The Spartanburg area's development boon continues with plans for a multi-family community, relocation of a company headquarters and a new 3.6 million-square-foot industrial park. A multi-family investment firm has acquired a 33-acre site in Inman with ...

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KAMLOOPS – Ongoing drought concerns and wildfires have stunted many B.C. hay producers. Many ranchers are finding it more difficult and expensive to feed their livestock and as a result, more calves are being put on the market.

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Philadelphia 76ers front office head Daryl Morey finally bit the bullet and traded James Harden to the Los Angeles Clippers

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This specific pool was launched in August amid soaring interest rates, earning a boon on American government debt. Base representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Maple Finance is a blockchain infrastructure provider that lets ...

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Desk jobs are staring down decades of AI disruption. But careers like nursing, construction, and plumbing are booming — and safe from ChatGPT.

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All charts by SKCharting.com, with data powered by Investing.com The jaw-dropping selloff in US bonds — that has sent the yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note to 2007 highs of above 5% — has been both a boon and bane for gold. On one end ...

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Vacationing during the off-season has long been considered a cost-saving boon. But can families with school-aged children take advantage? Should they?

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A Haunting in Venice,' one of the year's best horror movies, hits Hulu today on October 31st. Here's why you should watch it on Halloween.

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BOON

boon

A new podcast just dropped with Jim Keyes, CEO of both 7/11 and Blockbuster. I’ll break down his thoughts on fear and education. https://youtu.be/8ZoWQcnQSbc?embedable=true If you want to listen to the full podcast, listen on successstorypodcast.com or on YouTube. Remember Blockbuster? The video rental giant that seemed invincible, until it wasn't? What about 7-Eleven?  You know… those ubiquitous convenience stores slinging Slurpees and questionable hot dogs. Hold on a minute… these aren't exactly hotbeds of innovation, right?  Yet, here's the twist: the former CEO of BOTH these companies, Jim Keyes, has some seriously profound wisdom that every single one of us needs to hear. Jim, recently on the Success Story podcast, dropped a bombshell of a statement: "The antidote to fear is education." It seems obvious, but is it really? Let's break this thing down… The Disease of Fear Think about a scary moment.  Maybe a job interview, making a big decision, or a moment of public speaking. That pit in your stomach, those racing thoughts, the desire to just RUN? That's fear working its magic on you. Keyes explains what happens on a deeper level. Fear shuts down our higher-level thinking. It triggers that primal "fight or flight" response. We can't focus, we overreact, and we make terrible choices. This doesn't just happen at an individual level; it happens to entire societies.  Fear breeds anger, misunderstanding, conflict…all those things we desperately need less of. The Cure: A Different Kind of Classroom "Knowledge is the light you turn on, and you discover there's really nothing to be afraid of." Keyes says it with such conviction, but what does it really mean? Education isn't just about book smarts.  Don't get me wrong, IQ is valuable, but it's a tiny piece of the puzzle. Jim talks about two other critical ingredients: Emotional intelligence (EQ): Being aware of your emotions, understanding their impact, and managing them for better outcomes.
Character Quotient (CQ): This is about things like integrity, humility, and compassion. Our core values and how they shape our actions. Imagine a person with a high IQ but zero EQ and CQ.  That's a recipe for disaster. True wisdom, the kind that creates flourishing individuals and societies, needs all three.  This is the education Keyes is championing – an education of the mind and the heart. Alright, enough theory, right? Let's get to some examples... Remember the fear we talked about? Keyes isn't saying it magically goes away. But with education, we reframe it. Instead of a monster under the bed, it becomes a puzzle to solve, a challenge to overcome. Think about 7-Eleven.  Convenience stores aren't sexy. So, how did it become this massive success? Keyes saw fear driving huge companies to ignore a whole segment of the market. Busy people needed essentials at odd hours, and no one was serving them.  That's an opportunity born from addressing an overlooked fear. But what about Blockbuster, then? The video giant that, well, kind of exploded. Fear played a role here too. Fear of change, of the unknown. They saw Netflix coming, but instead of pivoting and embracing streaming, they doubled down on their outdated model. See the difference? Knowledge gives you options. If 7-Eleven had stayed scared of an unproven customer base, we'd never have those 2 a.m. snack runs. If Blockbuster had understood the shifting tides, they might still be here. It's Not Just About Business This "fear vs. knowledge" battleground is everywhere. People afraid of immigrants, of technology, of "the other."  Our society can feel like a minefield because so many are acting from a place of fear instead of understanding. Jim Keyes believes education is the solution, not  "feel good" slogans.  Understanding history, economics, sociology – these things dismantle the scary stories that keep us stuck. But Here's the Tough Pill to Swallow... Education, the real kind, is hard work. It takes effort and time. It's not passive. It challenges you to truly think, not just adopt a set of talking points.  We're in an age where instant gratification is king. That's the enemy of this kind of learning. Jim isn't talking about formal schooling only either. He's a huge proponent of lifelong learning. Reading, questioning, seeking out those who are different (those are often the best teachers!).  He compares it to aviation: You don't get a pilot's license and call it a day. It's a "license to learn" forever. I know you're probably thinking, ok, but what do I DO with this knowledge? That's a fair question, and here's where things get REALLY interesting… Fearless Opportunity Here's where Jim Keyes gets even more counterintuitive. He argues that disruptive change, the kind that terrifies most people, is where the true opportunities lie. Think about it – those who understand and harness something like AI, while others run away screaming, are the ones positioned to create miracles. This mindset shift is HUGE. Instead of seeing uncertainty as a threat, we see it as fertile ground. Think back throughout history: after war – rebirth. After economic collapse – new industries rise. It's not always pretty, but progress follows in the wake of destruction. This isn't some insensitive cheerleading though. There's a compassionate side to Jim's philosophy. When people's deepest fears are addressed through knowledge, we build better societies. Think poverty, crime, prejudice – these things fester in ignorance. The Challenge to You (and Me) Jim Keyes isn't saying we all need to become rocket scientists.  But there's a level of deliberate, focused learning we need to adopt.  Here's a few questions to get you started: Where are your fear-based blind spots? Do you automatically distrust certain technologies, cultures, or ideas?
What are you avoiding learning about? There's usually gold to be found in the things we find most difficult!
Who challenges your thinking? Do you surround yourself with people who simply echo your existing beliefs? That's an intellectual death trap. This isn't about being the smartest or most "woke" person in the room.  It's about cultivating a relentless curiosity and courage to venture outside your comfort zone. It's hard, but it's the ONLY way we evolve as individuals and as a society. A Final Note from Jim Jim Keyes isn't an inexperienced guy. He's seen decades of economic booms and busts, societal shifts, the birth and death of whole industries. His confidence in education comes from hard-won experience. I think that's important to remember. The path out of fear isn't a quick-fix, but it's the ONLY path that leads somewhere worth going. If you want to listen to the full podcast, listen on successstorypodcast.com or on YouTube. A new podcast just dropped with Jim Keyes, CEO of both 7/11 and Blockbuster. I’ll break down his thoughts on fear and education. https://youtu.be/8ZoWQcnQSbc?embedable=true https://youtu.be/8ZoWQcnQSbc?embedable=true If you want to listen to the full podcast, listen on successstorypodcast.com or on YouTube . successstorypodcast.com successstorypodcast.com YouTube YouTube Remember Blockbuster? The video rental giant that seemed invincible, until it wasn't? What about 7-Eleven?  You know… those ubiquitous convenience stores slinging Slurpees and questionable hot dogs. Hold on a minute… these aren't exactly hotbeds of innovation, right?  Yet, here's the twist: the former CEO of BOTH these companies, Jim Keyes, has some seriously profound wisdom that every single one of us needs to hear. Jim, recently on the Success Story podcast, dropped a bombshell of a statement: "The antidote to fear is education." It seems obvious, but is it really? Let's break this thing down… The Disease of Fear The Disease of Fear Think about a scary moment.  Maybe a job interview, making a big decision, or a moment of public speaking. That pit in your stomach, those racing thoughts, the desire to just RUN? That's fear working its magic on you. Keyes explains what happens on a deeper level. Fear shuts down our higher-level thinking. It triggers that primal "fight or flight" response. We can't focus, we overreact, and we make terrible choices. This doesn't just happen at an individual level; it happens to entire societies.  Fear breeds anger, misunderstanding, conflict…all those things we desperately need less of. The Cure: A Different Kind of Classroom The Cure: A Different Kind of Classroom "Knowledge is the light you turn on, and you discover there's really nothing to be afraid of." Keyes says it with such conviction, but what does it really mean? Education isn't just about book smarts.  Don't get me wrong, IQ is valuable, but it's a tiny piece of the puzzle. Jim talks about two other critical ingredients: Emotional intelligence (EQ): Being aware of your emotions, understanding their impact, and managing them for better outcomes. Character Quotient (CQ): This is about things like integrity, humility, and compassion. Our core values and how they shape our actions. Emotional intelligence (EQ): Being aware of your emotions, understanding their impact, and managing them for better outcomes. Emotional intelligence (EQ): Character Quotient (CQ): This is about things like integrity, humility, and compassion. Our core values and how they shape our actions. Character Quotient (CQ): Imagine a person with a high IQ but zero EQ and CQ.  That's a recipe for disaster. True wisdom, the kind that creates flourishing individuals and societies, needs all three.  This is the education Keyes is championing – an education of the mind and the heart. and Alright, enough theory, right? Let's get to some examples... Alright, enough theory, right? Let's get to some examples... Remember the fear we talked about? Keyes isn't saying it magically goes away. But with education, we reframe it. Instead of a monster under the bed, it becomes a puzzle to solve, a challenge to overcome. reframe Think about 7-Eleven.  Convenience stores aren't sexy. So, how did it become this massive success? Keyes saw fear driving huge companies to ignore a whole segment of the market. Busy people needed essentials at odd hours, and no one was serving them.  That's an opportunity born from addressing an overlooked fear. But what about Blockbuster, then? The video giant that, well, kind of exploded. Fear played a role here too. Fear of change, of the unknown. They saw Netflix coming, but instead of pivoting and embracing streaming, they doubled down on their outdated model. See the difference? Knowledge gives you options. If 7-Eleven had stayed scared of an unproven customer base, we'd never have those 2 a.m. snack runs. If Blockbuster had understood the shifting tides, they might still be here. It's Not Just About Business It's Not Just About Business This "fear vs. knowledge" battleground is everywhere. People afraid of immigrants, of technology, of "the other."  Our society can feel like a minefield because so many are acting from a place of fear instead of understanding. Jim Keyes believes education is the solution, not  "feel good" slogans.  Understanding history, economics, sociology – these things dismantle the scary stories that keep us stuck. But Here's the Tough Pill to Swallow... But Here's the Tough Pill to Swallow... Education, the real kind, is hard work. It takes effort and time. It's not passive. It challenges you to truly think, not just adopt a set of talking points.  We're in an age where instant gratification is king. That's the enemy of this kind of learning. Jim isn't talking about formal schooling only either. He's a huge proponent of lifelong learning. Reading, questioning, seeking out those who are different (those are often the best teachers!).  He compares it to aviation: You don't get a pilot's license and call it a day. It's a "license to learn" forever. I know you're probably thinking, ok, but what do I DO with this knowledge? That's a fair question, and here's where things get REALLY interesting… Fearless Opportunity Fearless Opportunity Here's where Jim Keyes gets even more counterintuitive. He argues that disruptive change, the kind that terrifies most people, is where the true opportunities lie. Think about it – those who understand and harness something like AI, while others run away screaming, are the ones positioned to create miracles. This mindset shift is HUGE. Instead of seeing uncertainty as a threat, we see it as fertile ground. Think back throughout history: after war – rebirth. After economic collapse – new industries rise. It's not always pretty, but progress follows in the wake of destruction. This isn't some insensitive cheerleading though. There's a compassionate side to Jim's philosophy. When people's deepest fears are addressed through knowledge, we build better societies. Think poverty, crime, prejudice – these things fester in ignorance. The Challenge to You (and Me) The Challenge to You (and Me) Jim Keyes isn't saying we all need to become rocket scientists.  But there's a level of deliberate, focused learning we need to adopt.  Here's a few questions to get you started: Where are your fear-based blind spots? Do you automatically distrust certain technologies, cultures, or ideas? What are you avoiding learning about? There's usually gold to be found in the things we find most difficult! Who challenges your thinking? Do you surround yourself with people who simply echo your existing beliefs? That's an intellectual death trap. Where are your fear-based blind spots? Do you automatically distrust certain technologies, cultures, or ideas? Where are your fear-based blind spots? What are you avoiding learning about? There's usually gold to be found in the things we find most difficult! What are you avoiding learning about? Who challenges your thinking? Do you surround yourself with people who simply echo your existing beliefs? That's an intellectual death trap. Who challenges your thinking? This isn't about being the smartest or most "woke" person in the room.  It's about cultivating a relentless curiosity and courage to venture outside your comfort zone. It's hard, but it's the ONLY way we evolve as individuals and as a society. A Final Note from Jim A Final Note from Jim Jim Keyes isn't an inexperienced guy. He's seen decades of economic booms and busts, societal shifts, the birth and death of whole industries. His confidence in education comes from hard-won experience. I think that's important to remember. The path out of fear isn't a quick-fix, but it's the ONLY path that leads somewhere worth going. 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

Education is the Boon to Fear — Insights from 7/11 & Blockbuster CEO Jim Keyes

শিক্ষাই ভয়ের বর - 7/11 এবং ব্লকবাস্টারের সিইও জিম কীসের অন্তর্দৃষ্টি

Bildung ist der Segen gegen die Angst – Einblicke von 7/11- und Blockbuster-CEO Jim Keyes

La educación es la bendición del miedo: ideas del 11 de julio y el director ejecutivo de Blockbuster, Jim Keyes

L'éducation est une aubaine pour la peur – Aperçus du 11 septembre et du PDG de Blockbuster, Jim Keyes

शिक्षा भय का वरदान है - 7/11 और ब्लॉकबस्टर के सीईओ जिम कीज़ की अंतर्दृष्टि

教育は恐怖を和らげる — 7/11 とブロックバスターの CEO ジム・キーズ氏の洞察

교육은 두려움에 도움이 됩니다 — 7/11 및 블록버스터 CEO Jim Keyes의 통찰

A educação é a dádiva do medo - Insights de 11/07 e Jim Keyes, CEO da Blockbuster

Образование — благо для страха: выводы 11 июля и генерального директора Blockbuster Джима Кейса

Eğitim Korkulması Gereken Bir Nimettir — 11 Eylül ve Gişe Rekortmeni CEO'su Jim Keyes'ten İçgörüler

Giáo dục là nguồn gốc của sự sợ hãi — Thông tin chi tiết từ vụ 11/7 & Giám đốc điều hành của Blockbuster Jim Keyes

教育是恐惧的福音——7/11 和 Blockbuster 首席执行官 Jim Keyes 的见解

In the wake of the devastating pandemic, many businesses struggled to even keep the business afloat. Fortunately, the government has not been complacent on this front. With the introduction of the Employee Retention Credit  (ERC), businesses can recoup some money in order to facilitate their businesses. ERC’s are refundable tax credits with the explicit goal of encouraging businesses to keep employees on payroll. But who exactly is eligible? There are multiple qualifying conditions in order to gain eligibility for the . Firstly, you must operate within the US. Employee Retention Credit After that, one of the following must apply to you. One option is to showcase the financial ramifications of the pandemic. By using 2019 receipts to gauge what a ‘normal’ level looks like for a business, you must show a significant decline in gross receipts in 2020 and general decline in gross receipts in 2021. These declines are evaluated on a quarterly basis against the 2019 baseline. Another option is to convey the effect of the pandemic on your business operations. Things like the change in business hours, supply chain closure, and a reduction in the number of services offered are all good examples. However, this list is certainly non-exhaustive, and there are many ways to show the constriction of a business as the result of the pandemic. The final option is to qualify for the Recovery Startup Business program in the third or fourth quarter of 2021. This program is for businesses who opened on or after February 16, 2020. Furthermore, they must have gross receipts of less than $1 million for 2020 and 2021, as well as having at least 1 W2 employee that isn’t related to the owner. But how much are these credits worth? The calculation of these credits gets slightly intricate. The total amount is . For 2020, you can earn up to $5,000 per employee, for the period of March 12 to December 31. For 2021, it is categorized into 3 quarters. Per quarter, you can earn up to $7,000 per quarter, resulting in $21,000 in total. From these maximums, the credit you actually receive is dependent on the number of full-time employees in 2019. based on both 2020 and 2021 There are two target numbers for these full-time employees, 100 and 500. If you are less than a target number, you will earn a credit based on the wages paid to all employees, both working and not, in a given calendar quarter. If you are over a target number, you earn a credit based on wages paid to employees who didn’t work during the calendar quarter. While the technical jargon does get quite convoluted, many businesses have pivoted to make ERC’s easier to claim. These businesses have teams of CPAs and attorneys who have experience in tax-related processes. ERC companies, for example, offer a 5-minute quiz to allow simplified pre-screening for business owners. Companies such as these make ERC’s more effective, and more efficient for the intended purpose, benefiting both businesses and the government. Ultimately, there are few downsides to filing for ERC’s, and it’s a great way to make sure your business is here to stay.

Why the Employee Retention Credit Can be a Boon for Your Business

The Noonification: Battle Passes: A Boon or a Bumble? (5/29/2023)

Players are rewarded exclusive in-game items, such as skins to alter the appearance of characters and items and profile avatars, for playing matches in the game, and completing challenges for additional progression points. Battle passes have spread across the online gaming industry like wildfire for the past five years. For those unfamiliar with the concept, a battle pass is a subscription-like service that allows players to earn content for a game through a tiered reward system. As players advance through the tiers, commonly referred to as “levels,” players are rewarded with flashier, more desirable prizes that allow their in-game characters to stand out from the competition. It’s similar to how celebrities would wear increasingly extravagant and expensive outfits to display their wealth or how a peacock shows its colorful plume of feathers in an attempt to attract a mate. The only difference is that the odds of attracting a mate using one of these “exclusive” virtual skins is significantly more minuscule. Most passes tend to come with a free version and a “premium” version that players can use with a one-time purchase with the game’s premium virtual currency, often bought using real-world cash. They also tend to be a “seasonal” mechanic, where players have limited time to complete the pass and earn its rewards before it expires. Opinions on these battle passes are often mixed. Some see it as a way to support the developers of their favorite multiplayer game. Others see them as a disgusting measure taken by a greedy company. I’ve never been a fan of the damn things. But I’m not here to start a rant; that’s what Reddit’s for. I’m here to explain what they are, how they came about, and how they can benefit or harm a game and its community. How did the battle pass start? Okay, class, here’s your first question: how did this concept spring into existence? Many might think that it started with in 2018. But this was when it began to grow in popularity. Fortnite In reality, one of the first known examples of the battle pass began with , made by Valve, during its annual e-sports tournament, The International 2013. Referred to as the “Compendium,” it provided unique in-game content and other features for players that purchased it, with 25% of all revenue from it going to the event’s prize pool. Dota 2 In 2015, added “campaign passes” to one of their most successful first-person shooters and arguably one of the greatest video games ever created, Team Fortress 2. This pass gave players that purchased it several goals to complete during the event to receive unique customization options. Valve Are you starting to see where this is going yet? As I previously mentioned, Epic Games introduced a battle pass in 2018 with Fortnite Battle Royale, which became a great success. While this was happening, the video game industry was busy dealing with the controversy surrounding another significantly less appealing monetization scheme, . Desperately looking for a way out of the murky swamps of loot box controversy and seeing the success and additional revenue that came with this new battle pass concept, publishers began to think of ways to incorporate it into their current and future projects. scam loot boxes In what games is the battle pass commonly seen today? Battle passes are often seen in online multiplayer games, usually games that are free to play and fall under the “battle royale” genre. They can also appear in regular “buy-to-play” games featuring a multiplayer element, but this is usually a rare occurrence. While the themes and rewards of the battle passes tend to differ, the core features stay relatively the same. Players can earn cosmetic rewards for in-game items and characters by earning experience points in multiplayer games, which allow players to progress along the reward tiers. They are also presented with challenges to complete in-game, which nets them even more progression points. A free version and paid version of the battle pass are often available together, with the free pass having a limited number of tiers or less-desirable rewards. The passes and the prizes they offer are only available for a limited time; usually a few months before the “season” ends and a new pass becomes available. Pros and cons of the battle pass Regarding battle passes in gaming, opinions within the respective communities are generally mixed. On the one hand, it gives players a way to , ensuring they have the resources to continue to add improvements and host the servers for their multiplayer services. It also incentivizes players to continue playing by giving them goals to progress toward. Also, some battle passes allow players to earn back the virtual currency they spent to buy the pass in the first place. This could let them buy the next pass without paying a dime and buy extra goodies from the in-game store. financially support the developers of the games they enjoy On the other hand, battle passes often come with a time limit, usually a few months. Once the pass expires, the players can’t earn any more rewards on the pass. This usually plays a part in sales by creating a fear of missing out on limited-time content. A sizable time investment is often required to earn all the rewards on a single pass. Players usually have to win a few matches a day and complete daily challenges if they hope to finish the pass before the season’s end. This is difficult if players lead busy lives that prohibit them from logging on every day of the week. However, some companies offer microtransactions, purchases made in the in-game store, that briefly multiply the number of progression points they can earn in-game or just instantly brings them up to a specific tier of the pass. These purchases are often a red flag to most gamers, as they indicate that the company seeks to make additional revenue off those who have a life outside of the game. In addition, some of the prizes offered by the premium battle pass are not only more aesthetically pleasing than the ones in the free pass, but they can also provide unfair advantages over other players. In one such case, each new battle pass in Overwatch 2 features a new playable hero added to their roster. However, if you want to use them immediately, you must fork over $10 for the premium battle pass. Otherwise, you needed to grind through half of the battle pass before unlocking that new character. This raised among the community in the weeks leading up to the game’s release. a bit of a stink Considering that the first Overwatch gave players access to new characters for free, many considered this to be a slap to the face. But aside from that, this also strained team builds and strategies. If one of the new characters could effectively counter the abilities of members of the opponent’s team, you’d better hope someone on your team forked over the $10 for the battle pass, or else you’ll be up a creek with no paddle. Is there a better way to handle Battle Passes? While the battle pass formula hasn’t changed much since its conception, some publishers are taking approaches that are more appealing to the player base. For example, Halo: Infinite, made by 343 Industries, features battle passes that do not expire after players buy them. Whenever a new multiplayer season is released, a new battle pass is released alongside it. However, players can commit the experience points gained in multiplayer to any battle pass they own. This approach frees players of the time constraints that typically come with a battle pass. Another unique approach to the battle pass can be seen in , a four-player co-op game made by Ghost Ship Games. Each season brings a new battle pass, called a Performance Pass, which is entirely free. That’s right. No premium version has to be bought separately to earn the best rewards! When the season ends, all the cosmetic items featured in the pass are added to the game’s loot pool. This allows players to find them in crates buried in the game world during missions. Deep Rock Galactic So, if publishers care about a thriving player base and are willing to try something new, there are much better ways to handle a battle pass. The Takeaway Given the success and popularity of the battle pass system, especially in comparison to the old system of gambling with loot boxes, I don’t think it’s going away any time soon. It’s a reliable way for publishers to make revenue from free-to-play games. However, if the progression is too slow or demanding, or if rewards from the premium passes grant some competitive advantage over others, then they should expect a significant portion of their player base to walk away upset. Worse still, the game may get branded by critics with the dreaded label of a “ ” game. pay-to-win Fortunately, a few companies are daring to try new approaches to address this issue and make passes that allow players to continue earning rewards after a season ends. Suppose AAA game publishers like EA note these approaches and adopt them in future multiplayer titles. In that case, they may see an increase in the longevity of said titles and a positive boost in their public imagery. It would also be a sure sign of the Apocalypse, as big-name publishers have repeatedly demonstrated that they are more interested in the profits they can make than what the public thinks of them. No, we’re more likely to see such forward-thinking in smaller teams of indie developers, who have proven to be more passionate about their projects and care about the communities that support them. This story was written by as part of the . Alex Johnson HackerNoon Blogging Fellowship

Battle Passes: A Boon or a Bumble?

যুদ্ধ পাস: একটি বর বা একটি Bumble?

Battle Passes: Ein Segen oder ein Hummel?

Pases de batalla: ¿una bendición o un error?

Passes de combat : une aubaine ou un bourdonnement ?

बैटल पास: वरदान या बम्बल?

バトルパス: 恩恵か失敗か?

배틀패스: 혜택인가, 아니면 범블인가?

Passes de Batalha: Uma Dádiva ou um Bumble?

Savaş Biletleri: Bir Nimet mi Yoksa Bir Bumble mı?

Battle Passes: A Boon hay Bumble?

战斗通行证：福音还是大黄蜂？

Intro to Boon, The Mind of the Race, The Wild Asses of the Devil, and The Last Trump 

Icarus or, The Future of Science by Bertrand Russells, is part of the HackerNoon Books Series. You can jump to any chapter in this book here . Conclusion CONCLUSION It may seem as though I had been at once gloomy and frivolous in some of my prognostications. I will end, however, with the serious lesson which seems to me to result. Men sometimes speak as though the progress of science must necessarily be a boon to mankind, but that, I fear, is one of the comfortable nineteenth-century delusions which our more disillusioned age must discard. Science enables the holders of power to realize their purposes more fully than they could otherwise do. If their purposes are good, this is a gain; if they are evil, it is a loss. In the present age, it seems that the purposes of the holders of power are in the main evil, in the sense that they involve a diminution, in the world at large, of the things men are agreed in thinking good. Therefore, at present, science does harm by increasing the power of rulers. Science is no substitute for virtue; the heart is as necessary for a good life as the head. If men were rational in their conduct, that is to say, if they acted in the way most likely to bring about the ends that they deliberately desire, intelligence would be enough to make the world almost a paradise. In the main, what is in the long run advantageous to one man is also advantageous to another. But men are actuated by passions which distort their view; feeling an impulse to injure others, they persuade themselves that it is to their interest to do so. They will not, therefore, act in the way which is in fact to their own interest unless they are actuated by generous impulses which make them indifferent to their own interest. This is why the heart is as important as the head. By the “heart” I mean, for the moment, the sum-total of kindly impulses. Where they exist, science helps them to be effective; where they are absent, science only makes men more cleverly diabolic. It may be laid down as a general principle to which there are few exceptions that, when people are mistaken as to what is to their own interest, the course they believe to be wise is more harmful to others than the course that really is wise. There are innumerable examples of men making fortunes because, on moral grounds, they did something which they believed to be contrary to their own interests. For instance, among early Quakers there were a number of shopkeepers, who adopted the practice of asking no more for their goods than they were willing to accept, instead of bargaining with each customer, as everybody else did. They adopted this practice because they held it to be a lie to ask more than they would take. But the convenience to customers was so great that everybody came to their shops and they grew rich. (I forget where I read this, but if my memory serves me it was in some reliable source). The same policy have been adopted from shrewdness, but in fact no one was sufficiently shrewd. Our unconscious is more malevolent than it pays us to be; therefore the people who do most completely what is in fact to their interest are those who, on moral grounds, do what they believe to be against their interest. might For this reason, it is of the greatest importance to inquire whether any method of strengthening kindly impulses exists. I have no doubt that their strength or weakness depends upon discoverable physiological causes; let us assume that it depends upon the glands. If so, an international secret society of physiologists could bring about the millennium by kidnapping, on a given day, all the rulers of the world, and injecting into their blood some substance which would fill them with benevolence towards their fellow-creatures. Suddenly M. Poincare would wish well to Ruhr miners, Lord Curzon to Indian nationalists, Mr. Smuts to the natives of what was German South West Africa, the American Government to its political prisoners and its victims in Ellis Island. But alas, the physiologists would first have to administer the love-philtre to themselves before they would undertake such a task. Otherwise, they would prefer to win titles and fortunes by injecting military ferocity into recruits. And so we come back to the old dilemma: only kindliness can save the world, and even if we knew how to produce kindliness we should not do so unless we were already kindly. Failing that, it seems that the solution which the Houynhnms adopted towards the Yahoos, namely extermination, is the only one; apparently the Yahoos are bent on applying it to each other. We may sum up this discussion in a few words. Science has not given men more self-control, more kindliness, or more power of discounting their passions in deciding upon a course of action. It has given communities more power to indulge their collective passions, but, by making society more organic, it has diminished the part played by private passions. Men’s collective passions are mainly evil; far the strongest of them are hatred and rivalry directed towards other groups. Therefore at present all that gives men power to indulge their collective passions is bad. That is why science threatens to cause the destruction of our civilization. The only solid hope seems to lie in the possibility of world-wide domination by one group, say the United States, leading to the gradual formation of an orderly economic and political world-government. But perhaps, in view of the sterility of the Roman Empire, the collapse of our civilization would in the end be preferable to this alternativ About HackerNoon Book Series: We bring you the most important technical, scientific, and insightful public domain books. This book is part of the public domain. Bertrand Russell (2021).Icarus or, The Future of Science. Urbana, Illinois: Project Gutenberg. Retrieved October 2022, from https://www.gutenberg.org/files/66225/66225-h/66225-h.htm This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org , located at https://www.gutenberg.org/policy/license.html.

Must the Progress of Science Be a Boon to Mankind?

The Back of Miss Bathwick and George Boon

Boon, The Mind of the Race, The Wild Asses of the Devil, and The Last Trump by H. G. Wells, is part of the HackerNoon Books Series. Read this book online for free on HackerNoon! Title: Boon, The Mind of the Race, The Wild Asses of the Devil, and The Last Trump; Being a First Selection from the Literary Remains of George Boon, Appropriate to the Times Author: Herbert George Wells Release Date: January 15, 2011 [EBook #34962] Language: English Table of Links Introduction THE BACK OF MISS BATHWICK AND GEORGE BOON Chapter 1. BEING THE FIRST CHAPTER OF “THE MIND OF THE RACE” Chapter 2. THE GREAT SLUMP, THE REVIVAL OF LETTERS, AND THE GARDEN BY THE SEA Chapter 3. OF ART, OF LITERATURE, OF MR HENRY JAMES Chapter 4. OF THE ASSEMBLING AND OPENING OF THE WORLD CONFERENCE ON THE MIND OF THE RACE Chapter 5. OF NOT LIKING HALLERY AND THE ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE DISCOURAGEMENT OF LITERATURE Chapter 6. WILKINS MAKES CERTAIN OBJECTIONS Chapter 7. THE BEGINNING OF “THE WILD ASSES OF THE DEVIL” Chapter 8. THE HUNTING OF THE WILD ASSES OF THE DEVIL Chapter 9. THE STORY OF THE LAST TRUMP Chapter 10. About HackerNoon Book Series: We bring you the most important technical, scientific, and insightful public domain books. This book is part of the public domain. H. G. Wells (2011). Boon, The Mind of the Race, The Wild Asses of the Devil, and The Last Trump. Urbana, Illinois: Project Gutenberg. Retrieved October 2022, from https://www.gutenberg.org/files/34962/34962-h/34962-h.htm This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org , located at https://www.gutenberg.org/policy/license.html .

Boon, The Mind of the Race, The Wild Asses of the Devil, and The Last Trump - Table of Links

In this ever-changing world, there may be no disadvantages to technology. It is, however, a myth. There is always another side to every coin. Artificial intelligence may appear to perform all of the miracles, but no one is considering the long-term consequences. AI has the potential to significantly harm the economy by raising unemployment rates. When technology reaches parity with humans, jobs performed by humans may be delegated to AI-enabled devices. Pursuing B.Tech in artificial intelligence, on the other hand, can help in this aspect of AI. Albeit, it will make life easier in every way, the unemployment rate is expected to rise. Is artificial intelligence a boon or a curse? Without a doubt, innovation is an essential component of human progress and expansion. Differences in the thickness of a thin line can cause destruction or disruption. Aside from the unemployment rate, many other aspects of AI technology have the potential to harm humans in some way. Some of them are discussed further below. Ways in which AI can harm Humans Implementation Cost The complex nature of the technology and science required to build AI-based devices necessitates exorbitant costs. Furthermore, the cost of AI-enabled machines does not end there; repairs and maintenance can be costly as well. Apple was required to pay up to $200 million for the acquisition of SIRI. Similarly, Alexa as well as Bixby had exorbitant implementation costs in smartphones. There is no substitute for human Machines can efficiently carry out the following predefined tasks. However, in AI-enabled gadgets, performing a job more effectively is not possible. The technology can really only run on the software that has been installed and perform specific tasks. , at least not in the near future. Artificial intelligence will never be able to outperform human intelligence To be honest, replacing humans with machines is a far-fetched idea. Machines are capable of performing the required tasks, but they lack emotions and moral values. Human brains are distinguished by their specificity and sensitivity EQ, which cannot be replicated in a machine. Chatbots, for example, may not understand what all the other person is saying and instead provide predefined results associated with particular keywords. Furthermore, a lack of cognitive aspects makes it impossible to manage humans, which is essential for running a business. Cannot Get Better With Time One of the most important aspects of human task evaluation is that he or she improves with expertise. This would not be the case with AI-powered machines. Machines will work at the same time with the same efficiency as they did three years ago. Machines are unable to change their responses in response to changing conditions. Lack of Imagination Machines, as previously stated, cannot replace humans. The human mind is a natural gift that can be trained to perform tasks depending on the requirement of the situation and adapt to it. Creativity and imagination are required, as well as consideration of various aspects of the outcome. Machines can only complete various functions for which they have been programmed. Machine creativity is restricted to the human who programs and controls the AI. Unemployment Risk With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, many people are concerned about AI replacing human tasks. Although it would still be a far-fetched idea, AI research is progressing toward the goal of replacing humans. Tesla vehicles are self-driving thanks to the autopilot function. In the future, this could take the place of drivers. Similarly, so much development in these areas may lead to an increase in cyclical unemployment. Final Thoughts It is up to the viewer, user, as well as their perspective on AI-enabled systems to decide whether they support or oppose artificial intelligence. AI and robotics are expanding rapidly and exploring new frontiers. It would be overly optimistic to believe that all of these concerns, including the employment rate, can be solved with time.

Is Artificial Intelligence a Boon Or a Curse?

As a lucrative industry in the landscape, the insurance sector is always the one to benefit from new and upcoming technologies. Automation can help it reduce manual processes, and software tools can help it with simpler management. One of the technologies that this industry should embrace is Desktop as a Service (DaaS). Desktop as a Service is an offering by service providers where they offer . The insurance industry needs to keep its operations running all the time, which is why Desktop as a Service or DaaS is a feasible implementation. It improves operational efficiencies, allows remote working, and nurtures your business in various other ways. virtual desktops on a subscription basis According to this report by , more than 90% of companies will start using the cloud or its related services such as DaaS in some time. Gartner DaaS is Made for the Insurance Industry: Here’s How We are continuously using the cloud or DaaS technology to access data, applications, and entire desktops remotely. The question is how this technology can help the insurance industry. There are daunting regulations and laws, premiums are reducing, the workforce is aging, the workforce is going mobile, and customer expectations are increasing as we speak. If there’s one technology or invention that can help you cater to the requirements of this industry, then it is Desktop as a Service. Let’s have a look at the things that DaaS can streamline and improve: Compliance The insurance industry has a series of security and regulation requirements. Unfortunately, the colossal amount of confidential data stored by this industry makes it an easy target for fraud and non-compliance. As a result, you need to look after various laws and follow each one of them to avoid penalties. Desktop as a Service helps you get through this hurdle. The service provider chosen by your organization will assist you with a robust compliance infrastructure. The DaaS is designed to exhibit various security layers. Every business is susceptible to outside threats. Whether you are in the accounting industry or the insurance industry, your servers are hosting some level of sensitive data. designed to help you mitigate compliance and other risks to some extent. The advanced levels of security achieved through consistent monitoring (Intrusion Detection and Prevention) and automated controls (Antivirus, antimalware, etc.) reduces your process complexity. Desktop as a Service is a solution Cost Benefits We are surviving in a pandemic, and it is obvious that every organization is trying to cut costs. They need solutions and technologies that are cost-effective. Fortunately, Desktop as a Service is that technology. This cloud-based solution creates a VM of your desktop and helps your staff access this instance from any location remotely. This means you can save operational costs on infrastructure, maintenance, and updates. There are no related hardware costs, so your IT budget reduces automatically. Mobility The insurance industry has a huge mobile workforce. To expand and grab new opportunities, they need to work remotely and access information and applications remotely. Desktop as a Service is truly designed for the insurance industry. It helps you access virtual desktops from any device or location. This means your employees can access data quickly on the go. They don’t need to wait in the office to access information. These hosted virtual desktops are exactly like your office desktops. You just need to clear multi-factor authentication to access your applications, data, and documents. It is amazing that with time, you can increase or decrease your resources. This feasibility in scaling allows organizations to adjust to the company’s growing demands without too much hassle or expenditure. Reduced IT Issues If you have hardware units or desktops in your office, you will face some IT issues. This means that your office needs a dedicated IT staff or an entire team to look after these desktop issues and downtime hassles. Desktop as a Service helps you stay connected every time in two ways: Your IT team can connect with the support center of the DaaS provider for quick resolutions. The work of your IT team is reduced. Your employees can start working on another hardware unit or laptop or PC unit till the office PC is fixed. This decreases the difficulty for your IT team. Business Continuity Desktop as a Service is a source of business continuity. Every application, data, and document on your laptop is available 24/7. There’s 99.99% uptime, which means only a few hours of issues in one year. We all can manage that much amount of downtime. Further, since there’s the feature of regular backups, you get enhanced disaster recovery management. The ability to recover data anytime, even after a disaster, contributes to the ease of business and work continuity. Conclusion We can’t argue the fact that the insurance industry is under transformation. There’s growth and profit emerging from every direction. To cease and act upon these opportunities, you need productive technology like Desktop as a Service. This will help you revamp your legacy procedures, eliminate so much manual work, and seamlessly align business processes. If you are ready to adopt these benefits and transformational changes, find the right and realize the above benefits. Desktop as a Service Provider

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