dreamer-a2e050861e46 | ['Zaya Mardika'] | 2021-01-04 15:18:29.610000+00:00 | ['Football', 'Womens Soccer', 'Girls Soccer', 'Womens Football', 'Soccer'] |
How to Get Started on your First Sketch Document | Opening up a new project in Sketch (or any creatively oriented program for that matter) can be intimidating, especially for the first time. Opening up your very first project for UX/UI can be terrifying. Well here are a couple pointers to get you started.
When you first open up Sketch, the interface can be intimidating, especially if you’re new to design, but don’t fear. Sketch’s interface is actually very easy to grasp quickly.
Once the blank document is created, you can zoom in and out on the workspace infinitely, allowing you to create as many iterations of your design as needed and keep them all together, or far apart depending on your organization style.
The easiest way to begin is to use the keyboard shortcut A for Artboard and drag it out to your desired size. As this can be adjusted later, don’t worry too much about specific sizes. The keyboard shortcuts for shapes (R for rectangle, U for a rounded rectangle, O for Oval, L for line and T for text) would be the next logical step. Depending on where you want to start, you can use these shortcuts to quickly formulate your first shapes and get your design up quickly. The shapes all operate on a click and drag mechanic to get you to your desired size, similar to most design softwares.
If keyboard shortcuts are not your thing yet (learn them soon, they will change your life) the insert menu will be your friend. There you can insert the same shapes I’ve described above as well as use the pencil tool (P on keyboard shortcuts) and insert images and other artboards.
That should be enough to get you started. I must admit that I myself am not completely well versed in all the ins and outs of Sketch yet, but I do know how to start your first document and begin your first designs. As I learn how to do more things I will be sure to pass along tips and tricks.
Happy Sketching! | https://medium.com/@emilyshaindlin/how-to-get-started-on-your-first-sketch-document-a7cbab2c6ea3 | ['Emily Shaindlin'] | 2020-12-09 00:17:49.264000+00:00 | ['Flatiron School', 'UI Design', 'Tips And Tricks'] |
The Relationship Box | There is a thing called the RELATIONSHIP BOX. Lots of people assume, when they start a new relationship, that this box is full of all the things they have longed for. And that is why they believe this Relationship is all that they need to be truly happy.
The truth is, when we start any Relationship, the box is empty, and it is our responsibility to make it full, adding more and more into it, planting the seeds that are a reflection of our core values. It is our choice what we plant there.
Will you plant the seeds of love, commitment, the balance of giving and receiving, responsibility, respect, trust, appreciation, compassion and understanding? Or will you plant the seeds of blame, control, judgement, dishonesty, lack of responsibility or victim mentality? Remember, whatever you plant together, you will harvest together later on. You must put something in before you can take anything out.
If you build healthy, strong foundations at the beginning, you can enjoy it’s strength and beauty for many years to come…
~ with love, The Sanctuary Of Hearts
___________________________
www.thesanctuaryofhearts.com
www.facebook.com/TheSanctuaryOfHearts | https://medium.com/@the-sanctuary-of-hearts/the-relationship-box-4f58cf8e9e8f | ['The Sanctuary Of Hearts'] | 2020-12-19 04:02:41.152000+00:00 | ['Love', 'Relationships Coach', 'Relationships', 'Relationships Love Dating'] |
by Martino Pietropoli | First thing in the morning: a glass of water and a cartoon by The Fluxus.
Follow | https://medium.com/the-fluxus/saturday-i-saw-you-2f519edb858c | ['Martino Pietropoli'] | 2018-09-08 00:31:37.320000+00:00 | ['Saturday', 'Watercolor', 'Illustration', 'Drawing'] |
Belarus: Lukashenko & Putin | T he Political System in Belarus
Belarus has a House of Representatives, who appoint the Prime Minister, opposing party members, and a constitution. Initially, the constitution stated that the president was only allowed to serve two terms. In 2004, this was changed in line with Lukashenko’s aspirations to remain in power.
International observers have called the elections rigged and unfair; and opposing politicians are often fined or imprisoned. Observers also point out that Belarus is among the worst states in Europe for free expression and freedom of the press. This does not stop Lukashenko.
Lukashenko has utilized a number of important strategies to remain in power in Belarus. However, his methods are different from other dictators who utilize populism and national identity to their advantage. The Belarusian state has not made extraneous efforts to validate the Belarusian language.
That is not to say that Belarusians are not proud of their language and culture. Lukashenko himself has argued that his critics could be right in thinking that he neglects the Belarusian language. In fact, Lukashenko believes in preserving Belarusian identity. It is because of this that Belarusians have sought independence.
It is arguably because of Belarus’ reliance on Russia that Belarus rarely takes a critical stance toward both Russian and Soviet imperial eras over Belarus. For many Belarusians, sovereignty was historically only possible if linked to the Union State of Russia and Belarus. Meanwhile, Belarusians view the West, where democratization and liberalization prevailed, as a contradictory force that aims to rid states of their sovereignty.
It is debatable whether Belarus has managed to achieve complete sovereignty especially because of their reliance on Russia’s economy, particularly on their heavily-subsidized transport of oil. Some estimates suggest that Russia’s recent energy policies will end up costing the Belarusian economy up to $11 billion between 2019 and 2024; the Russian “tax maneuver” in 2020 may cost up to $864 million alone up to the year 2024.
With more economic instability, Lukashenko’s influence over the region would deteriorate even further. Therefore, it is crucial for Lukashenko to regain a firm alliance with the Kremlin.
Since 1994, when Lukashenko became president, his authority was primarily in his promise to Belarusians over the strength of their economy. For Lukashenko’s regime, if Belurisians manage to resist and defy any market reforms that were taking part in other former Soviet states, they will be economically successful and sovereign. Notably, Lukashenko’s grip on the economy has lessened in the 21st century.
Ben Challies explains that in contrast to other formerly Soviet states such as Slovakia, Ukraine, Poland, and others, where oligarchs took control of the market, Belarus managed to establish a technocratic managerial class that revolve around Lukashenko and the Presidential palace. Even if this class managed to garner followers, as oligarchs have in other neighboring countries, they do not own any economic assets to finance opposition to Lukashenko; therefore, their influence is vulnerable to Lukashenko’s power. This is one of the primary ways Lukashenko has managed to stay in power since 1994.
With more economic instability, Lukashenko’s influence over the region would deteriorate even further. Therefore, it is crucial for Lukashenko to regain a firm alliance with the Kremlin.
Photo by Jana Shnipelson on Unsplash
In recent years, specifically since the Crimean annexation of 2014, Lukashenko has been critical of the Kremlin’s justification of the annexation, namely that under their logic, other regions such as that of Pskov and Smolensk in Russia should belong to Belarus. It is unsurprising that Lukashenko would be critical of the Crimean annexation since Belarus may have lost up to $3 billion in foreign exchange fluctuations because of Western sanctions imposed on Russia.
Lukashenko promises the Belarusian people that similar events will not transpire in Belarus. In one particular statement, Lukashenko went so far to say that freedom and independence are more important than oil. In one analysis of the Belarusian desire for independence, both the West and the East threaten Belarusian sovereignty. However, the analysis reports that Russian threats are more vivid and explicit in contrast to Western threats which are vague. Arguably, it is because of this perceived threat from Russia that Belarus has started to discuss methods at joint training with NATO in 2014.
Lastly, and in light of the protests, I will look at some predictions of the future of Belarus. Political analysts suspect that a political crisis in Belarus will “likely” trigger a NATO-Russia confrontation. Belarus is in a crucial position in the Suwalki Gap: the land that connects the Baltic to Poland and NATO. Challies explains that if the West is to effectively intervene in Belarus, they must propose a detailed plan that can help “mitigate” any serious risks in Belarus, making sure to look beyond the pervasive “zero-sum competition” for power in formerly Soviet states.
“Freedom and independence are more important than oil.” — Lukashenko
The Future of Belarus
As the protests are still developing, we cannot say for certain whether they will not force Lukashenko to resign as they did in the case of the Ukrainian president, Viktor Yanukovych, during the Revolution of Dignity in Ukraine. However, some events may make it more likely for Lukashenko to step down. Challies explains that if Lukashenko will not be able to agree to a deal with Putin in the near future, it may result in significant problems to his regime.
If this were to happen, Lukashenko would suffer from both economic and fiscal challenges, surmounting anything his regime can handle; therefore, we may expect Lukashenko’s government to collapse due to both political and civic pressure.
Although, in order to assess that more accurately, we would have to wait for trade developments between Russia and Belarus. It is not clear whether Russia will risk further sanctions if they seek to undermine Belarus’ sovereignty militarily as they did in Crimea and Georgia.
It is more likely that Russia will observe from afar and support Lukashenko or other pro-Russian candidates who may replace Lukashenko after his potential impeachment.
For now, it seems that Putin sees more utility in backing Lukashenko and assisting his regime as he did with Yanukovych in Ukraine.
My Russia Blog Series
NOTE: this was a part of a blog series I was doing on Russian politics. This was the lost post! So, if you want to read more, here’s a list of them in chronological order as I released them (although that is not important for your reading pleasure, you can read them in any order):
I look forward to writing more brief series on politics! Until then do check out my other blog posts! I have now published more than 350 of them :)
AND Before you go…
🗣 I love connecting with fellow thinkers. Find me on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, or Instagram.
ALSO, here’s a link to MY BOOK if you wish to purchase it! I appreciate the support.
I’d love it if you’d share the article on Facebook/TWITTER if you want your friends to benefit from it in some way at all.
Until next time, keep reflecting! | https://medium.com/@jakubferencik/belarus-lukashenko-putin-1186408f8d4f | ['Jakub Ferencik'] | 2020-12-26 10:15:21.663000+00:00 | ['Society Politics', 'Politics', 'Europe', 'History', 'Putin'] |
Poring Over the Pugna Porcorum | The first thing to note is that there really is an aesthetic value in these kind of literary constraints. Almost every line offers the pleasure of ingenuity. Placentius can’t use the basic Latin words for “street” you might know (via, clivus, callis, cardo, decumanus) because none begin with P — so he uses platea, a “square” or — how about that — a “wide street” (I didn’t know it, but it’s in Lewis and Short). And plateatim is a favorite of his, and a favorite of mine too. It conjures up the city topography perfectly: Praecipuos porcos pertraxerunt plateatim — “they dragged the head pigs through the streets.” And there is the aesthetic pleasure of seeing subject matter perfectly suited to the predetermined constraints: pigs (porci) fight (pugnant) with piglets (porcelli) over money (pecunia), privileges (privilegia), spoils (praeda), and rewards (praemia), though some have other motives like country (patria) and fame (phama). This is one of the few topics that a tautogrammatic P-poem in Latin really can do justice to. As phama indicates, there are some technical violations of the P-rule in order to bring in some F-words: fama and fanum. But they actually add to the silliness, and are a net positive. Indeed, reading the poem really is an aesthetic experience. It’s not for nothing that all kinds of avant-garde 20th century writers — notably the Oulipo school of France — embraced unusual writing constraints.
The second thing to note is: the Pugna Porcorum is hard. Latin dactylic hexameter is hard enough, but the language endures wild distortions in order to have every single word begin with the letter P. Try wading through this, the first speech in the poem, which, as a speech, is of course in indirect discourse:
Proconsul pastus pomorum pulte perorat
‘Proelia pro pecude prava prodesse; proinde,
Protervire parum patres persaepe probasse;
Porcorum populo pacem pridem placuisse
Perpetuam; pacis promi praeconia passim.’
Some background: this is a speech coming from an old leader, trying to avoid war. It’s a querula pacis, to use the term in current usage at the time. Now I’ve got my guesses as to what the passage means, but I took my time in coming to my conclusions, and I’ll say they’re not all the same as Fontaine’s, to judge from his translation:
As he munches his apple peels, the governor is pleading with them:
WARS WAGED AGAINST AN EVIL BRUTE ARE JUST AND GOOD; AND SO IT WAS THAT OUR FATHERS ELECTED TO STOP MISBEHAVIOR ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. FOR A LONG TIME, WE HOGS HAVE ENJOYED PEACE WITHOUT INTERRUPTION, THE EVIDENCE OF THAT PEACE IS ALL AROUND US.
I’d take that first statement to be sarcastic — “wars are good” (proelia prodesse) — with a twist identifying the sort of animal for whom wars are good: “for a wicked beast” (pro pecude prava). Fontaine appears to be taking it in a different way — something like “wars are good in proportion to the wickedness of the enemy” or “wars in front of [hence “against”] a wicked enemy are good.” But regardless, the truth is that time and again in this poem, you need to stop and read and then read again. It actually returned me to my first experiences with Latin: it was like I was a novice again, and had to translate every word and then try to piece things together. And there are some rather obscure words (proventus are supplies or stores of something; a pedum is a stick; prunae aren’t prunes but burning hot coals). And you’ll have to look up all those multifarious meanings of praestare again.
I think there’s real value in having a difficult text to slow you down — it’s a different kind of reading experience, the sort I associate with ancient languages (and Dante). I actually got a similar feeling of singleminded concentration when my children recently took out a puzzle that was too challenging for them and called me in to help. And so it’s no surprise that the title page boasts that the text was “puzzled out” by Michael Fontaine. Reading this text makes you feel like you’re doing a puzzle. Now I hadn’t done a puzzle in decades before my kids called me over that night, and I didn’t really miss puzzles, but there really aren’t many Latin texts like the Pugna, so I don’t feel I was wasting my time reading it. Indeed I feel I got some of the brain-vacation effects that a crossword might offer, but my Latin improved in the meanwhile and I learned about another time period.
The Pugna actually is interesting as a witness to another age. It enjoyed far more popularity during the Reformation than one might imagine, going through multiple editions (Fontaine lists twenty-two but notes that there are more) and ruffling quite a few feathers. The battles over privilegia do seem to be plausibly about the clergy defending their benefices against the upstart Protestants; and then there is a philomusus who is also described as a parochus (“parish priest”) and assailed as pseudoevangelicus (“false-Gospel-man”), whose plea for peace — and subsequent public burning — is the most moving (and altogether too depressingly human) part of the poem. The Latin here is also particularly good:
Protestabantur: ‘Poenis plectendum, poste patente;
Ponendum prope prunas, particulisque perustis
Profundo puteo profunde praecipitandum.’ They kept protesting that HE MUST BE PUNISHED ON A PUBLIC WHIPPING POST; HE SHOULD BE PLACED ON BURNING COALS, AND WHEN HIS BITS HAVE BURNED UP HE SHOULD BE THROWN HEADFIRST DEEP DOWN A DEEP WELL. (188–90)
The story of this pig’s burning reminds me of the story of Jerome of Prague (whose heresy trial and final burning is so movingly recounted by Poggio Bracciolini), but it could also refer to Wyclif or Hus; and the “pseudoevangelical” priest querulously calling for peace sounds a whole lot like Erasmus. In other words, there are strong echoes of some of the primary events of the Reformation. One way or another it doesn’t inspire confidence in the power of learning when it has to face down the beastly desire for blood and conflict.
And indeed, because it is a story of peace confronting war, and the oppressed becoming oppressors, and the suffering of the good, I found the story of the Pugna to be satisfying; there is real pathos here, despite the somewhat absurd constraints of the poem. Lingering over the text and reading slowly, as one must to understand it, only makes the pathos stronger. As also, in some strange way, do the absurd elements of the poem: you literally wade through an alliterative poem about pigs — what could be sillier? — to find buried at its heart a kind of lament for man’s inhumanity, echoing across the ages. It’s like putting together a children’s puzzle to find yourself staring at a dying John F. Kennedy or Iphigenia on the altar before her father. It is actually more affecting because of the incongruity between inner and outer form. I can completely understand why it affected its contemporaries so much, and how it managed to capture the attentions of moderns enough to get reprinted. And now that it has been reprinted, it has begun to find intelligent appreciators. Steven Pinker called it “ingeniously constructed” and “eternally insightful about the human condition.” Alessandro Schiesaro called it a “brilliant instance of political satire and poetic inventiveness.” The Pugna Porcorum is one of the few works of the constrained writing school — and perhaps the only tautogram — which can lay some claim not only to ingenuity, but perhaps to real genius. It should be much more widely read, and now we have the opportunity to do so. As Pinker himself observed about the publication of this poem, “Among the delights of humanistic scholarship is stumbling on an obscure literary treasure.” The Pugna Porcorum really is all three: obscure, literary, and a treasure. | https://medium.com/in-medias-res/poring-over-the-pugna-porcorum-d3cda6944391 | ['John Byron Kuhner'] | 2020-02-08 21:39:36.287000+00:00 | ['The Pig War', 'From The Editor', 'Latin', 'Review', 'Pugna Porcorum'] |
Caring For Others | Sign up for American Haiku Steamship To Writing History
By American Haiku
Writing takes practice. American Haiku is a great way to put your words from your fingers to your piece of paper. Don't quit, you can do it. Take a look | https://medium.com/american-haiku/caring-for-others-6973939d8d93 | ['Pierre Trudel'] | 2020-11-30 13:57:52.841000+00:00 | ['BlackLivesMatter', 'American Haiku', 'Love', 'LGBTQ', 'Womens Rights'] |
ICC 2019 cricket world cup prediction using machine learning. | The 2019 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup is ready to begin on Thursday (30th May). This 12th edition of the Cricket World Cup will run for almost one and a half month in England and Wales. The tournament will be contested by 10 teams who will be playing in a single round-robin group, with the top four at the end of the group phase progressing to the semi-finals.
Predicting the future sounds like magic whether it be detecting in advance the intent of a potential customer to purchase your product or figuring out where the price of a stock is headed. If we can reliably predict the future of something, then we own a massive advantage. Machine learning has only served to amplify this magic and mystery.
Applications
The main objective of sports prediction is to improve team performance and enhance the chances of winning the game. The value of a win takes on different forms like trickles down to the fans filling the stadium seats, television contracts, fan store merchandise, parking, concessions, sponsorships, enrollment and retention.
Data
Real world data is dirty. We can’t expect a nicely formatted and clean data as provided by Kaggle. Therefore, data pre-processing is so crucial that I can’t stress enough how important it is. It is the most important stage as it could occupy 40%-70% of the whole workflow, just to clean the data to be fed to your models.
I scraped three scripts from Crickbuzz website comprising of rankings of teams as of May 2019, details of the fixtures of 2019 world cup and details of each team’s history in previous world cups. I stored the above piece of data in three separate csv files. For the fourth file, I grabbed odi data-set for matches played between 1975 and 2017 from Kaggle in another csv file. In this file, I removed all the data from 1975 to 2010. This was done as the results of the last few years should only matter for our predictions. Since I didn’t get the data for 2018 and 2019 so this model might not be that accurate but still I believe this gives a fairly good idea. Then I did manual cleaning of the data as per my needs to make a machine learning model out of it.
Environment and tools | https://towardsdatascience.com/icc-2019-cricket-world-cup-prediction-using-machine-learning-7c42d848ace1 | ['Abhinav Sagar'] | 2019-11-27 05:44:18.468000+00:00 | ['In Depth Analysis', 'Data Science', 'Machine Learning', 'Cricket', 'Artificial Intelligence'] |
Being Brown & Gay | Letter From My Heart
Life of a Indecisive Person— Part I
Dear Readers,
One issue I have always been dealing with in my life is the feeling of being ‘indecisive’.
When life has presented me with tough decisions, I either respond with “I don’t know”, “yes” or choosing an option I do not necessarily agree on in the first place .
During one particular part of my life I often believed that most of the choices I made was due to self pressure. This was my weakness. I continuously tried to overcome this hurdle but I was always left feeling utter disappointment as I always felt a pull back on my reigns.
The saddest part was that nobody had forced pressure on me but it came from within. It left me feeling vulnerable and depressed most of the time and I always allowed it to get the worst of me in any situation.
There has been so many instances where I have ripped my hair out from its roots, punched my fist into the wall and sliced my wrists with a razor blades…but none of that did any good for me. I ended up hurting the one person I love the most… my dear Mother.
I am 23 years old now and I feel like I finally have figured myself out. I guess I was was indecisive because I was attracted to those who had the same physical features as me. I was indecisive because I was scared — scared to pick myself and happiness. I was scared to disappoint my Mother the most. I was scared of what people would think of me. I was scared of myself. What was I getting myself into? Why am I feeling like this?
Purpose
This all changed though. Quicker that I ever expected.
I had simply found purpose in my life. That purpose was contained within someone so dear to me. One beautiful person is all it took. She is the one who accepted me, she is the one who demonstrated self love to me and it was her who gave me the upmost confidence within myself. She was proud of me and she continuously showered me with love, endlessy. I love her.
I have come to a point in my life where I feel that everything I have achieved is because of her. Everything I do now reflects that. She is special to me, and her teachings will always be treasured deep within my heart.
I am a firm believer of the saying that goes “people come into your life either as a lesson or a blessing”. She truly is a blessing to me. I believe she came into my life for a reason. Her presence in my life will always leave a mark on me.
At first when it all happened. I was kind of confused. I mean, when I met her.
We initially were very good friends during college until she left to go University to do her Foundation year.
I did feel some type of way for her but she left and I didn't see her again until 3/4 years later. We kept in contact through social media like Snapchat and the good old WhatsApp, but it wasn’t the same.
She was one of the first people I opened up to about myself and my sexual preferences. I did expect a lot of grief because she was a complete different religion to me — but she took me by surprise.
She Accepted Me.
We fell in love instantly, I couldn’t go a day without her. I needed her, she needed me. It was addicting. Our love was exclusive, it was an addiction.
I wanted her because she fuelled me and made me feel so alive. Everytime I would go to visit her, I would feel myself being lovestruck and lost in my own fantasy world. I always felt butterflies around her, and I still continue to feel that way. Things started to become even more intense from the beginning of our relationship.
I used to visit her house around 6/7 in the evening and leave at like 5 or 6am the next Morning. We would stay up all night in bed caressing each other, talking and sharing our deepest secrets. I couldn’t stop myself, I just wanted her lips all over mine. I loved feeling her so close to me. We couldn’t stop making out with each other, it felt so good.
Stay Tuned for PT II. | https://medium.com/@infamoust3e/meeting-you-gave-me-a-million-reasons-to-love-again-1ea441903d21 | [] | 2020-07-08 19:19:43.998000+00:00 | ['Love Letters', 'Love', 'Gay', 'LGBTQ', 'Self Love'] |
Data Acquisition 7 | An Introduction to the Amazon Web Services | Launch a New Server
In this case, we are going to launch a deep learning server with Ubuntu 18.04.
Recall what we have done in the last section and select the t2.medium type (with 2 CPU cores and 4 GB memory),
Then we launch the server and then choose the connection tag to connect. Make sure you understand this, or you may refer to the last session where we have talked a little about AWS,
Now, let’s install all the dependences,
pip install --upgrade pip
pip install numpy Flask
conda update -n base conda
conda install gunicorn
2. File Transfer
(1) Transformation Based on Copy and Paste
Suppose we have a file named awstest.md and the content of it is,
$ cat awstest.md
Hello Word
Hi
Good to know you
Then the most easy way (not cool at all) to do the the file transformation is by copy and paste. First, we copy the content of the awstest.md file, then in our ssh connection, we type in,
ubuntu@ip-172-31-32-243:~$ cat > awstest.md
then paste the content and then press control-c to quit
Hello Word
Hi
Good to know you
^C
to check the file, we can use,
ubuntu@ip-172-31-32-243:~$ cat awstest.md
then, the output should be
Hello Word
Hi
Good to know you
(2) Transformation Based on scp
The scp command is the secure copy command which can be used to transfer files through ssh.
By the following command, we will transfer our file to the server through ssh and name the file awstest.md as hi.md in the home directory.
$ scp -i privatekey.pem awstest.md [email protected]:~/hi.md
Remember to change the connection information [email protected] part to your own. Based on the network traffic speed, it may take time for the files to be transferred. You have to wait until you see something like,
awstest.md 100% 31 0.1KB/s 00:00
From the server, then we can check whether the file is successfully transferred.
ubuntu@ip-172-31-32-243:~$ cat hi.md
Hello Word
Hi
Good to know you
(3) Set up a Flask Server
Again, we have our python script as,
Then we use scp to transfer this script to the server,
$ scp -i privatekey.pem flaskpage_argu.py [email protected]:~/server.py
After this, we then run our python script on the server,
ubuntu@ip-172-31-32-243:~$ python server.py
* Serving Flask app "server" (lazy loading)
* Environment: production
WARNING: This is a development server. Do not use it in a production deployment.
Use a production WSGI server instead.
* Debug mode: off
* Running on http://127.0.0.1:5000/ (Press CTRL+C to quit)
We may think that we can now get an access to the server by its public IP address (find in the instance information page of the AWS console) and the port 5000, however, when we try to access the URL:
in our browser, then we can not get anything. Again, this is because of the firewall rules. We then open the port 5000 with TCP for all IP address (0.0.0.0/0).
Also, to make your server openly accessed by the other computers, also, we have to make the flask run on 0.0.0.0.
ubuntu@ip-172-31-32-243:~$ vi server.py
edit,
app.run('0.0.0.0')
then save and quit the vim.
Launch the server by,
ubuntu@ip-172-31-32-243:~$ python server.py
Great, now we can have access to our public IP address port 5000, open a browser and type in,
http://<public ip>:5000/
You can find the page there! That’s all you need to know about AWS. | https://medium.com/adamedelwiess/data-acquisition-7-an-introduction-to-the-amazon-web-services-e927c68132cb | ['Adam Edelweiss'] | 2020-11-13 19:08:50.181000+00:00 | ['Data Acquisition', 'Firewall', 'AWS', 'Flask', 'Data Science'] |
These Los Gatos restaurants wanted to defy Santa Clara County’s new health order. Here’s why. | On Saturday, Dec. 5, the morning after the news broke that outdoor dining would be coming to an end in Santa Clara County in just two days (rather than in the expected weeks), a group of Los Gatos restaurant owners gathered in both frustration and strategy.
They talked about staying open in defiance of the new stay-at-home order and other forms of protest. Should they hire a lawyer and follow the lead of Southern California restaurants that have fought an outdoor dining ban with legal action? Should they stop paying sales taxes? What if they shut down en masse for a week, driving the point home about the devastation of the local restaurant industry? Being open for only takeout is like dying a slow death, one owner said, when they’re already “at death’s door.”
Many were angry and determined to fight back against what they felt was an unfair prohibition on outdoor dining. One owner compared their approach to the Boston Tea Party while others pitched a quieter kind of revolution — letting customers eat takeout food at outdoor tables without technically serving them.
More than 30 restaurant owners from Los Gatos, Saratoga, Campbell and Sunnyvale attended the in-person meeting (which this reporter listened to remotely on the phone via a meeting participant). It was organized by Los Gatos Food & Wine, a subgroup of the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber of Commerce’s executive director attended as well as the Los Gatos town attorney.
“People are trying to make tough calls right now. Should I shut down permanently until we’re allowed to operate in a month or should I stay open? And if they stay open, that means layoffs or furlough(ing) a bunch of employees. Ultimately I think that’s where people are the most upset,” Kevin Youkilis, owner of Loma Brewing Company in Los Gatos and co-chair of the Food & Wine group, said in an interview after the meeting. “What we said from day one was: If you’re going to restrict us from operating, then we need help.”
The meeting reflected a mounting frustration among local restaurateurs who understand the need for stricter public health mandates but can’t help but feel like they and their employees are being left behind. And they’re not alone in their desire to defy: Restaurateurs in Danville said they would continue serving customers outdoors, according to media reports, while unmasked diners are frequenting open dining rooms in rural Mariposa County. A group of restaurants in Contra Costa County has filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn the outdoor dining ban. | https://thesixfifty.com/these-los-gatos-restaurants-wanted-to-defy-the-new-health-order-heres-why-1f6817b875bf | ['Elena Kadvany'] | 2020-12-17 19:01:53.063000+00:00 | ['Silicon Valley', 'Bay Area', 'Restaurant Business', 'California', 'Foodies'] |
The True Value of Social Media | Over the past ten years, social media has gone from “probably a passing fad” to a strategic imperative. Brands are dedicating significant resources to cultivating a rich online presence and every year, marketers invest more and more in their overall social strategy. The hotel industry has been particularly active in the social media space, using this digital channel to not only engage with existing customers but also capture the attention of prospective guests.
Yet despite its growing popularity in marketing strategies, social media — or rather the value of social media — remains elusive. Unlike traditional media that, for the most part, delivers quantifiable ROI, social media’s effectiveness is correlative at best. What metric is most effective? Should brands count “likes,” “tweets,” or “posts?” Do these actions translate into sales? How do marketers know that their investment is actually growing their bottom line? Even independent surveys and studies on the subject seem to contradict each other. In a 2013 study, Forrester Consulting found that people who engaged daily with a brand on social media were likely to make twice as many purchases with that brand as someone who only engages monthly. Yet according to a Gallup survey, 62% of U.S. adults who use social media say these sites have no influence on purchasing decisions.
Source: The True Value of Social Media, by Stevi McCoy | https://medium.com/bizcatalyst-360/the-true-value-of-social-media-b29687daac23 | [] | 2016-08-18 11:23:31.807000+00:00 | ['Marketing', 'Credit Linked Note', 'Content Marketing', 'Audience', 'Digital Marketing'] |
I Want to See More Political Ads | Said no one in Georgia ever!
Please, God. January 5th can’t get here soon enough!
In case you have been living under a rock, there are not one but two senate runoff elections in Georgia.
Georgia, the state that President Trump lost his re-election bid 3 times in one month. Georgia the state that hasn’t elected a Democrat to the senate since 2000.
Here in Georgia, we balk at political pressure. We are unaccustomed to being the deciding factor between whether the President’s agenda is fulfilled or becomes mired in grid-lock.
Don’t send any more political ad money to Georgia! We have had enough!
The future of our country currently lies in the hands of Atlanta liberals and rural rednecks and if we see any more political ads we are going to write in Donald Trump or Barack Obama! | https://medium.com/@georgia-anne-hayes/i-want-to-see-more-political-ads-cac631916001 | ['Georgia Anne Hayes'] | 2020-12-22 13:53:02.514000+00:00 | ['Politics', 'Campaign', 'Georgia Senate Runoff', 'Short Form', 'Political Ads'] |
The Inseparable Elements of a Viral Headline | Have you ever wondered why some stories do extremely well-gathering tens and thousands of views but some just get buried under the soil despite the fact that they are curated? When I was curated for the first time writing here on medium after writing almost 30 stories, I thought if I had achieved it and all the views and fans will pour in automatically.
But that never happened. Out of the 5 articles that were distributed to a wider audience by medium creators, none of them have even reached near to 1000 views. So, I thought of digging dip into why they were not doing so well and why are some stories doing extremely well.
I analyzed over 50+ viral stories on the medium that had at least 10K claps and what were they doing things that I was not doing. And there I found one common pattern in all of those stories. They all had an extremely good headline that would hardly let me skip. And you all know how important a headline is to get views and more exposure to your story.
Headlines are the first part of your story that your audience will see. Therefore, you should make sure that it captures the attention of every potential reader. I studied how the headlines of viral stories were so compelling. I found a pattern in all of those viral headlines and all of them were using formula type thing. I narrowed down to 3 things that they were doing in their headlines. Here’s why the headlines were so compelling that made it hard for us(readers) to skip them. | https://medium.com/honest-creative/the-inseparable-elements-of-a-viral-headline-a94fd739566a | ['Prakash Joshi Pax'] | 2020-12-11 11:02:55.743000+00:00 | ['Creativity', 'Blogging', 'Headlines', 'Writing', 'Writing Tips'] |
Multi-product service desk and employee experiences? | A multi-brand service desk provides an integrated experience for multiple departments or support channels while maintaining individual identity. Let’s dive deeper into the multi-brand service desk and enhance the employee experience in the new remote work culture.
What is a multi-brand Service Desk?
In general, multi-brand support portals can be managed and managed centrally within a single helpdesk implementation. This means you can offer different content and brands for each support portal.
It is a great advantage for many organizations looking for a help desk that scales to use the same support tool and staff across multiple portals and maintain full control over workflows, branding, and content.
What is the use of a multi-brand helpdesk?
Using a multi-brand helpdesk can provide great value in many situations and situations:
Internal and external support
It helps internal employees when they have a question or need support and helps new customers who come to the page.
Numerous services
Provide differentiated support across departments and categories for various inquiries and requests.
Multi-brand
It serves as a self-service portal that allows people to get the information they need in 15 seconds, unlike traditional and outdated SharePoint content, which means that tickets are automatically generated if they feel their information is unsatisfactory.
A / B Test
Experiment to find out which portal supports, content, and processes get the most engagement with employees. | https://medium.com/@iswaryarezolve/multi-product-service-desk-and-employee-experiences-1bfe90116aed | ['Iswarya Rezolve'] | 2021-03-22 18:47:57.793000+00:00 | ['Ai Service Desk', 'Ai Services', 'Advanced Ai Service Desk', 'Service Design'] |
Diabetic Cyborg Life 12/17: 2020 Will not go Quietly | The chaos and sadness most associated with the year 2020 will extend well into 2021. The massive effects of COVID and poor leadership of 45 will haunt us like a bad case of COVID that refuses to die. Reluctance to take the vaccines and further refusal of Senate Republicans to act when needed will drive a stake into the heart of hope that Biden’s rise might bring.
The political vampire, that I see now is Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, will make all efforts to change the disastrous COVID response all but silent. The January runoff elections in Georgia are in many ways as important as the November election itself. Thank you to 45 for misinforming his and many GOP followers into thinking it’s all rigged, so no need to vote.
Rarely, can we thank the leader of the worst of the two sides for making his supporters NOT vote in an election. With any hope, those lies of 45 will give the majority to Biden and the Democrats in the new year. Garbage politics often fail those who use them to gain power is what I find in my study of political science.
Junk beliefs will empower you yes, but that same trash can rebound and knock you right off your dais of authority. Please, just don’t see this in time to alter the outcome those of you who are fools of the GOP. | https://medium.com/adam-the-diabetic-cyborg-daily/diabetic-cyborg-life-12-17-2020-will-not-go-quietly-df2f2931727 | ['Adam', 'Diabetic Cyborg'] | 2020-12-17 06:03:42.946000+00:00 | ['Life', 'Biden Harris 2020', 'Democrats', 'Optimism', 'Election 2020'] |
What to Say When Someone Brings Up Racism Against White People | Will, the biggest kid in class, and Brian, the smallest kid in class, get into a fight one day at recess. Let’s even say Brian hits first, pretty hard (for him), doing almost no damage. Then Will hits him back, equally hard, breaking his nose. There are two things going on here. First, the act of hitting someone is bad. That’s true no matter who you are and no matter whom you’re hitting. But second is the reality of the situation, and the reality is one of those assaults did much more damage than the other. Because there was already a power imbalance going in. Will is probably going to get a bigger punishment than Brian, and he might ask, “how is that fair? Brian hit me too, and he hit me first. Why do I get a worse punishment just because I happen to be bigger and stronger?” And he’d have a point. But he also knew before he threw a punch that he, unlike Brian, was in danger of seriously injuring his opponent. Judging Will more harshly for doing the same thing is unfair, but that unfairness is a direct result of the unfair situation.
In case the title of this article didn’t give it away, here’s the twist: Will is white people, Brian is black people, and punching is racism. Of course, Will could also be men, Brian could be women, and punching could be sexism. It works many ways.
My point is, there are many, mostly white, people who don’t see a qualitative difference between anti-black racism and anti-white racism, even if they concede there’s more of the first than the second. “Why can black people make up names for white people, but we can’t use slurs like the n-word?” “I’m not privileged — a black person was racist against me because I’m white.” Or, most unfortunately, “why do we always have to discuss and condemn racism against black people specifically? Can’t we just say that all racism is bad? I mean, all racism is bad, right?” I want these people to think of Will. Will shows that the unquestionable universality of the moral principle “hitting is bad” can’t erase the obvious disparity of the situation. It was wrong of Brian to throw a punch, just as it was wrong of Will. But it was obviously not a fair fight, and the consequences bore that out. It is not scandalous to acknowledge that black people have suffered far more from racism than white people, and the difference is not only in degree but in character. Bear in mind, too, Brian has been dealing with bigger kids his whole life, and (in this example) Will has been dealing with smaller kids his whole life. Will had a lot less to lose by walking away.
There’s a big difference, though. Will didn’t have any choice about being bigger than Brian. He couldn’t share his muscles or give Brian a magic pill to make him bigger. White people, by contrast, are absolutely able to share our power. So to all white people who are tired of their word choice being so critically important: yes. We all agree. Hopefully, one day, your words will receive far less scrutiny and criticism. Because white people will no longer be in charge of everything, so our words won’t carry the weight they do now. Personally, I’m looking forward to it. | https://medium.com/@clairelkaplan/what-to-say-when-someone-brings-up-racism-against-white-people-2c6e3900347e | ['Claire Kaplan'] | 2020-11-05 23:39:53.785000+00:00 | ['Racial Justice', 'Racism', 'Race', 'Institutional Racism'] |
DTX trading is now enabled on CoinFalcon! | The DataBroker DAO team is happy to announce that the DTX token is available for trading on CoinFalcon, a European cryptocurrency exchange based in the United Kingdom. Starting today, you can now start depositing your DTX tokens on CoinFalcon as it is the first exchange to list the DTX token!
CoinFalcon is also organising a Battle — the top DTX traders will be awarded 115,000 DTX!
Join our Telegram channel for all information and questions! | https://medium.com/databrokerdao/dtx-trading-is-now-enabled-on-coinfalcon-372568ac26c1 | ['Frank Van Geertruyden'] | 2018-07-07 09:08:49.365000+00:00 | ['Exchange', 'Ethereum', 'Coinfalcon'] |
Travelling With Children — Tips For Staying Sane | There are dozens of horrible stories about a travelling for vacation. In many cases, the problems could have been averted through proper planning.
Be wise about food allergies when going to a foreign country in order to avoid bad liaisons. If you are allergic to certain foods, it is important for you to learn terminology for words pertaining to foods and their preparation so that you can prevent an allergic reaction. This will give you to communicate to others what foods you have an allergy to so that they can be kept out of your meals.
Be aware of people pretending to be officials when you are travelling in a strange city. Do not let anyone your passport unless you are sure they are legitimate. Do not get into a vehicle with a local who you don’t know.
Sign yourself up for a travel prices. This allows you to enter your destination and the prices of places you to any price change. When the prices of the hotel or airfares drop to the level of your choosing, you’re going to get an alert. This will prevent you from checking the site daily. If you happen to be in Oxted than book Oxted taxi and travel in style.
Find out if online tickets are available, look for ways to have them ahead of time, if you travel to an amusement park or other specific attraction. The small fee per ticket for such a service is well worth it to avoid long lines. If the park uses a timed entry system, you can generally bypass these, too. Bring a business card from your hotel while you at all times. It is especially useful for those who may experience language barriers.
The mark-up on these conveniently sized products is disproportionate compared to the amount of space that you save. Try out some folding your clothes in innovative ways that will take less space. These minimizing tricks will help you create additional space in a smaller space. You don’t want to have to be annoyed by constant construction while on vacation.
Avoid rush hour traffic when travelling by car. If you can’t plan your trip where you won’t be driving during rush hour, use rush hour time to take a break. This is the optimal time to grab a bite. Sleeping pills or tranquilizers can help you through a red-eye flight. It can be very hard to get sleep on a plane with all the noise, the different surroundings, machine noise and people milling about.
Try a sleeping pill might help get you some rest on a long flight go by more quickly. Don’t take these prior to take-off, as a delay or problem may require that the plane returns. Sign up for online newsletters offered by most major airlines. The savings you will enjoy will more than make up for having to deal with a few more items in your email address.
Think about the various ways of travelling. Buses have a long way. You might find bundle deals from some lines to make your travel planning a cinch. Book Oxted airport transfers for timely transfers.
It’s easy to see that planning well for your vacation can prevent your dream vacation from becoming a nightmare. With the information you have obtained in this article, it is now possible for you to enjoy your vacation stress free! | https://medium.com/traveltipsandtricks/travelling-with-children-tips-for-staying-sane-1199d4e1b639 | ['David Jones'] | 2021-07-07 15:27:25.060000+00:00 | ['Road Trips', 'Tourism', 'Travelling', 'Oxted Taxi', 'Oxted Airport Transfers'] |
IBM Watson Loves Apple to the CoreML | Part 1 — Setting up Image Recognition Models in Watson Studio
This Article Has Three Parts
Part 1 — Setting up Image Recognition Models in Watson Studio
Part 2 — Swift Coding with Watson SDK and CoreML
Part 3 — CoreML Image Effects (under construction)
The engineers at IBM and Apple have formed an exciting AI joint venture. This article will explain how these two giants have made your life, as a developer, easier and more productive.
The combo of Watson and CoreML has everything from friendly online model training tools to fast onboard image classification. It’s got the stuff we want.
Aliens vs AI
They came, they saw, we conquered
I’m working on an App for detecting those strange visitors from other worlds with just a mobile device. For example, you might want to know a persons origin before you marry them. Or perhaps you prefer an alien.
To win this battle, we need to expose those visitors with tools we mere Terrans do not have. With Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, we have a fighting chance. Our game plan is to use Watson and CoreML as our Alien Hunters. We shall defend our island.
Let’s dive deeper into how Watson and CoreML work
Think of Watson as your classification model manager. Upload photos and train your models. Then use CoreML to classify photos right on the device. There is no need to upload photos to Watson in the cloud. You classify the images at their source, on the mobile device. No internet connection is even required with CoreML.
You ask, how does CoreML use the Watson models, if the trained models are in the IBM cloud? The trick is to grab the latest models and save them on the device for use with CoreML. Don’t worry, IBM has made that trick easy. There’s a function to download the latest models once to avoid uploading images for classification everytime.
It works something like this:
Here is a glance at some Swift Code using IBM’s visualRecognition to update your model, when connected to the wire, and then classify an image with CoreML.
There’s an intro on coding towards the end of this article.
Then checkout Part 2 — Swift Coding with Watson SDK and CoreML for more in-depth examples.
Now let’s look at using IBM Watson to build and train your models. Then we can dig deeper into some code for updating the models and finally classifying the images right on the device with CoreML.
Build a Visual Recognition Model
Step 1 For Watson Studio, first signup for the IBM Cloud. Click here to begin.
Important - You must be signed up and logged into the IBM cloud before you can signup for IBM Watson.
Step 2 After you have managed to login to the IBM Cloud, Signup for IBM Watson Studio.
In the lower right corner of the page below, there is a button for starting a conversation with IBM support people. Use this button on any pages where you get stuck. They are great.
The only issue I found with this help is that the conversation window does not always follow you around as you navigate to different pages. I found myself wanting to yell “are you still there?” Perhaps in some future update they can float the help.
Also, if you get lost, click the IBM Watson logo on the top left of any page to bring you back to the the Watson Studio home page.
Once you are in the Watson Studio the top of your screen should look like this:
For Swift code to access the recognition models, it is best to start by creating a new project. We will do that, but from my experience, the best place to go next is to Services and create a Visual Recognition Service.
Step 3 Create a Visual Recognition Service
From that studio menu, select Services, then Watson Services and then look for Visual Recognition as shown here and “add” it.
When adding your Visual Recognition Service, you will have the choice of a Free or a Standard pricing plan. I urge you to select the Standard plan. Otherwise, it is easy to get stuck. The Standard is very inexpensive to begin with and you will be able to train more than one custom model. And honestly, for now, things just do not work correctly with the new CoreML tech with the free plan. It gets confused if you delete the only custom model and try again.
Step 4 Create a new Project
Select + New Project
From the next screen you are able to include services in your project. You might even see the Visual Recognition Service. But to keep things clean for now, select Basic. That avoids adding any residual services that you do not need right now.
Step 5 Associate your Visual Recognition Service with your new Project
From your new Project menu select Settings.
Then scroll down to Associated Services and add your Image Recognition Service to your project. This is how you add any services to your project in the future.
Step 6 Create a Custom Model
From the Watson Studio->Services->Watson Services. Then select Launch tool for your service. You will see a screen with an option to create a Custom Model. Go ahead and Create the Model.
Step 7 Create classes, upload images in Zip Files and train your custom model and it’s classes.
It is important that you name your custom model before you begin training.
So here I have a class for Aliens and another Class for Humans. This project will get more sophisticated eventually as we track down those off world invaders. But you can see how easy it is to start the machine learning process with Watson.
Now you might be wondering where you can get images for training if you don’t have them. I would recommend sites with open source images for any use like www.pixabay.com and www.unsplash.com
Major Update
If your service was created before May 23rd, 2018, to be GDPR compliant, you must recreate your service or it will be deleted. Now that seems simple enough. Just delete the old VR Service and build a new one. But then you will have a new API Key that is used differently. IBM changed the way you specify the API Key. See how to use the new API Key in the next section on coding. And don’t forget to create a new service if you already have one created before May 23rd, 2018.
How to update your models.
The best way to update an existing model is to zip any new images you want to add to an existing model class. If you try to delete an existing Class, you will get an error because it was already trained.
So upload your additional files in a new zip. Don’t include the prior images for that same class. Once uploaded, drag the zip with the new images to the related class. Watson Studio will then add those images to the class. Next Train your model again.
Don’t Dream It. Code It!
The best documentation I’ve found for setting up Watson frameworks in a Swift Xcode project are found here on this Quick Start Guide for the IBM Swift-SDK. Read this first.
Now look at an IBM sample project On GitHub. This is a good demo project for using Watson with CoreML. Just click this link to explore the Visual Recognition with Core ML sample.
There are two swift examples in the project. The one you will be most interested in is CoreML Vision Custom. This combines Watson with CoreML. You will need Xcode 9 or later and iOS 11.0 or later.
Step 1 Getting the files
As described on Github, clone the sample repository locally, or download the .zip file of the repository and extract the files.
Step 2 Add the Watson frameworks into this sample project
The sample Github page kind of tells you how to install the IBM libraries, but not well. Unlike many frameworks on Github that use CocoaPods, IBM uses Carthage. Not a problem if you use the right docs. Otherwise you might get lost.
Step 3 Provide your model key and classifier
Once you have the IBM swift-SDK and the Visual Recognition framework setup in your project you are ready to move on. The Github sample documentation talks about providing the Watson Model ID and the classifierID to the App. You will need to provide these for any models you create on Watson that you want to use in an App. Here’s what they tell you to do on Github.
Adding the classifierId and apiKey to the project
These docs are a little confusing because ModelID and classifierID are the same thing
Open the project in XCode. Copy the Model ID and paste it into the classifierID property in the ImageClassificationViewController file. Copy your api_key and paste it into the apiKey property in the ImageClassificationViewController file.
Ok, so where to find your api-key and Model ID (classifierID)?
Back to Watson Studio. From the Watson Studio, you should see your Watson Services. Click on your visual recognition service, then select credentials and then on that page select view credentials. You should have a screen like the one below. The api-key is marked out in red. You want to copy the key between the quotes.
If you service is was created after May 23rd 2018, then find your apikey here:
You will still use the API key, but in your code there are two ways to initialize the VisualRecognition Class now. They just flipped the position of the key and version to provide two methods.
// Old Way before May 23rd 2018 self.visualRecognition = VisualRecognition(apiKey: apiKey, version: version) // New Way after May 23rd 2018 self.visualRecognition = VisualRecognition(version: version, apiKey: apiKey)
For the Model ID, click the Overview tab. Then scroll down to your trained custom model and copy the model ID.
Step 4 Test the Custom Model with the App
From the Github docs follow these steps and have a go at it.
Open QuickstartWorkspace.xcworkspace in Xcode. Select the Core ML Vision Custom scheme. Run the application in the simulator or on a device. Classify an image by clicking the camera icon and selecting a photo from your photo library. To add a custom image in the simulator, drag the image from the Finder to the simulator window. Pull new versions of the visual recognition model with the refresh button in the bottom right. Tip: The classifier status must be Ready to use it. Check the classifier status in Watson Studio on the Visual Recognition instance overview page.
Note* Only Custom Watson models are available for download and use with CoreML. The Watson built-in models will not work. After trying and failing, I got the official scoop from IBM tech support.
Be sure to checkout Part 2 — Swift Coding with Watson SDK and CoreML
Part 2 dives into coding our project and gets you started with the Watson SDK from IBM. I will post the Xcode project on Github when complete.
In Part 3 (under construction) I’ll show you how to wow your users with CoreML style transfer effects. We need to see what that off world visitor looks like when exposed.
If you have something else you would like included in a lesson on Watson and CoreML, please let me know.
Thanks for reading! | https://roba-44875.medium.com/ibm-watson-loves-apple-to-the-coreml-7b0412e28b3c | ['Rob Adamson'] | 2018-12-20 05:06:47.935000+00:00 | ['Coreml', 'Machine Learning', 'Aliens', 'iOS', 'IBM'] |
Mystery Rack Man, Body of Murder Victim Tied to Pole | Mystery Rack Man, Body of Murder Victim Tied to Pole
A murder case is a criminal case that will always attract anyone’s attention. Because there is a challenge when those who investigate the case must find out how the victim was killed and why there are people who can take the lives of victims. It is even more dizzying if the identity of the victim can not be immediately known and the victim killed unnaturally.
That’s the kind of thing that’s the Rack Man case, the case of the discovery of the body of a murder victim in Australia in 1994. The case has still not been solved to this day and was often touted as the most baffling murder case ever committed in Australia.
It all started on August 11, 1994, a local fisherman named Mark Peterson was sailing on his boat on the Hawkesbury River, north of Sydney. The weather looks sunny and at first glance, the day will be no different from the usual days. But that was before Peterson found something underwater that would confuse him.
When Peterson was pulling his way under the water, the net was heavy. At first, Peterson didn’t feel suspicious. Instead, he felt happy and curious because normally, heavy nets indicate that there is a lot of fish caught.
After struggling, Peterson finally managed to pull the net out completely from the water. It was only then that Peterson realized that the object stuck in his path was not a fish or anything like that, but a metal pole shaped like a fishbone or across with a lot of eyes. On the cross pole, there was a large plastic bag attached to the pole.
A bewildered Peterson then decided to take a closer look at what was inside the plastic bag. Then he saw a bone in it. Confused by the discovery, Peterson decided to report his findings to the police.
When the police finally arrived, the police immediately carried out an examination of the bones in the plastic bag. Based on the examination, the police concluded that the bone was a human skeleton bone. According to police, at first, the poor man was tied to a metal pole while covered with plastic, then disowned into the river.
Unable to escape, the man then drowned on the spot. Over time, the body rotted until finally left the skeleton bones tied to the pole. Police also found that while strapped to a pole, the man was wearing a polo shirt and training pants. But other than that, there are no Identity cards or other objects that can be used by the police to identify the victim.
To get more information about the case, the police then took the body to the police station. Based on a more in-depth examination, the victim was identified as a black-haired man and aged between 21 and 46 years old. The victim was known to have died by being hit with a blunt object on his head. After his death, the victim was tied to a pillar and cast into the river.
The victim was thought to have been killed on January 11, 1993, and has been submerged underwater for about a year. Because the victim’s body had been damaged by being too under the sea, police could not analyze the victim’s fingerprints to determine his identity.
An examination was also carried out on a metal pole tied to the victim’s body. Instead of giving a bright spot, the analysis on the metal pole actually makes the police more amazed as well as confused. Because the metal pole was known to be not just ordinary metal bars combined in origin.
Whoever made this metal pole, is known to be very experienced in his field because this metal pole looks very neat. Police even suspected that the metal poles were assembled in such a way as to match the victim’s posture. And because these metal poles are so heavy, the police estimate that the perpetrators did not work alone. But the identity of the perpetrator, his motive for committing murder, and the reasons why he bothered to make metal poles are all still a mystery to the police.
Feeling that their investigation hit a dead end, the police then made a reconstruction of the victim’s face while still alive and published his image to the media. Police hope that if anyone recognizes the victim’s face, then the police can get clues to help solve the case. To attract public interest, the police also promised lucrative prize money.
While waiting for information from those who may know the identity of the victim, police also sought advice from garment factories about the clothes the victim was wearing, as well as to metal experts as to whether they had information about metal poles that were spraining the victim’s body.
Police are also investigating missing person cases while looking for a match with the case. DNA and dental tests were carried out to help uncover the victim’s identity. But again, all these efforts did not succeed in bringing the expected results. Because the victim’s identity was unknown, local media later dubbed the victim by the alias “The Rack Man.”
For more than 20 years everything related to Rack Man has been shrouded in a fog of mystery. But in 2018, the police finally managed to find out the identity of the victim. The victim was known to be Max Tancevski, a 37-year-old man known to have a hobby of gambling.
One of the reasons why police believe Tancevski was the victim’s real identity is because Tancevski was reportedly never seen again after January 11, 1993, the date of the victim’s death. An examination of the victim’s account also found that before he disappeared, Tancevski had withdrawn a large amount of money from his own account.
By looking at these things, the police also estimated that Tancevski was in debt and he withdrew money from his account to pay the debt. But either because the money wasn’t enough or paying the debtor for some other reason, the in debt got angry and then killed Tancevski.
Suppose Tancevski was killed because he couldn’t pay his debts, then why did his body have to be tied to a metal pole of strange shape? If the one who killed Tancevski was a criminal gang, then disposing of his body in such circumstances could be intended as a way to show that if anyone was looking for trouble with the gang, then the person in question will have the same luck as Tancevski.
Some have speculated that Tancevski was killed by a heretical group. If the one who killed Tancevski was indeed them, then that could explain why Tancevski’s body was found in such unnatural conditions that it was part of their ritual beliefs.
Although Rack Man’s identity has been known, the perpetrator of his murder is still unknown until now. The police and the general public can only guess about who committed the murder and what their motives were to commit murder and dispose of the body in this way. Just as Rack Man was hidden underwater and his whereabouts have been unnoticed by the public, the answer to this case seems to still be hidden and will not be solved anytime soon. | https://medium.com/the-crime-scene/mystery-rack-man-body-of-murder-victim-tied-to-pole-3d3d5043c726 | ['Alienworkshop'] | 2020-12-27 20:48:31.868000+00:00 | ['Unsloved Mysteries', 'Mystery', 'True Crime', 'Crime', 'Murder'] |
Fun Activities for Winter During COVID | Like other parts of the country, the state of Massachusetts is preparing for another surge of COVID cases after the Christmas and New Year holidays. There will be further restrictions including higher capacity limits at restaurants, theaters, performance venues, personal services, casinos, offices, places of worship, retail, golf facilities, libraries, gyms and museums, etc. and new gathering limits at private homes outdoors and indoors. With COVID fatigue, it is particularly difficult to fight the winter blues under these circumstances. Nonetheless, we should pick ourselves up, bundle up, and grab some sunshine and fresh air outside to cheer ourselves up!
Don’t forget that there are plenty of heating options to make fun activities possible, such as patio heaters, hot tubs, outdoor fireplaces and fire pits. So stock up on firewood or schedule for regular propane deliveries so that you never run out. Here are some suggestions for fun outdoor activities for winter.
Playing with Snow
This is not only fun but also great exercise for the whole family. Making a snow man is classic, but you can go further by building a snow fort, a whole family or village of snow people, organize a snowman competition with neighbors, etc. Start a snow fight to spice up the fun!
When you begin to feel the cold, make some hot chocolate and warm up near a fire. Toast some marshmallows and add into your hot chocolate — hmm, yummy!
Bird and Animal Watching
With the foliage gone, winter is a great time for bird and animal watching. Set up some birdfeeders to draw birds to your backyard or garden. You may spot some red cardinals and bluebirds quite easily, but goldfinches, sparrows, doves and wrens are also common. There are squirrels, chipmunks and depending on where you live, you might even spot a deer.
If you love taking pictures, birds and animals are great subjects, but not easy to photograph. However, you can readily capture stunning winter scenes such as snow-covered landscapes, icicles on trees, frozen lakes and rivers, you name it.
Stargazing
On clear nights, enjoy stargazing while relaxing in a heated pool or soaking in a bubbly hot tub or heated pool. Play some festive music or romantic music, depending on your mood.
Stay healthy while you enjoy the outdoors. Keep off-the-counter cough and cold medicines, skin care and pain relief products in the house just in case. Watch for snow stains on your clothes and remove them before throwing the clothing into the washing machine. If you use a laundry service in Boston, it would be a good idea to put a note about the stains in the laundry bag.
Winter can be fun even during the pandemic. Stay active and upbeat. With the help of vaccines, we can look forward to a healthier and happier Spring! | https://medium.com/@homelife/fun-activities-for-winter-during-covid-4fc2b0271033 | ['The Blogger'] | 2020-12-27 20:44:36.635000+00:00 | ['Winter Photography', 'Bird Watching', 'Winter', 'Propane For Heating', 'Outdoor Activities'] |
The best smart garage door controllers deliver convenience and peace of mind | The best smart garage door controllers deliver convenience and peace of mind Madari Dec 17, 2020·5 min read
The garage door opener, in some ways, marks the smart home’s genesis. Radio-controlled remotes for electric garage door openers date back to 1931, predating the TV remote by nearly 20 years. So, it’s funny that modern smart home technology, which ties wireless with internet-based technology, has been relatively slow to reach the garage door. Relatively few companies compete in this market today, and many of their products feel designed more for guys who like to tinker in their workshops than folks looking to develop a soup-to-nuts smart home.
The good news is that these devices are definitely improving in both simplicity and capability, and while the garage door might remain a bit of an outlier in your smart home for the foreseeable future, adding a smart garage door controller to your setup offers some real advantages. Not only will you be able to open and shut the door from anywhere—letting in guests, relatives, or delivery people—you’ll also know whether the door is open or closed in real time.
Updated December 9, 2020 to add our Meross Smart Wi-Fi Garage Door Controller review. This inexpensive gadget isn’t the easiest smart home device to install, but its low cost and good performance make it worth considering if our top pick in this category—the Chamberlain myQ—doesn’t work out for you.
If you’re one of those people who frequently forget to close the door—or if you fret over whether you remembered to shut it as you headed out on a two-week road trip—you’ll definitely want to make the investment.
Here’s our top pick in this market, followed by a list of features you should consider when shopping for a smart garage door controller, and links to our reviews of other products in this category.
[ Further reading: The best video doorbells ]Best smart garage door controller Chamberlain myQ Smart Garage Door Hub (MYQ-G0301) Read TechHive's reviewSee itThis top-notch smart garage door controller can handle two doors at once—although that second sensor costs three times as much as the entire single-door kit.
This is a real no-brainer: The Chamberlain myQ is the easiest smart garage door controller to set up, the most functional controller on the market, and, it’s the least expensive on the market—by a wide margin. The all-wireless system means you don’t have to tinker with running new wiring to your garage door opener, and a single Hub can control two doors (if you buy a second sensor—which costs about as much as the hub-and-sensor kit). The app is simple to configure and use, and the system supports a small but growing number of smart home ecosystems, including HomeKit. The myQ isn’t compatible with every opener, but if it works with yours—check online before you buy—it’s definitively the one to get.
Runner-up Meross Smart Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener (model MSG100) See itMeross’ installation process might stymie novices, but its low price tag—and good performance—merit strong consideration.
Meross smart home products have left us with mixed emotions. They’re all inexpensive, but value is defined by more than a price tag. The Meross Smart Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener is on the better end of that scale. If Chamberlain’s product doesn’t fit your needs, this one is worth your consideration. (Note: This device is not HomeKit compatible, but Meross offers a separate model that is. It wasn’t available at press time, however, for us to evaluate.)
How to pick the right smart garage door controllerWhile garage door openers come in a vast range of brands, styles, and capabilities, the good news is that you’ll likely be able to find a smart controller that works with your system without much trouble.
As I mentioned above, the Chamberlain myQ is my top pick for a variety of reasons, but because it exclusively relies on wireless technology, it isn’t compatible with every system on the market. To start, visit myQ’s compatibility tool and check whether your existing opener is supported. If it is, and you don’t care that it’s not compatible with Alexa or Samsung SmartThings, your work is done: Get the myQ. If it isn’t, you can either get an all-new opener as Chamberlain suggests (although that won’t resolve the Alexa and SmartThings issues), or delve into the world of wired smart garage door controllers.
Christopher Null / IDG The Nexx NXG-200 must be attached to your garage door opener via wires, and space can be tight depending on your ceiling height.
Actually, upgrading your old, incompatible door opener is not a terrible idea, and new models are more secure and less expensive than you might think. Considering that a wired garage door controller can run you about $100, it’s worth thinking hard about whether you want to pour more money into an outdated system that might be close to failure, or just upgrade it from the start. (Many new openers have smart technology built in, obviating the need for an add-on controller.)
But if you do have an opener that’s incompatible with our top pick, and you want to keep it around, you’ll need a wired controller like the Nexx Garage NXG-200 or the Garadget. Wired controllers. These must be connected to the opener via a pair of wires, so you’ll need to be comfortable with some minor electrical work in order to install them. Like myQ, Nexx offers an online compatibility tool, but here you’re likely to find that Nexx is either compatible straight out of the box, or compatible only with an additional adapter. In other words, wired controllers are generally compatible with everything, or, at least, I haven’t found any openers yet that aren’t compatible with them.
Christopher Null / IDG The Garadget fires a laser once a second at the door to determine whether it is open or closed.As with the product from NEXX, the Garadget must be hardwired to your opener.
The catch involves the adapter. Generally speaking, if you have an older garage door opener, Nexx and Garadget will work with it straight out of the box. If you have a newer opener, you’ll need their adapter as well. This is because newer openers often have a more complex encryption system built in, and a standard push-button remote—which is what wired smart controllers emulate—won’t work with them. The solution is to place a button that is compatible with this encryption in between the controller and the opener: The controller tells the button to activate, which in turn tells the opener to open or close. It’s a little wonky, but in my testing, these setups work just as well as the wireless alternative.
The problem is that it’s just a lot more expensive to do it this way. Purchasing a Nexx and an adapter will run you $105 at press time, and a Garadget plus adapter costs $98. Compare that to the less than $40 you’ll spend on the myQ and there’s really no choice.
Again, if myQ isn’t compatible, either Nexx or Garadget will make for an acceptable alternative, provided you’re willing to spend a little extra to get the job done. We’ll review new products in this space as they come to market and will update our top pick as warranted.
Note: When you purchase something after clicking links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. Read our affiliate link policy for more details. | https://medium.com/@madari96359587/the-best-smart-garage-door-controllers-deliver-convenience-and-peace-of-mind-472a1d5b03bf | [] | 2020-12-17 01:41:45.272000+00:00 | ['Tvs', 'Gear', 'Streaming', 'Headphones'] |
Global Minimally Invasive Surgery Market to be Driven by the Growing Surgical Robots Industry in the Forecast Period of 2021–2026 | Global Minimally Invasive Surgery Market to be Driven by the Growing Surgical Robots Industry in the Forecast Period of 2021–2026 Sofia Williams Dec 21, 2021·4 min read
The new report by Expert Market Research titled, ‘Global Minimally Invasive Surgery Market Report and Forecast 2021–2026’, gives an in-depth analysis of the global minimally invasive surgery market, assessing the market based on its segments like product type, application, end use, and major regions. The report tracks the latest trends in the industry and studies their impact on the overall market. It also assesses the market dynamics, covering the key demand and price indicators, along with analysing the market based on the SWOT and Porter’s Five Forces models.
Global Minimally Invasive Surgery Market
Request a free sample copy in PDF or view the report summary@ https://www.expertmarketresearch.com/reports/minimally-invasive-surgery-market/requestsample
The key highlights of the report include:
Market Overview (2016–2026)
Historical Market Size (2020): USD 39 Billion
Forecast CAGR (2021–2026): 7.8%
Forecast Market Size (2026): USD 61.2 Billion
Minimally invasive surgical procedures are considerably less expensive than in-patient and traditional open operations with comparable results, resulting in substantial benefit for both the patient and the insurance company. On the other hand, minimlly invasive surgeries are performed using minimally invasive laparoscopic cameras and advanced small instruments. Moreover, after minimally invasive surgeries, the healing process is less painful, and patients recover quicker. Surgical robots have revolutionised the field of minimally invasive surgeries, and surgeons are increasingly accepting them, which is a major factor that will drive the growth of the market over the forecast period. The market growth is driven by the increasing adoption of advanced robotics in ASCs, increasing number of surgical procedures, and the advantages of MIS over open surgical techniques.
Industry Definition and Major Segments
Minimally invasive procedures (also referred to as minimally invasive surgeries) are surgical techniques that reduce the size of incisions required, thus reducing wound healing time, discomfort, and infection risk.
Explore the full report with the table of contents@ https://www.expertmarketresearch.com/reports/minimally-invasive-surgery-market
On the basis of product type, the industry is divided into:
Surgical Devices
Laparoscopy Devices
Monitoring and Visualisation Devices
On the basis of application, the industry can be segmented into:
Bariatric Surgery
Breast Surgery
Cardiac Surgery
Cosmetic Surgery
Gastrointestinal Surgery
Gynaecological Surgery
Orthopaedics and Spine Surgery
Thoracic Surgery
Others
Based on end use, the market is classified into:
Hospitals
Clinics
Others
Regionally, the market can be broken down into:
North America
Europe
Asia Pacific
Latin America
Middle East and Africa
Market Trends
The world’s rapidly growing geriatric population and the rising prevalence of chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and kidney disease are propelling the industry forward. Rising technological innovations in handheld instruments, an increase in the number of coronary and percutaneous cardiology interventions, an increase in healthcare spending, an increase in the launch of innovative products, and the development of a teleoperated surgical operated system are contributing to the market’s growth. The expansion of this market is being driven by the increased number of minimally invasive surgical procedures performed in hospitals due to the presence of highly skilled healthcare professionals. The market is being fuelled by an increase in the number of approvals and distribution agreements for robotic surgery systems in hospitals and clinics.
Key Market Players
The major players in the market are Zimmer Biomet, Medtronic, Stryker, Arthrex Inc., B. Braun Melsungen AG, Cook Group, and Eximis Surgical LLC, among others. The report covers the market shares, capacities, plant turnarounds, expansions, investments and mergers and acquisitions, among other latest developments of these market players.
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*We at Expert Market Research always thrive to give you the latest information. The numbers in the article are only indicative and may be different from the actual report. | https://medium.com/@imsofiawilliams/global-minimally-invasive-surgery-market-to-be-driven-by-the-growing-surgical-robots-industry-in-c93b36251196 | ['Sofia Williams'] | 2021-12-21 10:55:39.595000+00:00 | ['Market Forecast Analysis', 'Minimally Invasivesurgery', 'Market Research Reports', 'Market'] |
Spotlight: Karissa Uko, Senior Manager, Conference Operations at Blavity | Karissa Uko leads the events and conference operations team at Blavity, where she oversees Blavity’s AfroTech conference experience and tech programming for a number of virtual events throughout the year. We spoke with Karissa about her career path, her work on this year’s AfroTech World experience, and the importance of visual representation to help change the status quo in the tech industry.
Hi Karissa! Tell us about yourself — how did you get to where you are today? What was your career path?
Karissa Uko, Senior Manager, Conference Operations at Blavity
I’m a proud graduate of the illustrious Howard University and my education there definitely prepared me to pivot during the tough job market and financial crisis of 2011. Throughout high school and college, I actively interned and volunteered within capacities to serve communities of color. I decided early on that I would align my career with service and impact. My career path has been nontraditional — post-college I worked at a retail bank, healthcare publisher and trade association feeling detached in purpose, but further developing my project and event management skills.
Joining the Blavity team has enhanced my ability to serve and strategically impact a large audience that looks like me. I appreciate the unique relevancy of working at Blavity — it is not common to largely work with, and for, the Black community.
You oversee events at Blavity including Blavity’s AfroTech conference operations team, as well as the overall attendee experience and tech programming for a number of virtual summits throughout the year. What does a day on the job look like for you? Can you tell us more about the events you lead and overall goals for the attendee experience?
Outside of growth and profitability, the goal for our events is to curate memorable and impactful experiences for attendees, where they not only return the next year, but they bring a friend with them.
Things evolve fairly quickly within my role and for my team, so typically I am meeting with vendors and internally to evaluate/mitigate risks and leverage opportunities that impact the attendee and sponsor experience. From those meetings come action items that are delegated cross-functionally or within my team. My team is very agile and hardworking, it’s been rewarding to both lead and support my colleagues.
Through my work at AfroTech, I’ve been able to hear directly from current and former Black Panther Party leaders/members and their viewpoints on how to progress our communities with technology as a tool for advocacy. I’ve even had the opportunity to speak 1:1 about one member’s experience then versus now. These interactions certainly served as further motivation and grounding to keep doing the work that I do and encourage my colleagues to see the bigger picture of our behind-the-scenes action.
What are some of the ways AfroTech facilitates networking and connections both at the conference and post-event and what role does community play in supporting a more inclusive tech industry?
Last year, the decision to move AfroTech to Oakland definitely enhanced the intersection of technology and community for us. We use the term “Black tech homecoming” in reference to AfroTech and as an HBCU graduate that’s exactly how I felt working the event — like I was back on campus, but this time as a professional.
There is so much value in networking and seeing a sea of people in attendance that look like you. AfroTech’s amazing programming and diversity-recruiting opportunities bring a significant economic impact to a community largely left out of the tech conversation. Oakland serves as a great host city for an offering like AfroTech and when we’re able to return, we will once again leverage and welcome the community to further promote diversity and inclusion in tech.
What are some of the greatest opportunities you see right now to drive meaningful change when it comes to more equitable representation in tech?
Transparency and accountability are two great opportunities companies and leaders should leverage right now. We’re currently in a climate where audiences are paying more attention to ethics and equity within organizations.
Is your business on the right side of history to create change? Organizational leaders should:
Take an honest look at where the company is with diversity and inclusion Develop strategic plans to improve those shortcomings Not be afraid to be held accountable or implement quantifiable change
At Noun Project, we believe visual language has the power to shape, reinforce and change perceptions. What are your thoughts on why diverse visual representation in tech is so important to helping change the status quo in the industry?
Visual representation is critical to disrupting the lack of diversity in tech. I mentioned above that working with people that look like me has built my confidence and sense of belonging in the tech space. Prior to Blavity, leading a team to plan a large-scale tech conference was not a consideration. It comes as no surprise that I’ve learned how to code more with Blavity, than I ever have before in my event planning career. My curiosity to develop and strengthen technical skills has been heightened and repositioned my own perception of technology.
Visual representation can entice more diverse and brilliant thought leaders and innovators to join an industry that desperately needs to improve its diversity efforts. The tech industry serves a global market and its employee demographics should reflect the communities that they connect or support.
Looking to the future, what inspires you and what initiatives are you most excited about right now?
COVID forced us and many other events to pivot to a digital space. We’re currently in the midst of planning AfroTech World, November 9–14, where attendees can show up authentically as themselves in the form of an avatar. We are offering dynamic programming in a multi-day virtual environment, where attendees can visit 150+ companies hiring diverse talent in our expo hall but also hear from top tech and business leaders, and end the day chilling on a beach — all in the comfort of their own home and pajamas.
How can people support the work you’re doing and get involved with AfroTech and the events you organize?
Shameless plug, register for AfroTech World! Continue to watch out for our virtual summits to return this December. Your engagement with AfroTech/Blavity content and participation in our events allows us to extend our impact through messaging and experiences centered around diversity. | https://blog.thenounproject.com/spotlight-karissa-uko-senior-manager-conference-operations-at-blavity-cbe0eebd8d7a | ['Lindsay Stuart'] | 2020-11-09 17:04:14.056000+00:00 | ['Marketing', 'Tech', 'Diversity In Tech', 'Spotlight'] |
Best Books help you Form Good Habits | 1. The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business
It is a wonderful book. Talks to the reader about the importance of identifying their habits in day to day life. The author tells us how big companies follow our patterns and use it to their advantage by putting in front of us something that we might be needing soon. Essentially they start to predict our needs by following our habits.
Just by looking at the table of contents of the book, pasted below, you can get a general idea of what the book is about.
PART ONE: THE HABITS OF INDIVIDUALS
1. The Habit Loop — How Habits Work
2. The Craving Brain — How to Create New Habits
3. The Golden Rule of Habit Change — Why Transformation Occurs
PART TWO — THE HABITS OF SUCCESSFUL ORGANIZATIONS
4. Keystone Habits, or The Ballad of Paul O’Neill — Which Habits Matter Most
5. Starbucks and the Habit of Success — When Willpower Becomes Automatic
6. The Power of a Crisis — How Leaders Create Habits Through Accident and Design
7. How Target Knows What You Want Before You Do — When Companies Predict (and manipulate) Habits
PART THREE — THE HABITS OF SOCIETIES
8. Saddleback Church and the Montgomery Bus Boycott — How Movements Happen
9. The Neurology of Free Will — Are We Responsible for Our Habits?
2. The Miracle Morning: The 6 Habits That Will Transform Your Life Before 8AM
One sentence summary of “Miracle morning — the 6 habits that will transform your life before 8am”: “Miracle Morning” is a method created by Hal Elrod with the goal of improving every aspect of life; it consists of getting up early every morning, in order to follow a daily routine based on six personal development activities.
Chapter 1: Wake up to your full potential
Chapter 2: The miracle morning origin: born out of desperation
Chapter 3: The 95% reality check
Chapter 4: Why did YOU wake up this morning?
Stop hitting the snooze button on the alarm clock
Chapter 5: The 5-step snooze proof wake up strategy
Chapter 6: The life SAVERS
Six practices guaranteed to save you from a life of unfulfilled potential
3. Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World
“Deep Work — Professional activities performed in a state of distraction-free concentration that push your cognitive capabilities to their limit. These efforts create new value, improve your skill, and are hard to replicate.”
If you’re at all into productivity-hacking, self-improvement, or in general maximizing your life, you’ve probably heard of “deep work”, a term popularized by Cal Newport in his book Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World.
It was the natural book to kick off my goal to dive deeply into my work, hobbies, and life
4. The 21 Success Secrets of Self-Made Millionaires: How to Achieve Financial Independence Faster and Easier Than You Ever Thought Possible
The 21 Success Secrets of Self-Made Millionaires Summary provides a free book summary, key takeaways, review, quotes and author biography of Brian Tracy’s book. In his book The 21 Success Secrets of Self-Made Millionaires,Brian Tracy writes his recent list of success precepts.
He presents these principles in brief, clear sections. He also adds some action steps to every principle. Though Tracy does oversimplify and overstate, we recommend this book heartily. Any professional who believes his/her career can use some energy and focus, this’s a great read.
“ALL SELF-MADE MILLIONAIRES WORK, HARD, HARD, HARD. THEY START EARLIER, THEY WORK HARDER AND THEY STAY LATER.”
5. The 5 AM Club: Own Your Morning, Elevate Your Life
Seeing the title of the book, few might be feeling the book will contain a set of rules or tactics which you can practice or teach yourself to wake up at 5 AM. But it’s not TRUE.
To wake up early, we need to sleep early. Keep yourself away from devices while you are sleeping. Minimum 1 hour before you sleep, turn off all your devices.
It’s a fiction story of 4 main characters.
Characters age-wise
Spellbinder Billionaire Mr. Riley Male Artist Women Entrepreneur
6. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
One-sentence summary of the book “The 7 habits Highly Effective People”: In his book, the author lays out the seven habits of successful people, the seven fundamental principles that enable the most successful and entrepreneurial people to achieve their goals. Used on a daily basis, they will help those who practice them to live a happy, well-balanced and successful life.
The 7 Habits
1: Be proactive
2: Keep the final goal in mind
Personal success
3: Prioritise the priorities
Independence
4: Think win-win
Public success
5: Try to understand first and then be understood
6: Synergy
Interdependence
7: Sharpen your skills
7. Atomic Habits: The life-changing million copy bestseller
One-sentence summary of “Atomic Habits”: The majority of people try to change their habits all their lives but fail because they try to change everything at once. Through Atomic Habits, James Clear explains how to break this pattern, highlighting the importance of tiny changes, marginal gains or even 1% improvements, which he encompasses under the term “Atomic Habits”, to allow us to get rid of our bad behavior, develop good ones and finally become the architect of our life.
8. Get Smart!: How to Think and Act Like the Most Successful and Highest-Paid People in Every Field
“Get Smart” provokes deep thought about how to think. Each chapter goes in detail of comparing two opposite ends of thinking, such as, “Slow Thinking Versus Fast Thinking” and “Flexible Thinking Versus Rigid Thinking,” while advising when to do which.
9. Million Dollar Habits
The Habit Loop consists of the 3R’s: the reminder/cue/trigger, routine, and reward associated with a habit.
When you are strong and positive, you do not back out of challenges. Instead of succumbing to obstacles, you boldly face them and learn from them; this helps you grow.
“Do every act of your life as though it were the last act of your life.” — Marcus Aurelius
True happiness is experiencing true contentment, and a deep and complete sense of peace and fulfillment with who you are, what you do, and what you have done.
To be truly happy, we must build the habit of letting go, which we can do by becoming flexible and adaptable.
“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” — Jim Rohn
By pairing the right level of awareness, positive action, and glass half-full attitude, you can be sure that you will be in for lasting success because this is exactly what is required to do so.
Without a doubt, I can easily say that anyone who has ever experienced great success in anything is resilient.
To become financially strong and successful, the very first habit you must work on is to invest your effort, energy, time, and money in the right sort of activities and people.
Spend time with successful people and those who positively influence you so you acquire good habits from them and use them to cultivate financial freedom.
Read consistently and slowly reach the point where you can read at least two to three books a week.
Creative visualization is a wonderful practice you should invest your time in because it will pave way for a better present and future. Thinking big is essential to becoming successful.
Write yourself notes that motivate you to become progressive and complete tasks on time.
Ask various rich men and women how they became successful and you will surely find one commonality: killer focus and amazing self-confidence. You cannot fulfill your dreams and become a magnet for wealth, abundance, and success until you work on these two elements.
Another habit you must work on is becoming process oriented. When you are process oriented, you remain focused on your goal without succumbing to overwhelm.
10. Attitude Is Everything
Start building a strong positive belief system by:
1. building a positive attitude — think positive, speak positive
2. having like-minded positive people around
3. ACT in the direction of your goal, take small but concrete steps with a positive mindset. | https://medium.com/@bestbooksofalltimeworldwide/best-books-help-you-form-good-habits-a4f55da98395 | ['All Time Best Books'] | 2021-02-09 05:45:56.997000+00:00 | ['How To Create Habit', 'Habit Building', 'Habits', 'Habit Books', 'Habits For Success'] |
‘Customer service is not part of our job. It IS our job’ Russell Quirk, CEO emoov.co.uk | ‘Customer service is not part of our job. It IS our job’ Russell Quirk, CEO emoov.co.uk
Whilst our high street competitors view customer service as something that is achieved simply by deigning to answer the telephone sometimes, our online peers have certainly joined us in understanding that delivering a great experience is paramount. As a web based business, demonstrable and genuine accolades of such prowess are pretty important in cutting through to the sceptical consumer.
Competition amongst online estate agents to be the best is pretty intense. Most achieve a decent level of customer satisfaction according to the various third party review websites and indeed this is something, of late, that is now displayed proudly on many a site self-proclaiming various companies as leaders in looking after people.
So who really has the edge?
Well, in a sector of such high standards in comparison to the traditional establishment, it must be tough to establish when looking from the outside in. Where numerous sites such as Feefo; Trust Pilot and Review Centre are full of platitudes for many, it comes down to a couple of things…
Firstly, the achievement of awards which focus on customer service in that specific sector. A rubber-stamp as such.
Secondly, the comments that real customers make and that, importantly, do not just talk of how the selling or buying experience was ‘good’; ‘great’ or ‘impressive’. But that the many months of stress and procrastination associated with an antiquated legal process, actually became a pleasure. That dealing with a particular company or individual went above and beyond.
In November 2014 eMoov.co.uk was awarded the Best Customer Service Award across the online estate agency space. We beat all of the many internet based estate agents to be crowned number one by AllAgents.co.uk, the UK’s largest estate agency review website and which has collected over 100,000 customer reviews.
Then, just this week, the same third party announced that we had climbed to within the top 10 of ALL estate agency branches in the country for provable service delivery as rated by over 500 of our customers. There are no other online estate agents within the top 40 currently.
Plus we have a 98% customer satisfaction rating on various review sites and as built up over the five years of our existence to date. That’s over 7000 customers.
We’re really proud of that but even more so, proud of the comments that our customers make about us. Here’s some from this week:
It’s been an absolute pleasure dealing with Jodie to the point I actually miss it a little bit. I owe her a lot, mainly my sanity and I could never repay the level of help she gave me.
Matt Gayne, 10th July 2015
Worked for me rather than driving down the price for a quick sale like lots of high street agents do, so in total I saved a significant amount of money with them.
Tom G, 9th July 2015
Throughout the whole buying process we have experienced dealings with various estate agent chains and can honestly say that with hindsight eMoov have offered by far the best level of service.
Naomi, 7th July 2015
Staggeringly inexpensive for an amazing service. Great, great company who not only met my expectations but exceeded them. The best £700 I have spent in 52 years.
Anita Smith, 6th July 2015
I have been very pleased with eMoov. its all down to Pamela Redford, she was so professional and fully supported us in every way. .Pam kept me up to date everyday, she is so dedicated to her job. when ever I felt things were getting stressful, Pam would be there on the end of the phone reassuring me.. I cannot thank Pam enough.
Sharon, 4th July 2015
Paula Sheehy, Louise Maher, Lauren Rutherford, Jodie Shambrook, Pamela Redford, Ryan Smith, Molly Slevin, Jonathan Palmer, Hayley Cannon, Tatiana Korotkiewicz… These are just some of the eMoov team individually named by customers this month as going above and beyond for them.
‘Without great employees you can never have great customer service’ Richard F Gerson
It’s our people that make our company what it is. And the culture that we nurture every day within the eMoov organisation to ensure that we are a happy, productive and efficient team that loves its customers.
It simply isn’t replicated elsewhere and is our edge, for sure. | https://medium.com/business-startup-development-and-more/customer-service-is-not-part-of-our-job-it-is-our-job-russell-quirk-ceo-emoov-co-uk-5b375f2f95b3 | ['Russell Quirk'] | 2015-07-13 14:12:27.980000+00:00 | ['Estate Agents', 'Customer Service', 'Online'] |
How to tell if real estate on craigslist is a scam | Sadly, tricksters don’t utilize only one strategy to draw in likely tenants. There are many various ways they can promote properties to cause them to appear to be genuine and at last wind up vanishing with your cash. Monitoring the various types of rental tricks is an extraordinary method for ensuring yourself when you’re looking for your next home.
Duplicating postings from authentic rental destinations: A famous one on Craigslist, con artists will duplicate photographs and subtleties from a genuine posting and afterward change the valuing and contact data. This is ordinarily when they will make the value a lot of lower than the genuine leaning to cause their inclining to seem like a truly incredible arrangement. In this situation, the con artist might be attempting to surge you into putting down a store by guaranteeing there are numerous other invested individuals. They may likewise rationalize with respect to why they’re not able to show you the home, request that you enter through opened entryways, request that you leave entryways opened or decline to let you inside by and large it until you’ve put down a store.
An individual professes to be going about as the go between for the land owner: This is another famous trick, particularly on sites like Craigslist. You react to a rental advertisement and the individual who contacts you guarantees that they’re following up in the interest of the land owner. In this occasion, the individual has likely duplicated the posting data from a genuine source as referenced above and will demand gathering a store and lease from you. Typically they have promoted a genuine property, yet it’s a property they reserve no options to publicize or rent out.
Unfamiliar Wire Transfers and Cryptocurrency: Scammers utilizing this road may at first draw in you with a taken advertisement or a tale about working for the land owner yet will eventually request that you wire assets to an unfamiliar objective or pay lease/stores in digital currency (think Bitcoin). Likewise, they will presumably be reluctant to permit you to see within the home and demand you can just view the outside. When you send cash utilizing one of these techniques, it is almost difficult to follow.
Rentals That Don’t Exist: Yes, con artists will even make up postings for properties that don’t exist. The actual property could exist however may not be for lease or might actually be on the business market all things being equal. Or on the other hand, the posting could be comprised of totally bogus data and stock photographs. This is one more occasion that tricksters will attempt to bait in planned tenants with excellent photographs and low costs. In the event that you’re nearby to the space wherein you’re looking, drive by the home to see it for yourself. Assuming you’re not nearby and can’t find the location or some other advertisements through a Google search, you might need to be careful about that posting.
Click for details real estate on craigslist is a scam | https://medium.com/@towhidulislam472/how-to-tell-if-real-estate-on-craigslist-is-a-scam-f05e5fd9d7a2 | ['Towhid Jewel'] | 2021-12-24 12:03:56.538000+00:00 | ['Real Estate', 'Property', 'Craigslist', 'Scam'] |
The Future of Food | Growing a Victory Garden on Mars
Like many other people during the early days of the pandemic, I planted a garden. Sinking my hands into the topsoil to plant carrot and tomato seeds brought with it a sense of control in an otherwise chaotic time. I knew that if I fertilized and watered my new plants, they would provide me with fresh, healthy vegetables by early summer.
Except they didn’t.
Despite my care and attention, the tomatoes never ripened, and the carrots were never more than stunted orange nubs. I ate them anyway — the carrots were tasty, but the half-ripened tomatoes were mealy and flavorless — but I was glad I didn’t have to rely on my gardening skills to survive the pandemic. As long as I put a mask on, I could still get my food from the grocery store.
If I were one of the future explorers on Mars, though, I wouldn’t have that luxury. The feasibility of manned exploration of the red planet depends in part on whether or not we can feed ourselves when we get there. A plant-based diet would be the least resource-intensive, but is it even possible on Mars?
The answer to that question begins with regolith, the loose rock and debris that covers most the Martian surface. We know a lot more about the regolith on the red planet since NASA landed the Spirit and Opportunity rovers there in 2004. Subsequent missions have bolstered our understanding of the composition of the planet’s surface and its potential to support life. The ability to grow food directly in the Martian soil is essential since it isn’t practical to haul topsoil all the way from Earth. Martian explorers will have to be self-sufficient.
To make sure explorers don’t end up with a disastrous garden (like mine), scientists are using data from the rover missions to recreate Martian soil here on Earth. Laura Fackrell, a doctoral student at the University of Georgia, recently published a study on the potentials and limitations of growing plants in Mars-like conditions. Martian soil is known to contain the essential nutrients for plant growth — primarily nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. However, that’s only part of the challenge. Nutrients need to be present in the right amounts and in the right chemical forms for plants to make use of them.
The first step in growing the perfect Martian garden might be selecting the right location. Soil composition varies across the planet’s surface, and in some places it could be toxic to plants. The ideal location would contain the basic nutrients for plant life without harmful toxins like salts and perchlorate, both common on Mars. This raw material could then be inoculated with healthy bacteria or fungi, along with other soil amendments brought from Earth.
While Fackrell’s research focuses on Mars, it’s also applicable to any future colonization of the moon. “We would also need to use materials on the surface to help maximize use of weight and space, and the moon can act as a preparatory ground…for Mars,” says Fackrell. Colonizing the moon will be challenging, but the risks are lower due to its closer proximity to Earth.
After reading about Fackrell’s research, there was still one thing I wanted to know: Did Matt Damon get it right in The Martian? Could someone actually grow poop potatoes on Mars? Fackrell was kind enough to indulge me with an answer. “He got it at least partially right.” If he happened to pick exactly the right Martian soil to start with, organic material (i.e. human waste) could provide missing nutrients. It might work, but “more experiments are needed to really get into the ‘dirty details.’”
In light of this new research, future explorers will thankfully have more options for dinner. | https://dpats.medium.com/the-future-of-food-aca5741e2030 | ['Debbie Patskowski'] | 2020-10-29 17:54:19.067000+00:00 | ['Technology', 'Food', 'Vegan', 'Space', 'Sustainability'] |
Cherish My Heart | Poetry
Cherish My Heart
My heart rests in your hands
My heart
Rests
In your hands
Please
Cherish it
Until death
Do us apart | https://medium.com/blueinsight/cherish-my-heart-667591934075 | ['Ivette Cruz'] | 2020-12-13 14:45:49.872000+00:00 | ['Blue Insights', 'Relationships', 'Love', 'Life', 'Poetry'] |
Best Crowdfund options to Raise Capital for Startup business or project | Best Crowdfund options to Raise Capital for Startup business or project Honsby Orji May 22·4 min read
Do you have a new business idea or a project you want to embark, but lack required fund to kick off? You are not alone on this!
Most project ideas or startup businesses usually begin with high hopes and investor confidence. Comprehensive research conducted by experts has shown exceptional project ideas and business startups often capitulate due to a myriad of reasons within the first year. A few circumstances can either make or mar the crystallization of any business startup or project ideas.
The obvious requirement for any project to limelight or prosper is nothing short of capital. This is because capital is the basic ingredient for any business to thrive. Without adequate finance, business startups tend to crumble, and this malignant obstacle often causes infant business startup owners to seek financial backing for their startups.
After you must have conducted the right market data analysis research for your startup, obtaining the required funding for your business is entirely up to you. A lot of unicorn ideas die at this stage due to lack of or inadequate funding.
Here are a few tips on the procedure you can adopt, in order to source for the required funding for your startup adopting crowdfund approach.
Crowdfunding simply refers to the practice of raising money or accepting donations for a project, venture or cause through a large number of people, typically via the internet. It’s basically a form of crowdsourcing and alternative finance strategy. Individuals or small businesses can take advantage of it to get early-stage support for their ideas.
With Crowdfunding non-profits, charities, politics, clubs, schools, teams, churches, and other causes can raise money online from friends, family, colleagues, donors, and other supporters via email, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google, and social media networks.
To run a successful crowdfunding campaign, you need to capture the attention of a large number of backers and convince them that your project is worthy of their investment. By receiving the necessary boost to cash flow, these ventures can get off the ground or launch new projects, have set time frames for when money can be raised as well as disclose specific monetary goals.
Types of Crowdfunding
There are four different types of crowdfunding: donation, debt, rewards and equity:
Donation:
Donation-based crowdfunding is when people give a campaign, company or person money for nothing in return. Let’s say you create a crowdfunding campaign to purchase new equipment for your company. The individuals who give you money do it out of support for the growth of your business and nothing else.
Debt:
Debt-based donations are peer-to-peer (P2P) lending, which is a form of crowdfunding. In debt-based donations, the money pledged by backers is a loan and must be repaid with interest by a certain deadline.
Rewards:
This is when donors receive something in return for their donations. The rewards vary by the size of the donation, which incentivizes higher contributions. Based on how much money participants give to a campaign, they may receive a T-shirt, the product or service — often at a discounted rate.
Equity:
While some crowdfunding campaigns don’t allow backers to own a portion of the company they’re supporting, equity-based crowdfunding allows small businesses and startups to give away a portion of their business in exchange for funding. These donations are a type of investment, where participants receive shares in the business based on how much money they contribute.
How does Crowdfunding Work?
How this basically work is that an individual identifies a crowdfunding website, makes a business or project pitch of their ideas, challenges, projects, or cause on the platform, shares his/her business model and it’s potential for growth to a community of investors or people willing to support their ideas or cause. If his idea is accepted and bought by the crowd funders on the platform, they’ll make a pledge to support his project model publicly and donate funds to get the business or project started. Modern technology has made it easier for people to share their problems on an interactive social platform.
Crowdfunding essentially creates public interest for your business, thus running some free marketing and providing finance for your business at the same time, eliminates the intricacies involved in placing your business in the hands of an investor or a broker and wields that power to simpletons on the crowdfunding platform with the potential to attract venture-capital investment as the business progresses.
As great as it sound, Crowdfunding can’t be said to be without its challenges. The heavy competition inherent in crowdfunding platforms can prove to be difficult if someone or people are pitching the same business idea as yours. If your business pitch isn’t as solid as your competition, then there is a probability that your business idea will be overlooked or rejected. | https://medium.com/@honsby/best-crowdfund-options-to-raise-capital-for-startup-business-or-project-b759b0ed4255 | [] | 2021-05-22 05:14:57.118000+00:00 | ['Startup', 'Crowdfunding', 'Crowdsourcing', 'Money', 'Investing'] |
Take it from this Iraq Veteran, Trump is dismantling our democracy | By Jon Soltz
Photo by Tareq Ismail on Unsplash
The images flooded the news. Iraqi after Iraqi leaving their polling place, with an ink stained finger. The purple dye marking them as a citizen who cast their vote, that day, so they couldn’t vote again. After decades of brutal rule under the Saddam regime, the people were finally getting a say in how their government would run.
The war in Iraq should have never been waged, and to this day, I feel immense anger at all those who pushed the lies that were used to justify war. But, as Colin Powell once noted, once we broke it, we owned it. It was up to us to help show Iraqis how to set up a functional democracy. And we did just that.
We helped set up the infrastructure that a democracy is built upon. If an election is the “software,” we set up the “hardware” to run it and protect it. A just legal system. A representative legislative body. And yes, a system of free and fair voting.
I think about that as I watch the unfolding crisis at USPS, caused by Donald Trump and his crony, Louis DeJoy, who he named Postmaster General. There is no doubt that the dismantling of USPS is aimed at causing chaos and confusion to undermine our democratic process, and erect a barrier to voting. Trump openly admitted it.
Let’s be clear about one thing. Mail-in voting, whether it is through a regular ballot of absentee ballot is safe and secure, and at extremely little risk of fraud. The USPS has always ensured that. That’s why states like Oregon felt comfortable to moving to a complete system of mail-in voting, and why other states have begun to follow. The USPS helped deliver ballots of our troops serving overseas, and of Americans living abroad.
Simply put, USPS is one of those pieces of infrastructure on which our democratic system is built.
But it is not the only one.
Our democratic system relies on a Department of Justice that is dispassionate, uncorrupted, and willing to act in defense of our system, even when the threat is coming from the administration in which it serves. A working DOJ does not try to undermine and replace its attorneys, whether it is the US Attorneys working to prosecute corruption and crime perpetrated by those who are allies of the president, or lawyers in the middle of a case. It does, however, prosecute those who are actively seeking to undermine the constitutional right of all Americans to exercise their right to vote, even when those people are members of the administration.
Our democratic process relies on a State Department that upholds our ideals, and uses all diplomatic means to keep foreign powers from attacking our elections, not a Secretary of State who withers while the president tries to strong-arm foreign powers into attacking the election for his own benefit. It relies on an intelligence apparatus that is prepared to expose the severity of foreign plots, and a security apparatus with the marching orders, and the means, to keep our vote safe and secure, not a team of lackeys.
It depends on a military that serves not the head of the government, but the people and the Constitution. A military that is used to defend rights, not intimidate those who are peacefully exercising them.
In each and every way, Donald Trump is dismantling the hardware we need in place to have a functional democratic system. Without that hardware, the software of people voting doesn’t work. Having watched what we helped build for Iraq, I feel like I’m watching it all in reverse, here.
President Obama touched on a lot of this in his speech at the Democratic National Convention, last week. I heard the emotion and urgency dripping from his voice, and related to it, because it is exactly how I feel, right now.
Thankfully, we still have some infrastructure, or hardware, left. If we all work hard, keep fighting against its dismantling, and turn out in record numbers to vote, we can elect a president who will save and rehabilitate our democracy. We have no other choice. | https://medium.com/votevets-org/take-it-from-this-iraq-veteran-trump-is-dismantling-our-democracy-5d4bf611c6af | [] | 2020-08-24 16:53:22.772000+00:00 | ['Veterans', 'Elections', 'Usps', 'Post Office', 'Trump'] |
I Climbed A Tree Today | The little boy in me applauded my attempt
Though undoubtedly as surprised by the endeavor
As was the adult, I, who performed the feat
It was two of my grandsons who inspired the effort
They set the example by climbing trees on their property
And asking if their father did likewise when he was young
My memory, not for the first time, failed me as to that recollection
But prompted memories of my special tree,
The pear tree in our back yard
Decades ago when I was once their age,
How formidable the task seemed back then
And what a proud sense of accomplishment
But best of all, the sensation of being above the ground
Master of all that I could survey
Free to let my imagination transport me to uncharted worlds
Back to the present
There was a tree that drew me to it
My practical, logical self that has dominated most of my life
Said that would be foolish
You are too old for such nonsense
So I began to climb
At first fearful of falling
Then I stopped thinking
And was that young boy again
Exhilarated and daring
Went even further upwards
Then it was time to finally come down off the high
It was much harder to climb down
As the adult me reasserted itself
My grandsons, of course, informed my wife of the escapade
Reprovingly she told the boys
“I’m sure,” looking sternly at me, “that Papa won’t attempt that again”
My wife went back into the house
I climbed another tree
Just for old times sake
Knowing it probably would be my last for all time
Unless the little boy inside of me takes control again
At some opportune time
Maybe not climbing a tree
But something similar that silences my mind
Allowing me to simply be
And my spirit to fly and
My heart to open
To find myself in love with the world
Dare I risk that attempt | https://medium.com/weeds-wildflowers/i-climbed-a-tree-today-fd9d6df346bc | ["John O'Neill"] | 2020-12-14 02:19:16.254000+00:00 | ['Childhood', 'Nature', 'Memories', 'Poem', 'Poetry'] |
Wuthering Heights | Literary-minded boys read gothic romance, and learn all the wrong things.
They learn that women are magical, intuitive creatures who should be able to read their minds. They learn that men must prove their manhood, generally through violent military or capitalist conquest. They learn that women expect this. They learn that disappearing — for one, or five, or ten years — need not interrupt a romantic relationship, if the woman’s heart is true.
Men read romantic classics, and learn all the wrong things. They learn to mistrust women. They learn women are cruel and capricious, unless the woman is worthy, in which case she is a paragon of domestic virtue. They learn to disappear — when they feel shame, or misery, or confusion. They learn their disappearance need not cost them ‘the girl.’
Men read romantic classics, and discount the woman’s side.
Heathcliff overhears half of a conversation and flees. He flees for years on end. When he returns, Cathy is already married. How dare she?
Or, Heathcliff mishears what Cathy says. He does not stick around to understand. He does not confront her. He does not ask her for clarification. He is a man. He does not stop to ask for directions.
He is a man. He cannot have hurt feelings and a logical head, all at once. He cannot maintain a relationship with a woman who can hurt him, even if by accident, even if while sorting through her own feelings, even if in private conversation with someone else.
Cathy, who is capricious and vain because she is a teenager not because she is a woman. Cathy, who really, truly loves him, who would have found some way to be with him, probably, if he had given her the chance. Cathy, who was not perfect, but nor is any human being. His imperfections are commonly attributed to his maleness, and therefore explained away as inevitabilities he cannot control and ought not be blamed for. Her imperfections are commonly attributed to her femaleness, and therefore explained as inevitabilities she ought to control and ought to be ashamed of. Both the products of their conditioning about what it means to be a ‘good’ man or what it means to be a ‘good’ woman. What it means to be a man worthy of love, or a woman who is.
When I masquerade as a woman, I know what I am doing, but subconsciously. I am trying to be a flirty and fun California beach surfer girl without a care in the world. I am trying to seem less like myself, and more like a Sweet Valley High Wakefield twin raised with the privilege and obliviousness of the tanned thin blonde rich blessed few I grew up with. I am not like that. I am artistic and moody. I am too smart to be a cute girl but too damaged to be a brainiac. I was a nerd in high school, sort of, but really I was an artist. Really I was always an artist, underneath the surface.
I masquerade very well. I know how much I am supposed to care and I try to calibrate my passions down to that level. A woman who is overly passionate is angry, bad, shameful. A woman who is overly mad is prey to her own madness, is crazy. A woman who expresses the lust she feels when she feels it, is wild, unrestrained, slutty. The assumption always that she is mad for no reason. That she has conjured the source of her madness from inside her own foolish brain. That she can either be wholly virginal or wholly mad with lust, that her lust has no subject only an object upon whom she fixes her passion out of some perverse need to possess and control him. That she cannot be passionate about a man because she cares about him. Women like this do not care about anyone.
Women like this have broken their commitments and ruined everything. No longer Agnes in David Copperfield with her keys and her steadfastness and her willingness to wait through David’s first marriage to a cute blonde vapid thing. Women like this want it all. We want it now. We want it on our own terms. We inspire passion, and so many men fear passion so completely.
Women like this inspire fear, because we see the truth beneath the masquerade of masculinity. I see who he really is. And someday, I might tell the whole world. Maybe that is a good reason for him to be afraid of me.
But it’s funny how we reshape the world with our own actions. Once upon a time I was a girl who told everyone how much I wanted him, and he seemed to want me but said he did not, and was I crazy? Once upon a time I told ‘the story of us’ to two then five then ten other people. Because he made me feel like I was crazy. And I wanted more input than that. I wanted to know if I was or I wasn’t. And I felt I could not trust my own mind to tell me.
Once upon a time, he turned me into a nightmare by believing I already was one. The man he thought I was sleeping with or wanted to sleep with, the longest conversation I ever had with that man was a conversation about wanting him and feeling lonely. The other man who touched me, I fled to when the man I really wanted rejected me, or I thought he had, for a girl who would do a better job of being bouncy and cute and unreproachable and all the things he and I both were taught a good girl should be.
I was taught being a good woman means doing and saying certain things. I was taught being a good girl means doing and saying other things. The two conflict. I think I often got it wrong.
But I am not a magical, intuitive creature. Not always. Not when I am sleep-deprived and overwhelmed. Not so as any man ought to rely on my intuition to save him from having to identify and name what he feels. The emotional component of relationships cannot be avoided. And it is not labor I am willing to do for him, or for any man.
Still he thinks I am a thing out of nightmares and I suppose that is true, now. I spoke and spoke about his feelings for me, or lack thereof, and mine for him. I told our story many times. I made it angry. I made it shameful. I made him into precisely the villain he was afraid I might make him into. I did that because I was hurting, and sad. I did that because he made me feel ashamed to be a person who had ever wanted him.
Women do not care about men’s performance of masculinity. Not grown-up women. Not really. We do not care about the size of a man’s dick or how aggressive he is against other men or how assertive he is or the color of his hair or how many stereotyped-feminine traits he has. We do not care whether he was a nerd in school, or an athlete. We do not care how much he can bench-press or whether he can carry us across the threshold after we get married.
We care whether he makes us feel ashamed of our femininity, or not. We care whether he understands that male bonding in a misogynistic society is about putting women down, that survival in relationships with other men is about not being the ‘pussy.’ We care whether he realizes that we are the girl. We will always, always be ‘the pussy.’ Every joke he has ever made about women, that’s a joke about us. Every time he laughs at somebody’s actions for being overly sentimental or overly emotional, he’s laughing at us too.
Men expect women to hold the same values they do. To value their performance of masculinity in the same way, and by the same measurements, as they do. We do not.
I am a creature out of nightmare, but I am also the creature who ends the nightmare, if he would only let me. Walking around in a world of dangerous men is much worse if you think there is anything they could do or say to make the people who love you, stop.
Anyway, the truth is typically not so dangerous or so scary as men believe. Heathcliff overheard a few lines of conversation and fled. He fled before he could hear the rest. He fled before he could ask Cathy whether she loved him back. He fled because he did not have faith in himself or the woman he loved. That does not mean she was unworthy of that faith.
Women do not care whether a man is a ‘pussy.’ Whether he likes to look up at the stars and name them to himself. Or whether he has read Wuthering Heights. Or whether he prefers the new Golden Compass tv show over Vikings. Or whether he has ever seen The Sopranos. Or whether the other guys at work make him feel small. Or whether he does not know how to fight back against them, so he finds a hot girl to date so they’ll admire him and lay off. Except that maybe there should be a better reason to date someone than fear. Maybe there should be a better reason to live than fear.
I know the kind of tomorrow I’m fighting for.
And I know that Cathy is not perfect. I know that she was very, very wrong about what being a good woman means. But at the end of the book, she died, because when she tried to say what she wanted, no one was listening. | https://medium.com/@arwolf-88575/wuthering-heights-f876e03ccf28 | ['Rivka Wolf'] | 2020-12-25 17:21:17.250000+00:00 | ['Toxic Masculinity', 'Masculinity', 'Romance', 'Relationships', 'Wuthering Heights'] |
Rift | This fertile heart is rip-torn
in yearning without shape,
feeling only through trace
of pleasure and agony linked.
Such incomplete relish
in heavenly betweens,
the jingling wind chiming
a haunted melody
from another window, another time,
signalling a soul has found its way
to a greater divide.
Such afflicted joy seeking resting place,
within you all those old rooms…
Each sense brushing up to eternity,
I could burn up in ecstasy of wild rose,
beg for nirvana in touch of wintry fog,
ache in the sunned mist of green of sea
on my imperfect face and parched eyes,
heart migrating with crisp furs uplifting
into longing, perpetual blue sky.
Flavours that grip the past
with push and pull of chest
in witnessed transience.
We lose moment’s beauty,
perceived in a single sigh
with no language for emotions,
we stand, a muddy palette inspired.
But breached heart is an organ supreme
finding destinies that congregate
feelings in all tenses of desire,
where we belong across all lines
to meet our consciousness,
unfinished and divine. | https://medium.com/literary-impulse/rift-199c68c99310 | ['Jessica Lee Mcmillan'] | 2020-09-10 01:02:53.988000+00:00 | ['Literary Impulse', 'Hiraeth', 'Poetry', 'Philosophy', 'Longing'] |
Canny Edge Detection in 5 Minutes | Edge detection is a major component of image processing. Despite multiple advances in deep-learning-based techniques such as Convolutional Neural Networks that can perform very complex edge detection (i.e. edges with varying curvature, noise, color etc.), classical edge detection methods are still highly relevant in certain cases! An example would be if the data is known to be simple and predictable; a Canny Edge Detector would work right out of the box compared to a CNN which typically is more complicated to implement.
Edge Detection Basics
Most classical edge detection algorithms are based on the concept of first derivatives. In the figure below, we see a theoretical edge profile, with the y axis being pixel intensity and x axis being the physical location in an image. At an edge location in an image, there is a quick transition from low to high intensity or vice-versa. The faster this transition, the shaper the edge will appear. To detect the edge, we simply take the first derivative of the pixel intensities, and look for the maximum points as seen in the second graph below!
Typical, simplified edge profile in terms of pixel intensities.
Canny Edge Detector
Usually, this derivative is combined with a Gaussian filter in order to perform image-smoothing and edge detection in one step. Since the derivative and Gaussian filter convolution are linear operations, we simply apply the differentiated Gaussian filter directly to the image! Below shows a sample 5x5 filter that completes this operation, with σ = 1.
5 x 5 Differentiated Gaussian filter, σ = 1
This produces an output that already highlights position of edges with a high value! However, the advantage of Canny is that it produces very thin and clean edges. The next step, non-maximal suppression(NMS) will achieve this. NMS is done by tracking along the high values in the output image, then checking for maximal gradients in a 3x3 neighborhood. The center pixel has to be the highest in the direction perpendicular to the edge, or else it will be set to 0.
In the example below, we see a 7x7 matrix with sample outputs from the gaussian filter. High values will indicate that the first derivative is high at that location! To perform NMS, we track along the edge direction, then set values to 0 if they are not the maximum in the edge normal direction (i.e. red axis). Therefore, the blue cells will remain and the gray cells will all be set to 0 after NMS. We see that this gives a fine edge output that is only one pixel wide!
Non-Maximal Suppression Example
Another crucial component of Canny Edge detection is hysteresis thresholding. This sounds super complicated, but it is pretty straightforward! This step is performed in tandem with NMS, and the main idea is to prevent noisy edges from causing fragmentation in the final edge detection. 2 Threshold values are selected, with T1 > T2. The NMS tracking only starts if the gradient values are higher than T1, and stop only if gradient values are lower than T2. This ensures that NMS tracking has some robustness to noisiness in the edges, where this tolerance can be controlled by the T1 and T2 values.
Conclusion
Though Canny Edge detectors and the various classical edge detection methods might seem overshadowed by the ever-popular CNNs and Deep Learning methods, we should forget their simplicity and effectiveness. Sometimes it is much easier to try a classical solution, and it might work better than you expect! | https://towardsdatascience.com/canny-edge-detection-in-5-minutes-27236af71ce2 | ['Tee Yee Yang'] | 2020-12-06 19:16:58.616000+00:00 | ['Image Processing', 'Edge Detection', 'Artificial Intelligence', 'Data Science', 'Machine Learning'] |
Flush Mount Lighting is the right Choice for your Home | A home may not be home true the sense of how it is understood by us. This is being mentioned because we are a social animal and apart from aspects which comes under the purview of natural science, most of our definitions, perceptions are based on constructs, which originates from the society.
So, when does a home becomes truly a home?
There are a number of aspects, which are features at the top portion of one’s priority list like water connection, a functioning toilet, a kitchen and of course then comes electricity and the following appliances and fixtures. If we consider all these factors we can survive. Hover, a house is built to so that we can provide shelter and eventually survive. When it come to living, we need to create a home for use. This need by default paves the way for concerning ourselves with aesthetics.
Now aesthetically speaking, Light Fixtures are indeed an important factor, not only to be considered but also to be pondered upon. It endows our house with a sense of geniality that enlivens the house and contributes to the partial fulfilment of turning a brick and mortar house into what we understand as a home. The basic functions of light fixtures in the house is to make the area hazard free. A Flush Mount Light is typically a dome-shaped light fixture that is mounted flush to the ceiling.
Also, Read related Blog:Wall Sconces or Pendant Lighting- Beautiful & Soothing for Your Eyes | https://medium.com/@cairoglitzlights/flush-mount-lighting-is-the-right-choice-for-your-home-9b24fb6ccf6c | ['Cairoglitz Lights'] | 2018-08-18 12:09:01.417000+00:00 | ['Lighting', 'Home Decor', 'Interior Design'] |
Adopting Eco-Habits: Your first steps towards an environmental-friendly lifestyle | The way we choose to live profoundly affects our environment. Our role in the grand ecosystem is indispensable. We are continuously contributing to transforming the environment around us. Each of us has an impact on the environment. And, so we have wonderful opportunities to make our impact on the environment constructive and beneficial. We can potentially reduce our negative impact on the environment by adopting an environmental-friendly lifestyle.
Did you know, scientists claimed that humans are 100% responsible for global warming and climate change. The ceaseless anthropogenic activities resulted in hefty growth of radiative forcing — it is a climate forcing which refers to the amount of energy that remains in the Earth’s atmosphere and surface. Although climate forcing can be man-made and natural, research says over the past 150 years human-caused radiative forcings significantly dominates. These radiative forcings include greenhouses gases (GHGs), atmospheric aerosols, ozone, etc. However, greenhouse gases (the red line) take the lead.
Figure 1 — Global mean surface temperatures from Berkeley Earth (black dots) and modeled the influence of different radiative forcing (colored lines), as well as the combination of all forcing (grey line) for the period from 1850 to 2017. Chart by Carbon Brief using Highcharts.
Experts said,
“… Last year, following an intensive research effort involving a dozen scientists, I concluded that global warming was real and that the prior estimates of the rate of warming were correct. I’m now going a step further: Humans are almost entirely the cause.” Richard A. Muller (an American physicist) “… The best estimate of the human contribution to modern warming is around 100%.” Zeke Hausfather (a researcher and author at CarbonBrief)
Essentially, our course of action is limited. We cannot and we should not stop industrialization, or completely stop deforestation, or eradicate plastic consumption, or stop using engines and vehicles. Obviously, these extreme measures would cause an economic depression. Although there are several useful, sustainable systems, and eco-economic concepts which have been implementing by institutions. But such measures necessitate rigorous management, skills and knowledge, and stakeholder involvement. They are next-level actions.
On the other side, there are many ways that we can execute on our own and by which we can save the environment and play a positive role in combating climate change and global warming. These are personal actions called eco-habits short for environmental-friendly habits that are simple and small though they are effective in the long-run.
Ironically, the first step is not a single step. The first step is adopting eco-habits, that you and I can perform on our own without any collaboration or management or skill. However, you do need some knowledge to execute them.
Education is important
You cannot act until you don’t know. And when you don’t know you cannot change anything. So, a very basic eco-habit is to educate yourself. Equipping yourself with correct knowledge is absolutely beneficial and essential. We have powerful tools that are books and the internet which are ample to educate ourselves. The correct and authentic knowledge can be achieved by studying different perspectives from different information sources. Educate yourself about the causes and effects of environment-pollutants and toxins and their impacts. Learning about your environmental footprint, about GHGs, and viable solutions to these may serve as a good start.
Reduce waste
You are privileged that you are accessing fresh food and water every time you need it. But there are more than 500 million people who do not have access to fresh food and millions of children are suffering from fatal malnourishment. And, because of the evaporation of freshwater reservoirs, the number of climate refugees is increasing, and freshwater — which is drinking water — is becoming a commodity. This is depressing. But we have mitigation opportunities. So, essentially, don’t waste water and don’t waste food — easier said than done! It is easy. Let’s break it into doable and easy eco-habits.
We should,
properly close taps/faucets after use– do not let water to continuously flow from taps
repair water leakages — there are ways that you can do it without needing a plumber, all you need is to check for water leakages and YouTube the fixture or use google — which one you like
reduce water usage in washing purposes — we usually consume more than required water in dishwashing, car washing, laundering, body washing, etc.
close the faucets while washing face or hands or brushing
not let the even one gram of fresh food to go in the trash
take only that much food that can be consumed before staling it
For your information, organic waste releases methane gas (a greenhouse gas) in the environment. Every time, you save these important resources from wasting, you combat these global issues. This eco-habit would be effective if it is performed with consistency.
Grow Plants
Plants offer remarkable benefits to health, wellbeing, and the environment. These beautiful living things purify air, increase humidity, absorb Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), adsorb atmospheric aerosols and dust, keep you closer to nature, offer psychological and cognitive benefits and so much more. Growing plants is easy. All you need is a seed, soil, a pot, and some water. There is diversity in plants. They can be grown indoors and outdoors, with soil or without soil, and even for specific purposes — for example, there are plants that repel insects, treat wastewater, etc. Regardless of plant size and specie, they serve as a natural sink to Carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide gas is released by breathing, cooking, and using electricity: plants absorb it and reduce concentrations of GHGs from the environment. However, plants do release carbon dioxide but they absorb more gas than they release. Therefore, plantation gives opportunities to offset GHG emissions.
Practice Conservation
Resources are never infinite. Conservation is a wise practice. Domestically electricity and natural gas are common resources that are obtained by burning fossil fuels. Every time, we consume electrical energy and natural gas we contribute to the burning of fossil fuel and emission of GHGs — and that’s negative. However, fortunately, we have opportunities to make it less negative. There is so much that we can do.
We should,
not leave the lights on
watch out for electronic plugins and do not leave the appliances plugged — electrical appliances consume energy even when they are un-played and plugged-in
not leave the gas stove open — save natural gas
use energy-saving lighting instead of incandescent bulbs and tube lights
try to use natural solar light (sunlight) in morning and noon if you have ample exposure of sunlight — saving electricity means reducing GHGs
Re-Use Plastics
Plastics are rapidly reaching oceans and landfills. They are harming wildlife and oceans and consequentially, damaging our foodchain. Plastics (a polymer) serve a very good example to imitate the Linear Economy approach — it is an approach of Take (natural resources), Make (the manufacturing and products), and Waste (dump or release in the natural environment or landfill) — which is prevalent in the contemporary world. Therefore by this approach, we end-up in depletion of natural resources and more and more waste. Plastic takes non-renewable resources as raw materials which are oil, coal, and natural gas, and in making it requires even more energy and releases GHGs and other pollutants, and eventually, it goes to waste — where it becomes a pressing issue for the world. Again, it is not a wise approach to stop plastic production at once across the globe without the provision of sustainable alternatives. What you and I can do individually is to reduce the use of single-use plastics.
We should,
use cloth bags or baskets for shopping or groceries
re-use plastic bags multiple times
avoid taking straws
reduce the use of plastic bottles and replace them with glass containers
Walk, Walk, Walk
This eco-habit could be annoying for many of us — because we are so used to seeking elevators and avoiding stairs, and that’s okay to go for easy. But this difficult activity if done with regularity would provide impressive results. While it is genuinely beneficial to your health and wellbeing. It is having environmental benefits too. One, when you walk you actually save engine emissions; two, walking regularly may motivate you to contemplate nature and may connect you with nature and natural ecosystems. And, when you contemplate the natural environment you tend to conserve it.
Therefore,
No one alone can eradicate global warming and climate change. What we can do is to minimize its causes. To start from basics, we can individually adopt environmental-friendly habits to at least somewhat minimize our negative impacts on the natural environment. The eco-habits are not limited to the mentioned ones. There are many other good things that we can implement on our own.
The urge is to possibly and easily minimize the use of non-renewable energy and wastage of resources. And, be a part of the solution instead of the problem. | https://medium.com/@maliha.amanat1/the-way-we-choose-to-live-profoundly-affects-our-environment-fd208c8e332b | ['Maliha Amanat'] | 2020-07-07 20:10:18.584000+00:00 | ['Ecology', 'Conservation', 'Climate Change', 'Environment'] |
I Want To See You | I Want To See You
Photo by Marten Newhall on Unsplash
Tell me about your life.
Tell me about the love you may have lost.
How you made it to today
and at what cost?
I want to see all parts of you.
But tell me,
what to do.
Tell me.
How can I break through
these walls
you’ve placed on top of you.
I don’t know,
what to do.
I promise,
I don’t have a clue.
Didn’t you know
I’ve got walls too?
I try to put them down,
but I’m scared of you.
Scared of me…
and what I’ll do.
If I let myself believe in you. | https://psiloveyou.xyz/i-want-to-see-you-6137c6a98817 | ['Kensho Keith'] | 2020-12-20 13:11:18.283000+00:00 | ['Poetry', 'Poetry Sunday', 'Love', 'Life', 'Romance'] |
4 Data Analytics Certifications that Enhance your Career | The field of data Analytics is emerging rapidly. In the past few years, the rising interest in several technologies such as big data, the Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is in huge demand for data analysts and scientists.
Many individuals are who are aiming to achieve more in their data analytics careers are lacking the right mix of skills and experience. There are many organizations globally that are on a hunt and are ready to pay high salaries for talented individuals so that the organizations can achieve their future business goals. This gave rise to the demand for big data analytics certifications to attain skills that are needed to grow in the field of big data.
In this article let’s understand the most sought-after data analytics certifications that will give insights about the requirements and also help the individuals, who want to learn, grow, and get a good job opportunity in the top company.
Cloudera Certified Associate (CCA) Data Analyst
The CCA Data Analyst certification is especially designed for SQL developers, who want to stand out among the competition. This certification has a few prerequisites that must be met by the candidates:
· Should prepare data for the queries with the help of Extract, Transfer, and Load(ETL) methods
· Should possess sound knowledge on the basics of Linux command line and SQL
· Analyze the data on the cluster with the help of Query Language(QL) statements in Hive and Impala
· Using Data Definition Language(DDL) statements for changing or making structures in the metastore for use by Hive and Impala
Based on the candidates performance 8–12 problems will be allotted with a unique, large data set and a Cloudera Distributed Hadoop (CDH) cluster. The candidates will be given 120 minutes to perform the technical solution for each task. The candidates must analyze the given work and come up with an optimal output in the allocated time.
This certification is mainly meant for:
a)Data Analysts
b)System Architects
c)Business Intelligence Specialists
d)System Architects
e)Developers
f)Database Administrators
Big Data Analytics Certifications from DASCA
The Big Data Analytics Certifications from Data Science Council of America (DASCA) gives insights about managing the entire life–cycle of analyzing big data using advanced analytics tools and techniques on common and popular big data software and platforms. There are two levels of global big data analytics certification programs. They are:
a)Associate Big Data Analyst (ABDA™) — This is especially designed for aspiring graduate students who have done majors in business, management, economics, statistics, marketing, or allied disciplines, and who want to pursue a data analytics career in the field of big data.
b) Senior Big Data Analyst (SBDA™) — This data analytics certification is especially designed for experienced analytics, research, and marketing professionals who aim to either shift into the big data field or for those professionals who are already working in the field of big data and wants to grow further in their respective careers.
These certifications from DASCA are available in 183 countries, and a complete test preparation kit will be provided to the applicants, which contains principles, concepts, tools, techniques and technologies of designing, developing and applying analytics frameworks and utilities required for better information management and decision making. The online exam duration is 100 minutes.
Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE): Data Management and Analytics
The MCSE: Data Management and Analytics certification offer candidates insights on SQL database administration, machine learning, leveraging Business Intelligence (BI) data, and developing enterprise-scale data solutions, in cloud-based as well as on-premises environments. Once the candidate gets an MCSE certificate, they will be eligible for jobs that include:
a)Business Intelligence Analyst
b)Database Analyst
c)Database Designer
The exam duration of this data analytics certificate is 120 minutes. To pursue MCSE the candidates should first have one of the following Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) certifications:
a)MCSA SQL 2016 BI Development
b)MCSA: SQL Server 2012/2014
c)MCSA: BI Reporting
d)MCSA Data Engineering with Azure
e)MCSA: SQL 2016 Database Development
f)MCSA: Machine Learning
g)MCSA SQL 2016 Database Administration
SAS Certified Big Data Professional Using SAS 9
A SAS Certified Big Data Professional Using SAS 9 gives individuals insights into big data by using a variety of open-source tools and SAS Data Management tools. The individuals will be using intricate machine learning models to create business recommendations for deploying the models at scale using the robust and flexible SAS environment. To get a SAS Certified Big Data Professional Using SAS 9 one must pass all 5 exams, which consist of short-answer, interactive questions, and a mix of multiple-choice. These are the following five exams:
SAS Certified Big Data Professional:
1. SAS Big Data Programming and Loading
2. SAS Big Data Preparation, Statistics, and Visual Exploration
SAS Certified Advanced Analytics Professional:
1. SAS Advanced Predictive Modeling
2. Predictive Modeling Using SAS Enterprise Miner 7, 13, or 14
3. SAS Text Analytics, Time Series, Experimentation, and Optimization
Wrapping up
Big data analytics is the driving force for many successful businesses. If an individual is interested in a career in data analytics then doing a certification will benefit to boost the required skills and gain the relevant knowledge that is needed for a rewarding career path. | https://medium.datadriveninvestor.com/4-data-analytics-certifications-that-enhance-your-career-b0c25405ce30 | ['Albert Christopher'] | 2021-06-08 07:15:24.144000+00:00 | ['Data Analytics', 'Certification', 'Big Data'] |
Gay People and Long-Lasting Relationships | Boredom or annoyance?
Be kind enough to yourself: Maybe you are bored or annoyed.
One way to find out is to distance yourself a little from the boredom (or annoyance) and reflect on what you want. Of course, I’m being too elegant.
When I first met Alejandro and Miguel, I thought they were the strongest couple in the world. They can’t avoid touching each other, looking at each other, whispering to each other. Things that are normally gross in a reunion, but they are very hot, so probably you can get turned on by it.
But then, one day they broke up, and Miguel was out in the street with no place to live. My boyfriend and I talked to him two days after the breakup, and he said that it was definitive.
“He always underappreciated me,” were Miguel’s words.
“In what sense? What do you mean?” I asked.
“He doesn’t take into account anything I say, not my opinion, not what I want, nothing.”
“But have you talked to him about it? I know this sounds like a stupid question, but I mean for real,” I said.
“He denies it. He says that he wants the best for me,” Miguel replied.
“But I thought you liked that about him,” said my boyfriend, Rusty.
Miguel stopped talking.
It was clear. Miguel reached the point where the things you like the most about your partner start to annoy you.
He used to love how everyone loved Alejandro. He used to love all the attention Alejandro received and how despite that he chose him. He used to love how successful and critical Alejandro was about things. “That will help me grow,” he thought.
But now he is silent, with Rusty and I waiting for an answer
“I don’t know,” he said.
And because he didn’t know and Alejandro didn’t know either, they broke up and got back together several times. So for them, dealing is breaking till you can make it. Breaking is the way they find to create an individual space.
Is this a solution? Only each couple knows for sure.
On our way back home Rusty, who is best friends with Alejandro, shares his insight.
“Well, Alejandro is pretty toxic himself”.
Oh, boy.
Anyway, the thing here is: create your own space and don’t allow invaders.
Jude complicated sexuality
For Jude, the oldest friend I have, the issue is always related to sexuality. He always gets sexually bored with all his partners. But lately, he started wondering if he is the boring one. It is because he always wants to do the same and their partners didn’t innovate? Or is it the opposite?
To explore those issues, we are seated drinking our favorite beverage, coffee.
“But how does boredom start?” I asked.
“One day I love my boyfriend, and another day I don’t. Don’t look at me like that,” he said. “I can’t avoid it. Suddenly I don’t want to have sex with them, I can’t even understand why. Out of nowhere, I have the urgent feeling of looking for sexual encounters with new people.”
I gagged with the revelation. There is a secret code between “stable gays with partners” like us. We never address or fully discuss the fact that we might cheat on our partners if that is the case. If it happens it happens. We discuss men or allude the fact, but NEVER address the issue with details.
“I know this is a dumb question, but have you tried to talk to your partners about it?” I asked.
“Well, most of my partners were very closed-minded. For instance, discussing other men even playfully could be very dangerous.”
So he goes alone. He always ended up exploring with recycled ex-lovers or ex-partners.
“But if the issue is sexual, why did you end up with former ex-lovers? Didn’t you have those issues with them as well?” I asked.
“Yes, I had them. But I do it because it is easy. Then, at those encounters, I felt like it was new. The issues I had with them no longer exist”.
That information was so heavy. We stayed silent for a moment. I didn’t even know how to process all that. I didn’t know either why I kept asking “stupid questions.”
“I’d say this—If it worked with ex-lovers… You can talk with your current partner about it.”
But the minute I said, I questioned myself. Many couples end for good because they can’t resolve their sexual issues. Obviously the thing can’t be addressed by “just talking”. There is a need to be some willingness of both to solve things associated with it.
If you don’t want to solve or at least take the risk, why bother?
The intricacies of the gay world
Photo by Author on VSCO
I think it is impossible for any gay man not to have at least one-second man with whom he often chats in a naughty way. The level of those interactions is personal, and I’m not here to judge (you).
But have you ever wondered how those interactions affect your current relationship? I wonder about this all the time because I’m guilty too. I love the attention I get on Instagram, for example. I respond to every single flirtatious interaction to the point of fooling myself. Because there is nothing wrong about it, right? We were just talking.
And it is true, we were just talking. But the possibility that five different men like me, and that at least two of them are willing to have sex with me, affects my judgment. The excitement of seeing a different body, trying “new” things while hiding in a corner is adventurous and fun. That will likely ruin you because you will always be thinking about the one you don’t have. And if you decide to have it later, it will be worse (I’m talking about your mind).
But this means I’m bored in my relationship? Or am I just filling “the boredom” with an easy fix rather than getting to know my partner and going further?
Maybe this is the reason behind a lot of gay men asking their partners to “go public” on social media. I mean addressing the relationship in sites like IG or Facebook. And that is somehow effective, in a way that many honest guys won’t try to meddle up in your relationship. But for others, this will be a temptation to intrude. To point out to your husband’s out of context interactions.
Not knowing is as dangerous as knowing too much.
Trying to get a relationship out of nowhere
A final interesting corner to look out: Are you trying to have a relationship just because?
That was the case for my friend Alex.
He met a wonderful guy, super good in papers. I will not list the features, because that is individual and everyone has their worth.
One day Alex realizes that he is bored with him. That he doesn’t like his political views about anything, or his lack of engagement about issues important to him. However, the incredible amount of features discourages him from breaking up.
Eventually, Alex felt anxious about him. He was forcing himself to like the guy. He recited to himself internal monologues in the order of “This is the guy you always dreamed of”.
When I reached my friend to get commentary about this, he told me that that period of his love life was one of the more stressful he ever had. I asked how it ended.
“I ghosted him,” Alex said.
Sometimes, the itch is right there in the beginning, and you decide to ignore it.
If you need a time frame for this story: Two months.
So, living love and boredom
Photo by Author on VSCO
It seems impossible to discuss what we can get from these stories without pointing out generic theories and sayings about “the 10 healthy habits of every successful relationship”. But, whether a copywriter or an actual relationship expert wrote that listicle, the key is the commitment with yourself and what you want. Once you know what you want, you will be able to apply the “15 best advice to have a long-lasting relationship”. Don’t say it: I know this paragraph is generic. But wait.
The search for what you want in your love life is a perennial state of looking and trying. It’s driven with ideas and misconceptions about what a relationship it’s supposed to be, what our family and friends want for us, and a general mix and images of “what I think would make happy” versus “what actually would make me happy”.
In the gay world, this is more complicated. Because we didn’t grow with models of “what makes gay couples happy”. Our beliefs on how a relationship works were mostly written and shaped by… straight people.
So often I question myself about those models. And I’m not talking about “open relationship” or “thruples”. Those are steps. And that is fine, perhaps that solve the sexual issue, but there are a lot of things to be addressed here, and sex is only one of them.
So when the boredom hits and you aim the web for relationship advice, try to be honest with yourself. Look at the source of that boredom. Don’t fix an image you think would make you happy. Fix yourself first. | https://medium.com/queertopia/gay-people-and-long-lasting-relationships-a987c0385980 | ['Jonathan E. Uzcategui Dum'] | 2020-09-24 17:41:40.844000+00:00 | ['LGBTQ', 'Love', 'Gay', 'Life Lessons', 'Relationships'] |
«Тренер Pro» — разработка веб-сервиса поиска фитнес-тренера | Learn more. Medium is an open platform where 170 million readers come to find insightful and dynamic thinking. Here, expert and undiscovered voices alike dive into the heart of any topic and bring new ideas to the surface. Learn more
Make Medium yours. Follow the writers, publications, and topics that matter to you, and you’ll see them on your homepage and in your inbox. Explore | https://medium.com/digital-product-design-training/%D1%82%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B5%D1%80-%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE-%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B5%D0%BA%D1%82%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B5-%D0%B2%D0%B5%D0%B1-%D1%81%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%81%D0%B0-%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%B8%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B0-%D1%84%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%BD%D0%B5%D1%81-%D1%82%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B0-a27877663468 | ['Zyong Tomas'] | 2020-12-28 11:11:37.306000+00:00 | ['UX Design', 'Marketing', 'Prototyping', 'UI', 'UX'] |
slow down | when your brain spins to fast
follow your own demands
sit down, lay down, stand up, pick anywhere
inhale through your nose
release through your mouth
let it go everywhere
let go
release your shoulders,
let them slide down
feel the energy radiate out
let your neck dive down
hang you chin to your chest
breath in through your nose
and out through your mouth
feel your toes stretch out
wiggle them around
press all five toe pads into the ground
breath in
breath out
slow down
its okay to slow down
its okay to slow down | https://medium.com/@wordofniks/slow-down-27a0d877e4fd | ['Nik Levi'] | 2020-12-20 15:55:55.734000+00:00 | ['Creative Writing', 'Poetry', 'Poet', 'Poetry On Medium', 'Daily Thoughts'] |
Twenty Years After 9/11 — A Renewed Urgency for Unity | by Josh Fryday, California Chief Service Officer
Josh Fryday with his oldest son in 2013.
It was 20 years ago — half my lifetime — and still the memories are fresh. I can close my eyes and see Democrats and Republicans swaying together on the steps of the U.S. Capitol singing ‘God Bless America’. That moment of post-9/11 unity and solidarity remains as vivid as watching the horrific and paralyzing images of the Twin Towers falling on live TV from my college bedroom.
Twenty years later, my children will have a very different memory of a U.S. Capitol overrun by domestic terrorists seeking to upend a presidential election.
After 9/11, politicians, leaders and neighbors stood in solidarity to tackle our biggest challenges and protect our people from grave threats. Two decades later, we are bitterly divided across almost every line, too often leaving us unable to grapple with a pandemic, gun violence, growing inequality and poverty, racism and the existential threat of climate change.
For America to change, we must remember the way we felt immediately after we saw the World Trade Center Towers fall — back when ‘united we stand’ was more than a saying but was something we believed and acted upon.
To start our journey down the path of unity, we must address the loss of trust in each other, in our institutions and even in ourselves. My personal experience, whether on a Ship or Base overseas in the Navy or as Mayor of my hometown in Marin County, has taught me the power of service to build genuine trust among people from very different backgrounds, perspectives and political ideologies.
When our country embarked on what would become the longest war in our country’s history, the military was the clearest and most specific way I felt compelled to join the nation’s efforts. However, in post 9/11 America, serving has too often centered on military service on less than 1% of the population. This was a mistake.
Just think what could have been if more people were called to and given the opportunity to serve after 9/11. Imagine what our country would look like today if our leaders, instead of telling us to go shopping, invested more resources, time and focus in creating opportunities and infrastructure to actually bring us together.
California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday calls on Californians to serve and volunteer in their communities.
As student debt ballooned to $1.7 Trillion over the last twenty years, we could have helped pay for a generation of young people to finish college while serving in our schools, cleaning our communities, aiding in natural disasters and helping the poor. For a fraction of the $2.2 Trillion spent in Afghanistan, how many domestic organizations focused on building community could have been supported?
For my kids, and the next generation we are not going to make this mistake again.
In California, where Governor Newsom created a Cabinet-level position for overseeing Service, we are working to unite Californians and create a culture of service where everyone has the opportunity to serve.
Recently, California approved an unprecedented service investment of nearly $400 million to increase the number of AmeriCorps members in California, create a youth community jobs plan and launch the #CaliforniansForAll College Program — with the spirit of a ‘California GI Bill’ — to help thousands of students receive up to $10,000 for committing to a year of service in their community.
Thousands of young Californians will tutor and mentor low-income students, lead climate impactful projects, fight food insecurity and support a variety of other activities to build community bridges and solve problems.
To further engage Californians in service and civic engagement, we launched a statewide California Climate Action Corps, as well as the #CaliforniansForAll volunteer initiative, calling on and connecting tens of thousands of Californians across the state to volunteer opportunities at food banks, vaccine clinics, environmental groups and other causes.
And with our ‘Neighbor-to-Neighbor’ campaign we are working with NextDoor and other neighborhood partners to call on everyone to check on their neighbors, cook meals, pick up groceries and support each other during Covid-19, fires and other disasters.
The question today is the same as it was for the thousands of us, shocked and uncertain of the future, holding candles side-by-side at the vigil on campus that night twenty years ago — what kind of country do we want to live in? To me, the options are clear. Do we want to continue standing apart from one another, isolated, polarized and lacking common experiences and purpose? Or would we rather live in a country defined by connection and community, where compassion and fundamental trust spurs thriving communities benefitting all?
This is not a question of fairytale or naïve idealism. All big challenges we face as Americans will be determined by our ability to deliberate, work and solve together. Twenty years from now I am hopeful my three children will not reflect on the time with a sense of sadness of what was lost and could have been. Instead, we will be stronger and more united, in service to one another.
Join us at CaliforniansForAll.ca.gov. | https://medium.com/@californiavolunteers/twenty-years-after-9-11-a-renewed-urgency-for-unity-4688697de3b5 | ['California Volunteers', 'Office Of The Governor'] | 2021-09-10 19:32:22.633000+00:00 | ['Community Engagement', 'California', 'Volunteering', 'Unity', '9 11 Memorial'] |
“Mint az élesztő, ahogy megkeleszti a tésztát.” — Csókási Zsolt (Magyar Telekom) a design érettségről | Our publication is a (kind of) personal journal of meet. We tell stories about our work to inspire you. We also tell stories about our mistakes so you don’t make the same ones. We tell our stories but want to hear yours too. So let’s meet.
Follow | https://medium.com/meetperspectives/mint-az-%C3%A9leszt%C5%91-ahogy-megkeleszti-a-t%C3%A9szt%C3%A1t-3c96625801e7 | ['Katinka Boros'] | 2020-12-30 14:00:26.433000+00:00 | ['In House Design', 'Consultant', 'Customer Journey Map', 'Service Design', 'Service Designer'] |
This Week at CMA: 9.3.19–9.8.19 | Check out these must-attend events this week at the CMA.
Video courtesy Cleveland Museum of Art via YouTube.
Medieval Monsters: Terrors, Aliens, Wonders
OPEN NOW
FREE
Where do monsters come from? Discover the answer in this exhibition, the first of its kind in North America. Unicorns, sirens, and dragons leapt from the minds of medieval artists to inspire fear, entertainment, and wonder. Learn more #ontheblog here.
Seated male nude, separate study of his right arm (recto), 1511. Michelangelo Buonarroti (Italian, 1475–1564). Red chalk, heightened with white; 27.9 x 21.4 cm. Teylers Museum, Haarlem, purchased in 1790. © Teylers Museum, Haarlem
Michelangelo: Mind of the Master
COMING SOON: Opens Sun, 9/22
Tickets Available NOW
Members: FREE
Become a Member
Get drawn in. Immerse yourself in the genius of Michelangelo’s creative process. The holidays will be busy–reserve early to secure your preferred date. Member guest tickets are half-off admission.
Image courtesy Cleveland Museum of Art.
MIX: Decoded
Fri, 9/6
6:00–10:00 p.m.
Members: FREE
Tickets
MIX: Decoded is all about blending art and technology. Experience a high-energy, deep-house set from DJ MIMO and visit ArtLens Exhibition to experiment with games that invite you to consider what art can be.
Image courtesy Cleveland Museum of Art.
National Grandparents Day
Sun, 9/8, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Spend the day with your family and celebrate National Grandparents Day at the CMA with activities and exhibitions for all ages.
Creation of the gunpowder work Cuyahoga River Lightning, 2018. Photo: Wen-You Cai, courtesy Cai Studio.
Curator Talk: Cai Guo-Qiang
Wed, 9/4
6:00 p.m.
FREE
Curator Clarissa von Spee leads a tour through the exhibition Cai Guo-Qiang: Cuyahoga River Lightning, which showcases three monumental gunpowder works — including one inspired by the Cuyahoga River — by contemporary Chinese-born artist Cai Guo-Qiang.
Ámà: The Gathering Place.
Ámà: The Gathering Place
OPEN NOW
FREE
“One of Europe’s Fastest-Rising Stars” — Kate Brown, artnet
Artist Emeka Ogboh integrates sound, sculpture, and textiles in the first commissioned artwork for the Ames Family Atrium. Ogboh compares the museum’s atrium to the ámà — or village square — the physical and cultural center of Igbo life in southeast Nigeria, where he was born.
Image courtesy Cleveland Museum of Art.
Must CMA Summer
Summer at the CMA is the time to discover fun events and activities the whole family will enjoy. Must see, must do, must CMA. Read the brochure. See what makes the CMA one of the top art museums in the nation with these iconic works of art. | https://medium.com/cma-thinker/this-week-at-cma-9-3-19-9-8-19-139665ffbc66 | ['Cleveland Museum Of Art'] | 2019-09-03 13:01:01.414000+00:00 | ['Culture', 'Exhibition', 'Events', 'Museums', 'Art'] |
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