Author: Careen Jodie

NFT Technology : Why Digital Artists Also Need to Know How Blockchain Works

Careen Jodie

NFT quickly became a byword in the art and crypto worlds ever since digital artist Beeple made news for selling his digital art at Christie’s for $69 million. Actually, what Mike Winkelmann a.k.a. Beeple, sold to a high profile blockchain entrepreneur/programmer named Vignesh Sundaresan is a non-fungible token minted in the ethereum blockchain ledger. The latter paid 42,329 in Ether (ETH), which at the time of sale in March 2021 was worth $69 million.

Now here’s the thing, while NFT hype has sent many digital artists and creators scrambling to find out how they can have their digital artworks, many tech experts give advice that NFT transactions are not as simple as they seem to appear in TV news reports.

Understanding the Price Values of NFT vs. Price Value of Cryptocurrency

There’s a lot of intricacies involved in Nft technology and what artists or any one interested in selling digital assets should fully comprehend is how blockchain technology works. Mainly because NFT transactions transpire only in blockchain platforms and not in any of the traditional trading markets where exchange deals are directly monetized into fiat money like the US dollar currency.

The price or value of a non-fungible token is tied to the value of the cryptocurrency, which in Beeple’s case is the Ethereum. However, the price at which an NFT is sold is determined by how much a buyer would be willing to pay for owning the NFT. Understand that in an NFT sale, only the key to the corresponding blockchain code that minted the digital asset into an NFT, shifts ownership. The digital asset creator may also choose to sell his copyright license; or retain copyright ownership so he can collect some form of commission or royalty from future sales.

NFTs are traded via auction houses like Chritie’s or Sotheby’s. As opposed to the trading of cryptomoney like ethereum at cryptocurrency exchange sites, where the price value is dependent on the current index price for ETH.

This denotes that if today, Vignesh Sundaresan decides to sell the NFT covering Beeple’s digital art work at an auction site, Sundaresan’s asking price would not be lower than the 42,329 ETH being the payment he made in March 2021. At that time the ETH index price was roughly at around $1635.

Nonetheless, even if the final bid price for the Beeple NFT does not stray far from the 42,239 ETH acquisition cost, Sundaresan still gains from the transaction. That is, if he decides to immediately convert the proceeds from the NFT sale. After all, the current ETH price index ETH is pegged at at $3,168.

The doubling of ETH dollar values was a result of the phenomenal soar of cryptocurrency values that began in April 2021. Technically, Beeple’s NFT is now approximately worth at least $133,689,600 to Sundaresan. Likely more, should Sundaresan decide to sell the NFT today and immediately cash out his proceeds the way Beeple did.

What Digital Artists Should Learn from Beeple’s Phenomenal NFT Feat

In acknowledging that he is not a blockchain technology brainiac nor an expert at trading cryptocurrencies, Beeple immediately cashed out the proceeds of the NFT sale he closed at Christie’s

While the dollar equivalent of the March 2021 NFT deal was pegged at $69 million, Beeple actually received $53,000,000 million for his digital collage “Everydays – The First 5000 Days,” The $53 million cash proceed was the net amount of taxes and related fees paid to Christie’s and to the ethereum platform that minted the digital art into a non-fungible token.

TV Ads : Still Effective as Marketing Tools

Careen Jodie

While advertising brands in social media sites seems a popular choice, Forbes noted that big companies still advertise by way of TV ads. Actually, in 2019, the digital business magazine published an article that delved into possible reasons; providing them as follow up answers to related questions posed at Quora, a leading online forum widely used by Internet users.

We underscored several reasons that Forbes had put forward as the rationale behind the big-budgeted TV commercials and likewise make a follow up by providing additional input.

Expensive TV Commercials Confer Prestige and Legitimacy

Forbes pointed out that since TV ads are more expensive, the high cost immediately conveys an impression of prestige and legitimacy. The article also made mention of how leading companies are in fact known to spend most of their advertising budget on one sports event like the Super Bowl as an alternative to creating TV commercials. After all major sports events are now being broadcasted via television networks throughout the globe via streaming platforms.

On that note, permit us to cite as example the leading brand of scotch whisky, Johnnie Walker. Back in 2014, the whisky company entered into a multi-year advertising contract with the Formula One Racing Group, which named Johnnie Walker the official whisky of the F1 Race events. As part of its moral obligation to advertise responsibly, the company also created TV commercials that promoted moral values.

As scientific studies have warned, watching alcohol TV advertisements can influence the amount of alcohol imbibed by individuals when savoring their viewing experience. Johnnie Walker’s made-for-TV-commercials though were created years apart, which come as sequels to the firm’s “Keep Walking” series of TV ads initially launched over 20 years ago.

Actually, Johnnie Walker’s iconic “Keep Walking” commercial series is a classic example of another reason cited by Forbes in explaining the rationale behind TV commercials.

TV Ads Allow Brand Advertisers to Tell a Story

Johnnie Walker TV commercial series tell different stories about people who make achieving personal progress more important than the desire to quickly achieve a specific goal. The “Keep Walking” TV ads depict the ethos of the Johnny Walker brand of whisky, for people not to be easily discouraged when working toward achieving their aspirations. The rallying cry is to keep walking with confidence when meeting challenges in their personal paths.

Forbes answers also afforded a broader understanding of why leading product brands found it easy to arrive at decisions to join the boycott movement against Facebook, by simply agreeing to remove their FB advertisement.

Now more than ever, responsible advertising is important since people can easily order drinks online, when looking to enhance their TV-watching experience.

Coping with Non-Conducive WFH Conditions

Careen Jodie

Some people don’t find work-from-home (WFH) conditions conducive; often times, their reactions affect their children.

If you are one of the fortunate people to still have a paying-job after PM Johnson gave people the order to stay at home because of the COVID-19 crisis, then there is not much reason for you to worry. Except that if you are a family person who has all children also staying at home, while constantly required to meet deadlines. Working at home may not be as easy with all the noise and distractions happening around you.

Still, keep in mind that it is a small price to pay in ensuring your and your family’s health and safety. Rather than complain and become upset, reflect on your blessings because there are people in your community who are dealing with work displacements, hoping that the financial help they need will come at the soonest possible time.

As adults, we have a better understanding of what is happening around us. Our children, on the other hand, can be greatly affected if they see us showing signs of meltdown while in the midst of a confusing period. Actually, our children’s ability to cope with the challenges of not going to school, or not being able to go out and have fun while school is out, could be affected by our responses and reactions over matters that transpire in and out of our home.

Anyway, the main purpose of this post is not to preach but to recommend certain steps you can take, to help you, your spouse and your children welcome the extra time you now have to be together.

Things You Could Do to Reduce Stressful Situations while Working at Home

First off, try to avoid overloading yourself with unnecessary news, as reports about increasing Covid-19 cases and death tolls are enough to frighten everyone. The U.K. government after all, is sending mass notification alerts about important and emergency developments to keep everyone up-to-date with news through any means.

Since all schooling children are at home watching TV or playing video games, it is likely that they too come across terrifying news about the pandemic. Although you might think some of your children may be old enough to understand what is currently going on, make certain that they do. Take time to talk to them but in a non-formal manner. Doing so is also for your own peace of mind, knowing that every child knows what to do to avoid infection.

In understanding that the disease can be avoided by simple sanitation and hygienic methods, your children will be less frightened.

While your children are watching TV or engaged in video gaming, it is likely that sudden yells and loud jarring sounds will distract you while working. The best way to avoid such distractions is to find a nice quiet place that will allow you to concentrate and play the kind of music that can keep you calm while working.

Now in case the room you are in is not soundproof, to which you can hear noises coming from all directions, including those coming from your neighbor, what we suggest is for you to install a soundbar to your music component. Soundbars can drown out external noises coming from about 15 feet away from where you are located. If you still don’t have one, there is a host of affordable soundbars under 300€ you can purchase online.

Besides, once the Covid-19 crisis is over, you would have upgraded your TV or your home entertainment system with a soundbar that will improve your TV’s audio. Since this type of speaker will surely improve your viewing experience with its stereo effect and/or surround sound, you might even consider adding a subwoofer to further enhance your soundbar’s capability.

How Local TV News Stations Harness Social Media for Their Own Advantage

Careen Jodie

Local television stations are faced with the grim prospect that their aging audience will eventually disappear through the passing of years. Reports have it that only 18 percent of the younger-adult population, ranging in ages between 18 to 29, rely on local TV stations for information.

The small group still holds the belief that the news content they get from TV news broadcasters are more accurate and comprehensive than the snippets of news appearing in their social media accounts.

One thing about social media news content is that no one is actually in charge of curating news being posted and shared; making it possible for fake news to spread rapidly and wildly across the Internet. Yet that is one advantage that local TV news channels can exploit in order to draw more audience from the younger adult sector.

Local TV stations need to build their own network of social media users who will organize and sort genuine news that stations can insert and deliver as “breaking news”during non-news programs. That way, local TV news can break away from the general impression that they deliver contents already stale, by social media standards.

Local TV News Stations Make Their Content Up-to-Date and Relevant via Social Media Users

Rather than send off reporters to different locations as a means of establishing the veracity of a social media feed, local TV stations can simply build a team of on-location social media users who will live stream events as they happen in their geo-location. After all, there are now live action cameras that come in compact and mountable forms, which enable users to capture real time events even while on the go.

These are the kind of cameras popularized by extreme sports enthusiasts who are into filming their death-defying sport activities as they happen.

Although live action cameras are not as high tech as the Digital Single Lens Reflex or DSLR video cameras used by professionals, they cost less and are easier to carry around at all times. When taking videos for news reporting purposes, social media users will find live action cameras as a better tool than a smartphone camera, since they can take shots at different angles.

When looking to equip themselves with this kind of camera, searchers must add the best action cameras in the market in order to land search results optimized with buying guides.

Speaking of optimization, news accessed from social media users can be optimized by giving participating contributors with proper online training. Providing them with basic news reporting guidelines is also important as they will serve as bases for accepting contributions regarded as reliable and newsworthy materials.

On their part, local TV stations must upgrade their newsroom tools in ways that will enable them to receive and disseminate information to the younger adults populating their areas. Live videos streamed in real time and occurring as social media feeds in their respective TV station website, should have equal importance as the news gathering process.

Local TV News Channels and Their Struggle to Stay Above the Social Media Hype

Careen Jodie

Broadcasting TV news as a business, has been placed in a precarious position during the past years. The media environment is not getting any better with the rise of social media platforms.

Many of the news-hungry younger adults prefer to stay ahead by obtaining information from Twitter or Facebook, since social media feeds can deliver news at a faster pace regardless of the veracity or accuracy of the news.

https://youtu.be/qL-OU38GeSY

What’s the point of watching TV news if it is going to broadcast something that had trended hours earlier?

Still, the not-so-tech-gadget-savvy members of the older generations are there to keep local TV news stations still relevant. Older people ages 65 and above. are the ones who find it satisfying to sit comfortably on their couch to watch comprehensive versions of news stories already hyped up by social media sites hours before.

It is imperative for local TV news stations therefore, to prevent younger adults from cutting the cord. Once they do so and later become the new members of the older generation, only a few will likely go back to getting news information from local TV broadcasts.

What happens next if future viewers belonging to the older generation are all astute social media users?

Local TV News Perform Strongly During Election Periods

Currently though, local TV news stations are experiencing an upswing in sponsorships and viewership, in light of campaigns related to the forthcoming U.S. presidential elections; starting with the primaries by as early as February 03, 2020 up to the general election on November 03, 2020. In between those dates, there are rallies, debates and conventions that local tv news cover for the benefit of their respective region’s voting public.

Once the elections are over, it would bring the status quo to normal, which means sliding back to a stagnating, if not failing condition. Presumably, local TV news stations will wait two years for the midterm elections and for four years for the next round of presidential elections.

https://youtu.be/mdMoLPXZrpI

In the meantime, the waiting period will put them back in the same precarious position of having to struggle against the growing power of social media. Not unless the industry strategizes with what, when and how they deliver news content.

Planners and strategists though, must make it a point to work hand in hand with financial experts, preferably those connected with a reputable tax firm. That way, they can coordinate their strategic plans with any tax cuts or tax credits that they can leverage in easing their tax burden.

Rainbow 6 Siege Adds Two Newhaven Mercs and More Gadgets in “Operation Shifting Tides”

Careen Jodie

Ubisoft’s latest free update of the tactical shooting game Rainbow Six Siege series brings an exciting conclusion to the 2019 season finale. Captioned as “Operation Shifting Tides”, it is a fitting end to the Siege Year Four final season in which players will be seeing Kali and Wamai, two previous non-law enforcement characters coming from an India-based mercenary group called Newhaven.

The addition comes after Nighthaven took part in successfully thwarting an attempt by the bad guys to highjack a supertanker. Actually, the Rainbow Six outfit invited the Indian mercenary team Newhaven, to join its operation as part of its tactical plan. That of averting any possibility of seeing Kalil and Wamai getting hired by an enemy organization.

Although the move keeps the two Indian mercenaries in check as their activities will be closely monitored, the idea does not sit well with some of the Rainbow Six soldiers. This suggests that the two new operators will further disrupt the ever increasing collection of Operator gadgets.

Officially released last December 03, 2019, the action-packed tactical shooter game unpacked the CSRX-300, an uncompromising bolt-action rifle and an anti-gadget launcher called “LV Explosive Lance.” There is also the Mag-NET system, which the update introduces as Wamai’s tactical approach to thwarting projectiles and all sorts of throwables.

Apparently, Ubisoft is angling for a more cinematic approach by adding more substance to its year 2020 adaptation of Tom clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege novel. The update has already fired up Rainbow 6 Siege players to get their going and get their rank rising.

Although the game offers a series of short missions that a tactical shooter can play solos, they are mostly loose narratives focused on recruits who undergo training preparations for future engagements with the “White Masks” terrorist group. Multiplayer engagements are still the best.

Consider Rank Boosting Services That Can Help You Reach a Desired Rank

Unfortunately player rank determines the quality of the game since some skilled players tend to take advantage of under-skilled players just so their placement matches will allow them to land the highest rank possible. Now if you are constantly at the losing end, you are at risk of being unranked after 10 placement matches.

Why not be proactive in playing the Ranked Mode by duoing with players who will actually help you reach a desired rank instead. That way you are sure to improve rank in rainbow six siege placement matches with another account who will be with you all the way until you reach your desired goal.

It takes 10 placement watches to attain rank progression, where low-ranked players become a target of the more skilled players looking to boost their ranking. Wisen up by making it your goal to become a top ranking player yourself.

Emergence of YouTube Videos as Alternative TV Gave Rise to Kid Influencers

Careen Jodie

Nowadays and in most countries, children as young as preschool age prefer watching YouTube videos over watching traditional TV shows. Since Google, which now owns YouTube, bars children 12 years old and below from viewing traditional YouTube channels, it made sense for the company to come out with the YouTube Kids app,

The Advent of the YouTube Kids App Changed Children’s Viewing Preference

Now more than ever, kids prefer watching YouTube videos, because unlike watching regular TV shows, they can simply click on “Skip Ad” rather than watch a commercial ad in its entirety. Don’t be surprised to hear preschoolers asking their parents to “skip ad” please, when watching a child-oriented show in a regular TV channel.

On their part, parents are more at ease in having their children watch YouTube videos for kids, since the YouTube Kids app not only curates content appropriate for children 12 years old and below. It also furnishes parents control features that allowed them to manage how their kids can access and view YouTube videos.

Through a Family Link, parents can select a content level based on their child’s age whether for “Younger,” “Older (for ages 8 to 12)” or “Approved Content Only.” Since children using their own devices, usually tablets, have to download the YouTube Kids app, parental control features include turning the “Search” function on or off, as well as block or unblock channels they deem inappropriate for their child’s viewing.

One thing, which Google overlooked though, are the “cookies” to collect personal information or identifiers to monitor and determine what a child watches. The problem seen by critics of the YouTube Kids app, is that data are being collected without parental consent.

The contention is that Google and YouTube are earning millions of dollars by using data to deliver ads targeting children. Nonetheless, this particular issue has been corrected; albeit Google and YouTube had to pay a hefty record fine of $170 million. The amount was paid as part of extra-judicial settlement of a lawsuit filed by federal and state agencies tasked to enforce the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act or COPPA.

The Rise of Kid Influencers as Alternative Strategy in Promoting Brands

Inasmuch as kids are also on the lookout for new toys or gadgets, they watch YouTube videos of other children unboxing toys as subject of reviews. As a matter of fact, the “Ryan ToysReview” now “Ryan’s World” channel, garnered a following of more than 21 million subscribers, which made Ryan Kaji, now eight years old, the highest earning kid influencer in 2018.

Kid influencers are making quite an impact not only by unboxing toys but also by wearing clothing and accessory brands for kids. What they do, the food they eat and the gadgets they use became important because millions of children across the globe want to emulate them. Ordinary kids blogging about their day-to-day life, their family and their activities have become the new generation of YouTube sensations. All that a child influencer has to do is to do things that make them happy in the most natural ways.

Their parents are of course, behind the video cameras and the photo shoots, as well as management of their social media accounts. The influencer space has become highly competitive, some seek assistance from social media marketers like SMM World (https://www.smm-world.com/) as a way to kickstart their child’s YouTube channel.