Well Tap Our Seabed Resources Via Technology Buhari Vanguard
We’ll Tap Our Seabed Resources Via Technology – Buhari – Vanguard https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/well-tap-our-seabed-resources-via-technology-buhari-vanguard/
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President Muhammadu Buhari says Nigeria has strategic mineral resources in its seabed, which will be exploited through the adequate deployment of technology.
The president stated this when he hosted Mr Michael Lodge, Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority, in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday.
Lodge is in Abuja to attend a workshop on Africa’s Deep Sea Resources in Abuja.
Buhari said resources would be deployed, and studies are done, believing it would be worth the while.
The president also used the occasion to applaud the Nigerian Navy for its role in protecting the country’s maritime domain, urging it to “continue to guard us jealously.”
Lodge thanked Nigeria for hosting the international workshop and lauded the country for providing leadership on the African continent.
He encouraged the country to explore her deep seabed resources “to support the blue economy” and pledged solidarity with Nigeria during his administration as the Secretary-General.
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Warner Frederick Fassnidge Obituary (1936 2022) San Antonio Express-News Legacy.com
Warner Frederick Fassnidge Obituary (1936 – 2022) San Antonio Express-News – Legacy.com https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/warner-frederick-fassnidge-obituary-1936-2022-san-antonio-express-news-legacy-com/
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Holiday Travel To China Is Down 18% Year Over Year Due To Sweeping COVID Bans. | DH Latest News DH NEWS Latest News NEWS Dicline In Tourism Rate In China 18.2cline China Covid Lockdown International Tourism East Coast Daily (English)
Holiday Travel To China Is Down 18% Year Over Year Due To Sweeping COVID Bans. | DH Latest News, DH NEWS, Latest News, NEWS , Dicline In Tourism Rate In China, 18.2cline, China, Covid Lockdown, International Tourism – East Coast Daily (English) https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/holiday-travel-to-china-is-down-18-year-over-year-due-to-sweeping-covid-bans-dh-latest-news-dh-news-latest-news-news-dicline-in-tourism-rate-in-china-18-2cline-china-covid-lockdown-interna/
Government data suggests that, China recorded 422 million tourist journeys for the weeklong National Day vacation that started on October 1—a decrease of 18.2% from the previous holiday season—as the industry continues to be negatively impacted by strict COVID-19 controls.
Data from China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism claims that, state broadcaster CCTV reported late on Friday that the number of trips was 60.7% lower than the pre-COVID 2019 level.
The report indicated that domestic tourism receipts, at 287.2 billion yuan ($40.37 billion), were just 44.2% of their pre-pandemic 2019 level and down 26.2% on the year.
After a COVID outbreak, with 12 positive cases of the Omicron BA.5.2 variant reported by the end of Thursday, one well-known destination, Xishuangbanna in southwest China’s Yunnan province, was subject to strict curbs over the holiday season. Districts were locked down, and tourists were not allowed to leave.
In addition to providing emergency food supplies to visitors unable to leave their hotels, the area has ordered three rounds of testing in Jinghong, one of its metropolitan centres.
After halting outbound travel on October 4, Urumqi, the capital of the remote northwest region of Xinjiang, has set up temporary lodging for travellers.
State media said on Friday that the government will also assist stranded migrant workers in finding employment locally.
Board Of Suzlon Energy Appoints Chairman And MD Business Standard
Board Of Suzlon Energy Appoints Chairman And MD – Business Standard https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/board-of-suzlon-energy-appoints-chairman-and-md-business-standard/
At board meeting held on 07 October 2022
The Board of Suzlon Energy at its meeting held on 07 October 2022 has approved the appointment of Vinod R.Tanti as the Chairman & Managing Director of the Company with immediate effect, i.e. from 7 October 2022. The Board also approved the appointment Girish R.Tanti as the Executive Director designated as the Executive Vice Chairman of the Company with immediate effect, i.e. from 7 October 2022.
The Board has appointed Pranav Tanti (DIN: 02957770) as an Additional Director of the Company, with effect from 7 October 2022.
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First Published: Sat, October 08 2022. 13:23 IST
The Secret To A Long Life Has Been Revealed And Its Unexpected Ohmymag
The Secret To A Long Life Has Been Revealed, And It’s Unexpected – Ohmymag https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/the-secret-to-a-long-life-has-been-revealed-and-its-unexpected-ohmymag/
Published on October 8, 2022 at 7:30 AM by Ashley Jones
Research shows people who look on the bright side are more likely to live longer.
Your outlook on life could be the reason you live long. A recent study shows that optimistic women are more likely to make it past 90 years, regardless of racial and ethnic background. The research supports previous studies linking optimism to long life.
Brighter side, brighter life
The research by a team from the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health looked at data collected from some 160,000 racially and ethically diverse, postmenopausal women.
People of an upbeat disposition have previously been found to have a lower risk of heart conditions and premature death. Researchers now say it could also play a role in living a long life. The participants were between ages 50 and 79 and the data was collected over a 26-year period.
The researchers found that the 25% most optimistic participants were likely to live up to 5.4% longer and were 10% more likely to live beyond 90 than the least optimistic quarter participants, according to Today.com. The study, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found no significant change in the results regardless of demographic, chronic conditions and depression.
Lifestyle factors, such as regular exercise and healthy eating, accounted for less than a quarter of the optimism-lifespan association, indicating that other factors may be at play.
Getty/ Tim Robberts
Environmental factors
However, this study is not encouraging you to bury your head in the sand when things get tough. According to Newsweek, the idea is to reframe difficult situations to find potential solutions while maintaining a sense of hope for the future. Speaking to the news outlet, one of the researchers at Harvard University, Hayami Koga said environmental factors are equally important in shaping your outlook.
Heritability studies have found optimism to be a little more than 25 percent genetic. Factors such as childhood environment, education, financial stability. There are a number of ways in which psychological factors can influence physical health.
Research suggested people who are more optimistic might also lead a healthier lifestyle.
Sources used:
Newsweek: Scientists Uncover the Secret to a Longer, Healthier Life: Optimism
Guardian: Optimism may hold secret to longer life, study suggests
Harvard TH Chan: High optimism linked with longer life and living past 90 in women across racial, ethnic groups
Today.com: Optimists live longer, study finds. Here’s how to boost positive thinking
Read more:
⋙ Here are some ways your body reacts when you’re dehydrated
⋙ Your eyes could show when you’re going to die, according to study
⋙ Anorgasmia: The reason why you find it difficult to orgasm
What Channel Is BYU Vs. Notre Dame On Today? Time TV Schedule For Las Vegas Game Sporting News
What Channel Is BYU Vs. Notre Dame On Today? Time, TV Schedule For Las Vegas Game – Sporting News https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/what-channel-is-byu-vs-notre-dame-on-today-time-tv-schedule-for-las-vegas-game-sporting-news/
Notre Dame and BYU are heading to Sin City for a seemingly out-of-place battle of independents in Week 6.
The Fighting Irish and Cougars will play at the Raiders’ Allegiant Stadium — officially ruled a home game for BYU despite the neutral site — in a battle of college football’s top religiously affiliated programs.
BYU will rely on quarterback Jaren Hall in its bid to take down the Fighting Irish: The 6-1, 205-pound junior signal-caller has completed 120 of 171 passes for 1,438 yards and 12 touchdowns to just one interception. The Cougars also have a pair of runners who average at least six yards per carry in Christopher Brooks (294 yards, four touchdowns, 6.0 ypc) and Miles Davis (167 yards, 7.0 ypc).
Meanwhile, Notre Dame will continue with quarterback Drew Pyne in replacement of Tyler Buchner. The backup-turned-starter has guided the Fighting Irish back from a disastrous 0-2 start to beat Cal and North Carolina, teams against whom he completed 41 of 57 (71.9 percent) for five touchdowns.
MORE: Watch BYU vs. Notre Dame live with fuboTV (free trial)
Can Pyne lead Notre Dame to its third straight win? Or will Hall and Co. advance to 5-1 on the season? The Sporting News has everything you need to know to tune in and find out:
What channel is BYU vs. Notre Dame on today?
TV channel (national): NBC
Live stream: Peacock, fuboTV
BYU vs. Notre Dame will broadcast on NBC and Peacock. Jac Collinsworth and Jason Garrett will continue their coverage of “Notre Dame on NBC” while Zora Stephenson reports from the sidelines.
Streaming options include Peacock and fuboTV, which offers a free trial.
BYU vs. Notre Dame start time
Date: Saturday, Oct. 8
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
The neutral-site game between the independent Fighting Irish and Cougars will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
MORE: College football picks, predictions against the spread for Week 6 top 25 games
BYU schedule 2022
Date
Opponent
Result
Sept. 3
at South Florida
BYU 50, USF 21
Sept. 10
vs. No. 9 Baylor
BYU 26, Baylor 20
Sept. 17
at No. 25 Oregon
Oregon 41, BYU 20
Sept. 24
vs. Wyoming
BYU 38, Wyoming 24
Sept. 29 (Thursday)
vs. Utah State
BYU 38, Utah State 26
Oct. 8
vs. Notre Dame
TBD
Oct. 15
vs. Arkansas
TBD
Oct. 22
at Liberty
TBD
Oct. 28 (Friday)
vs. East Carolina
TBD
Nov. 5
at Boise State
TBD
Nov. 12
Bye
N/A
Nov. 19
vs. Utah Tech
TBD
Nov. 26
at Stanford
TBD
Notre Dame schedule 2022
Date
Opponent
Result
Sept. 3
at No. 2 Ohio State
Ohio State 21, Notre Dame 10
Sept. 10
vs. Marshall
Marshall 26, Notre Dame 21
Sept. 17
vs. California
Notre Dame 24, Cal 17
Sept. 24
at North Carolina
Notre Dame 45, UNC 32
Oct. 1
Bye
N/A
Oct. 8
vs. No. 16 BYU
TBD
Oct. 15
vs. Stanford
TBD
Oct. 22
vs. UNLV
TBD
Oct. 29
at No. 22 Syracuse
TBD
Nov. 5
vs. No. 5 Clemson
TBD
Nov. 12
vs. Navy
TBD
Nov. 19
vs. Boston College
TBD
Nov. 26
at No. 6 USC
TBD
Tag: Metas Metaverse Panned (2022) | Mind Matters Walter Bradley Center For Natural And Artificial Intelligence
Tag: Meta’s Metaverse Panned (2022) | Mind Matters – Walter Bradley Center For Natural And Artificial Intelligence https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/tag-metas-metaverse-panned-2022-mind-matters-walter-bradley-center-for-natural-and-artificial-intelligence/
metaverse-technology-future-concept-vr-virtual-digital-reality-cyber-metaverse-simulation-innovation-connection-global-blockchain-experiences-network-futuristic-3d-rendering-stockpack-adobe-stock
Type
post
Author
News
Date
October 7, 2022
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence, Arts & Culture, Virtual Reality
Tagged
Audrey de Rancourt-Raymond, Bruce Willis deepfake, Deepcake, Deepfaked news, Maggie Harrison, Meta’s Metaverse, Meta’s Metaverse panned (2022), Metaverse as concept, Nadia Ismaili, Steven Levy, Twitter vs. Elon Musk
How’s Mark Zuckerberg’s Metaverse Doing These Days?
That’s been quite the flop — but the world of virtual reality and avatars is mainstreaming quite rapidly
News
October 7, 2022
6
Artificial Intelligence, Arts & Culture, Virtual Reality
Apple’s Tim Cook doesn’t think much of it, apparently. Billions of dollars later, lots of people don’t: As waves of critics pointed out, the design of this “immersive” world is astoundingly underwhelming. In the cursed screenshot, Zuck’s pasty, robotic avatar — the design of which is perhaps a half step above a Wii Mii — is pictured in front of a sparse, sad landscape upon which arbitrarily sized replicas of France’s Eiffel Tower and Spain’s Tibidabo Cathedral are uncomfortably plopped. Maggie Harrison, “Wave of criticism hits Zuckerberg’s Metaverse for looking like crap” at Futurism (August 17, 2021) It turns out, even employees who built it don’t use it. At Forbes, the Money columnist thinks the basic idea is the way…
The 4 Best Robot Vacuums For High-Pile Carpet Bustle
The 4 Best Robot Vacuums For High-Pile Carpet – Bustle https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/the-4-best-robot-vacuums-for-high-pile-carpet-bustle/
Robot vacuums are an enticing gadget for anyone who doesn’t have the time or energy to regularly vacuum their home the old-fashioned way. Some models can be a bit fussy about vacuuming on particularly thick carpets, but the best robot vacuums for high-pile carpet tackle the problem with an effective brush roll. Other features like home mapping, HEPA filters, self-emptying dust bins, and mop settings can also make a device better at meeting your specific cleaning needs. Just keep in mind that the overall best vacuums for thick carpets are generally canister and upright models — but there are still some excellent robot vacuum options available if you’re in search of a more hands-off approach for routine cleaning.
How To Choose A Robot Vacuum For High-Pile Carpet
Robot vacuums all roughly have the same basic function, with variation in materials, tech features, and cleaning specifics that may make one model more suited for your lifestyle over another.
Brush rolls surface dirt trapped in carpet in order to effectively vacuum it up, so it’s essential that the robot vacuum you pick for high-pile carpet is equipped with one. They come in many materials, but ones made of rubber or silicone rather than traditional bristles to prevent hair from tangling, and are often a good choice for pet owners. Some brush rolls are also self-cleaning, helping to ensure you don’t need to detangle them yourself.
All of the included vacuums on this list connect to apps, but some of them have the additional ability to map your home so you can stipulate exactly where you want — and don’t want — them to clean. This is a great feature to look for if you keep particular office hours when you need absolute quiet, have a playroom that’s often covered in toys which might get in the vacuum’s way, or imagine any other scenarios where you’ll want to be careful about where the vacuum roams. Vacuums that aren’t able to map your home can be assisted by boundary strips — magnetic tape which tells the vacuum not to enter an area. The strips are sold separately and correlate to specific brands.
According to the EPA, HEPA filters are certified to remove 99.7% of dust, pollen, and other airborne particles, so if you’re particularly concerned with air quality or minimizing potential allergens, consider opting for a robot vacuum with this kind of filter.
Self-emptying robot vacuums deposit the waste they pickup into their dock whenever they return to charge. Since these bins are larger than the one inside the vacuum, it alleviates the need to empty the vacuum often. Instead, you’ll only have to empty the dock every month or so.
Some robot vacuums double as robot mops. While you won’t want this feature for use on carpets, if you’re looking for an all-purpose cleaning gadget you can use on any floor surface to great effect, you may want to get one that does double duty.
Shop The Best Robot Vacuums For High-Pile Carpet
In a hurry? These are the best robot vacuums for high-pile carpet:
A Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum With A Self-Cleaning Brush Roll: Shark RV1001AE IQ Robot Self-Empty XL
A Robot Vacuum With Rubber Brush Rolls: iRobot Roomba i3 EVO Wi-Fi Connected Robot Vacuum
A Budget-Friendly Robot Vacuum With A Silicone Brush Roll: yeedi k650 Wi-Fi Robotic Vacuum Cleaner
A Combination Robot Vacuum & Mop: yeedi Vac Station Robot Vacuum And Mop
Here are some of the best robot vacuums for high-pile carpet, which reviewers confirm take down dirt on even their shaggiest rugs.
1. A Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum With A Self-Cleaning Brush Roll
Pros:
Brush roll self-cleans to avoid hair tangles
Self-empties the dust bin into the dock
Cons:
Requires boundary tape to avoid some obstacles
Shark’s self-emptying robot vacuum makes cleaning even easier, thanks to its ability to dock and deposit the debris all on its own. The dock holds about 45 days’ worth of dirt before needing to be emptied. While made with traditional bristles, its brush roll is conveniently self-cleaning for ease of maintenance. The vac is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, and you can also map your home within its app and select which specific rooms you’d like to be cleaned at any time. However, if you’d like it to avoid any very specific areas, you will need to use boundary tape so it knows where not to clean. The tape is sold separately. The vac uses a non-washable paper filter.
Brush roll: Self-cleaning bristles | Home mapping: Yes | HEPA filter: No | Self-emptying: Yes | Mop feature: No
One reviewer wrote: “The shark IQ works great. It learned our large floor layout after 2-3 runs. It cleans hardwood floors, low carpets and high-pile, shag-type carpets. Lines are uniform and even. It gets under chairs and furniture, and hits all the corners too. When it runs out of charge, it docks, recharges and resumes until it’s completed the entire floor area. At first, it got stuck in a few places such as behind furniture and in the powder room, but we placed the blocking strips for future runs.”
2. A Robot Vacuum With Dual Rubber Brush Rolls
Pros:
Rubber brushes excel at picking up hair without tangling
Provides suggestions for best cleaning
Cons:
Brush rolls require occasional replacement
The iRobot Roomba i3 EVO has not just one, but two rubber brush rolls, making it a particularly good choice for pet owners whose carpets need frequent upkeep. The vacuum self-adjusts its height when working on different flooring types, so it’ll be a smart pick if your space has both high-pile carpets and wood or tile. It uses high-efficiency paper filters, features home mapping in its app, and is compatible with Google Home and Alexa. But its coolest feature might be its ability to make cleaning suggestions based both on your past vacuuming sessions as well as the time of year when allergens may be more present. Reviewers have noted that its brush rolls need occasional replacement.
Brush roll: 2 rubber brushes | Home mapping: Yes | HEPA filter: No | Self-emptying: No | Mop feature: No
One reviewer wrote: “I receive the i3 As a Christmas present and I am completely impressed and Also a little embarrassed after seeing all the dirt that it can pick up especially since I own a Dyson animal which I always thought had done an awesome job. I have no complaints on my thick carpet, area rugs, or my hardwood floors. It really does a great job! I highly recommend it!”
3. A Budget-Friendly Robot Vacuum For Carpet
Pros:
Cheapest option on this list
Silicone brush roll prevents hair tangles
Cons:
Doesn’t have smart mapping
Requires boundary strips for areas you don’t want it to clean
This robot vacuum is slightly more budget-friendly than the other options on this list, and it has the essential features you need for an efficient clean without a ton of bells and whistles. It doesn’t feature home mapping, but it does have sensors to prevent collisions and falls, and you can lay down boundary tape to keep it away from certain spaces. While the Yeedi-specific tape is currently sold out, reviewers have had good results using this boundary tape instead. The vacuum is also compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa. It can clean for 130 minutes per charge and uses replaceable HEPA filters to keep allergens to a minimum.
Brush roll: Tangle-free silicone brush | Home mapping: No | HEPA filter: Yes | Self-emptying: No | Mop feature: No
One reviewer wrote: “I don’t write reviews very often, but this little powerhouse earned one. I didn’t expect much when I ordered this and I quickly fell in love with it. It is able to handle thick carpet with ease. I couldn’t believe all of the places it was able to clean and it gets all of the places that I skip. My house hasn’t looked this good in years. I’ve had it for a week now and use it every day. I loved it so much I bought a 2nd one for the 2nd floor. I can’t speak to its durability, but I’m impressed so far.”
4. A Combination Robot Vacuum & Mop
Pros:
Dual vacuum and mop functionality
Self-empties into a bagged dock
Uses a HEPA filter
Cons:
Uses a bristled brush roll that might not be suitable for pet hair
Looking for a robot cleaning gadget that works on all kinds of surfaces? This combination robot vacuum and mop is here to help. It’s designed to clean both hard surfaces and high-pile carpets alike on 200 minutes of runtime per charge. It adjusts its suction based on the surface it’s working on (with more suction on carpets) — and, of course, it knows not to use its mopping feature on carpets, thanks in part to the app’s home mapping feature. The vacuum is self-emptying, and its bagged dust collector only needs to be emptied every 30 days or so. It uses a HEPA sponge filter and washable mop pads.
One potential trade-off: Some reviewers have had trouble with the bristled brush roll tangling when faced with lots of hair, so it may not be the best choice for pet owners.
Brush roll: Traditional brush roll | Home mapping: Yes | HEPA filter: Yes | Self-emptying: Yes | Mop feature: Yes
One reviewer wrote: “The yeedi is by far the best vacuum/mop I’ve had! Members of my family have different brands of vacuums that don’t work as well and don’t have the mop feature. The yeedi is able to determine if needs to adjust its suction power for the different levels of carpet and you can determine how much water you want the mop to put out. When using the mop mode, it can tell where there is carpet and it will make sure not to go over that area. The final part I love of this machine is the ability to put boundaries on the map where you don’t want the machine to go. You don’t have to buy extra sensors to put in different areas of the house. Just pick the part of your map and place the boundary.”
About The Recommender
Rachel Dunkel is a commerce writer whose work regularly appears on sites including Bustle, Elite Daily, Mi...
Bitcoin Drops Below $20000 And Binance Blockchain Hit By $570 Million Hack CNBC
Bitcoin Drops Below $20,000, And Binance Blockchain Hit By $570 Million Hack – CNBC https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/bitcoin-drops-below-20000-and-binance-blockchain-hit-by-570-million-hack-cnbc/
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CNBC Crypto World features the latest news and daily trading updates from the digital currency markets and provides viewers with a look at what’s ahead with high-profile interviews, explainers, and unique stories from the ever-changing crypto industry. On today’s show, Chen Arad, Chief Operating Officer at Solidus Labs, discusses the string of security breaches hitting digital assets and what it means for the industry.
North Korea Says Missile Tests Self-Defence Against U.S. Military Threats -KCNA Reuters
North Korea Says Missile Tests Self-Defence Against U.S. Military Threats -KCNA – Reuters https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/north-korea-says-missile-tests-self-defence-against-u-s-military-threats-kcna-reuters/
SEOUL, Oct 8 (Reuters) – North Korea said on Saturday its missile tests are for self-defence against direct U.S. military threats and they have not harmed the safety of neighbouring countries and regions.
North Korea carried out six missile launches in 12 days as of this week, including launching an intermediate-range missile over Japan on Tuesday.
“Our missile tests are a normal, planned self-defence measure to protect our country’s security and regional peace from direct U.S. military threats,” said state media KCNA, citing an aviation administration spokesperson.
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The missile tests “did not pose any threat or harm to the safety of civil aviation as well as the safety of neighbouring countries and regions, by a full consideration of civil aviation safety in advance.”
The message was in response to the International Civil Aviation Organization Council condemning North Korea’s missile launches for posing a serious safety risk to international civil aviation, KCNA said.
North Korea’s defence ministry was “taking a stern look at the development of the current situation, which is very worrisome,” regarding U.S.-South Korean drills involving the nuclear-powered U.S. aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, KCNA said in a separate statement.
The United States and South Korea held joint maritime exercises on Friday, a day after Seoul scrambled fighter jets in reaction to an apparent North Korean bombing drill.
The United States also announced new sanctions on Friday in response to North Korea’s latest missile launches.
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Reporting by Joyce Lee; Editing by Leslie Adler, Chris Reese and David Gregorio
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Googles News Partnerships APAC Head: Committed To Responding To Needs Of Indian Publishers Challenging When Govt Is Involved The Indian Express
Google’s News Partnerships APAC Head: ‘Committed To Responding To Needs Of Indian Publishers… Challenging When Govt Is Involved’ – The Indian Express https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/googles-news-partnerships-apac-head-committed-to-responding-to-needs-of-indian-publishers-challenging-when-govt-is-involved-the-indian-express/
Kate Beddoe, director of Google’s News Partnerships in APAC, believes India is a market where Google can have a very strong impact on ensuring access to quality information through a sustainable and growing business of news. She spoke with Nandagopal Rajan on how Google is engaging with publishers, updating the product to cater to the needs of readers, and balancing the many forces at play in the space of news. Edited excerpts from a video interview.
As you engage with publishers, what is your North Star goal? What is it that you finally want to achieve? Is it improving the visibility of the publishers, is it improving your ad business?
Kate Beddoe: As a former journalist, and as somebody who has spent an entire career in the news industry, the thing that is most important to me is that we find the right balance of how can I help quality news reach an audience in a meaningful way. But in order to do that, how do we find the business models that will allow that quality content to exist and reach audiences? For me, the North Star is a balance in the relationship between users, technology and news organisations themselves, and finding a workable equilibrium on those three factors.
How important is it then to ensure you have a level playing field, because you have different types of publishers, some big, some small… and you have the technology also coming into the picture with the algorithm. How do you manage all of that, especially in times where news and the delivery of news, the access to news is so critical, especially in the democracies?
Kate Beddoe: There are a combination of things that we need to balance. I think on one hand there is the response to users and you know, what is it that they’re looking for, and how do we serve the needs they have. We have increasingly found that people are looking for very local-based news which is becoming increasingly important. We saw that during the pandemic as well. People didn’t want to discuss the pandemic in general, they wanted to know what was happening that was most relevant to them. And so, there is an element of user behaviour and we track very carefully what users want and need, and how they are expressing their preferences for content. There is a very strong sense that we get through the way that we send traffic to different news organisations, as to what content is best to answer the kinds of questions that people have.
But there is a whole journey that goes into making sure there are quality answers to questions that is everything from media literacy, and how critical people are about thinking about the content they are consuming and where it’s coming from. Instead of trusted sources, there’s somebody that writes with authority on this topic, through to the way that news organisations themselves are focusing on, you know, taking their beats to make sure they are accurate and fact-checked and then the signals that we can take from the interaction between those two things to make sure that we are elevating quality content, regardless of where it comes from. So we are very focused on making sure there are a diverse range of quality content voices that meet user needs in every country we are working with.
Google has been working on taking search out of search by serving content based on user preferences. Does that also come with the pitfalls of creating echo chambers for the readers?
Kate Beddoe: So we tend to talk about our products as query-based surfaces like search, and then query-less surfaces… Discover would be a great example of that and it is so strong in India. Google News would be another example of that. The question of balance and whether or not we are just reaffirming consumers’ behaviours and beliefs is something that we look at, and we think very carefully about. So one of the things that you will see in Google News, for example, is that when you see an article it will offer you more on this topic. And the more on this topic is deliberately designed to offer you a diverse perspective on the topic so that you are hearing from a range of different voices. That’s one example of the way we are trying to embed the sense of user curiosity and how can you go deeper on this from a broader perspective. I think that the challenge of affirming echo chambers is something that is probably much broader than just Google and something that we really are very keen to collaborate and work very constructively with the industry on.
Are you also working on new products like Showcase which maybe gives more control on what should be read compared to what people want to read?
Kate Beddoe: That’s an interesting challenge. There’s a lot I love about the Showcase product and the way that it helps to signal the kind of quality content through the 90 publishers that we have signed up for the programme in India. We have heard feedback for years around editors wanting to be able to use some of our space to identify what they think is important. I think there is always going to be a challenge with digital media, in that it is more measurable to see what consumers are actually interested in reading. I don’t think that anybody has yet cracked the challenge of getting people to read what they need to know, against what they want to know or what entertains them.
More broadly, we are moving into an environment where the competition for attention is something that we see universally. People can spend time reading very long form articles or they can spend a very short amount of time consuming a much more visually rich expression of the same information. We know that people are going to want to go to the more visually rich but shorter time spent consuming (information). That doesn’t mean it doesn’t have the same value, but I think that there’s a lot of questions that we are very keen to work with the industry on how do we bring trust and authenticity to a group of readers who have a much shorter attention span than, perhaps, we are used to creating content for.
Of late Google has been surfacing a lot of the smaller publishers or websites often not from the mainstream. Is there a mechanism within Google to keep an eye on content that you end up surfacing?
Kate Beddoe: I’m not an algorithm expert. What I can say is that our way of surfacing content is relatively simplistic. Within search, we are looking at where a user is and what responses have we seen to other questions. It’s very rare that you get a question that’s never been asked before in search. And so we look at things like have other users clicked on this content… if they have clicked and if they bounce back and ask a slightly different question, we know that (content) hasn’t really answered their question. So what we are looking at is very much focused on the engagement and interaction that people are having with the small amount of content that surfaces on our platforms. Because we don’t host all of this content, we don’t have visibility into that in-depth version of it that, perhaps, other platforms where all the content is fully hosted would have. I’m dramatically oversimplifying what is, I’m sure, very complicated for all our engineers, but at the simplest level that’s what we’re attempting to do. There’s no question of how it plays through from a broader corporate perspective.
News is just 2% of what Google handles and in that sense it is pretty low down the hierarchy. But given the impact of that 2% on everything that we do, is it getting a little bit more headspace in the organisation as such?
Kate Beddoe: Definitely. I think when you look at organisations within Google, such as the partnerships work that I do, it is important to us that we have a very strong relationship and that we are fulfilling our need and desire to be elevating and showcasing quality content. And that’s because our product is better when there are better answers. If users came to Google and didn’t feel like they could trust the information they were getting in response to the questions they were asking, we would not be an effective product.
But it is also important to us that we’re working on the sustainability of the industry. And so as much as we run some amazing programmes where we are working with training, I think we have trained literally thousands of journalists through the News Lab and over 40,000 journalists have gone through our training around quality content. But we are similarly running programmes around advertising, where we have worked with over 300 publishers in India, or reader revenue where we are much more focused and you know and we are running programmes on digital transformation with 20 publishers. All of this is designed to make sure that the business of news is supporting the goal of that quality content.
India is a very different market with a lot more dependence on search for distribution of news and algorithm changes hence have a very significant impact on the business of news. Is that something that you are mindful of?
Kate Beddoe: We work a lot with news organisations to increase their specific presence so that direct entry is important. The thing that is important is that when it comes to the changes that we make in the way different content is shown, it is really about making sure that we are continuing to meet the needs of users, and that we are answering their questions.
I’ll give you a really specific example from about 18 months ago, when the pandemic hit. There was a working assumption that this was an international story for most people. And so what we were looking for was what is the most authoritative source of content at an international level for what was a story t...
Bexar County District Attorney Rejects Charges Against Erik Cantu KENS5.com
Bexar County District Attorney Rejects Charges Against Erik Cantu – KENS5.com https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/bexar-county-district-attorney-rejects-charges-against-erik-cantu-kens5-com/
The teenager is still in the hospital after being shot by a now-fired SAPD officer.
SAN ANTONIO — The Bexar County District Attorney rejected charges against Erik Cantu, who is still in the hospital. Nearly a week since the incident at a McDonalds on Blanco Road which cost a rookie San Antonio police officer his job and nearly cost seventeen-year-old his life.
“Get out of the car,” The voice of now-former SAPD officer James Brennand can be heard on the Body-Camera footage released by SAPD. After a quick glance at Brennand, who did not verbally identify himself as an officer, Cantu can be seen shifting into reverse and attempting to drive away, burger still in hand.
The body-cam footage can be viewed here.
The interaction last Sunday with Brennand left 17-year-old Cantu with four bullet wounds and two criminal charges from SAPD.
“When the case was filed, the teenager was originally charged with evading with a vehicle an aggravated assault,” Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzalez said outside of the Paul Elizondo Tower as he announced he would be rejecting those charges.
Gonzalez said that since Cantu hasn’t been formally indicted, they can decide to pursue charges later depending on the evidence.
“That’s not to say that, that charges can’t or won’t be brought against that individual. But for now, that is a decision that we are making,” he said. “There’s no risk of his escaping. It’s not like he can get up and run away”
In the meantime, this move allows Cantu’s family greater access to him while he recovers in the hospital.
“I understand it’s a touch and go situation. So again, exercising my discretion, what I decided to do was to for now dismiss this case, so that his family can be by his side, so that they can visit with him.”
As for Officer Brennand, he has been fired over the incident. He had been on the force for seven months which put him in a probationary period. Bexar County Civil Rights investigators are also looking at the incident.
“I don’t want to speculate. We know deadly weapon was used that’s aggravated assault with a deadly weapon,” said Bexar County Civil Rights Division Chief Daryl Harris.
“There are certain enhancements by the statute given the officer stature,” Harris said.
Gonzalez said that any charges brought against Brennand will not be taken lightly.
“When we charge an officer with a crime it is a very serious matter, and we take it very seriously,” Gonzalez said. “But we do that because I have made a commitment to this community that there is no one that is above the law, and we will hold everyone accountable.”
Cayuga Lake Is A Great Girlfriends Getaway By Travel Writers Creators Syndicate
Cayuga Lake Is A Great Girlfriends’ Getaway, By Travel Writers – Creators Syndicate https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/cayuga-lake-is-a-great-girlfriends-getaway-by-travel-writers-creators-syndicate/
By Candyce H. Stapen
We knew we had booked the right girlfriends’ getaway as soon as we pulled into the driveway of Rowland House in Aurora, New York. At 10,000 square feet and with 10 rooms, the Queen Anne-style home felt both impressive and friendly. Cayuga Lake glistened in the background, and 120-year-old ginkgo trees crowned the lawn, their leaves the color of spun gold in the fall.
My friend, Barbara, and I felt we had dropped into a charmed storybook setting. Aurora, with a year-round population of fewer than 300, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. On strolls through the village, we admired the grand 19th-century houses. Later on, we learned the remarkable story of the village’s picture-book prettiness.
We chose the Finger Lakes for our water, wineries, woods and walking vacation, basing ourselves on Cayuga Lake’s shores. One of the five Inns of Aurora, Rowland House satisfied our desire for a small property with big hotel services. A sister inn housed a restaurant, and a spa beckoned within a five-minute drive. Vineyards, hiking trails and waterfalls laced the region. Although we hadn’t booked early enough to get a massage, we walked by the spa’s cattail-ringed pond and along soybean fields edged with white, yellow and purple wildflowers, part of Aurora’s expansive landscape.
Another draw was Cayuga Lake, the longest of the Finger Lakes at more than 38 miles. We learned about Aurora’s storied residents on a wind-in-our-hair boat ride with Capt. Matt Bianconi, whose family has lived here for generations. Local entrepreneurs Edwin Barber Morgan and his brother, Henry, grew wealthy shipping agricultural and other products through Cayuga Lake to the nearby Erie Canal, which opened in 1825. From the 363-mile waterway stretching from Buffalo to New York, boats reached the Great Lakes and cruised down the Hudson River to New York City. Trade boomed.
In 1832, the Morgans met and became friends with Henry Wells, who later moved to Aurora. He became Cayuga Lake Railroad president and commissioned the lake’s first passenger steamboats. To lodge merchants, E.B. Morgan opened Aurora House, which later became the Aurora Inn, in 1833. Aurora Inn and Morgan’s grand 1858 Italianate-style mansion are two of the Inns of Aurora’s properties. Morgan was also an original investor in the New York Times.
Wells founded American Express and co-founded Wells Fargo to enable merchants to transport gold and cash safely between California and the East Coast. He also established Wells Seminary in 1868, renamed Wells College in 1870, with E.B. Morgan and other benefactors to educate women. The graduating class still rides stagecoaches through town to celebrate.
As a student at Wells, Pleasant Rowland fell in love with Aurora. She created the American Girl books and dolls series, later selling it to Mattel for $700 million. Starting in 2001, she invested more than $150 million in the village, burying power lines, opening inns and a market and lavishing the same attention to detail that propelled the success of American Girl to the village’s regeneration.
Driving past rolling fields and hillside wineries to restaurants and attractions was a gift to the eye. On the outdoor deck at Elderberry Pond Restaurant, a local gem serving its organically grown fruits and vegetables, we dined on excellent duck and crab cakes while listening to the breeze rustle the leaves of the maple trees. In fall, they turn a splendid burnt orange.
More than 100 wineries take root in the Finger Lakes. Of the 14 dotting Cayuga Lake, we toured two up the road in Union Springs. At Quarry Ridge’s hillside setting, we savored a dry rose and lake views from the winery’s covered porch. Next door, Heart & Hands Wine Co. has a small indoor tasting room and a table in a garden where we sampled rich pinot noir, riesling and chardonnay while learning about the wines and the lake’s microclimate that keeps the vineyards alive in winter.
Drawn by the chance to see the tallest free-falling waterfall in the Northeast, we hiked the gorge trail in Taughannock Falls State Park in Ulysses, about 50 miles from Aurora. As promised, the waterfall tumbled 215 feet down a vertical rock face. However, the recent drought reduced the cascade to a disappointing, hard-to-see trickle. Nonetheless, we liked walking between the 400-foot-high cliffs.
Each afternoon we came back to sit lakefront on Adirondack chairs, enjoying complimentary wine and cheese, and taking in the water views. Since the vast majority of the shoreline is privately owned, the lake feels pristine. Instead of crowds and numerous vessels, we heard only the occasional boat. We treasured the soothing lake views and the quiet.
WHEN YOU GO
Rowland House is part of the five Inns of Aurora: www.innsofaurora.com.
Tour Cayuga in the Finger Lakes: www.tourcayuga.com
Bianconi Tours, Cayuga Lake Boat Cruises: www.bianconitours.com
Elderberry Pond Restaurant: 315-252-6025 (Their website is currently under construction. Meanwhile, they have a Facebook page.)
Quarry Ridge Winery: www.quarryridgewinery.com
Heart & Hands Wine: www.heartandhandswine.com
Taughannock Falls State Park: www.taughannock.com
Rowland House in Aurora, New York, was established by Pleasant Rowland, who also created American Girl dolls and books. Photo courtesy of Inns of Aurora.
Some rooms at Rowland House in Aurora, New York, overlook Cayuga Lake. Photo courtesy of Inns of Aurora.
Adirondack chairs overlooking Cayuga Lake in the Finger Lakes region of New York, provide the perfect end to a day of exploring the area. Photo courtesy of Inns of Aurora.
Candyce H. Stapen is a writer at www.greatfamilyvacations.com. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook @Familyitrips and Instagram @CandyceStapen
and discover www.HennysKids.org, her non-profit that brings solar-powered computers and training to rural schools in Africa. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.
BREAKING: Induction Of Women Agniveers Next Year Announces IAF Chief Hindustan Times
BREAKING: ‘Induction Of Women Agniveers Next Year,’ Announces IAF Chief – Hindustan Times https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/breaking-induction-of-women-agniveers-next-year-announces-iaf-chief-hindustan-times/
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Updated on Oct 08, 2022 10:28 AM IST
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Oct 08, 2022 10:28 AM IST
‘Induction of women Agniveers next year,’ announces IAF chief
‘Induction of women Agniveers next year,’ announces IAF chief VR Chaudhari on Air Force Day.
Oct 08, 2022 09:50 AM IST
India logs 2,797 fresh Covid infections in 24 hours
India logs 2,797 fresh Covid infections today, active cases drop below 30,000.
Oct 08, 2022 08:39 AM IST
11 dead, 38 injured after bus catches fire in Nashik
At least eleven people including a child died after a bus caught fire in Maharashtra’s Nashik Friday night, reported news agency ANI quoting the police. Read more here
Oct 08, 2022 08:31 AM IST
Rajnath Singh to attend the Indian Air Force Day celebrations in Chandigarh
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to attend the Indian Air Force Day celebrations in Chandigarh today.
Oct 08, 2022 07:48 AM IST
Congress party’s Bharat Jodo Yatra resumes
Congress party’s Bharat Jodo Yatra resumes from Mayasandra, Tumakuru in Karnataka.
Oct 08, 2022 06:33 AM IST
IGL hikes CNG price in Delhi-NCR
Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) has hiked the price of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in Delhi by ₹3 per kg to ₹78.61 per Kg. For Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad, the CNG price has been hiked to ₹81.17 per Kg, while in Gurugram, it will cost ₹86.94 per Kg.
Oct 08, 2022 06:32 AM IST
Heavy rainfall leads to waterlogging in parts of Mumbai
Maharashtra: Several parts of Mumbai face waterlogging due to incessant heavy rainfall.
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Air Force Day 2022: Stage set for grand IAF show in Chandigarh | Top 10
Published on Oct 08, 2022 10:29 AM IST
Security has been tightened in Chandigarh ahead of the grand air show. The city administration has also arranged shuttle services between alighting/parking points and Sukhna Lake to ferry people to the show.
Chandigarh: IAF fighter jets fly-past in a formation during the full dress rehearsal for the Indian Air Force Day celebrations, over the Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh, Thursday, Oct 6, 2022. (PTI Photo) (PTI10_06_2022_000232A)(PTI)
No one told India to not buy oil from Russia, says Hardeep Singh Puri
Updated on Oct 08, 2022 09:14 AM IST
“Have I been told by anyone to stop buying Russian oil? The answer is a categorical No,” Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on the issue of India buying Russian oil. “Typically what Europe buys in one afternoon is what we buy in a quarter,” the minister said.
BREAKING: ‘Induction of women Agniveers next year,’ announces IAF chief
Updated on Oct 08, 2022 10:28 AM IST
Breaking news October 08, 2022 live updates: Get latest news, breaking news, latest updates, live news, top headlines, breaking business news and top news of the hour.
Raj Thackeray’s MNS supports ‘Adipurush’; ‘Have you seen Ravana in real life?’
Updated on Oct 08, 2022 06:22 AM IST
MNS leader Ameya Khopkar said the party supports Adipurush director Om Raut and will not accept BJP’s ‘gundagardi’. “Has Ram Kadam ever seen Ravana in his life or does he have a photo of Ravana in his pocket?” he asked.
OPEC+ move will impact global prices, says India
Updated on Oct 08, 2022 08:22 AM IST
Speaking to reporters in Washington DC, Union minister of petroleum and natural gas Hardeep Singh Puri expressed confidence that India will be able to navigate the situation.
100% corruption during previous Congress govt, says Bommai
Published on Oct 08, 2022 12:18 AM IST
Bengaluru Faced by 40 per cent commission charge against his government, Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday hit back at the Congress for ‘maladministration’ when it was in power between 2013 and 2018 and alleged that there were instances of “100 per cent corruption” then
Man charred to death in electric wire in Belagavi, case filed against power company: Police
Published on Oct 08, 2022 12:16 AM IST
The deceased was identified as Ramachandra Andare, said the police, adding that he had been reported missing for over four weeks. A live electric wire was found on the body and the police have registered a suo motu case against Hubballi Electric Supplying Company (Hescom), said an official in the know of the developments.
TN governor approves ordinance banning online gambling in state
Updated on Oct 08, 2022 12:12 AM IST
Following the development, the Tamil Nadu prohibition of online gambling and regulation of online games ordinance, 2022 came into effect.
Another police officer held in Karnataka PSI scam
Updated on Oct 08, 2022 12:11 AM IST
The accused, K Subramanya, deployed with the KR Puram traffic station as a sub-inspector, was on the run ever since the PSI recruitment scam came to light. CID officials tracked him down and arrested him from a town in north India, said officials who didn’t provide further details.
Quota for SC/STs to be hiked, says CM Bommai after all-party meet
Published on Oct 08, 2022 12:11 AM IST
The decision comes after an all party meeting was convened on Friday in Bengaluru in which senior leaders from all major political outfits gave their consent to increase the reservation opportunities for marginalised sections.
National Herald case: ED quizzes Shivakumar, his brother
Published on Oct 08, 2022 12:11 AM IST
The Enforcement Directorate on Friday recorded the statement of Karnataka Congress president D K Shivakumar and his MP-brother D K Suresh for over four hours in the National Herald money laundering case, officials said.
ByPress Trust of India, New Delhi
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Where Am I; Who Am I? | Journal-News Martinsburg Journal
Where Am I; Who Am I? | Journal-News – Martinsburg Journal https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/where-am-i-who-am-i-journal-news-martinsburg-journal/
Have you ever been the new kid at school? Do you remember what it was like those first days when you knew no one’s name or even how to find the bathroom? Now picture yourself around 70 years of age, having had a full and vital life. Maybe you raised a family, had a rewarding career, traveled the world. You volunteered with your local library, community food bank, or the fire department. And yet, one day, you find yourself the new kid on the block again, meeting a room full of people who, like you, may be confused, who wonder what’s happening, who want to know where the bathroom is. This is what many people with dementia experience when they enter a new environment.
Dementia is an umbrella term for a number of brain disorders that affect a person’s ability to think, act appropriately, or remember. According to agespace.org, “[T]here are over 400 types of dementia. However, most people diagnosed with dementia have one of 4 common types: Alzheimer’s Disease, Vascular Dementia, Frontotemporal Dementia and Dementia with Lewy Bodies.” Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. Current estimates are that about 5.8 million people in the United States have Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, including 5.6 million aged 65 and older and about 200,000 under age 65 with younger-onset Alzheimer’s. (alz.org)
For many people living with Alzheimer’s, the decline is slow. Hardly noticed at first, and often referred to as “senior moments,” we forget where we put our glasses or our keys. We have trouble remembering names, even those of our family members. But then, we can’t remember how to use the microwave or, yes, even how to find the bathroom. Eventually, we may not remember who we are. Family and friends chalk up our oddities to getting older and often laugh at our behavior. Alzheimer’s is anything but a laughing matter.
Sadly for many people suffering from dementia and the toll it takes on them, their caregivers, and the health care system, some of their lifestyle choices could be the culprit. According to a study published in the medical journal American Academy of Neurology, eating large amounts of highly processed food may lead to a higher risk for certain types of dementia. Ultra-processed foods are notoriously high in added sugar, fat, and salt while low in protein and fiber. Ultra-processed foods include soft drinks, chips, chocolate, candy, ice cream, cereals, chicken nuggets, hotdogs, fries, sausage, lunch meat, and more. Alzheimers.net lists foods that are linked to increased rates of Alzheimer’s disease. That list includes processed cheese and processed meats, along with white foods, including pasta, cakes, white sugar, white rice, and white bread.
“Food determines the fate of our bodies—how we grow, how we age, and how we die. What we eat every day creates and re-creates both our cells and their supporting structures. What we fail to eat causes deficiencies that stress and traumatize the body. Though the brain comprises only 2 percent of the body by weight, it uses up to 25 percent of the body’s energy, and because food is energy, our brains are especially vulnerable to each nutritional choice we make.” (The Alzheimer’s Solution)
Therefore, since we are what we eat, let’s eat healthfully. Then maybe, just maybe, we’ll remember where our keys are, how to use the microwave, and, yes, where the bathroom is. We may also remember where and who we are. And, according to the authors of The Alzheimer’s Solution, there is definitely a different path for many patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s (and those not yet experiencing aspects of dementia) to follow than progressive decline. Their focus is on “lifestyle intervention as the cure for cognitive decline.” The authors state that there are “[direct] links…between poor nutrition, lack of exercise, chronic stress, poor sleep, the extent which we challenge and engage our brains and neurodegenerative disease.” In addition, they state, “…the choices we make every day determine our cognitive fate.”
We have seen how lifestyle changes have improved the lives of people at risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Now it’s time to focus on lifestyle changes for our brains. Further research into longevity unearthed five communities worldwide—referred to as Blue Zones—(Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece, and Loma Linda, California) where people consistently lived into healthy old age with residents reaching 100+. The common denominator in these communities was healthy eating, mostly plant based; regular exercise (no couch potatoes here); and a meaningful social life and purpose; among other attributes.
By creating a food plan focusing on plant-based foods, by increasing our time off our butts, and by engaging in socially acceptable connections with others (including companion animals), we may not only be saving our heart but also our brain. And who doesn’t want their brain to last as long as their heart?
— Ginnie R. Maurer lives in Falling Waters and can be reached at ginnie.maurer@gmail.com.
Congratulations To All Annual Award Recipients | News Sports Jobs Evening Observer
Congratulations To All Annual Award Recipients | News, Sports, Jobs – Evening Observer https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/congratulations-to-all-annual-award-recipients-news-sports-jobs-evening-observer/
The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce puts together a broad variety of events throughout the year each designed for different purposes. While they are all opportunities to bring businesspeople together, one stands out as a true feel-good program. The Chamber’s Annual Awards Banquet was held Thursday night at the Williams Center at SUNY Fredonia with over 220 people in the room. This was a welcome site, marking the full return of a highly anticipated event which was held with some restrictions last fall. The Annual Awards Banquet is always heartwarming as we spend an evening paying tribute to many individuals and organizations that help to make Chautauqua County a great place to live, play, and do business.
With an enormous cheering section of staff, board, and community members on hand, Steven Cobb humbly accepted the Chamber’s Person of the Year Award. The Executive Director of the Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County, he has been instrumental in pulling together a broad variety of people from all walks of life to allow those with behavioral health and substance abuse issues to recover, grow, and flourish in our community. He has expanded service to allow the organization to function countywide.
The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce proudly presented its Economic Development Award to the Small Business Development Center at JCC. With a very small staff, the SBDC has taken on more work than ever since the pandemic, helping local small businesses receive over $33.5 million in federal and state COVID relief funds, helping them to create and retain more than 2,400 jobs.
Each of our six Community Chambers of Commerce recognizes a local person with a Community Service Award. The Dunkirk Community Service Award was presented to Dan Palmer who is celebrating 49 years on local radio and is the long-time morning host on WDOE as well as a sports play-by-play announcer. Ian and Kyle Muldowney of Muldowney Brothers Lawn Care are twin brothers who were honored with the Fredonia Community Service Award for a focus on reinvesting in their community. The Hanover Community Chamber selected Bill Merritt of Merritt Estate Winery for his long career in winemaking and for his service to several organizations including the original Chautauqua County Wine Trail, Farm Bureau, Scouts, Red Cross, and United Way. Tom Benson was presented the award from the Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce for his outstanding influence and dedication to revitalizing downtown Jamestown through the National Comedy Center, and now his commitment to the new Jamestown YMCA. The Mayville-Chautauqua Community Chamber honored Fairlee Fischer for 27 years of commitment to the Thrift Shop in Mayville, and outreach from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, as well as her work with the Canine Rescue in Westfield and the Village of Mayville Planning Board. Sue Poster was presented the award for the Westfield-Barcelona Community Chamber for her efforts surrounding many projects including Lake Shore Center for the Arts, First Responders Tribute, Village Beautification Committee, Lincoln Festival, Farmers Market, Cemetery Tours, and more.
Sincere thanks to our sponsors: Brooks-TLC Hospital System, Community Bank, County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency, Forecon, Jamestown Community College, LaBella, Lake Shore Savings, Media One Radio Group, OBSERVER, The Post-Journal, and the Small Business Development Center. Please join us in congratulating all the award recipients who were honored this year.
JOIN THE CHAMBER FOR BUSINESS AFTER HOURS AT TWO UPCOMING EVENTS
Fresh on the heels of a highly successful Business After Hours event at the Bemus Point Golf Club & Tap House, the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce has two more networking opportunities coming up this fall. The next one will be held October 27 at 21 Brix Winery on West Main Road in Portland, followed by a perennial favorite at Southern Tier Brewing Company in Lakewood November 8.
Networking is crucial for businesspeople, no matter what their workplace. When you get to know others on a personal and professional level, you are enhancing opportunities for sales and potentially increasing your supply chain, workforce, and more. The Chamber of Commerce helps to highlight local businesses in the room during our Business After Hours events. These can be very helpful for every business as individuals meet with others in a comfortable setting.
The Chamber’s Business After Hours events are purposely held at a variety of locations countywide and designed for businesspeople to pop in quickly following their workday from 5-6:30pm, meet some people and enjoy a quick beverage and snack, and then head to dinner or home afterwards. Chamber member businesses can send two people at no charge, and non-members or anyone above the first two pay just $10 per person. Admission includes appetizers, a cash bar, a chance for door prizes when you submit your business card, and great opportunities for networking with other local businesspeople.
Business After Hours at 21 Brix is sponsored by 21 Brix Winery, Brooks-TLC Hospital System, DFT Communications, Media One Radio Group, National Grid, OBSERVER, and The Post-Journal.
Business After Hours at Southern Tier Brewing is sponsored by Southern Tier Brewing Company, Brooks-TLC Hospital System, DFT Communications, LaBella Associates, Media One Radio Group, National Grid, OBSERVER, and The Post-Journal. Space is limited at Southern Tier Brewing so there will be a cut-off for this event. We recommend that you register early.
Learn more or register for either, or both, online through the Chamber’s web calendar at www.chautauquachamber.org.
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India Gate Foods Enters Metaverse To Preserve Traditional Art Forms Adgully
India Gate Foods Enters Metaverse To Preserve Traditional Art Forms – Adgully https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/india-gate-foods-enters-metaverse-to-preserve-traditional-art-forms-adgully/
Basmati Rice brand India Gate Foods has taken up the baton to preserve the dying art forms of India that have existed for ages and defined India’s rich art heritage but are unfortunately losing their existence with the onset of a new age. India Gate Foods has embarked on this journey with the marriage of art and technology. The brand is digitizing these art pieces on Blockchain technology as tradable NFTs. It has launched NFT legacy gallery to rediscover and commemorate India’s lost art forms to its real patrons. This unique initiative supports the artists as NFT sale proceeds go to them directly and also effectively connect with the next-generation consumers for the brand. Let us hear the story of Madan Bhowmik, a Chaal-Chitra artist from West Bengal.
The brand has begun this journey by presenting a heart-warming story, produced by Ice Media Labs Analytics, featuring a West Bengal-based Chaal-Chitra or rice artist Madan Bhowmik. The film has already garnered over 6 million views and is still counting. Known for creating sagas on one piece of rice grain – be it human evolution, the fall of the Roman empire, slaying on Mahishasura, or others, Bhowmik sees limitless possibilities in one single rice grain. However, there is no regular income, laurels, and any takers for Chaal-Chitra in this age & era.
India Gate Foods is closely working with Blockchain App Factory to digitally transform the art forms to tradable NFTs that will be available in the Blockchain market – Opensea for sale. With this new revolutionary initiative from the brand, artists like Bhowmik have a hope to find more patrons for their art. Speaking on the initiative, Kunal Sharma, Head of Marketing, KRBL India says, “India Gate Foods has always worked towards preserving and enriching the culture and legacy of India. This time our focus is on preserving the dying art forms of India that have defined India’s rich heritage for the longest time. We are introducing India Gate NFT Legacy Gallery, a first-of-its-kind technological revolution to give unsung Indian artists a global platform to showcase and sell their artworks as NFTs. It’s going to be a sustained effort and Chaal-Chitra is the first chapter in this saga with Madan Bhowmik as our first art protagonist. I think the vast Indian artistic heritage needs this boost and we are here to provide it.”
Debojit Saha, Founder & CEO, Ice Media Labs & Analytics said, “It is an extremely difficult form of art as the size of the canvas is small and needs extreme precision from the artists. The film narrates the undefying zeal of Madan Bhowmik who has been practicing this art form for the last 30 years without worrying about what people think about it. Bhowmik is an inspiration to everyone and we wanted to bring his story to the world.” As the digital world transitions into AI-based Web 3.0, NFTs are laying the building blocks for the assets and economics of communities. It has emerged as a popular medium among artists to showcase and trade their memorable work to takers across the world. India Gate Foods intends to make this initiative bigger by bringing multiple art forms from all over the country to their NFT Legacy gallery. It will facilitate their digital transformation and trading, the proceeds of which will be given to the respective artists. This will be a huge support to these artists. The brand urges people to come forward and support these artists so that these unique art forms can be preserved. Moving the needle from storytelling to action, India Gate Foods has lifted the festive spirit for Madan and many others.
61 People Who Took Their Organizational Skills To The Next Level And Came Up With Impressive Results (New Pics) Bored Panda
61 People Who Took Their Organizational Skills To The Next Level And Came Up With Impressive Results (New Pics) – Bored Panda https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/61-people-who-took-their-organizational-skills-to-the-next-level-and-came-up-with-impressive-results-new-pics-bored-panda/
With autumn blues kicking in and days getting shorter every week, most of us are spending more time wrapped in a blanket sipping on a hot chocolate. We also have more time on our hands to sort things out at home, from cupboards to bathroom drawers.
So in order to give us a little inspirational boost, we are taking a look at people’s organizing skills that would make Marie Kondo proud. From closet makeovers to DIY racks, to neat work stations and mall stands that shine bright in their perfect orderliness.
Thanks to this awesome Reddit community, we have a lot of great examples to entertain our inner neat freaks! Scroll down below and upvote your favorite ones as you go!
The worldwide pandemic has not just put a pause on our lives, it made us reevaluate our values and what we want from life as a whole. By spending more time in the comfort of our homes, we had a chance to sit back and reflect on the environment that we spend so much time in.
Many of us started wondering if we are truly happy with the way our home looks and whether we are satisfied with the way it makes us feel. The boom of renovations, remodeling, home DIY projects, and redesigns followed as we rolled up our sleeves and worked on the home projects we never thought we wanted or needed before.
Now that the pandemic is over, the tendency to better take care of ourselves and our homes is not going anywhere. Partly because, for many workers, their homes have also turned into their permanent offices. And partly because, after trying out working around the home, people realized how much fun it is.
Redditor Hansottowirtz is one of the people who eagerly took up a DIY project to organize his home. “I like cooking, 3D printing and foreign cuisines and tastes, so this seemed like a good opportunity to learn about all of those at once,” he told Bored Panda.
The result was this spice rack he designed using old botanical books and a 3D printer as shared on this Reddit community. Hansottowirtz said that the idea came after he felt that most spice racks he found online weren’t special enough.
The first step of the process for Hansottowirtz was taking a very good look at the images. “I started with the botanical drawings from Wikipedia but quickly found out that there are many hard-to-find old botanical books with beautiful drawings. All the sources are listed on Github.”
Most of the hours were spent on searching the right plants in those books, then cutting them out using Photoshop and lastly, creating a label for them, the Redditor told us. “Next to that, I designed the rack in Fusion 360 and did many test prints before arriving at the current design.”
Although Hansottowirtz is very happy with the result he came up with, he agrees that there are multiple things that can be improved. “The fit of the jars on the rack is not very stable and the Ikea jars let UV light through, which degrades the spices faster,” he noted and added that the same jars “don’t have a perfect seal.”
Moreover, “the printing quality of the labels isn’t good enough as I printed them on the office printer. I’m looking into professional printing now and might start selling them on Etsy soon,” Hansottowirtz added.
Before Hansottowirtz designed this rack, he said that he didn’t know a lot about spices. “I’ve learned so much while doing the research. If you don’t know everything beforehand, try to learn things along the way, and you’ll always enjoy the process better.”
Why The US Is One Of The Most Crypto-Friendly Countries In The World Cointelegraph
Why The US Is One Of The Most Crypto-Friendly Countries In The World – Cointelegraph https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/why-the-us-is-one-of-the-most-crypto-friendly-countries-in-the-world-cointelegraph/
Why the US is one of the most crypto-friendly countries in the world Cointelegraph
Shreveport Opens New High-Tech Fire Station | News | Ktbs.com KTBS
Shreveport Opens New High-Tech Fire Station | News | Ktbs.com – KTBS https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/shreveport-opens-new-high-tech-fire-station-news-ktbs-com-ktbs/
SHREVEPORT, La. – The city of Shreveport cut the ribbon and opened the doors to the new Fire Station 8 today.
The state-of-the-art station is located in the Queensborough community. It features a commercial grade kitchen, drive through apparatus bays, low-maintenance floors, vehicle exhaust removal system, and a dedicated physical fitness training area.
“When we’re sitting at home and we’re sleeping and we get to spend time with family, these men and women of the Shreveport Fire Department are on duty,” said Mayor Adrian Perkins. “And for the sacrifices that they make, they deserve a first-class facility.”
With the opening of the new fire station, the city closed the historic Fire Station 8 located on Velva Street.
KSAT Q&A: Magik Theatre Board Member Talks About Upcoming Show Eddie & Vinnie KSAT San Antonio
KSAT Q&A: Magik Theatre Board Member Talks About Upcoming Show, ‘Eddie & Vinnie’ – KSAT San Antonio https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/ksat-qa-magik-theatre-board-member-talks-about-upcoming-show-eddie-vinnie-ksat-san-antonio/
Published: October 7, 2022, 6:46 PM
Jasmin Dean, executive director of Celebrate Dyslexia and Magik Theatre board member, talks about the upcoming show called “Eddie & Vinnie,” which is a performance about dyslexia.
Is It Possible To Be A sustainable Tourist? 12 Ways To Make A Positive Impact On Your Travels UN News
Is It Possible To Be A ‘sustainable Tourist’? 12 Ways To Make A Positive Impact On Your Travels – UN News https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/is-it-possible-to-be-a-sustainable-tourist-12-ways-to-make-a-positive-impact-on-your-travels-un-news/
There are many positive aspects to tourism. Around two billion people travel each year for tourism purposes. Travel and tourism connect people and bring the world closer through shared experiences, cultural awareness and community building. It provides jobs, spurs regional development, and is a key driver for socio-economic progress.
However, there is often a downside; Mmany popular destinations are threatened by increasing pollution, environmental hazards, damage to heritage sites and overuse of resources. And that’s without factoring the pollution caused by travel to and from these destinations.
So, with that in mind here are some tips that will help you to enjoy your trip, and leave with the confidence that your favoured tourist destination will not be damaged by your presence, once you return home.
1. Ditch single-use plastics
Often used for less than 15 minutes, single-use plastic items can take more than 1,000 years to degrade. Many of us are switching to sustainable options in our daily lives, and we can take the same attitude when we’re on the road. By choosing reusable bottles and bags wherever you go, you can help ensure there is less plastic waste in the ocean and other habitats.
2. Be ‘water wise’
On the whole, tourists use far more water than local residents. With a growing number of places experiencing water scarcity, the choices you make can help ensure people have adequate access to water in the future. By foregoing a daily change of sheets and towels during hotel stays, we can save millions of litres of water each year.
3. Buy local
When you buy local, you help boost the local economy, benefit local communities, and help to reduce the destination’s carbon footprint from transporting the goods. This is also true at mealtimes, so enjoy fresh, locally grown produce every chance you get.
4. Use an ethical operator
Tour operations involve people, logistics, vendors, transportation and much more. Each link in the chain can impact the environment – positively or negatively. If you prefer to leave the planning to someone else, be sure to pick an operator that prioritizes the environment, uses resources efficiently and respects local culture.
5. ‘Please don’t feed the animals’
Sharing food with wildlife or getting close enough to do so increases the chances of spreading diseases like cold, flu and pneumonia from humans to animals. Also, when animals get used to receiving food from humans, their natural behaviours are altered, and they become dependent on people for survival. In some cases, it can also lead to human-animal conflict.
6. And don’t eat them either!
By creating the demand, consuming endangered or exotic animals leads to an increase in poaching, trafficking and exploitation of animals. Besides the harm done to the individual animal on your plate, irresponsible dining can contribute to the extinction of species already threatened by climate change and habitat loss. Keep this in mind when shopping for souvenirs as well, and steer clear of products made from endangered wildlife.
7. Share a ride
Transportation is a major contributor to the carbon footprint from tourism. Instead of private taxis, explore using public transportation like trains, buses and shared cabs. You can also ride a bicycle, which offers a convenient and cheaper way to explore and learn about a place.
8. Consider a homestay
Staying with a local resident or family is a nature-friendly option that allows you to get up close and personal with local culture and customs. Staying at local homestays can uplift communities by providing income while giving you a peek into different ways of life.
9. Do your homework
Before your travel, educate yourself about your destination. Doing so will allow you to better immerse yourself in local traditions and practices and appreciate things that might have gone unnoticed otherwise. With the right information, you can explore a destination in a more sensitive manner and surprise yourself with new adventures and discoveries.
10. Visit national parks and sanctuaries
Exploring nature and wildlife through national parks is an intimate way to learn about the animals and their ecosystems first hand. In some cases, your entrance fee supports conservation efforts that protect species and landscapes and preserve these natural spaces for future visitors to enjoy.
11. Don’t leave a trace
You can make a mark by not leaving a mark on your vacation destination. Put garbage in its place to avoid litter, and don’t remove or alter anything without permission. Let’s make sure we leave only soft footprints, and not the environmental kind.
12. Tell your friends
Now that you’re ready to travel in eco-friendly style, it’s time spread the word! Inform fellow travellers, friends and family about how sustainable tourism benefits local people by enhancing their livelihoods and well-being, and helps all of us by safeguarding our beautiful environment.
Americas Best Restaurants Features Williamstown Business | News Sports Jobs Marietta Times
America’s Best Restaurants Features Williamstown Business | News, Sports, Jobs – Marietta Times https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/americas-best-restaurants-features-williamstown-business-news-sports-jobs-marietta-times/
WILLIAMSTOWN–A Williamstown restaurant will be featured by America’s Best Restaurants.
DaVinci’s will be visited by America’s Best Restaurants, a national media and marketing company focusing on local, independently owned restaurants, on Oct. 20 when the ABR Roadshow visits the restaurant.
Popular dishes will be highlighted with an extensive on-camera interview with owner Chris Bender about the restaurant’s place in the community. The episode will be extensively aired on social media channels at a later date.
Open since 1980, Da Vinci’s is an icon in the Williamstown area. Three stories high, there is seating for up to 650 guests including in private dining areas for events and a 60-seat outdoor patio.
Originally owned by Jim and Marilyn Pettit, the restaurant is now owned and operated by Bender, who worked for the Pettits for 30 years as a server and then manager before buying the establishment. Bender said she never intended to stay so long, but it’s the love for the people keeping her there.
“(I love) the people, the interaction with not only the customers, but the employees, the people that you meet and their stories,” she said.
Some employees have worked at Da Vinci’s almost since it opened.
Bender also noted the consistency of the food at the restaurant. The menu is Italian with daily, nightly and Sunday specials.
Among the favorites are Spaghetti Mona Lisa and the German Pizza that features horseradish sauce, corned beef and sauerkraut. Both are likely to be featured on the episode, she said.
Da Vinci’s also has an in-house pastry chef. The mile-high lemon meringue pie and the frozen coconut caramel pie are favorites, Bender said.
America’s Best Restaurants will film from 2-5 pm EST. The episode airing date will be announced on its Facebook page and will be featured on America’s Best Restaurants’ website at https://americasbestrestaurants.com/west-virginia/davincis-restaurant .
DaVinci’s is located at 215 Highland Ave.
America’s Best Restaurants is based in Florence, Ky.
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Healthy Loving Relationships Just Like The Rest Of Us: Talking Sexuality For Those With Intellectual Disability IHeartRadio.ca
‘Healthy, Loving Relationships Just Like The Rest Of Us’: Talking Sexuality For Those With Intellectual Disability – IHeartRadio.ca https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/healthy-loving-relationships-just-like-the-rest-of-us-talking-sexuality-for-those-with-intellectual-disability-iheartradio-ca/
On Friday, Inclusion Regina hosted a conference to talk about education and health when it comes to sex for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Alan Martino, an assistant professor of community health sciences from the University of Calgary said it’s a good opportunity to highlight a topic that is taboo in society.
“What I see with talking to people with disabilities is that they want to have relationships, they want to have that intimate experience,” he said.
Martino was the keynote speaker at the conference, but the allure of it was the panel of speakers who have had experiences while living with intellectual disabilities.
Heather Hind was one of the speakers, and she is not letting anything stop her from living her life to the fullest.
“Well the boyfriend I have right now, it’s kind of rocky some days, we kind of, like get into arguments, but I had a daughter with him and she’s eight already,” Hind told CTV.
Speaking on the panel with four other members, she spoke about inclusivity, sex health, and her own learning experiences.
Speaking to the room of over 100 people, she said she first learned about sex education in elementary school, but said she could have learned a lot more, especially when it comes to feelings.
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Taking a 10 week sexual health and wellness program put on by Creative Options Regina called ‘Tell it like it is,’ Hind was able to express herself, and talk about feelings associated with romantic relationships and sex.
“Had you had a chance to talk about your feelings like that before?” asked Natalya Mason, panel host and one of the events organizers.
“Not really, no,” Hind responded.
When Mason asked Brad, another panelist, if he thought people with disabilities are interested in sex and relationships, has response was an elated, ‘For sure!’
The panelists themselves gave advice from their own experiences, like getting to know someone before you ask them out and wearing condoms to protect from pregnancy, as well as sexually transmitted diseases.
Those hosting the conference said it’s important for people living with intellectual disabilities to be educated on the topic, but also those who care for them.
“I think it’s really critical that they themselves, but also people who support them, family members, caregivers, have access to information that’s relevant, that’s up to date and that’s engaging,” said Mason.
Moreover, she said conferences like this allow the stigma around sex and relationships for those individuals to be put to bed.
“Love, intimacy, it doesn’t come with a guide, so we kind of learn as we go, and I think that right, that opportunity should be granted to people with disabilities as well,” said Martino.
Mason could not agree more.
“At the end of the day, everyone has the literal human right to relationships, to love, to privacy to inclusion. One thing I always say is pleasure is a human right, so it’s really, really critical that everyone has the opportunity to be involved in these conversations.”
Wheeling Health Right Holds Falling For Health Fair | News Sports Jobs Wheeling Intelligencer
Wheeling Health Right Holds ‘Falling For Health’ Fair | News, Sports, Jobs – Wheeling Intelligencer https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/wheeling-health-right-holds-falling-for-health-fair-news-sports-jobs-wheeling-intelligencer/
photo by: Photo by Derek Redd
From left, Sherrard resident Sharon Conner, Wheeling Health Right pharmacist Don Rebich and Wheeling Health Right registered nurse Alyce Pagano talk around the baked good giveaway table at the “Falling Into Health” fair held Friday at Health Right.
WHEELING – Wheeling Health Right’s third-annual “Falling For Health” Fair on Friday was its biggest yet, a great feeling for organizers who were happy to see attendees get the opportunity to explore more local health and wellness resources than ever before.
Janice Carenbauer, back office manager at Wheeling Health Right, said there were 43 vendors staked out around the organization’s parking lot, the most they have ever hosted for the fair.
“It started out with just healthcare (resources) a couple of years ago and it has just grown,” Carenbauer said. “This year, I actually had people calling me (to participate), which was great.”
Along with resources like HealthPlan, Aetna Medicare Solutions, Project Hope and Easterseals, Carenbauer said vendors like AAA, 1-800-GAMBLER, Helping Heroes and Legal Aid also joined in.
“This year, we just have a wide variety,” Carenbauer said.
More than 100 people had come to the fair by early Friday afternoon. Carenbauer said the mission of the fair was for visitors and vendors to meet with each other and see what each other has to offer. Health Right wants to make sure the people of the Ohio Valley don’t miss out on a possible resource that could help them.
“It may be something that they might not want to say to their doctor that they’re struggling with,” Carenbauer said, “something that might be more private to them. They can come up and talk to one of the vendors and find a way to fix the problem.”
On top of the fair, Carenbauer said that both Project Hope and Health Right were able to see patients today that had emergencies that needed to be taken care of and help patients who needed medications, even though the facility itself was closed for the day.
“If anybody came for any need today, hopefully, it got met,” she said.
From left, Sherrard resident Sharon Conner, Wheeling Health Right pharmacist Don Rebich and Wheeling Health Right registered nurse Alyce Pagano talk around the baked good giveaway table at the “Falling Into Health” fair held Friday at Health Right.
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Sublime Object Of Ideology: Korean Beauty Standards And Metaverse Koreatimes
Sublime Object Of Ideology: Korean Beauty Standards And Metaverse – Koreatimes https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/sublime-object-of-ideology-korean-beauty-standards-and-metaverse-koreatimes/
National 2022-10-08 11:43
Courtesy of Liane
By David Tizzard
Note: The following piece was part of a video essay created with Michelle Ju Sihyun. For the full interactive experience, watch it here on YouTube.
South Korean people are attractive. Especially the ones you see in the dramas, the music videos, the movies, and social media. Beauty here is off the charts. But such sky high beauty standards are not just expected from the country’s rich and famous. Nor are they only applied to women. Whether going to work, attending university, or just trying to live, Korean people young and old feel the pressure of having to look good.
A certain type of good.
There are standards as to what constitutes being beautiful in Korean society. These standards are not created by individuals, but instead by the community. And they are seen as a strength: a mark of personal development. Yet the expectations and pressure on ordinary Korean citizens have been very hard to live up to.
Now something new has emerged. Something more than human. Something challenging the very fabric of reality. Something that might change the conversation about beauty in Korea…forever.
Beauty and Lookism
The Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky said that beauty will save the world. Here in Korea, many feel like beauty is doing the opposite. It’s strangling them. But what is beauty? And just how do societies like South Korea determine what is or isn’t beautiful?
Standards of physical attractiveness differ by country, era, and culture. This points to beauty being, in part at least, socially constructed. Phenomenology tells us that there is a dialogue at play: our identities are formed by us perceiving how other people view us. Consciously and subconsciously we are affected by the people around us. We are reacting to others as we construct ourselves.
That’s why social media now plays a very important role in our perception of beauty. The more time we spend online looking at other people, particularly beautiful ones with features and skin enhanced by the latest filters, the more we think about our own appearance. So despite all the talk of communication and connectivity, the internet isn’t just us experiencing other people. The internet leads us straight back to us. To ourselves.
But why does beauty matter?
Research tells us that a person’s physical attractiveness is positively associated with their quality of social experiences. The prettier you are, the more advantages you will have in life. But what about if you are not pretty? The less beautiful you are, the more likely you are to face discrimination. And studies have shown that when people face discrimination based on their appearance, it can have strong negative effects on their mental health. It can even lead to suicide. Something modern South Korea sadly knows far too much about.
Discrimination based on beauty is common almost everywhere. While some of us might have been raised being told not to judge a book by its cover, in South Korea the opposite is often true. In this hyper-competitive society driven by the experience of a compressed post-colonial modernity, it has taken on an even more serious role. People are frequently reminded that first impressions matter ― including their face, clothes, and hair. A person’s external image carries huge importance. Like age, gender, and wealth, in South Korea, beauty can determine your life, your career, and your success.
This focus on aesthetic experience as a way of securing social and cultural capital in South Korea is called “Lookism.” For some, lookism and a focus on beauty is a positive thing. It is a method of improving and bettering oneself, with its origins in the traditional Confucian ideas of self-cultivation.
Gwansang is a traditional Korean concept which believes you can see someone’s fortune in their face. The outward appearance is everything and reveals our destiny. There are even stories of the biggest Korean companies having people specializing in such skills present during interviews ― determining through the face alone whether a person will bring success to the firm.
To others, lookism is a far more modern issue, driven by economic pressures, the labour market, and the weight of the entertainment industry. Plastic surgery, seen this way, is a sign of strength in South Korea, not of weakness. It’s a way to present the best side of yourself. To make a great first impression. And to show that you care about the public gaze.
In this way, beauty has become a surrogate for qualifications or experience. Instead of paying for training, citizens can instead invest in cosmetics or plastic surgery to help them better fit in and advance up the social ladder. They do this not by being themselves, but rather meeting the standards of beauty society expects of them.
Thus, the uniform standards of appearance are maintained. Big eyes, pale skin, a small face, and a slender body. Reinforced through the media and then exaggerated to sometimes impossible levels by filters.
Society demands you be hot…or at least try. And that trying is really important. In South Korea, for many people, looking good is a duty. Not a choice. It’s part of the social contract. And some people are much better at navigating this world than others.
Virtual Influencers:
Lucy is one of the many new virtual influencers, celebrities, and K-pop stars you can now find in the country. She works for Lotte Home Shopping. She’s huge on social media. She has a hundred thousand people following her. She’s all over the latest trends. But she’s not real. Not like you and me anyway. But what makes something real?
These virtual influencers like Lucy have Wikipedia pages, verified Instagram accounts, and they appear in commercials. They make songs and hold concerts. And what can be realer than achieving the dream of working for South Korea’s most powerful companies?
Lucy and these other virtual influencers are citizens of the metaverse. But some of you might be asking, what is the metaverse? The answer to that is both very easy, and very difficult. The metaverse forces us to question where we draw the line of what is and isn’t real, blurring the line between fiction and reality.
The basic idea is that our current 2D internet experience becomes 3D. So instead of just looking at a flat computer or phone screen, we actually become part of the screen in front of us. We enter the computer. Abandoning our physical reality for a digital one. Becoming virtual pioneers and inhabitants of a new world.
Rather than the speculative science fiction of The Matrix or Black Mirror, the metaverse is seen as part of our natural evolution as humans. Just like we went from living in the water, to trees, then caves, villages, towns, cities, and finally that super cramped but Netflix-having apartment all of your own, the metaverse is the next step.
We once believed that whatever intelligence computers had, they never had the faculty of consciousness. They might have raw power, but they would never master things which we held to contain the essence of humanity, such as chess or music. These beliefs have since been dramatically shattered. So while there is certainly skepticism about the applications of the metavese, we would do well to remember that computers have continually surpassed everything we once thought they were capable and not capable of.
The metaverse could well be the future of information, entertainment, education, and business. A revolutionary movement forward in becoming new humans. The birth of Homo Deus.
Metaverse in Korea
In the classrooms, students at Korean universities have begun attending orientation sessions in the metaverse. Here, alongside the pressure of starting a new chapter of their lives, young people have been carefully selecting their hair styles, faces, and eyes hoping to create a positive first virtual impression and impress their classmates in the digital world.
And while previously we tried to get close to the rich and famous through backstage exclusives, gossip magazines, and celebrity tours, through the metaverse, South Korean production companies have found a far more immersive way to provide such sensations. They have recreated K-drama sets in virtual showrooms. Allowing viewers to digitally inhabit these worlds and become characters in their favourite shows. Experiencing for themselves the whirlwind that is the K-drama life.
The music industry is not being left behind. We have already seen K-pop groups debut with virtual members alongside their real counterparts. And following the popular reality program ‘Produce 101’, similar competitions have been held online with popular female virtual influencers. These digital women held fan meetings, completed personality tests, and even uploaded compilations of their cutest sneezes for their devoted fans.
But what exactly are these new idols? Are they the next Blackpink or BTS ready to take the world by storm? Or simply soulless dancing shadows, the products of their creators?
A Search for Stability
Our current world has abandoned trust and stability. We now live in a post-truth era, characterized by constant change and liquid modernity. Strangely, our desire to create a secular environment based only on facts and rationality has meant none of these seem to exist anymore.
But as humans, we are always searching for our place in the world. Whether physically or psychologically. And so, despite not being real, virtual influencers like Lucy and digital worlds like the metaverse give us a very ironic sense of security amidst all the other changes we’re experiencing.
They’re code. Secure. Rigid. And Pure. Trustworthy combinations of 1s and 2s that make us feel warm and safe. And that’s because the metaverse ...
Weekend Hot Topic: What Game Mechanics Are You Bad At? Metro.co.uk
Weekend Hot Topic: What Game Mechanics Are You Bad At? – Metro.co.uk https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/weekend-hot-topic-what-game-mechanics-are-you-bad-at-metro-co-uk/
Readers admit the game concepts and moves that they can never get right, from flying a plane to special moves in a fighting game.
The subject for this week’s Hot Topic was suggested by reader Razzledazzle, who used the example of web-swinging in Spider-Man. It could be any element of a game though, from a general concept to something more specific.
Everyone was surprisingly happy to admit their blind spots, although the most common by far was rhythm action games and, to a lesser extent, QTEs.
Fascinating rhythm
The one mechanic that always troubles me in games is any time I am expected to perform actions in time to music. If there’s a visual component such as the moving icons you get in most rhythm games then it’s fine, and if there is something clear like a steady drum beat then that’s also not too bad, but if I’m supposed to listen to a complex tune and somehow deduce which notes are important then I quickly come unstuck.
I tried Cadence Of Hyrule but really couldn’t get to grips with it. Some of the tunes have a drumbeat, but they frequently add in extra beats you’re not supposed to tap along to, miss drums out but still expect you to keep tapping, or fade the drums out leaving you to rely on a tune with no obvious beat. I ended up using an accessibility option to ignore the beat and turn it into a DROD style turn-based game, but that just made it too simple to be much fun.
The worst case I can remember though was the Yoshi race from Super Mario RPG, in which you are simply told to tap two buttons in time to the music with no further indication of how this is supposed to work. I googled it and found an explanation written by a guitarist which sounded like Adam and Joe explaining the rules to Quizzlestick. Fortunately, that bit was optional so I could just skip it.
TGN Professor
Different perspective
Not really sure if this counts as a mechanic, but it’s something I still struggle to get the hang of. In games from the late 90s and early 00s, such as Resident Evil and Devil May Cry, a fixed camera angle was used for every room you entered, but when you go to certain areas of the room the angle would change but your direction would not. So if I’m walking up a corridor with the camera facing behind me, there could be a point where the camera changes to be in front of me, so I’m now walking towards the camera, not away from it. So long as I keep pressure on the thumbstick in the same position, I’ll move forward.
Problem is, because the angle has changed this feels extremely wrong to me, so I’ll adjust the thumbstick and end up going backwards, but there we go I’ve changed the camera angle again. In slower paced games this would just be a minor inconvenience, but when there are zombies chasing me or demons slashing at me and I’ve got to deal with these changing camera angles as well, it’s a nightmare. So glad fixed camera angles are a thing of the past, but when I go back to older games this problem always trips me up.
Sunny
Bottom of the table
I think this can be filed firmly under ‘I’m just not very good at it’ but for me, I’ve never been able to get the hang of football sims. All the fancy moves, chips, feints, turns, and the like. I don’t care if it’s a through ball or a lob, I just want to pass it! I’m not fussed about aiming the shot, I just want to welly it at the goal!
But even if I manage any of that, I always end up selecting the wrong player anyway and just see their legs running around at the other end of the screen, while the player who received the ball stands there and loses possession.
FoximusPrime81 (gamertag/NN ID/Twitter)
E-mail your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk
Quite tough experiences
I’ve never had very good hand/eye coordination, couple that with now being disabled and in constant pain, and I’m left struggling with certain mechanics of gaming.
I recently admitted in the Inbox to having difficulty with Spider-Man’s combat but as I have managed to beat all four Batman: Arkham games, and also Sleeping Dogs, I feel the problem lies with Spider-Man, I just don’t know what it is though!
I also don’t generally enjoy QTEs in games, but I love them in Resident Evil 4, although the very first time I played it it took me ages to get past the first run from the boulder bit!
I guess the two main things I really can’t get the hang of are rhythm games (because I don’t have any!) and twin stick shooters – I’m fine moving but couple that with using the other stick to fire and I’m utterly hopeless!
LastYearsModel
Didn’t get to da chopper
The games I’ve always wanted to like but couldn’t get to grip with are very similar.
They are:
1) Desert Strike
2) Choplifter
3) Glory Days 2
They all are military style games where you use a helicopter or jet plane to attack and rescue hostages.
I’ve really wanted to enjoy them and they are relatively simple games but I think maybe my reaction times are too slow.
LeighDappa
Out of step
The rhythm. It ain’t gonna get me. Gloria Estefan lied to me! No matter what, I cannot for the life of me, do rhythm action games. Space Channel 5, anything involving a dance mat, and most heartbreaking of all: Gitaroo Man.
I just can’t get the cues. With Space Channel 5 Part 2, I have no idea when I’m supposed to be pressing the buttons. I resorted to inputting the cheat to have the game play itself. Shameful, I know, but the game is surprisingly fun to just watch.
And then Gitaroo Man, where you have to guide a cursor along a line with the analogue stick, I think? As well as press action buttons occasionally? I got to the second level, somehow, but no further. To me, the controls just felt so counterintuitive. Or I’m missing something painfully simple. I always worry that it’s the latter. Always. I’m not joking.
Yet, similar sections in other types of game like Ratchet & Clank and QTEs are fine for the most part. It is baffling and upsetting in equal measure.
DMR
Axis of evil
Usually I can more or less adapt to whatever a game’s control scheme is asking for, even if it generally winds players up, but the one exception is the aircraft in Star Wars: Battlefront.
I’m specifically talking about the 2015 game as I haven’t played any of the others but going from infantry to pilot caused a total scramble in my brain, to the point where I just avoided flying, which was a shame.
It’s clearly to do with the non-inverted head movement of first person versus whatever I expected the flying to be. If I’m honest it messed me up so much I couldn’t even tell you whether the flying was non-inverted and I expected it to be different or if my difficulty was due to the fact it is actually different from what represents up and down in first person. (I expect it’s the former and they were trying to be consistent in the name of accessibility.)
I vaguely remember having a similar problem when trying to play two Ubisoft games around the same time. One was Splinter Cell and the other was Prince Of Persia: Sands Of Time. Two excellent games but I swear the horizontal camera controls are opposite from each other. Then just as I got used to whichever one was annoying me, Beyond Good & Evil came along and messed me up again.
Panda
Occasional hero
Although I’ve never actually played any of the Spider-Man games, reading Razzledazzle’s tales of woe regarding their failure to master the web-swinging traversal mechanics reminded me of my own struggles in getting to grips with another type of mechanic in a different superhero game. To
my shame, I’ve never really managed to click with the sublime free-flow fighting in the Batman: Arkham games.
Don’t get me wrong, I was able to adapt my play style to my shortcomings and have completed the three main games (alas, my PlayStation 3 died before I got around to picking up Origins cheap), so my lack of finesse didn’t prevent me making progress. However, I never managed to get anywhere near any of the chain combo achievements, especially the ones requiring you to drop every type of move and gadget into the mix. Some of the larger scale battles took more than a few goes to clear, and most of the harder fighting challenges remain unbeaten in my version of the Gotham universe.
Somewhat perversely, the combat mechanics were some of my favourite elements in those titles. I really enjoyed the mass brawls and performing all the brutal takedowns I could manage. I suspect it’s mostly my sub-par reaction times that were to blame – it certainly wasn’t anything to do with dodgy mechanics or controls. Sooner or later I’d just miss or fluff a button cue or be too fixated on trying to pummel a particular goon to notice his iron bar swinging buddy creeping up to end my quest for justice. I did keep plugging away, I just never found the right groove.
In a way, I suppose it’s similar to my troubles reliably mastering parry and dodge mechanics in the Soulsborne games or stuff like Zelda: Breath Of The Wild. I can manage those timings sometimes, but never regularly enough to feel confident about employing them as a hard and fast tactic in a
fight. Although I do seem to have a pretty good success rate against Father Gascoigne in Bloodborne for some reason.
However, if there’s one particular thing that I’ve never been able to do at all, ever, it’s the 360° degree pad/stick rolls required to perform Zangief’s spinning piledrivers in the Street Fighter series. I’ve never got on with using any wrestling/grapple type characters in fighting games really, but as far as I’m concerned, the whole concept of needing to perform such a motion to trigger anything in those games seems fundamentally broken.
Whichever way I roll the movement control input the character’s leapt into the air before I’ve finished the move and usually lands straight onto my opponent’s fist or a well deployed fireba...
Bankrupt Celsius Court Documents Reveal Customer Details – Cryptonews https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/bankrupt-celsius-court-documents-reveal-customer-details-cryptonews/
In another installment of the legal woes of bankrupt crypto lender Celsius Network, court documents submitted as part of the case have been released for public access along with the personal data of thousands of the company’s customers.
The court filing allows anyone to access more than 14,500 pages of information that relates to the financial dealings of Alex Mashinsky, Dan Leon and Nuke Goldstein, the platform’s co-founders, but also the names, wallet IDs, and crypto transactions data of those who had invested their funds with Celsius Network.
Earlier this month, it was reported that Mashinsky, who quit as the company’s CEO in late September, withdrew some $10 million from the now-bankrupt cryptocurrency lender weeks before the business moved to freeze its customers’ accounts on June 12 and shut down its operations. The following month, Celsius Network filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy, leaving behind about $1.2 billion in debts.
The company’s lawyers have motioned the court to redact the personal information of its users, but the request was denied.
Meanwhile, the latest development has triggered a predominantly negative response to the leak across crypto-focused social media. However, some industry observers took a different approach to the issue.
“Customers were lending money to Celcius—not depositing it. Therefore they are creditors who must be listed in the filing,” tweeted user Cliff Van Buren.
“They didn’t make it clear at all. In fact, quite the opposite. They used the word ‘deposit’ in all marketing campaigns. The word ‘lend’ never made an appearance,” user JamSalad offered a different opinion.
The lender’s assets are to be auctioned this month, with the final bid deadline set for October 17. A filing with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court states that, if necessary, the auction will take place on October 20. The cure and sale objection deadlines are scheduled for October 25.
U.S – Department Of Defense https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/u-s-department-of-defense/
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
WGL Energy Services, Inc., Vienna, Virginia, (SPE604-23-D-8003, $291,252,291); Constellation NewEnergy, Inc., Baltimore, Maryland, (SPE604-23-D-8000, $89,242,032); MP2 Energy NE LLC, Woodlands, Texas, (SPE604-23-D-8002, $70,361,108) and Direct Energy Business, LLC, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, (SPE604-23-D-8001, $16,308,321) have each been awarded a firm-fixed-price requirements contract under solicitation SPE604-22-R-0406 for supply and delivery of retail electricity and ancillary/incidental services. These were competitive acquisitions with six responses received. These are two-year contracts with no option periods. Locations of performance are Washington, D.C., Illinois, Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, with a Dec. 31, 2024, performance completion date. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Department of Agriculture, Defense Department, Department of Energy, Department of Health and Human Services, and Department of Homeland Security. Using customers are solely responsible to fund this contract and vary in appropriation type and fiscal year. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
DEFENSE FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING SERVICE
Kearney & Company, PC, Alexandria, Virginia, is being awarded a fixed-price and labor-hour contract with a maximum value of $49,238,991 for the audit of the financial statement of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) civil works, and the financial statements for the agencies owning the funds sub-allotted to USACE military programs for fiscal years 2023-2027. Work will be performed in Washington, D.C., and other locations inside and outside of the U.S., with an expected completion date of Dec. 31, 2027. The contract has a 12-month base period with four individual one-year option periods. This contract is the result of a competitive acquisition for which two quotes were received. Fiscal 2023 Army Corps of Engineer civil works revolving funds in the amount of $9,381,934 are being obligated subject to the availability of funds at the time of the award. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Contract Services Directorate, Columbus, Ohio, is the contracting activity (HQ0423-23-F-0016).
AIR FORCE
SRI International, Menlo Park, California, has been awarded a $12,493,751 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for ISING Hardware and software prototype. This contract provides for a prototype solver system demonstrating increased computational efficiency than current state of the art solvers. Work will be performed in Menlo Park, California, and is expected to be completed by Oct. 6, 2027. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and 16 offers were received. Fiscal 2022 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $1,834,860 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory, Rome, New York, is the contracting activity (FA8750-23-C-1001).
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, Fort Worth, Texas, and Greenville, South Carolina, has been awarded a $10,355,720 firm-fixed price modification (P00026) to previously awarded contract FA8615-18-C-6058 for F-16 production. The contract modification provides for the procurement of installation of Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) II Line Replaceable Units on fourteen non-flight test aircraft, updates to existing Country Standard Technical Order Manuals and Country Standard Time Compliance Technical Orders. Additionally, this modification provides for the procurement of additional Peculiar Support Equipment and Alternate Mission Equipment. Work will be performed in Greenville, South Carolina, and Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed by Feb. 28, 2026. This modification involves Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to the Kingdom of Bahrain. FMS funds in the amount of $10,355,720 are being obligated at the time of award. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $1,103,660,353. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.
ARMY
Dynamic Systems Inc., El Segundo, California, was awarded an $8,857,211 firm-fixed-price contract for an upgrade of existing Dell Technologies servers providing Virtual Machine Ware Hyper Converged Infrastructure. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work will be performed in Camp Humphreys, South Korea, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 5, 2023. Fiscal 2022 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $8,857,211 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army 411th Contracting Support Brigade, Camp Humphreys, South Korea, is the contracting activity (W91QVN-23-F-0002).
