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Come join the team responsible for creating the future of fantasy football and baseball. At Sorare, we give our "Managers" the opportunity to #OwnYourGame through officially licensed, NFT player cards. Our mission is simple yet ambitious: to become the game within the game. If you're looking to run fast, have an immediate impact from day 1, and work with smart/creative people -- Sorare is for you! We are hiring for roles both in Paris & in the US.

Sorare

sorare

It hasn&#x27;t been the best season for Carles Gil or the Revs, but Deke Mathews still believes in him for his weekend MLS preview at <strong>Sorare</strong>.

Sorare MLS: Deke's Diamonds GW 471

Collecting is part of human nature. Since the times of Roman generals who exhibited the trophies collected during the war campaigns in their homes. But what drives the human being to collect an object? In some cases is passion, in other cases the desire to own a precious piece that certifies a high social status. These are all motivations related to the world of emotions, those that can lead a collector to pay for an object many times more than its physical value. Giving value to that emotion and the sense of exclusivity that would follow. This logic, for example, explains how a card of the well-known card game Magic The Gathering was recently . sold for an incredible $ 166,000 But collecting, normally printed on paper, is facing a period of great change, mainly as a result of two phenomena: forgery techniques are now very advanced and it becomes really difficult to recognize a fake object from an authentic one. According to an OECD report, this phenomenon will increase by 50% by 2022, reaching $ 990 billion and causing huge losses for producers and collectors. Because without a guarantee of authenticity it is not possible to certify the real scarcity and exclusivity of a collectible. That is the elements that define its value. Counterfeiting: physical  are increasingly being abandoned in an increasing number of sectors. Payment methods, video games, films or transport tickets, everything is completely digitized. Without the need for a credit card, DVD or paper ticket. 90% of the music is now played in streaming. Millennials' lives are in constant motion and physical objects are a hindrance when traveling. Digitization of life: Driven by these forces, the world of collecting has been heading towards total digitization for some years. Few people in the world don't remember the Pokemon Go phenomenon that has developed over the past few years. The possibility of capturing cute little animals, using an app based on Google maps and geolocation. For the first time since its launch in 2016, the app surpassed $ 1 billion in revenue in 2020. Competitors did not stand by, in particular , which launched, in January 2020, a digital version of his famous sports stickers. To ensure greater security, digital cards are also registered on the Ethereum Blockchain. Panini This brings us back to the phenomenon born at the end of 2017. One of the first experiments of digital collectibles based on Blockchain technology, which in a few weeks went around the world leading to the generation of more than 300,000 colored kittens and to a significant slowdown of the Ethereum Blockchain network. To the point that it was necessary to intervene, introducing costs for the generation of a "child cat" born of two "parent cats". Cryptokitties To date, the Cryptokitties phenomenon seems to have faded, bringing to light a . If in physical collecting a person could be happy with inserting a sports card within an album and the game was over, with digital collecting the expectations are much higher. hot topic that the new sector will have to deal with Because the digital world is the playground where everyone today has fun and participates in augmented, social, interactive experiences etc. etc. A digital collectible is obliged to offer in order to be successful. And this is where the Cryptokitties project seems to have stalled over time. an effective gaming experience Even the numerous clones born over the years seem not to have found a solution to this problem. There are currently two projects on the market that seem to be playing this game of collectible gamification better. I am referring to the project, born from a Parisian startup, which has recently received a $ 4 million round of financing. Sorare The digital collectible proposed by this project is based on the sale of digital stickers related to the world of football. We are talking about a sector that has been moving a lot of money for decades, just think of videogames dedicated to this sport. For this reason, if the Sorare guys can find a game element linked to their collectibles, and football offers many possibilities, we may have found one of the first successful projects in the world of digital collecting. At the moment, however, we are witnessing a potential, we will see if it will be fully expressed or not. Another project that has attracted attention is , launched by the Italian startup Vanilla Rocket. Also in this case we are talking about a blockchain-based digital collectible, EOS to be precise, but which offers a different type of gamification element. Wearability, in a new concept of Digital Fashion. Bitmonds Bitmonds are interactive, unique and numbered 3D digital diamonds, which can be used as a watchface on smartwatches. In this case, playing the game of the exclusive element of a collectible. Considering the amount of physical smartphone covers that have been produced in recent years, this new concept of digital smartwatch cover could represent an interesting key to the success of the project. The future will give an answer to this hypothesis. The road to the transition from physical to digital collecting has undoubtedly begun and proves to be interesting to observe for those interested in the world of digital innovation.

The Digital Evolution of the Collecting Sector

How to Write Clearly: Rules and Exercises on English Composition by Edwin Abbott Abbott, is part of the HackerNoon Books Series. You can jump to any chapter in this book . WORDS. here WORDS. 1. Use words in their proper sense. Write, not "His apparent guilt justified his friends in disowning him," but "his evident guilt." "Conscious" and "aware," "unnatural" and "supernatural," "transpire" and "occur," "circumstance" and "event," "reverse" and "converse," "eliminate" and "elicit," are often confused together. This rule forbids the use of the same word in different senses. "It is in my power to refuse your request, and since I have power to do this, I may lawfully do it." Here the second "power" is used for "authority." This rule also forbids the slovenly use of "nice," "awfully," "delicious," "glorious," &c. See (2). 2. Avoid exaggerations. "The boundless plains in the heart of the empire furnished inexhaustible supplies of corn, that would have almost sufficed for twice the population." Here "inexhaustible" is inconsistent with what follows. The words "unprecedented," "incalculable," "very," and "stupendous" are often used in the same loose way. 3. Avoid useless circumlocution and "fine writing." "Her Majesty here partook of lunch." Write "lunched." "Partook of" implies sharing, and is incorrect as well as lengthy. So, do not use "apex" for "top," "species" for "kind," "individual" for "man," "assist" for "help," &c. [5] 4. Be careful how you use the following words: "not … and," "any," "only," "not … or," "that." See below, "Or." And. —"I am not bound to receive any messenger that you send."
Does this mean every, or a single? Use "every" or "a single." —(1) "I do not intend to help you, because you are my enemy &c." ought to mean (2), "I intend not to help you, and my reason for not helping you is, because you are my enemy." But it is often wrongly used to mean (3), "I intend to help you, not because you are my enemy (but because you are poor, blind, &c.)." In the latter case, not ought to be separated from intend. By distinctly marking the limits to which the influence of not extends, the ambiguity may be removed. Any. Not. is often used ambiguously for alone. "The rest help me to revenge myself; you only advise me to wait." This ought to mean, "you only advise, instead of helping;" but in similar sentences "you only" is often used for "you alone." But see 21. Only —When "or" is preceded by a negative, as "I do not want butter or honey," "or" ought not, strictly speaking, to be used like "and," nor like "nor." The strict use of "not … or" would be as follows:— Or. "You say you don't want both butter and honey—you want butter or honey; I, on the contrary, do not want butter or honey—I want them both." Practically, however, this meaning is so rare, that "I don't want butter or honey" is regularly used for "I want neither butter nor honey." But where there is the slightest danger of ambiguity, it is desirable to use nor. The same ambiguity attends "not … and." "I do not see Thomas and John" is commonly used for "I see neither Thomas nor John;" but it might mean, "I do not see them both—I see only one of them." —The different uses of "that" produce much ambiguity, e.g. "I am so much surprised by this statement that I am desirous of resigning, that I scarcely know what reply to make." Here it is impossible to tell, till one has read past "resigning," whether the first "that" depends upon "so" or "statement." Write: "The statement that I am desirous of resigning surprises me so much that I scarcely know &c." That. 4 a. Be careful in the use of ambiguous words, e.g. "certain." "Certain" is often used for "some," as in "Independently of his earnings, he has a certain property," where the meaning might be "unfailing." Under this head may be mentioned the double use of words, such as "left" in the same form and sound, but different in meaning. Even where there is no obscurity, the juxtaposition of the same word twice used in two senses is inelegant, e.g. (Bain), "He turned to the left and left the room." I have known the following slovenly sentence misunderstood: "Our object is that, with the aid of practice, we may sometime arrive at the point where we think eloquence in its most praiseworthy form to lie." "To lie" has been supposed to mean "to deceive." (For "which" see 8.) The ambiguity arising from the use of he applying to different persons is well known. 5. Be careful how you use "he," "it," "they," "these," &c. "He told his friend that if he did not feel better in half an hour he thought he had better return." See (6) for remedy. Much ambiguity is also caused by excessive use of such phrases as in this way, of this sort, &c. "God, foreseeing the disorders of human nature, has given us certain passions and affections which arise from, or whose objects are, these disorders. Of this sort are fear, resentment, compassion." Repeat the noun: "Among these passions and affections are fear &c." Two distinct uses of it may be noted. It, when referring to something that precedes, may be called "retrospective;" but when to something that follows, "prospective." In "Avoid indiscriminate charity: it is a crime," "it" is retrospective.[6] In "It is a crime to give indiscriminately," "it" is prospective. The prospective "it," if productive of ambiguity, can often be omitted by using the infinitive as a subject: "To give indiscriminately is a crime." Speeches in the third person afford a particular, though very common case, of the general ambiguity mentioned in (5). Instead of "He told his friend that if he did not feel better &c.," write "He said to his friend, 'If, I (or you) don't feel better &c.'" 6. Report a speech in the First, not the Third Person, where necessary to avoid ambiguity. Thus, where Essex is asking Sir Robert Cecil that Francis Bacon may be appointed Attorney-General, the dialogue is (as it almost always is in Lord Macaulay's writings) in the First Person, except where it becomes tedious and uninteresting so as to require condensation, and then it drops into the Third Person: 6 a. Sometimes, where the writer cannot know the exact words, or where the exact words are unimportant, or lengthy and uninteresting, the Third Person is preferable. "Sir Robert had nothing to say but that he thought his own abilities equal to the place which he hoped to obtain, and that his father's long services deserved such a mark of gratitude from the Queen." —Even when a speech is reported in the third person, "that" need not always be inserted before the dependent verb. Thus, instead of "He said that he took it ill that his promises were not believed," we may write, "'He took it ill,' he said, 'that &c.'" This gives a little more life, and sometimes more clearness also. 6 b. Omission of "that" in a speech reported in the Third Person. 7. When you use a Participle, as "walking," implying "when," "while," "though," "that," make it clear by the context what is implied. "Republics, in the first instance, are never desired for their own sakes. I do not think they will finally be desired at all, unaccompanied by courtly graces and good breeding." Here there is a little doubt whether the meaning is "since they are, or, if they are, unaccompanied." —"Men walking (that walk, or when they walk) on ice sometimes fall." That or when. It is better to use "men walking" to mean "men when they walk." If the relative is meant, use "men that walk," instead of the participle. (1) "While he was } Walking on { (1) the road, } he fell." (2) "Because he was } { (2) the ice, } When the participle precedes the subject, it generally implies a cause: "Seeing this, he retired." Otherwise it generally has its proper participial meaning, e.g. "He retired, keeping his face towards us." If there is any ambiguity, write "on seeing,"—"at the same time, or while, keeping." (1) "Though he was} {(1) he nevertheless stood
} { his ground." (2) "Since he was } Struck with terror, {(2) he rapidly retreated." (3) "If he is } {(3) he will soon retreat.” 8. When using the Relative Pronoun, use "who" and "which" where the meaning is "and he, it, &c.," "for he, it, &c." In other cases use "that," if euphony allows. "I heard this from the inspector, who (and he) heard it from the guard that travelled with the train." "Fetch me (all) the books that lie on the table, and also the pamphlets, which (and these) you will find on the floor." An adherence to this rule would remove much ambiguity. Thus: "There was a public-house next door, which was a great nuisance," means "and this (i.e. the fact of its being next door) was a great nuisance;" whereas that would have meant "Next door was a public-house that (i.e. the public-house) was a great nuisance." Thus, in the first example above, "inspector" is complete in itself, and "who" introduces a new fact about him; "guard" is incomplete, and requires "that travelled with the train" to complete the meaning. "Who," "which," &c. introduce a new fact about the antecedent, whereas "that" introduces something without which the antecedent is incomplete or undefined. It is not, and cannot be, maintained that this rule, though observed in Elizabethan English, is observed by our best modern authors. (Probably a general impression that "that" cannot be used to refer to persons has assisted "who" in supplanting "that" as a relative.) But the convenience of the rule is so great that beginners in composition may with advantage adhere to the rule. The following are some of the cases where who and which are mostly used, contrary to the rule, instead of that. — Exceptions: (a) When the antecedent is defined, e.g. by a possessive case, modern English uses who instead of that. It is rare, though it would be useful,[7] to say "His English friends that had not seen him" for "the English friends, or those of his English friends, that had not seen him." (b) That sounds ill when separated from its verb and from its antecedents, and emphasized by isolation: "There are many persons that, though unscrupulous, are commonly good-tempered, and that, if not strongly incited by self-interest, are ready for the most part to think of the interest of their neighbours." Shakespeare frequently uses who after that when the relative is repeated. See "Shakespearian Grammar," par. 260. (c) If the antecedent is qualified by that, the relative must not be that. Besides other considerations, the repetition is disagreeable. Addison ridicules such language as "That remark that I made yesterday is not that that I said that I regretted that I had made." (d) That cannot be preceded by a preposition, and hence throws the preposition to the end. "This is the rule that I adhere to." This is perfectly good English, though sometimes unnecessarily avoided. But, with some prepositions, the construction is harsh and objectionable, e.g. "This is the mark that I jumped beyond," "Such were the prejudices that he rose above." The reason is that some of these disyllabic prepositions are used as adverbs, and, when separated from their nouns, give one the impression that they are used as adverbs. (e) After pronominal adjectives used for personal pronouns, modern English prefers who. "There are many, others, several, those, who can testify &c." (f) After that used as a conjunction there is sometimes a dislike to use that as a relative. See (c). 9. Do not use redundant "and" before "which."[8] "I gave him a very interesting book for a present, and which cost me five shillings." In short sentences the absurdity is evident, but in long sentences it is less evident, and very common. "A petition was presented for rescinding that portion of the bye-laws which permits application of public money to support sectarian schools over which ratepayers have no control, this being a violation of the principle of civil and religious liberty, and which the memorialists believe would provoke a determined and conscientious resistance." Here which ought grammatically to refer to "portion" or "schools." But it seems intended to refer to "violation." Omit "and," or repeat "a violation" before "which," or turn the sentence otherwise. 10. Equivalents for Relative. —"Men thirsting (for 'men that thirst') for revenge are not indifferent to plunder." The objection to the participle is that here, as often, it creates a little ambiguity. The above sentence may mean, "men, when they thirst," or "though they thirst," as well as "men that thirst." Often however there is no ambiguity: "I have documents proving this conclusively." (a) Participle. —Instead of "He was the first that entered" you can write "to enter;" for "He is not a man who will act dishonestly," "to act." This equivalent cannot often be used. (b) Infinitive. can sometimes be used for "by which," "in which," so as to avoid a harsh repetition of "which." "The means whereby this may be effected." But this use is somewhat antiquated. (c) Whereby, wherein, &c., —"The man that does not care for music is to be pitied" can be written (though not so forcibly), "If a man does not care for music, he is to be pitied." It is in long sentences that this equivalent will be found most useful. (d) If. —"He did his best, which was all that could be expected," can be written, "and this was all that, &c." (e) And this. —"Let me repeat that which[9] you ought to know, that that which is worth doing is worth doing well." "Let me repeat, what you ought to know, that what is worth doing is worth doing well." (f) What. —It is sometimes thought ungrammatical to omit the relative, as in "The man (that) you speak of." On the contrary, that when an object (not when a subject) may be omitted, wherever the antecedent and the subject of the relative sentence are brought into juxtaposition by the omission. (g) Omission of Relative. This is particularly useful after a negative: "He said that he would not even hear me, which I confess I had expected." Here the meaning may be, "I had expected that he would," or "that he would not, hear me." Write, "a refusal, or, a favour, that I confess I had expected." See (38). 10 a'. Repeat the Antecedent in some new form, where there is any ambiguity. —This is a most important rule. Instead of "I have neither the necessaries of life nor the means of procuring them," write (if you can with truth), "I have not a crust of bread, nor a penny to buy one." 11. Use particular for general terms. CAUTION.—There is a danger in this use. The meaning is vividly expressed but sometimes may be exaggerated or imperfect. Crust of bread may be an exaggeration; on the other hand, if the speaker is destitute not only of bread, but also of shelter and clothing, then crust of bread is an imperfect expression of the meaning. In philosophy and science, where the language ought very often to be inclusive and brief, general and not particular terms must be used. The disadvantage of the use of Verbal Nouns is this, that, unless they are immediately preceded by prepositions, they are sometimes liable to be confounded with participles. The following is an instance of an excessive use of Verbal Nouns: 11 a. Avoid Verbal Nouns where Verbs can be used instead. "The pretended confession of the secretary was only collusion to lay the jealousies of the king's favouring popery, which still hung upon him, notwithstanding his writing on the Revelation, and affecting to enter on all occasions into controversy, asserting in particular that the Pope was Antichrist." Write "notwithstanding that he wrote and affected &c." 12. Use a particular Person instead of a class. "What is the splendour of the greatest monarch compared with the beauty of a flower?" "What is the splendour of Solomon compared with the beauty of a daisy?" Under this head may come the forcible use of Noun for Adjective: "This fortress is weakness itself." An excess of this use is lengthy and pedantically bombastic, e.g., the following paraphrase for "in every British colony:"—"under Indian palm-groves, amid Australian gum-trees, in the shadow of African mimosas, and beneath Canadian pines." 13. Use Metaphor instead of literal statement. "The ship ploughs the sea" is clearer than "the ship cleaves the sea," and shorter than "the ship cleaves the sea as a plough cleaves the land." Of course there are some subjects for which Metaphor should not be used. See (14 a) and (14 b). 14. Do not confuse Metaphor. "In a moment the thunderbolt was upon them, deluging their country with invaders." The following is attributed to Sir Boyle Roche: "Mr. Speaker, I smell a rat, I see him brewing in the air; but, mark me, I shall yet nip him in the bud." Some words, once metaphorical, have ceased to be so regarded. Hence many good writers say "under these circumstances" instead of "in these circumstances." An excessive regard for disused metaphor savours of pedantry: disregard is inelegant. Write, not, "unparalleled complications," but "unprecedented complications;" and "he threw light on obscurities," instead of "he unravelled obscurities." 14 a. Do not introduce literal statement immediately after Metaphor. "He was the father of Chemistry, and brother to the Earl of Cork." "He was a very thunderbolt of war,
And was lieutenant to the Earl of Mar." Thus, we may say "a poet soars," or even, though rarely, "a nation soars to greatness," but you could not say "Consols soared to 94-1/2." Even commonplace subjects may be illustrated by metaphor: for it is a metaphor, and quite unobjectionable, to say "Consols mounted, or jumped to 94-1/2." But commonplace subjects must be illustrated by metaphor that is commonplace. 14 b. Do not use poetic metaphor to illustrate a prosaic subject. 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. Edwin Abbott Abbott (2007). How to Write Clearly: Rules and Exercises on English Composition. Urbana, Illinois: Project Gutenberg. Retrieved https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/22600/pg22600.html 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 , located at . www.gutenberg.org https://www.gutenberg.org/policy/license.html

Use words in their proper sense

Hi All! Here is my weekly wrap up email. If you love this content (please share it), but also… Check out my , connect with me on / , and Podcast YouTube Twitter Subscribe to my weekly newsletter Join our free slack community What’s in today’s newsletter? The Map Is Not the Territory Idea: Intelligence vs. Wisdom Question: Useful Learning Quote: Liz Elting, Bob Meers, Chris Smith, Why AI Can’t Replace You Podcast: How I Got Into And Managed to Walk Away from Burnout Article: Idea: The Map Is Not the Territory Ever tried navigating a bustling city with a map from the 1980s? Turns out, the city is the same, but the map has changed. , a bustling locale in New York, changed hands three times in a decade. On paper, every owner was a savvy entrepreneur. Yet, two of them failed, one succeeded wildly. The difference? Their perception of the territory. John’s Coffee Shop : Every business operates with models. Forecasts. Predictions. Templates. Maps. But, as Alfred Korzybski reminded us, "the map is not the territory." Fact John's first owner, a techie, automated everything. He trusted algorithms to dictate coffee preferences, manage inventory, and even select music. : technology-driven efficiency equals success. His map The second owner went retro. Vintage furniture. Manual registers. A return to the "good old days." : people long for nostalgia. His map The third, a young barista-turned-owner, constantly interacted with customers. She tweaked the menu based on conversations, adjusted seating arrangements from observations, and kept a flexible approach. : listen, adapt, and evolve. Her map Two static maps. One dynamic terrain. Guess who thrived? Our businesses, like cities, are dynamic, ever-changing. But we, time and again, clutch outdated maps thinking they'll guide us. didn’t dominate by following the traditional auto industry's map. They redrew it. Tesla didn’t rise by mimicking Blockbuster. They envisioned a new landscape. Netflix Yet, countless businesses cling to their maps. After all, it's reassuring to follow a blueprint. But what if that blueprint is outdated or just plain wrong? Best nautical map of its time. Top-notch navigation tools. But, it wasn’t the map that failed; it was the iceberg not on it. A dynamic, unforeseen component of the territory. Consider the Titanic. So, how do we operate in a world where our business maps might be leading us astray? : Every map has blind spots. Anticipate them. Embrace Uncertainty : The world changes. Regularly revisit and revise your maps. Stay Curious : Get out there. Feel the ground. Talk to people. Real-time feedback trumps theoretical models. Interact with the Terrain They had a map. A good one. But when the terrain changed with the rise of digital streaming, their map became obsolete. Remember Blockbuster’s decline? Conversely, , under Jobs, was known to pivot on a dime. iPod's success? iPhone’s creation? Responses to a changing territory. Apple Lastly, a nod to , the author who’s talked extensively about "Black Swan" events. Events so rare, so unpredictable, they’re not on anyone’s map. Yet, they shape terrains. Nassim Taleb Businesses that thrive, Taleb argues, aren’t those with the best maps, but those most adaptable when off the map. So, as you chart your business journey, remember: Your map is a guide, not gospel. The real magic happens when you dare to traverse the unmapped, the unpredictable, the unknown. Because in the end, it's not about having the best map, but being the best explorer. Question: Intelligence vs. Wisdom What Is The Difference Between Intelligence & Wisdom? It is often measured by tests, such as , that assess logical, verbal, and mathematical skills. Intelligence can help you solve problems, learn new things, and perform tasks. Intelligence is the ability to acquire, process, and apply information. IQ It is often gained by observation, reflection, and practice. Wisdom can help you understand yourself, others, and the world. Wisdom is the ability to use knowledge and experience to make sound judgments. A few places to start. Intelligence is based on the functions of the brain, such as memory, reasoning, and perception. Wisdom, on the other hand, is based on the insights of the mind, such as . The Cognitive Perspective. intuition, empathy, and morality Intelligence is influenced by the genes, environment, and education of the individual. Wisdom is influenced by the age, culture, and values of the individual. The Developmental Perspective. Intelligence is useful for achieving goals, creating innovations, and advancing knowledge. Wisdom is useful for avoiding mistakes, making decisions, and finding meaning. The Practical Perspective. It's in the balance where you really thrive. They can support each other and enhance each other's value. Intelligence and wisdom are not mutually exclusive. So, don't just be smart. Because Be wise. intelligence without wisdom can be dangerous. Quote: Useful Learning - Dr. Barbara Oakley “It’s not what you know that matters. What matters is how well you can use what you know when you need it. In other words, it’s not the knowledge you have crammed into your head that’s important; it’s the knowledge that you can access and use when you need it.” It’s not what you know. It’s what you do with that knowledge. Seek growth & continual learning, not perfection (because perfection doesn’t exist). Take knowledge, make it relevant, make it applicable. Do something with it. ( ) Share On Twitter Podcast: Liz Elting, Bob Meers, Chris Smith, Why AI Can’t Replace You 1. Liz Elting - CEO at Elizabeth Elting Foundation | | YouTube Spotify Apple Liz Elting is a distinguished entrepreneur, philanthropist, and business leader, known for her remarkable journey that spans five countries. In 1992, she founded TransPerfect from an NYU dorm room, growing it into the world's largest language solutions company with over $1.1 billion in revenue and a presence in 100+ cities. She is a celebrated advocate for women's empowerment and a sought-after speaker, with her book, "Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business," poised to inspire others to follow in her footsteps. Recognized as one of Forbes' Richest Self-Made Women, Liz Elting continues to shape the business landscape with her passion and dedication. 2. Bob Meers - Ex-CEO at Reebok & LuLulemon, CEO at Better for All | | YouTube Spotify Apple Bob Meers is a highly accomplished CEO with a history of leading several prominent companies (LuLulemon, Reebok). Currently at the helm of Better for All, a unique line of PHBH home compostable bioplastic cups championing environmental sustainability, Bob brings a wealth of leadership experience to the organization. Previously, Meers served as CEO of Lululemon Athletica, Inc., from December 2005 to June 2008, taking a small yoga apparel business to a billion-dollar international public enterprise. Before that, Meers served as President & CEO of Reebok. During Meers’ 15-year tenure at Reebok, the company grew from $13 million to $3.5 billion in sales. 3. Chris Smith - Co-Founder of Curaytor | The Conversion Code | | YouTube Spotify Apple Chris Smith is the Co-Founder of Curaytor (an Inc. 500 fastest-growing business) and he was named top 4 best marketers under 40, according to the American Marketing Association. His book, The Conversion Code, is taught at colleges like Johns Hopkins University and he has been a guest lecturer at NYU. Chris used the blueprint in this book to quickly grow his company to eight figures in annual recurring revenue, without raising any venture capital. His work has been featured in AdWeek, Forbes, Fortune, and many other publications. 4. Why AI Can't Replace You | | YouTube Spotify Apple In this Lessons episode, we explore the unique value of human creativity and how to cultivate and maintain it in the age of rapid AI advancement. I'll discuss how the world is rapidly evolving, with AI taking over roles traditionally held by humans. But where does human ingenuity fit in this landscape? I’ll also discuss the unique attributes humans possess - our capacity to empathize, innovate, and imagine, which even the most advanced AI cannot replicate. How I Got Into And Managed to Walk Away from Burnout Article: Everyone is an advocate of not over-working. But we all fall into burnout. How does this happen? What do we do to get out of it? Well, here’s an article that gives us an answer. Read it here. My Links Success Story (Top 10 Business Podcast) Newsletter (321k Subs) Social Media Also published . here

It's Not About Having the Best Map, but Being the Best Explorer

এটি সেরা মানচিত্র থাকার বিষয়ে নয়, সেরা এক্সপ্লোরার হওয়ার বিষয়ে

Es geht nicht darum, die beste Karte zu haben, sondern darum, der beste Entdecker zu sein

No se trata de tener el mejor mapa, sino de ser el mejor explorador

Il ne s'agit pas d'avoir la meilleure carte, mais d'être le meilleur explorateur

यह सर्वश्रेष्ठ मानचित्र होने के बारे में नहीं है, बल्कि सर्वश्रेष्ठ एक्सप्लोरर होने के बारे में है

重要なのは最高の地図を持っていることではなく、最高の探検家であることです

최고의 지도를 갖는 것이 아니라 최고의 탐험가가 되는 것

Não se trata de ter o melhor mapa, mas de ser o melhor explorador

Дело не в лучшей карте, а в том, чтобы быть лучшим исследователем

Önemli olan En İyi Haritaya Sahip Olmak Değil, En İyi Kaşif Olmaktır

Vấn đề không phải là có bản đồ tốt nhất mà là trở thành nhà thám hiểm giỏi nhất

不是拥有最好的地图，而是成为最好的探险家

On War by Carl Von Clausewitz, is part of the HackerNoon Books Series. You can jump to any chapter in this book here . Nature of the Strategical Attack Book VII: Chapter II. Nature of the Strategical Attack We have seen that the defensive in war generally—therefore, also, the strategic defensive—is no absolute state of expectancy and warding off, therefore no completely passive state, but that it is a relative state, and consequently impregnated more or less with offensive principles. In the same way the offensive is no homogeneous whole, but incessantly mixed up with the defensive. But there is this difference between the two, that a defensive, without an offensive return blow, cannot be conceived; that this return blow is a necessary constituent part of the defensive, whilst in the attack, the blow or act is in itself one complete idea. The defence in itself is not necessarily a part of the attack; but time and space, to which it is inseparably bound, import into it the defensive as a necessary evil. For in the first place, the attack cannot be continued uninterruptedly up to its conclusion, it must have stages of rest, and in these stages, when its action is neutralised, the state of defence steps in of itself; in the second place, the space which a military force, in its advance, leaves behind it, and which is essential to its existence, cannot always be covered by the attack itself, but must be specially protected. The act of attack in war, but particularly in that branch which is called strategy, is therefore a perpetual alternating and combining of attack and defence; but the latter is not to be regarded as an effectual preparation for attack, as a means by which its force is heightened, that is to say, not as an active principle, but purely as a necessary evil; as the retarding weight arising from the specific gravity of the mass; it is its original sin, its seed of mortality. We say: a retarding weight, because if the defence does not contribute to strengthen the attack, it must tend to diminish its effect by the very loss of time which it represents. But now, may not this defensive element, which is contained in every attack, have over it a positively disadvantageous influence? If we suppose the attack is the weaker, the defence the stronger form of war, it seems to follow that the latter can not act in a positive sense prejudicially on the former; for as long as we have sufficient force for the weaker form, we should have more than enough for the stronger. In general—that is, as regards the chief part—this is true: in its detail we shall analyse it more precisely in the chapter on the culminating point of victory; but we must not forget that that superiority of the strategic defence is partly founded in this, that the attack itself cannot take place without a mixture of defence, and of a defensive of a very weak kind; what the assailant has to carry about with him of this kind are its worst elements; with respect to these, that which holds good of the whole, in a general sense, cannot be maintained; and therefore it is conceivable that the defensive may act upon the attack positively as a weakening principle. It is just in these moments of weak defensive in the attack, that the positive action of the offensive principle in the defensive should be introduced. During the twelve hours rest which usually succeeds a day’s work, what a difference there is between the situation of the defender in his chosen, well-known, and prepared position, and that of the assailant occupying a bivouac, into which—like a blind man—he has groped his way, or during a longer period of rest, required to obtain provisions and to await reinforcements, etc., when the defender is close to his fortresses and supplies, whilst the situation of the assailant, on the other hand, is like that of a bird on a tree. Every attack must lead to a defence; what is to be the result of that defence, depends on circumstances; these circumstances may be very favourable if the enemy’s forces are destroyed; but they may be very unfavourable if such is not the case. Although this defensive does not belong to the attack itself, its nature and effects must re-act on the attack, and must take part in determining its value. The deduction from this view is, that in every attack the defensive, which is necessarily an inherent feature in the same, must come into consideration, in order to see clearly the disadvantages to which it is subject, and to be prepared for them. On the other hand, in another respect, the attack is always in itself one and the same. But the defensive has its gradations according as the principle of expectancy approaches to an end. This begets forms which differ essentially from each other, as has been developed in the chapter on the forms of defence. As the principle of the attack is strictly active, and the defensive, which connects itself with it, is only a dead weight; there is, therefore, not the same kind of difference in it. No doubt, in the energy employed in the attack, in the rapidity and force of the blow, there may be a great difference, but only a difference in degree, not in form.—It is quite possible to conceive even that the assailant may choose a defensive form, the better to attain his object; for instance, that he may choose a strong position, that he may be attacked there; but such instances are so rare that we do not think it necessary to dwell upon them in our grouping of ideas and facts, which are always founded on the practical. We may, therefore, say that there are no such gradations in the attack as those which present themselves in the defence. Lastly, as a rule, the extent of the means of attack consists of the armed force only; of course, we must add to these the fortresses, for if in the vicinity of the theatre of war, they have a decided influence on the attack. But this influence gradually diminishes as the attack advances; and it is conceivable that, in the attack, its own fortresses never can play such an important part as in the defence, in which they often become objects of primary importance. The assistance of the people may be supposed in co-operation with the attack, in those cases in which the inhabitants of the country are better disposed towards the invader of the country than they are to their own army; finally, the assailant may also have allies, but then they are only the result of special or accidental relations, not an assistance proceeding from the nature of the aggressive. Although, therefore, in speaking of the defence we have reckoned fortresses, popular insurrections, and allies as available means of resistance; we cannot do the same in the attack; there they belong to the nature of the thing; here they only appear rarely, and for the most part accidentally. 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. Carl von Clausewitz (2006). On War. Urbana, Illinois: Project Gutenberg. Retrieved https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/1946/pg1946-images.html 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 .

Nature of the Strategical Attack

On War by Carl Von Clausewitz, is part of the HackerNoon Books Series. You can jump to any chapter in this book here . Defensive Position Book VI: Chapter XII. Defensive Position Every position in which we accept battle, at the same time making use of the ground as a means of protection, is a defensive position, and it makes no difference in this respect whether we act more passively or more offensively in the action. This follows from the general view of the defensive which we have given. Now we may also apply the term to every position in which an army whilst marching to encounter the enemy would certainly accept battle if the latter sought for it. In point of fact, most battles take place in this way, and in all the middle ages no other was ever thought of. That is, however, not the kind of position of which we are now speaking; by far the greater number of positions are of this kind, and the conception of a position in contradistinction to a camp taken up on the march would suffice for that. A position which is specially called a defensive position must therefore have some other distinguishing characteristics. In the decisions which take place in an ordinary position, the idea of time evidently predominates; the armies march against each other in order to come to an engagement: the place is a subordinate point, all that is required from it is that it should not be unsuitable. But in a real defensive position the idea of place predominates; the decision is to be realised on this spot, or rather, chiefly through this spot. That is the only kind of position we have here in view. Now the connection of place is a double one; that is, in the first instance, inasmuch as a force posted at this point exercises a certain influence upon the war in general; and next, inasmuch as the local features of the ground contribute to the strength of the army and afford protection: in a word, a strategic and a tactical connection. Strictly speaking, the term defensive position has its origin only in connection with tactics, for its connection with strategy, namely, that an army posted at this point by its presence serves to defend the country, will also suit the case of an army acting offensively. The strategic effect to be derived from a position cannot be shown completely until hereafter, when we discuss the defence of a theatre of war; we shall therefore only consider it here as far as can be done at present, and for that end we must examine more closely the nature of two ideas which have a similarity and are often mistaken for one another, that is, the turning a position, and the passing by it. The turning a position relates to its front, and is done either by an attack upon the side of the position or on its rear, or by acting against its lines of retreat and communication. The first of these, that is, an attack on flank or rear is tactical in its nature. In our days in which the mobility of troops is so great, and all plans of battles have more or less in view the turning or enveloping the enemy, every position must accordingly be adapted to meet such measures, and one to deserve the name of strong must, with a strong front, allow at least of good combinations for battle on the sides and rear as well, in case of their being menaced. In this way a position will not become untenable by the enemy turning it with a view to an attack on the flank or rear, as the battle which then takes place was provided for in the choice of the position, and should ensure the defender all the advantages which he could expect from this position generally. If the position is turned by the enemy with a view to acting against the lines of retreat and communication, this is a strategic relation, and the question is how long the position can be maintained, and whether we cannot outbid the enemy by a scheme like his own, both these questions depend on the situation of the point (strategically), that is, chiefly on the relations of the lines of communication of both combatants. A good position should secure to the army on the defensive the advantage in this point. In any case the position will not be rendered of no effect in this way, as the enemy is neutralised by the position when he is occupied by it in the manner supposed. But if the assailant, without troubling himself about the existence of the army awaiting his attack in a defensive position, advances with his main body by another line in pursuit of his object, then he passes by the position; and if he can do this with impunity, and really does it, he will immediately enforce the abandonment of the position, consequently put an end to its usefulness. There is hardly any position in the world which, in the simple sense of the words, cannot be passed by, for cases such as the isthmus of Perekop are so rare that they are hardly worth attention. The impossibility of passing by must therefore be understood as merely applying to the disadvantages in which the assailant would become involved if he set about such an operation. We shall have a more fitting opportunity to state these disadvantages in the twenty-seventh chapter; whether small or great, in every case they are the equivalent of the tactical effect which the position is capable of producing but which has not been realised, and in common with it constitute the object of the position. From the preceding observations, therefore, two strategic properties of the defensive position have resulted: 1. That it cannot be passed round. 2. That in the struggle for the lines of communication it gives the defender advantages. Here we have to add two other strategic properties, namely— 3. That the relation of the lines of communication may also have a favourable influence on the form of combat; and 4. That the general influence of the country is advantageous. For the relation of the lines of communication has an influence not only upon the possibility or impossibility of passing by a position or of cutting off the enemy’s supplies, but also on the whole course of the battle. An oblique line of retreat facilitates a tactical turning movement on the part of the assailant, and paralyses our own tactical movements during the battle. But an oblique position in relation to the lines of communication is often not the fault of tactics but a consequence of a defective strategic point; it is, for example, not to be avoided when the road changes direction in the vicinity of the position (Borodino, 1812); the assailant is then in such a position that he can turn our line without deviating from, his own perpendicular disposition. Further, the aggressor has much greater freedom for tactical movement if he commands several roads for his retreat whilst we are limited to one. In such cases the tactical skill of the defensive will be exerted in vain to overcome the disadvantageous influence resulting from the strategic relations. Lastly as regards the fourth point, such a disadvantageous general influence may predominate in the other characteristics of ground, that the most careful choice, and the best use of tactical means, can do nothing to combat them. Under such circumstances the chief points are as follows: 1. The defensive must particularly seek for the advantage of being able to overlook his adversary, so that he may be able swiftly to throw himself upon him inside the limits of his position. It is only when the local difficulties of approach combine with these two conditions that the ground is really favourable to the defensive. On the other hand, those points which are under the influence of commanding ground are disadvantageous to him; also most positions in mountains (of which we shall speak more particularly in the chapters on mountain warfare). Further, positions which rest one flank on mountains, for such a position certainly makes the passing by more difficult, but facilitates a turning movement. Of the same kind are all positions which have a mountain immediately in their front, and generally all those which bear relation to the description of ground above specified. As an example of the opposite of these disadvantageous properties, we shall only instance the case of a position which has a mountain in rear; from this so many advantages result that it may be assumed in general to be one of the most favourable of all positions for the defensive. 2. A country may correspond more or less to the character and composition of an army. A very numerous cavalry is a proper reason for seeking an open country. Want of this arm, perhaps also of artillery, while we have at command a courageous infantry inured to war, and acquainted with the country, make it advisable to take advantage of a difficult, close country. We do not here enter into particulars respecting the tactical relation which the local features of a defensive position bear to the force which is to occupy it. We only speak of the total result, as that only is a strategic quantity. Undoubtedly a position in which an army is to await the full force of the hostile attack, should give the troops such an important advantage of ground as may be considered a multiplier of its force. Where nature does much, but not to the full as much as we want, the art of entrenchment comes to our help. In this way it happens not unfrequently that some parts become unassailable, and not unusually the whole is made so: plainly in this last case, the whole nature of the measure is changed. It is then no longer a battle under advantageous conditions which we seek, and in this battle the issue of the campaign, but an issue without a battle. Whilst we occupy with our force an unassailable position, we directly refuse the battle, and oblige our enemy to seek for a solution in some other way. We must, therefore, completely separate these two cases, and shall speak of the latter in the following chapter, under the title of a strong position. But the defensive position with which we have now to do is nothing more than a field of battle with the addition of advantages in our favour; and that it should become a field of battle, the advantages in our favour must not be too great. But now what degree of strength may such a position have? Plainly more in proportion as our enemy is more determined on the attack, and that depends on the nature of the individual case. Opposed to a Buonaparte, we may and should withdraw behind stronger ramparts than before a Daun or a Schwartzenburg. If certain portions of a position are unattackable, say the front, then that is to be taken as a separate factor of its whole strength, for the forces not required at that point are available for employment elsewhere; but we must not omit to observe that whilst the enemy is kept completely off such impregnable points, the form of his attack assumes quite a different character, and we must ascertain, in the first instance, how this alteration will suit our situation. For instance, to take up a position, as has often been done, so close behind a great river that it is to be looked upon as covering the front, is nothing else but to make the river a point of support for the right or left flank; for the enemy is naturally obliged to cross further to the right or left, and cannot attack without changing his front: the chief question, therefore, is what advantages or disadvantages does that bring to us? According to our opinion, a defensive position will come the nearer to the true ideal of such a position the more its strength is hid from observation, and the more it is favourable to our surprising the enemy by our combinations in the battle. Just as we advisably endeavour to conceal from the enemy the whole strength of our forces and our real intentions, so in the same way we should seek to conceal from the enemy the advantages which we expect to derive from the form of the ground. This of course can only be done to a certain degree, and requires, perhaps, a peculiar mode of proceeding, hitherto but little attempted. The vicinity of a considerable fortress, in whatever direction it may be, confers on every position a great advantage over the enemy in the movement and use of the forces belonging to it. By suitable field-works, the want of natural strength at particular points may be remedied, and in that manner the great features of the battle may be settled beforehand at will; these are the means of strengthening by art; if with these we combine a good selection of those natural obstacles of ground which impede the effective action of the enemy’s forces without making action absolutely impossible, if we turn to the best account the advantage we have over the enemy in knowing the ground, which he does not, so that we succeed in concealing our movements better than he does his, and that we have a general superiority over him in unexpected movements in the course of the battle, then from these advantages united, there may result in our favour an overpowering and decisive influence in connection with the ground, under the power of which the enemy will succumb, without knowing the real cause of his defeat. This is what we understand under defensive position, and we consider it one of the greatest advantages of defensive war. Leaving out of consideration particular circumstances, we may assume that an undulating, not too well, but still not too little, cultivated country affords the most positions of this kind. 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. Carl von Clausewitz (2006). On War. Urbana, Illinois: Project Gutenberg. Retrieved https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/1946/pg1946-images.html 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 .

Defensive Position

Diving into the intricacies of crypto onboarding and the vision behind one of the industry's most impactful startups, Ishan Pandey welcomes Szymon Sypniewicz, the co-founder of Ramp Network, for our "Behind the Startup" series. From discussions about bridging the fiat-crypto divide to addressing regulatory challenges, this interview provides a comprehensive look into Ramp's mission to democratize crypto access and its ongoing efforts to make the crypto world accessible and user-friendly for all. Beyond Exchanges: Szymon Sypniewicz Discusses Ramp Network's Unique Vision for the Future of Cryptocurrency Ishan Pandey: Greetings, Szymon Sypniewicz. It's a privilege to feature you in our "Behind the Startup" series. Can you shed light on your professional journey and what catalyzed your decision to co-found Ramp Network? Thank you, Ishan, for having me. My journey began in Warsaw during my university years where I met my co-founder, Przemek Kowalczyk. We both had diverse academic backgrounds - I studied law while Przemek delved into physics. Our shared interest in the potential of cryptocurrency brought us together at a meeting of the Polish libertarian party. From the outset, we saw cryptocurrency not just as a financial tool, but as a means of social change and a way to increase an individuals’ agency. Szymon Sypniewicz: Our initial foray into the crypto world involved working on several projects and startups, most of which didn't take off as we hoped. However, these experiences were invaluable as they paved the way for the inception of Ramp. The core idea behind Ramp was to bridge the gap between users operating in the fiat world and the applications native to the crypto world. We envisioned a platform that would act as a gateway, or a "ramp", facilitating seamless interactions between these two realms. Our goal was to ensure that cryptocurrencies could function in a truly decentralized manner. As we developed Ramp, we faced skepticism and questions about why we didn't simply create another crypto exchange. But our vision was clear - we wanted to offer something fundamentally different. We aimed to provide a platform that would enable crypto wallets, exchanges, NFT marketplaces, and gaming companies to integrate crypto payment infrastructure seamlessly. This would allow users to purchase crypto assets without the need to switch between multiple apps. Looking back, our journey has been filled with challenges that have taught us invaluable lessons which made each milestone reached that much more satisfying. From our humble beginnings in a windowless office in Warsaw to the challenging environment for crypto in recent months, our commitment to our vision has never wavered. We've always believed in the transformative power of blockchain and the potential of decentralized systems and as we move forward, we remain dedicated to making the crypto world more accessible and user-friendly for everyone. Ishan Pandey: Ramp Network stands as a beacon for democratizing crypto access. In an ecosystem riddled with technical hurdles, how has Ramp ensured an intuitive user experience while simplifying integration processes for enterprises? At Ramp, our mission is clear: make crypto as easy to use as any other online service. We've built a full-stack payment infrastructure that allows brands and partners to seamlessly and swiftly integrate crypto-enabled services using the Ramp SDK. In fact, integration can be as quick as a few hours. Szymon Sypniewicz: For users, we aim for a one-click experience. No more jumping through hoops or navigating complex interfaces. For developers, we envision a world where adding crypto to their apps is as simple as copy-and-paste, or even drag-and-drop. Our partnerships with hundreds of developers, including the likes of Metamask, Opera Browser, Dapper Labs, Aave, Argent, and Trust Wallet, have been instrumental in refining our approach. Through these collaborations, we've been able to tailor our solutions to the real-world needs of the crypto community. : Vested Interest Disclosure This author is an independent contributor publishing via our . Be it through direct compensation, media partnerships, or networking, the author has a vested interest in the company/ies mentioned in this story. HackerNoon has reviewed the report for quality, but the claims herein belong to the author. #DYOR brand-as-author program We are stripping away the complexities for both end-users and enterprises. Our goal is to facilitate and support broader crypto adoption through simplicity and efficiency. We won't stop until we achieve it. Ishan Pandey: The Ramp SDK is a pivotal element of your service suite. Can you expound on its multifaceted capabilities and how it fortifies businesses in seamlessly embedding crypto on/off-ramp solutions? Ramp’s SDK is designed to empower businesses, enabling them to effortlessly integrate crypto on/off-ramp solutions into their platforms. Ramp is not just about making transactions easy for the end-users, for developers our SDK is a dream come true. We have refined the integration process, making it more simple and efficient. With Ramp you are able to embed a robust crypto solution with just a few lines of code. Szymon Sypniewicz: And the best part? Our partnerships with top-tier industry leaders such as Metamask, Ledger and Brave means that users can effortlessly buy crypto directly within their favorite apps, sending it right to their non-custodial wallets. It's all about creating a seamless, direct route to the crypto universe, without the usual roadblocks. Ishan Pandey: With Ramp's footprint spanning over 150 countries, how do you believe this extensive coverage accelerates the universal embracement of cryptocurrencies? Being in 150 countries is our way of tapping into the global heartbeat of the crypto movement. Web3 products burst onto the scene with a global mindset from the get-go. When a web3 developer dreams up a product, they're not just thinking of their backyard. They are  picturing a user base that spans continents and are looking for partners like Ramp to help them realize that global ambition. Szymon Sypniewicz: At Ramp we think global and act local, for us supporting over 40 fiat currencies isn't just a number; it's our commitment to that global vision. It ensures that a user in Berlin or Buenos Aires can dive into crypto using their local currency. In line with our goal to make web 3 easily accessible for everyone, we have gone that extra mile to integrate local payment methods. We want to make sure your entry into crypto feels familiar and is straightforward. Catering to this worldwide ambition is exhilarating and is definitely challenging. But it's also what drives us, making sure that the global essence of web3 is not just a vision but a lived reality. Ishan Pandey: In an era where security breaches are rife, how does Ramp Network ensure robust security amidst the intricacies inherent to cyberattacks and a theft-prone environment? At Ramp, we've taken a different route to most. Instead of holding onto users' assets, we've championed the self-custodial approach. When users buy crypto through our platform, it's sent directly to their self-custodial wallets. This means there's no central pot of funds for hackers to target and users always maintain control over their assets. Szymon Sypniewicz: Our partnerships with leading self-custody solutions like Metamask, Ledger, and Brave Browser ensure that users have top-tier security without sacrificing user experience. Plus, with our focus on providing a comprehensive exchange infrastructure we've baked in robust security measures at every step, from compliance to payment processing. Ishan Pandey: The regulatory environment for crypto remains in flux. What preemptive strategies and adaptations has Ramp Network incorporated to stay abreast of evolving regulations? Szymon Sypniewicz: Our approach to navigating the dynamic regulatory environment is both strategic and technologically driven. We recognize the importance of adhering to the highest standards, especially in an industry where trust is essential to its long term success. Being registered with the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and FinCEN in the US is not just a testament to our commitment but also a reflection of our ability to meet the rigorous demands of two of the world's strictest regulatory bodies. These registrations are more than just badges, they represent our dedication to ensuring that our operations are transparent, secure, and trustworthy. Our technological edge plays a pivotal role in this. We've integrated advanced financial crime compliance platforms to enhance our oversight capabilities. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, we can proactively detect potential financial crimes, ensuring a safer and more reliable environment for our users. This integration is a clear example of how we employ technology to not only meet but exceed regulatory requirements. Furthermore, our recent FCA approval has enabled us to roll out our off-ramp solution globally. This expansion is not just about reaching more users; it's about providing a seamless, safe and compliant service to users across different jurisdictions. It underscores our commitment to making crypto more accessible while ensuring that we operate within the bounds of local and international regulations. Looking ahead, we're not resting on our laurels. We are in the advanced stages of securing additional licenses which will further expand our regulatory footprint. This proactive approach ensures that as the crypto industry evolves, Ramp Network remains at the forefront setting standards and building trust. Ishan Pandey: Striking a balance between user-centricity and blockchain's decentralized ethos is a tall order. How does Ramp Network navigate this dichotomy? At Ramp Network, we've always believed that the true potential of blockchain can only be realized when it's accessible and user-friendly. While we champion the decentralized ethos, we're acutely aware of the challenges it can pose from a user experience standpoint. Szymon Sypniewicz: Our approach is tailored to this very challenge. By providing infrastructure that emphasizes non-custodial crypto products, we ensure users maintain control over their assets. But control doesn't have to come at the cost of simplicity. Our platform is designed with ease of use at its core. Through partnerships with leading self-custody solutions, we've been able to offer a seamless and intuitive interface, making transactions straightforward even for those new to the crypto world. Furthermore, our integrations allow users to purchase crypto directly within their apps and receive it in their non-custodial wallets. This bypasses the often cumbersome processes associated with traditional crypto exchanges, streamlining the user journey. In essence, Ramp Network is striving to redefine the balance between decentralization and user-centricity. Our goal is to offer a platform where the principles of blockchain and top-tier UX coexist, making the crypto experience both empowering and effortless. Ishan Pandey: The journey of procuring investments is rarely linear. Could you share some pivotal moments and collaborations that have been instrumental in catapulting Ramp Network's ascent? Ramp's growth has been strategic and deliberate. Key to our ascent has been our licensing in both the UK and US, which underscores our commitment to compliance and trust. This has enabled us to expand globally, offering local payment methods tailored to diverse markets. All of the above have been instrumental in building trust with our investors. Szymon Sypniewicz: Our pioneering efforts in the gaming space have been particularly noteworthy. By forging strong partnerships with industry leaders like Sorare and Axie Infinity, we've positioned ourselves at the forefront of on-ramping in this rapidly growing sector. Our dedication to blockchain technology is evident in our unparalleled coverage of layer 2 solutions, ensuring faster and more efficient transactions for our users. Moreover, our off-ramp capabilities are best in class, allowing users to sell in over 130 countries, further emphasizing our global reach and commitment to accessibility. In short, our focus remains on innovation, global expansion and fostering trust within the crypto community and with the regulatory bodies across the globe have been integral to building a company that many believe in and want to partner with. Ishan Pandey: In what ways can cryptocurrencies unlock untapped markets for SMEs beleaguered by exorbitant cross-border transaction fees? How do you envision businesses capitalizing on crypto transactions to sidestep steep currency conversion and card charges on an international scale? Our long-term vision at Ramp is to enable a seamless global financial ecosystem powered by crypto. By implementing on and off-ramping solutions across the world, we're laying the groundwork for businesses to bypass traditional financial bottlenecks. Imagine a future where a user can effortlessly use a cost-effective onramp in one country, transfer their crypto to another country, and then off-ramp using another affordable method, all in a single and efficient move. Szymon Sypniewicz: This not only sidesteps the exorbitant currency conversion and card charges but also democratizes access to financial systems. It's a future where borders don't dictate financial efficiency, and businesses can truly capitalize on the global nature of crypto to drive their international operations. Ishan Pandey: The blockchain cosmos is in perpetual flux. How does Ramp Network keep its finger on the pulse of this rapid evolution, and what's the roadmap to infuse emergent blockchain trends and technologies into your platform? At the heart of Ramp lies a team of crypto natives, passionate about the space and deeply understanding of its nuances. However, we don't operate in a vacuum, we actively listen to the feedback from millions of our users and insights from our hundreds of partners. This collective intelligence shapes our roadmap and informs our next steps. Szymon Sypniewicz: Recently, we've recognized the importance of Layer 2 solutions in the crypto ecosystem. With the challenges of scalability and high transaction fees on mainnets, L2s offer a promising solution. Guided by our commitment to user-centricity and the feedback loop we've established, our latest focus has been on enabling users to onboard directly to L2s. This not only ensures faster and cheaper transactions but also a smoother user experience. For a deeper dive into our L2 initiatives, I'd recommend checking out our . It's all about staying agile, listening to the community, and continuously innovating to serve them better. recent blog post Don’t forget to like and share the story!

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分散化の再定義: Ramp Network がユーザー中心性とブロックチェーンの中核精神のバランスを取る方法

Redefinindo a descentralização: como a Ramp Network equilibra a centralização no usuário com o espírito central do Blockchain

Xác định lại sự phân quyền: Cách mạng Ramp cân bằng việc lấy người dùng làm trung tâm với đặc tính cốt lõi của Blockchain

重新定义去中心化：Ramp Network 如何平衡以用户为中心与区块链的核心精神

150 Stories To Learn About Recruiting

What if I told you it's possible to transfer your NFTs on Ethereum to the Bitcoin network? Well, you might want to read further. If you are new to the world of cryptocurrency and blockchain, most of what I will talk about here will look like gibberish. However, BRC-721E is one breakthrough in this ever-changing landscape that deserves your attention. And that is precisely why, before we go ahead and start with its capabilities and limitations, it makes sense to brush up on the basics first! Tokens & Token Standards: Understanding the Basics The best (and perhaps the simplest) definition of a token, in the context of the crypto world, is a cryptocurrency that is created, managed, and distributed on a blockchain-based technology (in this case, Ethereum). It often has a market value and some utility, making it a valued possession. A token standard, as you may have already guessed by now, is a set of rules that command a token's design, behavior, and other attributes. And of course, like any other standard, it needs to be widely adopted for it to be accepted as a standard. These token standards help developers build applications and execute various other implementations. But why are these important? Now, here’s the important thing: when millions of users try and build their own tokens on top of a smart contract on Ethereum, it might be a bit difficult to keep track of all the different ways of code implementation. Token standards help streamline this by laying one common ground for developers working on similar tokens while leaving enough room for personalization, ensuring that the smart contracts remain compatible with existing decentralized exchanges despite the new additions. Some of the most popular are ERC-20, ERC-721, ERC-777, ERC-1155, and ERC-4626. examples of token standards on Ethereum Okay, got it. But what’s so special about the BRC-721E? Before I start explaining the BRC-721E token standard, it’s vital we start by talking about the ERC-721. is a non-fungible token (NFT) standard. Proposed by William Entriken, Dieter Shirley, Jacob Evans, and Nastassia Sachs in January 2018, ERC-721 introduces a standard for NFTs. Some of the functionalities offered by this token include: ERC-721 Transferring tokens across accounts Extracting the current token balance of an account Getting the owner of a specific token Offering approvals for amount transfers Etherscan NFT tracker, CryptoKitties, Sorare, and the ENS are some popular NFTs that abide by the ERC-721 token standards. Now that you’re familiar with ERC-721, we can go back to discussing BRC-721E. I know the terms can be confusing, but I am trying my best to demystify these for you! BRC-721E is among the newest token standards, and it allows traders to convert their ERC-721 NFTs to BRC-721E tokens on Bitcoin. And would you be surprised if I revealed that within a few weeks of the announcement, Bitcoin grabbed the second spot on the leaderboard for NFT trading volumes, leaving Solana behind? Here are a few highlights about the token standard jointly introduced by Ordinals Market and Bitcoin Miladys NFT Collection. The migration will be immutable and verifiable. NFTs will burn and appear automatically on the Ordinals marketplace. Zero possibility of double counting across the two blockchains. Even Ethereum NFT content as small as 100 bytes can be turned into a custom Ordinal. It’s important to note that once you’ve executed the conversion, there’s no way to undo it. If you want to develop upon this new token standard, make sure you don’t make a hurried decision. Only an experienced blockchain developer or a domain expert can help you leverage the most out of this recent development. Wrapping It Up The BRC-721E token is already revolutionizing digital asset ownership and interoperability. It allows individuals and businesses to own assets securely, transfer them seamlessly across blockchain networks, and collaborate to create value. As blockchain technology penetrates further, the BRC-721E token will significantly transform the digital economy. Keep an eye out for more updates!

Token Standards: Introducing ERC-721's Cool New Twin – BRC-721E

Sports industry overall has been through loads of changes and transformations over the last few years. Organisations like UEFA have partnered with blockchain based ticketing platforms to sell mobile tickets, while companies such as Socios have taken fan engagement to another level. This has prompted both sports and esports industries to explore alternate streams to maintain fan engagement, while also tackling major issues such as security and transparency. Blockchain may not be there yet, but it's certainly picking up and has provided loads of solutions that are changing the basic paradigms of the traditional sports industry. It isn’t future technology anymore, it’s here, and sporting organizations around the world are finding innovative ways to utilize it for effective and efficient results. While major football clubs like Manchester City, Barcelona, and PSG are using it in their digital strategies, young projects such as Blockchain Sports are building an entire football academy in Brazil incorporating blockchain technology. Through various applications like fan tokens, fan event monitoring, and loyalty networks, the sports ecosystem has achieved an unprecedented level of transparency, efficiency, and convenience for both players and fans alike. Against the backdrop, there are a few ways blockchain has changed the dynamic of the sports industry: Enhancing Global Fan Engagement Through Tokens Blockchain technology has revolutionized fan engagement, and one of its key contributions is the introduction of fan tokens. These digital tokens function as virtual currency for sports clubs, allowing fans to purchase them using traditional fiat currencies like dollars, pounds, and euros. Fan tokens provide a gateway to a world of exclusive benefits, including the opportunity to exchange tokens for merchandise, collectibles, and unforgettable experiences. Additionally, token holders gain access to a secure and exclusive community of like-minded fans, where they can actively participate in fan-driven decisions through a mobile voting platform. By possessing these unique tokens, fans and sports enthusiasts experience a heightened sense of connection with their teams, regardless of their physical distance. Today, both domestic and international clubs and leagues have enthusiastically embraced fan tokens as a means to monetize their fan base and enhance engagement. A remarkable example of their success occurred in 2020 when FC Barcelona released their first round of exclusive fan tokens, which sold out within a mere two hours, generating $1.3 million. The fortunate token owners were granted the opportunity to partake in club-related surveys, including voting for a mural design that would adorn the first team's locker room. However, it is crucial for fan token companies and clubs to ensure that these tokens are not solely utilized as a means of club monetization. The true value lies in activating and delivering meaningful fan engagement and decision-making opportunities for long-term value creation, benefiting all stakeholders, particularly the fans themselves. Utilizing Blockchain for Fan Engagement Platforms Blockchain technology presents a valuable opportunity for constructing robust fan engagement platforms. Sports teams and clubs can leverage these platforms to develop loyalty programs that incentivize and reward supporters for their active participation in generating and sharing content. BCS Academy led by Blockchain Sports allows just that, digitizing players that join the academy, enabling fan engagement from day one. These initiatives foster a sense of community and belonging among supporters while strengthening the club’s relationship with sponsors. The transparent and open nature of blockchain enables the seamless sharing of fan engagement data with advertisers, empowering them to achieve a higher return on investment and optimize their marketing efforts. Eliminating Ticket Fraud With Blockchain The sports industry has long grappled with the challenges of ticket touting and counterfeiting, posing significant concerns. However, many sports teams have discovered a powerful solution in blockchain technology, offering effective measures against these issues. The inherent transparency of blockchain enables seamless verification of ticket authenticity, providing reassurance to fans and authorities alike. With the ability to trace tickets back to the originating club, blockchain ensures a secure and legitimate ticketing process. Moreover, blockchain streamlines ticket transfers by enabling peer-to-peer transactions without the need for intermediaries. This means that fans who are unable to attend an event can safely transfer their tickets to others without incurring penalty fees or relying on centralized entities. This convenience extends to instances of event postponement or cancellation, simplifying the rescheduling process for all parties involved. By leveraging blockchain, the sports industry takes a significant step towards eliminating ticket fraud, enhancing security, and improving the overall ticketing experience for fans. Empowering Esports Through Blockchain Esports involves multiple stakeholders, including game creators, sponsors, team management, players, and the media. This intricate web of relationships necessitates numerous transactions, resulting in repetitive information sharing among parties. Additionally, the involvement of intermediaries becomes crucial as it becomes impractical for any single entity to manage and track such extensive data. However, the decentralized nature of blockchain offers a compelling solution by providing a unified platform that connects all these stakeholders, enabling direct interaction without the need for intermediaries. Utilizing blockchain's programmable smart contracts, a more streamlined process for transferring players, prize money, or media rights emerges. This technology instills confidence by eliminating concerns about the unfair distribution of prize money or delayed payments. Moreover, it fosters a sense of togetherness and trust among the esports community. By embracing blockchain, the esports industry can create a transparent ecosystem that facilitates efficient interactions and transactions, benefiting all involved parties. It simplifies complex processes, enhances security, and builds a foundation of trust, ultimately propelling the growth and development of esports to new heights. Membership and Digital Cards Sports teams have traditionally relied on trading cards and souvenirs as a profitable revenue stream. However, with the rise of a new generation of fans who are deeply engaged in gaming and esports, there is a need to embrace digital collectibles. By shifting towards digital trading cards and souvenirs, clubs can keep pace with evolving consumer preferences and appeal to a wider audience. Through the use of blockchain-powered crypto collectibles, teams can create unique or limited-edition items that are authenticated through a secure and transparent digital ledger. We’ve witnessed the massive adoption of SoRare for NFTs for the English Premier League, as well as had clubs like Manchester United produce their own set of digital collectibles which provide rewards in various ways. In a Nutshell: Blockchain technology is increasingly playing a crucial role in fan engagement strategies for sports teams and individuals all around the world. We’re witnessing a revolution in Brazil with Blockchain Sports and their football academy, as the innovation is also being embraced internationally by renowned players like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. As we eagerly await the start of the game, it is evident that digital solutions for the digital era will revolutionize fan engagement and create exciting opportunities in the sports industry.

Blockchain Gives Sports a Lucrative Way to Increase Their Fandom

Anne's House of Dreams by L. M. Montgomery, is part of the HackerNoon Books Series. You can jump to any chapter in this book here . DAWN AND DUSK CHAPTER 19. DAWN AND DUSK In early June, when the sand hills were a great glory of pink wild roses, and the Glen was smothered in apple blossoms, Marilla arrived at the little house, accompanied by a black horsehair trunk, patterned with brass nails, which had reposed undisturbed in the Green Gables garret for half a century. Susan Baker, who, during her few weeks' sojourn in the little house, had come to worship "young Mrs. Doctor," as she called Anne, with blind fervor, looked rather jealously askance at Marilla at first. But as Marilla did not try to interfere in kitchen matters, and showed no desire to interrupt Susan's ministrations to young Mrs. Doctor, the good handmaiden became reconciled to her presence, and told her cronies at the Glen that Miss Cuthbert was a fine old lady and knew her place. One evening, when the sky's limpid bowl was filled with a red glory, and the robins were thrilling the golden twilight with jubilant hymns to the stars of evening, there was a sudden commotion in the little house of dreams. Telephone messages were sent up to the Glen, Doctor Dave and a white-capped nurse came hastily down, Marilla paced the garden walks between the quahog shells, murmuring prayers between her set lips, and Susan sat in the kitchen with cotton wool in her ears and her apron over her head. Leslie, looking out from the house up the brook, saw that every window of the little house was alight, and did not sleep that night. The June night was short; but it seemed an eternity to those who waited and watched. "Oh, will it NEVER end?" said Marilla; then she saw how grave the nurse and Doctor Dave looked, and she dared ask no more questions. Suppose Anne—but Marilla could not suppose it. "Do not tell me," said Susan fiercely, answering the anguish in Marilla's eyes, "that God could be so cruel as to take that darling lamb from us when we all love her so much." "He has taken others as well beloved," said Marilla hoarsely. But at dawn, when the rising sun rent apart the mists hanging over the sandbar, and made rainbows of them, joy came to the little house. Anne was safe, and a wee, white lady, with her mother's big eyes, was lying beside her. Gilbert, his face gray and haggard from his night's agony, came down to tell Marilla and Susan. "Thank God," shuddered Marilla. Susan got up and took the cotton wool out of her ears. "Now for breakfast," she said briskly. "I am of the opinion that we will all be glad of a bite and sup. You tell young Mrs. Doctor not to worry about a single thing—Susan is at the helm. You tell her just to think of her baby." Gilbert smiled rather sadly as he went away. Anne, her pale face blanched with its baptism of pain, her eyes aglow with the holy passion of motherhood, did not need to be told to think of her baby. She thought of nothing else. For a few hours she tasted of happiness so rare and exquisite that she wondered if the angels in heaven did not envy her. "Little Joyce," she murmured, when Marilla came in to see the baby. "We planned to call her that if she were a girlie. There were so many we would have liked to name her for; we couldn't choose between them, so we decided on Joyce—we can call her Joy for short—Joy—it suits so well. Oh, Marilla, I thought I was happy before. Now I know that I just dreamed a pleasant dream of happiness. THIS is the reality." "You mustn't talk, Anne—wait till you're stronger," said Marilla warningly. "You know how hard it is for me NOT to talk," smiled Anne. At first she was too weak and too happy to notice that Gilbert and the nurse looked grave and Marilla sorrowful. Then, as subtly, and coldly, and remorselessly as a sea-fog stealing landward, fear crept into her heart. Why was not Gilbert gladder? Why would he not talk about the baby? Why would they not let her have it with her after that first heavenly—happy hour? Was—was there anything wrong? "Gilbert," whispered Anne imploringly, "the baby—is all right—isn't she? Tell me—tell me." Gilbert was a long while in turning round; then he bent over Anne and looked in her eyes. Marilla, listening fearfully outside the door, heard a pitiful, heartbroken moan, and fled to the kitchen where Susan was weeping. "Oh, the poor lamb—the poor lamb! How can she bear it, Miss Cuthbert? I am afraid it will kill her. She has been that built up and happy, longing for that baby, and planning for it. Cannot anything be done nohow, Miss Cuthbert?" "I'm afraid not, Susan. Gilbert says there is no hope. He knew from the first the little thing couldn't live." "And it is such a sweet baby," sobbed Susan. "I never saw one so white—they are mostly red or yallow. And it opened its big eyes as if it was months old. The little, little thing! Oh, the poor, young Mrs. Doctor!" At sunset the little soul that had come with the dawning went away, leaving heartbreak behind it. Miss Cornelia took the wee, white lady from the kindly but stranger hands of the nurse, and dressed the tiny waxen form in the beautiful dress Leslie had made for it. Leslie had asked her to do that. Then she took it back and laid it beside the poor, broken, tear-blinded little mother. "The Lord has given and the Lord has taken away, dearie," she said through her own tears. "Blessed be the name of the Lord." Then she went away, leaving Anne and Gilbert alone together with their dead. The next day, the small white Joy was laid in a velvet casket which Leslie had lined with apple-blossoms, and taken to the graveyard of the church across the harbor. Miss Cornelia and Marilla put all the little love-made garments away, together with the ruffled basket which had been befrilled and belaced for dimpled limbs and downy head. Little Joy was never to sleep there; she had found a colder, narrower bed. "This has been an awful disappointment to me," sighed Miss Cornelia. "I've looked forward to this baby—and I did want it to be a girl, too." "I can only be thankful that Anne's life was spared," said Marilla, with a shiver, recalling those hours of darkness when the girl she loved was passing through the valley of the shadow. "Poor, poor lamb! Her heart is broken," said Susan. "I ENVY Anne," said Leslie suddenly and fiercely, "and I'd envy her even if she had died! She was a mother for one beautiful day. I'd gladly give my life for THAT!" "I wouldn't talk like that, Leslie, dearie," said Miss Cornelia deprecatingly. She was afraid that the dignified Miss Cuthbert would think Leslie quite terrible. Anne's convalescence was long, and made bitter for her by many things. The bloom and sunshine of the Four Winds world grated harshly on her; and yet, when the rain fell heavily, she pictured it beating so mercilessly down on that little grave across the harbor; and when the wind blew around the eaves she heard sad voices in it she had never heard before. Kindly callers hurt her, too, with the well-meant platitudes with which they strove to cover the nakedness of bereavement. A letter from Phil Blake was an added sting. Phil had heard of the baby's birth, but not of its death, and she wrote Anne a congratulatory letter of sweet mirth which hurt her horribly. "I would have laughed over it so happily if I had my baby," she sobbed to Marilla. "But when I haven't it just seems like wanton cruelty—though I know Phil wouldn't hurt me for the world. Oh, Marilla, I don't see how I can EVER be happy again—EVERYTHING will hurt me all the rest of my life." "Time will help you," said Marilla, who was racked with sympathy but could never learn to express it in other than age-worn formulas. "It doesn't seem FAIR," said Anne rebelliously. "Babies are born and live where they are not wanted—where they will be neglected—where they will have no chance. I would have loved my baby so—and cared for it so tenderly—and tried to give her every chance for good. And yet I wasn't allowed to keep her." "It was God's will, Anne," said Marilla, helpless before the riddle of the universe—the WHY of undeserved pain. "And little Joy is better off." "I can't believe THAT," cried Anne bitterly. Then, seeing that Marilla looked shocked, she added passionately, "Why should she be born at all—why should any one be born at all—if she's better off dead? I DON'T believe it is better for a child to die at birth than to live its life out—and love and be loved—and enjoy and suffer—and do its work—and develop a character that would give it a personality in eternity. And how do you know it was God's will? Perhaps it was just a thwarting of His purpose by the Power of Evil. We can't be expected to be resigned to THAT." "Oh, Anne, don't talk so," said Marilla, genuinely alarmed lest Anne were drifting into deep and dangerous waters. "We can't understand—but we must have faith—we MUST believe that all is for the best. I know you find it hard to think so, just now. But try to be brave—for Gilbert's sake. He's so worried about you. You aren't getting strong as fast as you should." "Oh, I know I've been very selfish," sighed Anne. "I love Gilbert more than ever—and I want to live for his sake. But it seems as if part of me was buried over there in that little harbor graveyard—and it hurts so much that I'm afraid of life." "It won't hurt so much always, Anne." "The thought that it may stop hurting sometimes hurts me worse than all else, Marilla." "Yes, I know, I've felt that too, about other things. But we all love you, Anne. Captain Jim has been up every day to ask for you—and Mrs. Moore haunts the place—and Miss Bryant spends most of her time, I think, cooking up nice things for you. Susan doesn't like it very well. She thinks she can cook as well as Miss Bryant." "Dear Susan! Oh, everybody has been so dear and good and lovely to me, Marilla. I'm not ungrateful—and perhaps—when this horrible ache grows a little less—I'll find that I can go on living." 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. L. M. Montgomery (1996). Anne's House of Dreams. Urbana, Illinois: Project Gutenberg. Retrieved https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/544/pg544-images.html 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. The lead image was generated using HackerNoon's Stable Disffusion Al Image Generator feature, via the prompt "ANNE'S HOUSE OF DREAMS".

DAWN AND DUSK

THE CLYTHRÆ

THE LEUCOPSES

THE BIOGRAPHY OF THAT HIGHLY RESPECTED GENTLEMAN STEPAN TROFIMOVITCH VERHOVENSKY

FIRST IMPRESSIONS (continued).

Vision is the main channel by which man receives his impressions

VENUS, THE TWIN OF THE EARTH

Astronomy with an Opera-glass by Richard Hakluyt is part of the HackerNoon Books Series. You can jump to any chapter in this book here . INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION. Star-gazing was never more popular than it is now. In every civilized country many excellent telescopes are owned and used, often to very good purpose, by persons who are not practical astronomers, but who wish to see for themselves the marvels of the sky, and who occasionally stumble upon something that is new even to professional star-gazers. Yet, notwithstanding this activity in the cultivation of astronomical studies, it is probably safe to assert that hardly one person in a hundred knows the chief stars by name, or can even recognize the principal constellations, much less distinguish the planets from the fixed stars. And of course they know nothing of the intellectual pleasure that accompanies a knowledge of the stars. Modern astronomy is so rapidly and wonderfully linking the earth and the sun together, with all the orbs of space, in the bonds of close physical relationship, that a person of education and general intelligence can offer no valid excuse for not knowing where to look for Sirius or Aldebaran, or the Orion nebula, or the planet Jupiter. As Australia and New Zealand and the islands of the sea are made a part of the civilized world through the expanding influence of commerce and cultivation, so the suns and planets around us are, in a certain sense, falling under the dominion of the restless and resistless mind of man. We have come to possess vested intellectual interests in Mars and Saturn, and in the sun and all his multitude of fellows, which nobody can afford to ignore. A singular proof of popular ignorance of the starry heavens, as well as of popular curiosity concerning any uncommon celestial phenomenon, is furnished by the curious notions prevailing about the planet Venus. When Venus began to attract general attention in the western sky in the early evenings of the spring of 1887, speculation quickly became rife about it, particularly on the great Brooklyn Bridge. As the planet hung dazzlingly bright over the New Jersey horizon, some people appeared to think it was the light of Liberty's torch, mistaking the bronze goddess's real flambeau for a part of the electric-light system of the metropolis. Finally (to judge from the letters written to the newspapers, and the questions asked of individuals supposed to know something about the secrets of the sky), the conviction seems to have become pretty widely distributed that the strange light in the west was no less than an electrically illuminated balloon, nightly sent skyward by Mr. Edison, for no other conceivable reason than a wizardly desire to mystify his fellow-men. I have positive information that this ridiculous notion has been actually entertained by more than one person of intelligence. And as Venus glowed with increasing splendor in the serene evenings of June, she continued to be mistaken for some petty artificial light instead of the magnificent world that she was, sparkling out there in the sunshine like a globe of burnished silver. Yet Venus as an evening star is not so rare a phenomenon that people of intelligence should be surprised at it. Once in every 584 days she reappears at the same place in the sunset sky— "Gem of the crimson-colored even, Companion of retiring day." No eye can fail to note her, and as the nearest and most beautiful of the Earth's sisters it would seem that everybody should be as familiar with her appearance as with the face of a friend. But the popular ignorance of Venus, and the other members of the planetary family to which our mother, the Earth, belongs, is only an index of the denser ignorance concerning the stars—the brothers of our great father, the Sun. I believe this ignorance is largely due to mere indifference, which, in its turn, arises from a false and pedantic method of presenting astronomy as a creature of mathematical formulæ, and a humble handmaiden of the art of navigation. I do not, of course, mean to cast doubt upon the scientific value of technical work in astronomy. The science could not exist without it. Those who have made the spectroscope reveal the composition of the sun and stars, and who are now making photography picture the heavens as they are, and even reveal phenomena which lie beyond the range of human vision, are the men who have taken astronomy out of its swaddling-clothes, and set it on its feet as a progressive science. But when one sees the depressing and repellent effect that has evidently been produced upon the popular mind by the ordinary methods of presenting astronomy, one can not resist the temptation to utter a vigorous protest, and to declare that this glorious science is not the grinning mathematical skeleton that it has been represented to be. Perhaps one reason why the average educated man or woman knows so little of the starry heavens is because it is popularly supposed that only the most powerful telescopes and costly instruments of the observatory are capable of dealing with them. No greater mistake could be made. It does not require an optical instrument of any kind, nor much labor, as compared with that expended in the acquirement of some polished accomplishments regarded as indispensable, to give one an acquaintance with the stars and planets which will be not only pleasurable but useful. And with the aid of an opera-glass most interesting, gratifying, and, in some instances, scientifically valuable observations may be made in the heavens. I have more than once heard persons who knew nothing about the stars, and probably cared less, utter exclamations of surprise and delight when persuaded to look at certain parts of the sky with a good glass, and thereafter manifest an interest in astronomy of which they would formerly have believed themselves incapable. Being convinced that whoever will survey the heavens with a good opera-glass will feel repaid many fold for his time and labor, I have undertaken to point out some of the objects most worthy of attention, and some of the means of making acquaintance with the stars. First, a word about the instrument to be used. Galileo made his famous discoveries with what was, in principle of construction, simply an opera-glass. This form of telescope was afterward abandoned because very high magnifying powers could not be employed with it, and the field of view was restricted. But, on account of its brilliant illumination of objects looked at, and its convenience of form, the opera-glass is still a valuable and, in some respects, unrivaled instrument of observation. In choosing an opera-glass, see first that the object-glasses are achromatic, although this caution is hardly necessary, for all modern opera-glasses, worthy of the name, are made with achromatic objectives. But there are great differences in the quality of the work. If a glass shows a colored fringe around a bright object, reject it. Let the diameter of the object-glasses, which are the large lenses in the end farthest from the eye, be not less than an inch and a half. The magnifying power should be at least three or four diameters. A familiar way of estimating the magnifying power is by looking at a brick wall through one barrel of the opera-glass with one eye, while the other eye sees the wall without the intervention of the glass. Then notice how many bricks seen by the naked eye are required to equal in thickness one brick seen through the glass. That number represents the magnifying power. The instrument used by the writer in making most of the observations for this book has object-glasses 1.6 inch in diameter, and a magnifying power of about 3.6 times. See that the fields of view given by the two barrels of the opera-glass coincide, or blend perfectly together. If one appears to partially overlap the other when looking at a distant object, the effect is very annoying. This fault arises from the barrels of the opera-glass being placed too far apart, so that their optical centers do not coincide with the centers of the observer's eyes. A very Bad Field. Occasionally, on account of faulty centering of the lenses, a double image is given of objects looked at, as illustrated in the accompanying cut. In such a case the glass is worthless; but if the effect is simply the addition of a small, crescent-shaped extension on one side of the field of view without any reduplication, the fault may be overlooked, though it is far better to select a glass that gives a perfectly round field. Some glasses have an arrangement for adjusting the distance between the barrels to suit the eyes of different persons, and it would be well if all were made adjustable in the same way. Don't buy a cheap glass, but don't waste your money on fancy mountings. What the Rev. T. W. Webb says of telescopes is equally true of opera-glasses: "Inferior articles may be showily got up, and the outside must go for nothing." There are a few makers whose names, stamped upon the in strument, may generally be regarded as a guarantee of excellence. But the best test is that of actual performance. I have a field-glass which I found in a pawn-shop, that has no maker's name upon it, but in some respects is quite capable of bearing comparison with the work of the best advertised opticians. And this leads me to say that, by the exercise of good judgment, one may occasionally purchase superior glasses at very reasonable prices in the pawn-shops. Ask to be shown the old and well-tried articles; you may find among them a second-hand glass of fine optical properties. If the lenses are not injured, one need not trouble one's self about the worn appearance of the outside of the instrument; so much the more evidence that somebody has found it well worth using. A good field or marine glass is in some respects better than an opera-glass for celestial observations. It possesses a much higher magnifying power, and this gives sometimes a decided advantage. But, on the other hand, its field of view is smaller, rendering it more difficult to find and hold objects. Besides, it does not present as brilliant views of scattered star-clusters as an opera-glass does. For the benefit of those who possess field-glasses, however, I have included in this brief survey certain objects that lie just beyond the reach of opera-glasses, but can be seen with the larger instruments. I have thought it advisable in the descriptions of the constellations which follow to give some account of their mythological origin, both because of the historical interest which attaches to it, and because, while astronomers have long since banished the constellation figures from their maps, the names which the constellations continue to bear require some explanation, and they possess a literary and romantic interest which can not be altogether disregarded in a work that is not intended for purely scientific readers. 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. Garrett Putman Serviss (2011). Astronomy with an Opera-glass. Urbana, Illinois: Project Gutenberg. Retrieved October 2022 https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/36741/pg36741-images.html 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 .

Star-gazing was never more popular than it is now

I recently spoke with Constantin Garreau, founder of . In our conversation, we discussed the problems of the Web3 gaming industry and a potential strategy for its revival. Stables Constantin also discusses the potential impact of NFTs and in-game asset ownership on the broader gaming industry. Hello Constantin, it’s great to have you with us. Can you please introduce yourself and share your journey with our readers? Hi, I’m Constantin Garreau, the founder of Stables, a French horse-racing fantasy game that integrates real horse-racing with Web3 capabilities. I’m building Stables for Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU), the 1st horse-racing betting organization in France. I joined PMU in February 2020, and since January 2022, I’ve been working as the Director of Innovation at PMU. Prior to that, I was a Senior Strategic Accounts Advisor at Contentsquare, a digital experience insights platform. I’ve also worked at Salesforce as a Marketing Account Executive for South EMEA and Strategic Account Executive. Currently, I’m focussing on Stables to build an innovative game and rethink financing the French Equestrian industry. Why do you think the blockchain gaming sector crashed so severely? Can you tell us the main problems affecting the Web3 gaming industry? I think there are multiple factors that led to the crash of the blockchain gaming industry. To begin with, most Web3 games focussed on unsustainable tokenomics models that were just get-rich-quick Ponzi schemes. These games relied on market speculation where the game economy compelled users to cash out their rewards in secondary marketplaces. Most of these games had a shabby layout without any engaging narrative or interesting gameplay. Thus, players didn’t come to Web3 games to play and enjoy but to participate in a speculative frenzy over token prices. The absence of high-level graphics, compelling characters, and a fun community experience contributed to the steady decline of blockchain gaming. Is there a way out for the Web3 gaming sector in 2023? How do you think the industry can recover without harming general users? Yes, I’m hopeful that the Web3 gaming industry can come back with a bang if they follow a robust multi-pronged strategy. The key is to capitalize on the fundamental principles of blockchain technology to ensure better protection for common users. On one hand, developers have to focus on building games with interesting plots and graphically-rich gameplay. Rather than focussing only on tokenomics, Web3 gaming studios must ensure that they offer an AAA gaming experience to players. On the other hand, blockchains can function on the backend to benefit gamers by enhancing the utility of in-game assets. Leveraging NFT technology, developers can build games with better digital asset ownership and asset provenance capabilities. Apart from true ownership of in-game assets, NFTs can create a strong community based on mutual interests. This community will help games to retain players in the long run and collectively contribute towards a game’s development. For instance, Stables is utilizing NFT technology that will offer a unique gaming experience to its players. Tell us about how you feel Stables is contributing to the revival of the crypto gaming industry. As I mentioned before, Stables is a fantasy horseracing game where you can truly own your horse and participate in horseracing. Each virtual horse is an NFT that is linked to a real horse in the French Equestrian market. Players can use their NFT horses to compete against each other and earn exciting rewards. We’ve put special emphasis on making Stables an engaging Web3 game that doesn’t depend on purchasing costly NFTs to win races. Although each NFT horse has unique abilities depending on its real-world twin, players can hone their horse’s skillset. Thus, strategic decision-making will help players to win races, keeping the game interesting and open-ended. Stables also intends to build a well-knit community of gamers who are passionate and invested in horseracing. Using a token-gated feature, we will offer exclusive experiences and privileges to the Stables community. We hope that Stables will lead the revival of crypto gaming with a combination of high-quality gameplay, transparent asset ownership, and a robust community. How is Stables different from other Web3 games? I think the fundamental difference is that Stables comes from a century-old company with an ambition to venture into the Web3 world. We’re not here for short-term gains but want to change the French Equestrian industry forever with Web3 gaming. Stables uses the official licenses of France Galop and , bolstering our vision to take horseracing to a global stage. Le Trot Apart from such institutional backing, our gameplay rewards players who make intelligent decisions to win races. So anyone can become the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the Stables community without any intensive monetary investments. We believe that NFT technology will empower players to have sovereign ownership over their gaming assets and build a well-knit community. Stables is just getting started, and we have a lot lined up in 2023 with Gen1 and Gen2 NFT minting. Built on a secure and energy-efficient Tezos blockchain, we’re hopeful that Stables will create an impact in the Web3 gaming scene. How do you think the Web3 gaming industry will shape up this year? Given that you talked about NFTs and in-game asset ownership, how important will these concepts be in affecting the broader gaming industry? It’s an interesting question. Let me answer this by sharing an anecdote that some people might already know. Vitalik Buterin, one of Ethereum’s founders, in a World of Warcraft game due to centralized control of gaming assets. lost a spell’s power Buterin wanted to build a technology that can give true ownership of digital assets to users. Blockchain technology, in general, and NFTs, in particular, have the potential to offer sovereign ownership of in-game assets. Although NFTs are a revolutionary technology in Web3 gaming, most traditional gamers have perceived this to be just another money-grabbing scheme. Thus, gaming studios like Ubisoft and Electronic Arts have faced severe backlash for introducing NFTs into their games. I think the messaging has been wrong, and there’s a lot of work to do in educating people about how NFTs work. Despite the current slump in market conditions, there has been to develop Web3 games. steady funding So I think we’ll see a lot of high-quality crypto games this year with NFT-powered technology revolutionizing in-game asset ownership and monetization channels. A last word from Constantin… Why do we recruit gamers instead of gamblers, and why do we think this is important? We believe gaming is a new way to consume digital content and that our industry will grow through these gamers. Additionally, we want to pre-empt new markets that are forming, such as Sorare, because the link with the real world and physical experiences can add real value to the player's experience.

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