Unintentional Video Game Masterpieces

Playing video games is one of the best past times. Many of you have probably enjoyed hours on end playing on video games in your youth. They are not just great boredom busters but you enjoy a lot too and the hours tick by without you noticing. Different video games have dominated the world over the years and certain ones stand out and define a certain era. Alongside it is the rising popularity of specific games consoles that made playing with these games possible for all of us. We may think that game developers always knew what they were doing in developing these iconic games but it appears that we are greatly mistaken. Just like with anything else in this world, some masterpieces were brought to life by accident. Some of these games are not an exception but we can’t deny how much they have shaped pretty much our entire childhood one way or the other.

Without these games, there would be less color in your life and you have little to talk about to friends as well. Some may actually be anti-social for a while and stay cooped up at home while playing with any of these video games all-day and all-night but it apparently has a profound impact to your life that you don’t easily notice at first. You may be surprised knowing that some of the games you loved and played for hours on end weren’t initially the plan but because fate intervenes, they unravel themselves at the perfect time and become a worldwide influence not just to kids who are obsessed in playing with many of these addicting video games but even to bored adults who just want to kill time without losing their sanity.

Games developers usually know exactly what they're doing. They approach a project with a specific vision, and the majority of the time, the finished article doesn't deviate too far from the sketches on the drawing board.

On other occasions, they encounter budgetary issues and creative roadblocks during the development process and are forced to make concessions, in some cases bigger than others, and this can completely reshape the game in question.

These cases are well documented, but there are rare instances where games have been created entirely by accident, in a way that's almost comparable to Sir Alexander Fleming's discovery of penicillin among his mouldy petri dishes.

There are cases where studio employees have had so much fun with bespoke non-gaming software that they've slapped it with a few bells and whistles and released it for public consumption. Other games started out in a different form until a glitch saw them mutate into something better, like Bruce Banner and the gamma bomb.

(Via: http://whatculture.com/gaming/7-iconic-video-games-that-were-created-by-accident)

Sometimes, these games were brought to life because its own creators had so much fun with it as well that they just felt the need to share it to others so they can also experience everything first-hand. Looking back, it seems amusing you were ever hooked to one of these games but then you actually did. We all go through that phase so it is understandable. An example is the viral game before that is Counter Strike. Its popularity was undeniable and almost every cool boy or guy knew how to play it. Some were even placing bets as to whose team will win the game and play it with their squad.

Japan didn't invent the first computer game. That accolade goes to "Space War!", a game created in 1962 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States.

But ever since then, Japan has embraced gaming culture with an almost unrivaled passion. From the Super Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog games that became cultural giants, to the Sega Mega Drive and Game Boy consoles which were symbols of their time, gaming was led by Tokyo for decades.

"Without the contributions of Japan, we wouldn't have a video game industry," Blake J. Harris, a video game expert and author of "Console Wars," says. "Or, at least, not one that resembles what we have today in any way.

(Via: http://edition.cnn.com/2017/11/12/asia/future-japan-videogame-landmarks/index.html)

And whether or not some of these video games were accidental masterpieces or not, Japan’s contribution to the entire video gaming industry is undeniable. Video games won’t be so popular if not for the amazing work the Japanese put in on the technology that has even shaped history. Think Mario Brothers, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Pacman, all legends in the field of video games before until now. Like whatever your age is, it is impossible that you haven’t yet heard about them over the years especially if you have kids because they will likely ask one from you if they haven’t yet. Until today, Japan still pioneers mind-blowing video gaming technology that will inevitably gift the world with more amazing games to capture our fancy and time as well whether by accident or not.

Unintentional Video Game Masterpieces Read more on: https://www.iamnotanartist.org

source https://www.iamnotanartist.org/unintentional-video-game-masterpieces/

What To Do When Your Data Disappears

These days, we can’t get our hands away from our tech gadgets. Whether it is something as handy as a smartphone or a tablet or iPad or something more sturdy and multi-functional like a laptop or computer, our lives now revolve around these tech innovations and people all over the world can relate to it. If you are some who makes use of computers in your day-to-day be it in school, work, or business, it is inevitable for you to make use of various sheets, slides, forms, and presentations in the many things that you do. However, there are instances when you may inadvertently lose your data for a lot of reasons (internal or external) that may leave you cringing in horror at what and how much you just lost.

Indeed, it is frightening to suddenly be confronted with lost files when you need them the most, like say an hour or two before an important meeting or presentation that means the world to you. But the thing is it can happen many times in your lifetime especially if you are not careful enough when using your computer or too careless to secure your data when you still can. Yes, you can make multiple copies of your files or save them to another device, storage equipment like a flash drive or an external hard drive or save it up in the clouds, you have far more options now that you did in the past. It all comes to doing all these precautions ahead of time to save yourself from all the hassle lost data brings. There are even more options to choose from and it is still possible to retrieve lost files if the damage is not that extensive and you still have time to contact a tech repairman the soonest time possible.

Some users may refresh the computer/removable disk, hoping that the missing file will come back automatically. However, that is not going to happen; and those people will miss the best chance to find recently deleted files by wasting time on this matter. Other would like to hire professionals to do the recovery work for them, but this could be costly and risky.

Here, we have a better suggestion –using the reliable data recovery software. We’ll recommend a popular one to you and then talks about the data recovery rates you care about.

Ensure Data Recovery Rates by Getting Professional Software

In addition to data recovery chances, you may also care about those things: how does data recovery software work, what are the data recovery process steps, etc. We plan to talk about them one by one.

Loved by lots of people, MiniTool Power Data Recovery provides high-quality disk data recovery service and helps to ensure the data recovery success rate. By using it, you can regain your lost files in only three simple steps.

(Via: http://www.mobilecomputingtoday.co.uk/6728/tips-ensure-enhance-data-recovery-rates-dramatically/)

Backing up your data is the most obvious precaution you can take but some miss out on this especially if their gadget is new. But what can you do then? For starters, there are also data recovery softwares you can purchase and install on your computer as your safety net for situations like this. When faced with data loss, don’t panic just yet even if you already want to cry your heart out. Compose yourself and analyze what just happened. There are various ways you can lose a file, so determine first what your problem is so you can think of a possible solution to the problem.

Before you do anything else, check the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (macOS) to see if your files are there. If so, a right-click or a copy-and-paste is enough to restore your files to their former spot, and you can breathe easy again.

If your files are nowhere to be seen, check other places they might have been backed up to, like a photo library on the web (especially if you've wiped photos from your phone). You can restore your files without too much difficulty from Microsoft OneDrive and Apple iCloud, for example, if you're using those built-in services.

And by the way we fully recommend setting up OneDrive or iCloud—or a similar service like Dropbox or Google Drive—to automatically make backups of your most important files on the web. If your laptop should get stolen, your house should burn down, or you should accidentally delete a week's worth of work, you can restore files from the web interface on all of these platforms.

(Via: http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/how-to/a26197/how-to-recover-deleted-files/)

A little common sense and being quick to act on these scenarios can help you get your lost data back especially when luck is also on your side. Most of the time, the first place you can check for anything missing on your files is the recycle bin. If it’s not there, it just means that you missed setting up a backup system on your computer especially if it is an older model. If nothing worked and you weren’t able to install a software recovery system as well, your last bet is to contact a professional to help you out. Not all of us has the technical know-how when it comes to complex computer issues so rather than aggravating the problem, just prepare your wallet and hire an expert before you cause more damage than there already is.

What To Do When Your Data Disappears is courtesy of IAMNotAnArtist.org

source https://www.iamnotanartist.org/what-to-do-when-your-data-disappears/

Sleep Loss Caused Trains To Collide

Human beings have needs. Some are luxuries while many are basic necessities that we all need in order to live. Aside from food, clothing, and shelter, sleep is also a basic need that makes us function well in society. Aside from its restorative properties, one feels better and more alert after a good night’s sleep. Whether you are still a young child, a student, or an adult with work and other responsibilities, sleep is crucial in enabling us to do things efficiently most of the time. Unfortunately, because of the many distractions that we now have in the form of smartphones, other tech gadgets, and the mere existence of the web, we continually lose sleep day in and day out because of our own doing.

Meanwhile, some suffer from more serious and troublesome medical conditions like sleep disorders and the outcome may at times be disastrous. One of the most recent tragedy is the collision of two NY trains that resulted in the death of one individual and injuring over 100 passengers of the unfortunate trains. According to investigations, undiagnosed sleep apnea is the culprit why such a misfortune happened.

Two commuter train crashes in the New York City metropolitan area are being blamed on undiagnosed sleep apnea, according to an announcement yesterday from the National Transportation Safety Board. Investigations have determined that the conductors in both accidents—a September 2016 New Jersey Transit crash in Hoboken, New Jersey, that killed one person and a January 2017 Long Island Railroad derailment in Brooklyn that injured more than 100—fell asleep on the job due to the chronic condition.

Sleep apnea is a very common condition, and it’s easy for doctors to spot, says Allan Pack, MD, professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Sleep and Circadian Neurobiology. (Dr. Pack was not involved in the investigations above, and has not evaluated the train conductors.)

But even though knowledge about the condition is growing, says Dr. Pack, many people don’t realize they have a problem—and so it frequently goes undiagnosed and untreated. Here’s what he wants people to know about sleep apnea.

(Via: http://www.health.com/sleep/sleep-apnea-train-crashes)

Aside from the deadly breathing pauses sleep apnea sufferers face each day, the continuously interrupted sleep they experience on a daily basis is a major bummer that left many chronically sleep-deprived for a long time. It’s too bad for people who have to work with machines and equipment that may endanger their lives or that of others or drive vehicles that can pose a hazard in the streets. It’s simply what happened to these trains that collided with one another. Most of the time, people ignore the symptoms and go on with their lives not knowing how much of a danger they are to the people around them because they lack sleep that can help them fully-function at work.

The board plans to hold a Feb. 6 meeting on the September 2016 crash in Hoboken, New Jersey, that killed one person and injured more than 100 others, and the January accident in Brooklyn that left more than 100 people with non-life-threatening injuries.

Both engineers had no memory of the crashes and were severely overweight. The Centers for Disease Control says being overweight puts individuals at a higher risk of sleep apnea.

The disorder, characterized by shallow or interrupted breathing during sleep, often goes undiagnosed and can leave sufferers fatigued during the day, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

The safety board said the brakes were working on the New Jersey Transit train traveling at 8 miles (13 km) per hour 38 seconds before the crash. The train then accelerated to 21 mph at impact, twice the speed limit, and emergency brakes were applied one second before the crash.

(Via: http://www.reuters.com/article/usa-trains-crash/u-s-safety-board-train-crash-engineers-had-sleep-disorders-idUSL2N1M21A5)

The engineers on-board those trains were later diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and obese as well. They admitted not remembering anything before the crash even if they were traveling at twice the normal train's speed. Hence, the rest of the engineers likewise underwent sleep testing and some of them turned out to be suffering from sleep apnea as well and are now getting treated. They don’t even have to try CPAP if they don’t like it since there are other options in the form of anti-snoring mouthpieces that mimics the effect of CPAP and save them from the woes of sleep apnea. We may underestimate the power of sleep but the lack of it can have a number of crazy and terrible consequences, which in this case led to the untimely demise of one unfortunate passenger.

Sleep Loss Caused Trains To Collide is courtesy of The I Am Not An Artist Blog

source https://www.iamnotanartist.org/sleep-loss-caused-trains-to-collide/

Australia Won’t Be Making Cars Anymore

The world resources shift from one place to another. And we are not just talking about natural resources of a specific land or territory but any type of resources that we now use. Industries all over the world can relate to how the rise and fall of the global market affected their businesses. The sun is not always shining and when it does not, it can mean a certain doom to someone. Despite the rapid rise in the world’s population, there are markets that crash because the supply and demand have shifted or that someone else has taken over their target market.

It is the plausible explanation why the Australian auto manufacturing industry just bid everyone goodbye. For a long time, Australians had been making their own cars but sadly, it has come to an end and countless employees suddenly found themselves without a job to bring in the bacon. Even foreign car brands have been shutting down production over recent years and the people are partly blaming the government for the death of the car manufacturing industry down under. The factors highlighted were high production costs, the high Australian dollar, and the continuously diminishing local market all contributed to this problem. The particular car brand, Holden, is synonymous to Australia. But foreign car makers are unbeatable and the Aussie domestic makers are nowhere near their scale.

There has been a car industry in Australia for almost as long as there have been cars. Friday’s closure in Elizabeth, a suburb of Adelaide, left many questioning why the government did not step in and save the country’s once-vibrant auto industry, when auto manufacturers in the United States and elsewhere received big bailouts to stay afloat.

Auto plants in Australia have slowly been closing over the last several decades, with Ford, Toyota and now Holden, a General Motors subsidiary, shutting their manufacturing operations over roughly the last year.

Some blame the industry’s demise on the government’s refusal in 2013 to come to the rescue of the country’s automakers as they were battered by a high Australian dollar, high production costs and a shrinking domestic market.

Union officials estimated about 30,000 people lost their jobs as a result of the recent closures. In the area north of Adelaide, which has at times had South Australia’s highest unemployment rate and where Holden was the largest employer, nearly 1,000 people were left looking for work as a result of the automakers decision to cease production.

(Via: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/20/world/australia/holden-automaker-factory-closes.html)

When one door closes, a window opens. Aussies can hold on to that saying even if many of those who were laid off are saying that they are having a hard time looking for a new one while it seems next to impossible for the older workers to even snatch a job at all. It is one dim reality they have to face because their industry failed to meet global standards. Those who took their Holden cars on the streets to show off understand pretty well that this is an end to an era of Australian car-making and they probably won’t be able to revive this industry anymore anytime soon.

The closures mark the end of home-grown icons such as the Holden Commodore and the Ford Falcon driven by Mel Gibson in the original “Mad Max” movie. But they also strike an economic blow, especially in the rust belt state of South Australia, where recent signs of recovery haven’t been enough to stop people leaving in droves.

"It is clear that the automobile industry is a very significant industry that once it is gone, will leave a very deep economic gap, an investment gap and an employment gap,” said John Spoehr, a professor of economics and director of the Australian Industrial Transformation Institute at Flinders University in Adelaide. “Holden injects a billion dollars plus into the South Australia economy. So its loss is going to be very significant.”

(Via: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-19/death-of-australian-car-making-leaves-chasm-in-blue-collar-towns)

The parade is the last thing Holden car owners can do to commemorate the contribution of this car brand to the Australian economy and identity. Vintage may be out for many but it is for these proud owners who appreciate the contribution of Holden not only to the county but to their lives. Now, the people are hoping that the government will intervene and help everyone affected move on from this experience especially the ones who lost their jobs because of the closure. And we are not just talking about the ones working in the plants but even those of companies providing products and services to this plant for years. There’s this domino-effect that will have more implications for the country’s economy if the state won’t be able to clean up their mess this time.

Australia Won’t Be Making Cars Anymore was initially published to The IANAA Blog

source https://www.iamnotanartist.org/australia-wont-be-making-cars-anymore/

Facebook’s Stance On Immigration

People move places all the time. Although we have long since abandoned our nomad lifestyle, there is still a likelihood for individuals to move to another place or country in the course of their lifetime. It is what we commonly call immigration. People migrate for a lot of reasons although the top reasons are because of work, or attending an educational institution or they got married and is moving to the hometown of their spouse for good. Sometimes, people from a certain place tend to migrate to a particular country but there are times when it differs a lot from person to person. After all, the world is our oyster and nothing should stop us from exploring every nook and cranny of this planet if we have the means to do so. Other times, wanderers fall in love with a certain place or with a particular local that they end up staying there far longer than they initially intended.

Over the years, we have seen philanthropist businessmen speak up on various causes that are personally important or relevant to them. Migration has been one of those issues and continues to be a topic of debate especially at a time today when terrorism continues to be a threat to everyone. For instance, Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Facebook is pro-immigration and advocates less restrictive policies from the Trump administration. However, it seems that his business policies collide with his personal beliefs and ideals knowing that the company has been maximizing profits from anti-immigration groups in America in their ad campaign. Now, everyone can see the double mask Facebook is wearing when it comes to the topic of immigration as its owner speaks up about liberal migration ideas but the company does the exact opposite.

That legacy of dreamy utopianism continues to inform the tech industry’s self-perception, even as its financial imperatives collide with its politics. On Thursday night, Reuters reported that Facebook and Google were among nearly two dozen companies planning to launch a group to lobby for bipartisan legislation to protect DACA recipients, better known as Dreamers. The group, called the Coalition for the American Dream, will try to enlist other companies in urging Congress to pass legislation codifying the Obama-era program, which Donald Trump has said he will rescind. If he does, nearly 800,000 Dreamers will be at risk of deportation.

Facebook C.E.O. Mark Zuckerberg, who helped found a pro-immigration reform group in 2013, has been particularly vocal in pushing back against the Trump administration’s more restrictive policies. But Facebook's idealistic self-perception seems to be at odds with its advertising goals. As Bloomberg reported this week, both Facebook and Google worked diligently to maximize the reach of Islamophobic video ads for an anti-refugee nonprofit called Secure America Now. The nonprofit reportedly spent “millions” in ad dollars to ensure that its videos—including one that portrayed “colorful scenes of Main Street America” along with “black-and-white pictures of Muslims who have carried out attacks in the U.S.,” and another that imagined France and Germany governed by Sharia law—had maximum impact on both platforms. (Facebook and Google did not immediately respond to requests for comment.)

(Via: https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/10/why-zuckerbergs-new-immigration-activism-rings-hollow)

We can’t just easily discredit Facebook, though, even if we don’t always see things eye to eye. For many Americans, we value our safety as much as our liberty. While we do not want to alienate anyone foreign, we have no choice but to do so when it is our safety and security that is at risk. The U.S. has been on top of the list of Islamic terrorists and we have witnessed time and again how many innocent Americans fall prey and die in the hands of these murderers that we allowed to come into our country. It’s no wonder that more Americans are getting themselves involved when it comes to policies like immigration that affects the national interests because we want to limit the potential threat that can gain access to our country through stricter immigration policies.

Some 800 companies signed a letter to Congressional leaders after Trump’s decision, calling for legislation protecting Dreamers. That effort was spearheaded by a pro-immigration reform group Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg co-founded in 2013 called FWD.us.

Many of the companies that endorsed that letter are named as joining the new coalition. The group has planned to take out ads in news publications, though this is subject to change, according to an email last week seen by Reuters.

“Dreamers are part of our society, defend our country, and support our economy,” said one of the coalition documents, which is being shared by the group to recruit additional companies.

(Via: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-dreamers/tech-companies-to-lobby-for-immigrant-dreamers-to-remain-in-u-s-idUSKBN1CP03Z)

As globalization continues to shape the way the world works right now, boundaries are ever changing and people are more tempted to go to far away places in pursuit of their interests, opportunities, and greener pastures. These big tech companies can really relate to this problem because many of the bright and talented people working for them are at times undocumented or has a hard time securing legal papers to work in the country. They even coined the term “Dreamers” to describe them as people full of dreams and aspirations and hopefully influence the White House to be more lenient on their restrictions. However, with the obvious conflicts of interests these companies have like that of Facebook, we’ll see how things go in the months and years to come.

The blog article Facebook’s Stance On Immigration Find more on: The I Am Not An Artist Blog

source https://www.iamnotanartist.org/facebooks-stance-on-immigration/

What’s It Like To Be A Parent Today

Parenting is no joke. We’ve heard it time and again. Those who are not yet parents tend to shrug this off since they still can’t relate to it but becoming a parent is both a fulfilling and frustrating journey that parents all over the world can relate too even if they come from diverse backgrounds. From the news of the pregnancy to labor and delivery and the actual raising of the child from infant to adult, there are many experiences that will bring tears and sadness but are all a part of the very fabric of life. It’s not always a walk in the park, so do not delude yourself into believing it will be if you are a new parent because it won’t, so deal with it.

However, the times have changed. While the very essence of parenthood remains the same, there are obviously many changes and factors that we need to take into consideration. First, technology is a big part of our lives today. Just how much technology will you allow your child to use or expose them to are perennial questions? Next, the environment itself has changed. People’s behaviors and accepted norms are no longer the same as it was twenty years ago when most parents today were kids themselves. And since our basic role in this world was to go henceforth and procreate, let’s try to unravel how parenting has changed and evolved in the 21^st century.

Other findings include that 95% of families with young kids have smartphones (up from 63% in 2013 and 41% in 2011), and 78% have tablets (up from 40% in 2013 and 8% in 2011).

"In today's tech-driven world, where things are moving so quickly, it is really important to step back and take a hard look at what technology kids are using and how they are using it," James P. Steyer, founder and CEO of Common Sense, said in a statement. "Over the last six years, we have seen massive growth in media use and tablet ownership, and we haven't even begun to experience the explosion of new technologies like virtual reality and voice-activated assistants in our homes. If we want to ensure our kids develop well and are successful in life, we have to make sure they get the most out of tech while protecting them from potential risks — and that means paying close attention to the role media is playing in their lives."

(Via: http://www.refinery29.com/2017/10/177399/kids-smartphones-ipads-survey)

Yes, the facts have spoken. Technology rules the world, our homes, and our kid’s lives. They use too much technology that they miss out on many things parents used to do in their childhood like playing outside, making meaningful and real relationships with the people around them, and actually doing things rather than watching people do it on Youtube or whatever SNS accounts they are using. It is obviously a major cultural shift that affects millions of kids throughout the globe where technology plays a dominant role in the people’s day-to-day lives. The danger here is that since parents work during the day and usually don’t have the time to supervise their children 24/7, they aren’t aware of their child’s social activities on the web and its impact on them.

"We postulate that socioeconomic conditions drive how much control or monitoring parents exercise on their children's choices."

Using the World Value Survey, the co-authors asked which values they found most important in child rearing. They found permissive or more laid back parents emphasize the values of imagination and independence when bringing up their children. The authoritarian and authoritative parents insist on the importance of hard work and obedience, respectively.

They show that parents in countries with more unequal economic conditions are more authoritarian and authoritative in style. In countries with better redistribution of wealth – more social expenditure and stronger civil rights protections, parents are significantly more permissive or relaxed in their parenting style.

The researchers believe their theory can help explain the recent rise of ‘helicopter parenting’, which is a version of the authoritative style in which parents try to influence their children's choices with intense monitoring and persuasion.

(Via: http://honey.nine.com.au/2017/10/11/14/22/helicopter-parenting-influenced-by-economic-factors)

Parenting styles differ from one place to another as socioeconomic factors are taken into context. In a progressive country like ours where everyone is competitive but opportunities are kind of limited, you can expect parents to teach their kids to value education at an early age especially that there are exams they should pass and other kids are studying hard as well, so competition is tough. Ivy league schools are highly selective and you really have to invest in good study habits at a young age to make it there. Helicopter parents ensure that their kids achieve their dreams (or most likely their parent’s dreams for them), so they oversee everything they do day in and day out. Even tech use is limited (a blessing for parents and a punishment for the kids) so they can focus more on studying and less dilly-dallying.

Meanwhile, things are done differently in other nations because of cultural differences and the big economic gap. Yet one thing remains, parents only want the best for their children and whether they are pushy or lenient in their upbringing reflects what they think is best for their kids from their own point of view with all factors taken into consideration.

The following blog article What’s It Like To Be A Parent Today See more on: Iamnotanartist.org Blog

source https://www.iamnotanartist.org/whats-it-like-to-be-a-parent-today/

Don’t Dilly Dally And Do Your Christmas Shopping Now

I’m sure many of you are aware by now that Christmas is already around the corner. Halloween is still a fresh memory for some and Thanksgiving is fast approaching but we know what follows next, right? Some people only got their eyes on Christmas especially the young because why shouldn’t they? It’s the most wonderful time of the year. And we know what’s as equally good as sumptuous meals and bonding with family and friends – Christmas presents. Some people put in a lot of effort and spend time in looking for or crafting the best presents for the people who mean the most to them. However, because of life responsibilities, many put off holiday shopping until about the last minute and panic at not completing their gifts yet and that prices have soared significantly and the choices limited. Meanwhile, the smart folks just find excellent sales online and get their shopping done quickly!

We must admit it that as easy as it may sound, gift-shopping is no easy task. First of all, you need extra money to pay for gifts and you need time to put together the list of people you are giving gifts to and what they would likely want to receive from you. It’s almost next to impossible if you’re a busy millennial today that juggles a lot of work, social, family, and personal tasks and issues on a day-to-day basis. And many times, most of you will likely put it off for as long as you can because you justify by saying that Christmas is still far away but reality check, that day will eventually come sooner rather than later. So, why not get started on it today when you still have time to choose for presents and not just grab the first thing you see on the shelves during last-minute shopping.

Plan ahead

This is crucial. Heading into town without a list of people you need to buy for and a vague idea of what their presents should be is how disasters like last year happen - when you forgot to get Aunty Sally anything and she cried and asked you why you can’t be more like your sister.

Carefully check and double check that you’ve got the right amount of names on your list – run past Mum if necessary. Then, work out a gift idea for each person. Write down the names of the shops that’ll sell it.

This is a no-fail Christmas shopping tip. Always plan ahead and do your research. You should know who to gives gifts to and what possible gifts to buy and then scout the local shopping scene in your area if where you can go to first or which shops sell the best deals among the items that you are looking for.

Don’t get hung up

You're not going to get the ‘perfect’ present through one day of shopping. You’ve got about as much chance of nailing Dad’s best ever present in the time you’ve given yourself than Donald Trump does of convincing us he’s not one of those aliens off The Simpsons in disguise.

You’re aiming for a ‘good’ level of present which means that, rather than trying to be totally unique, stick to standard dad gifts; DVDs, socks, books by comedians you don’t find funny… It’s time to accept defeat and do what you can in the time you’ve got left.

(Via: https://www.nowtolove.com.au/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/how-to-do-all-your-christmas-shopping-in-one-day-1-42794

Of course, we want to give perfect presents and not just any present to our loved ones but let’s be realistic too. You may have to scout several shops first before you can find something that catches your fancy and might meet your gift criteria that most importantly fits your budget. You don’t just buy any gift. Remember that. And while it is not possible to do it in one day alone, you can do so much quicker if you try another unconventional way of shopping that is common nowadays – online shopping.

Massey University Professor of Marketing Harald van Heerde said the digital age of shopping was already encroaching on consumer habits by way of cross-shopping.

"I think the big trend is this cross-shopping where consumers use multiple channels, physical stores and online, and they search both and then finally make the purchase either online or offline."

The professor said this situation, where consumers used physical stores as fitting rooms before purchasing items for a cheaper rate online, had already presented itself as a big fear for brick and mortar stores.

(Via: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503462&objectid=11944636)

Let’s face it. A big chunk of the population has chosen online shopping as their preferred way of buying things. It’s more convenient and you have just as many choices as the entire mall without having to walk a single step at all. Everything can be conveniently done with a click of a button and you’re good to go. Your items will be delivered to your doorstep. It’s no wonder many have given up on traditional shopping altogether as they hate the idea of shopping in crowded places for hours and still end up empty-handed because you did not find anything you like. Such an irony, really. It’s also to blame why many big establishments and malls are closing up as there are no more people coming there to buy. But for you, you no longer have to worry about finishing your Christmas list ahead of time by ordering online and you still have days to spare even after your orders have arrived to make time for gift-wrapping.

The blog post Don’t Dilly Dally And Do Your Christmas Shopping Now See more on: The I Am Not An Artist Blog

source https://www.iamnotanartist.org/dont-dilly-dally-and-do-your-christmas-shopping-now/

Advocating For Mental Health

Life is not easy but you learn to cope. However, there are people who have a hard time doing that. These people end up hurting/ cutting or starving themselves, bottling up their emotions leading to depression and even taking their own lives when nothing else works.

Being mentally healthy is important to not only function like a normal human being but to also keep your head above the problems you are facing. There are days that will really be too bad where you just want to curl up in bed and do nothing but eventually, you have to face reality and move on. That is the only way to live and thrive in this world we live in. It’s never easy but you got to keep trying.

Spending three months in a hospital bed is a tough pill to swallow for anyone. It's even more difficult when your anxiety kicks into high gear.

Joe Bietola has been anxious all his life. It came to a head when he fractured his leg, and was sent to Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare for several weeks. Confined to a room, unable to get around on his own, Bietola's anxiousness only got worse as each day passed. He described it like being a zombie in bed.

People cope differently. While we may all put up a good front on our social media accounts, deep down we are hiding our own demons we are too scared to face.

Bietola's leg injury wasn't the only thing getting treated. Mental health support was right at his fingertips.

"I wasn't sleeping. When they addressed it, I started to calm down, all the symptoms started to go [away]. They helped me really good," he said.

Simple things like talking with a trained mental health physician, being prescribed the correct anxiety medication or just getting out of the room helped ease his mind. A nurse and psychiatrist specifically focussed on his mental well-being saw him on a regular basis.

"A lot of times you don't feel like getting out of bed, but you have to force yourself," he said.

(Via: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/mental-health-doctors-help-discharge-patients-on-time-you-feel-better-1.4045962)

It is not unusual for a person to exhibit physical symptoms when their mental state is not in good shape. Even the royalties who live in luxury and the admiration of the public understands the importance of mental health. And what’s even more important is for everyone to overcome the stigma associated with it.

When it comes to attitudes to mental health in Britain, we are now at a "tipping point", the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry have said today, as they recruit a host of high-profile public figures to help "shatter the stigma".

The senior Royals have today launched the next stage of their Heads Together campaign: a series of 10 videos designed to spark "simple conversations" about mental health.

Starring the likes of Andrew Flintoff, Ruby Wax, Stephen Manderson and Alastair Campbell, the videos are part of the Royals' ongoing battle to break down the "walls of judgement" they perceive to be standing in the way of progress.

(Via: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/thinking-man/changing-minds-young-royals-video-campaign-tackle-mental-health/)

More people now begin to understand the correlation between physical health and mental health. But despite that, many of us still struggle because the world is much different now than in the past. Overexposure to social media can do that to you. You never knew you had so many deficiencies and insecurities until you see the lives of every person you know.

"I had more people crying in my office the day after the election than honestly I've had since the day after 9/11," Dan Hartman, a Philadelphia-based psychiatrist, told Philly.com about his patients’ reactions to Donald Trump becoming president. Four months in, the wounds are still fresh, and the Trump administration, with its trampling of rights, unending legislative chaos and wholesale disregard for the truth, continues to cause millions of heart palpitations, insomniac nights and untreatable migraines.

The White House occupants also remain steadfastly committed to wreaking havoc on our mental states. As Republicans pushed an insurance bill that would have done lasting damage to Americans’ mental and behavioral health well-being, clinicians reported the psychic wages of the Trump war against U.S. citizens. “Add up the additional medications prescribed, extra ER visits, delayed procedures, missed work, plus the fallout from other illnesses being relegated to the back burner, and you have the makings of a major medical toll from this election,” Danielle Ofri, a physician at Bellevue Hospital and professor of medicine at New York University, warned at Slate.

(Via: http://www.alternet.org/election-2016/5-ways-trump-mentally-torturing-us-now)

And this is what we all get for not knowing any better - a president who knows nothing about politics and proves it for the entire world to know after assuming office. None of the policies he has pushed for, so far, will do good for the nation – not even his immigration policies can save himself from messing up early in his administration.

And the majority of the population who did not support his candidacy are now suffering from poor mental health because they can’t comprehend that he really did win. We are talking about the future of an entire nation, not just a business enterprise, so we can understand pretty well why people suddenly suffer from anxiety or depression after his win. Now, he’s adding more damage to injury by depriving Americans of affordable health care. Can it possibly get any worse?

Advocating For Mental Health See more on: IANAA

source https://www.iamnotanartist.org/advocating-for-mental-health/

Why People Travel The World

Traveling is good for the soul. It not only lets you enjoy a new place, culture, food, and attractions but is refreshing to the soul. You get to experience many new firsts in your life while enjoying some well-deserved rest and relaxation – far away from the daily grind of life and the stressors you face each day back home.

While money is definitely an issue when it comes to traveling – especially international travels – there are different ways to make up for your lack of funds without totally eliminating the chance of going somewhere new.

“When you leave your hometown, your country you are not just experiencing something different abroad,” Hsu said. “You are not just learning something about somewhere else, but you are also learning a lot about where you came from. That is the part that people forget — that when you leave your comfort zone you’re the one who’s undergoing a change.”

(Via: http://www.idsnews.com/article/2017/03/speaker-shares-the-importance-of-travel-for-all-people)

And it couldn’t be any truer. Traveling opens up your eyes to the natural beauty and wonder of this world and the differences in culture from one place to another.

We all have busy lives now with classes and jobs, but when we graduate, life is only going to get more chaotic. We think traveling for college students is crucial because it allows us to gain more cultural and practical knowledge and first hand experience.

Traveling also allows everyone in general to become more empathetic for other people. We are extremely privileged to live in the United States, but sometimes we forget that some people in other parts of the world are not as privileged as we are.

There are also some cities and states within the U.S. that are not as privileged as others, and by traveling, you can gain some insight into how other people live. t’s always good to see points of view that are different from your own.

We also believe that, we as individuals who are in a state of growing, learn empathy from traveling. Through travel, we get to meet different kinds of people and we learn how differently expressive but how similar we all are. It is enriching to travel.

(Via: http://www.theutcecho.com/editorial-importance-of-travel/)

Meanwhile, there isn’t much travel going on in mainland US and the answer is pretty obvious. The various travel bans recently issued has put the US tourism in a major slump and it’s not good news for any business relying on tourists in making money.

The U.S. travel industry is worried that a slew of travel restrictions proposed by the Trump administration will damage foreign tourism and deal a blow to the economy. 

The White House’s ban on visitors from six majority-Muslim countries, now on hold due to litigation, is just one of several Trump policies that could affect the $250 billion travel sector. Travel groups are also concerned about tougher vetting of travel visas, increased airport detentions and new restrictions on fliers using electronic devices.

Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, said that while the nation’s security is a top priority, Trump’s new travel protocols could discourage or turn away the millions of legitimate U.S.-bound tourists who pour money into the economy every year. 

“Our message to the president is very simple: We support security because it’s job No. 1,” Dow said. 

“The easy message is to say America is closed to terrorism, but we’re wide open to legitimate travelers and we welcome them,” he said. “We want them.”

(Via: https://origin-nyi.thehill.com/policy/transportation/326413-us-travel-industry-fears-trump-slump)

Most people dream of traveling to far away places. While it remains to be a dream for some, there are people who strive to make their dreams happen. By visiting one place at a time, you’d be able to go see the places on your bucket list in time. Traveling is truly a gift and you should go explore as many places as you can while you're still young.

For an average American, you don’t have to go far because there are 49 states in the mainland you can visit aside from those outlying U.S. territories. If money is not an issue, then the world is your oyster. Just make sure you are a legally documented American citizen or you might have a hard time going back home when your vacation is over.

The following article Why People Travel The World Find more on: Iamnotanartist.org Blog

source https://www.iamnotanartist.org/why-people-travel-the-world/

Art Collections No More

All of us have a collection of sorts over the years. As a young child, you likely have collected various knick knacks that you found nice and fancy enough to show off to your friends. And your collection often reflects your interests during those periods of growing up. These collections may be considered as rubbish by others because most of them often lack in monetary value. However, they are the beginning of an obsession that the person will carry in his lifetime.

Among the most sought after is an art collection. This is an expensive and classy collection you can be proud of and even pass on to your children. Their value increases over time which makes owning one even better. Regardless of the style you like, there is something that will appeal to your senses and earn your thumbs up.

Every company wants to stand out in their industry. To make your company an original, you need to apply some artistic creativity to the decisions you make. The simplest way to tap into that innovative spirit may be to start learning about and collecting art. Although more and more tech moguls are breaking into the art-collecting world, that doesn’t mean it’s confined to the elite.

Even young entrepreneurs can get into the game if they play it right. In the 1960s, Herb and Dorothy Vogel, a postal service worker and a librarian, began collecting minimal and conceptual art. Despite financial limitations, they allotted a certain percentage of their salary to buying art. Over time, they collected more than 4,000 works of art, which could’ve netted the couple millions of dollars if that was their interest. Instead, the Vogels donated their collection to 50 institutions across 50 states.

The process of creating your art collection is an art form in its own right. When you’re passionate about the arts, you can commit to the long journey of collecting without worrying about what you’ll get out of it. And by supporting art institutions and artists, both you and your company can experience a wide range of benefits.

(Via: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/242588)

Art collections are such eye candies. You can spend a great deal of time immersed in each painting and witness how talent comes to life. But while we try to look at art and art collections as an artistic expression, we can’t help but notice that many art pieces also have political meanings.

Art has always been political, because art is part of the culture. Culture is based on shared values, and those are the result of group decisions. Group decision-making is the definition of politics.

Additionally, because patrons are important for artists, art has always commented on wealth or influence. Whether praising it, or critiquing it, art is inherently concerned with power. At its best, this includes patrons like the Medicis of Florence backing the works of the Renaissance giants. In our own era, this usually takes the form of the public funding creative work through direct purchase. When we buy a ticket to a Scorsese movie, we don’t think of ourselves as playing the role of a Rockefeller funding a filmmaker, but in effect, that’s what we’re doing. Bernini had Pope Urban VIII as his patron; The Pixies had the American consumer.

And we Americans are lucky enough to be the cradle of such a grand display of talent. The question now is, do the arts get the support it needs?

Nowhere is power and influence so concentrated as in New York City, and, unsurprisingly, the world of art resides there as well. It would be interesting to draw a map of the creative ley lines running between Manhattan, home of private art grants, and Washington, D.C., home of government art grants. Indeed, it is within these two cities that our story lies.

(Via: https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/01/podesta.html)

We can’t help but inject some political tone here because the culture and the arts are under some major political attack in the form of budget cuts.

As the Trump administration releases its first federal budget plan, it’s clear that weapons companies and wall builders make out spectacularly. While they plan to increase defense spending, pave a way for the border wall and increase school vouchers, everything else of importance to the American people gets cut or eliminated—like job training programs for seniors and disadvantaged youth, Meals on Wheels and medical research, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (which provides revenue for PBS and National Public Radio) just to name a few. 

Other programs proposed for elimination are the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Because who needs any kind of culture anyway, right?

(Via: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2017/3/16/1644167/-Who-needs-art-and-culture-anyway-Good-thing-because-they-are-not-included-in-Trump-s-budget-plans)

President Trump is probably one of the biggest hurdles the world of the arts (in America) has ever faced in recent years. The threat is real and people’s lives will be affected by this lack of funding. President Trump does not consider the arts as important as national defense, hence it is one of the first ones to go in his administration. A country devoid of the arts lacks an identity that a certain place exudes. Only a miracle can save the industry from the challenges it is now facing.

The following blog post Art Collections No More Read more on: https://www.iamnotanartist.org

source https://www.iamnotanartist.org/art-collections-no-more/

The Performing Arts Go Digital

If everything was set in black and white, the world would surely be such a boring and drab place to live in. The arts gave a new meaning to the world – allowing people to express their raw talent and inner creativity and bring some color and life to the world. We often associate the arts with artworks and art pieces but they are not the only form of artistic expression there is.

The performing arts are the fluid display of artistic talents in the form of music, dance, acting, and poetry among others. Their performances not only take your breath away but benefit you as well – whether you are the performer or the audience sitting in the crowd. Performers not only learn and enhance their skill set but get to mingle with people in their field who appreciates their talent or help grow their professional connection.

The site, performingartstutor.com, gives members space to advertise to the public and each other, connecting tutors with schools, as well as providing a place for parents and students to find individual teachers.

Launched by Laura Harwood, who has run performing arts schools in the past, the site is also a forum and resource library providing news, features and research for members.

Membership of the site costs £35 for an individual 12-month membership or £50 for a school or group for a year.

Harwood said independent training providers had traditionally been underrepresented professionally.

“These schools and individuals are the feeders for the next stage of professional training, which is well represented, and they want to ensure that their practice is relevant and meets the demands of the industry. The idea was to provide as much tried and tested support as possible in one place as well as information on the latest industry trends and research,” she told The Stage.

(Via: https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2017/online-network-performing-arts-training-launches/)

And since almost everything has gone digital these days, it makes perfect sense why the performing arts should also take advantage of the advancing technology to stay relevant in an increasingly globally competitive world. Many actually look down on artists and don’t take their contribution to society seriously but the truth is, the performing arts have helped shaped the world we live in for a long time now.

The daylong expo united art, science and engineering and showcased exhibitions, performances and panel discussions from faculty, guest artists and technologists, and students of all disciplines.  New technologies, prototypes and virtual environments were on display in nearly all corners of the institute.

“Every gallery is curated by a group of students.  Students submit work from all over the school and curators fight over what they want in their space,” said Ajay Kapur, associate dean for research and development in digital arts and Digital Arts Expo director.  “The staff are not involved… the students all bring it together.”

Kapur began the Digital Arts Expo six years ago as a “renegade show” in a CalArts hallway to showcase the work his students were doing in the classroom.

“It kept growing over the years,” he said.  “This gives them a venue to showcase the work of all disciplines.”

The Expo also showcased how art-fueled technologies can move across disciplines, as artists collaborate with one another and look for new ways to approach art, communication, engineering and design.

(Via: https://signalscv.com/2017/05/04/calarts-bridges-gap-art-science-engineering-digital-arts-expo/)

Artists can also make the most of the technology to bring their artistry to the next level. For instance, the Digital Arts Expo serves as a platform to showcasing the works of art of these artists in this digital day and age. It’s actually normal for artists to make use of the technology they have around them in their artistic expression. Throughout history, you’ll see artworks and performances depicting major issues faced in that period of history. We also use it now to understand ancient civilizations by studying artifacts they left behind in this world.

The blog article The Performing Arts Go Digital was initially seen on Iamnotanartist.org Blog

source https://www.iamnotanartist.org/the-performing-arts-go-digital/

A Festival That’s No Longer On Fire

Diversity defines our planet. From the various fauna and flora that abounds us, there are also countless breathing and living species inhabiting the earth. Humans have long since claimed superiority above everything else and made sure to put their mark all over the world – be it up in the skies, under the sea, or smack right in the middle on land. We may argue and disagree on a lot of things because of cultural diversity, language barriers, religious differences and much more but there are other ways on how we rectify our differences.

Festivals are a great way for people to come together and celebrate whatever needs celebrating. Whether it is a local festival celebrated in your hometown, a generic holiday celebrated by almost everyone all over the world like Christmas and New Year, an exotic celebration somewhere in the Pacific, or an event for a specific cause, going to festivals is a great way to learn more about the world and other cultures of people living in faraway places. You may also have the time of your life while you are at it.

Fyre Festival founders Ja Rule and Billy McFarland have reportedly been "barred" from holding another festival in the Bahamas next year. 

According to Complex, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism will not allow Fyre Festival to return in 2018, and plans to enforce a "stricter vetting system" for future music festivals. 

McFarland, a tech entrepreneur, had previously revealed that he plans on hosting another edition of Fyre Festival next year. 

Speaking to Rolling Stone, he said: "We were a little naive in thinking for the first time we could do this ourselves. Next year, we will definitely start earlier. The reality is, we weren't experienced enough to keep up."

Fyre Festival's first ever event was launched last weekend, and was billed as a "cultural moment created from an alchemic blend of music, art and food", promoted by a wealth of "social influencers" including Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid and Hailey Baldwin. 

(Via: https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/fyre-festival-bahamas-barred-organisers-ja-rule-billy-mcfarland-lawyers-tickets-latest-a7714816.html)

This is one example, though, of a festival that went all wrong. It had the formula of a sure hit. The festival was endorsed by the biggest names in Hollywood and social media and the perfect island to accommodate them with an outrageous theme alongside an equally outrageous price tag. Unfortunately, the organizers failed to deliver what they promised and everyone is beyond upset about the whole thing.

The ticketing vendor Tablelist has filed the latest lawsuit against the organizers of Fyre Festival, Billboard reports. The Boston-based start-up is seeking $3.5 million to refund its customers, claiming the promoters of the disastrous event in the Bahamas have yet to repay "a penny" to clients.

The suit was filed in Suffolk County Superior Court in Boston and names Fyre organizers Billy McFarland and Jeffrey "Ja Rule" Atkins, marketing director Grant Margolin and financial backer Carola Jain as defendants. They are accused of breach of contract and fraudulently deceiving Tablelist and ticket purchasers.

"We filed suit only after it became apparent to us that those behind Fyre Festival weren’t being square with us or our customers," Tableist CEO Julian Jung tells Rolling Stone in a statement. "I understand the anger that so many ticket purchasers feel. In fact, we share their anger and outrage. We are convinced that McFarland and the Fyre team weren't simply incompetent in hosting the event. We believe that they went into this project with intent to defraud us, the ticket purchasers and countless other vendors. 

(Via: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/ticket-vendor-tablelist-sues-fyre-fest-for-35-million-w482615)

The extent of the damage caused by this massive festival mishap is becoming more apparent to everyone as the days go by. People want their money back – that is without a question. Even ticketing vendors are upset about the whole fiasco, sharing the sentiments of everyone who paid for the festival regardless if they got to the island or not. They now believe that the organizers of the said event, namely Ja Rule and Billy MacFarland, intended on duping everyone right from the beginning.

This is just a perfect example of a festival gone badly before it even ignited. However, let’s all hope this won’t dampen the spirit of festival-goers all over the world, so we can all still be merry and have fun while immersing in different cultures and traditions while wiggling to the beat.

The article A Festival That’s No Longer On Fire was originally published on https://www.iamnotanartist.org

source https://www.iamnotanartist.org/a-festival-thats-no-longer-on-fire/

Phone Tips For When You Travel

Traveling has become a favorite past time of many mainly because airfare became cheaper and navigation isn’t that difficult anymore with the help of smart gadgets and the World Wide Web. Going to different places all over the globe also give you a chance to level up your social media game. You get to take photos in exotic locations or immerse in the local culture that will sure earn you the thumbs up of your friends and followers alike. Others even make money from their traveling experiences especially if they have blogs where they can share what happened during their travel, thereby monetizing your blog.

Your phone can make a big difference to your travels. You can take gorgeous selfies and pictures with it and at the same time use it as a navigation and communication tool. You’ll never get lost again with this in hand. While a smartphone is generally helpful, you should also be aware of data charges or voltage requirements when traveling overseas. Turn off your cell data before stepping on the plane or risk getting shocked of outrageous data charges abroad.

Planning for a vacation or a business travel outside the country is usually fun. However, there are still things to consider to make the travel a safe and convenient one. One thing to make sure that the travel is hassle-free is to set up devices especially mobile phones to cater an international travel.

There are several ways to prep up a phone for an international travel. One way is to maximize the use of Wi-Fi to access social media accounts and other ways of communicating aside from texting and calling through the subscribed network. Be sure to turn off cellular data when going overseas.

If just using the Wi-Fi is not enough to make the overseas trip convenient, take the subscribed American plan abroad. Go to the nearest service center of the subscribed mobile service and avail of the global package. Several network providers offer packages that consist of limited mobile data and unlimited text messages to numerous other countries.

(Via: http://www.itechpost.com/articles/97673/20170503/tips-set-up-phone-international-travel.htm)

The use of messaging apps is also helpful in staying connected to the web and close to your friends and loved ones during your travel. If you’re going to exotic places, be prepared for poor Internet connection. You can purchase a local prepaid sim, though, so you can avail of available and affordable Internet promos. Just make sure your phone is compatible to the sim before doing just that.

As a general rule—since so few of us change our habits when we change our locations—sticker shock is often the case when we return home from a trip and get our cell phone bills.

So, I turn data and roaming off on my phone the minute I leave the country.

When you begin to count the number of text messages you receive during a regular day and calculate how much some companies charge, it’s outrageous.

My suggestion? Patience.

Text your friends before you leave home and tell them to email you during your trip.

Then use the free WiFi in your hotel lobby, or if the hotel provides it, free WiFi in your hotel room.

(Via: https://petergreenberg.com/2017/02/23/using-smartphone-traveling-internationally/)

While not all public areas have free access to Wifi, you can count on your hotel to provide one for free in the lobby if not in the rooms. While taking a break on your strolls and sightseeing, you can likewise take a quick caffeine fix in a cozy and charming café while taking advantage of the free WiFi service to get connected to the online world before hitting the streets once more. Hotspot service is also a thing now. You can subscribe to it, so you can access various WiFi hotspots all over the world wherever your destination may be.

The following article Phone Tips For When You Travel is available on Iamnotanartist.org Blog

source https://www.iamnotanartist.org/phone-tips-for-when-you-travel/

The Power Of Online Advertising

The world is cluttered with all sorts of products, services, or just about anything else man can think of today. The population is growing, which also means there is a bigger market you can tap or possibly an entirely new audience for whatever you have in mind. After all, many of the things we now use today started as nothings yet they were able to change people’s perspectives until everyone can no longer live without these good or services in their lives. The Internet has a lot to do with all these changes and it is a platform that has totally changed the way we all live our lives today.

Business owners can now sell to an international market and not just to the ones back home because of the power of the web. With just a click of a button, consumers from various parts of the world can shop for the things they like in an instant and it is even made more comfortable as these products are delivered right to their doorsteps. To stay competitive in the global market, entrepreneurs must utilize whatever tools they have readily available at their disposal and it greatly involves the web. Online advertising is the new norm and there are various ways for you to get noticed by consumers if you just know what you are doing.

Wal-Mart has been quietly building up its online advertising business, opening up a new revenue channel for the retail giant.

According to KeyBanc's Ed Yruma, Wal-Mart's website has started to show banner ads by third-party sellers more frequently, with links to product pages or vendor websites. Historically, Wal-Mart's online ads have highlighted its own products or discounts, Yruma said.

On top of that, Wal-Mart has recently started linking its in-store and online shopping data, giving more in-depth data that advertisers could play with, he said. Wal-Mart already offers plenty of online ad options, including display media, native ads and programmatic buying programs.

"We believe Walmart recently began intensifying focus on its advertising business," Yruma wrote in a note published this week.

(Via: https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/11/walmart-is-quietly-growing-its-online-advertising-business.html)

Big companies know how crucial it is to maintain your online presence on the web. Staying relevant has become synonymous with staying competitive in today’s market. Online advertising offers you all the perks of traditional advertising but on a platform that is the most widely used today.

Google and Facebook should look over their shoulders.

Online advertising, which is one of Amazon's fastest growing businesses right now, competes directly with them.

According to the company's second quarter earnings, Amazon's "other" sales category grew more than anything else. 

That category includes Amazon's advertising business, as well as other items like cobranded credit cards.

It saw more growth in the quarter than Amazon's massive money-spinner AWS, and more than actual retail sales.

(Via: http://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-advertising-business-is-growing-faster-than-anything-else-2017-7)

Just look at Amazon. Its humble beginnings as an online bookstore are way buried now in history books as it emerged to be an e-commerce giant alongside eBay and become even more when it comes to online advertising. With roughly 51% in growth yearly, Amazon’s other category is racking in more money for the company than their actual sales business.

Public companies like Rubicon Project are looking for buyers, and those that are getting acquired — like Rocket Fuel — are pulling in a fraction of their once lofty valuations.

Plus of course, there's the looming sense that Facebook and Google are taking over the world.

If any ad tech company has been able to stay above the fray, it has been The Trade Desk, which specializes in helping ad agencies buy ads using software. Since it went public, the company has seen its valuation climb steadily. It debuted with a price of $18 and it is currently trading for in the $50-plus range. The firm reports earnings next week.

(Via: http://www.businessinsider.com/the-trade-desk-ceo-is-cheering-on-the-industrys-shakeup-2017-8)

The freedom given by online advertising to businesses is the best perk it offers to entrepreneurs especially that the web is so big and saturating it is next to impossible without the right tools in hand. The best part of online advertising is that there are various types you can use that will work best for your business from SEO, PPC, Blogging, Social Network Advertising, Rich Media Ads, Affiliate Marketing, and many others. Take advantage of this powerful medium in selling your product or service and you can never go wrong. You’ll see your profits increase as your business grows in a tech-dominated world.

The post The Power Of Online Advertising See more on: The IANAA Blog

source https://www.iamnotanartist.org/the-power-of-online-advertising/

How Instagram Messes Up With Your Mental Health

Social media brought out the narcissist in us. The word “selfie” was eventually recognized by most dictionaries because people loved taking their photos and posting it on social media. While initially, photos reminded us of important milestones in our lives, too much picture taking has bordered into the extreme. Many people post their every move on social media, which isn’t entirely necessary as not everyone is interested in every detail of their lives.

Another issue with social media is how you only show off the good side of your life. It gives others the impression that your life is perfect. It’s very apparent with the social network, Instagram. They even coined the term “Instagram-worthy or IG-worthy photos” when posting pictures on this channel because most posts describe perfection in a picture. Others get insecure that their lives aren’t as glamorous as their friends and start doubting their self-worth. That’s when Instagram became more of a curse rather than a blessing.

Instagram is the most detrimental social networking app for young people's mental health, followed closely by Snapchat, according to a new report by the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) in the UK.

Their study, #StatusofMind, surveyed almost 1500 young people aged 14 to 24 on how certain social media platforms impact health and wellbeing issues such as anxiety, depression, self-identity and body image.

YouTube was found to have the most positive impact, while Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook and Twitter all demonstrated negative affects overall on young people's mental health.

Instagram -- the image-saturated app with over 700 million users worldwide -- topped the list in terms of negative impact, most notably among young women, stated the report, published Friday.

Instagram draws young women to "compare themselves against unrealistic, largely curated, filtered and Photoshopped versions of reality," Matt Keracher, author of the report, told CNN.

(Via: http://edition.cnn.com/2017/05/19/health/instagram-worst-social-network-app-young-people-mental-health/)

A person’s mental health is compromised by seeing almost perfect photos of families, friends, and even strangers filling up their phone’s screen. And because most people are none the wiser as to which photos were curated or not, they tend to accept it as real on face value that leads to an intense feeling of depression and insecurity. Aside from that, it is not healthy to be so obsessed with social media. It takes your time away from more important life realities and prevents you from establishing meaningful relationships with the people around you.

Instagram is one of the biggest social media network sites, with millions of people worldwide posting images on the platform every day.

However, while it's incredibly popular, it has been rated the worst social media site for young people's mental health, according to a recent survey.

According to the Royal Society for Public Health, a survey suggests it has the most negative impact on users.

The survey also found the app could put users at risk of suffering loneliness, depression and body image anxiety.

(Via: http://www.ok.co.uk/celebrity-feature/1077141/the-worrying-reason-why-instagram-could-be-harmful-to-mental-health-according-to-a-recent-survey)

Perhaps another reason why Instagram shatters a person’s mental health and confidence is because it is heavily image-based unlike other SNS like Facebook where you can see a variety of content.

But with a new campaign aimed at addressing mental health issues, Instagram is trying to (gently) alter this equation. Dubbed #HereForYou, the initiative highlights users and communities on the social network who are raising “awareness about mental health and the importance of finding support,” founder and chief executive Kevin Systrom said in a blog post. By clicking on selected hashtags (including #HereForYou, along with other, more specific hashtags), the goal is to make it easier for users grappling with mental health-related issues to find resources on the platform.

In a video announcing the project, three Instagramers share their own, varied struggles with mental health, and how the platform helped them cope. “Through Instagram, I was able to connect with other girls who were going through similar things,” says Elyse Fox, 27. “My main thing is to bring girls together and let girls know they aren’t alone.”

(Via: http://fortune.com/2017/05/08/instagram-mental-health/)

You can’t help but feel depressed when you see other people fare better in life than you. It’s quite understandable, really. But when it became the focal point of your day, that’s when your social media obsession becomes detrimental to your health. But despite knowing that photos posted on social media are heavily curated and their owners are only posting the best shot of the day, many still can’t help but feel bad for themselves after seeing these filtered pictures.

To improve Instagram’s image, they are now taking initiatives to address this connection between the use of their app to the prevalence of mental health issues by allowing users to anonymously flag posts that are suggesting of underlying mental issues and redirect the user to mental health organizations that can help them. While it isn’t the ultimate solution, it is one step closer to addressing the problem with too much social media use and its negative effects to one’s health.

The blog post How Instagram Messes Up With Your Mental Health is republished from IANAA

source https://www.iamnotanartist.org/how-instagram-messes-up-with-your-mental-health/

Streaming Is The New TV

That big black box where a moving picture with sounds is shown has always been the highlight of every home. Most families bonded over a movie or two and family members always had a favorite television show they wait for in anticipation weekly. As the years went by, the picture quality improved and you no longer had to watch black and white shows but colored ones. Then came cable TV. Others who don’t want to wait for shows to be aired rented or bought Betamax and VHS tapes until they became available in VCD and DVD format. But with the popularity of the Internet these days, streaming became the preference of many and in a way, it has replaced the role of television in our lives.

If you are clueless as to what Internet streaming really is, it actually is otherwise known as background downloading. It’s basically related to regular downloading but with a twist. You don’t need to wait for long to be able to view a video clip you are downloading because you can already watch it while it downloads. Another difference between the two is that you don’t keep or save a copy of the video you download when you stream. You have to stream it again if you want to watch the same clip once more.

Netflix is the most popular streaming service in the U.S. with more than 52 million households watching last year compared to second place Amazon with only half that audience.

But the growth rate of U.S. subscribers has declined, leading to greater emphasis on acquiring international customers and now the deal with Chinese streaming site iQIYI.

“Their strategy has been to grow quickly, and generally they’ve been pretty successful in that they are present in every major market in the world other than China, although now with this licensing deal they do appear now to be gaining a foothold in the Chinese market as well. The size of the Chinese market is of course remarkable and potentially important to Netflix. And it’s also growing in that the companies in China are moving from an advertising-based model to a more subscription-based model,” ;Thomas Altura of San Jose State University’s School of Management said.

Netflix declined to interviewed, but did put out a statement that said expectations of the deal are modest in scope. The statement also said ‘Our cooperation will be subject to the relevant regulations on online streaming of imported drama and film content in China.’

(Via: https://america.cgtn.com/2017/05/09/netflix-looks-to-expand-streaming-services-into-chinese-market)

People often watch music videos, TV series or movies when they stream. Netflix and Youtube are among the favorite streaming sites of Internet users nowadays. You only have to wait for a few seconds before the video starts playing and buffering depends on your Internet connection. People from all over the world are streaming videos almost daily now, thanks to social media that also helps promote these videos that are shared on people’s newsfeed.

Less than a quarter of television viewers around the world prefer to watch shows on regular TV monitors, a dramatic drop that reflects the increasing use of computers and smartphones for entertainment, according to a survey released Monday.

The report from Accenture, a business strategy and technology consulting firm, said the percentage of people surveyed online last fall in 26 countries who said the TV monitor was their first choice dropped by 55 percent compared with a year earlier.

Only 25 percent of Americans said they prefer viewing on TVs, compared with 59 percent just a year ago, Accenture said. Just 10 percent of residents in India preferred TVs, compared with 47 percent a year before.

(Via: http://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/Only-a-quarter-of-Americans-want-to-watch-shows-11090839.php)

The rise of smart gadgets also helped this shift in the people’s viewing preference. You can easily watch a video you want from your smartphone as long as you have a stable Internet connection. Also, Internet access became more affordable and accessible to the masses, so there’s no reason now for the average Joe to miss out on the benefits of streaming.

Many teens and young adults today actually prefer to watch from the comfort of their smart gadgets rather than turn on the TV and wait for a show they like and suffer in silence as they watch the commercials in between. They can even watch while on the go. It’s no wonder people claim that smart gadgets and the Internet have rendered “boredom” obsolete in this day and age. Why settle for the waiting game of TV watching when you can watch the show you want when you want it simply by streaming.

Streaming Is The New TV was initially published to I Am Not An Artist Blog

source https://www.iamnotanartist.org/streaming-is-the-new-tv/