Angular(2+ Years)\n\n---------------------\n\nShould have knowledge of Angular JS/ Angular 2+\n\nGood knoledge in Javascript, TypeScript, and Jquery\n\nExperience with JavaScript, HTML,CSS/SCSS, Bootstrap and Material UI\n\nStrong working knowledge of front-end frameworks (Angular)\n\nhands-on experience in NgRx, RxJs libraries\n\nUnderstanding of ESS and Typescript for new features\n\nExperience with REST APIs/ Web API\n\nProactive and results-oriented attitude\n\nAwareness of the latest technologies and trends\n\nProficiency with code versioning tools, CICD pipeline\n\nExcellent communication skills - verbal and written\n\nThe ability to work within a team environment or independently\n\nAbility to Mentor junior programmers in the team

BeReal.

bereal

BeReal was a late entry into the social media game but an increasingly popular one. The app — which lets users post just once daily at random times — has quickly gained steam for its contrast against highly curated, filtered Instagram and Facebook feeds. However, it gives some security experts pause. Privacy is , but BeReal stands apart from the rest. The very things that make the platform unique also pose new challenges to security. an issue with most social networks BeReal’s Privacy Features Before diving into BeReal’s privacy issues, it’s important to review its security features and protocols. These can reveal what the platform does to ensure users’ privacy, putting its potential downsides in context. BeReal’s privacy policy over their information on the site. These include being able to access what third parties the site shares data with, receive a copy of that data, and request its correction. Users can also restrict access from integrations, limit who can see their posts, deactivate time and location settings and disable features that bring up old posts. outlines six rights users have As of this article’s writing, BeReal has yet to experience a public data breach, which many other social platforms cannot say. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean the site has more advanced security features than others. It hasn’t been around or garnered as many users as others, either, so breaches could happen in the future. Privacy Issues With BeReal Despite the lack of a major breach in the app’s history, BeReal has some significant privacy shortcomings. Users must be aware of these to take more control over their security. Accidentally Revealing Information The biggest issue with BeReal lies within the site’s main selling point. When users upload on BeReal, it takes a picture with both cameras, showing the environment around someone as well as their face. While that’s great for promoting authenticity, it makes it easy to accidentally reveal sensitive information. If someone takes a BeReal selfie in front of their computer, whatever’s on their monitor will become publicly accessible. Other users could look at that to glean personal information about the original poster. They could then use that information for credential stuffing or to form more effective phishing attempts — today. the most common type of cybercrime This accidental data leakage grows even more concerning when considering users taking pictures at work. Employees could reveal trade secrets or sensitive customer information, leading to significant legal fallout. Similarly, users may unintentionally jeopardize the privacy of those around them. People in front of a user taking a selfie may not realize they’ll be in the picture, too. Users could then post them or any personal information on their screens without their knowledge or consent. Extensive Data Collection BeReal’s data collection policies are also less than perfect. Most social media sites collect and share more information than users realize, and BeReal is no exception. According to its privacy policy, it stores names, locations, birth dates, IP addresses, phone numbers, web activity and more. After collecting all of this potentially sensitive data, BeReal stores it for a considerable period. The site keeps many data categories for and reserves the right to hold onto some information indefinitely. In many cases, the only way to delete this data is for users to delete their entire account. up to two years Specifics about how BeReal protects this data aren’t publicly available, but they say authorized employees can access it. Depending on their internal controls, that could expose this information to breaches from employee error. Over come from weak credentials, so something as simple as a poor password could grant an attacker access to all this data. half of data breaches Weak Default Controls Like any social media site, BeReal lets users customize their settings to improve their privacy. However, the platform’s defaults are the least secure option. Even though users can change these settings, having to take the extra step to do so can be enough to dissuade them from it. Geolocation is a prime example. The site automatically uses location services and shares locations when users post as part of its mission statement of authenticity. While sharing this information does promote openness, that openness reveals more data to potential attackers than users may be comfortable with. Some users may not realize they can disable geolocation or restrict who can see their posts. As a result, many may accept a lower standard of privacy out of convenience or lack of understanding. How to Use BeReal Safely These security shortcomings are significant, but many aren’t unique to BeReal, either. All social media involves some amount of sacrificed privacy, but with the right approach, users can enjoy it safely. BeReal is the same. Look Around Before Taking a Picture The most important step in using BeReal safely is to be aware of one’s surroundings when posting. Users should look at what’s behind and in front of them to ensure nothing sensitive is in the shot. If users are in front of a computer screen, especially at work, they should turn it off before taking a picture. It’s also best to review pictures before posting them to ensure they didn’t accidentally capture anything sensitive. Users a user took before posting, but BeReal won’t save the pictures themselves, apart from the final upload. If users want to be extra safe, they can clear their cache after retaking pictures but before uploading. can see how many retakes Know Your Rights and Controls Next, users should familiarize themselves with BeReal’s privacy policy and the options it gives them. Changing defaults to disable geolocation and restricting post visibility to only friends are good first steps. Opting out of data-sharing with third parties and integrated apps is also another recommended action. If any information BeReal asks for is optional, it’s best not to share it. The less users share, the less they have to lose in a data breach. That step is a good rule of thumb for any web service, not just BeReal. BeReal Presents Significant Risks If Used Improperly BeReal’s extensive data collection, weak defaults, and high risks of accidentally capturing sensitive information can pose serious risks. However, if users are aware of these shortcomings and consider them when posting, they can use the site safely. Compared to other social media sites, BeReal may be slightly less private because of the nature of its posts, but it’s not necessarily dangerous. As long as people know to check their surroundings and adjust their settings, the app doesn’t have to be a risk.

How Secure Is BeReal?

The statistics tell the story: Gartner says this is the year our culture will go “mobile first.” This means users have finally begun adopting smartphones as their exclusive digital device. In fact, 50% of all internet users will employ their smartphone to surf the internet first before any other device. Pew says 95% of Americans own cell phones and one in 10 only access the ‘net only from these devices—they don’t even use broadband at home. Let’s look at the Mobile App Industry The mobile app industry will reach $100 billion in the next few years. While this seems like a great reason to cash in on a lucrative venture, what’s probably more important to your business is the goal of providing a seamless mobile experience for your customers. 40% of your customers will go to a competitor if they have a bad mobile experience. This is not the kind of UX you want to offer consumers — ever. People rely on apps every single day. If your business goal is to reach consumers where they are, mobile app development is key to staying top of mind. As a result, if your mobile app scores big, you will increase customer engagement—something that is crucial in any competitive business environment. Mobile Apps as a Marketing Tool As a marketing tool, mobile apps can create an experience tailored to the individual user in a direct one-on-one marketing channel that your company can use to gain a competitive advantage. Hence, you can tie perks to purchases made from the app, due to offering promo codes and in-store coupons within the app. Your app might use location services to track the behavior patterns of frequent shoppers. Even the smallest of businesses can prototype a phone app by working with a mobile app development firm. These companies can design to fit your budget and help move your prototype inexorably toward product launch. Providing your target audiences with value will make your mobile app a fan favorite. The key to a successful mobile app is to provide your target audiences with value. Therefore, when developing the app ask yourself 3 things: What would be useful to your customers? Could a mobile app change customers perception of your business? Does it create a useful tool that makes the lives of your customers easier? Mobile App Development Makes Good Business Sense Mobile app development simply makes sense in the context of our society’s obsession with smartphones and keeping the customer satisfied. A mobile app is a portable tool that consumers will rely on — if designed properly and brings consumer value. It allows you to widen business exposure and broaden your reach to more customers.

Let’s be Real: Your Business Should Embrace Mobile App Development 

A new podcast just dropped with Dheeraj Pandey, Founder of Nutanix, Dev Rev and sits on Adobe’s Board. We spoke about your “why”, customer experience and where AI plays a role in all of this. https://youtu.be/Woy-BNgwcoE?embedable=true If you want to listen to the full podcast, listen on successstorypodcast.com or on YouTube. You ever meet a person and instantly think "man, this guy gets it"? That's how I felt after chatting with Dheeraj Pandey. He's not only the founder of hyperconverged infrastructure giant Nutanix, but he's also the brains behind DevRev – a new company revolutionizing how engineers and customers connect. Dheeraj is a master class in building massively successful companies. So, what does someone like that focus on? The North Star: Customer Delight Forget growth hacking, fancy sales funnels, or whatever tactic is trendy this week. Dheeraj says it's all about obsessing over your customer. In a world where anyone can throw together a product, the differentiator is how good you make people feel. Here's how: The age of short attention spans: People are bombarded with information. Make your value proposition instantly obvious – like in 5 seconds obvious. Nobody has time for complicated pitches.
Treat customers like royalty: Dheeraj talks about a servant mindset – he puts the needs of his customers, employees, and partners at the forefront. This level of care breeds loyalty like nothing else. So, how do you actually put this into practice? Start small. Dheeraj says build trust gradually, offering bite-sized chunks of value that leave people wanting more. Think samples, sneak peeks, exclusive content – let them fall in love with your product and company organically. Let's get real: this ain't easy. It means saying no to a lot of distractions and focusing on the few things that create the absolute best customer experience. Dheeraj calls this "essentialism" – basically, the art of ruthlessly prioritizing what matters. But hey, if it was easy, everyone would be doing it, right? It's easy to throw around words like "customer-obsessed" and "empathy" – it's quite another to actually live them out. Dheeraj provides a refreshing dose of realism when it comes to building a truly customer-focused company. Here's where his insights shine: It's all about the details: The devil is in the details when it comes to customer experience. Dheeraj stresses the importance of obsessing over those tiny touchpoints that add up to either delight or frustration. Speed matters: In today's fast-paced world, people expect near-instant responses. How quickly do you address customer feedback? Do you make them jump through hoops for support?
Walk the walk: Words are cheap. Dheeraj advocates for a "servant mindset" – treating customers, employees, and partners with respect. Actions demonstrate your values more than any fancy marketing campaign. The bigger picture: connecting with your 'why' This meticulous focus on customer experience is what sets enduring companies apart. It's not just about the what of your product, but the how you make people feel. That's an extension of your company's 'why.' Dheeraj Pandey's wisdom boils down to one powerful idea: start with why. That's what truly motivates your team and attracts loyal customers. What's your 'why'? Why bother at all? We live in a world where anyone can launch a startup. Shiny new objects pop up every day. So, what's going to make YOUR company different? Why should anyone care? Dheeraj says it's not about features or even the product itself. It's about what you stand for, the problem you're solving, and how you're making a difference. THIS is what people buy into. Aligning the stars – from inside out Dheeraj talks about reducing "information asymmetry," which is a fancy way of saying get everyone on the same page. When everyone in your company understands the 'why' behind their daily tasks, work becomes more than a paycheck. It becomes a mission. Share the big picture: Communicate your vision relentlessly. Make sure even the newest hire gets why their work matters.
Feedback loops matter: Are your values just words on a wall? Create channels for real, honest feedback. This strengthens buy-in and keeps everyone aligned with the mission.
Celebrate people: Recognize those who go above and beyond to live the company's 'why.' Culture is contagious. The Future: AI and the next evolution Dheeraj is betting big on AI's potential to transform how we create and serve customers. Now, I'm no AI expert, but even I can see the opportunities here: Personalized experiences: AI can tailor customer journeys unlike anything we've seen before. This goes way beyond just targeted ads.
Faster learning curves: AI can analyze data and identify patterns way faster than humans. This means faster insights and adaptation.
Enhanced creativity: Let’s be real – AI isn’t taking over the world (yet). But it can free us up to focus on the big picture while automating the mundane. The key takeaway? Don't be afraid of AI. Instead, embrace it as a tool to become even more customer-centric and efficient. Final thought: Dheeraj reminds us that while the tools and tactics change, the principles of great business remain timeless. Start with 'why', build authentic relationships, obsess over your customer's experience, and adapt to the ever-evolving world. It's a simple recipe… and the hardest one to master. If you want to listen to the full podcast, listen on successstorypodcast.com or on YouTube. A new podcast just dropped with Dheeraj Pandey, Founder of Nutanix, Dev Rev and sits on Adobe’s Board. We spoke about your “why”, customer experience and where AI plays a role in all of this. https://youtu.be/Woy-BNgwcoE?embedable=true https://youtu.be/Woy-BNgwcoE?embedable=true If you want to listen to the full podcast, listen on successstorypodcast.com or on YouTube. If you want to listen to the full podcast, listen on successstorypodcast.com or on YouTube . successstorypodcast.com successstorypodcast.com YouTube YouTube You ever meet a person and instantly think "man, this guy gets it"? That's how I felt after chatting with Dheeraj Pandey. He's not only the founder of hyperconverged infrastructure giant Nutanix, but he's also the brains behind DevRev – a new company revolutionizing how engineers and customers connect. Dheeraj is a master class in building massively successful companies. So, what does someone like that focus on? The North Star: Customer Delight The North Star: Customer Delight Forget growth hacking, fancy sales funnels, or whatever tactic is trendy this week. Dheeraj says it's all about obsessing over your customer. In a world where anyone can throw together a product, the differentiator is how good you make people feel . Here's how: feel The age of short attention spans: People are bombarded with information. Make your value proposition instantly obvious – like in 5 seconds obvious. Nobody has time for complicated pitches. Treat customers like royalty: Dheeraj talks about a servant mindset – he puts the needs of his customers, employees, and partners at the forefront. This level of care breeds loyalty like nothing else. The age of short attention spans: People are bombarded with information. Make your value proposition instantly obvious – like in 5 seconds obvious. Nobody has time for complicated pitches. The age of short attention spans: 5 seconds Treat customers like royalty: Dheeraj talks about a servant mindset – he puts the needs of his customers, employees, and partners at the forefront. This level of care breeds loyalty like nothing else. Treat customers like royalty: So, how do you actually put this into practice? So, how do you actually put this into practice? Start small. Dheeraj says build trust gradually, offering bite-sized chunks of value that leave people wanting more. Think samples, sneak peeks, exclusive content – let them fall in love with your product and company organically. Let's get real: this ain't easy. It means saying no to a lot of distractions and focusing on the few things that create the absolute best customer experience. Dheeraj calls this "essentialism" – basically, the art of ruthlessly prioritizing what matters. Let's get real: this ain't easy. But hey, if it was easy, everyone would be doing it, right? But hey, if it was easy, everyone would be doing it, right? It's easy to throw around words like "customer-obsessed" and "empathy" – it's quite another to actually live them out. Dheeraj provides a refreshing dose of realism when it comes to building a truly customer-focused company. Here's where his insights shine: It's all about the details: The devil is in the details when it comes to customer experience. Dheeraj stresses the importance of obsessing over those tiny touchpoints that add up to either delight or frustration. It's all about the details: Speed matters: In today's fast-paced world, people expect near-instant responses. How quickly do you address customer feedback? Do you make them jump through hoops for support? Walk the walk: Words are cheap. Dheeraj advocates for a "servant mindset" – treating customers, employees, and partners with respect. Actions demonstrate your values more than any fancy marketing campaign. Speed matters: In today's fast-paced world, people expect near-instant responses. How quickly do you address customer feedback? Do you make them jump through hoops for support? Speed matters: Walk the walk: Words are cheap. Dheeraj advocates for a "servant mindset" – treating customers, employees, and partners with respect. Actions demonstrate your values more than any fancy marketing campaign. Walk the walk: The bigger picture: connecting with your 'why' The bigger picture: connecting with your 'why' This meticulous focus on customer experience is what sets enduring companies apart. It's not just about the what of your product, but the how you make people feel. That's an extension of your company's 'why.' what how Dheeraj Pandey's wisdom boils down to one powerful idea: start with why . That's what truly motivates your team and attracts loyal customers. why What's your 'why'? Why bother at all? What's your 'why'? Why bother at all? We live in a world where anyone can launch a startup. Shiny new objects pop up every day. So, what's going to make YOUR company different? Why should anyone care? Dheeraj says it's not about features or even the product itself. It's about what you stand for, the problem you're solving, and how you're making a difference. THIS is what people buy into. Aligning the stars – from inside out Aligning the stars – from inside out Dheeraj talks about reducing "information asymmetry," which is a fancy way of saying get everyone on the same page. When everyone in your company understands the 'why' behind their daily tasks, work becomes more than a paycheck. It becomes a mission. Share the big picture: Communicate your vision relentlessly. Make sure even the newest hire gets why their work matters. Feedback loops matter: Are your values just words on a wall? Create channels for real, honest feedback. This strengthens buy-in and keeps everyone aligned with the mission. Celebrate people: Recognize those who go above and beyond to live the company's 'why.' Culture is contagious. Share the big picture: Communicate your vision relentlessly. Make sure even the newest hire gets why their work matters. Share the big picture: Feedback loops matter: Are your values just words on a wall? Create channels for real, honest feedback. This strengthens buy-in and keeps everyone aligned with the mission. Feedback loops matter: Celebrate people: Recognize those who go above and beyond to live the company's 'why.' Culture is contagious. Celebrate people: The Future: AI and the next evolution The Future: AI and the next evolution Dheeraj is betting big on AI's potential to transform how we create and serve customers. Now, I'm no AI expert, but even I can see the opportunities here: Personalized experiences: AI can tailor customer journeys unlike anything we've seen before. This goes way beyond just targeted ads. Faster learning curves: AI can analyze data and identify patterns way faster than humans. This means faster insights and adaptation. Enhanced creativity: Let’s be real – AI isn’t taking over the world (yet). But it can free us up to focus on the big picture while automating the mundane. Personalized experiences: AI can tailor customer journeys unlike anything we've seen before. This goes way beyond just targeted ads. Personalized experiences: Faster learning curves: AI can analyze data and identify patterns way faster than humans. This means faster insights and adaptation. Faster learning curves: Enhanced creativity: Let’s be real – AI isn’t taking over the world (yet). But it can free us up to focus on the big picture while automating the mundane. Enhanced creativity: The key takeaway? Don't be afraid of AI. Instead, embrace it as a tool to become even more customer-centric and efficient. Final thought: Dheeraj reminds us that while the tools and tactics change, the principles of great business remain timeless. Final thought: Start with 'why', build authentic relationships, obsess over your customer's experience, and adapt to the ever-evolving world. It's a simple recipe… and the hardest one to master. If you want to listen to the full podcast, listen on successstorypodcast.com or on YouTube. If you want to listen to the full podcast, listen on successstorypodcast.com or on YouTube . successstorypodcast.com successstorypodcast.com YouTube YouTube

Understanding Your 'Why' — Insights From Dheeraj Pandey

আপনার 'কেন' বোঝা — ধীরাজ পান্ডের কাছ থেকে অন্তর্দৃষ্টি

Ihr „Warum“ verstehen – Erkenntnisse von Dheeraj Pandey

Comprender su 'por qué': ideas de Dheeraj Pandey

Comprendre votre « pourquoi » – Perspectives de Dheeraj Pandey

अपने 'क्यों' को समझना — धीरज पांडे से अंतर्दृष्टि

あなたの「なぜ」を理解する — Dheeraj Pandey からの洞察

'이유' 이해 — Dheeraj Pandey의 통찰력

Compreendendo o seu 'porquê' - Insights de Dheeraj Pandey

Понимание своего «почему» — идеи Дираджа Панди

'Neden'inizi Anlamak — Dheeraj Pandey'den İçgörüler

Hiểu 'Tại sao' của bạn - Những hiểu biết sâu sắc từ Dheeraj Pandey

理解你的“为什么”——来自 Dheeraj Pandey 的见解

What if I told you that the next big app idea could come from someone who barely knows how to code? Yes, this is true. Introducing citizen development - the revolutionary technology that puts software creation into the hands of those who do not have technical backgrounds. It means citizen development is a business process that encourages non-IT-trained employees to become software developers, using IT-sanctioned low-code/no-code (LCNC) platforms to create business applications. As a coding geek, I've seen a lot of industry trends come and go. But citizen development? This is a remarkable innovation that is revolutionizing the software industry. Want to know more about it? Let's break down what citizen development is, why it's important, and how it can benefit your business. What Is Citizen Development? Imagine being able to create your own apps without needing to learn complicated coding languages. That's exactly what citizen development is all about! In the past, building software was something only professional developers and tech experts could do. It was like having a secret language that only they understood. But with citizen development, that's all changing. Citizen development refers to the practice of enabling non-professional developers, such as business users or employees with limited technical backgrounds, to create, modify, or customize applications and software solutions using low-code or no-code development platforms and tools. It’s platforms typically provide a visual, drag-and-drop interface, pre-built components, and simple logic builders. It allows users with minimal coding experience to create applications by assembling and configuring these components. Citizen development uses simple, visual tools that anyone can pick up and use to build apps. Things like drag-and-drop interfaces, pre-made building blocks, and straightforward logic tools. It takes all the head-scratching complexity out of coding and makes it accessible to ordinary people like you and me. So, whether you're a marketing whiz, a business operations guru, or just someone with a great idea, you can now create custom apps tailored precisely to your needs. No more trying to explain your vision to developers and hoping they understand – you're in charge of making it a reality yourself. It lets you bring your ideas to life with just a few taps and clicks. You can whip up prototypes in no time, get feedback, make tweaks, and keep refining until your app is perfect. No more waiting months for the over-extended tech team. The best part? You don't need to be a tech genius or memorize any mind-bending code. Citizen development platforms are designed for non-technical, everyday people. If you can use apps on your phone, you've got what it takes to be an app maker. In the past, only a select few could create software. But now, thanks to citizen development, that power is open to everyone. So, get ready to unleash your inner app wizard! Why Citizen Development? As a programmer myself, I know the struggle can be real for IT departments. They're constantly bombarded with requests for new applications, each tailored to a specific department's needs. This backlog can leave businesses waiting for months, even years, for the tools they need to thrive. Citizen development cuts through that red tape. By equipping non-technical employees with user-friendly tools, we can empower them to build simple applications that address their day-to-day challenges. Imagine the marketing team creating a targeted campaign app, or the sales team whipping up a custom lead management tool. The possibilities are endless! Here, I am going to share some key reasons why citizen development is gaining traction: Faster Innovation: Citizen developers can build and iterate on applications quickly, allowing businesses to adapt to changing needs and market trends. Improved Efficiency: By automating routine tasks and streamlining workflows, citizen development frees up valuable time for both IT teams and employees. Enhanced User Experience: Who knows a department's needs better than the people who work in it? Citizen developers can create applications that perfectly match their specific workflows and pain points. Reduced Development Costs:  Low-code/no-code platforms often require fewer resources compared to traditional development methods, leading to significant cost savings. Increased Employee Engagement: Citizen development empowers employees and fosters a sense of ownership over the tools they use, leading to higher job satisfaction and motivation. Improved Agility: Businesses can respond to changing market dynamics faster with the ability to quickly build and deploy custom applications. So, Can You Become a Citizen Developer? Yes, citizen development is accessible to almost anyone. If you're comfortable using spreadsheets or basic software, you have the potential to be a citizen developer. The user-friendly nature of low-code/no-code platforms makes it easier than ever for non-technical users to jump in and start building. In the meantime, let me know your thoughts on citizen development. Is it a trend you're excited about? If you have any questions, let's get the conversation flowing! What if I told you that the next big app idea could come from someone who barely knows how to code? Yes, this is true. Introducing citizen development - the revolutionary technology that puts software creation into the hands of those who do not have technical backgrounds. It means citizen development is a business process that encourages non-IT-trained employees to become software developers, using IT-sanctioned low-code/no-code (LCNC) platforms to create business applications. citizen development low-code/no-code (LCNC) platforms As a coding geek, I've seen a lot of industry trends come and go. But citizen development? This is a remarkable innovation that is revolutionizing the software industry. Want to know more about it? Let's break down what citizen development is, why it's important, and how it can benefit your business. What Is Citizen Development? Imagine being able to create your own apps without needing to learn complicated coding languages. That's exactly what citizen development is all about! In the past, building software was something only professional developers and tech experts could do. It was like having a secret language that only they understood. But with citizen development, that's all changing. Citizen development refers to the practice of enabling non-professional developers, such as business users or employees with limited technical backgrounds, to create, modify, or customize applications and software solutions using low-code or no-code development platforms and tools. It’s platforms typically provide a visual, drag-and-drop interface, pre-built components, and simple logic builders. It allows users with minimal coding experience to create applications by assembling and configuring these components. Citizen development refers to the practice of enabling non-professional developers, such as business users or employees with limited technical backgrounds, to create, modify, or customize applications and software solutions using low-code or no-code development platforms and tools. It’s platforms typically provide a visual, drag-and-drop interface, pre-built components, and simple logic builders. It allows users with minimal coding experience to create applications by assembling and configuring these components. Citizen development uses simple, visual tools that anyone can pick up and use to build apps. Things like drag-and-drop interfaces, pre-made building blocks, and straightforward logic tools. It takes all the head-scratching complexity out of coding and makes it accessible to ordinary people like you and me. So, whether you're a marketing whiz, a business operations guru, or just someone with a great idea, you can now create custom apps tailored precisely to your needs. No more trying to explain your vision to developers and hoping they understand – you're in charge of making it a reality yourself. It lets you bring your ideas to life with just a few taps and clicks. You can whip up prototypes in no time, get feedback, make tweaks, and keep refining until your app is perfect. No more waiting months for the over-extended tech team. The best part? You don't need to be a tech genius or memorize any mind-bending code. Citizen development platforms are designed for non-technical, everyday people. If you can use apps on your phone, you've got what it takes to be an app maker. In the past, only a select few could create software. But now, thanks to citizen development, that power is open to everyone. So, get ready to unleash your inner app wizard! Why Citizen Development? As a programmer myself, I know the struggle can be real for IT departments. They're constantly bombarded with requests for new applications, each tailored to a specific department's needs. This backlog can leave businesses waiting for months, even years, for the tools they need to thrive. Citizen development cuts through that red tape. By equipping non-technical employees with user-friendly tools, we can empower them to build simple applications that address their day-to-day challenges. Imagine the marketing team creating a targeted campaign app, or the sales team whipping up a custom lead management tool. The possibilities are endless! Here, I am going to share some key reasons why citizen development is gaining traction: Faster Innovation: Citizen developers can build and iterate on applications quickly, allowing businesses to adapt to changing needs and market trends. Faster Innovation: Citizen developers can build and iterate on applications quickly, allowing businesses to adapt to changing needs and market trends. Faster Innovation: Improved Efficiency: By automating routine tasks and streamlining workflows, citizen development frees up valuable time for both IT teams and employees. Improved Efficiency: By automating routine tasks and streamlining workflows, citizen development frees up valuable time for both IT teams and employees. Improved Efficiency: Enhanced User Experience: Who knows a department's needs better than the people who work in it? Citizen developers can create applications that perfectly match their specific workflows and pain points. Enhanced User Experience: Who knows a department's needs better than the people who work in it? Citizen developers can create applications that perfectly match their specific workflows and pain points. Enhanced User Experience: Reduced Development Costs:  Low-code/no-code platforms often require fewer resources compared to traditional development methods, leading to significant cost savings. Reduced Development Costs: Low-code/no-code platforms often require fewer resources compared to traditional development methods, leading to significant cost savings. Reduced Development Costs: Increased Employee Engagement: Citizen development empowers employees and fosters a sense of ownership over the tools they use, leading to higher job satisfaction and motivation. Increased Employee Engagement: Citizen development empowers employees and fosters a sense of ownership over the tools they use, leading to higher job satisfaction and motivation. Increased Employee Engagement: Improved Agility: Businesses can respond to changing market dynamics faster with the ability to quickly build and deploy custom applications. Improved Agility: Businesses can respond to changing market dynamics faster with the ability to quickly build and deploy custom applications. Improved Agility: So, Can You Become a Citizen Developer? Yes, citizen development is accessible to almost anyone. If you're comfortable using spreadsheets or basic software, you have the potential to be a citizen developer. The user-friendly nature of low-code/no-code platforms makes it easier than ever for non-technical users to jump in and start building. In the meantime, let me know your thoughts on citizen development. Is it a trend you're excited about? If you have any questions, let's get the conversation flowing!

What Citizen Development Is, Why It's Important, and How It Can Benefit Your Business

Economists Agree, Politicians Don't — So Guess Who Loses

অর্থনীতিবিদরা একমত, রাজনীতিবিদরা না - তাই আপনি হারান

Ökonomen sind sich einig, Politiker nicht – also verlieren Sie

Los economistas están de acuerdo, los políticos no, así que usted pierde

Les économistes sont d’accord, les politiciens non – donc vous perdez

अर्थशास्त्री सहमत हैं, राजनेता नहीं - इसलिए आप हारे

経済学者は同意するが、政治家は同意しない — だから負ける

경제학자들은 동의하지만 정치인들은 그렇지 않습니다. 그래서 당신은 패합니다.

Os economistas concordam, os políticos não - então você perde

Экономисты согласны, политики — нет, поэтому вы проигрываете

Ekonomistler Kabul Ediyor, Politikacılar Katılmıyor - Yani Kaybediyorsunuz

Các nhà kinh tế đồng ý, các chính trị gia thì không - Vậy là bạn thua

经济学家同意，政客不同意——所以你输了

For Entrepreneurs, Endurance is more Important than Intellect 

5 Must-Read Books for Cypherpunks and Crypto Enthusiasts

As a society, we've always been drawn to a good story. From ancient myths to modern-day blockbusters, the power of narrative has the ability to captivate, inspire, and transform. In the world of technology, where innovation is the name of the game, storytelling has become the secret weapon behind some of the most buzzed-about startups. And the unexpected heroes of this new era? None other than the creative directors, the ad agency alchemists turned tech founders who have traded in their storyboards for the chance to rewrite the future. Armed with a knack for storytelling and a flair for the dramatic, these former ad agency stars are trading in their Cannes Lions for the chance to launch the next big thing. But as the hype around projects like Humane's AI Pin reaches fever pitch, it's worth asking: are these visionaries revolutionizing the tech landscape, or are they just spinning tales? Take Humane's AI Pin, for example. This little device, dreamt up by former Apple creative directors Imran Chaudhri and Bethany Bongiorno, has made quite the splash with its promise of a screenless, AI-driven future. But let's be real - it's not just the tech that's got everyone talking. It's the story. The vision of a world where technology seamlessly integrates into our lives, as natural as breathing. That's the kind of narrative that gets investors reaching for their checkbooks, the media clamoring for a headline and secures millions in funding. And Humane is far from alone in this new world order. Just look at the rise and fall of Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos. Sure, the revolutionary blood-testing technology never quite materialized, but damn if Holmes didn't spin one hell of a story. With her Steve Jobs-esque turtlenecks and promises of disruption, she had Silicon Valley eating out of the palm of her hand. Or what about Adam Neumann and WeWork? The man could sell a vision like no other, painting a picture of a workplace revolution that would “elevate the world's consciousness” (and the company's valuation to a cool $47 billion). But here's the thing about stories - they're only as good as the reality they're built on. When the curtain gets pulled back and the wizard is revealed to be just a guy with a smoke machine, things can get ugly fast. Just ask the folks who bought into the Theranos dream or the WeWork hype. When the story doesn't match the substance, it's not just disappointment that follows - it's disaster. Moreover, storytelling is not just about hype. Used responsibly, it can be a powerful tool for education and inspiration. When Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone, he didn't just sell a product; he painted a picture of how it would transform our lives. That narrative resonated because it was grounded in a genuine, revolutionary product. So what's the lesson here for the creative directors turned tech visionaries? The use of narrative as a launchpad is not without its risks: with great storytelling power comes great responsibility.The ability to craft a compelling narrative is a gift, but it's one that needs to be used wisely. The best stories, the ones that truly change the game, are the ones that are grounded in something real. Something tangible. Something that doesn't just tickle the imagination but actually follows through on its promises. This is the tightrope that creative directors in the tech world must walk. As for Humane's AI Pin? Only time will tell if it can live up to the hype. But one thing's for sure - in the wild west of tech startups, the storytellers are the new sheriffs in town. They're the ones who can make us believe in a brighter future, a more connected world, a reality where anything is possible. And in a world that can often feel like it's spinning out of control, that's a pretty powerful thing. But as we watch these narratives unfold, it's on us to remember that not every story has a happy ending, like . We've got to approach each new tale with a healthy dose of wonder and a hearty helping of skepticism. Because in the end, the most compelling story isn't always the most true - but it might just be the one that changes everything. As a society, we've always been drawn to a good story. From ancient myths to modern-day blockbusters, the power of narrative has the ability to captivate, inspire, and transform. In the world of technology, where innovation is the name of the game, storytelling has become the secret weapon behind some of the most buzzed-about startups. And the unexpected heroes of this new era? None other than the creative directors, the ad agency alchemists turned tech founders who have traded in their storyboards for the chance to rewrite the future. Armed with a knack for storytelling and a flair for the dramatic, these former ad agency stars are trading in their Cannes Lions for the chance to launch the next big thing. But as the hype around projects like Humane's AI Pin reaches fever pitch, it's worth asking: are these visionaries revolutionizing the tech landscape, or are they just spinning tales? Take Humane's AI Pin, for example. This little device, dreamt up by former Apple creative directors Imran Chaudhri and Bethany Bongiorno, has made quite the splash with its promise of a screenless, AI-driven future. But let's be real - it's not just the tech that's got everyone talking. It's the story. The vision of a world where technology seamlessly integrates into our lives, as natural as breathing. That's the kind of narrative that gets investors reaching for their checkbooks, the media clamoring for a headline and secures millions in funding. And Humane is far from alone in this new world order. Just look at the rise and fall of Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos. Sure, the revolutionary blood-testing technology never quite materialized, but damn if Holmes didn't spin one hell of a story. With her Steve Jobs-esque turtlenecks and promises of disruption, she had Silicon Valley eating out of the palm of her hand. Or what about Adam Neumann and WeWork? The man could sell a vision like no other, painting a picture of a workplace revolution that would “elevate the world's consciousness” (and the company's valuation to a cool $47 billion). But here's the thing about stories - they're only as good as the reality they're built on. When the curtain gets pulled back and the wizard is revealed to be just a guy with a smoke machine, things can get ugly fast. Just ask the folks who bought into the Theranos dream or the WeWork hype. When the story doesn't match the substance, it's not just disappointment that follows - it's disaster. Moreover, storytelling is not just about hype. Used responsibly, it can be a powerful tool for education and inspiration. When Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone, he didn't just sell a product; he painted a picture of how it would transform our lives. That narrative resonated because it was grounded in a genuine, revolutionary product. So what's the lesson here for the creative directors turned tech visionaries? The use of narrative as a launchpad is not without its risks: with great storytelling power comes great responsibility.The ability to craft a compelling narrative is a gift, but it's one that needs to be used wisely. The best stories, the ones that truly change the game, are the ones that are grounded in something real. Something tangible. Something that doesn't just tickle the imagination but actually follows through on its promises. This is the tightrope that creative directors in the tech world must walk. As for Humane's AI Pin? Only time will tell if it can live up to the hype. But one thing's for sure - in the wild west of tech startups, the storytellers are the new sheriffs in town. They're the ones who can make us believe in a brighter future, a more connected world, a reality where anything is possible. And in a world that can often feel like it's spinning out of control, that's a pretty powerful thing. But as we watch these narratives unfold, it's on us to remember that not every story has a happy ending, like . We've got to approach each new tale with a healthy dose of wonder and a hearty helping of skepticism. Because in the end, the most compelling story isn't always the most true - but it might just be the one that changes everything.

Narrative as a Launchpad: How Creative Directors Propel Tech Ventures Like Humane's AI Pin

একটি লঞ্চপ্যাড হিসাবে আখ্যান: কিভাবে ক্রিয়েটিভ ডিরেক্টররা হিউম্যানের এআই পিনের মতো টেক ভেঞ্চারকে এগিয়ে দেয়

Erzählung als Startrampe: Wie Kreativdirektoren Technologieunternehmen wie Humanes KI vorantreiben Pin

La narrativa como plataforma de lanzamiento: cómo los directores creativos impulsan empresas tecnológicas como la IA de Humane

Le récit comme rampe de lancement : comment les directeurs créatifs propulsent les entreprises technologiques comme l'IA de Humane

लॉन्चपैड के रूप में कथा: कैसे क्रिएटिव डायरेक्टर्स ह्यूमेन के एआई पिन जैसे तकनीकी उपक्रमों को आगे बढ़ाते हैं

物語を発射台として: クリエイティブ ディレクターが Humane の AI Pin のようなテクノロジー ベンチャーを推進する方法

런치패드로서의 내러티브: 크리에이티브 디렉터가 Humane의 AI 핀과 같은 기술 벤처를 추진하는 방법

Narrativa como plataforma de lançamento: como os diretores criativos impulsionam empreendimentos tecnológicos como o AI Pin da Humane

Нарратив как стартовая площадка: как креативные директора продвигают технологические предприятия, как пин от Humane об искусственном интеллекте

Bir Başlatma Paneli Olarak Anlatı: Yaratıcı Yönetmenler, Humane'nin Yapay Zeka Pinini Benzeri Teknoloji Girişimlerini Nasıl İlerletir?

Tường thuật như một bệ phóng: Cách các Giám đốc Sáng tạo Thúc đẩy các dự án mạo hiểm công nghệ giống như Ghim AI của Humane

叙事作为启动板：创意总监如何推动 Humane 的 AI Pin 等科技企业的发展

My 30-Day Journey on a Dark Web Marketplace That Belonged to a Cyber Gang

একটি ডার্ক ওয়েব মার্কেটপ্লেসে আমার 30-দিনের যাত্রা যা একটি সাইবার গ্যাং এর অন্তর্গত

Meine 30-tägige Reise auf einem Dark Web-Marktplatz, der einer Cyber-Gang gehörte

Mi viaje de 30 días en un mercado de la Dark Web que perteneció a una banda cibernética

Mon voyage de 30 jours sur un marché du Dark Web appartenant à un cyber-gang

डार्क वेब मार्केटप्लेस पर मेरी 30-दिवसीय यात्रा जो एक साइबर गिरोह से संबंधित थी

サイバーギャングが所有するダークウェブマーケットプレイスでの私の30日間の旅

사이버조직이 속한 다크웹 마켓플레이스에서의 30일간의 여정

Minha jornada de 30 dias em um mercado da Dark Web que pertencia a uma gangue cibernética

Мое 30-дневное путешествие по торговой площадке даркнета, принадлежавшей кибербанде

Siber Çeteye Ait Karanlık Web Pazarında 30 Günlük Yolculuğum

Hành trình 30 ngày của tôi trên thị trường web đen thuộc về một băng nhóm mạng

我在网络帮派暗网市场中的 30 天之旅

Six months ago, we launched our startup Spheria.ai, a platform where people can create and host the AI version of themselves. As founders and consumers, we knew that from day 1, we wanted to build a product that would let people claim back their personal data from the abuse of tech giant, and protect user privacy… Today, I'm sharing our experience of having a Head of AI Ethics as the very first employee for your startup and how he turned our naive good intentions into actual science and a foundational framework so we can build a legitimate platform that people trust to create the AI version of themselves. Realizing how little we knew about AI Ethics As most founders, we are focused on delivering a great product and growing the user base while trying to stick to our moral compass. At the very first meeting, Alejandro, our new Head of AI Ethics, brought to us a framework that would help organize the big questions around Privacy and Ethics. Instead of just creating an unorganized list of principles, he immediately cross-referenced ethical frameworks that he had seen across his research and deployed them in existing organizations. Our Head of AI Ethics introduced us to a concept called Procedural Fairness, a framework used by the World Bank to make sure Fairness is at the center of its decisions and policies. So the biggest win (right after the second meeting!) was for us to graduate from a chaotic list of good intentions to using Ethics frameworks that are actually used by researchers in international organizations. Right after that second meeting, we defined four pillars for Spheria to use as our foundation for AI Ethics: Transparency, Fairness and Accountability, and Privacy. Using this framework allowed us to visualize the relations between each pillar and see how one idea can have ripples and implications across multiple pillars. The consequences were immediate: these pillars would immediately lead to asking ourselves the right questions and bring a new dimension of awareness: How do we evaluate Fairness for our product?
How do we make sure all features we create are inclusive?
As a platform that creates new AI based on real ideas, are we accountable for the perpetuation of discrimination?
How are we transparent and accountable when making an arbitrary decision? It's okay not to have all the answers, but we must ask the difficult questions. During our first month, every meeting with our Head of AI Ethics felt like opening Pandora's box in a good way: a million questions arrived around freedom of speech, bias, inclusion, and censorship, and each one felt as legitimate and urgent to answer as the other. “The goal..” Alejandro put it, was to “elevate ourselves to a higher level of confusion”. This mindset that it’s okay to work towards the right answers, as long as we do so in a transparent and inclusive way, would become the foundation of our ethical policy. It became clear this would take time and a lot of consideration. So, we started an internal document to list every question that was brought up during meetings. We needed to keep track of all the ideas. We would write the questions as they came, then spend one minute evaluating if the question was properly asked and what tension it created around which ethical concept, and then where and how that tension would exist in the product or how it's being used. Finally, we would evaluate if this question could be broken down into smaller bits to bring more granularity. For example, the spontaneous question “What is our moderation policy?” needed to be broken down into sub-questions like: “in what cases do we need a moderation policy?”


and “are there laws that want to prevent someone from adding into their own AI's knowledge sensitive or illegal content?”


all the way to: should we filter the input, ie, blocking the owner of an AI from adding illegal content into it? Or should we block the output, ie, the AI from sharing information about illegal content?”


to finally touch the point of tension: “how hard do we need to prevent the perpetuation of immoral content, that is (let's be real) available elsewhere on the internet?” That list of open questions today is significant, but it's also great as it lays our foundations as a company, a moral entity, to give a real direction for the team to build a future we believe in. Be accountable to our users - actions speak louder than words Most companies and startup want users to trust them and will create a nice catch-phrase around “we love privacy”, “we are ethical” and get away with it. After our launch, we saw that our privacy page was the most visited page after our landing page. Users are indeed creating their AI Double, often importing their data from other existing platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, etc… We knew we had to do more than just a privacy policy, but at the time, we didn't necessarily know how or what to do. Having our Head of AI Ethics in our Team allowed us to act on this and to show our real and tangible work. We created our AI Ethics Hub to show our dedication and our efforts to be transparent and allow users to follow our progress. By creating our AI Ethics Hub we feel we are doing right by our users, especially considering what we're building with Spheria, which is to let people create the AI version of themselves. Our users don't think about all of this when they create their official AI double, but privacy, ethical rules, and transparency are so tightly imbricated into creating your digital second self that, as the makers and founders, it's our job to be transparent, protect privacy and provide ethical rules. We hope this helps in highlighting the difference between startups that are actively engaged in Privacy and Ethics, and those that just put pretty words on their landing page. Setting the foundations for our company's culture Having our Head of AI Ethics join our team so early was the best possible catalyst to help build the right culture at Spheria. De-facto, it put the right values and principles we talked about above at the foundation of our startup, and these foundations will always be present to support the future we're building. “Stay scrappy” is what an investor told me a few months ago. While scrappy does not mean unethical, having a full-time Head of AI Ethics makes us accountable to all our users and accountable to each team member who may speak up against lines being bent. The goal for us is to avoid any future (embarrassing and possibly dishonest) situation similar to when OpenAI's CTO replied, “I don't know” to the journalist asking what data was used to train the new Sora video model. So I'm happy to say that us being on this track definitely helps me sleep at night. It brings me some reassurance and a little boost of confidence to face the thousands of hurdles of growing a startup. It's also a strong signal for users, future hires, and investors to judge us in the light of our actions. Six months ago, we launched our startup Spheria.ai, a platform where people can create and host the AI version of themselves. As founders and consumers, we knew that from day 1, we wanted to build a product that would let people claim back their personal data from the abuse of tech giant , and protect user privacy… create and host the AI version of themselves. claim back their personal data from the abuse of tech giant Today, I'm sharing our experience of having a Head of AI Ethics as the very first employee for your startup and how he turned our naive good intentions into actual science and a foundational framework so we can build a legitimate platform that people trust to create the AI version of themselves. I'm sharing our experience of having a Head of AI Ethics as the very first employee for your startup Realizing how little we knew about AI Ethics Realizing how little we knew about AI Ethics As most founders, we are focused on delivering a great product and growing the user base while trying to stick to our moral compass. At the very first meeting, Alejandro, our new Head of AI Ethics, brought to us a framework that would help organize the big questions around Privacy and Ethics. Instead of just creating an unorganized list of principles, he immediately cross-referenced ethical frameworks that he had seen across his research and deployed them in existing organizations. Our Head of AI Ethics introduced us to a concept called Procedural Fairness, a framework used by the World Bank to make sure Fairness is at the center of its decisions and policies. So the biggest win (right after the second meeting!) was for us to graduate from a chaotic list of good intentions to using Ethics frameworks that are actually used by researchers in international organizations. Right after that second meeting, we defined four pillars for Spheria to use as our foundation for AI Ethics: Transparency, Fairness and Accountability, and Privacy. Using this framework allowed us to visualize the relations between each pillar and see how one idea can have ripples and implications across multiple pillars. Transparency, Fairness and Accountability, and Privacy. The consequences were immediate: these pillars would immediately lead to asking ourselves the right questions and bring a new dimension of awareness: How do we evaluate Fairness for our product? How do we make sure all features we create are inclusive? As a platform that creates new AI based on real ideas, are we accountable for the perpetuation of discrimination? How are we transparent and accountable when making an arbitrary decision? How do we evaluate Fairness for our product? How do we make sure all features we create are inclusive? As a platform that creates new AI based on real ideas, are we accountable for the perpetuation of discrimination? How are we transparent and accountable when making an arbitrary decision? It's okay not to have all the answers, but we must ask the difficult questions. It's okay not to have all the answers, but we must ask the difficult questions. During our first month, every meeting with our Head of AI Ethics felt like opening Pandora's box in a good way: a million questions arrived around freedom of speech, bias, inclusion, and censorship, and each one felt as legitimate and urgent to answer as the other. “The goal..” Alejandro put it, was to “elevate ourselves to a higher level of confusion”. This mindset that it’s okay to work towards the right answers, as long as we do so in a transparent and inclusive way, would become the foundation of our ethical policy. It became clear this would take time and a lot of consideration. So, we started an internal document to list every question that was brought up during meetings. We needed to keep track of all the ideas. We would write the questions as they came, then spend one minute evaluating if the question was properly asked and what tension it created around which ethical concept, and then where and how that tension would exist in the product or how it's being used. Finally, we would evaluate if this question could be broken down into smaller bits to bring more granularity. For example, the spontaneous question “What is our moderation policy?” needed to be broken down into sub-questions like: “in what cases do we need a moderation policy?” and “are there laws that want to prevent someone from adding into their own AI's knowledge sensitive or illegal content?” all the way to: should we filter the input, ie, blocking the owner of an AI from adding illegal content into it? Or should we block the output, ie, the AI from sharing information about illegal content?” to finally touch the point of tension: “how hard do we need to prevent the perpetuation of immoral content, that is (let's be real) available elsewhere on the internet?” “in what cases do we need a moderation policy?” “in what cases do we need a moderation policy?” and “are there laws that want to prevent someone from adding into their own AI's knowledge sensitive or illegal content?” and “are there laws that want to prevent someone from adding into their own AI's knowledge sensitive or illegal content?” all the way to: should we filter the input, ie, blocking the owner of an AI from adding illegal content into it? Or should we block the output, ie, the AI from sharing information about illegal content?” all the way to: should we filter the input, ie, blocking the owner of an AI from adding illegal content into it? Or should we block the output, ie, the AI from sharing information about illegal content?” to finally touch the point of tension: “how hard do we need to prevent the perpetuation of immoral content, that is (let's be real) available elsewhere on the internet?” to finally touch the point of tension: “how hard do we need to prevent the perpetuation of immoral content, that is (let's be real) available elsewhere on the internet?” That list of open questions today is significant, but it's also great as it lays our foundations as a company, a moral entity, to give a real direction for the team to build a future we believe in. Be accountable to our users - actions speak louder than words Most companies and startup want users to trust them and will create a nice catch-phrase around “we love privacy”, “we are ethical” and get away with it. After our launch, we saw that our privacy page was the most visited page after our landing page. Users are indeed creating their AI Double, often importing their data from other existing platform s like Instagram, LinkedIn, etc… creating their AI Double, often importing their data from other existing platform We knew we had to do more than just a privacy policy, but at the time, we didn't necessarily know how or what to do. Having our Head of AI Ethics in our Team allowed us to act on this and to show our real and tangible work. We created our AI Ethics Hub to show our dedication and our efforts to be transparent and allow users to follow our progress. AI Ethics Hub AI Ethics Hub By creating our AI Ethics Hub we feel we are doing right by our users, especially considering what we're building with Spheria, which is to let people create the AI version of themselves. Our users don't think about all of this when they create their official AI double, but privacy, ethical rules, and transparency are so tightly imbricated into creating your digital second self that, as the makers and founders, it's our job to be transparent, protect privacy and provide ethical rules. We hope this helps in highlighting the difference between startups that are actively engaged in Privacy and Ethics, and those that just put pretty words on their landing page. Setting the foundations for our company's culture Having our Head of AI Ethics join our team so early was the best possible catalyst to help build the right culture at Spheria. De-facto, it put the right values and principles we talked about above at the foundation of our startup, and these foundations will always be present to support the future we're building. “Stay scrappy” is what an investor told me a few months ago. While scrappy does not mean unethical, having a full-time Head of AI Ethics makes us accountable to all our users and accountable to each team member who may speak up against lines being bent. The goal for us is to avoid any future (embarrassing and possibly dishonest) situation similar to when OpenAI's CTO replied, “I don't know” to the journalist asking what data was used to train the new Sora video model. OpenAI's CTO replied, “I don't know” So I'm happy to say that us being on this track definitely helps me sleep at night. It brings me some reassurance and a little boost of confidence to face the thousands of hurdles of growing a startup. It's also a strong signal for users, future hires, and investors to judge us in the light of our actions.

Why Your AI Startup Should Hire a Head of AI Ethics on Day 1

2 weeks, 4-5 hours of Sleep each day, and the Birth of Miraki: A Savage Hackathon Tale Let's be real, most hackathons are a chaotic circus. You've got sleep-deprived devs chugging energy drinks like it's water, half-baked ideas flying around, and enough tech jargon to make your head spin. But hey, that's where the magic (or madness) happens. My team decided to dive headfirst into the Web3 online hackathon with a mission to make life less miserable for DAO contributors. You know the drill – tools scattered across the internet like lost socks, communication breakdowns that would give couples therapy a run for its money, and a general sense of "Where the heck is anything? Introducing Miraki: VS Code for DAO tools This is just a small explainer. More details about Miraki and the team behind will be published in later blogs. Miraki is our brainchild, a browser-based devtool that aims to bring order to the wild world of DAOs. Think of it as VSCode, but with a Web3 twist. Here's the breakdown: Workspaces: Your customizable command center for a specific DAO or project. Imagine all those DAO tools finally living in harmony, under one glorious roof. Public or private spaces – you choose the level of chaos you're comfortable with. Anyone who wants to participate in your DAO or project can join your workspace (if public) and they’ll see all the apps the workspace uses in the dashboard along with all the activities within.



Apps: Like VS Code extensions, but for all your DAO needs. Plug in Trello for project management, Snapshot for voting, or even Confluence for collectively losing your minds over documentation. All these apps can be found on miraki app store, and in case you have a specific app that hasn’t been made yet, you can make it yourself.


Universal Search: Because let's face it, nobody has time to play hide-and-seek with vital info across a million different tools. One single search box for entire workspace. Your contributors will be able to search across different apps within the workspace. The Hackathon Hustle: Caffeine, Code, and Controlled Chaos The frontend was a React party, with TypeScript and Vite adding that extra bit of class. Our MVP sported three must-have apps: Trello, Snapshot, and DappSuit (swagger UI for Solana programs) to show that integration of such diverse app into one platform is possible. Shoutout to Turbo monorepo for keeping our sprawling codebase from turning into a spaghetti monster. We ideated fancy isolation techniques for our apps: iframes, web workers, we read blogs from figma to understand how they implemented plugins, we digged deep into vs-codes original source code, the whole nine yards. But pragmatism won the day – in the true spirit of hackathons, we embraced the "it works (for now)" mantra to avoid disappearing down that rabbit hole. The backend? Django and Postgres, a classic combo for building the foundation of our little empire. React Pluggable gave us that sweet extensibility we craved, without the crippling overengineering headaches. And that’s how we managed to wrap up the project just a day before last submission date. The Savage Truth Was it smooth sailing? Pfft. More like navigating a storm in a leaky boat. But amidst the sleep deprivation, the caffeine-induced jitters, and enough bugs to rival an Amazon rainforest, a truly useful tool emerged. Miraki ain't perfect (yet), but it's got the potential to make DAOs less of a soul-sucking experience for everyone involved. And that, my friends, is what hackathons are all about – taking a problem, caffeinating yourself into oblivion, and emerging with something that might just make the tech world a slightly better place. So, what's next for Miraki? We're aiming to unleash this beast into the wild, gather feedback, and iterate like there's no tomorrow. If you're a fellow DAO dweller tired of feeling like a lost explorer in a digital jungle, stay tuned. Miraki might just be your salvation. PS: The blog is rephrased using Gemini AI. Because the writer was on Leet-code when he should be taking English writing classes. Follow Miraki on https://twitter.com/Miraki_io. All feedback is most-welcomed. You can contact us through email at iampiyushjaiswal103@gmail.com. 2 weeks, 4-5 hours of Sleep each day, and the Birth of Miraki: A Savage Hackathon Tale 2 weeks, 4-5 hours of Sleep each day, and the Birth of Miraki: A Savage Hackathon Tale Let's be real, most hackathons are a chaotic circus. You've got sleep-deprived devs chugging energy drinks like it's water, half-baked ideas flying around, and enough tech jargon to make your head spin. But hey, that's where the magic (or madness) happens. My team decided to dive headfirst into the Web3 online hackathon with a mission to make life less miserable for DAO contributors. You know the drill – tools scattered across the internet like lost socks, communication breakdowns that would give couples therapy a run for its money, and a general sense of "Where the heck is anything? Introducing Miraki: VS Code for DAO tools Introducing Miraki: VS Code for DAO tools This is just a small explainer. More details about Miraki and the team behind will be published in later blogs. This is just a small explainer. More details about Miraki and the team behind will be published in later blogs. Miraki is our brainchild, a browser-based devtool that aims to bring order to the wild world of DAOs. Think of it as VSCode, but with a Web3 twist. Here's the breakdown: Workspaces: Your customizable command center for a specific DAO or project. Imagine all those DAO tools finally living in harmony, under one glorious roof. Public or private spaces – you choose the level of chaos you're comfortable with. Anyone who wants to participate in your DAO or project can join your workspace (if public) and they’ll see all the apps the workspace uses in the dashboard along with all the activities within. Apps: Like VS Code extensions, but for all your DAO needs. Plug in Trello for project management, Snapshot for voting, or even Confluence for collectively losing your minds over documentation. All these apps can be found on miraki app store, and in case you have a specific app that hasn’t been made yet, you can make it yourself. Universal Search: Because let's face it, nobody has time to play hide-and-seek with vital info across a million different tools. One single search box for entire workspace. Your contributors will be able to search across different apps within the workspace. Workspaces: Your customizable command center for a specific DAO or project. Imagine all those DAO tools finally living in harmony, under one glorious roof. Public or private spaces – you choose the level of chaos you're comfortable with. Anyone who wants to participate in your DAO or project can join your workspace (if public) and they’ll see all the apps the workspace uses in the dashboard along with all the activities within. Workspaces: Your customizable command center for a specific DAO or project. Imagine all those DAO tools finally living in harmony, under one glorious roof. Public or private spaces – you choose the level of chaos you're comfortable with. Anyone who wants to participate in your DAO or project can join your workspace (if public) and they’ll see all the apps the workspace uses in the dashboard along with all the activities within. Workspaces: Apps: Like VS Code extensions, but for all your DAO needs. Plug in Trello for project management, Snapshot for voting, or even Confluence for collectively losing your minds over documentation. All these apps can be found on miraki app store, and in case you have a specific app that hasn’t been made yet, you can make it yourself. Apps : Like VS Code extensions, but for all your DAO needs. Plug in Trello for project management, Snapshot for voting, or even Confluence for collectively losing your minds over documentation. All these apps can be found on miraki app store, and in case you have a specific app that hasn’t been made yet, you can make it yourself. Apps Universal Search: Because let's face it, nobody has time to play hide-and-seek with vital info across a million different tools. One single search box for entire workspace. Your contributors will be able to search across different apps within the workspace. Universal Search: Because let's face it, nobody has time to play hide-and-seek with vital info across a million different tools. One single search box for entire workspace. Your contributors will be able to search across different apps within the workspace. Universal Search: The Hackathon Hustle: Caffeine, Code, and Controlled Chaos The Hackathon Hustle: Caffeine, Code, and Controlled Chaos The frontend was a React party, with TypeScript and Vite adding that extra bit of class. Our MVP sported three must-have apps: Trello, Snapshot, and DappSuit (swagger UI for Solana programs) to show that integration of such diverse app into one platform is possible. Shoutout to Turbo monorepo for keeping our sprawling codebase from turning into a spaghetti monster. We ideated fancy isolation techniques for our apps: iframes, web workers, we read blogs from figma to understand how they implemented plugins, we digged deep into vs-codes original source code, the whole nine yards. But pragmatism won the day – in the true spirit of hackathons, we embraced the "it works (for now)" mantra to avoid disappearing down that rabbit hole. figma The backend? Django and Postgres, a classic combo for building the foundation of our little empire. React Pluggable gave us that sweet extensibility we craved, without the crippling overengineering headaches. And that’s how we managed to wrap up the project just a day before last submission date. React Pluggable The Savage Truth The Savage Truth Was it smooth sailing? Pfft . Pfft More like navigating a storm in a leaky boat. But amidst the sleep deprivation, the caffeine-induced jitters, and enough bugs to rival an Amazon rainforest, a truly useful tool emerged. Miraki ain't perfect (yet), but it's got the potential to make DAOs less of a soul-sucking experience for everyone involved. And that, my friends, is what hackathons are all about – taking a problem, caffeinating yourself into oblivion, and emerging with something that might just make the tech world a slightly better place. So, what's next for Miraki? So, what's next for Miraki? We're aiming to unleash this beast into the wild, gather feedback, and iterate like there's no tomorrow. If you're a fellow DAO dweller tired of feeling like a lost explorer in a digital jungle, stay tuned. Miraki might just be your salvation. PS: The blog is rephrased using Gemini AI. Because the writer was on Leet-code when he should be taking English writing classes. PS: The blog is rephrased using Gemini AI. Because the writer was on Leet-code when he should be taking English writing classes. Follow Miraki on https://twitter.com/Miraki_io . https://twitter.com/Miraki_io All feedback is most-welcomed. You can contact us through email at iampiyushjaiswal103@gmail.com. iampiyushjaiswal103@gmail.com.

From a Spark of Inspiration to a Product That Makes a Difference – Our Hackathon Journey

10 Steps to Write a Compelling About Me Page

I recently spoke with Emmanuel Quezada, the Co-Founder & CEO of , where we explored the realm of Web3 and its potential impact on industries beyond its financial roots, spanning entertainment, media, and art. We delved into topics like the intricacies of Web3 IP licensing, challenges hindering widespread adoption, and efforts to democratize Web3 accessibility for diverse user groups and demographics. I hope you enjoy. U-topia To Start, Can You Walk Us Through Your Professional Journey? I stepped into the role of CEO at ATS Corporate back in 2021, a branch of my family office, . It was an exciting time because I was also studying for my Applied Blockchain Diploma in Gold Coast, Australia. During this period, we dove deep into market research, exploring everything from blockchain to crypto and Web3 industries. We pored over hundreds of articles from big names like CoinTelegraph and CoinDesk to understand these industries' challenges and how we could tackle them. ATS Mexico Out of this came U-topia, a project I'm incredibly passionate about as its Co-founder and CEO. It's not just about business; it's about shaking up the entertainment and Web3 industry. We're working hard to ensure crypto and Web3 tech are accessible to anyone aged 13 and above, collaborating with regulators and governments worldwide. Our primary focus is on Gen Z, who comprise 26% of the world's population. And let's not forget about my family's political ties – my brother Daniel Quezada is gearing up to run for President of Mexico in the 2030 elections with his party, Partido Pueblo. Our mission is to ensure everyone, including future generations, can from Web3. benefit Does Web3 bring new challenges and opportunities for Intellectual Property (IP) licensing? Challenges — not really. Nothing specific to IPs. Of course, general issues like low scalability, etc., are there. But that’s only because the underlying technologies are still new. Opportunities, however, are many. Blockchain technology, cryptography, and other Web3 frameworks have significantly broadened the horizon for IP registration, licensing, and transfers. From automated, non-intermediated copyright enforcements to encoded royalties, we can now do things that were unimaginable in the past decade. It’s a really exciting time. What’s stopping Web3 from achieving mass adoption from an IP and entertainment perspective? Accessibility. Web3 still only serves a niche audience of enthusiasts and early adopters. Most existing projects aren’t designed for everyone, everywhere. This can be a feature in some sense, but it doesn’t help with achieving Internet-scale adoption. Kids, for example, often can’t use Web3 due to complex processes, a lack of regulation, security risks, etc. Parents fear their children will be exposed to scams, hacks, and other dangerous activities. And they’ve got good reason to think so. Plus, there’s a general lack of awareness among adults. Most people still think of crypto, and thus Web3, as a tool for frauds and criminals. Another issue plaguing the Web3 landscape is the lack of interoperability. In simpler terms, the assets of one project are often trapped within its confines, limiting their potential. U-topia, however, offers a solution. We are building a bridge, a gateway to other metaverse solutions like Roblox. While other projects like Pixels and Mocaverse also offer interoperability, U-topia’s unique selling point lies in the world-class IPs we leverage to create our products. The negativity stops the masses from exploring promising innovations in Web3 media and entertainment, among other sectors. How does U-topia solve these problems? —that’s our approach. Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater Children can get addicted to the metaverse. The thrill of making some quick bucks flipping NFTs can get to them. They could lose their parents’ hard-earned money to scams and hacks. But none of this means we should stop upcoming generations from accessing cutting-edge technologies early on. It’ll be a disaster for their progress and society as a whole. So, we offer a safe space where anyone above 13 years can explore Web3. That’s , where we’re . It’s a platform to streamline IP licensing, entertainment, and Web3 education. U-topia building Web3 for every age, every stage We’ve built the world’s first crypto ‘Wallet for Kids’ secured with a multi-account feature. It lets parents oversee their child’s Web3 activity and provide guidance. They can also set spending limitations, etc. That too, is within a fully compliant, safe, and regulated ecosystem. So, on the one hand, we help educate our future generations about technologies that matter. On the other hand, we connect creators and collectors who want to explore the full potential of Web3 IPs. will get access to an integrated ecosystem of rich, engaging, and high-value IPs, both from Web2 and Web3. We’ve combined the best of both worlds. Bandai Namco, Nike, BAYC, and others live together in our U-topian multiverse. U-Pass holders Last but not least, we’re to achieve the speed, flexibility, and cost-efficiency needed for broad adoption. We focus on providing a superior user experience that our community members will love and enjoy. Plus, our platform will be highly sustainable and eco-friendly. building on Solana Some people say NFTs are dead. What’s your response? These people can’t look beyond price action and gross market dynamics. But the technologies we’re building have deeper significance. NFTs, for one, are much more than cool PFPs. They’re a means to establish on-chain property rights, provenance, and ownership. They support highly resilient and flexible IPs. That too, is within functional circular economies. These are novel avenues that’ll take a long way forward. NFTs are here to stay. They are not dying soon. To wrap up, share your best advice for newcomers and projects building in Web3. Explore new technologies. Experiment to your heart’s content. But educate yourself in every way. And, most importantly, always do your research. We’re in a bull cycle and lots of lucrative options will pop up left, right, and center. All of them won’t be real, so make sure you test the waters before diving in. Read the docs, and speak with your friends and peers in the industry. Follow experts. Do whatever it takes to make informed decisions. Remember — if something feels too good to be true, it most likely isn’t.

Creating Resilient & Flexible Web3 IPs — A Discussion With U-topia CEO, Emmanuel Quezada

Forget kryptonite. If “hard skills” are Superman's strength, think of “soft skills” as the key that unlocks his true potential. In a world obsessed with technical expertise, those who master empathy, communication, and adaptability hold the real power – and employers know it. Think about it: sure, robots might code faster. AI might write snappy marketing copy. But can they negotiate a tense deal, inspire a dispirited team, or pivot seamlessly when a project goes sideways? Not a chance. The Skills That Can't Be Outsourced Soft skills are your superpower because they're essentially human. They hinge on connection, understanding, and navigating the complexities of human behavior. You can't automate genuine empathy. There's no algorithm for building trust. Too often, we treat soft skills like a fluffy bonus, the nice-to-haves on a resume. But in a rapidly changing job market, they're the non-negotiables. The difference between simply getting the job and truly excelling in it. Let's unpack some superpowers and the scenarios where they shine: The ability to step into someone else's shoes – be it a frustrated client, a struggling coworker, or a nervous interviewee – is pure gold. It's how you disarm disputes, build bridges, and design products that truly address people's needs. Empathy is a spectrum, and the more you practice it, the more natural it becomes. Empathy – Your Secret Weapon: Clear, concise, tailored communication isn't merely about avoiding misunderstandings. It's about persuasion, inspiration, and leaving people feeling heard and understood. Your communication skills are how you get buy-in, manage expectations, and rally your team toward a shared goal. Communication – The Crystal Ball: The only constant in the current marketplace is change. The adaptable are the survivors. This means being comfortable with ambiguity, learning on the fly, and course-correcting without breaking a sweat. Think of it as mental gymnastics, keeping you agile when the ground shifts beneath your feet. Adaptability – The Chameleon: Some soft skills act as the foundation for many others. Self-awareness is the ultimate keystone skill. Understand your own reactions and responses, and those tough conversations or unexpected changes get much easier to handle. Keystone Skills: Unlike technical skills that can become outdated, soft skills get with use. Each time you navigate a conflict, your adaptability grows. Every act of empathy makes you more attuned to others. Renewable Resources: stronger How to Flex Your Superpower (Soft Skills) Unlike capes and laser vision, developing soft skills takes practice and intention. Here's how to get started: Turn the Lens Inward: Self-awareness is the bedrock. Think about the last time you gave a presentation. Were you focused on truly connecting with your audience, or did you race through your slides to get it over with? Did you notice people checking their phones, or did you leave feeling like you'd made an impact?  Honest self-assessment is the first step to pinpointing areas where your communication style could use a boost.  Do you stay cool when a deadline gets changed at the last minute, or does it send you into a tailspin? Recognizing your stress triggers empowers you to develop coping mechanisms that boost your resilience. Seek Out Challenges: Soft skills are forged in the fire. If the idea of speaking up in meetings makes you break out in a cold sweat, start small.  Force yourself to contribute one thoughtful comment or question each time.  Feel the fear and do it anyway!  That long-overdue conversation with your boss about a raise? Schedule it, and treat the preparation as seriously as you would any task. Role-play with a friend to practice.  The more you confront those daunting situations, the easier they become, and the stronger your sense of agency grows. Find Your Super Squad: Mentors, colleagues, and friends who exhibit strong soft skills are your kryptonite – in a good way. Observe the office diplomat – the one everyone goes to for advice when tensions are high. How do they de-escalate situations?  What kind of language do they use to build rapport?  Notice not just their words, but their body language and tone of voice.  Have a friend who always seems to land great opportunities? Ask them for honest feedback about your resume and interview style – they might see areas for improvement that you've missed. Now, we've covered the basics. You get that soft skills matter, that they open those doors marked "opportunity" and "career success." But, we're a discerning bunch, aren't we? Let's break down the "why" behind the "what," and ditch the clichés for some deeper truths. Mythbusting: Soft Skills Aren't "Soft" at all Let's be real, the term "soft skills" is a disservice. These abilities are anything but squishy or optional. They demand focus, mental toughness, and a willingness to engage the messiest parts of ourselves. Let's rebrand them as  "human-centric skills" or "essential skills". It's about honoring the complexity they represent. Here’s taking each mandatory “soft skill” to a deeper level. The Dark Side of Empathy: A Cautionary Tale Empathy, our secret weapon, has a shadow side. Unchecked, it can lead to burnout and clouded judgment. Yes, connect with others, but remember to center yourself.  True empathy means understanding your limits as much as another person's needs. Self-care isn't selfish; it's a sustainability plan for your most valuable tool. Communication Isn't Just Words: Your Body Speaks Volumes Mastering communication transcends eloquent speeches and snazzily written emails.  Notice your posture, tone of voice, and the energy you bring to a room. This non-verbal language often conveys more than the words themselves. Awareness of how you strengthens every interaction. present Adaptability as a Mindset: Embrace the Unknown Adaptability isn't mere flexibility; it's embracing a "figure-it-out" philosophy. It's approaching the unexpected not as a threat, but as an adventure. This means cultivating curiosity, asking bold questions, and being comfortable saying, "I don't know...yet." The Power of Vulnerability: Taking off the Armor We prize strength, but what about audacious vulnerability?  Owning our mistakes, asking for help, and admitting when we're out of our depth fosters a different kind of strength – one that builds trust and creates space for true collaboration. Vulnerability makes you magnetic. Cultivating Your Soft Skills, the Unsexy Way Let's ditch those 5-minute online courses promising to turn you into a communication guru. Cultivating real human-centric skills takes work, and it often looks more mundane than glamorous: Before reacting in meetings, take a single, intentional breath. It centers you and can prevent impulsive responses. The Mindful Minute: Regularly ask trusted colleagues for candid feedback, specifically around your soft-skill blind spots. The Awkward Feedback: Write about those cringe-worthy interactions. Analyzing where you stumbled builds self-awareness for next time. The Journal of Discomfort: The ROI of Introspection Don't underestimate the power of deliberate self-examination.  Schedule "thinking time" alongside work tasks. Reflect on your leadership style, communication patterns, and emotional triggers. This investment gives you a competitive advantage – the X-factor of knowing . yourself The Future of Leadership Companies can train hard skills, but they can't instill empathy, genuine charisma, or the ability to inspire. As you hone these abilities, you're not just developing yourself; you're shaping the kind of leader you want to be – the kind a team will truly follow. A Final Challenge Don't wait for someone to teach you soft skills. Carve your own path. Observe the masters, engage in difficult conversations honestly, and take the risks that grow you as a human, not just a worker.  It's the most fulfilling, powerful career journey you can take. A Word to the Tech-Obsessed If you're the type who lives and breathes code, data, or design, this isn't a knock against your talent. But those incredible technical abilities reach their full potential only when paired with the X-factor of soft skills. It's what elevates you from "competent" to "indispensable." Imagine a world where every tech whiz is a master communicator, or every analyst has a deep well of empathy. It's the future of work – human connection fueled by technical brilliance. So, the next time you think about leveling up, don't just load up on coding bootcamps. Seek out workshops on conflict resolution, take an improv class, volunteer for a cause you care about. These are the investments that pay lifelong dividends. Because while the world changes around us, the demand for human connection remains a constant. That's your superpower, and it's time to unleash it. Scott

Soft Skills: The X-Factor That Opens Every Door

How Useful are Computational Models to Traders in Their Decision Making?

You think in binary: 0 / 1. You share results when the work is done. But marketing is “storytelling.” . For that moment, when it's all done, you launch it, and people say, WOW. But I'm sorry, nobody will bother to react. You heroically code 100h/week Imagine watching Titanic with just one scene - Jack’s death. Boring, right?
It’s the story and plot that make it interesting. in fact, the outcome isn't even important after all. So, apply this to your work. Turn your journey into a captivating tale, like a TV series or social media drama, with episodes. People are less interested in what you built but more in how you did it and the rollercoaster ride along the way. Here are some tips: → Talk about your idea and how you came up with it → Share your brainstorming process → Show off any mockups you’ve made → Discuss why you chose certain tools or frameworks → Regularly update on your progress, including both successes and failures(hide nothing) → Post small demos daily/weekly → Be real and honest. Don’t look perfect. → Write like you’re chatting with your best friend. → Engage with others, sharing their journeys. → Summarize each stage of your project. → Publish "how-tos" every week based on your project Remember: People love stories more than products! The more raw and unfiltered the story is, which again relates back to our key notion here, people will engage more because it serves them as an imported experience, learning from other people's hacks and mistakes." What if your target audience doesn't care about the process? They aren't developers? It doesn't matter; the goal here is to master storytelling. It's easier to master it in the known space first. Once you mastered it, slowly start switching to the actual target audience. You can use X for devpreneur audience and Linkedin or reddit for your target audience. Your next step? If you never done anytihng from above, do it now, and reply with your post here. I'll read it and give you direct feedback on quality and what can be improved. Let's go. Also published . here

My Advice For Devpreneurs As A Coder Who Learned Marketing

Navigating the Nuances of Median Statistics in Sliding Windows Following the whirlwind success of our into the algorithmic enigmas of coding challenges, it's time to delve into another intriguing puzzle that has garnered attention in coding interviews and beyond. Today, we're shifting our focus from the tangible geometry of cube surfaces to the abstract realms of statistics, specifically, the calculation of medians within a sliding window. But what exactly is a median, and why does it hold more significance than the average in certain scenarios? previous exploration A median represents the middle value in a dataset when arranged in ascending order. Unlike the mean, which sums all values and divides by their count, the median is less susceptible to outliers—a property that renders it invaluable in datasets with high variance and a low signal-to-noise ratio, such as those found in financial markets. The formula for the median in a sorted list of numbers depends on the count being odd or even: for an odd count, it's the middle number; for an even count, it's the average of the two middle numbers. Let's be real: when it comes to slicing and dicing data over time, window-based stats are pretty much the superhero of the story. , understanding the dynamic median of a dataset over a specified window offers insights that static analysis could miss. Whether in high-frequency trading (HFT), machine learning, time series analysis, or monitoring systems The Problem: Median in a Sliding Window Consider a sliding window moving across a series of numerical data points. Within this window, we aim to calculate the median of the data points at each step, providing a continuous view of the dataset's central tendency as the window progresses. This task is not only a staple of coding interviews but also finds practical application in fields as diverse as HFT, machine learning, and real-time data analysis. Example: Given the input series , with a window size of , the medians are [ -7, -7, -6, 1, -6, -5, -10, 4, 6, 8] 3 [-7.0, -6.0, -6.0, -5.0, -6.0, -5.0, 4.0, 6.0] This task's relevance extends far beyond the confines of coding challenges, impacting various domains such as HFT, where accurate and timely data analysis can yield significant financial outcomes, machine learning models that depend on robust feature extraction from noisy datasets, and the critical evaluation of trends in time series data, vital for forecasting and anomaly detection. The application of such an algorithm in real-world scenarios underscores the overarching importance of median statistics in sliding windows, offering a more reliable measure of central tendency amidst data fluctuations. As we proceed, this article will unravel the intricacies of calculating medians in sliding windows, a testament to the ongoing need for adept problem-solving and algorithmic prowess in the ever-evolving field of software development and data analysis. Stay tuned as we dissect the problem, outline a solution, and delve into the practical applications of this fascinating statistical challenge. Essential Data Structures: Binary Heaps, Queues, and Lazy Deletion Dictionaries To address the median in a sliding window challenge, we deploy an arsenal of sophisticated data structures, each serving a unique role in the algorithm's design and functionality. Here's a closer look at these components: : At the core of our solution are two types of binary heaps: the min-heap and the max-heap. A binary heap is a complete binary tree where each node is smaller (min-heap) or larger (max-heap) than its children, ensuring the smallest or largest element is always at the root. Picture a binary heap as a family tree where each parent is either the runt (in a min-heap) or the giant (in a max-heap) compared to their kids. This property is key to efficiently managing the data within the sliding window, allowing quick access to the median. The max-heap is used to store the lower half of the numbers in the window, ensuring quick access to the smaller values, while the min-heap holds the upper half, managing the larger values. This division enables us to efficiently locate the median value by looking at the roots of these heaps. Binary Heaps : This data structure operates on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) principle, making it perfect for tracking the order of elements as they enter and exit the sliding window. As new data points arrive, they're enqueued (added to the rear), and as the window moves, the oldest data points are dequeued (removed from the front). This mechanism ensures we always know which element to remove from our binary heaps when it exits the window. Queue : Lazy deletion is an optimization technique used to handle the removal of elements from our heaps. Instead of immediately removing an element from a heap when it exits the window, we mark it for deletion in a dictionary. This approach allows us to defer the actual removal until necessary (i.e., when the element reaches the root of the heap), reducing the overhead associated with heap operations. The dictionary tracks the count of how many times each element is marked for deletion, enabling efficient management of duplicates and ensuring that our heaps always reflect the current state of the sliding window. Dictionary for Lazy Deletions By integrating these data structures, we construct a robust framework capable of dynamically calculating medians in a sliding window, balancing efficiency with accuracy. This strategic assembly not only facilitates the median calculation but also exemplifies the power of data structure synergy in solving complex algorithmic problems. The crux of the median calculation lies in maintaining a balanced view of the data as it changes dynamically. By keeping half of the elements in a max-heap and the other half in a min-heap, we can efficiently calculate the median by examining the tops of these heaps. This approach adapts well to sliding window scenarios, where data points continuously enter and exit the window, necessitating real-time updates to the median calculation. Algorithmic Approach: Building a Composite Data Structure Our solution architecture combines the aforementioned data structures to form a composite structure capable of efficiently solving our median calculation problem. This setup involves: : When a new element arrives, we determine which heap to add it to based on its value relative to the current median. This step might ruffle some feathers or, well, disturb the heap harmony for a sec. Adding Elements : To ensure the heaps remain balanced (i.e., have the same number of elements or differ by at most one), we may need to move elements between them after adding a new element or removing an old one. Rebalancing Heaps : As the window slides, the oldest element (the one that exits the window) must be removed. We use the lazy deletion strategy here, marking elements for deletion in our dictionary and physically removing them from the heaps only when they reach the top, thereby avoiding unnecessary reheapifications. Removing Old Elements : This step involves removing the elements marked for deletion from the heaps, ensuring that our median calculation remains accurate and our data structure does not grow unnecessarily large. Lazy Cleaning Working with the Composite Structure Implementing this composite structure involves careful management of each component: : Setting up the min-heap, max-heap, queue, and lazy deletion dictionary. Initialization An important aspect of our approach that readers should note is the use of a simple yet effective trick for converting between max heaps and min heaps. We achieve this by applying a unary minus to the elements before adding them to the heap. This allows us to use Python's standard min-heap provided by as a max heap, by adding and removing elements with their sign inverted. This approach significantly simplifies managing the two heaps to maintain the median in a sliding window, facilitating the process of adding new elements, balancing the heaps, and adjusting the median as elements are added or removed. heapq : Populating our data structure with an initial set of elements to start the median calculation process. Warm-up : Efficiently determining the median based on the current state of the min-heap and max-heap. Calculating the Median : Adjusting the heaps to maintain balance after adding or removing elements. Rebalancing : Adding new elements to the appropriate heap based on their value relative to the median, and removing elements from the queue (and marking them for lazy deletion) as they exit the window. Element Addition and Removal : Periodically executing lazy deletion to remove marked elements from the heaps, ensuring the efficiency and accuracy of the median calculation. Lazy Cleanup Through this comprehensive approach, we address the challenges of calculating the median in a dynamic, sliding window environment, showcasing the power of combining simple data structures to solve complex algorithmic problems. As we continue, we will delve deeper into the specifics of each component within the class, providing a detailed guide to its implementation and usage. MedianWindow The Code: MedianWindow Class Implementation Having explored the theoretical underpinnings and the essential data structures that make our solution viable, it's time to present the implementation of the class. This class is the cornerstone of our approach, embodying the algorithmic strategy we've outlined to dynamically calculate medians within a sliding window of data points. MedianWindow import heapq

class MedianWindow:
    def __init__(self, win_size):
        self.win_size = win_size
        self.min_heap = []
        self.max_heap = []
        self.queue = deque([])
        self.heap_dict = defaultdict(int)
        self.balance = 0

    def warmup(self, batch):
        for x in batch:
            self.queue.append(x)
            heapq.heappush(
                self.max_heap, 
                -x
            )
            heapq.heappush(
                self.min_heap, 
                -heapq.heappop(self.max_heap)
            )
            if len(self.min_heap) > len(self.max_heap):
                heapq.heappush(
                    self.max_heap, 
                    -heapq.heappop(self.min_heap)
                )

    @property
    def median(self):
        if self.win_size % 2 == 1:
            return -self.max_heap[0]
        else:
            return (-self.max_heap[0] + self.min_heap[0]) / 2

    def rebalance(self):
        if self.balance < 0:
            heapq.heappush(
                self.max_heap, 
                -heapq.heappop(self.min_heap)
            )
        elif self.balance > 0:
            heapq.heappush(
                self.min_heap, 
                -heapq.heappop(self.max_heap)
            )

    def push(self, x):
        self.queue.append(x)
        oldest = self.queue[0]
        self.balance = -1 if oldest <= self.median else 1
        if x <= self.median:
            self.balance += 1
            heapq.heappush(
                self.max_heap, 
                -x
            )
        else:
            self.balance -= 1
            heapq.heappush(
                self.min_heap, 
                x
            )
        self.rebalance()

    def should_remove_max_heap_top(self):
        h = self.max_heap
        return h and self.heap_dict[-self.max_heap[0]] > 0

    def should_remove_min_heap_top(self):
        h = self.min_heap
        return h and self.heap_dict[self.min_heap[0]] > 0

    def lazy_clean(self):
        while self.should_remove_max_heap_top():
            self.heap_dict[-self.max_heap[0]] -= 1
            heapq.heappop(self.max_heap)

        while self.should_remove_min_heap_top():
            self.heap_dict[self.min_heap[0]] -= 1
            heapq.heappop(self.min_heap)

    def pop(self):
        prev_num = self.queue.popleft()
        self.heap_dict[prev_num] += 1
        self.lazy_clean()
        return prev_num Example of usage: w = MedianWindow(k)
w.warmup(data[:k])
result = [w.median]
for i in range(k, len(data)):
    w.push(data[i])
    old_elem = w.pop()
    result.append(w.median) This implementation encapsulates the complexity of managing a sliding window of data points and efficiently calculating the median. The class utilizes binary heaps to maintain a running median, a queue to track the sliding window, and a dictionary for lazy deletions, illustrating a practical application of these data structures in solving a non-trivial algorithmic challenge. Analyzing Time Complexity Understanding the time complexity of our solution is crucial for assessing its efficiency and suitability for real-world applications. The MedianWindow class's operations can be analyzed as follows: ): The constructor has a constant time complexity, O(1), as it merely sets up the initial state without processing any data. Initialization ( __init__ ): This method has a time complexity of O(k log k), where k is the size of the sliding window. Each insertion into a heap is O(log k), and we perform k such insertions. Warm-up ( warmup ): Retrieving the median has a constant time complexity, O(1), since it involves returning the top element from one or both heaps, operations that do not depend on the size of the window. Median Calculation ( median ): The rebalance operation, invoked after adding or removing elements, maintains the heaps in a balanced state. This operation has a logarithmic time complexity, O(log k), due to the heap insertions and deletions. Rebalancing ( rebalance ): Adding a new element involves inserting it into one of the heaps and possibly rebalancing. The overall time complexity is O(log k) due to these heap operations. Adding Elements ( push ): The removal process has a logarithmic time complexity, O(log k), for similar reasons to the addition process. However, because of lazy deletion, the actual removal from the heap is deferred, potentially reducing the frequency of heap reorganizations. Removing Elements ( pop ): This operation's time complexity can vary. In the worst case, if many elements are marked for deletion, cleaning them out when they reach the top of the heap can take O(log k) per element. However, this cost is amortized over the operations that caused the elements to be marked, mitigating the impact on performance. Lazy Cleanup ( lazy_clean The efficiency of the MedianWindow class hinges on the logarithmic time complexity of heap operations, making it well-suited for handling sliding windows of data where the window size is significantly smaller than the total number of data points. This property is particularly beneficial in applications like high-frequency trading and real-time data analysis, where performance and timely data processing are paramount. In the next section, we'll delve into the practical challenges one might encounter when implementing this algorithm and suggest potential optimizations and real-world applications, underscoring the practical relevance of mastering data structures and algorithms through the lens of the sliding window median problem. Factors Affecting Performance The efficiency of the MedianWindow algorithm hinges on several critical factors: : The core of our performance lies in the heap operations, primarily insertions and deletions, each with a logarithmic time complexity of O(log k), where k is the window size. Efficient management of these operations is key to maintaining the algorithm's overall performance. Heap Operations : Our approach to lazy deletion significantly impacts performance by deferring the removal of elements from the heaps until absolutely necessary. While this strategy reduces immediate computational overhead, its effectiveness is contingent on the frequency and distribution of elements marked for deletion. Lazy Deletion Strategy : The size of the sliding window and the distribution of input data can affect performance. Larger windows increase the complexity of heap operations, and skewed data distributions may lead to unbalanced heaps, necessitating more frequent rebalancing operations. Window Size and Data Distribution Practical Challenges To solidify understanding and encourage hands-on experimentation, here are some practical challenges for readers: : Enrich the algorithm's capabilities by enabling the calculation of any percentile, not just the median. This enhancement involves introducing a new parameter to adjust the algorithm accordingly. To tackle this challenge, consider how the current structure, based on min and max heaps, could be generalized or modified to provide efficient access to arbitrary percentiles. This extension not only broadens the algorithm's applicability but also challenges the reader to think about data structures in a more flexible and adaptable way. Percentile Calculation : Modify the MedianWindow class to improve memory efficiency when dealing with large datasets. Explore strategies to minimize the memory footprint of heap structures. Memory Efficiency : Extend the algorithm to support median calculations on datasets with non-numeric types, such as timestamps or custom objects, ensuring type consistency and appropriate comparison mechanisms. Diverse Data Types Algorithmic Improvements and Optimization While the MedianWindow algorithm demonstrates robust capabilities, there's always room for optimization: : Implement a heuristic approach to rebalancing the heaps based on anticipated data patterns or historical distributions. This could reduce the number of rebalancing operations needed, enhancing performance. Heuristic Rebalancing : For datasets where real-time processing is not critical, modify the algorithm to process data in batches. This can significantly reduce the computational overhead associated with heap operations. Batch Processing : Explore the feasibility of parallelizing heap operations or the processing of incoming data points. While the inherently sequential nature of median calculation may limit parallelism, certain preprocessing tasks or the lazy cleanup operation might be parallelized to improve throughput. Parallel Processing : Investigate the use of alternative data structures, such as Fibonacci heaps or soft heaps, which might offer better amortized time complexities for certain operations, albeit at the cost of increased implementation complexity or specific trade-offs. Alternative Data Structures In concluding our exploration of the Dynamic Median Calculation within the Sliding Windows algorithm, we've not just tackled a complex problem but have also highlighted the critical thinking skills vital in modern data analysis. This endeavor goes beyond mere computation; it is an exercise in enhancing our algorithmic agility and intellectual flexibility. Stay engaged as we continue to explore the vast frontiers of algorithmic development, each step bringing us closer to mastering the art of problem-solving in an ever-evolving digital world.

Coding Interview Prep: Mastering Median Statistics in Sliding Windows

Today, we're diving deep into the world of anchoring, a cognitive bias that influences our choices far more pervasively than we realize. If you’ve heard of Anchors before, you’ve probably heard it in a sales context. I’ll touch on that, but it goes way deeper than this. Understanding Anchoring isn't just about dodging sneaky sales tactics; it's about understanding how our brains construct reality from imperfect information. Anchors Aweigh: What Is This Thing, Anyway? Picture this: You're browsing for a new jacket. The first one you see is beautiful, but it's a whopping $400. Way out of your budget. However, as you wander through the store, every other jacket now seems like a relative bargain. Suddenly, that $150 option looks downright appealing. That initial $400 price tag served as an anchor. It distorted your perception of what constitutes a "reasonable" price for a jacket. This mental glitch, my friends, is the anchoring effect in action. Another (non sales, example), was shown that if people are first asked whether Gandhi died before or after age 9, and are then asked to guess Gandhi's actual age at death, their guesses will be lower than if they had first been asked whether Gandhi lived past age 200. The first anchor of 9 or 200 pulls their final estimate in that direction, despite it having no logical relevance. The anchoring bias describes our mind's tendency to become overly influenced by the first piece of information (the anchor) it receives on a topic. Once that anchor's dropped, subsequent judgments get made relative to it, even if the initial anchor is totally arbitrary or irrelevant. Anchoring in the Wild Anchoring isn't just about shopping sprees and impulse buys. It permeates all sorts of life decisions: The person who throws out a number first (salary, sale price, you name it) often has an advantage because it sets the psychological stage for the rest of the negotiation. Negotiations: Get too fixated on the price you originally paid for a stock? You might miss signs it's time to sell, even if the fundamentals have changed (that's sunk cost fallacy, a close cousin of anchoring). Investing: From job interviews to dating, that initial impression (positive or negative) can color how people perceive everything else you do. First Impressions: Anchors: The Cognitive Comfort Blanket Think of an anchor as a mental shortcut. Our brains crave stability and order – they don't enjoy floating around in a sea of uncertainty. Anchors, even irrelevant ones, give us a point of reference, a starting line from which to judge everything else. The tricky part? Once an anchor is planted in our minds, it has a cascading effect: We start noticing details that confirm the established anchor and downplay information that contradicts it. This is a form of confirmation bias. Selective Attention: An anchor can make something seem outrageously expensive or like an incredible deal, even if the objective value remains unchanged. Our point of reference becomes skewed. Distorted Valuation: Anchors don't just affect isolated decisions. They can have a long-term influence on our spending habits, expectations, and even our beliefs about the world. The Ripple Effect: Why Are Our Brains So Easily Swayed? Researchers have a few theories: Our brains are cognitive misers—they love shortcuts. Instead of thoroughly evaluating every decision from scratch, referencing an anchor is a quick, albeit imperfect, decision-making hack. Effort Reduction: When clueless about a fair price or course of action, any initial data point seems better than none. The anchor gives us some place to start. Uncertainty: The World is Your Anchor Playground Let's be real, anchors are everywhere: That initial "Free" frames future pricing decisions. Suddenly the monthly subscription feels way less appealing, even if the total cost is reasonable. Companies know this. The "Free Trial" Trap: Have you noticed how tip options on those card readers keep getting higher? They're anchoring your perception of what constitutes a "normal" tip amount. The Power of Suggestion: The first opinion you hear on a controversial topic, or even just the initial word choice ("riot" vs. "protest"), can shape how you process subsequent information. Anchoring in the Social Realm: The Achilles Heel of Anchoring The most insidious thing about anchors is that they work even when we KNOW they exist. Studies show that even when people are explicitly warned about anchoring bias, it still influences their estimation and judgment. Why does this happen? Here's where things get interesting: System 1 thinking (fast, intuitive) is easily swayed by anchors. But while System 2 (slow, deliberate reasoning) can recognize the bias, it takes significant effort to fully counteract its effects. Anchors Tap Into Deeper Thinking: Our brains are wired to assess things comparatively. Even if you intellectually recognize that an anchor is arbitrary, your emotional response is primed to the comparison. Relative, Not Absolute: Anchors create a sense of cognitive fluency. Options that feel familiar or easy to process often seem intuitively correct, even if they aren't the most rational choice. The Fluency Factor: Fight Back Against the Invisible Hand So, are we doomed to be cognitive puppets manipulated by random anchors? Not quite. Here's your toolkit: Impulse buys are the best friend of anchoring. Give yourself time. Before reacting to a price, offer, or information, impose a self-mandated waiting period. That pause gives your logical brain space to catch up. The Art of Delayed Gratification: Never rely on a single data point. Actively seek out alternative pricing, multiple opinions, or different perspectives on an issue. This helps break the spell of the initial anchor. Seek Counter-Anchors: Especially in negotiations, sometimes it pays to be the one who avoids stating the first number. Strategic ambiguity shifts the dynamic in your favor. Embrace Strategic Ambiguity: Beyond the Obvious – Anchoring in Unexpected Places Anchoring isn't just a salesperson's trick. It seeps into areas where we least expect it, subtly shaping our choices, opinions, and even our self-perception: Ever catch yourself longing for "the good old days" when things seemed cheaper, simpler, or better? Those nostalgic memories can become anchors, making us resistant to change or less receptive to the advantages of the present. Anchoring to the Past: Our initial impressions of ourselves (in childhood through early adulthood) have incredible staying power. That old "I'm bad at math" label can linger for decades, leading to missed opportunities because we're anchored to a past limitation. The Self-Perception Anchor: Studies suggest that even something as trivial as the severity of a sentencing demand by the prosecution can unconsciously anchor the judge's ultimate sentence, regardless of the actual evidence. Anchoring in the Courtroom: Anchors: A Double-Edged Sword It's important to remember, anchoring isn't inherently good or bad. Our brains evolved this shortcut for a reason. Here's where it can be helpful: Ever heard the advice to "visualize success"? It's partly an anchoring effect. Setting a high initial goal (sales revenue, fitness target, creative output) creates a reference point that can motivate us, even if we don't fully reach the first ambitious mark. Goal Setting as Anchoring: Consciously reframing negative thought patterns with positive affirmations can be a form of beneficial self-anchoring. Over time, it helps shift your internal reference point. Positive Self-Talk: Charities that display suggested donation amounts or non-profits highlighting the impact of even small contributions are leveraging anchoring principles to nudge people towards greater generosity. Anchors for Social Good: The Ultimate Goal: Cognitive Flexibility It's not about eliminating anchors – they're an inevitable part of how our brains work. The key is becoming mindful of when they're operating, knowing when to deliberately set our own anchors, and developing the flexibility to shift our reference points when necessary. Understanding anchoring is a step towards greater objectivity, better decision-making, and a healthy skepticism towards the hidden forces trying to shape our reality. Let's get meta - could this newsletter be one big anchor to get you thinking more critically about decision-making? Absolutely 😉 Scott Also appears . here

Unveiling the Anchors: How Your Brain Makes Sense of the World (And Gets It Wrong)

অ্যাঙ্করগুলি উন্মোচন করা: কীভাবে আপনার মস্তিষ্ক বিশ্বের অনুভূতি তৈরি করে (এবং এটি ভুল হয়ে যায়)

Die Anker enthüllen: Wie Ihr Gehirn die Welt versteht (und es falsch versteht)

Revelando las anclas: cómo su cerebro le da sentido al mundo (y lo entiende mal)

Dévoiler les ancres : comment votre cerveau donne un sens au monde (et se trompe)

एंकरों का अनावरण: आपका मस्तिष्क दुनिया को कैसे समझता है (और इसे गलत बनाता है)

アンカーを明らかにする: あなたの脳は世界をどのように理解するのか (そして間違ってしまうのか)

앵커 공개: 뇌가 세상을 어떻게 이해하고 잘못 이해하는지

Revelando as âncoras: como seu cérebro dá sentido ao mundo (e erra)

Раскрытие якорей: как ваш мозг воспринимает мир (и делает это неправильно)

Çapaların Açıklanması: Beyniniz Dünyayı Nasıl Anlıyor (Ve Yanlış Anlıyor)

Tiết lộ những điểm neo: Bộ não của bạn nhận thức thế giới như thế nào (và hiểu sai)

揭开锚点：你的大脑如何理解世界（以及理解错误）

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