Meet Mark Zuckerberg: Founder And Creator Of Facebook And Meta
Mark Zuckerberg is the multibillionaire founder behind Facebook (now Meta) who is shaping the course of social interaction and virtual reality online. Mark Zuckerberg has led Facebook, now Meta, for nearly two decades.David Ramos/Getty Images Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg grew up outside of New York City and dropped out of Harvard after founding Facebook. He's built it into a multibillion-dollar company while weathering numerous scandals and controversies. Here's a look at his career rise, personal life, and controversies over the years. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has weathered success and controversy in equal parts over the past 19 years.The millennial CEO is credited with creating a social network that has more monthly active users than any single country in the world has people, and his majority voting rights give him complete control of the company — which also means he's often the focal point of any backlash.As it grew from a social network called Facebook to a metaverse company named Meta, the company that Zuckerberg built has weathered scandal after scandal even as it saw seemingly unstoppable growth. But things have shifted as Facebook user numbers stalled out last year for the first time, Zuckerberg's net worth plunged, and Meta layoffs affected more than 21,000 people, marking the biggest cull in the company's history.Still, Zuckerberg's net worth is estimated at $108 billion, making him the 10th richest person in the world. At the beginning of the 2022, Zuckerberg was worth $125 billion.At the same time, Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, have poured billions into efforts to cure human diseasea via their foundation, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative; amassed a sprawling real estate empire in Hawaii; and expanded their family to include three young daughters: Maxima, August, and Aurelia.Here's a look at the timeline of Zuckerberg's career, from his early life in a New York suburb to his role as one of the most powerful CEOs in the world:Early life, familyNew York City seen through the frozen Hudson River in Dobbs Ferry, New York.Amir Levy/Getty ImagesWhile he's now a titan of Silicon Valley, Mark Zuckerberg was raised in the quaint town of Dobbs Ferry, New York. He was born to Edward and Karen Zuckerberg, a dentist and psychiatrist, respectively. He has three siblings: Randi, Donna, and Arielle.Source: New York MagazineYoung computer programmerRick Friedman/Corbis via Getty ImagesA precocious child, Mark at age 12 created a messaging program called "Zucknet" using Atari BASIC. He also coded computer games for his friends at a young age.Source: New York MagazineBuilding a music streamer in high schoolJusting Sullivan/Getty ImagesWhile attending high school at the renowned Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire, he built an early music streaming platform, which both AOL and Microsoft showed interest in. Still a teen, he rejected offers for an acquisition or a job.Source: New York Magazine Other interestsUnfortunately, this isn't actually Zuckerberg fencing.Murad Sezer/ReutersHe wasn't just a computer nerd, though. Zuck loved the classics — "The Odyssey" and the like — and he became captain of his high school fencing team.Source: The New YorkerBefore Facebook, there was Face mashZuckerberg and Facebook cofounder Chris Hughes.Rick Friedman/Corbis via Getty ImagesSoon after Zuckerberg started at Harvard University in 2002, he earned a reputation as a skilled developer. His first hit was "Face mash," a hot-or-not-style app that used the pictures of his classmates that he hacked from the school administration's dormitory ID files.Source: The New YorkerYoung lovePriscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg.Bloomberg via Getty ImagesZuckerberg met his now-wife, Priscilla Chan, at Harvard in 2003. Chan told Savannah Guthrie on "Today" that they met at a frat party thrown by Zuckerberg's fraternity, Alpha Epsilon Pi.Source: TodayFounding "The Facebook"Rick Friedman/Corbis via Getty ImagesZuckerberg started "The Facebook" with several friends out of his dorm room, and dropped out of school in 2005, after his sophomore year, to focus on the social network full-time.Source: The New YorkerCEO Mark ZuckerbergPaul Sakuma/APZuckerberg wasn't always the polished statesman he is now. In Facebook's early days, he carried business cards that read, "I'm CEO, B----."Source: TechCrunchFacebook's series A fundingPaul Sakuma/APZuckerberg's company raised its $12.7 million Series A round of funding while he was barely of legal drinking age.Person of the YearTimeIn 2010, Time magazine named Zuckerberg "Person of the Year."Source: Time"The Social Network" dramatizes Zuckerberg, Facebook's storyJustin Timberlake and Jesse Eisenberg playing Sean Parker and Mark Zuckerberg, respectively.Sony Pictures/"The Social Network"Not many tech CEOs get to see themselves immortalized on the big screen, but the 2010 movie "The Social Network" put a dramatized version of Facebook's founding story in theaters. The film earned eight Academy Award nominations, but Zuckerberg strongly maintains that many of its details are incorrect.Source: New York MagazineThroughout Facebook's rise to greatness, Zuckerberg also spent his free time studying Chinese. By the fall of 2014, his Mandarin was so good that he managed to hold a 30-minute Q&A in the language.Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, delivers a keynote speech during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain February 22, 2016.REUTERS/Albert GeaThroughout Facebook's rise to greatness, Zuckerberg studied Chinese in his free time. By the fall of 2014, his Mandarin was so good that he managed to hold a 30-minute Q&A in the language.Facebook's historic IPO catapulted Zuckerberg's net worthAPZuckerberg took Facebook public on May 18, 2012. The IPO raised $16 billion, making it the biggest tech IPO in history at the time. Zuckerberg became the 29th-richest person on the planet overnight.Priscilla Chan becomes Mark Zuckerberg's wifeMark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan embrace during a Chan Zuckerberg Initiative event in 2016.Beck Diefenbach/ReutersThe day after Facebook went public, Zuckerberg and Chan got married. The relatively low-key event was actually a surprise wedding — guests thought they were celebrating Chan's medical school graduation.Zuckerberg designed Chan's ruby ring himself. Chan walked down the aisle with Beast, the couple's Hungarian Puli, who they adopted in 2011.The two honeymooned in Italy, flying in on a private jet and staying at a five-star hotel, Portrait Suites, where rooms started at 800 euros per night. But they still kept it casual at times when looking for something to eat — paparazzi spotted the couple eating at McDonald's while overseas.Starting a familyAP Photo/Manuel Balce CenetaIn 2015, Zuckerberg and Chan announced the birth of daughter Maxima, or "Max" for short. "There is so much joy in our little family," Zuckerberg wrote on Facebook.Chan Zuckerberg Initiative is bornPeter Barreras/APIn honor of Max's birth, the couple announced their plan to sell 99% of Zuckerberg's Facebook stock over time— worth about $45 billion at the time — to fund the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. The initiative funnels money toward issues like personalized learning, curing diseases, and connecting people.Before announcing that new effort, Zuckerberg and Chan had committed $1.6 billion to philanthropic causes, including donations to the Centers for Disease Control and the San Francisco General Hospital, which was eventually renamed after Zuckerberg.Goal: curing all diseasesAPIn September 2016, Chan and Zuckerberg pledged $3 billion towards efforts to cure the world's diseases by the end of this century. "Can we help scientists to cure, prevent or manage all diseases within our children's lifetime?" Zuckerberg wrote on Facebook. "I'm optimistic we can."Another baby on the wayAdam Berry/GettyIn May 2017, Chan and Zuckerberg announced they had another baby on the way. They welcomed a second daughter, August, later that year.Zuckerberg's wealthFacebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg.APZuckerberg is one of a very small group of people who is worth more billions of dollars than years he has lived. Still, he's far from flashy about it — the CEO famously wore only a hoodie or a gray t-shirt with jeans for over a decade, although he's switched it up in recent years.In 2014, when he was the third-richest man in the world, he bought a black Volkswagen GTI with a manual transmission, which cost around $30,000. However, he did reportedly pay for an Italian Pagani Huayra supercar around the same time.Life on KauaiA beach in Kauai, Hawaii.Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket via Getty ImagesZuckerberg also likes to spend his money on privacy. In October 2014, he shelled out around $100 million for 700 acres of secluded land on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. He's since amassed a total of 1,500 acres, though his presence on the island remains controversial among locals.Palo Alto mansionZillowIn Palo Alto, California, Zuckerberg reportedly bought his 5,617-square-foot home for $7 million in 2011, and then spent an additional $45 million on the four houses and land around it for the sake of privacy.Sources: Insider, San Jose Mercury News San Francisco mansionDolores Park in San Francisco's Mission neighborhood.Ahmet Karaman/Anadolu Agency/Getty ImagesHe also bought a $10 million mansion in San Francisco, and then spent more than $1 million on remodeling and additions — like a $60,000 greenhouse — that took a year to build and reportedly disturbed neighbors in the process. He sold the property in 2022 for $31 million.Source: SF Gate, InsiderFacebook acquisitionsFacebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg on stage at an Oculus developers conference in 2016.Glenn Chapmann/AFP via Getty ImagesZuckerberg hasn't been afraid to spend his company's money either. Facebook made some major acquisitions in the 2010s, including $1 billion for Instagram, $19 billion for WhatsApp, and $2 billion for Oculus. Today, Facebook apps are used by billions of people each month.Source: InsiderReturning to HarvardAssociated PressIn May 2017, Zuckerberg returned to Harvard as its youngest commencement speaker ever. During his speech, Zuckerberg touched on a range of topics, including climate change, universal basic income, criminal justice reform, and "modernizing democracy" by allowing people to vote online. He also received an honorary doctorate at the ceremony.Rubbing elbows with the rich and powerfulZuckerberg with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.SUSANA BATES/AFP via Getty ImagesZuckerberg frequently meets with high-profile figures and celebrities, including Snoop Dogg, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and former President Barack Obama.Source: FacebookFacebook, fake news, and the 2016 electionAssociated PressShortly after the 2016 presidential election, Facebook was accused of spreading misinformation that led to Donald Trump's win. The CEO brushed off the claims: "Personally, I think the idea that fake news on Facebook ... influenced the election in any way is a pretty crazy idea."But about a year later, the first evidence of Facebook's role emerged. The company revealed that Russian parties spent around $100,000 on roughly 3,000 ads, and that 126 million Americans likely saw Russia-funded posts intended to sway them.Zuckerberg has always been passionate about political issues, but he kicked up his rhetoric significantly around the time that Trump was elected. However, he still worked behind the scenes to communicate with Trump, including attending private dinners at the White House.President Zuckerberg?Mark Zuckerberg's public image is recovering thanks to his new fitness obsession and leadership through tech's tough times.Kevin Dietsch/Getty ImagesIn 2017, Zuckerberg announced that his personal challenge for the year — an annual tradition of his since 2009 — was to visit every US state. The stops he made sparked speculation that he had plans to run for president one day, but he denied the rumors.Cambridge Analytica scandalAPIn March 2018, data analytics company Cambridge Analytica was revealed to have harvested data from over 50 million Facebook users' profiles — a number Facebook later said was closer to 87 million — using it to target voters during the 2016 election. The group was hired by the Trump campaign.Zuckerberg was called on to appear in front of lawmakers in two testimonies that lasted five hours each. Zuckerberg left with a laundry list of requests for answers and action items.Facebook's stock tumbled in the months following the congressional hearings and the Cambridge Analytica scandal. At its lowest, its stock was down 18% from what it had been before the story broke.Facebook's global role questionedNasir Kachroo/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesFacebook also faced accusations in 2018 that its moderation efforts weren't adequate in stopping the proliferation of hate speech and disinformation on its network. Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp were cited as contributing to political violence and deliberate misinformation in Myanmar, India, Germany, the Philippines, Brazil, and more.Sources: Reuters, Insider, Buzzfeed NewsInstagram co-founders departInstagram cofounders Mike Krieger, left, and Kevin Systrom.Jim Bennett/WireImageIn September 2018, Instagram cofounders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger abruptly announced they were leaving Facebook. It was later reported they had left amid "growing tensions" with Zuckerberg, and that the pair was fighting with Facebook leadership over Instagram's "autonomy."Sources: Bloomberg, InsiderWhatsApp co-founders speak outWhatsApp cofounders Brian Acton and Jan Koum.ReutersThe departure of Instagram's cofounders was quickly followed with scathing remarks from WhatsApp cofounder Brian Acton, who detailed disagreements with Facebook executives over user privacy. Both WhatsApp cofounders had left the company earlier that year.Source: Forbes, Washington PostFacebook data hackThe Asahi Shimbun via Getty ImagesTo add to an already scandal-ridden year, Facebook announced in September 2018 it had been hacked. Around 30 million users had their personal information compromised, making it the worst hack in Facebook's 15-year history.Stepping up security in wake of scandalGetty ImagesIn 2019 and 2020, Facebook spent around $23 million on personal security for Zuckerberg and his family. In 2018, his security costs had nearly doubled in the wake of the Cambridge Analytica scandal.Source: Insider, InsiderCongressional testimony againAP Photo/Andrew HarnikIn October 2019, Zuckerberg was once again called on to testify in front of Congress — this time, about Facebook's plans for its Libra digital currency. Congressional members also grilled him on the company's content moderation practices and its lack of diversity.Zuckerberg's goal for a new decadeFacebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg.GettyFor 2020, Zuckerberg set a goal for the decade. "My goal for the next decade isn't to be liked but to be understood," Zuckerberg said. After the criticism it faced in dealing with political misinformation in 2016, the company geared up for a "tough year" with the 2020 presidential election.Source: InsiderAntitrust Congressional testimonyYouTube/House JudiciaryZuckerberg testified before Congress yet again in 2020 — alongside Tim Cook, Jeff Bezos, and Sundar Pichai — over matters of antitrust. Facebook was later hit with two antitrust suits that sought to break up the company.Source: InsiderChan, Zuckerberg fight COVID-19Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg.Ian Tuttle/Getty Images for Breakthrough PrizeThroughout the coronavirus pandemic, Zuckerberg attempted to quash misinformation about the virus and vaccines on Facebook, hosted regular town halls with virus experts, and, through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, contributed millions to finding COVID-19 treatments.Source: Insider, Insider, InsiderFacebook deals with Trump post-Jan. 6Getty/Business InsiderEarly in 2021, following the violent insurrection at the US Capitol, Zuckerberg announced that Facebook was suspending Trump indefinitely after he used the platform to "condone rather than condemn the actions of his supporters." The company's Oversight Board later upheld Trump's ban, though Meta went on to reinstate his account in 2023, and Trump made his first post upon returning to the platform this March.Source: Insider, Insider, Insider, InsiderAnother major Facebook data breachMark Zuckerberg.Charles Platiau/ReutersFacebook experienced yet another major data breach in 2021. This time, 533 million Facebook users' phone numbers and personal data were leaked online.Source: InsiderFacebook becomes MetaEmployees change the sign outside Meta's headquarters in Menlo Park, California.Justin Sullivan/Getty ImagesFacebook announced in October 2021 that it would change its corporate name to Meta to reflect its ambition to become "metaverse first." The company began trading under the new stock ticker MVRS on December 1, 2021.Source: InsiderNew Meta milestoneWachiwit/ShutterstockIn February 2022, Meta hit a new milestone, though not a positive one: Facebook's user numbers shrunk for the first time in its history, sending the stock plummeting.Source: InsiderSheryl Sandberg leaves FacebookSheryl Sandberg and Mark Zuckerberg walk together at the Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference.Kevin Dietsch/Getty ImagesZuckerberg's longtime second-in-command, COO Sheryl Sandberg, announced in June 2022 that she would leave the company. "Fourteen years later, it is time for me to write the next chapter of my life," she wrote on Facebook.Source: InsiderExpecting againMark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan.Peter Barreras/Invision/APIn September 2022, Zuckerberg's wife was pregnant with their third child together. In March 2023, he announced the birth of their third daughter, Aurelia. "You're such a little blessing," he wrote in an Instagram post.Zuckerberg's net worth dropsGetty ImagesZuckerberg's wealth skyrocketed over the course of the last few years, but took a major hit in 2022. Though he started that year with a $125 billion fortune, it had dropped to $35.2 billion by November, making Zuckerberg the 29th-richest person in the world at the time.Source: BloombergMeta layoffsGettyAlso in November, Zuckerberg announced Meta would lay off more than 11,000 people, roughly 13% of its workforce, in the biggest cull in the company's history.The layoffs were caused in part by overhiring during the pandemic tech boom. "At the start of Covid, the world rapidly moved online and the surge of e-commerce led to outsized revenue growth," he said at the time. "Many people predicted this would be a permanent acceleration that would continue even after the pandemic ended. I did too, so I made the decision to significantly increase our investments. Unfortunately, this did not play out the way I expected."In Meta's earnings release for Q4 2022 in February 2023, Zuckerberg hinted more cuts could be coming when he said 2023 would be Meta's "year of efficiency." The following month, he confirmed those suspicions, announcing Meta would lay off 10,000 additional workers in a second round of job cuts.Source: Insider, Insider, Insider, InsiderMetaverse faces questionsMark Zuckerberg as an avatar during Connect 2022MetaSome Meta investors remain unhappy with Zuckerberg's metaverse plans, and shares of the company fell 24% after the company disclosed in October 2022 that it missed earnings targets. Zuckerberg said he intends to continue spending billions on Meta's VR division and building the metaverse.Source: InsiderMeta stock buybacksThe Meta logo.Arnd Wiegmann/ReutersMeta announced a $40 billion stock buyback in February to appease shareholders as the company's business and revenue growth stalled. News of the buyback sent shares up 23%, and Zuckerberg consequently saw his net worth rise, gaining roughly $12 billion in a single day. Today, his net worth is around $75.8 billion, making him the 13th-richest person in the world.Source: Insider, TheStreet, Bloomberg Billionaires IndexRead the original article on Business Insider.....»»
Why we choose to live on a homestead as millennials: We don"t get a day off, but we love raising our girls in this environment.
Homesteading has become a growing trend with millenials. Christina Heinritz says it is hard work, but loves the lifestyle for her family. Christina Figone HeinritzChristina Figone HeinritzChristina Heinritz and her husband, Trevor, built their own homestead in California.They are raising their daughters, ages 2 and 4, to live off the land. It's hard work, but Heinritz said she loves raising her children this way. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Christina Heinritz, 33, who owns a homestead in Lincoln, California. The conversation was edited for length and clarity.I grew up in the Bay Area — I didn't even have a dog growing up. No pets.But when I started college at Chico State — right after my dad was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes — I declared my major in nutrition. I started going to his doctor's appointments and learning more about it. I was curious as to why we eat the way we do.I wanted to know where my food came from, so I got into pig hunting, deer hunting, fishing, and archery. Then, I met my husband. He is an agricultural crop duster.We left Chico and we moved to Lincoln to live with his parents. We wanted to start fresh and, at the time, there was no talk about buying raw land.But this acreage came for sale right next to them. It was one of those things that just happened serendipitously. That was six years ago.Homesteading wasn't our original planIt really started with us getting chickens and then I started collecting every animal out there.One of the goats on the homesteadChristina Figone HeinritzOur entire property was filled with poison oak, and I was super allergic to it – my husband would tear out berry bushes and would touch poison oak on the tractor, and I would get poison oak all over me. We really needed to take care of the problem.So that's when we fenced in the property, and started to get some animals to eat the poison oak. We bought two alpacas on Craigslist, and it kind of spiraled from there — we got donkeys, we got goats.We dove into homebuilding and homesteading. It really just fell into our laps. We did all the work on building our farm and our homestead, and it took us years of dedication to do it.There's nothing easy about starting a homesteadWe built in California, so there's nothing easy about it.I have a lot of people that will come to me and say, "I want to build a house," and I say "It'd be easier just to buy something and remodel it." You have building permits, codes, so many different requirements. We had to put hurricane tiedown clips on our concrete, even though we live in California. It's just it's a whole nother ball game of building from the ground up.Christina Figone Heinritz holding one of her animals. Courtesy of Christina Figone Heinritz The summer we started framing our first lumber job it was like 113 degrees that day. We built under every condition. Both of us had full time jobs and we worked every single day after work until 9 p.m., or 10 p.m. with flashlights, and every single weekend.For years, we didn't go to a concert, we didn't eat out, we didn't buy new clothes. We were buying tools. Every single paycheck went to it. I don't think people understand the sacrifice that it takes to get to the point we're at.We sold every single thing to build our dreams. For years, we put every single ounce of our time, money and energy — literally our physical bodies doing the labor. We were beat up from it. It's a lot of sacrifice for a lot of years.The hardest part about it is that you don't get a day off. You can't just not feed your animals. Even if it's 100 degrees that day, you can't go sit by the pool, you have to watch your animals. It's like having kids — you don't necessarily sleep in the morning because even if you try to sleep in when light happens all the animals are yelling at you because they're hungry.You have to watch your garden, you've got to watch your sprinklers on your plants. You can't just walk away from it as easily.But all of it is worth itI think for me, a homestead is just somehow sustaining your way of life through your property. It doesn't matter if you're vegetarian or if eat meat, or if you do eggs, or have a garden.There's many homesteads that people have in a suburban townhouses, too.Heinritz's husband and daughter at their home. Courtesy of Christina Figone HeinritzYou can get a pretty good sized garden with not that much land. I even know a lot of people that live in the city that make their own bread and make their own tinctures and grow a garden. There are so many different variations.The best part about it is sitting back to see what you have created, the fruit of all your hard work.Most recently, the best part for me is looking at the grass with a beautiful sunset view and watching our kids run around the lawn and pick fruit off our trees and eat it. It's watching them run around and pet the animals or have friends over to come enjoy it with us.It's really beautiful to see every single trench like we dug to put irrigation lines in for the fruit trees years ago to now see my kids get to pick the fruit off the trees and eat it. It's a beautiful before and after.We're now at a point where we're not doing any huge projects at the moment. And it's really beautiful to see how far we've come. That's really what it comes down to.We are seeing so many people return to homesteadingA lot of young people are interested in starting homesteads because I think people are waking up to the food system. There's a lot of stuff that everyone thinks is healthy and it's not.The best way to get quality nutrients for your body and your family is to know where your food comes from. And people have no other way to figure out than to raise it.Christina Figone Heinritz's homesteadChristina Figone HeinritzI don't feel that I am missing out on anything by homesteadingI think when you buy into this convenience lifestyle that everyone has, something is gonna suffer.I think the more you teach your kids about scratch cooking and they can join you in the kitchen, that's more valuable than anything taught in the classroom and better for your body. So I don't think we're missing anything.And I think as a society, there's gonna be more of a push in that direction.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»
I moved from the UK to Canada and work remotely. Tipping and sales tax are the biggest culture shocks.
Naomi Robinson decided to pursue her relocation dream and now lives in Toronto on a two-year International Experience Canada visa. Naomi Robinson moved from London to Toronto.Naomi Robinson Naomi Robinson, a tech management consultant, moved from the UK to Canada. She swapped London for Toronto, where she now works remotely while on a two-year visa. She broke down the visa process, her biggest cultural shocks, and how to navigate the big changes.This is an as-told-to essay based on a conversation with Naomi Robinson, a 26-year-old management consultant. Robinson's visa has been verified by Insider. The following has been edited for length and clarity.I wanted to move to Canada since I was 17.I studied geography in high school and then later at university, and as part of my studies, we looked at how various cities and countries shaped their societies through placemaking processes. Among them was Toronto. What struck me about Toronto was its similarity to London, but on a grander scale — with its natural beauty and multicultural society.Over the years, I kept the idea of moving to Canada in mind, and I started taking the dream seriously during the pandemic.Getting a visaAfter graduating, I entered the tech industry, working in management consulting.I reached out to people on LinkedIn, who I saw had made a similar transition, and sought advice on the visa process, job market, and other crucial aspects of the move. The visa process was surprisingly straightforward, as the Canadian and British governments offer a Youth Mobility Scheme visa for people between the ages of 18 and 30 to live and work in Canada for two years. The visa I applied for is known as the International Experience Canada (IEC) visa.Toronto's skyline is dominated by the CN Tower.Posnov/Getty ImagesI was fortunate to receive an acceptance letter within a week, likely because I applied during a period when they were actively accepting applications.The next steps involved gathering necessary documents such as a passport, a police check, and work experience details.Upon receiving and accepting my visa, I also had to secure health insurance, which is a requirement for the IEC.Life in TorontoI arrived in Toronto in August.My employer allows me to work remotely on UK projects, but there are tax limitations on how long I can work on UK clients, so I may explore opportunities within the Canadian office or other roles in the industry after October.I've pushed myself to be proactive, balancing my work and social life while adapting to a new culture.People say that Canadians are open, friendly, and welcoming — and I've found that to be true. I've met people from just walking down the street.I'm also making an effort to make new friendships online and through networking.To find accommodation, I scoured Facebook groups catering to UK residents moving to Canada, but I ultimately found a place through a family friend already living in Toronto.Having lived in my family home in north London for most of my life, the transition to renting has been a learning experience.Naomi Robinson says it's important to be proactive in Toronto.Katrin Ray Shumakov/Getty ImagesI've also been surprised by the cultural diversity in Toronto. London is a multicultural city — but Toronto takes it to another level. The expectation to tip has been a culture shock, however.There's an unsaid expectation to tip like in the US, and I've had to incorporate that into my spending and budgeting for recreational activities.Another thing I'm still getting my head around is prices in stores as tax is added at the checkout, whereas in the UK it's already included.In Toronto, I've discovered the importance of proactivity, putting myself out there, and staying authentic to who I am.It's a fresh start that has allowed me to build new relationships and gain valuable life experiences.My journey in Canada is still unfolding, and I'm excited to see where it leads next.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»
Nvidia stock is a bubble waiting to burst – and the AI rush may be a modern version of 17th-century tulip mania, note says
Nvidia shares could soon plunge just like 17th-century tulips and 1990s dot-com companies did, according to Rebellion Research. Investors' AI rush brings to mind the 17th-century tulip bubble, according to Rebellion Research.Reuters/Cris Toala Olivares Nvidia's stock price has become a bubble, according to Rebellion Research. Shares could soon crash like 17th-century tulips or 1990s dot-com companies did, the think tank said. The semiconductor giant has soared 180% this year, thanks to the rise of generative AI. Nvidia's stock has soared so high this year that the semiconductor giant now trades at a bubble-level valuation reminiscent of 17th-century tulips and late-1990s dot-com companies, according to Rebellion Research.Shares have jumped 180% to $410, but the think tank said earlier this month that the stock is now hugely overvalued and could crash at any time."Historically, financial markets have witnessed numerous asset bubbles, from the tulip mania in the 17th century to the more recent dot-com bubble in the late 1990s and early 2000s," Rebellion analysts wrote."Nvidia's recent stock performance, driven by the enthusiasm surrounding generative AI and soaring earnings, seems to exhibit many characteristics of such speculative bubbles," they added. "We think Nvidia is a great company … however, just maybe at $300 a share."Generative AI programs like ChatGPT run on high-powered, specialized graphics processing units (GPUs) – and Nvidia has a lion-sized share of that market.It's posted back-to-back stellar quarterly earnings report that showed demand for its products has surged thanks to the AI craze, and investors have responded by loading up on shares. That's pushed Nvidia to a trillion-dollar valuation and establish it as a member of the mega-cap "Magnificent Seven" group of Big Tech firms.But it remains to be seen how "practical and profitable" AI can be and that makes Nvidia's stock vulnerable at its current price, according to Rebellion.The company also looks overvalued at its current price-to-earnings ratio and could struggle if the Federal Reserve ends up holding interest rates at a higher level for longer to combat inflation, strategists warned."With historical price-to-earnings ratios as a reference and the looming shift in monetary policy, investors should tread with caution," they said. "Like every bubble that has come before, the factors leading to its rise often sow the seeds of its eventual burst."Rebellion, which uses probability models to generate market predictions, compared the chipmaker's valuation to several high-profile bubbles from the past 400 years.Those included the Dutch tulip boom of the 1630s – when contract prices for tulip bulbs skyrocketed, creating what's been called the first speculative financial bubble – as well as the more recent dot-com crash, which triggered a massive sell-off in the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite between March 2000 and October 2002.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»
NASA awarded $850,000 to a company that wants to pick up space trash the old-fashioned way — with bags
NASA awarded TransAstra nearly a million dollars for its concept of capture bags large enough to scoop up space trash the size of a house. An illustration of space junk. Satellites and debris are not to scale.ESA NASA awarded TransAstra an $850,000 contract for its concept of Flytrap capture bags. Flytrap bags could be built large enough to scoop up space trash the size of a house. Space trash is a growing problem that endangers satellites, spaceships, and astronauts' lives. In the middle of a space flight, an astronaut heard a massive bang. He looked up and saw a piece of space junk embedded in the window of the shuttle.If the debris had been bigger, it could have blown out the window, and the crew would have all died, the astronaut told Joel C. Sercel, the founder and CEO of TransAstra."Space junk is one of the greatest perils that astronauts face in low Earth orbit today," Sercel told Insider. TransAstra was recently awarded an $850,000 contract from NASA to explore the possibility of cleaning up space junk with a giant "capture bag" that the company has dubbed Flytrap, Sercel said.TransAstra's capture bags could help solve Earth's space debris problem.TransAstra"It's kind of like picking up trash on the side of the highway," Sercel said.Only much, much more complex and expensive.Earth's backyard is a giant dumpsterAs humans expand into space, we're leaving a big mess.The European Space Agency estimates over 330 million pieces of space debris are circling the Earth. Space debris can reach speeds up to 17,500 mph and pose a risk to astronauts, shuttles, and satellites.Space shuttle Endeavour's radiator was hit with space debris causing this hole.NASATransAstra's Flytrap bags were initially developed to capture asteroids that, in the future, could be mined for rare elements, Sercel said.But the more Sercel and the team looked into asteroid mining, the more they "became aware of the space junk problem, and we thought this is a really good solution for cleaning up orbital debris," Sercel told Insider.Giant capture bags to clean up the messTransAstra's plan is to use bags attached to small spacecraft that can fly alongside the space junk in low Earth orbit. TransAstra's bags may eventually be used to capture asteroids for mining.TransAstraOnce in position, the craft deploys the bag and encloses the space junk, zippering it in, Sercel said.To prevent the bags from tearing, TransAstra is testing bags made from Kevlar and other strong materials proven in space.While there are other proposed means of collecting space junk, they're often only effective on certain items, Sercel said, like debris that is magnetic or can be grasped by a robotic arm.The capture bags, on the other hand, can pick up anything that fits inside them.TransAstra's bags could be designed big enough to capture space trash weighing 1,000 tons.TransAstra"We can build a Flytrap that could fit in a coffee cup and capture things the size of a watermelon, and we can build a big Flytrap that can capture items the size of a house that weigh 1,000 tons," Sercel said.The biggest challengesThis approach to capturing space junk is "absolutely valid," Dave Barnhart, research professor in the Department of Astronautical Engineering at the University of South Carolina, told Insider.TransAstra aren't the only ones with this concept.The European Space Agency is planning an endeavor, called ClearSpace-1, which plans to use a similar approach to capture debris, Barnhart said.Clearspace-1 is slated to launch in 2026. Similarly, Sercel said Flytrap technology could be used in space within two years.The biggest challenge is fuel cost, according to Barnhart, who is also CEO of Arkisys Inc, a company that plans to build ports and outposts in space."To use one spacecraft with one bag to go grab a whole bunch of stuff is a good idea, but it requires a huge amount of fuel," Barnhart said.Even debris items that are relatively close together are spread over tremendously vast expanses, he added.So far, TransAstra has developed patent-pending prototypes and worked with a government entrepreneurial program, NASA SBIR Ignite, to prove the concept.This year, it'll be building a full-sized prototype to fulfill the NASA contract, Sercel said."No one doubts the scientific feasibility," Sercel added. "It's the engineering feasibility of doing it affordably that has to be proven."How to make it affordableUltimately, one way to offset costs could be to recycle the captured space trash to help build satellites and other objects in orbit."People paid lots of money to get it into orbit in the first place," Sercel said. "Anything in space is by definition worth a lot. If you can repurpose it, that's a win for everyone."Barnhart, whose company aims to build space outposts, said recycling in space could be a reality within five to 10 years."Every single piece of the puzzle is there, but it's got to be created," he said. As space exploration and industry expand, thinking ahead about debris will become even more important, Sercel said. "Not leaving trash is part of being a good celestial citizen," he said.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»
I moved to Portugal from the US. My work-life balance is way better and I never work past 6 p.m.
Kaitlin Wichmann is an American expat who relocated from Kansas City, Kansas to Lisbon. She usually has two hours for lunch, and sometimes even longer. Kaitlin Wichmann is an American expat living and working in Lisbon, Portugal.Kaitlin Wichmann Kaitlin Wichmann is an American expat living and working in Lisbon, Portugal. Wichmann, a freelance digital marketer, moved to Lisbon from Kansas City, Kansas, in 2022. She said the country's focus on work-life balance has been a positive change from that in the US. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Kaitlin Wichmann, an American expat living and working in Lisbon, Portugal. Insider has verified her clients with documentation. The following has been edited for length and clarity.I moved to Lisbon in 2022 from my hometown of Kansas City, Kansas.I'd been traveling for a while and was already looking for a place to settle down. When I arrived in Lisbon, I just had a gut feeling that I was meant to stay longer. Moving here was pretty simple, and it felt like an easy transition. Getting a visa then was slightly harder for me than it is now because I was applying when some travel restrictions were still in place. In the end, I had to hire someone to help me open a bank account before I flew over.My quality of life is higher here because I feel safe and the city is affordable — the weather is great, too, which is important.Being self-employed as a freelance digital marketer has allowed me to be more flexible with where and how I work. I normally work out of coworking spaces around the city, and I use an app called Croissant to book them. It's great because it gives me the opportunity to be surrounded by other people but still be able to work on my own thing. It's nice to have some flexibility and not have to go to the same place every day.There's more of a work-life balance in Lisbon — even the focus on taking breaks is different. When we go for lunch, we take about two hours. Sometimes it's even longer, and people will go out for an espresso or something like that.When I lived in the US, most of my coworkers didn't even take lunch, or if we did, we'd take a working lunch. Back home, the mindset is that if you receive an email, you should reply right away. It's very different here, and while that's mostly positive, it can take longer when you're trying to get something done. In Lisbon, everyone goes outside to the park after work, which is also very different.She said the latest she ever works is 6 p.m. local time — or about 1 p.m. Eastern Time.Kaitlin WichmannRight now, all my clients are American, but I just signed a contract with a Portuguese agency, so I'm hoping to have some local clients soon. When I'm interviewing with a potential client or agency, I'm always upfront about living in Lisbon and working Portuguese hours. Over here, the latest I'll ever work is 6 p.m.It's important for me to set these boundaries. Obviously, it's easier for me because I'm self-employed — a lot of my friends work for American companies, and it's much harder to set those boundaries there.Sometimes I think I might lose work because of my attitude, but I also think it's worth it because I want to work with the type of people who respect my boundaries.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»
An amateur astronomer caught one of the brightest fireballs ever seen on Jupiter. Watch the rare video footage.
An asteroid or comet smacked Jupiter on camera. Only a few impacts this big and bright have ever been recorded on the planet. Here's how they compare. Jupiter recently welcomed a flashy guest from space.NASA, ESA, Amy Simon (NASA-GSFC), Michael H. Wong (UC Berkeley), Joseph DePasquale (STScI) Video shows a giant flash of light on Jupiter, from an asteroid or comet hitting its surface. It's rare to capture footage of Jupiter collisions, but an amateur astronomer managed to record it. It's only the second time in a decade that astronomers have captured an impact this big on the giant planet. Jupiter takes a lot of hits for the rest of the solar system, and new footage shows one of the biggest astronomers have ever seen.About 14 seconds into the video below, you can see a bright flash appear in Jupiter's southern hemisphere. The flash is from an impact — likely an asteroid or comet slamming into the planet. The video was captured by amateur astronomer Tadao Ohsugi, in Japan, in August. It's a rare sight. Fireballs can happen on Earth, too. When meteoroids — small chunks of space rock — fall toward us, they sometimes rip through the atmosphere at such high speeds that they burn up mid-air.This fireball on Jupiter, however, was much, much bigger than anything that could safely strike Earth.One of the brightest, biggest Jupiter fireballs ever recordedKo Arimatsu, an astronomer at Kyoto University, confirmed to The New York Times that there were six reports of this flash on August 28. He said it's one of the brightest fireballs ever recorded on Jupiter, and only the second big one to be captured in a decade.The last impact of this size, which Arimatsu assessed in 2021, had a force equivalent to about two megatons of TNT.Prior to that, a giant impact in 2009 left behind a visible dark spot of debris on Jupiter's surface, spanning twice the length of the US.A dark purple spot on Jupiter shows where an object impacted the planet in 2009.NASA, ESA, and H. Hammel (Space Science Institute, Boulder, Colo.), and the Jupiter Impact TeamBefore that, in 1994, fragments of a comet crashed into Jupiter in violent succession, creating a stunning series of bright flashes.A fragment of the Shoemaker-Levy 9 comet impacts Jupiter’s night side in 1994.NASA/JPLArimatsu compared the fireball in the new video to the Tunguska event of 1908, when an asteroid exploded in the skies above Siberia. The resulting shock wave and blast of heat destroyed 830 square miles of forest, according to NASA.Even though whatever hit Jupiter was big, it was basically eaten up and dissolved by the gas giant. When debris hits Jupiter, "it just melts and explodes," Peter Vereš, an astronomer at the Center for Astrophysics-Harvard & Smithsonian, told Mashable.If this object had hit Earth, it would be disastrous. But Jupiter has probably saved our planet from countless impacts, both Tunguska-sized and dinosaur-extinction-sized.Jupiter is the 'vacuum cleaner of the solar system'As the largest planet in our solar system, by far, Jupiter has a powerful gravity that pulls in comets and asteroids.An asteroid called Bennu, as captured by NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft.NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/University of ArizonaThat's why many scientists believe Jupiter is a critical ingredient in the recipe that makes Earth suitable for life. Especially in the earlier days of the solar system, when more space rocks were zipping around, Jupiter's gravity may have drawn in many of the biggest threats.The new video is "a glimpse of the violent processes that were happening in the early days of our solar system," Leigh Fletcher, a planetary scientist at the University of Leicester, told the Times.Even in the eons since those early days, Jupiter may have spared our little ocean world from many a space rock like the one that doomed the dinosaurs. In fact, Jupiter's appetite for asteroids and comets has earned it the nickname "vacuum cleaner of the solar system," according to NASA.Arimatsu said that these types of impacts are happening more often than we can observe, and that the scientific community depends on hobby astronomers for reports like this.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»
Apple customers are starting to receive their new $60 "FineWoven" iPhone cases — and the early reviews are rough
Apple users say the FineWoven iPhone cases scratch easily and already look worn despite being relatively new, and they expect better for $60. Apple customers say the company's new $60 FineWoven iPhone cases retain scratches and stains easily and look faded after even a short period of use.Apple Apple recently announced new FineWoven iPhone cases to replace its leather ones. They've started shipping out, and early reviews are mostly negative so far. Users say they scratch easily, gather dust, and already look worn despite being relatively new. Apple's first FineWoven iPhone cases have started shipping out, and customers aren't impressed, to say the least.Negative reviews have already started pouring in for the new cases, which were announced at Apple's annual fall keynote last week as a more eco-friendly replacement of Apple's leather cases.The Verge's Allison Johnson wrote that the FineWoven case is "categorically terrible.""When we first inspected the cases after picking them up at Apple Park, Verge editor-in-chief Nilay Patel picked one up and ran his fingernails across it five times — and that was all it took to leave a trail of indelible scuffs on the fabric," she wrote. "The scratches are still there a week later, no matter how many times I've tried 'buffing' it out by rubbing my finger over it."Carrie Marshall of gadget and tech news site T3 wrote that the case "feels more like very fine felt or the faux-velvet you get on things like cheap jewellery boxes" and was "a bit of a dust magnet."CNET's Patrick Holland said the FineWoven case has "visible tradeoffs," like a circular imprint left from MagSafe charging after only a week.On Amazon, the black iPhone 15 Pro Max FineWoven case has a 1.3-star rating with nine reviews as of this writing, and the blue iPhone 15 Pro FineWoven case has a 2.6-star rating from seven reviews.Some customers took to Reddit to express their disappointment."Taking my FineWoven case and wallet back when I pickup the phone on Friday. Really disappointed for the price. I can't see these things looking good after a few days honestly," one user said."Why does the Apple look so dirty and washed out when new?" another Reddit user wrote, referring to the faded look of the company's logo on the case.Some Apple customers had more positive reviews of the cases."Back feels soft and velvety and suede like," one person wrote in a MacRumors forum."It's a lot softer feeling than I expected," a Reddit user wrote, though with a caveat: "It's nice but I too suspect it's not gonna be as durable as the leather."Apple did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment on the reviewers' issues ahead of publication.Apple says the $60 case, which comes in five colors, is made from a "durable microtwill" fabric with 68% recycled material.The FineWoven cases aren't the only new Apple product to leave users underwhelmed.Though there were still long lines to buy the iPhone 15 when it hit stores Friday, some fans felt the new lineup wasn't much of a step up from previous iPhones.The big change, however, is the switch from a Lightning charging port to USB-C after 11 years. The new charging port, which Apple was essentially forced to adopt to comply with new EU laws, does offer some distinct advantages, such as the ability to charge other phones and use a charging cable that many other devices, including Apple's MacBooks, also use.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»
10 High Paying Jobs That Don’t Require Math
In this article, we will look at the 10 high-paying jobs that don’t require math. If you are interested in reading about our in-depth analysis of emerging trends in jobs along with a more extensive list, head straight to the 25 High Paying Jobs That Don’t Require Math. 10. Midwife Average Salary: $109,022 Midwives are […] In this article, we will look at the 10 high-paying jobs that don’t require math. If you are interested in reading about our in-depth analysis of emerging trends in jobs along with a more extensive list, head straight to the 25 High Paying Jobs That Don’t Require Math. 10. Midwife Average Salary: $109,022 Midwives are healthcare professionals specializing in maternal and newborn care. They provide prenatal, childbirth, and postnatal care to expectant mothers. It is one of the jobs that don’t require math......»»
25 High Paying Jobs That Don’t Require Math
In this article, we will look at the 25 high-paying jobs that don’t require math. If you want to skip our indepth analysis of emerging trends in jobs, head straight to the 10 High Paying Jobs That Don’t Require Math. While the world was already at the crossroads of changing times, COVID-19 accelerated the pace […] In this article, we will look at the 25 high-paying jobs that don’t require math. If you want to skip our indepth analysis of emerging trends in jobs, head straight to the 10 High Paying Jobs That Don’t Require Math. While the world was already at the crossroads of changing times, COVID-19 accelerated the pace with which the change was embraced. Not only did the world observe a transition of work settings in the form of remote work, but the values associated with conventional educational backgrounds like college degrees were also observed to reduce. Moreover, for a fair number of people who never imagined learning any skills online, e-learning became the only alternative, and hence, the new normal. It was indeed fascinating to observe how this also democratized access to technical roles, irrespective of one’s traditional educational background or mathematical abilities. Before diving into the list of high-paying non-technical jobs, let’s explore the trends that have been facilitating individuals to transition into technical roles from nontech backgrounds. Growing Popularity of Low-Code/No-Code Development The relationship between mathematical ability and coding ability has also been explored empirically and some research also establishes a connection between the two abilities. While not a 100% conclusive, the explored connection, if true, suggests that individuals who don’t go along well with math, might also not enjoy coding or excel at it. However, distaste for certain fields of study should not be a hinderance in one’s career in Software. This is where low-code/no-code platforms come in. These platforms provide visual interfaces and prebuilt components that simplify the coding process and allow individuals with little to no coding experience to create applications quickly. The allure of low-code/no-code platforms lies in their ability to democratize application development for what are often referred to as “citizen developers.” Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s Power BI is a popular business analytics tool that simplifies data analysis and visualization with its user-friendly, no-code interface. Users can generate interactive reports and dashboards without extensive coding expertise and thus, business professionals can extract insights from data efficiently. Similarly, Excel, a widely used spreadsheet application, incorporates low-code functionalities through features like Power Query and Power Pivot that allow users to manipulate data and perform complex calculations with ease. There is no denying that Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:MSFT) is among the top players in technological advancements especially in the field of technology as it is also one of the top AI companies in America. In fact, it has also been called the leader in generative AI. Harding Loevner Global Equity Strategy made the following comment about Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) in its Q2 2023 investor letter: “Most notably, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) was able to gain an immediate leadership position in generative Al by making a US$10 billion investment in OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, earlier this year. Microsoft’s Bing search engine has since introduced ChatGPT into its web index data-a collection so large that it is rivaled by the dataset of only one other business in the world, Alphabet’s Google. Data are the feedstock of Al models, and an Al-enhanced search engine trained on so much data may attract more users to Bing, allowing Microsoft to sell more ads on the service. Microsoft is also adding generative Al to other products, including the Azure cloud service, enabling business customers who use Azure to easily integrate OpenAl models to glean more insights from their data and automate functions such as certain IT tasks. These added capabilities should motivate more businesses to migrate their data to the cloud and make Azure more competitive with Amazon.com’s AWS and Google Cloud.” Teachable Machine by Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) represents another facet of the low-code/no-code development. This platform utilizes machine learning to make creating custom models accessible to a broader audience. Users can train machine learning models without coding. Teachable Machine enables individuals to interact with AI and machine learning and reduce the technical barriers that once limited their participation in this field. Chatbots and AI Conversation Tools Chatbots have also facilitated coding for non-coders as generative Ai tools like chatGPT or Bard AI can write any code if provided with the correct prompt and instructions. According to market analysis by Technavio, the global live chat software market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.91% between 2022 and 2027, driven by the increasing customer expectations for real-time support and personalized interactions. This trend reflects the evolving nature of online customer engagement. As today’s consumers demand immediate support and personalized experiences when interacting with online businesses, Chatbots and AI-powered conversation tools have stepped in to meet these expectations. How the Rise of E-Learning is Recreating Interest in Dry Subjects The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reported that in the fall of 2020, 75% of all postsecondary students in the US — over 14 million learners — enrolled in online classes as the pandemic restricted in-person learning. This marked a substantial increase from the 36% enrolled in distance education in the preceding year. These statistics are not just numbers, they represent a fundamental shift in how education is delivered. E-learning has become the new normal and its advantage lies in the visual aspect integral to it. Math is an incredibly dry subject, but various of its branches like geometry and topology can be made remarkably intuitive using interactive visuals. This is where E-learning has an advantage for subjects like Math over traditional learning. One of the biggest platforms of e-learning has been Udemy Inc (NASDAQ:UDMY), with 64 million students and 75,000 instructors that offer over 210,000 courses. Moreover, 50% of Fortune 100 companies are Udemy Inc (NASDAQ:UDMY) Business clients who access a repository of 24,000 courses. Udemy Inc (NASDAQ:UDMY) is primarily famous for providing an opportunity to upskill and offers certain courses that can even lead to technical certifications. ImageFlow/Shutterstock.com Our Methodology To list the high-paying jobs that don’t require math, we targeted jobs with little to no math, no steep learning curve and technical expertise. After extensive internet research, we shortlisted a total of 40 jobs. Out of those, the 25 highest paying were finally selected. To rank these jobs in order, we have utilized data on average salaries from Indeed.com and Glassdoor.com. Here is a list of high-paying jobs that don’t require math 25. Influencer Average Salary: $67,332 Influencers continue to boost businesses by expanding reach and driving engagement for them through authentic and targeted content which ultimately increases brand visibility and sales. 24. Virtual Assisstant Average Salary: $67,785 Different companies hire virtual assistants to handle administrative tasks which allows businesses to focus on core operations and reduce overhead expenses. Owing to the flexibility of the job with many remote opportunities available, it can be considered one of the part-time jobs that don’t require math. 23. Truck Driver Average Salary: $67,874 Truck drivers have an important job as they ensure timely deliveries of essential goods. Without truck drivers, supply chains would grind to a halt, affecting businesses and consumers alike. It is one of the high paying jobs that don’t require math. 22. Graphic Designer Average Salary: $69,231 Companies often hire graphic designers to boost the company’s image while attracting customers and conveying their messages effectively. To read more about graphic designing, check out our article about the highest paying countries for graphic designers. 21. Art Director Average Salary: $69,264 Art directors essentially shape the visual identity and aesthetics of advertisements, films, and other creative projects. They oversee design teams to ensure that visuals align with the project’s vision. It is also one of the fun jobs that pay well. 20. Interpreter and Translator Average Salary: $69,800 Interpreters and translators are highly valued professionals for businesses because they facilitate effective communication with global clients, partners, and customers. They bridge language barriers and ensure accurate understanding that can help with successful negotiations. 19. Food Stylist Average Salary: $72,421 Food stylists are hired to make food look visually appealing for advertisements, menus, and cookbooks. They arrange and present dishes in a way that enhances their aesthetics to entice customers. It is one of the jobs that require no math at all. 18. WordPress Developer Average Salary: $81,294 WordPress developers create and maintain wordpress websites, crucial for businesses in the digital age. Although it can involve coding, there are various alternatives to coding for wordpress developers with drag and drop options. Owing to the vast number of remote jobs available for this role, it is one of the jobs for introverts that don’t require math as it involves no social interaction 17. Compliance Manager Average Salary: $87,936 Compliance officers are important for ensuring businesses adhere to laws and regulations. It is one of the high paying jobs that don’t require math. 16. Registered Nurse Average Salary: $90,568 Registered nurses provide healthcare services like administering medications, assessing patients’ conditions, offering medical advice, and collaborating with healthcare teams to deliver treatment and support to patients in different clinical settings. To read more about nurses, check out our article about the countries that need nurses the most. 15. Postsecondary Teacher Average Salary: $91,760 Post-secondary teachers, often referred to as professors or lecturers, hold a pivotal role in the education system. They are responsible for imparting specialized knowledge and skills to students pursuing higher education, typically at colleges, universities, and technical institutions. If math is not one’s cup of tea, one can specialize in any non-mathematical subject and become a professor. 14. Makeup Artist Average Salary: $93,850 Makeup artists are usually highly paid because of their artistic skills and ability to enhance appearances. It is one the jobs that don’t require math or science. 13. Real Estate Agent Average Salary: $95,016 Real estate agents assist clients in buying, selling, or renting properties. Their job is to provide market expertise, negotiate deals and guide clients through real estate transactions. 12. Dental Hygienist Average Salary: $98,530 Dental hygienists usually earn competitive salaries because of their specialized skills in oral health care. They perform essential duties such as teeth cleaning and examining patients for oral diseases. It is one of the high-paying jobs that don’t require math. 11. Justice Court Judge Average Salary: $108,506 Justice court judges play a crucial role in the legal system by presiding over cases. They ensure fair trials, and uphold the law at the local level. It is one of the most important jobs that don’t require math. Click here to see the 10 Highest Paying Jobs that Don’t Require Math. Suggested Articles: 25 High-Paying Jobs for 18 Year Olds with no Experience 15 Part-Time Jobs for 18 Year Olds with no Experience Required 16 Jobs that will Disappear in the Future Due to AI Disclosure: None. 25 Highest Paying Jobs that Don’t Require Math is originally published on Insider Monkey. .....»»
10 Best Jobs for People Who Want to Travel
In this article, we will look at the 10 best jobs for people who love travelling. If you are interested in reading about our in-depth industrial analysis of the tourism industry along with a more extensive list, head straight to the 35 Best Jobs for People Who Want to Travel. 10. International Business Consultant Average […] In this article, we will look at the 10 best jobs for people who love travelling. If you are interested in reading about our in-depth industrial analysis of the tourism industry along with a more extensive list, head straight to the 35 Best Jobs for People Who Want to Travel. 10. International Business Consultant Average Salary: $81,997 International business consultants travel extensively to help companies navigate the complexities of global markets. Traveling allows them to engage with clients face-to-face, build rapport, and provide on-site guidance. It is one of the business jobs that require international travel......»»
35 Best Jobs for People Who Want to Travel
In this article, we will look at the 35 best jobs for people who want to travel. If you want to skip our in-depth industrial analysis of the tourism industry, head straight to the 10 Best Jobs for People Who Want to Travel. The Global Rise of Sustainable Tourism In 2023, we observe a consistent […] In this article, we will look at the 35 best jobs for people who want to travel. If you want to skip our in-depth industrial analysis of the tourism industry, head straight to the 10 Best Jobs for People Who Want to Travel. The Global Rise of Sustainable Tourism In 2023, we observe a consistent and lasting emphasis on sustainable tourism. For example, the Sustainable Tourism for Development Programme is an initiative by The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) that will provide funding and technical assistance to developing countries to help them develop and implement sustainable tourism strategies. Moreover, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has released a new report on the economic impact of sustainable tourism. The report found that sustainable tourism contributed $3.5 trillion to the global economy in 2022 and supported 330 million jobs. In line with the trend, Expedia Group Inc (NASDAQ:EXPE) has been contributing to sustainable tourism by recognizing the importance of environmental responsibility in the travel industry. In response to growing traveler demand for eco-friendly options, Expedia Group Inc (NASDAQ:EXPE) recently signed the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Travel and Tourism. Moreover, the company’s Open World social impact and sustainability strategy focuses on three key pillars: Inclusive Access, Economic Mobility, and a Prosperous Planet. One of the most notable achievements is the Expedia Group Inc (NASDAQ:EXPE)’s commitment to decarbonizing its operations and mitigating climate change impacts. As part of this initiative, Expedia Group Inc (NASDAQ:EXPE) is developing a comprehensive Climate Action Plan and they are actively promoting sustainable travel options to travelers, recognizing that 90% of consumers seek sustainability in their travel choices. The company has been highly impressive with its financial standing as well. Expedia Group Inc (NASDAQ:EXPE) delivered impressive results in the second quarter of 2023, marked by a 7% increase in lodging gross bookings which was the highest ever for this quarter. Additionally, the company achieved a record-breaking second-quarter revenue growth of 6%, accompanied by substantial earnings growth and margin expansion. Notably, Expedia Group Inc (NASDAQ:EXPE)’s commitment to shareholder value was also evident in its accelerated share repurchases that amounted to a record $1.2 billion year-to-date. In the first quarter, Aristotle Atlantic Core Equity Strategy made the following comment about Expedia Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXPE): “Expedia Group, Inc (NASDAQ:EXPE) provides online travel services for leisure and small business travelers. The company offers a wide range of travel shopping and reservation services, as well as provides real-time access to schedule, pricing and availability information for airlines, hotels and car rental companies. Expedia serves customers worldwide. We see Expedia benefiting from the growth of booking travel online, both for leisure and in corporate travel. The company also benefits from rapid growth in alternative accommodations, vacation home rental, through VRBO. The main sources of revenue and profitability are from hotel and vacation home rental. Additionally Expedia has exposure to airline ticket sales and automobile rentals. Post the COVID-19 pandemic, Expedia’s debt has been reduced and share repurchase has resumed and we would expect a dividend to be reinstated.” The Era of Experiential Tourism After sustainable tourism, we also see how experiential tourism is on the rise, as travelers seek out unique and authentic experiences that connect them with local cultures and destinations. This trend is being driven by a number of factors like the growing popularity of social media, the desire for more meaningful travel experiences, and the increasing availability of experiential tourism experiences. One way to see the rise of experiential tourism is in the popularity of online platforms for booking experiential tourism experiences. Platforms such as TripAdvisor Experiences have made it easier for travelers to find and book unique and authentic experiences at their destination. TripAdvisor Inc (NASDAQ:TRIP) also facilitates experiential travel by offering travelers access to over 300,000 bookable experiences in more than 250,000 destinations worldwide. After analyzing 12 months of review data from millions of travelers, TripAdvisor Inc (NASDAQ:TRIP) has also compiled the Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best “Things to Do” Awards which provides a definitive guide to extraordinary activities and excursions. TripAdvisor Inc (NASDAQ:TRIP) is also one of the Travel Stocks Billionaires Are Loading Up On. Methodology To list the best jobs for people who love to travel, we identified jobs that involved frequent travelling and thus, shortlisted a total of 50 jobs. Out of the 50 jobs, the 35 jobs with the highest average salaries in the US have been selected. We acquired data on average salaries from BLS. in case of non-availability of data, we have relied on average salary data from Indeed.com and Glassdoor.com. Here is a list of the best jobs for people who love to travel 35. Tour Guide Average Salary: $37,790 A tour guide job is interesting because it allows one to share their passion for travel, history, and culture while meeting people from different backgrounds and enjoying each day differently. 34. Stagehand Average Salary: $40,118 Stagehand jobs often involve frequent traveling as they are hired to set up and dismantle stage equipment and sets for events or performances in different locations. 33. Wildlife Photographer Average Salary: $44,958 Wildlife photographers travel to capture different animal species in their natural habitats, requiring mobility to access remote locations. It is one of the best jobs for people who love to travel. 32. International Event Coordinator Average Salary: $46,765 International event coordinators travel to plan, organize, and oversee events in different global locations to ensure that logistics and cultural considerations are met. 31. Global Brand Ambassador Average Salary: $47,856 These professionals travel to represent and promote a brand while building relationships, attending events, and expanding the brand’s reach internationally. 30. Travel Agent Average Salary: $48,250 Travel agents may travel to explore destinations, inspect accommodations, and gain firsthand knowledge to better advise and plan trips for clients. (link with without experience jobs article) 29. Travel Photographer Average Salary: $48,876 Travel photographers travel to capture beautiful landscapes, variety in cultures, and experiences to create visually compelling stories and images for publications or clients. It is one of the jobs that require international travel with no experience. 28. Archaeological Illustrator Average Salary: $53,420 Archaeological illustrators frequently travel to archaeological sites to observe and document artifacts, ruins, and excavation processes. It is one of the best jobs for people who love to travel. 27. Interpreters Average Salary: $53,640 Interpreters may travel to facilitate communication at international conferences, meetings, or in regions with different languages and cultures. 26. ESL Teacher Average Salary: 54,348 ESL teachers often travel abroad to teach English in foreign countries. It is one of the most respected jobs in the world. 25. Travel Vlogger Average Salary: $56,780 These individuals explore destinations to create engaging content and share personal experiences. They also offer travel tips and insights to their audience. It is one of the traveling jobs that pay well with no experience. 24. Archaeologist Average Salary: $59,673 Archaeologists usually travel for fieldwork, research, and site exploration, as they investigate and document historical and cultural artifacts and sites. Its one of the fun jobs if you love travelling. 23. Chef Average Salary: $60,210 The job of a chef is such that it requires them to explore regional cuisines, source authentic ingredients, and engage in cross-cultural culinary exchanges so that they can brush their culinary repertoire. It is one of the most fun jobs that pay well. 22. Actor Average Salary: $61,000 Traveling is a major part of the acting profession as actors travel for film, theater, or TV productions, auditioning, filming on location, or even for promotions. It is one of the most profitable professions in the world. 21. Athletic Recruiter Average Salary: $62,425 Athletic recruiters travel to evaluate prospective athletes and build relationships with coaches and prospects. 20. International Trade Analyst Average Salary: $62,928 International trade analysts travel to assess global markets, meet with clients, and gather firsthand market insights for strategic decisions. 19. Truck Driver Average Salary: $64,012 Truck drivers have to travel extensively to transport goods and commodities across various locations and fulfill delivery requirements. 18. Geologist Average Salary: $66,597 Geologists keep moving from one place to another to conduct fieldwork, analyze rock formations, and gather geological data for research and environmental assessments. 17. Scuba Diving Instructor Average Salary: $66,617 Scuba diving instructors provide underwater training and certification. They enable individuals to explore the world’s aquatic wonders. It is one of the fun travel jobs that pay well. 16. Influencer Average Salary: $67,113 Influencers travel to different destinations to document their experiences and engage with followers through content creation and social media. To read more about content creation, do check out our article on the highest-paid YouTubers in the world. 15. Travel Writer Average Salary: $67,640 Travel writers explore destinations to gather firsthand experiences and information in travel writing. It is one of the jobs that require international travel sometimes. 14. External Auditor Average Salary: $70,989 The job requires excessive traveling as auditors have to assess and verify financial records and compliance with regulations for different client organizations. It is one of the jobs that require travel and pay well. 13. International Aid Worker Average Salary: $71,327 To provide humanitarian assistance and support in crisis-affected regions and developing countries, aid workers need to travel internationally. 12. Fashion Designer Average Salary: $73,434 Fashion designers often travel to gather inspiration and attend fashion shows. Their jobs also involve meeting their clients frequently and visiting manufacturers while scouting materials. 11. International Sales Representative Average Salary: $81,180 International sales representatives travel frequently to negotiate deals and expand business opportunities in global markets. It is one of the best jobs for people who love to travel. Click here to see the 10 Best Jobs for People Who Want to Travel. Suggested Articles: 30 High-Paying Remote Jobs Without a Degree or Experience 25 Highest Paying Jobs in the World 17 Highest Paying Government Jobs Without a Degree Disclosure: None. 35 Best Jobs for People Who Want to Travel is originally published on Insider Monkey......»»
Elon Musk"s grandfather belonged to a political party that believed the world should be governed by technology. Newspapers at the time described it as having "the tone of an incipient Fascist movement."
Elon Musk's grandfather Joshua Haldeman was a raging racist and anti-semite, per the Atlantic. He also strongly believed in technocracy at one point in his life. Elon Musk.Britta Pedersen-Pool/Getty ImagesElon Musk's grandfather, Joshua Haldeman, was a "radical conspiracy theorist," the Atlantic reports.Haldeman was convicted in Canada for his involvement in a technocratic political movement. The movement believed an authoritarian group of tech-savvy overlords could solve the world's problems.Elon Musk's grandfather, the late Joshua Haldeman, spent his time ranting about minority groups he didn't like, speculating about a global conspiracy led by shadowy figures (read: Jewish people), and joining the cause of technocracy.According to a deep dive from the Atlantic on the life of Haldeman, the Canadian chiropractor was a "radical conspiracy theorist" who spent the beginning of his career as part of a group known as "Technocracy Incorporated."Howard Scott, the founder of Technocracy, in Los Angeles, California.Bettmann via Getty ImagesThe movement had a bizarre set of principles: They believed that the world should be run by a totalitarian regime of engineers and scientists based in North America; that these tech overlords would solve all of society's problems; and that people only had to work 20 years before retiring.The party, founded in the 1920s, gained popularity during the Great Depression and at one point had more than half a million members in California.The organization also referred to people as numbers (apparently, Musk's grandfather was 10450-1) and sometimes added Xs to their names. Followers donned identical gray clothing and cars and greeted each other with special salutes, the Atlantic found. A newspaper cited by the magazine said the group gave off "the tone of an incipient Fascist movement."A sign erected in Josephine County, Oregon seven years after Howard Scott, who founded the Technocracy movement, talked of a survey of North America. Heritage Art/Heritage Images via GettyCanada eventually banned the party after it opposed the country's involvement in World War II and considered it and its members a threat to national security. Haldeman was arrested and convicted for his participation, the Atlantic reported.This kickstarted his involvement in other movements, including Canada's Social Credit Party, which espoused baseless conspiracy theories about Jewish people. The party came to be widely criticized for its blatant antisemitism. Haldeman, who became the SCP national chair, took it upon himself to defend the party's beliefs.Haldeman, the Atlantic wrote, "maintained that the Social Credit Party was not antisemitic — while saying some rather antisemitic things, including the outrageous claim that Hitler had been installed as German führer by 'money … supplied by international financiers, many, but not all of them, Jewish.' He claimed that Jews created antisemitism to generate sympathy."The party also used its platform to publish "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion" a centuries-old fraudulent text detailing a meeting between Jewish leaders to establish world domination. Haldeman defended the publication in a letter because he felt he was witnessing the protocols "rapidly unfolding," the Atlantic reported.Like grandfather, like grandsonHistorians note Musk's ideas that technology can solve most of society's ills reflect some of the same technocratic beliefs his grandfather promoted. Musk previously said on Twitter, now called X, that Mars should have an established technocracy.He has also named his three children with Grimes — X Æ A-Xii Musk, or X, Exa Dark Sideræl Musk, and Techno Mechanicus — although it isn't clear whether the names of his children had anything to do with the strange, number-filled nicknames Technocrats identified themselves with.The Tesla CEO and billionaire has also recently been called out by the Anti-Defamation League for spreading antisemitic rhetoric, like blaming George Soros for the "destruction of Western civilization." Musk threatened to sue the ADL and, in his own defense, has called himself "pro-semite."From antisemitism to apartheidFollowing his political stint, Haldeman began passionately supporting the cause of apartheid and moved to South Africa. According to the Atlantic, he once wrote, "South Africa will become the leader of white civilization in the world."Haldeman also railed against "anti-White forces" that would seek to displace his position. He continued writing in pro-apartheid South African newspapers, as well as in his self-published book, about international conspiracies of world domination from a group of elites, per the magazine.Haldeman, Musk's maternal grandfather, was born in 1902 in the US before his family moved to Canada at a young age. He was also a chiropractor before his move to South Africa.Haldeman married Wyn Haldeman, née Fletcher, who was a dance instructor. They had three children. Maye Musk, one of his daughters, is Musk's mother. He died in 1974 when Musk was still a toddler.Representatives for Musk did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»
A military panel deemed a suspected 9/11 key accomplice unfit for trial due to the CIA"s "torture program"
Ramzi bin al-Shibh, 51, spent years detained in Guantanamo Bay on suspicion that he was a key accomplice in the September 11 attacks. The former Camp X-Ray lies in the morning mist. The first prisoners arrived here on January 11, 2002. Magdalena Miriam Tröndle/picture alliance via Getty ImagesRamzi bin al-Shibh is one of five defendants accused of being key accomplices to the 9/11 attacks.A military tribunal in Guantánamo Bay found bin al-Shibh mentally unfit for trial.His lawyer argued that torture administered by the CIA caused bin al-Shibh's psychosis.A Yemeni prisoner accused of being one of the key accomplices in the September 11, 2001, attacks was deemed mentally unfit to stand for trial, a military judge ruled on Thursday.For years, Ramzi bin al-Shibh, 51, was detained in Guantánamo Bay under suspicion that he helped organize the terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people.He and four other defendants, including the accused mastermind of the plot, faced charges of conspiracy to carry out acts of terrorism and were set to go to trial in a military tribunal at the detention camp.But in August, a military medical panel found that al-Shibh had suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder due to torture and solitary confinement he underwent during his four years in CIA custody, The Associated Press reported.Col. Matthew McCall, the military judge, agreed on Thursday that al-Shibh should be severed from the trial due to his mental state.Pretrial proceedings for the other four defendants continued on Friday.Bin al-Shibh, a Yemeni national, was first captured precisely a year after 9/11. He is accused of aiding one group of hijackers in Hamburg, Germany, to carry out the attacks.Between 2002 and 2006, he was held in one of the CIA's "black site" prisons, or secret interrogation facilities, where he was subjected to torture that made him insane, his defense lawyer, David I. Bruck, has argued.Some of the torture methods included holding bin al-Shibh in solitary confinement, depriving him of sleep, and forcing him to stand up while chained and wearing a diaper for days at a time, Bruck told the judge, according to The New York Times.The prisoner also said that he was tortured by invisible figures that stung his genitals and caused his entire cell to shake, according to the report.Bruck did not respond to a request for comment sent outside of working hours.Prosecutors have pointed to bin al-Shibh's ability to comprehend some of the legal proceedings before him to argue that the defendant is fit for trial."However, the fact that Mr. bin al Shibh understands the serious nature of the charges and the capital nature of his case, and yet he still cannot focus his attention on those issues demonstrates the significant effect of his mental defect on him," the ruling stated.Bruck said in a statement reported by the Times that Thursday's ruling is vindication of the severe impacts on defendants of the CIA's torture program."It is no longer possible" to deny "that the CIA torture program did profound harm to the people subjected to it," he said.Spokespersons for the CIA and Justice Department did not respond to a request for comment sent outside of working hours.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»
Senior leaders of Russia"s military severely wounded during targeted strike on Black Sea Fleet HQ, reports say
Russia's Colonel General Alexander Romanchuk and Lieutenant General Oleg Tsekov were among those reported wounded in a Ukrainian missile strike. A Russian soldier stands guard at the Luhansk power plant.ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP via Getty Images On Friday, a Ukrainian missile struck Russia's Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Crimea. Russia has not confirmed any deaths but top military commanders were among those reported wounded. Since the invasion began, many high-ranking Russian military officials have been killed in action. Top Russian military commanders were among those wounded Friday in a Ukrainian missile strike that targeted the Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Crimea.Russia's Colonel General Alexander Romanchuk and Lieutenant General Oleg Tsekov were among those "severely wounded" in the strike, Ukrainian intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov told Ostap Yarysh, a Pentagon correspondent and anchor at Voice of America news.Budanov said at least 9 Russian military personnel were killed and 16 wounded in the attack."Romanchuk is in charge of Russian forces in Zaporizhzhia where the main thrust of Ukraine's counteroffensive is occurring," Rob Lee, a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, wrote in a post on X. "This suggests that it wasn't just a strike on the Black Sea Fleet HQ, but timed to target key senior leaders during a meeting."The Russian Ministry of Defense initially confirmed only one soldier was killed in the attack, Insider previously reported. However, the Kremlin has been tight-lipped about confirming the number of Russians killed since the war began last year.Representatives for Ukraine's Ministry of Defense and the Government of the Russian Federation did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Insider.In May, the White House estimated 100,000 Russians have been killed or injured since the invasion began. The British government has reported as many as 60,000 Russians have been killed in action. While the exact number remains unconfirmed, many of Russia's top generals and military commanders have been killed in action.The Friday missile strike is the latest in a series of relentless attacks that have targeted the Black Sea Fleet's ships and facilities, which Insider previously reported are an attempt to make holding Crimea "untenable" for Moscow's forces.Earlier this week, Ukrainian officials said a command post near the port of Sevastopol was damaged in a missile strike. Within the last month, Ukrainian troops also launched a cruise missile strike on a Russian shipyard, damaging two warfighting vessels. Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»
Ukrainian steelmakers who scared off Russian forces with decoy weapons made of trash are now supplying troops with hundreds of fake weapons
Steelworkers in Ukraine are outsmarting Russian troops with realistic-looking decoy weapons made of scrap wood and trash. Ukrainian service members near Bakhmut on March 24, 2023.Aris Messinis/Getty ImagesSteelworkers in Ukraine are outsmarting Russian troops with realistic-looking decoy weapons.The decoys mimic advanced systems like howitzers and mortar launchers.After fooling Russian radar, new decoy weapons are being given directly to Ukrainian troops.Steelworkers in Ukraine are outsmarting Russian troops with realistic-looking decoy weapons, using scrap wood, metal, and used tires to mimic advanced defense systems such as howitzers, radar systems, and mortar launchers.The workers at Metinvest, Ukraine's largest steel plant, have produced more than 250 decoy weapons for Ukrainian troops, tricking Russian forces into using up valuable ammunition on nothing more than trash, the Financial Times reported.The steelworkers began their operation last February when Russian troops approached their plant in central-eastern Ukraine, per the FT.With no actual weapons to defend themselves, they cobbled together fakes with found materials they had on hand and prepared to fool the advancing troops."We used boxes, plastic, and any materials available here — even items discarded in the trash — that we could find to make decoy weapons," the enterprise chief of a Metinvest facility told FT. "We were outgunned but we made it look like our army was big and strong and that we were ready to fight."It worked: "We scared them off," he said.Now, Ukraine has expanded decoys to include radar reflectors made of old Russian oil barrels. The fakes cost about 1,000 Euros to create — a fraction of the $1.1 million missiles used by Russian troops to destroy them."Our success is measured by the decoys' destruction," the enterprise chief told FT. "When they are destroyed it means we have saved our guns and our guys' lives — and the enemy has wasted more of its valuable weapons.He added: "When they sit for too long we know we need to change the design."Militaries have long used decoy weapons to outmaneuver their opponents, such as inflatable tanks in WWII and parachuting dummies meant to simulate an airborne invasion leading up to D-Day.Ukrainian troops have increasingly relied on cunning ruses and opportunistic attacks to fend off Russian forces, Insider previously reported, such as creating a wooden version of a tank made from empty 155mm shell boxes.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»
NASA scientists plan to bake, slice, and fire lasers at the asteroid sample from OSIRIS-REx to understand the creation of our solar system
Scientists plan to methodically examine samples from NASA's first asteroid mission, OSIRIS-REx, to figure out how our solar system formed. An illustration of OSIRIS-REx in orbit around asteroid Bennu.NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center/Conceptual Image Lab NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft is scheduled to deliver a return capsule with asteroid dust on Sunday. The capsule should land in the Utah desert if all goes according to plan. Scientists hope to study the asteroid dust and dirt in every way possible. On Sunday, Earth should receive a very special package from space, if all goes according to plan.After nearly three years, NASA's OSIRIS-REx is scheduled to finally deliver the largest asteroid sample ever to the Utah desert at approximately 10:55 a.m. ET. That's right, an asteroid sample is headed for Earth. It doesn't happen every day. In fact, it's only ever been attempted twice before.OSIRIS-REx began orbiting the asteroid called Bennu in 2018. Then, in 2020, it closed in on the space rock that's as wide as the Empire State building is tall, and scooped up what scientists estimate to be enough dirt and dust to fill a cup, per NPR. Illustration of the Touch-and-Go maneuver that OSIRIS-REx performed to collect a sample from asteroid Bennu's surface.NASA's Goddard Space Flight CenterIf the payload touches down safely on Sunday morning as planned, teams of scientists and officials will begin a complicated ballet to secure the valuable scientific data it carries. Every early step after touchdown is delicately planned, but once scientists get the sample out of its carrier, that's when the fun begins.Bake it, fire lasers at it, and cut it in halfPortions of the fragments taken from the sample are set to be shipped to over 200 researchers, where "they'll be baked, they'll be lasered, they'll be cut in half," Noah Petro, a NASA planetary scientist, told Insider.Scientists have a plan to analyze everything from the sample, even the inside and outside of the return capsule carrying it, Petro said. In total, scientists in labs across the globe aim to study the asteroid using 60 different analytical techniques, Dante Lauretta, the principal investigator for OSIRIS-REx, said during a NASA press conference Friday.The goal is for scientists to "understand processes that occurred before our solar system even existed," Lauretta said.A rotating mosaic of asteroid Bennu, composed of images captured by NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft over a four-hour period.NASA/Goddard/University of ArizonaLauretta said they estimate the sample contains about 250 grams of regolith, the dusty material on the asteroid's surface. He said that's well above the minimum they promised to deliver, and that it should be a sufficient amount to study. Why Bennu?Lori Glaze, director of NASA's Planetary Science Division, said in the press conference that asteroids sit in different sections across the galaxy. Each section contains information about a different time period of our galaxy's history.Bennu is an ideal candidate because it comes from what scientists think is one of the oldest sections, and can therefore give us details about how our solar system formed. Bennu probably came from the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.NASA-JPL/CaltechWhatever they discover from analyzing the cosmic dust, Petro is pretty sure they're going to be surprised. When he explained what he thinks they'll find, he was excited. "We think we're gonna find chemistry that basically would have seeded the Earth," billions of years ago, "with the components that led to complex life on the Earth," he said. Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»
CreditNinja, which has charged loan customers an interest rate of 447%, is complaining that their $1 million PPP loan forgiveness request was rejected
CreditNinja, a broker which has given loans with interest rates as high as 447%, believes the SBA should have forgiven their pandemic-era PPP loan. A US Treasury payment check.Douglas Sacha/Getty ImagesShort-term lending company CreditNinja is mad about the SBA denying them loan forgiveness.The company filed a complaint, claiming that the SBA made a mistake.The company charges interest rates as high as 447% in Texas, per KHOU.CreditNinja has taken issue with the Small Business Association's decision to deny its application for loan forgiveness after getting a $1 million PPP loan in April 2020.The online short-term lending company filed a complaint on September 15 in the US District Court in Illinois' Southern Division, saying the COVID relief program erroneously rejected their application for loan forgiveness, according to the document first reported by Seamus Hughes's CourtWatch newsletter.CreditNinja was recently found to have given short-term and high-cost loans with interest rates as high as 447% in Texas, taking advantage of a loophole by registering as a "credit access business," or a broker, according to an investigation by KHOU-11.In its denial, the SBA said CreditNinja wasn't eligible for the loan forgiveness program because it's a lending company — a type of company that has been excluded from receiving loans from the Small Business Association under the group's 1996 Rules.But CreditNinja claims in its complaint that those rules were never mentioned in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, the stimulus package designed to help businesses through the pandemic."Nothing in the language of the CARES Act, or any other governing statute or regulation, provides any right, ability, or discretion for the SBA to tack on twenty-five-year-old limitations to a brand new, expansive loan program, enacted in response to a public health and economic crisis," the complaint reads.CreditNinja did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.The company also complained that the SBA granted loan forgiveness to other similar business types, and for businesses that also fall outside the group's rules, such as adult entertainment and gambling industries.The SBA did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.During the pandemic, a number of businesses and individuals — some already wealthy —received large PPP loans.According to Forbes, Kanye West's fashion company Yeezy received over $2 million in PPP loans. Artist Jeff Koons, also notably rich, received a $1.1 million PPP loan in April 2020, according to ProPublica.The US treasury did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»
: Student-loan payments are about to resume. Defaults are expected to follow.
"We have not fundamentally changed anything": Advocates worry borrowers with defaulted student loans will be thrown back into ‘punitive’ system next year......»»
Missouri lawmaker accused of ‘unlawful’ conduct in push for contract, drawing FBI scrutiny
The top Republican in the Missouri House is facing allegations he threatened to terminate the employment of a nonpartisan legislative staffer who resisted his monthslong push to hire a private company to manage constituent information. House Speaker Dean Plocher vehemently denies the accusations, which were uncovered through public records obtained by The Independent under Missouri’s Sunshine Law. But Dana Miller, chief clerk of the House since 2018 and a chamber staff member since 2001, wrote….....»»