Green Growth is a software and hardware-based solution consisting of a set of sensors, combined in a single infrastructure. Data is collected during the harvest and is presented in a form of a heat-map: yield data from every acre of a field.

Green Growth

by Jeff Garzik and Ralph Benko We agree with the recently published Techno-Optimist Manifesto We agree with the recently published , hailing, among other things, the importance to civilization of energy and, thus, of good, practical energy policy. Abundant, reliable, readily affordable power is what unlocks a nation's dynamism, builds factories, creates jobs, enhances national security, and reduces poverty and famine. Techno-Optimist Manifesto A specter is now haunting those of us (including us) who believe that equitable prosperity is a great thing for people and the planet both. This specter is the shade of those who are anti-technology and anti-prosperity. Pro-prosperity goes under the rubric of e/acc, shorthand for “ .” As an aside, that might be a coinage derived from “ .” The latter had its day, although now is tarnished by the spectacular fall of its most enthusiastic and flamboyant promoter, . effective accelerationism effective altruism Sam Bankman-Fried The opponents of tech, and of its attendant general prosperity, have been dubbed the “decels.” Possibly a sly allusion to “incels.” e/acc also goes by the term “techno-optimism.” Many prominent center-leftists are at least as enthusiastic about the promise of technology to improve the lives of people and the planet as are the card-carrying members of the vast right-wing conspiracy. Techno-optimists tend to lean libertarian, whether left or right. Prominent among the leading proponents are masters of the universe , , , (with stated reservations about AI), and . Also notable are economist, blogger, and journalist ( ), public intellectual Peter Zeihan, who refers to the process of deindustrialization now underway as “decivilization,” and , who presents at a16z with exceptional clarity on matters such as . Marc Andreessen Ben Horowitz Bill Gates Vitalik Buterin Peter Thiel Noah Smith an incisive self-professed political southpaw Ryan McEntush how to scale nuclear power The villains in this drama are those who committed to “degrowth,” or shrinking the economy, perhaps by the “spectre of degrowth communism” of “Kohei Saito, the rising star of contemporary Marxist thought….” best exemplified Marxists Never Cease To Delight in Spectral Haunting Marxists just never cease to delight in spectral haunting. Some people just have to learn the hard way. We’ve written about the tussle between us techno-optimists and the luddites at ; ; at ; and at . Let’s up the ante. Toward a Pragmatic American Energy Policy To Build or Not to Build Washington? Just Face Facts Yankee Ingenuity The sweet spot of Washington Power and Light, our policy institute, is good energy policy, the foundation of equitable prosperity. In that, we are not alone. Marc Andreessen recently, in his . wrote: The Techno-Optimist Manifesto “Energy is life. We take it for granted, but without it, we have darkness, starvation, and pain. With it, we have light, safety, and warmth. We believe energy in an upward spiral. Energy is the foundational engine of our civilization. … We believe we should place intelligence and energy in a positive feedback loop, and drive them both to infinity. We believe we should use the feedback loop of intelligence and energy to make everything we want and need abundant.” should be And as Noah Smith observes in : Don’t be a Decel “Energy technology is arguably the most important kind of technology that humans create, since everything else we do is downstream of our ability to harness energy.” It isn’t very romantic of us, but … our mission is to encourage policy based on real-world data to produce great results, rather than relying on faith-based dreams we call “hopium.” We consider ourselves proud pragmatists. Pretty much everyone, including the innumerate, has heard of Einstein’s E = mc2, energy equals mass times the speed of light squared. the world’s most famous equation. PBS calls it While it is profound to prove that energy and matter are interchangeable, in day-to-day terms it’s not the most important equation around. We nominate, instead, e2/acc: effective energy accelerationism. Capitalism’s monster Those advocating economic “shrinkage” (to steal ) are an odd lot. Consider the frailty of the romantics, like Saito. He was critiqued by Thomas Fazi at , as “capitalism’s monster.” a phrase from Seinfeld Unherd To wit: “It is no coincidence that Saito comes from Japan, which enjoys one of the highest standards of living in the world. But for most people on the planet, especially those living in poorer countries, climate change among the lowest policy priorities — well below more pressing material concerns such as hunger and poverty, access to water and sanitation, and education. systematically ranks “To the billions of people who still live in extreme poverty, and the millions who don’t even have access to electricity, Saito’s vision of degrowth communism, and his plea to scale back production and consumption, is unlikely to be very appealing. In fact, Saito’s insistence that countries in the Global South should refrain from pursuing growth — even ‘green growth’ — might very well be seen as a form of Western eco-imperialism. … “In this sense, degrowth communism suffers from the same drawback of old-school communism: it’s an intrinsically universalist worldview, one that purports to offer a one-size-fits-all solution for all human societies, regardless of local cultural and civilisational specificities. This globalist outlook is typical of post-Nineties leftism, which Saito harks back to in several respects. This is also evident in his rejection of the nation-state, viewed as a reactionary, quasi-fascist construct, rather than the framework through which virtually all the major social, economic and political advancements of the past centuries were achieved. “It’s a view that is completely at odds with global realities. Capitalism’s monster? At odds with reality? Yeah, that’s our poster child villain, all right! Curtis Yarvin: the greatest living Hobbesian philosopher, formidable poet, and classic antihero, declares Trotsky at Burning Man Among others in the techno-pessimistic camp is the always interesting contrarian Curtis Yarvin – the greatest living Hobbesian philosopher and poet, a classic antihero rather than villain, and possibly simply being arch – recently published “ .” Therein, he wrote: a techno-pessimist manifesto “Where did this ideology come from? While the connection is obviously a coincidence, techno-optimism is a curious historical match for another deeply American ideology from the 20th century: Trotskyism. “In (1924), Trotsky wrote: Literature and Revolution “Through the machine, man in Socialist society will command nature in its entirety, with its grouse and its sturgeons. He will change the course of the rivers, and he will lay down rules for the oceans. This does not mean that the entire globe will be marked off into boxes, that the forests will be turned into parks and gardens. Thickets and forests and grouse and tigers will remain, but only where man commands them to remain. And man will do it so well that the tiger won’t even notice the machine, or feel the change, but will live as he lived in primeval times. The machine is not in opposition to the earth. The machine is the instrument of modern man in every field of life… “Man, who will learn how to move rivers and mountains, how to build people’s palaces on the peaks of the Mont Blanc and at the bottom of the Atlantic, will not only be able to add to his own life richness, brilliancy and intensity, but also a dynamic quality of the highest degree. The shell of life will hardly have time to form before it will burst open again under the pressure of new technical and cultural inventions and achievements. Life in the future will not be monotonous! “Narrator: nor was it. “More than that. Man at last will begin to harmonize himself in earnest. He will make it his business to achieve beauty by giving the movement of his own limbs the utmost precision, purposefulness and economy in his work, his walk and his play. He will try to master first the semiconscious and then the subconscious processes in his own organism, such as breathing, the circulation of the blood, digestion, reproduction, and, within necessary limits, he will try to subordinate them to the control of reason and will. Even purely physiologic life will become subject to collective experiments. The human species, the coagulated Homo sapiens, will once more enter into a state of radical transformation, and, in his own hands, will become an object of the most complicated methods of artificial selection and psycho-physical training. “One can easily see Trotsky at Burning Man…. “Here again the ‘scientists, technologists, artists, and visionaries beyond our wildest dreams.’ Was Trotsky the first ‘effective accelerationist?’ Life takes you funny places.” “Life takes you funny places.” True! Washington Power and Light Last year, we constituted a new, tech-savvy think tank in Metro DC, Washington Power and Light, to advocate for, to quote Bastiat (see below), a “real, serious and pragmatic” energy policy, a policy rooted in technological reality rather than “pretty to think so” romantic dreams. Thus, we heartily welcome a recent big reveal at Ben Horowitz’s blog, “ ,” that a16z has desired to engage politically, seriously, to conduct a savvy “revenge of the nerds” political crusade to make the pro-techno worldview stick: Politics and the Future “We believe that advancing technology is critical for humanity’s future, so we will, for the first time, get involved with politics by supporting candidates who align with our vision and values specifically for technology. “While “Big Tech” is well represented in Washington D.C., their interests are often at odds with a positive technological future as they are more interested in regulatory capture and preserving their monopolies. As a result, technology startups need a voice. “We are non-partisan, one issue voters: If a candidate supports an optimistic technology-enabled future, we are for them. If they want to choke off important technologies, we are against them.” Badly needed! Politicians have mostly taken their eye off the ball and turned Congress mostly into a slapstick pie-fight over mostly trivial matters. Consider the daily political news. Much of it covers the struggle between the Democrats (the Donks) and the GOP (Pachyderms, thank you, Thomas Nast!). And, implicit therein, the forever war between the left and right. And much of the news now is devoted to the internecine intraparty struggles, such as within the administration, between the privileged progressives and the rank-and-file workers of the labor-and-ethnic left. And the marquee battles between the MAGAs (“the Chaos Caucus”) and the Regular Republicans in the House. “A full phase-out of fossil fuels would take the world back into caves.” Meanwhile, note the recently convened and concluded CAP28, whose presiding officer rocked the world by observing candidly, as reported by : Reason “ Al Jaber also that a full phase-out of fossil fuels would ‘take the world back into caves.’ Into the caves we go: said Some scientists and activists have not welcomed Al Jaber's blunt realism, but have said his are ‘verging on climate denial.’ comments “To be sure, Al Jaber has been properly criticized for a possible conflict of interest, as he is also the CEO of the Emirati state-owned oil and gas company, ADNOC. But he's correct to weigh tradeoffs and to point to the fact that world leaders need a more concrete plan, since toothless U.N. agreements don't really cut it.” “What Is Seen and What is Not Seen” We confidently submit that, in the spirit of Bastiat’s final work, – “What Is Seen and What Is Not Seen” – that which is invisible is often more consequential than what is visible. CE QUON VOIT ET CE QUON NE VOIT PAS And the previously almost invisible war between the techno-optimists (“the squares”) and the techno-pessimists (“the hippies”) is, we believe, the truly important political, social, and cultural battle now going on. As the fox confided to the , “And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” Thus, let us look with our hearts. Little Prince Why is the war between the techno-optimists and the techno-pessimists of existential importance? Bastiat, courtesy of : Mises.org In the department of economy, an act, a habit, an institution, a law, gives birth not only to an effect, but to a series of effects. Of these effects, the first only is immediate; it manifests itself simultaneously with its cause — . The others unfold in succession — : it is well for us if they are . Between a good and a bad economist this constitutes the whole difference — the one takes account of the effect; the other takes account both of the effects which are and also of those which it is necessary to . Now this difference is enormous, for it almost always happens that when the immediate consequence is favorable, the ultimate consequences are fatal, . Hence it follows that the bad economist pursues a small present good, which will be followed by a great evil to come, while the true economist pursues a great good to come, at the risk of a small present evil. it is seen they are not seen foreseen visible seen foresee and the converse “In fact, it is the same in the science of health, arts, and in that of morals. If often happens, that the sweeter the first fruit of a habit is, the more bitter are the consequences. Take, for example, debauchery, idleness, prodigality. When, therefore, a man, absorbed in the effect which , has not yet learned to discern those which are not seen, he gives way to fatal habits, not only by inclination, but by calculation. is seen “This explains the fatally grievous condition of mankind. Ignorance surrounds its cradle: then its actions are determined by their first consequences, the only ones which, in its first stage, it can see. It is only in the long run that it learns to take account of the others. It has to learn this lesson from two very different masters — experience and foresight. Experience teaches effectually, but brutally. It makes us acquainted with all the effects of an action, by causing us to feel them; and we cannot fail to finish by knowing that fire burns, if we have burned ourselves. For this rough teacher, I should like, if possible, to substitute a more gentle one. I mean Foresight. For this purpose I shall examine the consequences of certain economical phenomena, by placing in opposition to each other those , and those .” which are seen which are not seen The struggle over tech is crucial because it is, at base, a struggle between prosperity and austerity. Prosperity affords us agency. Poverty is a vice, not a virtue. The Soviet bloc, exponentially poorer than the capitalist running dogs of the West, experienced far worse environmental degradation than did the capitalist world. It is better that we fight over what to do with our discretionary income than scrap for subsistence. Shall we use our surplus wealth to clean up our rivers and air? Plant forests? Invent new tech? Buy more aircraft carriers? Pay down the national debt? These are much worthier fights to have than those available while struggling for survival in a condition of great scarcity. Sorry, Luddites. Few indeed wish to return to the caves. Bad policy.  Bad politics. As Churchill, on the floor of the House of Commons, , ‘The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings. The inherent virtue of Socialism is the equal sharing of miseries.’ observed Misery loves company. That said, misery makes for bad policy. So, let’s accelerate our technology and, with it, our prosperity. Then… watch the Congress. Those fights will be merry indeed but much more productive than what we are now witnessing. Bravo to the : “We believe we should place intelligence and energy in a positive feedback loop and drive them both to infinity. We believe we should use the feedback loop of intelligence and energy to make everything we want and need abundant.” Techno-Optimist Manifesto To remain great or regain greatness, America can and must have abundant, reliable, readily affordable energy from practical, reality-driven sources. Abundant, reliable, affordable power unlocks a nation's dynamism, builds factories, creates jobs, enhances national security, and reduces poverty and famine. Accept no substitutes. Jeff Garzik serves as the founder and chairman of the policy institute Washington Power and Light.  Before co-founding Bloq, he spent five years as a Bitcoin core developer and ten years at Red Hat. His work with the Linux kernel is now found in every Android phone and data center running Linux today. Ralph Benko serves as co-founder and general counsel to Washington Power and Light. He is also the co-founder and general counsel for F1R3FLY.io and has worked in or with 3 White Houses, two executive branch agencies, and the Congress, as well as many political and policy institutes. He is an award-winning columnist.

“What is Essential is Invisible;” Enter Energy/Acceleration

David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens is part of the HackerNoon Books series.
 You can jump to any chapter in this book here . Chapter 64: A Last  Retrospect CHAPTER 64. A LAST RETROSPECT And now my written story ends. I look back, once more—for the last time—before I close these leaves. I see myself, with Agnes at my side, journeying along the road of life. I see our children and our friends around us; and I hear the roar of many voices, not indifferent to me as I travel on. What faces are the most distinct to me in the fleeting crowd? Lo, these; all turning to me as I ask my thoughts the question! Here is my aunt, in stronger spectacles, an old woman of four-score years and more, but upright yet, and a steady walker of six miles at a stretch in winter weather. Always with her, here comes Peggotty, my good old nurse, likewise in spectacles, accustomed to do needle-work at night very close to the lamp, but never sitting down to it without a bit of wax candle, a yard-measure in a little house, and a work-box with a picture of St. Paul’s upon the lid. The cheeks and arms of Peggotty, so hard and red in my childish days, when I wondered why the birds didn’t peck her in preference to apples, are shrivelled now; and her eyes, that used to darken their whole neighbourhood in her face, are fainter (though they glitter still); but her rough forefinger, which I once associated with a pocket nutmeg-grater, is just the same, and when I see my least child catching at it as it totters from my aunt to her, I think of our little parlour at home, when I could scarcely walk. My aunt’s old disappointment is set right, now. She is godmother to a real living Betsey Trotwood; and Dora (the next in order) says she spoils her. There is something bulky in Peggotty’s pocket. It is nothing smaller than the Crocodile Book, which is in rather a dilapidated condition by this time, with divers of the leaves torn and stitched across, but which Peggotty exhibits to the children as a precious relic. I find it very curious to see my own infant face, looking up at me from the Crocodile stories; and to be reminded by it of my old acquaintance Brooks of Sheffield. Among my boys, this summer holiday time, I see an old man making giant kites, and gazing at them in the air, with a delight for which there are no words. He greets me rapturously, and whispers, with many nods and winks, ‘Trotwood, you will be glad to hear that I shall finish the Memorial when I have nothing else to do, and that your aunt’s the most extraordinary woman in the world, sir!’ Who is this bent lady, supporting herself by a stick, and showing me a countenance in which there are some traces of old pride and beauty, feebly contending with a querulous, imbecile, fretful wandering of the mind? She is in a garden; and near her stands a sharp, dark, withered woman, with a white scar on her lip. Let me hear what they say. ‘Rosa, I have forgotten this gentleman’s name.’ Rosa bends over her, and calls to her, ‘Mr. Copperfield.’ ‘I am glad to see you, sir. I am sorry to observe you are in mourning. I hope Time will be good to you.’ Her impatient attendant scolds her, tells her I am not in mourning, bids her look again, tries to rouse her. ‘You have seen my son, sir,’ says the elder lady. ‘Are you reconciled?’ Looking fixedly at me, she puts her hand to her forehead, and moans. Suddenly, she cries, in a terrible voice, ‘Rosa, come to me. He is dead!’ Rosa kneeling at her feet, by turns caresses her, and quarrels with her; now fiercely telling her, ‘I loved him better than you ever did!’—now soothing her to sleep on her breast, like a sick child. Thus I leave them; thus I always find them; thus they wear their time away, from year to year. What ship comes sailing home from India, and what English lady is this, married to a growling old Scotch Croesus with great flaps of ears? Can this be Julia Mills? Indeed it is Julia Mills, peevish and fine, with a black man to carry cards and letters to her on a golden salver, and a copper-coloured woman in linen, with a bright handkerchief round her head, to serve her Tiffin in her dressing-room. But Julia keeps no diary in these days; never sings Affection’s Dirge; eternally quarrels with the old Scotch Croesus, who is a sort of yellow bear with a tanned hide. Julia is steeped in money to the throat, and talks and thinks of nothing else. I liked her better in the Desert of Sahara. Or perhaps this IS the Desert of Sahara! For, though Julia has a stately house, and mighty company, and sumptuous dinners every day, I see no green growth near her; nothing that can ever come to fruit or flower. What Julia calls ‘society’, I see; among it Mr. Jack Maldon, from his Patent Place, sneering at the hand that gave it him, and speaking to me of the Doctor as ‘so charmingly antique’. But when society is the name for such hollow gentlemen and ladies, Julia, and when its breeding is professed indifference to everything that can advance or can retard mankind, I think we must have lost ourselves in that same Desert of Sahara, and had better find the way out. And lo, the Doctor, always our good friend, labouring at his Dictionary (somewhere about the letter D), and happy in his home and wife. Also the Old Soldier, on a considerably reduced footing, and by no means so influential as in days of yore! Working at his chambers in the Temple, with a busy aspect, and his hair (where he is not bald) made more rebellious than ever by the constant friction of his lawyer’s-wig, I come, in a later time, upon my dear old Traddles. His table is covered with thick piles of papers; and I say, as I look around me: ‘If Sophy were your clerk, now, Traddles, she would have enough to do!’ ‘You may say that, my dear Copperfield! But those were capital days, too, in Holborn Court! Were they not?’ ‘When she told you you would be a judge? But it was not the town talk then!’ ‘At all events,’ says Traddles, ‘if I ever am one—’ ‘Why, you know you will be.’ ‘Well, my dear Copperfield, WHEN I am one, I shall tell the story, as I said I would.’ We walk away, arm in arm. I am going to have a family dinner with Traddles. It is Sophy’s birthday; and, on our road, Traddles discourses to me of the good fortune he has enjoyed. ‘I really have been able, my dear Copperfield, to do all that I had most at heart. There’s the Reverend Horace promoted to that living at four hundred and fifty pounds a year; there are our two boys receiving the very best education, and distinguishing themselves as steady scholars and good fellows; there are three of the girls married very comfortably; there are three more living with us; there are three more keeping house for the Reverend Horace since Mrs. Crewler’s decease; and all of them happy.’ ‘Except—’ I suggest. ‘Except the Beauty,’ says Traddles. ‘Yes. It was very unfortunate that she should marry such a vagabond. But there was a certain dash and glare about him that caught her. However, now we have got her safe at our house, and got rid of him, we must cheer her up again.’ Traddles’s house is one of the very houses—or it easily may have been—which he and Sophy used to parcel out, in their evening walks. It is a large house; but Traddles keeps his papers in his dressing-room and his boots with his papers; and he and Sophy squeeze themselves into upper rooms, reserving the best bedrooms for the Beauty and the girls. There is no room to spare in the house; for more of ‘the girls’ are here, and always are here, by some accident or other, than I know how to count. Here, when we go in, is a crowd of them, running down to the door, and handing Traddles about to be kissed, until he is out of breath. Here, established in perpetuity, is the poor Beauty, a widow with a little girl; here, at dinner on Sophy’s birthday, are the three married girls with their three husbands, and one of the husband’s brothers, and another husband’s cousin, and another husband’s sister, who appears to me to be engaged to the cousin. Traddles, exactly the same simple, unaffected fellow as he ever was, sits at the foot of the large table like a Patriarch; and Sophy beams upon him, from the head, across a cheerful space that is certainly not glittering with Britannia metal. And now, as I close my task, subduing my desire to linger yet, these faces fade away. But one face, shining on me like a Heavenly light by which I see all other objects, is above them and beyond them all. And that remains. I turn my head, and see it, in its beautiful serenity, beside me. My lamp burns low, and I have written far into the night; but the dear presence, without which I were nothing, bears me company. O Agnes, O my soul, so may thy face be by me when I close my life indeed; so may I, when realities are melting from me, like the shadows which I now dismiss, still find thee near me, pointing upward! 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. Dickens, Charles,2009. David Copperfield. Urbana, Illinois: Project Gutenberg. Retrieved April 2022 from https://www.gutenberg.org/files/766/766-h/766-h.htm#link2HCH0064 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 .

David Copperfield: Chapter 64 - A Last  Retrospect

Oh hey. Now the REAL WORK begins. Just start writing 😀 1. What do you currently do and what’s your favorite part about it As a senior technology professional, I transitioned from a corporate environment to a startup tech scene six years ago. My current role involves delving deeply into blockchain and AI technologies, focusing on their potential to enhance humanity and improve quality of life. The most fulfilling aspect of my work is the opportunity to innovate and contribute to meaningful advancements in these cutting-edge fields. I am passionate about harnessing the power of these technologies to create a positive impact on society. The dynamic and ever-evolving nature of blockchain and AI keeps me constantly engaged and inspired. 2. How did you get started with your Tech Career? My tech career began with a childhood fascination for computers, kindled by my first . This early interest in technology evolved as I delved into programming, exploring the possibilities within this creative and logical realm. In university, my enthusiasm further intensified as I learned 8080/8085 assembly language, a complex but thrilling challenge that honed my technical skills. A significant milestone was experiencing the university's first LAN network, which opened my eyes to the power of connected computing and the potential of the Internet. This foundational journey, rooted in a blend of curiosity and academic rigor, paved the way for my career in the ever-expanding field of technology. Commodore 64 3. If Utopia were a color what color do you think it’d be and why? If Utopia were a color, it might be a vibrant green. Green symbolizes growth, renewal, and health, reflecting the goals of using technological advancements for societal and environmental betterment. It represents the lushness of a thriving nature, a reminder of the planet we strive to preserve. This color also resonates with the idea of sustainable development and prosperity for all, key aspects of a utopian world where technology is a force for global improvement and equity. Thus, green encapsulates the vision of a harmonious world where technology aids in creating a sustainable, poverty-free future. 4. If everything about HackerNoon changed drastically, what is one detail you’d like to keep exactly the same?  OR What’s your favorite thing to do with HackerNoon and why? If everything about HackerNoon underwent drastic changes, one detail I would insist on keeping the same is its commitment to showcasing genuine tech talents. This platform should continue to prioritize the voices and innovations of real tech enthusiasts and experts, rather than becoming a billboard for commercial brands or companies. must maintain its essence as a hub for authentic, grassroots tech discourse. Additionally, preserving its culture of inclusiveness is vital; ensuring that diverse perspectives from around the globe are represented and valued. This approach not only enriches the community but also upholds the integrity and spirit of what makes HackerNoon truly unique in the tech world. HackerNoon 5. Tell us more about the things you write/make/manage/build! In my role, I focus on building software products that leverage cutting-edge technologies like Web3 and AI. My work involves not just the technical aspects of product development, but also ensuring these products support real-world use cases effectively. Collaborating with other tech enthusiasts and developer communities is a key part of my process, enriching the development with diverse insights and innovations. I take great pride in creating Web3 products that are not only technologically advanced but also practical and user-centric. This balance of high-tech expertise and community collaboration is what drives my passion and success in the tech industry. 6. What’s your favorite thing about the internet? My favorite aspect of the internet is its integral role in shaping our lives and history, acting as the backbone of digital transformation. It has evolved from a mere tool for information exchange to a fundamental part of our daily existence, influencing everything from communication to business. The internet's capacity to connect people across the globe, democratize information, and foster innovation is unparalleled. Its continual evolution hints at an even more interconnected and technologically advanced future. The internet, for me, is not just a network; it's a transformative force that has redefined our world and will continue to lead us into new frontiers of possibility. 7. It’s an apocalypse of ‘walking dead’ proportions and you can only own a singular piece of technology, what would it be? In an apocalyptic scenario akin to 'Walking Dead', the ideal piece of technology I would choose is a solar-powered satellite phone equipped with a SIM card containing the entire Wikipedia database. This combination would provide a lifeline to communicate with any survivors and access vital satellite-based information, while also storing a vast repository of human knowledge. The solar-powered feature ensures sustainability in a world where conventional power sources are unreliable. This dual-purpose device serves not only immediate survival needs through communication but also acts as a tool for rebuilding society, with access to invaluable information spanning all areas of human knowledge and history. It's a fusion of connectivity and education, both critical in navigating and eventually overcoming such a catastrophic event. 8. What is your least favorite thing about the internet? My least favorite aspect of the internet is the uneven distribution and quality of access across different regions. Despite the significant advancements in internet speed, allowing for real-time content delivery and seamless connectivity, this benefit isn't universally available. There are still vast disparities in internet speeds and reliability, with some areas enjoying ultra-fast connections while others struggle with basic access. This digital divide not only limits the potential of individuals and communities in less connected areas but also hinders the overall progress of global digital transformation. My concern lies in the fact that while we rely heavily on the internet for almost every aspect of modern life, its unequal availability perpetuates a gap in information access and technological advancement. 9. If you were given $10 million to invest in something today what would you invest in and why? Given $10 million to invest today, I would channel these funds into research and prototype a carbon capture solutions, aiming to combat global warming. This investment would focus on innovative technologies that efficiently remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, a critical step in reversing the adverse effects of climate change. By supporting this area, the investment not only contributes to environmental sustainability but also fosters advancements in green technology. This approach not only addresses the urgent need to mitigate climate impact but also invests in a sustainable future, benefiting both the planet and future generations. It's a strategic choice that aligns with environmental responsibility and long-term ecological balance. 10. What’s something you’re currently learning or excited to learn? I'm currently enthusiastic about learning how AI and quantum computing can revolutionize our understanding of complex scientific problems. Specifically, I am intrigued by the potential of these technologies to unravel mysteries like the laws of physics within black holes and the prospects of gravity control. The convergence of AI and quantum computing promises unprecedented computational power, which could lead to breakthroughs in theoretical physics and other realms of science. This journey of discovery excites me because it stands at the frontier of human knowledge, potentially answering questions that have long eluded scientists. Delving into this area is not just about acquiring new knowledge; it's about pushing the boundaries of what's possible in science and technology. 11. Would you rather travel 10 years into the past or 10 years into the future? Give reasons for your answer. Given the choice, I would rather travel 10 years into the future. While traveling to the past has its theoretical limitations and ethical complexities, the future holds a realm of possibilities and undiscovered advancements. By traveling a decade ahead, I would have the unique opportunity to witness and understand technologies that are currently in the realm of imagination or early development. This future insight could reveal solutions to rare diseases, more efficient modes of travel, and perhaps even breakthroughs in controlling gravity. Such knowledge would not only satisfy my curiosity but also provide invaluable insights into how today's research and innovations evolve, enabling me to contribute more effectively to current scientific endeavors with a perspective shaped by what's to come. 12. How do you feel about AI? My feelings towards AI are predominantly characterized by excitement and optimism. I'm enthralled by its potential to significantly expedite various forms of work, enhancing efficiency and productivity. I firmly believe AI will play a crucial role in our future, transforming how we approach problems and tasks across numerous domains. It's important that access to AI technologies is equitable and non-discriminatory, ensuring that its benefits are universally shared. Additionally, I see AI not in isolation but as a vital component in tandem with other emerging technologies, creating synergies that could solve some of the most complex and pressing challenges of our times. This holistic view of AI as both a standalone and collaborative tool underlines its transformative potential in improving various aspects of human life.

My Story in 12 Questions & Answers 

How We Find A Way to Grow our MRR by 800% in 6 Months

From reading HackerNoon articles to working for the company, I've come a long way. Hi! I’m Devansh, a self-taught designer & a 2022 CS graduate. And just like most of us amidst the hiring freeze and lay-offs, I too was looking for a job. I even “almost” landed one (A full-time design role at a Fintech, based in the US) but the HR left me stranded as they went into a hiring freeze, and my salary negotiation interview got scheduled but never happened. So, I was back to square one. A Ray of Hope 🤞 After scrolling for hours on LinkedIn in search of the role that suited me perfectly, I came across this: The moment I saw this, I knew I had to take a shot. I’ve been reading HackerNoon articles ever since one of my seniors introduced me to it back in 2019. So, without wasting any time I updated my resume and got my portfolio ready. The application procedure was quite simple and I could apply with ease. You just need to fill out your details, answer a few questions, add some links to your socials/portfolio, and your resume ofc. Ps: I won’t go into further details about the complete application form since we all like to discover things on our own & I don’t wanna be the one who ruins your adventure. The Interview Process 📃 The whole recruitment process was pretty straightforward with 3 Main Rounds, namely - The Application Round, a Test, and The Interview. I applied on September 10, 2022 Application Round: On September 24, 2022, I received the very first update (From none other than Hang) along with an anticipated timeline mentioning that I was still being considered. First Update: Depending on the team(s) you selected during the application, you receive your test(s). (You receive multiple tests if you apply to more than 1 team). On September 27, 2022, I received invites to the test round from both Social Media and Graphic Design Teams. Test Round(s): As per my interest, I ended up submitting the test for the latter. It took me a good whole week to finish up and meet the deadline (4th October) Test Submission: On October 18, 2022, the good news finally came in. I was invited for an interview with Kien Dao (Design Lead) at HackerNoon. I ended up selecting October 27, 2022, as Diwali was just around the corner. Interview Round: I had an amazing time with Kien during the interview and it became more of a 1-1 discussion about all things design rather than a typical boring interview. Interview: Finally the wait was over and the mail was here. Result: The Task that took me through to The Interview 🚀 After getting shortlisted, comes the task. These were the tasks that earned me a spot for the interview. The test from the Design Team comprised two tasks: Logo Design Task Motion Graphic Design Task Logo Design Task 🎨 The logo design task proved to be a perfect match for me. It challenged my brain to unleash its creativity to the fullest and bring some crazy ideas to life. Here’s the design brief that was sent over: So initially, I approached the problem statement keeping a few things in my mind: Gotta keep it simple Remember, ”Less is More” Don’t forget to add a pinch of Pixelated/Retro Vibe Process My process for this logo design sprint began with the 10/10 method where I produce 10 random ideas that come to my mind and then, later on, add further details to the design. 10/10 Method The 10/10 Method (as I call it) is all about sketching down 10 raw ideas in 10 minutes. (All based on your initial interpretation of the problem statement) & then figuring out the details for the same. Here are the 10 that I came up with initially: Adding details Come to think of it, Designers at HackerNoon did an excellent job designing the first SOTY ‘22 logo. The rocket is a very recognizable symbol. In order to come up with something as iconic as the one they used earlier, I opted for the “Innovation Bulb/Lamp” or we can say the “Idea Symbol”. It was based on my belief that a startup can only bloom if it has a solid foundation and a solid foundation is an idea that can make this world a better place - even if just a little. Ps: The humanoid bust represents the human factor of any startup/org & in order to incorporate the touch of Retro I went for a pixelated bulb. (Created in illustrator). Also, the filament here represents one’s journey through ups and downs to reach their goal. Colors In order to keep it simple and minimalistic I went for a combo of White (#FFFFFF) and Pigment Green (#1AA54A). The green here represents growth and sustainability - the ideals a startup should be built upon. Out of all other greens, Pigment Green hits the spot for me with a balance of 10% red, 62% green, and 28% blue. The white perfectly harmonizes with the green to create a calm tone. Final Submission After a fun week-long design sprint I finally ended up with my final designs for Startups of The Year 2022. Motion Graphic Design Task 🎥 The motion design task was next in line. It was fun and turned out to be a whole new learning experience in itself. Here’s the brief that was sent over. Just like before, I went in with the same approach of keeping it minimal. The process began with drawing out some frames that I had in mind and creating the basic flow (kinda like a storyboard). The final flow for the intro that I came up with was: The video opens with a pull-down light bulb that opens up the Logo animation Followed by the link Then came “Presented by Hackernoon” And at last, the sponsors. Final Submission During a whole week of balancing both tasks, I ended up messing up the deadline and had to improvise without the BG MUSIC 💀 (A major mistake when it comes to motion design. Music always comes first since it sets up the pace for the animation) Well that aside, here was my final submission (mp4→gif) for the motion graphics design task. The Happy Ever After ✨ Before I knew it, I was in an interview with . The interview went really well and we ended up discussing design trends. It became a friendly 1-1 meet rather than a typical interview. Kien And just like that the wait was over and was here: the mail Like the mail, the contract followed thereafter and in no time I officially onboarded HackerNoon as a Graphic Design Intern.

How I Landed a Design Internship at HackerNoon

কিভাবে আমি হ্যাকারনুন এ একটি ডিজাইন ইন্টার্নশিপ ল্যান্ড করেছি

Wie ich ein Design-Praktikum bei HackerNoon bekommen habe

Cómo conseguí una pasantía de diseño en HackerNoon

Comment j'ai décroché un stage en design chez HackerNoon

मैंने हैकरनून में एक डिज़ाइन इंटर्नशिप कैसे प्राप्त की

HackerNoonでデザインインターンシップを獲得した方法

HackerNoon에서 디자인 인턴십을 구한 방법

Como Consegui um Estágio de Design na HackerNoon

HackerNoon'da Tasarım Stajına Nasıl Başladım?

Làm thế nào tôi có được một thực tập thiết kế tại HackerNoon

我是如何在 HackerNoon 获得设计实习机会的

A psychologist friend had recently complained to me - I hate it that whatsapp shares my online status with my patients. To which I replied - "yeah this will only be solved when we have a p2p whatsapp". To which they replied "what is p2p?" A second event was at a twitter space where I mentioned (Jack Dorsey's company attempting to build a p2p twitter), and got asked - "how would p2p twitter be different from what we have now?" bluesky So I began to think maybe not enough people realize why open protocols and p2p replacement services to whatsapp and twitter are so important. Before I go on, a short explanation about p2p (courtesy of ChatGPT): Peer-to-peer (P2P) refers to a decentralized communication model in which two or more parties can communicate and exchange data directly with each other without the need for a central server or authority. In a P2P network, each party (also known as a "peer") acts as both a client and a server, allowing them to communicate and share resources directly with each other. What are some examples we know as consumers for applications built over p2p networks? blockchain (e.g. bitcoin) stuff like popcorn time or strem.io that use bittorrent We don't yet have true p2p social commonly used and hopefully by the time you end this short essay you will think as I do that it's really important that we do. So why should you care? tdlr; human rights, no-ads and innovation. Let me expand a bit on each. Human rights The most discussed reason is that it's harder to track and censor users in a p2p network. This is pretty dramatic if you live under non-democratic rule, but it doesn't quite drive the point for your typical westerner. I mean I could go on and discuss that owning your own data is nice, but de-facto we begrudgingly just trust the big companies and our government to keep them in check. Ads My instagram feed today is almost 50% ads. This is crazy. If you had told me years ago I'd be fine with scrolling through sponsored / organic posts at this ratio I would have laughed, but it came to that and that sucks. I can't even blame them. This is what companies have to do to stay on the green side. The growth game compels it. In p2p technologies, this problem just doesn't exist. p2p social networks don't need to generate revenue. This means no ads. The operating costs are handled in a distributed way, e.g. your pc pitches in a bit, and it's enough. You did buy that machine and you are paying your internet provider, so it's no magic. But then you might wonder - what is the incentive for developers to improve these services, why would anyone invest their time? Well, once an infrastructure simply exists and enables monetizable services on top of it, there is enough motivation to maintain and improve it, even if the network itself doesn't directly generate revenue. Take linux for example, a completely free to use operating system that is so fundamental to tech now to the point that the question doesn't even make sense. So bottom line no one has to pay 100,000 salaries engineers to run a p2p network. Innovation Last but no least, p2p paves the way to innovation. Social media monopolies have no incentive to innovate. Any attempt to do so presents a risk which often isn't worth it. This is why so little changes on twitter, facebook, instagram and so slowly. But when you remove the tight coupling between the network itself and the client side application, you allow for competition and customization. One example is feed algorithmics. Different people want different feed logic. Some may really want to focus and remove anything that is distracting (e.g. cat videos) while others are more casual users. Some may want to see tweets only from users they follow while others want suggestions. As long as twitter owns the feed algorithms it cannot cater to the needs of all users. Sometimes these needs even go against their own business model - which is to keep you spending time on the platform so you can watch ads. The result is we get the least common denominator. We can do much better. It is also quite possible that the best minds to design the feed algorithm are just not in twitter, but in some ML oriented company, or they are digital wellbeing evangelists. Let's have them participate. So whether you are a consumer, a developer or a human rights enthusiast, you should care about this. Also published . here

P2P Alternatives to Social Media Apps Are Important

What IT Managers Should Know about Quantum Computing

What does a movie lover and gamer have in common? They always look for inspiration, they believe in a world beyond our reality, and obviously, they are super lazy; #LOL, just kidding. So we made a list of movies and games. The list includes the best movies in terms of their respective areas of filmmaking. These areas of expertise include storytelling, experience for the audience, the technology creators used, its ability to reach out to a massive community, and a surprising industry trend at the end. So, Press any button to Begin, and Let’s Play! The Lord of Rings: The Return of Epic Story Telling A good story can captivate your audience, but a great story makes them share it with their friends. A Cinematic experience will fall flat if there is no juice in the stories and script of a movie. Similarly, having a compelling story to tell in a game is a must. Write, draft, storyboard, just write your ideas, and You Shall Pass! 1. In-Depth Characters Often, you want to focus on characters that resonate with the audience's emotions just like a hobbit setting sail to stop a war between good and evil. The user needs to feel connected with your character, maybe a backstory, or an ultimate goal, but it needs to allow players to relate at a personal level. 2. The Leveling Arc Another aspect of stories that has a significant impact is the story arc. With every level of difficulty, your users need a ray of hope to keep going. Balance the difficulty and achievement really well to keep players coming back for more. 3. Wish I Could Stay in This World Last but not least, drafting an environment your users will explore. Whether it's the time, sky, grass, houses, or even a small house fly floating around in the game or movie, everything needs to be perfect and life-like. The audience should believe that they discovered a whole new world and never want to go back. Like in the movie, the fictional world of middle earth: the Shire, the lake town, ‘Rivendell’, misty mountains, and ‘Mordor.’ Render-Man: Across the UX-Verse , which is the motto of every game designer. The focus here is on design, interactivity, and small mechanics. Game developers and designers always try to understand the expectations of users to eventually exceed it. With top-notch creativity comes amazing user experience Ideation and Design A movie often uses dark gradients to achieve a tense tone, same goes for games and vibrant colors to captivate players. Both should have design elements and concepts that resonate with the message a creator wants to convey. For example, in Spider-Man, the color gradient of a movie slowly shifts to a darker tone. The colorless one of Gwen's background, the lightning colors of Miles' background, and lastly, the dark damping color to explain the bitter ending. Similarly in games too, designers often use various color scales to show the progression of the game. It may lead to better endings, a clear blue sky, and a flowerful field for joy, or it may have a grayish-blacking tone for boss fights in the rain. : Here is a list of colors paired with emotions for you Excitement, Passion, Energy, Danger Red - Calm, Trust, Serenity, Sadness Blue - Nature, Growth, Harmony, Renewal Green - Earthiness, Stability, Warmth, Reliability Brown - Modernity, Elegance, Futurism, Innovation Silver - Happiness, Optimism, Warmth, Attention Yellow - Royalty, Luxury, Creativity, Mystery Purple - Enthusiasm, Vitality, Playfulness, Energy Orange - Romance, Sweetness, Tenderness, Playfulness Pink - Mystery, Elegance, Power, Darkness Black - Purity, Simplicity, Cleanliness, Innocence White - Neutrality, Balance, Practicality, Boredom Gray - Wealth, Prosperity, Luxury, Achievement Gold - Interactivity Nowadays, movies are focusing on the audience more than ever before; this is due to the competition and the sudden rise of movie enthusiasts. We are seeing films that break the fourth wall or introduce crossovers to satisfy viewers' needs. Some movie makers tease clues to an open ending, like or narrate relatable content directly to the audience like Doing so increases the interactivity and establishes a communication channel between the audience and the content. In games, these tactics naturally preexist, and interactivity is at the highest level. So they play with micro-interactivity! Nolan, ‘FightClub.’ Micro-interactivity and animation are something that fascinates every gamer. Completing a puzzle to open the door or that story-based ‘Spacebar’ tap to defeat a big monster. Here is the list of the most trending micro-interactive features that game creators love to add. AI-generated NPCs with whom users interact, and on the basis of their choices, the next plot arc is fabricated. Audio-based content; footsteps in the dark and opera music chase in desserts. To elevate the cinematic experience for users, game creators are focusing on onboard video game composers. These small attention to details eventually increases the user experience for gamers, and the same goes for movie enthusiasts. Mechanics The elements used by movie makers to keep users hooked and entertained are all part of movie mechanics. It could be a small special effect, the way the script is written, or a particular animation style like in . Sony’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse When it comes to game development, developers add unique mechanics. It leads to a memorable gaming experience for the gamers, and hence, a sudden rise in popularity. The three most trending gameplay mechanics are: Just like time flows differently in Nolan's movies, games allow users to manipulate time, unlocking a smart objective-taking mechanic. Game Play Innovation: If you watch each character provides you with a different perspective, giving the power of choice in the viewers’ hands. Gamer developers design their games in a similar fashion, but they dig a little deeper. A nonlinear, open-world, creator-mode gameplay allows the player to shape the world as per their choices. Player Agency: Rashomon, Providing multiple endings to play for will allow players to come back for more and enjoy the game to the fullest again. Replayability: It's a simple mechanic, but many game developers utilize this to explore their ideas which could elevate the game’s story but is not concerned with the main plot. Avatar: The Way of Modern Game Development Technology has helped games to achieve numerous milestones. It made the gaming industry a successful business investment for many enthusiasts around the world. With the help of modern game development technologies and tools, we are looking at a scaling revolution for the entertainment industry. Here are some overlooked benefits modern technologies offer when it comes to providing game development: There are plenty of ways to monetize a game nowadays. Cloud gaming, online multiplayer, and cross-platform gaming allow games to reach a wider audience. Dynamic Audie engine and Ray tracing for real immersion qualities in games. Streamlining development with the help of innovative tech. Removing toxicity and making a better gaming experience for future generations. The most widely utilized technologies are: : Used for Intelligence, Decision-Making, Streamlining development process, and Security in the gaming industry. Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning For Security, Asset Ownership, Tradability, Transparency. Blockchain: It is widely used for Immersion, Augmented experience, its features, and massive multiplayer. Augmented Reality & Virtual Reality: , metaverse gaming Interaction and Data collection. Internet of Things: Marvel’s Avengers: The Community War Criticism, appreciation, support, and backlashes, if you are making a movie or a game, you should prepare yourself for every possible and unexpected outcome as a creator. The reason is both industries have the highest face value, and their demand increases with their massive community. In today’s world, they both are truly driven by their community. At some point, the influence of this massive community can even affect the final result. Also Read: All Marvel Movies Coming Out in 2023 Take the Marvel movie, Avengers: Endgame, for example. played by ., died in Endgam,e marking the end of the actor's contribution to the franchise. Ironman, Robert Dawney Jr But soon, the whole community went into an uproar, hence, decided to bring Robert back as a cameo in the new Spiderman movies. Marvel Studios In the gaming industry, similar cases were observed where the community did not agree with the end product, and gaming studios had to rework it. One classic example of this is Dota reworking overpowered heroes with every patch to balance the game. So, how do we prevent these community backlashes? Well, there is a way: Just like movie makers release teasers & trailers, game creators can leverage beta testing to perfect their game quality. Using data analytic tools to adapt the community choices, patterns, and behaviors. Be precocious of market requirements, and don’t let the toxic on you. Avengers assemble Consult an expert who is good with researching and innovating according to the demands of users and viewers. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Retro & Classics Some of us never let go of the past; it always stays with us. There is something special about those times in our hearts. Whether it's watching Christmas movies during the holidays or playing games during rainy afternoons. The coziness, the thrill, and the food hit differently when you can enjoy your favorite retro & classics your way. This feeling of nostalgia has a separate fanbase, therefore, a new trend in game genre has emerged just like in movies: “Reviewing the Retros.” Final Thoughts! Game development and movie making are both two ripe apples fallen from the same tree of creativity and entertainment. There are experts who can blend them both for spectacular results. So, if you are looking to make your unique game idea a trending reality, consult with a reliable game development studio for the optimum result. We saw how they both share so much in common, from community and character to technology and love for oldies. But the gaming industry takes the last stretch by the average engagement duration, huge cultural impact, better monetization model, and consistent scaling. So choose wisely, and thank you for reading! “I’ll be BACK!’

GREEN GROWTH

greengrowth.tech

1-10 employees

Since 2021

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GREEN GROWTH

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GREEN GROWTH

greengrowth.tech

1-10 employees

Since 2021

COMPANY RANKING

GREEN GROWTH

EVERGREEN INDEX #5206

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