All posts by The Silo

Earth

WILLIAMS F1 RACING TO BECOME CLIMATE POSITIVE BY 2030

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Grove, Oxfordshire UK: Williams Racing, one of the most successful teams in Formula One history, commits to a far-reaching climate change target.  Building on the progress the global motorsport industry has made on sustainability in recent years, Williams Racing goes further than any other race team or motor racing series in the world, to commit to becoming climate positive by 2030.  

To achieve this ambitious goal, Williams Racing has developed a series of robust technological and data driven initiatives, as part of a comprehensive purpose driven sustainability strategy, aiming to address some of the most important environmental and societal challenges facing Formula One, global sport and the planet.

The Williams Racing Sustainability Strategy, which has been developed over the course of the last year after extensive expert analysis, is based around five key pillars: Climate Action, Biodiversity Stewardship, Sustainable Innovation, Industry Access for All and Purpose Driven Leadership. Each pillar defines actions that Williams will be taking in the short and medium term to accelerate the transition to a better planet. Adding further transparency and accountability, each objective will be measured, audited and annually reported.

Williams is committed to learning and sharing best practices from all sectors and adhering to international initiatives. Accordingly, this strategy brings its emissions reduction target in line with the below 2 degrees Celsius target of the Paris Climate Agreement and UN Climate Change Global Agenda. Williams Racing is now the first Formula One Team to be a signatory of the UNFCCC, UN Sports for Climate Action Framework. In addition, Williams Racing Sustainability objectives are aligned with 12 of the 17 United Nations Development Goals (SDGs).  Williams Racing is also aligned with industry specific standards and has recently gained FIA Three-star environmental accreditation.   

Jost Capito, CEO, Williams Racing: “Williams Racing is a pioneer in Formula One and the racing world and has a strong heritage developing Formula One technology and transferring it to the EV and sustainable transport and energy sectors. We are living in a time when our planet and society is changing faster than ever. Building on the progress the global motorsport industry has made on sustainability in recent years, we have taken time to thoroughly analyse our entire operation and develop a comprehensive purpose driven, Sustainability Strategy to accelerate our sustainable transformation. As a team, we wanted to push the envelope and be the pace setter for sustainability in global motorsport and in the wider automotive industry. So today we are making the commitment to be climate positive by 2030 and we will be using our knowledge to nurture and develop advanced technology to meet this goal.

“We know where we are strong and understand where improvement is required and we are open to learning from others and sharing best practices in pursuit of our ambitious objectives. To help raise the baseline of sustainable performance in our industry, we welcome interaction and partnerships with key motorsport stakeholders, automotive companies, brands and organisations who share our vision.” 

“As a huge global sporting platform, Formula One has the power to inspire millions of people across the world and as the pinnacle of so many advanced technologies, Formula One has the ability to create technical solutions to help tackle the challenges we face as a planet. As we progress towards our goal to be climate positive in the years ahead, my hope is that Williams Racing can inspire all those connected with our sport and beyond, using motorsport as a catalyst for significant and long-lasting change.”

The five key pillars of the Williams Racing Sustainability Strategy

Climate Action, covers the strategy and targets for how the team will reduce carbon emissions for travel and energy consumption at HQ, reduce waste and water usage and over time create its own energy, on its journey to becoming climate positive.  

Biodiversity Stewardship, covers the strategy and targets for how the team protect and preserve the biodiversity on the 60 acres of the HQ campus, including the Letcombe Brook – one of only 240 chalk streams in the world.  

Sustainable Innovation, covers the strategy and targets to foster sustainable and innovative solutions that tackle global challenges in and outside of F1™. This includes Williams Racing undertaking full life cycle management of its racing cars, deploying circular economy strategies within the team and being actively involved in projects such as carbon capture technologies.

Industry Access for All, covers the strategy and targets to make motorsport more accessible by creating an environment in which anyone can thrive, and a workforce that reflects our community through academy programmes, scholarships and Esports.

Purpose Driven Leadership, covers the strategy and targets for Williams Racing to act as pace setters for sustainability within the motorsport industry. Building a strong, transparent and accountable culture in our team, at races, with our partners, suppliers, local community and fans.

Lindita Xhaferi-Slihu, Sector Engagement in Climate Action, Lead, from the UNFCCC commented “We are pleased to welcome Williams Racing as a signatory to the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework. The team is the first Formula One Team joining the Framework, sending a clear signal on the growing importance of setting clear climate targets and of using the sport and technologies as a catalyst for change. We look forward to working together with Williams Racing to deliver on the goals of the Framework.”

The Williams Racing Sustainability Strategy was developed with support from Enovation Consulting, a purpose driven sustainability and strategic management agency.

About Williams Racing

Williams Grand Prix Engineering Limited’s core competencies are the design and development of racing cars to compete in the Formula One World Championship. As one of the world’s leading Formula One teams, the company has secured 16 FIA Formula One World Championship titles since its foundation in 1977. Nine of these titles have been won in the Constructors’ Championship in association with Cosworth, Honda and Renault. The remaining seven titles were won in the Drivers’ Championship with Alan Jones, Keke Rosberg, Nelson Piquet, Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve.

About Enovation Consulting

Enovation Consulting is a purpose-driven sustainability and strategic management agency with the mission to drive positive and meaningful changes through sport. We deliver creative and innovative research-based solutions that empower our clients to integrate sustainability into their business strategies – delivering on their short, medium and long-term ESG goals.

About UNFCCC Sports for Climate Action Framework

The UNFCCC Sports for Climate Action Framework is the UN Climate Change initiative, a climate action for sport movement of sports organizations and their stakeholders. This initiative aims at supporting and guiding sports actors in achieving global climate change goals, offering a forum where participants can pursue climate action in a consistent and mutually supportive fashion by learning from each other, disseminating good practices, lessons learned, developing new tools, and collaborating on areas of mutual interest. Signatories commit to a series of principles and goals which are incorporated into their strategies, policies and procedures.

Reviews

Arctic Blue Carbonator Able to Carbonate ANY Beverage

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Ann Arbor, MI – Drinkmate , a leader in the home carbonation category, has expanded their innovative line of home carbonating systems to include a new Arctic Blue model- sure to spice up any countertop.

More than a home soda maker

Carbonated beverage lovers can now add a pop of blue to their kitchens while enjoying healthier drinks from carbonated water to juice, and even cocktails. The new Arctic Blue color is a soft, pure, breezy bay blue with a twilight blue undertone. The perfect compliment to any kitchen, Drinkmate enables users to add personality with the new 2021 color expansion. The Arctic Blue home carbonator joins the existing color line that includes black, red, and white models.

Easy Hook up


Drinkmate’s countertop unit is one of the leading home carbonation systems available in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Its proprietary technology allows consumers to carbonate any kind of beverage safely and quickly.

Carbonate ANY kind of beverage


“We’re excited to offer carbonated beverage lovers with our new Arctic Blue model,” said Douglas Wang, Chief Executive Officer of Drinkmate.
“It’s always been part of our mission to provide aesthetically pleasing units that don’t distract from our consumers’ decorating style. With the Arctic Blue expansion, they can now choose a pop of bright color to represent their unique personality.”


The new Drinkmate Arctic Blue carbonator is available online at Drinkmate.us and coming to other major retailers throughout North America later this year. MSRP $99.95 usd.

About Drinkmate

Drinkmate’s mission is to allow consumers to get creative in discovering new beverages, drink healthier and have fun, while reducing plastic bottle waste. Its proprietary technology allows the consumer to carbonate any kind of beverage safely and quickly. Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the company serves as the global headquarters for the Drinkmate brand with operations in Asia, Europe and the Americas. For more information, please visit www.Drinkmate.us.

Gaming

Minecraft is most malware infected game

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228k Users Affected, Are You One Of Them?

As people are looking for ways to unwind at home, the gaming industry has been one of the primary places people set their eyes on. Not only is it a way to entertain yourself for hours on end, but it is also a place for people to connect, which is otherwise hard to do during the pandemic. 

According to data presented by the Atlas VPN team, 303,827 individuals’ devices were affected by gaming-related malware and unwanted software between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021. Mobile games are also a major threat for gamers.

As many as 50,644 users attempted to download 10,488 unique files disguised as the ten most-played mobile games, generating a total of 332,570 detections. Minecraft was by far the most popular game on both PC and mobile platforms for dangerous app distributors to hide behind. On PC, nearly 185 thousand users were affected with over 3 million malware and unwanted software detections.

On mobile, the number of victims exceeds 44 thousand for the period.

Unwanted software includes files like adware, spyware, and so on. There are various versions of Minecraft and a plethora of mods (modifications that may be placed on top of the basic game to diversify gameplay) may account for its enormous popularity. Because mods are unofficial and developed by users, they can be used to hide dangerous payloads or undesirable software. 

Security tips for gamers

  • Protect your accounts with two-factor authentication (2-FA) whenever possible. 
  • Use strong passwords for your accounts, with a different one for each. That way, even if one of your accounts is compromised, the remainder will remain unaffected.
  • Downloading games from official retailers such as Steam, Apple App Store, Google Play, or Amazon Appstore is safer. These marketplaces aren’t completely safe, but they are at least examined by store staff, and there is some sort of screening procedure in place: not every app is allowed into these stores.
  • If you want to buy a game that isn’t accessible in major stores, you should do it through the official website. Make sure to double-check the website’s URL to avoid impostor sites.
  • Be cautious of phishing campaigns and unfamiliar players. If you are unsure about the sender, do not open links you receive via email or in a gaming chat. Do not open files sent to you by strangers.

Another one of the most well-known game titles worldwide, The Sims 4, was the second most often used title to distribute unwanted files. Over 43 thousand users were impacted, with detections closing in on 1.3 million.  For the Silo, Valentina Perez.

Gaming

EML Flexing Global Gaming Muscles At G2E Las Vegas

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EML’s notorious worldwide dominance of the gaming payments experience is fully on show at Global Gaming Expo 2021.

EML Payments (ASX: EML) (S&P/ASX 200) is excited to exhibit at Global Gaming Expo (G2E) presented by the American Gaming Association (AGA) at The Venetian Expo, Las Vegas, Nevada, today- October 7. This premier event has achieved cult status amongst gaming superfans. EML will be at the center of the action at Booth 3511, having consistently attracted and retained major gaming industry clients through market-leading results.

EML, the home of gaming Payments-as-a-Service (PaaS), substantially increases gaming revenues by turning online winnings into revenue by providing a low friction solution for clients and their players.

EML energizes and invigorates commercial gaming tribes:

· 2X – active cardholders known to double their playing days

· 10X – active cardholders deposit up to 10 times more

· 10X – active cardholders can be over 10 times more profitable

· 12X – active cardholders place up to 12 times more wagers

”Our super flexible global platform with diverse pay-in/pay-out options has successfully served the entire gaming industry for almost a decade,” confirmed Ailie Kofoid, CEO Americas at EML.

EML’s visitors at G2E can enquire about the company’s free digital card giveaway and learn how its comprehensive end-to-end solution allows clients to save time, reduce payment costs and improve customer experience – all while increasing profits on gameplay.

About EML Payments

EML provides an innovative payment solutions platform, helping businesses all over the world create awesome customer experiences. Wherever money is in motion, our agile technology can power the payment process, so money can be moved quickly, conveniently and securely. We offer market-leading programme management and highly skilled payments expertise to create customisable feature-rich solutions for businesses, brands and their customers.

Culture

Change Your Life Today By Starting A Fantastic New Career

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Lots of people will tell you they’re fed up with work due to the pandemic. Why do something that makes you miserable for the rest of your life? It is possible to change careers right now but you’ll need a little money. 

Unless you invest in your new career, you might end up in the same kind of job you already have. It’s why everyone should seriously consider taking out a loan. Here are some jobs you’ll be able to start after training. 

Drive A Truck Long Distance 

Even if you’re in a tough financial position at the moment, you can get a truck driver’s license. Just find a company that deals with the responsible lending of bad credit loans and you’ll have a much better chance of being approved. 

Once you get your truck driver’s license it’s easy to find a job because North America is desperate for drivers. Would you enjoy making deliveries all over the country? It’s perfect if you love driving and lots of freedom. 

Operate A Forklift In A Yard 

If you don’t want to drive long distances, it’s still possible to use your loan to get a license. How would you feel about operating a forklift in a yard? You’ll spend all day picking things up and carrying them around. 

When you check the loan calculator of money lending websites, it’s clear to see you’ll make enough money to pay everything back within a few months. There are even opportunities to work with bigger machinery in the future. 

Becoming A Personal Trainer 

Even though it’s easy to become a personal trainer you will need a certification. It doesn’t matter if you’ve spent the last decade in the gym. If you don’t have a certification you won’t get insurance and a client could sue you. 

It’s great if you like working out because you’ll be able to train people in their homes. A great way to spend winter when it’s cold. If you find it easy to get clients you’ll be able to pay back a loan fast. 

Learn How To Code At A Camp 

I’m sure you’ve heard it’s possible to get a great job once you know how to code. If you don’t want to study at college, you’ll be able to attend a code camp. It’s somewhere you’ll learn everything you need to get a job. 

Code camps are also good because you get to network with other people with similar interests. It makes it easier to find a job. If you want to pay back the loan quicker, start freelancing at night while you’re at the camp. 

Teach People To Speak English 

Even if you live in English-speaking countries it’s possible to get a job teaching people English. If you want to teach English you will need a TEFL certificate to get started, but you might not need a college degree. 

One of the reasons why it’s a great career is because you’ll be able to teach all over the world when you feel like traveling. Would you enjoy teaching in South Korea, China, or Brazil somewhere down the line? 

It’s Worth Getting A Loan 

If you can find a career where it’s easy to find a job, the loan isn’t going to be a problem. You’ll be able to start working in a new industry within weeks or months. 

Finance

Why Everyone Should Strive To Pay Off Their Mortgage Quicker

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Lots of people struggle to get a mortgage in the first place. It’s especially hard now because homes are so expensive. You start to think you’ll be paying off your mortgage for the rest of your life. 

Luckily, your finances will probably improve considerably over time. When they go up you should look into paying your mortgage early. Let’s look at some of the top reasons why it’s something you should aim for in the future. 

Extra Money To Enjoy Yourself 

Get It on Credit - Wikipedia

If people need to take out bad credit loans in Toronto, ON, they won’t have lots of disposable income. When you don’t have great credit you can’t enjoy yourself, but that’s not the case when you’re older. 

When you have more disposable income after paying off a mortgage, you’ll have much more money to spend on luxuries. If you need to keep paying a huge chunk of your income towards a mortgage your life won’t be as fun. 

Saving Lots Of Money In Interest 

Once you walk into Clover Mortgage Brokers in Toronto & GTA, they’ll let you know how much you can spend on a home. But it’s going to be a lot more over the lifetime of the mortgage due to interest payments. 

When you pay interest on a loan, it makes up a big chunk of your monthly payments in the beginning. The amount of interest you pay drops over time, but if you pay off the mortgage early you’ll no longer have to pay it.

 

Why Choose a Mortgage Broker in Canada? | Hatch Mortgages

It Eats Into Any Debts You Have 

Over the course of a lifetime, couples can generate a huge amount of debt. College tuition, car payments, and credit cards can sometimes be quite high. These debts won’t disappear once you pay your mortgage. 

Fortunately, once your mortgage is gone you’ll be able to focus 100% of your efforts on your other debts. It will take you one step closer to becoming debt-free, so you’ll have one less thing to worry about. 

A Mortgage Is A Secured Loan 

When you take out a mortgage it’s classified as a secure loan, which means when you don’t pay the loan they’ll be able to take your home away. In a perfect world, you’ll have as few secured loans as possible. 

You could pay a credit card instead of a mortgage, but it would mean they could take your home. Even though you won’t miss your credit card payments, they couldn’t take your home even if you did completely ignore them because a credit card isn’t classified as a secure loan. 

It’s Easier To Enjoy Retirement 

Nobody should have to pay debts when they’re retired. Sadly, so many people are struggling now, so it’s much more common than you think. It will eventually start to hurt your mental and physical health. 

How can you enjoy retirement if you’re always worrying? Maybe you’ll even have to stay on at work because you can’t afford to retire. Pay off your mortgage to ensure you don’t have any stress when you retire. 

Debt Isn't About Right Or Wrong - It's About Freedom

Don’t Leave It Too Late 

Nobody is saying you should try to pay off your mortgage as soon as possible, but it’s something you’ve got to start considering as the years go by. 

Finance

Influence of COVID-19 on luxury refurbished market

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The luxury market was one of the most adversely affected industries during the pandemic.

Between 2020 and 2021, people were stuck in lockdown to help prevent the spread, and as a result did not have a reason to go out purchasing luxury products.

Tax Implications if you are an NRI stuck in India due to COVID Lockdown - Tax and accounting services for domestic and overseas Indians | GKMTax.in

This naturally affected the sales of the luxury market, as jobs were being lost and the priority shifting from spending money to saving money. Luxury products are still desired, however getting access to brand new products was not manageable for the vast majority. This is where the business model, coined by Simon Kronenfeld came into play, which helped more individuals get access to luxury products.   

If you’re wondering who Simion Kronenfeld is, he is a business expert known for his revolutionary approach of re-selling refurbished products.

His business model had a strong impact towards the luxury market. Prior to 2001, consumers were only able to gain access to new luxury products and if the products had any damages they would be returned to the company. This created a problem as the company could no longer sell these unpackaged products. Nevertheless, Simon Kronenfeld found a solution. (Kronenfeld is a man with humble beginnings, who came from Israel to Canada and started off as a dishwasher.) In 2001, Kronenfeld founded Electronic Liquidators, which not only revolutionized the electronics market, but the entire resale market, which had a tremendous impact on the luxury market. 

Kronenfeld.

Simon Kronenfeld discovered that up until 2001, nobody was working on repackaging the products that were returned to a company.

Recognizing this gap in the market, Kronenfeld started his very own business focusing on this sector specifically. Simon Kronenfeld started repackaging the products that were returned to a company labeling them as refurbished products. These refurbished products were then sold at the second-tier shops, transforming these financially burdened products into a multi million dollar business in just the span of two years. This same business model was replicated by many other companies following the positive impact this model brought both on a financial level and on an environmental level. In this day and age, sustainability is everything, so this concept has become a multi million-dollar formula for businesses. In fact, most companies are now earning billions of dollars annually by repackaging the return products and selling these refurbished products. 

This had a massive positive effect on the luxury market, as the luxury market was losing millions of dollars every year because of returned products.

Now, however, revenue could be generated from refurbished products, and turn a profit.  There are a lot of platforms online that promote luxury resale at much more affordable costs, benefiting all parties involved, especially now during the pandemic where people are not actively buying new luxury products, opting for refurbished products seems to be the best solution since they come at more affordable prices yet still offer the practicality.  

While a number of industries were negatively impacted, the refurbished market mitigated the losses in the luxury market while also offering sustainability. The refurbished market focuses on a big portion of the population in virtually any country, as in reality a tiny percentage of the population is able to indulge in these luxuries. This model gives more people access to a higher lifestyle for less, while still expanding the business market and creating more jobs as a result of this niche. These refurbished products are much more appreciated in common households and provide a good source of revenue to the sellers capitalizing on this market and offering a win-win situation.  For the Silo, Michael Adams.

Gaming

Beginner’s Tips To Basketball Betting

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Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world. Also, the NBA is one of the most widely celebrated tournaments in the world. Who can forget Jordan’s heroics in the 80s or Black Mamba’s magic in the early 2000s? No one can resist powerful LeBron James shoots or his clever dunks or false shots.  

The huge fanbase of basketball also attracts bookmakers and seasonal bettors who look for an opportunity to make money. You can also utilize this game to your advantage, and win some money over the top. If you are a beginner, here are some life-saving basketball betting tips for you. 

Image Credit: Pixabay  

Points game 

You will come across two kinds of team strategy in a basketball team. The first kind is the team that makes most of their points through center-court or 3-pointers. These teams look for big advantages but have a higher chance of falling in a cold streak. The 3-pointer strategy is reliable if you are looking to bet for the upsets.  

The second is the team that drives up to the paint and shoots the basket. Such teams are consistent in gaining points and are at a lesser risk to fall into the cold streak. Points in the paint strategy are more reliable than the 3-pointer strategy.  

Therefore, if you want to play at a minimum risk, bet your money on the team with points in the paint strategy. Remember, you will have to do proper research to understand each team’s natural game.  

Keep an eye on the team schedule  

Team schedule is very crucial to understand the players’ psyche and physical condition. Although professional players are trained to manage their load well, they can still fall prey to fatigues and jet lags.  

For this reason, look at the weekly team schedule to understand how many games the team has played. If it’s the latter half of the week, the players are most likely to be fatigued. Additionally, location and season progress also play an important role in determining the fatigue level.  

If the players had to travel cross-country for 2-3 games, they are most likely to be tired, which will slow their game. Also, if half of the season is already done, fatigue will start to make a huge impact on players’ agility and reflexes. You can use this opportunity to place a calculated bet.  

Image Credit: Pixabay  

The game of Road favorites 

Road favorites are decided by the oddsmakers, bookmakers, and game analysts. Before every game, you can check the road favorites and place a bet accordingly. However, look at the past games of the road favorites. You can easily check road favorites when participating in online basketball betting.  

If the past game indicates an embarrassing loss by 15 points or more and still the team is picked by oddsmakers, it means that the team is talented and has the capacity to win big. Also, road favorites after a blowout loss are expected to make a strong comeback, which has been true 60 percent of the time.  

Look out for home underdogs  

Home games have always been the center of emotion in every sport. Every team wishes to win on their land and in front of their true fans. Therefore, when placing a bet, take the home game factor into account.  

Even if a team is 10+ points underdogs, it has the capacity to win. Such teams rest their premium players in the first half to make a strong comeback in the second-stringer. Home underdogs do not look for spread, they only play to win.  

Sci-Tech

Google and Microsoft products accumulated the most vulnerabilities in H1 2021

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Cybercriminals are constantly attempting to exploit vulnerabilities that affect as many people as possible to maximize their profit opportunities. 

According to the recent Atlas VPN team findings, Google and Microsoft accumulated the most vulnerabilities in the first half of 2021. Although not all exposures can cause critical damage, hackers could exploit some of them for severe attacks. 

HSE cyber-attack: Irish health service still recovering months after hack - BBC News

Google had 547 accumulated vulnerabilities throughout the first half of 2021. Exploiting Google products like Chrome is popular among cybercriminals. Next up, the second most exposures were found in Microsoft products — 432. State-sponsored threat actors from China abused Microsoft Exchange Server vulnerabilities to carry out ransomware attacks. 

Microsoft accuses China over email cyber-attacks - BBC News
Microsoft accuses China over e-mail cyber attacks. Image; BBC News

Oracle registered 316 total vulnerabilities in the first six months of 2021. Usually, the exploits are found in Oracle WebLogic Server, which functions as a platform for developing, deploying, and running enterprise Java-based applications. 

Networking hardware company Cisco accumulated 200 vulnerabilities. Lastly, the producer of software for the management of business processes SAP had 118 exploits in total. Cybersecurity writer and researcher at Atlas VPN William Sword shares his thoughts on Microsoft and Google vulnerabilities: “Exploiting vulnerabilities in Google or Microsoft products allow cybercriminals to probe millions of systems. While the tech giants are doing a fair job of keeping up with exploits and constantly updating their software, people and organizations need to follow suit and keep up with the updates to prevent further exploitation.”

Vulnerability tiers 

Exploits that can be turned into a severe attack get more attention from cybercriminals and companies themselves to fix the flaw as soon as possible. In the first half of 2021, there were 1,023 vulnerabilities found with a risk tier of 10.

One of the exploits that applied to such a tier is CVE-2021-22986, with a score of 9.8. National Vulnerability Database (NVD) issued risk tier 9 to 927 vulnerabilities. At this tier, exploit CVE-2021-28111 stood out with a score of 8.8. NVD recorded most vulnerabilities at a risk tier of 8 — 2,164. A notable exploit was CVE-2021-24092, with a score of 7.8. Finally, NVD recorded 501 vulnerabilities at risk tier 7. While second-most vulnerabilities — 1,765 — were found at tier 6. 

google-and-microsoft-accumulated-the-most-vulnerabilities-in-h1-2021

Finance

Interactive NFT collection goes live in 3D world to reflect crypto history

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CryptoTale has launched first of a kind non-fungible token (NFT) collection display which uses WebGL technology to allow a game-like 3D world experience to browse the artworks.

The collection initially launched with six custom NFTs including Rat Poison, Your Funds are SAFU, To The Moon, Bitcoin Pizza, Bitconeeeect, and Mt Gox. Each NFT is currently being auctioned and interested participants can bid from as low as 0.01 WETH.

The 3D artworks are reflecting events in cryptocurrency history like the infamous comments by billionaire investor Warren Buffet terming Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies as rat poison. The ten thousand Bitcoin pizza etc.

Overall, the auctioned NFTs are offering their potential collectors a piece of cryptocurrency history in a scarce virtual space. Since there are plans to convert game-like world’s land itself into NFTs. Essentially allowing other artists to potentially place their artwork on the same ground.

To bid for the artworks, interested parties can access the collectibles through OpenSea, the world’s largest NFT marketplace.

With the NFT market growing rapidly globally, CryptoTale plans to add more artworks in the future through collaboration with artists from different disciplines. The author behind the auctioned NFTs remains anonymous.

In recent months, NFTs have grown in popularity, with creators relying on the transformative role in ownership, commerce, and how creators connect directly with buyers, fans, and collectors.

Gaming

SGPN OFFERING $100,000 CASH TO NFL SAVANT WHO CAN DELIVER WEEK ONE PICKS PERFECTLY

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LOS ANGELES, CALIF. — Sports Gambling Podcast Network™ will launch the new National Football League season with a free $100,000 usd contest for its consumer audience, rewarding the person who picks all 16 games against the spread and hits on six of six over/unders from Sept. 9-13.

The contest began officially began yesterday, and fans can enter on the SGPN App, which is available on all devices and is downloadable at Apple’s App Store [1], the Google Play Store, and from www.SportsGamblingPodcast.com [2]. SGPN is the only independently-owned and operated sports gambling media network that places a premium on entertainment value.

The no-cost app, which debuted in June, includes content for sports wagerers on the move from over 45 SGPN writers and personalities plus exclusive access to multiple, free audience contests, now including the $100,000 Week 1 NFL Challenge.

In accordance with contest regulations, only one entry is permitted per person and the total number of eligible participants is 5,000.

https://youtu.be/yX8amLVHIuc

“Our audiences are loyal and they deserve the opportunity to convert a big payday,” stated Sean Green, SGPN co-founder, CEO and co-host of the popular Sports Gambling Podcast . “Interest is at a fever pitch now with preseason games in the books and the level will reach its apex that second week of September when the new season commences. Winning the cash will require a little bit of luck, but our audience is savvy. We actually think someone will pull this off.”

SGPN is all over the upcoming NFL season, providing its audiences with insights, analysis and definitive selections non-stop during the pre-season window. On July 13-14, the unprecedented 24-hour Fantasy Football Draft by SGPN expert Ryan Kramer resulted in over 100,000 minutes watched and a 100% approval rating from the audience.

The most recent contest for app downloaders was an NBA playoffs contest with a $1,000 usd winner-take-all cash prize.

The winner identified the Milwaukee Bucks as NBA Champions and correctly predicted that the series would be over in exactly six games. The tiebreaker prediction of total number of points scored in those games was needed to determine the winner.

Green and Kramer were among a handful of sports wagering information providers who produced live shows concurrent with the first round of the NFL Draft on April 29, delivering a second screen experience to avid fans looking for real-time, expert analysis as they viewed the selections and engaged in live wagering on the many legal sportsbooks in the marketplace. The show was delivered from SGPN’s new ultra-high definition 4K studio and resulted in substantial growth in viewership minutes over the 2020 show.

In all cases, Green, Kramer and the Sports Gambling Podcast Network of writers and personalities provide analysis, picks and best bets free of charge.

About SGPN

Sports Gambling Podcast Network™ was established in 2011 as one of the first website/digital media platforms to provide consumers with an entertainment experience featuring sophisticated insight and analysis plus definitive wagering recommendations and selections across the full spectrum of legally-available sports. Co-founded by sports and entertainment personalities Sean Green and Ryan Kramer, it is home to the Top 40 All-Time football podcast (per Chartable.com) Sports Gambling Podcast, one of 11 separate podcasts.  

The website, www.sportsgamblingpodcast.com [2], boasts over 50 contributors delivering editorial content and social media postings under the SGPN banner.  

The platform generates millions of unique page views and podcast downloads annually and remains a primary destination for the burgeoning population of sports fans across America and around the world. In addition to his stand-up comedy act, Green is an accomplished TV comedy and script writer with credits including MTV’s Ridiculousness and Nickelodeon’s Crashletes with Rob Gronkowski.

He has also anchored several sports wagering and fantasy sports shows for SiriusXM and ESPN+.  Kramer is a SiriusXM contributor and a sports wagering marketplace influencer who specializes in NFL game prop bet predictions.  He has multiple top finishes in the Fantasy Football Players Championship (FFPC) Main Event and registered a 14-6 mark last month with his Men’s NCAA Tournament college basketball locks.

SGPN is a member of the Fantasy Sports Gaming Association (FSGA).

Transportation

Porsche 928 auto was machine with personality and speed

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Machine Intelligence 

Let me start this article by sharing with you my own observation about the nature of intelligent mechanical life: EVERY machine I ever interacted with exhibited a distinct personality.  After all, they’re really analog information processors, aren’t they? Like transformers, only not quite so … animatronic.  Even so, they do have a machine “spirit”.  Some docile and some down right malevolent.  

From my first car, the ‘51 Chevy Deluxe, I inherited from my Gramma Hilda, through my ‘63 Chevy Impala SS dual quad 409, to my Deuce and a half water trucks, my Peterbilts (now there’s some evil shit) to my 60 Egg Sport Fish and 54 Bertram Sedan, each had it, and it made itself known immediately.   

Acquiring “Black Beauty” 

My demon possessed, assassin “business” associate, King, from early days in Seattle commercial real estate, came to my office in December of 1979.  He asked me if I wanted a repo Porsche Rainer Bank hooked. I told him: “The only Porsche I’d want is a Black on Black Euro 928 5-spd with Yellow tinted windows.”  His jaw hit the floor. He grabbed me out of my chair and dragged me out the door and said “We’re goin’ for a ride!”   

We went to the Bank’s repo yard, and all I saw as I walked through the gate was Black Beauty, crouched there like a cat laying in wait exactly as I described. I grabbed the keys from the yard manager, and told him I’d call him later.  Bob and I rolled out the gate and warmed her up a little before BURYING IT!  She obviously had issues on the front left.  I pulled off, and looked . . . shit– a screwed up brake caliper.  We stopped at a pay phone [yeah . . . this is an ancient tale], called the yard manager and told him the issue.  I also told him I wanted the car and would give him less than the trillion dollars they wanted.  He told me to leave a check for the half trillion at the branch and he’d bring the title, and that my branch manager would handle transferring it. 

First Personality Appearance 

I dropped Bob off at the Yard, and took the car to the Porsche Dealer in the U-District.  Told the tech what I thought, and he confirmed it when he got her on the lift. I waited in the customer concierge room for half an hour.  The tech came out and told me that the work was completed.  He said, “what’s with that crazy thing?  I thought she was going to hop off the damn lift.”  I shrugged and drove her home.  My future ex-to-be couldn’t climb into the 928 fast enough! 

The author’s future ex-to-be. “I always liked those toes!” photo courtesy of the author

Early Life with Black Beauty

Me and this car? It was literally love at first sight.  The first attraction was an instinctual thing:  I am an aeronautical/astronautical engineer and  looking, touching and feeling her I had it figured out. The 928 was an engineering masterpiece. A work of art.  

The next attraction was the sound of the engine exhaust while she ran. (After I smogged the car,  she received 3” stainless Borlas with electric cut outs). Then, the car became the epitome of ssssmmmmoooottthhhhh. Readers, they are fucking smooth.  

And quick- I drove her for a year and she wiped the deck with anyone who’d stand up. After getting tons of shit talk from everyone who raced against it (not quarters but measured mile rolling starts on the I-5 Express Lane Underpass), I pulled everything in her that didn’t make it go forward … interior, carpets, headliner … everything.  

The First Time She Flew 

My buddy, Johnny Roselli, worked for Lake Union Air Service flying turbine otters out of Lake Union to Victoria BC and back . . . “The Sewer Tour.”  While talking one day at Beth’s Café, we ended up together on the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge where we walked a measured mile in the center span from Juanita to the U of Washington turn out. 

I spray painted a vertical line on the side curtain along the bridge deck at the 0’-pt and 5280.0’-pt.  The next morning, at 0500, my little brother was riding as an observer with a second stop watch and we rolled out of the toll gate at Juanita and headed up the hill to the bridge. 

I hit 145 mph (233.3 kph) on the clock by the time I started down to the 0.0 marker. Johnny was doing 2-min turns in his turbine Otter directly above the road bed and dropped a wing and dove down along side. He was all set to film from 50’ (15.24 meters) above ground level. [Uhhhh . . . and you didn’t get arrested . . . hmmm]   

Him in the plane, me in the 928

We were joining up window to window right at 0.0.  [Later, the FAA shithead investigating this “maneuver” had an absolute fucking hemorrage and pulled both our pilot licenses, suspend John for a month].  I blew by him like he was standing fucking still. His airspeed when I went buy was 120. I beat him to the 1.0 mark even when he was spooled all the way up and with his throttle buried in the panel.  

The authors aerodynamically clean 1979 928. aka “Black Beauty”. photo courtesy of the author.

Later, at the J&M Café, Johnny said he’d never seen anything like it. When we compared the clocks the average was 183 mph (294.5 kph). Gears man! Gears! By the way, an aerodynamically clean 928, no rear spoiler and a reinforced chin strap has a V2 right at 183. The nose lifts, it wants to take off, and there’s no fucking where to go.  

V1 and V2 Rockets - Engineering and Technology History Wiki
The WW2 V2 rocket.

I never considered ever selling her and even if I had that couldn’t have happened because she went out in a fiery glory. Burned to the hubs when a hard fuel line ruptured underneath. I fucking cried. I’m not joking. Her loss was unfathomable and what else could I do but cry for her?

Life with Black Beauty

After writing this account I talked with my brother Tim, a retired Cop in Anacortes. He was the was the observer timing the run and talking to Johnny over a walk-n-talkie.  Tim, reminded me that there were all sorts of wild stuff that went on with that car.Stuff that somehow I forgot about: Mechanics refused to work on her … she would do all kinda crazy shit, like dance off the rack when I’d walk by, quiver when they touched her. Weird right? Tim even refused to ride in her for a long time, “cuz she made noises at him.”  

Evenings in Windermere Circle 

The author and the beauty. photo courtesy of the author.

I used to go down into my garage every night, late, and just sit in front of her hood and look at her, five maybe ten minutes. It was a total love affair between that machine and me.  When I’d leave to go to bed, I’d always walk around to her backside, run a gloved hand across and along her rear end to caress her right beneath the gap in the hatch. It was nutty, but I could feel the car settle, ever so slightly, a couple thousandths, from the left rear shock to the right. 

When I stepped through the garage door to walk back up into the house, I would always, every time, hear her exhaust system … “clink” … and as I closed the door, I’d hear her fuel accumulator gurgle. I’m not fucking kidding.  This beautiful shiny black thing would say good night to me every night. For the Silo, Christopher O’Leary.

Sci-Tech

Car Infotainment for Better User Experience

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The car industry follows modern technology. In terms of car design, car security, quality of overall materials used to make the engine and car shell. The better overall quality of the vehicle is the main goal that carmakers want to achieve. But in addition to the car quality, a lot of thought is put into customer experience in the car. Every carmaker wants to make cars more comfortable and more technologically advanced than the previous one. Infotainment is a big part of the customer experience and technology possibilities in a car. Infotainment allows users to have a high experience. 

Tesla is updating its in-car internet browser with Google's Chromium, says Elon Musk - Electrek
Tesla is currently the only auto manufacture with a built in touchscreen capable of web browsing but that will soon change as others up their game.

Infotainment as Travel Entertainment 

A few high-class cars have touchscreen tablets built into vehicles that allow users to use web browsers. In addition, they are potent sources for gaming and watching movies. The web browser allows users to use it for work, entertainment, and getting information. While the car is standing, the user can access the mailbox through a web browser and read emails, files and send emails. In addition, you can check your business servers and have an emergency meeting on intelligent voice control.  

If you want to clear your mind off work while waiting in traffic, you can play online games through the web browser. They have enough power to run demanding HTML5 animations, like in online slots Canada real money websites. Funnily enough, somebody did that, and here’s a video where a couple of guys tried Tesla car’s infotainment center with an online slot game. And it worked! 

Either way, there’s plenty of things to do entertainment-wise, you can go on a long trip with your kids in the back seat, and they will see the screen and play with wireless controllers.  

Infotainment as Your Virtual Mechanic Assistant 

Infotainment helps the user to take care of the car on time. The engine will send you a warning when it is needed if your car needs an oil change or window cleaner. When your gas reserves become low, the engine will message that your gas is low and the nearest gas station. Infotainment and car computers have become one smart device. Your car screen will show you more than a thousand possible car problems. In addition to the virtual assistant, car sensors are a great addition that infotainment shows you potential street problems. On a touchscreen, you will see cars too close to your car, and the distance in meters or other metrics users choose. Parking sensors are a great help. They will show you the space the whole time until the car stops. Sensors are getting more and more “smart” as they allow users to have a safe environment in and outside the car. 

Porsche Classic Communication Management systems - Porsche AG
Porsche Cayenne touchscreens have been available since 2005.

The car industry is evolving fast. Infotainment will soon be a standard part of equipment in cars with a web browser and more additional possibilities. We will see how cars will develop and standard in some family cars from the middle class in the next five years. From Tesla, (who is currently the only car with an advanced infotainment system with a web browser and gaming system) to infotainment centers found in other cars that for now have only GPS and vehicle alerts without options of web browsing.  For the Silo, Ika.

Finance

formula 1: $100 Million Cryptocurrency Sponsorship

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Cryptocurrency partnerships and sponsorships entered the world of sports back in 2014. Teams can expand their advertising budget with cryptocurrency platforms to get more popularity for the brand. In 2014, the first crypto-backed campaign – ESPN events made a contract with Bit Pay (Bitcoin payment processor) worth $350 000 in a year. In addition, arsenal made 3-year sponsorship with Sportsbet.oi with the value of £1.5m per season. 

Teams like to explore other non-standard partnerships. The most common ones are coming from the igaming and casino industries (an example of one – Canadian online casino real money Betsafe). But, on the other hand, they occasionally steer away into new waters, and cryptocurrency sets a new precedent here. Of course, there’s a lot to go by in the igaming and casino industry, but crypto-investing space can also offer substantial funding, as you’ll now see. 

Cryptocurrency 

Improves Fan User Experience 

Cryptocurrency benefits sports teams with new and improved marketing activities. Fans are in the first place, while tickets, streams, and merchandise make money. Secure and transparent marketing activities provide excellent customer service for sports fans. In addition, fan engagement tokens are on the rise. A fan token is a kind of membership card. They can vote on essential questions in the club. If you would like to choose a kit design, charity initiative, or similar stuff, purchase a token of your favourite club.  
 
Above all, cryptocurrency provides users with low-cost money transfers, transparency, and easy 24/7 accessible platforms that make it easy to purchase wherever users want to.  

Formula One – $100 Million Worth Crypto Deal 

Formula One made a 5-year contract with Crypto.com. $100 million sponsorship will provide F1 with great marketing tools. In addition to that, Crypto is getting trackside places on every race. Presence at every race will remind of their global partnership deal. Crypto.com is one of the fastest-growing crypto platforms at the moment. They have more than 10 million users. Sponsorship between Crypto and Formula One will grow awareness on the global stage. Crypto.com has leading applications on App Store and Google Play. Also, their Crypto Visa card is one of the most popular cards for using cryptocurrencies. This card is available in more than 30 countries. Formula One is one of the most followed sports, and they are always in search of new ways to make their fans more engaged.

2021 British Grand Prix Qualifying report and highlights: Hamilton digs deep to beat Verstappen in qualifying and seal top grid slot for F1 Sprint | Formula 1®
2021 British Grand Prix sponsor Crypto

Formula One got a new audience with engagement with Crypto. Crypto is trying to make cryptocurrencies more available and understandable for fans to use. Following that, Crypto announced a brand new award that fans would see on the Belgian Grand Prix. 

Crypto and F1 – Environmentally Sensitive 

Formula One announced that by the year 2030, Formula One racing would become a Net Zero Carbon sport. Likewise, Crypto announced that it would become carbon negative within the next 18 months in the spirit of the new partnership. A clean crypto business will be a great example to lead for all other companies in the industry. To have carbon-neutral or carbon-free vehicles and the crypto industry would be a great example from these two big names in the sports and business industry. Sponsorship looks promising, and great things might be ahead. 

Formula One as a sport wants to be more fan engaged and follow new technologies. Here is what CEO said: “We are pleased to welcome Crypto.com to the Formula 1 family as we continue to attract progressive global brands anchored in performance and innovation.”  For the Silo, Ika.

Gaming

NFL to Outlaw Taunting in Crackdown on Near-the-Knuckle Play

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When you spend your afternoon/evening running into people at full pace, attempting to put them on the deck, it kind of goes without saying that your blood will start to pump a little more aggressively. 

That can manifest itself in all manner of ways and, in the NFL, one of the most common is for steam to be let off as part of post-touchdown celebration and taunting. 

From the sublime to the ridiculous, taunting is part of the theater of football. From a tackler running their mouth when they have sacked a quarterback, to a TD scorer letting their opponents know how much they enjoyed crossing the line, this part celebration, part tribalism is an inherent part of the game. 

And so it has been met with much frustration that NFL officials, as part of their rule change and points of emphasis framework for the 2021-22 season, have decreed that they will be stamping out taunting in all its various forms. 

The NFL's annual rule change and points of emphasis video notes game officials have been instructed to strictly enforce taunting rules in 2021. Two violations results in automatic ejection, with fines and even suspensions (!!) in play, too.

https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1425150371190788098?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Going forward, a taunting offense will see the team in question hit with a 15-yard penalty, while two taunting violations in a game will be punishable with fines and/or automatic ejection.  

Officials are keen to instil a sense of ‘respect’ back into the game, with the competition committee chairman, Rich McKay, stating: “We saw an increase in actions that clearly are not within the spirit and intent of this rule, [and] is not representative of the respect to opponents and others on the field.” 

One of the prime examples of taunting last season came in the clash between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Chiefs’ Tyreek Hill gesticulated at the Bucs defenders as he crossed the line for a touchdown, leaving them rather incensed. As Tampa closed in on a revenge victory in the Super Bowl, their safety Antoine Winfield Jr flashed the same gesture right in the face of Hill. 

According to the NFL odds on bet365 for the Super Bowl, those two franchises are on a collision course to meet in the championship game next February once again, and so will Hill, Winfield, or anyone else for that matter, be tempted to taunt an opponent despite the punishments available? 

The Numbers Game 

Every year, there’s a raft of rule changes ahead of the new NFL season – some important and attention-grabbing, others less so. 

Whether you will care that the restrictions on some jersey numbers have been lifted may just depend on whether you plan on buying a replica shirt or not. 

Nothing riles up NFL fans more than seeing what jersey numbers their favorite players are donning each season. However, in the case of Mac Jones, his number may be met with some confusion.

https://twitter.com/sportingnews/status/1424925964660731910?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

But a regulatory change will now see a wider pool of players being able allowed to wear single-digit numbers, as well as those between 80-89. That includes running backs, tight ends and wide receivers alongside the traditional quarterbacks and kickers. 

Defensive backs can now also choose any number between 1 and 49, while linebackers can opt for 1-59 or 90-99, but linesmen still have the slimmer pickings of 50-79 or 90-99 to select from. 

Whether that leads to a huge sea-change in the numbers that established NFL stars wear remains to be seen, but it could certainly give the new season a different look and feel.  For the Silo, Carlos Cruz.

Earth

M5 Electric Scooter Is Foldable Fun

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Imagine spending pennies on electricity instead of hundreds of dollars on gas during the busiest travel season.

On the new, fully-electric M5 E-Scooter from EcoReco, a mere one dollar will power the scooter for approximately 500 miles.

The M5 is perfect for short-distances and last-mile commutes. They also work well on corporate campuses, and for casual rides around town.

M5E Scooter

The M5 has many of the same great features from its previous M3 model, but also has a rear-suspension system, which gives you a much smoother ride. Also new is the option to have a front pneumatic tire, which are available for purchase.

The M5’s quiet, electromagnetic motor gives off no CO2 emissions, making it environmentally safe. The M5 can reach a top speed of 20 mph and travel up to 20 miles per charge on flat ground. It also comes with a smart charger that can quickly charge the battery from zero to 85 percent in just 2.5 hours. The M5 features a direct-drive, brushless hub motor and high-capacity Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery.

The M5 model is foldable and has a lightweight design, which makes the scooter can easily be stored for public transportation rides or on longer commutes.

The patented M5 E-Scooter from EcoReco is now available  for $1,250 (USD). Contact [email protected] for ordering information and further product information.

Sci-Tech

Little Known Facts About Modern Sewer Repair Technologies

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When dealing with damage to your house or municipal sewage system, you may have numerous concerns regarding your repair choices and preventive actions you may take to avoid future damage. Going through your repair choices and acting against sewage damage may be a lot easier with expert assistance.

Any pipe repair expert like pomplumbing.ca will tell you that there are methods available that offer long-lasting, reliable repairs without causing damage to your property or interfering with municipal traffic. We have taken the first of these repair measures for you in this article by presenting some little-known facts regarding contemporary sewage repair. 

1.) Modern Line Replacement is Extremely Effective

When we speak with homeowners about broken water lines or other severe plumbing problems that may arise under a number of conditions, we often discover that they are astonished to learn that repairs can be finished in only one day. What makes this possible?

By removing the need for significant work and physical digging, trenchless technologies enable plumbing experts to replace whole water lines in a matter of hours. Using sophisticated underground procedures, these experts can completely replace your water line pipes in a fraction of the time that conventional methods need. 

2.) Trenchless Alternatives Maintain Your Lawn

Trenchless experts may patch in or repair underground portions of broken pipe without digging the pipe out using epoxy Perma-liner solutions. The experts construct tiny, non-intrusive entrance ports and line these solutions along the walls of existing pipes using air pressure.

Specialists then cure the pipe to the interior walls using a long air bladder, resulting in a fully repaired pipe in a matter of hours. This avoids the need for costly pipe digging, or “trenching,” while still delivering high-quality water line replacements.

3.) Water Line Replacement Is Affordably Priced For Any Budget

The absence of digging, the smooth installation procedure, and the minimal overhead expenses all add up to one major advantage for homeowners: substantial savings. Trenchless line replacement makes sense not just from a practical perspective, but also from a budgetary one.

The effectiveness of trenchless replacement leads to significant savings in labor expenses, just as minimum grass digging reduces the need for costly landscaping. Trenchless restorations make sense in both the short and long term since the new pipe sections will last at least 50 years. 

Burst Pipes Causing Flood and Water Damage: The Facts – ServiceMaster of Lethbridge

4.) A burst pipe may cause an existing water line to expand.

Pipe bursting, a water line replacement method, may potentially enhance the flow and efficiency of your current water lines. A replacement pipe is attached to a pointed bursting head and fed through badly damaged pipe sections in this manner. The bursting head actually bursts through the existing pipe, clearing the material away with its expanding, conical form.

This method clears the way for the larger (and more efficient) replacement pipe. It is a “two birds with one stone” line replacement method that addresses a broken pipe emergency while also improving general performance for decades to come.

5.) Trenchless Replacement is more secure than the alternative

Because trenchless water line replacements remove the need for significant digging, workers are less likely to uncover dangerous subterranean gasses, guaranteeing the safety of both the workers and your family.

Subterranean mold and asbestos are always a significant worry when it comes to trenching replacement techniques. Fortunately, with trenchless treatments, the worry of inadvertently coming across a hazardous mold concentration is a thing of the past. 

6.) Unrivaled Lifespan of Trenchless Water Lines

One of the most important things homeowners should know about trenchless water line replacement, as we said briefly earlier in this article, is how long the improvements can be anticipated to endure. While you may believe that Perma-liner, PVC replacement options are less dependable than other materials, this is a clear misunderstanding.

Homeowners should anticipate their new pipes to endure at least 50 years, if not much longer. Not only are these new pipes simple to install, but they also provide the peace of mind that homeowners want in their plumbing. 

How to Deal With Burst Water Pipes

7.) These Solutions Are Capable of Repairing Any Type of Damage

Before replacing your water line, trenchless plumbing experts will inspect it using snaking video technology to determine the amount and kind of damage. However, this is not the expert deciding whether or not they can repair your pipe; rather, it is for assessment reasons.

In fact, trenchless methods may repair damage from any cause or kind of damage. Trenchless replacements may address your line repair requirements whether they are caused by corrosion, root incursion, shifting soil, or fracture. 

8.) Trenchless technologies shield you against larger, more costly repairs.

Many people underestimate the usefulness of trenchless repair techniques as preventive measures when dealing with water line problems. The sooner you act, like with any other kind of house damage and repair job, the better.

Responding promptly to water line damage and finding creative trenchless repairs early on may save you from far more costly and extensive upgrades later on. When homeowners take action and treat their water line issues seriously, they will be able to obtain the repairs they need at much more suitable and inexpensive times. For the Silo, John Brooks.

Sci-Tech

Serbia’s Custom Hi-Fi Scene Rising

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You may not know it yet, but Serbia is an audiophile hotbed and we are doing our duty to help firmly plant the hi-fi flag in Serbian soil.

There are so many intriguing and fresh designs from this European Union applicant and united Serbian manufacturers of Hi-Fi equipment now offer world-wide production of unique custom devices at the customer’s request.

In Trstenik, Serbia , the headquarters of manufacturer Supreme-Analog regularly hosts presentations of the hottest gear in the Serbian HiFi scene with many first time showings of new speakers, electronics, cables, tonearm, head phone amplifiers etc. A number of up and coming Serbian companies have participated already and include: Auris audio and Trstenik (Tube electronics and tube headamp, tube CD player).

Auris (dual) tube mono amplifiers


Beyond Frontiers audio (BFA), Novi Sad (Hybrid electronics and DAC).

BFA tube preamplifier


Big electronic system, Zemun (Analog Phase preamp corrector, HiFi shelf).

Big phase preamp corrector


DIY speaker shop Krusevac (Cartridges, turntable accessories and cables).


DR Cables, Novi Sad (Speaker cables, RCA & XLR cables).


Kabel Master, Arandjelovac (Power strip and Power Cables).

Kabel Master powerstrip


Korato, Belgrade (Electronics, phono preamp).

Korato tube amplifier


Miraudio, Belgrade (Tube electronics, integrated amp, tube DAC).

Miraudio (dual) tube mono amplifiers


Solaja audio, Belgrade (Tube electronics, phono preamp).

Solaja Harmony tube integrated amplifier


Supreme-Analog Trstenik (Gala speakers, Tangenta tonearm, modified Garrard 301 in Supreme-Analog plinth).

Supreme Analog Tangenta gold tonearm


Trafomatic, Mladenovac (Tube electronics).

Culture

Africa without vaccines while Canada doses are wasted

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Canada just moved from having enough doses to vaccinate every Canadian, into a surplus position.

This also means that Canada reached a new very problematic milestone. Doses are going bad in Canada, while desperate people, including frontline health workers in Africa, are still struggling to get access to vaccines.

None of us are safe until all of us are safe. We know this pandemic isn’t truly over until it is over everywhere. Canada MUST share more of our excess doses now. Canada MUST resist the urge to offer 3rd dose “boosters” to healthy Canadians (some of whom are getting them in order to vacation in the Caribbean) while nurses in Senegal are still unprotected.

We have more than enough vaccines, others don’t.

Africa is facing a COVID-19 crisis, cases are surging and the continent is heading towards a global catastrophe. Over the last month deaths from COVID in Africa have increased 80%. Only roughly 3% of Africans have received the first shot, and the continent is not on track to vaccinate 10% of its population by the end of the year. The WHO’s Bruce Aylward said this should be “a scar on all of our consciences.”

What can Canada do?

Meanwhile in Canada, Prime Minister Trudeau announced on July 27th that with 66 million doses received, we have enough to fully vaccinate every eligible Canadian. We have now reached a point where the supply of vaccine exceeds demand, and already Astra Zeneca doses have been thrown away and Moderna vaccines are sitting in freezers nearing their expiry dates.

Canada is the country that has ordered the most vaccines per person: counting optional purchases, enough to vaccinate each Canadian 5 times. Unless the excess doses are shared right now, we could end-up throwing away millions of doses while most of the rest of the world remains unvaccinated. This is a scandal that we cannot let happen.

Vaccines being discarded is not a theoretical concern. In addition to the 300,000 doses from Johnson and Johnson that were discarded due to a manufacturing issue, thousands of Astra Zeneca doses have already been wasted in Canada because they could not be used before their expiry dates. With this vaccine barely been used in anymore, there may be thousands more sitting in freezers or the garbage, and provinces are coy about how many they may be throwing away.  The same is starting to happen with Moderna, with pharmacists unable to put some of the doses they have in arms.

Figure 1: A tale of two pandemics
While Canada is in a very good position, some African countries are seeing an increase in cases with a very small share of their population vaccinated.


Canada has so far committed to share 30.7 million doses with COVAX, the global vaccine distribution mechanism, including a recent pledge to donate the remainder of our Astra Zeneca orders. But there has been no confirmation of when these donated vaccines might reach countries in need.

In addition, new analysis by the ONE Campaign based on data from analytics firm AirFinity shows that at the current rate, Canada will end-up with between 16 and 42 million more vaccines piling up in freezers or thrown away by Christmas, while the pandemic continues raging on in Africa and the developing world.

We not only have a moral obligation to share doses, it is in our own best interest to stop the global spread and emergence of new variants. Until then, more preventable deaths will occur and Canada’s own recovery will be threatened by a shaky global economy. According to the IMF, failing to help the developing world defeat Covid-19 could cost the global economy US$4.5 trillion.

The time to donate more doses is now. Lives depend on it.

Africa is experiencing an increasingly urgent COVID crisis and needs at least 200 million vaccine doses by the end of September to slow the spread and prevent more needless deaths. Canada should immediately transfer all incoming vaccine orders to COVAX, beyond ensuring that there are enough for every Canadians to be fully vaccinated. This should mean at least 12 million more doses shared before the end of September, and in total 16-42 million vaccines donated before the end of the year if we want to end the pandemic and avoid unimaginable waste.

Vaccines being discarded is not a theoretical concern. In addition to the 300,000 doses from Johnson and Johnson that were discarded due to a manufacturing issue, thousands of Astra Zeneca doses have already been wasted in Canada because they could not be used before their expiry dates. With this vaccine barely been used in anymore, there may be thousands more sitting in freezers or the garbage, and provinces are coy about how many they may be throwing away.  The same is starting to happen with Moderna, with pharmacists unable to put some of the doses they have in arms.

It may be tempting for the Government to keep vaccines stockpiled just in case boosters may be needed. But the evidence so far on the need for boosters is far from conclusive, and many experts have warned that it would be counterproductive to start giving third doses to healthy people in rich countries while at-risk populations have not yet had their first shot in developing countries. Stockpiling a product with a short shelf life will inevitably lead to a lot of waste. In any case, Canada has already ordered up to 60 million more doses of Pfizer a year for the next 3 years in case boosters are needed.

The excess doses we have coming in the next 5 months must urgently be shared with countries in need to stem the pandemic globally. Variants spreading around the world pose a threat to Canadians. The longer we wait to vaccinate the world, the more variants we will see and the longer this vicious cycle will continue. The time to donating more doses is now. Lives depend on it.

Up to 42 million doses could go unused in Canada by Christmas

By December 2021, Canada will have received at least 92 million doses of the four vaccines currently approved by Health Canada (Moderna, Pfizer, Astra Zeneca and Johnson & Johnson). If Medicago and Novavax post positive Phase 3 results and are also approved, total supply could increase to 117 million doses. [1]

To fully vaccinate every Canadian, including children under 12 should vaccines be approved for them, 76 million doses will be required in total. These are highly optimistic projections of actual demand, since it is unlikely that 100% of the population will want to be vaccinated.

This means that between 16 and 42 million excess vaccines risk being stockpiled or wasted in Canada by the end of the year. The higher scenario means our excess vaccines would be enough to fully vaccinate everyone in a country like Burkina Faso this year. Right now, 0.01% of people are fully vaccinated in Burkina Faso. For the Silo, Justin McAuley.

Figure 2: A growing stockpile
Even accounting for the already-announced donations, Canada will have millions of excess vaccines

[1] This excludes the 30 million doses already donated to Covax.

Sci-Tech

The Top Brands Most Impersonated In Phishing Attacks

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Criminals continue to impersonate well-known brands to trick people into giving up their personal information. 

According to the data presented by the Atlas VPN team, Crédit Agricole, a French financial group, was by far the most used brand in phishing attacks in H1 2021. The brand was linked with 17,755 unique phishing URLs, followed by social media giant Facebook with 17,338 and Microsoft with 12,777.

The figures are based on Phisher’s Favorite Top 25 H1 2021 report by Vade, which looks at the 25 most impersonated brands in phishing attacks a few years ago from January 1, 2021, to June 30, 2021. 

Multi-platform messaging service provider WhatsApp is the second social media brand to make the top ten list. It was taken advantage of in 8,727 phishing attacks. Meanwhile, French bank La Banque Postale occupies the fifth spot with 7,180 attacks.

Other brands in the top ten list include multinational telecoms company Orange (4,047), the world’s largest online retailer Amazon (3,501), multibillion-dollar media, entertainment, and communications company Comcast (3,116), digital payment service provider PayPal (2,601), and American national bank Chase (2,537).

Most phishing assaults were perpetrated in Brazil, followed by Russia and Indonesia.

Financial brands were criminals’ favorite

Generally, cybercriminals choose highly-trusted brands in their phishing campaigns. However, brands in certain industries were more favored than others.

Financial service brands were particularly popular in phishing attempts due to the rise in digital payments and growing reliance on online banking during the pandemic. They accounted for 36% of URL phishing attacks in H1 2021. 

Cybercriminals spoofed well-known financial brands such as Crédit Agricole, La Banque Postale, PayPal, Chase, Wells Fargo, Square, HSBC, and Banque Populaire to lure out sensitive information from unsuspecting victims.

Social media companies were also heavily impacted. Social media brand impersonation accounted for over a quarter (26%) of all brand phishing attacks in the first half of this year. Apart from Facebook and WhatsApp, Instagram and LinkedIn were common choices for criminals.

Next up is the cloud sector. Cloud companies like Microsoft, Netflix, Adobe, and DocuSign were involved in 17% of URL phishing attacks. Meanwhile, 11% of phishing assaults targeted e-commerce and logistics companies, such as Amazon, DHL, Rakuten, Apple, and eBay.

The remaining 10% of brands spoofed in URL phishing attacks were internet and telecommunication companies, such as Orange, Comcast, Yahoo, SFR (9%), as well as government organizations (1%). 

Tips to avoid phishing scams

  • Keep your browser up to date. Look out for browser updates. They are released regularly and may contain security patches for vulnerabilities that were discovered on the browser. Cybercriminals often launch attacks to exploit known security vulnerabilities. Therefore it is essential to install any browser updates as soon as they become available. 
  • Inspect the website’s URL. Carefully inspect the website’s URL before taking any action. Criminals use visually similar characters such as lower case “L” and capital “I” to deceive people into thinking they are on a legitimate website. 
  • Look for an SSL certificate. Make sure the portal address starts with HTTPS (not with HTTP) and has a green padlock symbol before the web address. This means that the website has an SSL certificate, and the connection is encrypted. 
  • Beware of grammar mistakes. Scammers rarely hire professional writers to check their copy-cat website’s content for errors. If a website is riddled with spelling mistakes, there is a high chance it is not legitimate. 
  • Check if the website has been flagged. You can use URL checkers to see if the website has already been flagged. You can find many tools for this purpose by searching “Check URL safety” in Google.
  • Use Tracker Blocker. Take advantage of the Atlas VPN Tracker Blocker tool, which stops third-party trackers and blocks malicious websites for a safer browsing experience.

For the Silo, Jarrod Barker.

Culture

Tips For A Relaxing Staycation Can Include Legal Canadian Edibles

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Just because you have the days off, it doesn’t mean you need to leave town. There’s no mob of townsfolk chasing you out of town with pitchforks just because you’re “technically on vacation”. Sometimes, you just don’t have the money, energy and/or desire to go anywhere. Sometimes, when you get a week or two off work, all you really want to do is relax.

Go for it: have yourself a staycation. But if you are going to commit to the staycation, to really sink your teeth into relaxing, you need to follow a few simple steps. In this article, let’s look at a few tips you should follow if you want to squeeze the most relaxation out of your time off work.

Set Up an “Out of Office” Reply

If relaxation is like a balloon lazily floating in the air, work emails are the needle that’s going to pop it. Over and over and over again. They are constant, daily reminders of a stress you are supposed to leave behind, where it belongs – at work. Do yourself a favor and, after you finish your last day before vacation, quickly set up an out of office auto-reply. That lets co-workers and clients know that you are on vacation, and you don’t want to be reached save for the most urgent matter.

Log off Social Media

Social media is a fun sinkhole to fall into, but once you climb back out you might notice that you don’t feel all that good. That’s because people on social media tend to put their best face on, posting themselves doing fun activities, joyously traveling, eating magnificent meals… and nobody ever posts the bad stuff. Over time, this can cause you to unfairly compare yourself to those idealized accounts. And, as the saying goes, “comparison is the thief of joy”. It’s best to stay away, especially while relaxing!

Try a Little Legal Cannabis

Cannabis is legal in a lot of states, as well as in Canada, so why not partake? Even if you’re not much of a smoker, there are delicious cannabis infused treats you can try, or CBD-infused cannabis tea you can sip on. The chemical compounds in cannabis (CBD especially) have been shown to reduce stress and relieve pain.

Image result for canada cannabis

No one’s advocating for you to spend your entire staycation smoking on the couch, but a bit of edibles or tea can help you fully, psychologically disconnect from the stresses of work.

Pick Up a Hobby

If you find that idle hands don’t really look good on you, pick up a hobby you’ve always wanted to try. Try painting an abstract portrait, or cooking an elaborate Thai meal. Try taking a drop-in pottery class or fixing up a car engine. Everyone has at least one hobby they want to try but haven’t.

Binge Watch a Show

Finally, take advantage of the current stream-site ubiquity and get involved in a good show. Everyone at the office has been talking your ear off about finally watching Deadwood or The Wire? Put the matter to rest and just watch the darn shows.

Who needs to get on an expensive plane, pay for an expensive room and sit on a crowded beach in order to relax? Not you. Follow these easy tips and you’ll be relaxing right away. For the Silo, Mila Urosevic.

Art

Unique Angles view How We Communicate

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Look with great honesty at your inner life

Contemplate the ways in which you approach and communicate with the world. Our interactions are shaped by context at all times, one moment calls for gentleness while the next requires a firmer approach. It becomes second nature navigating these nuances, we stop giving thought to the many personas involved in our experiences moment to moment.

From time to time, turn the mirror and allow the reflection to sink in. Do not approach with judgment, merely curiosity. Make contact with yourself and get to know once again what has been lost to habit. Investigate the uncharted waters of you, revealing a self you may not have encountered for many years.

Andreja Kuluncic says, “Everybody can be an artist.”

The Zagreb, Croatia-based artist believes all that is needed is for each of us to wake up the creative part of ourselves. In her participation-driven work, she explores this idea extensively. In one piece titled Art and Box, audience members are invited to take a box containing dismantled pieces for an art exhibition back to their communities.

With the box comes a dancer who the participants can invite to collaborate on a performance piece at their local school, library, or any other place they see fit. In this way, and through much of her work, Kuluncic seeks unique angles from which to view how we communicate socially. Her work Collective Stranger traces lines within the Croatian community combining the experiences of women from many backgrounds all of whom fit into the category of oppressed and even ostracized populations.

Alison Jackson is no stranger to alternative facts. Her career is built on the voyeuristic relationship we have with celebrities. Jackson creates images using lookalikes that challenge our concept of what is real. Most recently she has created photographs featuring a Donald Trump lookalike for the series Mental Images. Jackson says, “my pictures ask where does the truth end and the lies begin…where the subjective triumphs over the objective.” He work spans many media including publishing, photography, television, and is exhibited in museums and galleries.

Encounter others inner worlds through literature and share your findings. Add your titles to our reading list here. Andreja Kuluncic turns to Death Drives an Audi by Danish author Kristian Bang Foss. User Carl Smith has read Where the Dead Pause and the Japanese Say Goodbye by Marie Mutsuki Mockett.

Rekindle a relationship with your true self. Lao Tzu, ancient Chinese mystic and philosopher wrote, “He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightented.” For the Silo, Brainard Carey.

*featured image: “CREATIVE STRATEGIES” multidisciplinary research project 2010-ongoing Andreja Kuluncic.

Earth

FEDS ADD PLASTIC TO TOXIC SUBSTANCES LIST

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This Plastic Free July The Environmental Defence Canada organization is calling out Canada’s top plastic polluters, also known as Big Plastic—the companies that turn oil and gas into plastics.

This spring, the federal government added plastic to the Toxic Substances List under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). The listing means Canada can better manage the production, use and disposal of plastic and it will be required to address the harms caused by plastic in the environment. This is progress! But now Canada is being sued by its three biggest plastic producers—NOVA Chemicals, Dow Chemical and Imperial Oil—in an effort to prevent any regulations that would help reduce plastic pollution.

To add insult to injury, Big Plastic insists plastic is safe and necessary while blaming others, namely society and municipal waste systems, for the havoc their products wreak on our environment.  Big Plastic has been flying under the radar for too long. It’s time to call them out!
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Canada now finds itself on the front lines of a war waged by high-priced lawyers and public relations professionals on behalf of some of the biggest companies in the world. Instead of being part of the solution, Big Plastic is rolling out trashy tactics to protect its bottom line and increase production.  

Help us call out NOVA Chemicals, Dow Chemical and Imperial Oil for suing the federal government. Let’s hold them accountable for their role in creating one of the world’s biggest pollution crises.  

Not on Twitter? No problem! You can still take action. If you haven’t already, tell the federal government that you support regulations to end Canada’s plastic pollution problem. Help us spread the word by sharing this action on Facebook or simply forwarding this email to your family and friends. Together for change,
For the Silo, Karen Wirsig.
Finance

Ecommerce Is Evolving And Here’s How

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Thanks to the digital technology, we can carry out commercial transactions online. We can buy and sell items or services, pay bills, make orders, and so much more.

Online enterprises are heavily relying on this commodity. This is why we have numerous  online businesses nowadays.

The infographic below from Subscriptionly will inform you about the current and future tech trends that will influence the ecommerce sector. Some of the main trends are as follows.

Personalized Experience

Technology has enabled online businesses to give their customers personalized shopping experiences. For e-shoppers, this has engendered an engaging and satisfying shopping experience.

Businesses recorded an increase in revenue by employing this concept, since 48% of customers spend more when their experience is personalized.

Automated Customer Service

AI has transformed the way customer queries and complaints are attended to. Consumers now have their issues promptly resolved. It was reported that, this year, AI handled 45% of customer queries on its own. And it does this swiftly and effectively, which is definitely a factor that makes customer support a positive experience.

Excellent customer service is essential to building customer loyalty. In fact, 42% of customers buy more when they are served properly.

It is projected that, by 2020, AI will handle 85% of customer interactions.

Cryptocurrency

Soon, commercial transactions will be carried out with cryptocurrency. Via the use of cryptocurrency (such as Bitcoin), customers will get to make secure payments quickly and conveniently.

Also, businesses that add cryptocurrency as a payment method will make better sales. One retail outfit did and in 5 months, it generated $2million alternative currency sales and a 60% boost in new customers.

Drone Delivery

In the nearest future, e-shoppers will possibly have their purchased items delivered the same day. When this become reality, customers will be happier and businesses will undergo a rise in brand awareness and sales. The 72% of shoppers stated they would shop and spend more if same day delivery was available.

A method that is being considered to initiate same day delivery is the drone delivery. DHL tried it and recorded a 70% improvement in first-attempt deliveries, and a 90% success in resolution of customers’ critical cases. When popularized, 40% of parcels will be drone-delivered in 2 hours by 2028. For the Silo, Josh Wardini.

Future of eCommerce Infographic

Art

Pornhub launches guide to famous museum erotic art

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Unbeknownst to many, some of the world’s best pornography doesn’t exist on Pornhub. Rather, it exists in famous museums around the world: The Louvre (France), The MET (New York City), The Prado (Spain), The Uffizi Gallery (Italy), The National Gallery (UK) and Musee d’Orsay (France), to name a few.

And with museums finally reopening around the world as pandemic restrictions are being lifted, Pornhub wanted to do its part to encourage people to enjoy every stroke of erotic art.

Pornhub is launching “Classic Nudes” to provide museum-goers with an interactive oral history of some of the most renowned erotic art in some of the world’s most famous museums. Pornhub is encouraging people to ditch those boring self-tour recordings and enjoy every single brushstroke of these erotic masterpieces with Pornhub Brand Ambassador Asa Akira.

New York – July, 2021 – Pornhub, the premier online destination for adult entertainment, today announced the launch of “Classic Nudes,” an interactive guide to discover and learn more about erotic art in some of the world’s most famous fine art museums – The Louvre (France), The MET (New York City), The Prado (Spain), The Uffizi Gallery (Italy), The National Gallery (UK) and the Musee d’Orsay (France). With museums finally reopening around the world as pandemic restrictions are being lifted, Pornhub wanted to do its part in stimulating the public to visit, explore and fall back in love (or lust) with these cultural institutions.

The public can tour each of the 6 museums  – either in person or at home – via the Classic Nudes mobile website. The online portal guides visitors past the SFW masterpieces and gets right to the good stuff: representations of the naked body in all its artistic glory. Simply visit the Classic Nudes website on your device, select your museum, follow the map, locate the artwork, and listen, read, or watch along to its curated content.

Hungarian-Italian artist and porn legend Cicciolina stars in the promotional video for Classic Nudes.  Pornhub Brand Ambassador Asa Akira serves as orator for the campaign providing an oral history of 30 erotic art pieces in this curated collection, while Pornhub amateur couple, “MySweetApple” brings 6 iconic artwork to life.

“There’s a treasure trove of erotic art around the world – depicting nudes, orgies, and more – that’s not available on Pornhub. These pre-Internet art pieces are currently sitting in museums, which we are now finally able to start visiting again as covid restrictions are starting to lift ,” said Asa Akira, Pornhub Brand Ambassador. “So as people start to head back to  The Louvre or The MET, they can simply open Classic Nudes, and I’ll be their guide. Time to ditch those boring self-tour recordings and enjoy every single brushstroke of these erotic masterpieces with me.”

Classic Nudes follows previous artistic endeavors from Pornhub including the recently launched “Remastured,” an initiative that used modern A.I technology and machine learning to restore century-old erotic films into titillating technicolor.

Previously, the company commissioned contemporary art gallery Maccarone Los Angeles to present a feminist art show entitled ‘The Pleasure Principle,’ a pan-generational, sexually-charged exhibition of female artists whose work centers the erotic and disrupts the processes of content-cleansing that code certain images as profane, abject, or pornographic. Pornhub also hosted the online premier of SHAKEDOWN, the critically-acclaimed documentary art film centered around the Black lesbian stripper scene in early oughts Los Angeles by filmmaker and vanguard artist Leilah Weinraub. 

Pornhub’s “Classic Nudes” campaign is a collaborative initiative with creative agency Officer & Gentleman.

For more information about Classic Nudes, please visit http://www.phclassicnudes.com/

About Pornhub:

Founded in 2007, Pornhub is the leading free, ad-supported adult video streaming website, offering viewers the opportunity to upload and share their own videos. With over 3 million videos and over 130 million visitors a day, Pornhub truly is the best adult site in the world. Pornhub has built the largest dedicated membership base in the adult community, averaging over 76 million monthly active members, offering viewers a fun and sophisticated social experience directly insite, complete with messaging, photos, achievement badges, and much more.

Vintage

Protecting the body in Combat- European Bronze Style

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This monograph provides for the first time a combined overview of all classes of metal body armour from the European Bronze Age in a holistic perspective, combining discussion of both traditional typo-chronologies and aspects of manufacture and use.

The earliest metal body armour recovered comes from Dendra, Greece, and dates to the first half of the 15th century BC.

However, the majority of metal body armour, including helmets, cuirasses and greaves, derives from the European Late Bronze Age, c. 1200–950 BC. This armour has been found from Iberia in the west to Cyprus in the east, and from Sicily in the south to Denmark in the north, as well as in the Near East. It thus derives from a wide geographical study area. Nevertheless, only around 30 cuirasses, 75 greaves and 120 helmets have so far been recovered.

The development, manufacture and use of this metal body armour across Europe remains unclear, even after more than a century of research. Earlier studies were largely concerned with typo-chronological aspects of this armour, whilst topics such as manufacturing techniques, efficacy and technological observations were rarely addressed.

Page 29 from the full volume available below. Click on the hypertext at the end of this post for the PDF.

This volume therefore brings together both traditional artefact and metallurgical studies, as well as reconstructions of manufacturing techniques, technological developments and innovations and use-wear analysis. The monograph also provides much-needed detail concerning material characterisation, in the form of alloy composition and microstructure analysis of a significant sample of the original finds.

Combining the results of this with the study of the manufacturing techniques and use-wear traces, a better understanding of how this armour was both produced and used is achieved. I have documented, studied and analysed all accessible helmets, greaves and cuirasses in eastern Europe as well as a number of examples from western Europe, significantly increasing the quantity of body armour studied and analysed in detail. The publication contains the whole spectrum of known body armour currently recovered, as well as including ‘new’ finds from auctions or private collections, which have previously been overlooked.

The present volume offers a holistic artefact study of European Bronze Age body armour, its manufacture and usage. It serves as a basis for further experimental studies into the production and utility of bronze helmets, cuirasses and greaves, which will deliver further important insights in … View full abstract For the Silo, Marianne Modlinger.

Earth

Dry Cleaning Clothes May Be Harmful To Your Health

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Why you shouldn’t dry clean your “Dry Clean Only” clothes

 

Spilled BBQ sauce on your favourite shirt this weekend? Dry cleaning may be your go-to, but did you know PERC, a toxic chemical that’s been phased out in several jurisdictions around the world, is the most commonly used solvent in Canada? Read two common misconceptions about “Dry Clean Only” clothing labels and tips on how you can clean your linen, silks, and cottons the greener, non-toxic way.
 
the algae
monster
is back!		 Lake Erie is expected to experience a significant algae bloom this summer. Read our latest blog to learn more about what causes the blooms and what this summer’s algae forecast could mean for the lake and the people who rely on it.

 

You can also show your support for the lake by taking our Lake Erie Pledge.
 
Show us how
Life’s a Beach
for a chance
to win		 Our Blue Flag program is once again hosting the Life’s a Beach Photo Contest. This summer, share with us your best photos of your favourite Canadian beach. You could win $1,000 for new camera gear! Visit blueflag.ca/photocontest to learn more. The deadline to enter is Sept. 1.
 
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Learn some tips on how you can clean your linen, silks, and cottons the greener, non-toxic way
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Learn some #tipsandtricks for cleaning your linen, silks, and cottons the greener #toxicfree way
 
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Alberta’s toxic tailings ponds keep growing and the cleanup costs keep rising. Giving feels good (over-stuffed closets don’t.) This year, throw an ECHOage birthday for us. Our work is possible thanks to caring people like you. Please make a charitable gift today in support of our environment!
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Art

finally a Machine will curate an Art exhibit

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The Museum of Wild and Newfangled Art (mowna) Announces the Debut of an AI Experiment in Art Curation: “This Show is Curated by a Machine ?”


The free call for international submissions is now open for all to take part in an experiment that defines how we move forward with AI curation in an ethical way


NEW YORK (July, 2021) – The Museum of Wild and Newfangled Art (mowna) is currently designing an artificial intelligence curator for their final show of the year “This Show is Curated by a Machine 🤖” which directly answers the Whitney Museum of American Art’s curatorial question,“The Next Biennial Should Be Curated by a Machine.” 

The curator, an AI bot machine, will learn to curate by looking at the data set from the 2021 mowna Biennial, an exhibit of an international pool of artists selected from 44 countries gathered through a free call for submissions process that ran from January through March of 2021.

The Biennial includes all forms of art made from 2019 to 2021. The machine will also learn from other data sets of recently made art. The AI machine will curate the show by looking at the text data of the submissions as well as the artwork files. There will also be human curators, so that a comparison can be made. 

The show will be viewable at mowna.org, and a detailed writeup of the process, results, and thoughts about the future of artificial intelligence related to art curation will be made available. Early questions are available here in the mowna blog.


“We are interested in creating a machine that can curate in a diverse and ethical way, that is not founded in white supremacy or structures of inherent racism. Much of the art world is affected and effected by both of these issues. So mowna asks, is it possible to create an AI that looks at the art and curates with diversity, equity and inclusion? It is important to build this machine now, before other big tech companies design algorithms that erase the artist and define AI curation.” ~cari ann shim sham*, Co-founder and Curator of mowna.

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“This Show is Curated by a Machine 🤖” marks the third online art experience by mowna, the first being its Opening Show now available to members in the mowna collection, and the second being the current exhibit, the 2021 mowna Biennial. The Biennial is mowna’s direct response to the gap in the art world seen after the coronavirus pandemic, and showcased art of all mediums that otherwise would’ve gone unseen. Tickets to the Biennial will be available until the show closes on September 22nd, and are sliding scale pay what you wish, after which “This Show is Curated by a Machine 🤖” will be installed and available for online viewing. 


Artists may submit up to 10 works of art per submission and artists will be paid 70% of ticket and membership sales from the show, with the other 30% paying for the creation of the platform. There is no submission fee to apply, and all mediums of art are welcome. The works must have been completed after January 1, 2020. The deadline for submissions is August 20, 2021 at 12 PM ET. Contact The Silo for more information.


As the global community continually moves further into a multi-faceted technological way of life, the way art, across all mediums, is consumed, has been changing in ways to make art more accessible while remaining true to the integrity of all genres. mowna recognized this growing, transformational need pre-pandemic which catalyzed the formation and birth of the Museum of Wild and Newfangled Art  to meet the ever-growing needs of an ever-changing art world.


mowna is at the center of the exponentially changing art world and makes it their priority to showcase art from all walks of life. With a mix of what is familiar and unfamiliar, patrons will see artists who’ve been curated by the Whitney or the MoMA along with artists available only on mowna. 


“This Show is Curated by a Machine 🤖” will run from September 23, 2021 through January 31, 2022 at mowna.org.  mowna exists to provide an international online platform for the most timely, diverse, and preeminent artists.