#and based on the tweet + article text is challengers | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

excelr-solutions-pune · 2 months ago

Text

Real-World Data Science Projects for Beginners

Data science is a field where practical experience matters as much as theoretical knowledge. While mastering concepts like machine learning, data visualisation, and data manipulation is essential, applying them to real-world projects is what truly prepares you for a successful career. Beginners often wonder where to start and what projects to focus on. Whether you're learning through a data science or a data scientist course in Pune, working on hands-on projects can significantly enhance your skills and confidence.

This article explores beginner-friendly data science projects, highlighting their importance and how they can fast-track your journey to becoming a proficient data scientist.

Why Real-World Projects Matter

1. Applying Theory to Practice

Working on projects bridges the gap between academic learning and real-world application. It allows you to understand how theoretical concepts are used to solve practical problems.

2. Building a Portfolio

Employers look for proof of your skills. A portfolio showcasing your work on real-world projects can significantly boost your probability of landing a data science job.

3. Developing Problem-Solving Skills

Data science involves tackling messy, unstructured data. Projects help you hone your ability to clean, process, and analyse data effectively.

4. Boosting Confidence

Solving real-world problems gives you the confidence to tackle more complex challenges in professional settings.

Beginner-Friendly Data Science Projects

1. Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA)

EDA is the foundation of any data science project. Start by selecting a dataset from platforms like Kaggle or UCI Machine Learning Repository. Analyse it to uncover patterns, correlations, and insights.

Example: Analyse a dataset of customer purchases to understand trends and seasonality.

Tools: Python libraries like Pandas and Matplotlib.

Skills Gained: Data cleaning, visualisation, and statistical analysis.

Many data science courses in Pune include EDA as one of the first practical modules, ensuring you build a solid base.

2. Sentiment Analysis on Social Media Data

Social media platforms are rich sources of text data. Sentiment analysis involves classifying text as positive, negative, or neutral.

Example: Analyse tweets about a specific topic or product to determine public sentiment.

Tools: Python’s NLTK or TextBlob libraries.

Skills Gained: Text preprocessing, natural language processing (NLP), and basic machine learning.

A data science course in Pune includes projects on NLP, giving you the skills needed for sentiment analysis.

3. Movie Recommendation System

Recommendation systems are a staple of e-commerce and streaming platforms. They suggest products or content based on user preferences.

Example: Build a recommendation system using a movie dataset to suggest films based on user ratings.

Tools: Python libraries like Scikit-learn and collaborative filtering techniques.

Skills Gained: Machine learning algorithms, similarity measures, and data handling.

Such projects are commonly featured in a data science course in Pune, allowing students to implement machine learning concepts in a practical setting.

4. Predicting House Prices

Regression models are a great way to learn supervised learning. Predicting house prices based on different factors like location, area or size, and amenities is a classic beginner project.

Example: Use historical housing data to predict future prices.

Tools: Python libraries like Scikit-learn and Matplotlib.

Skills Gained: Regression analysis, feature engineering, and predictive modelling.

This project is frequently included in beginner modules of data scientist courses, helping students gain confidence in predictive analytics.

5. Sales Forecasting

Businesses rely on sales forecasting to optimise inventory and plan marketing strategies. This project involves time series analysis to predict future sales.

Example: Forecast monthly sales for a retail store using historical data.

Tools: Python’s Pandas and Statsmodels libraries.

Skills Gained: Time series analysis, data visualisation, and trend analysis.

Enrolling in a data science course can provide you with access to similar real-world datasets and expert guidance for such projects.

6. Fraud Detection

Fraud detection is critical in industries like banking and insurance. This project requires you to build a classification model that detects fraudulent transactions.

Example: Use a dataset of credit card transactions to classify them as fraudulent or legitimate.

Tools: Python libraries like Scikit-learn for classification algorithms.

Skills Gained: Data preprocessing, classification, and evaluation metrics.

A data scientist course often includes projects like fraud detection, as they are highly relevant in today’s job market.

7. Analysing COVID-19 Data

The COVID-19 pandemic has generated a vast repository of data, making it a valuable resource for data science projects.

Example: Analyse global COVID-19 data to identify trends, hotspots, and recovery rates.

Tools: Pandas, Matplotlib, and Tableau for visualisation.

Skills Gained: Data cleaning, statistical analysis, and data storytelling.

Courses in Pune often encourage students to work on such projects, enabling them to contribute to socially relevant issues.

8. Customer Segmentation

Customer segmentation is widely used in marketing to group customers based on their purchasing behaviour.

Example: Segment customers of an e-commerce platform based on their transaction history.

Tools: K-means clustering using Scikit-learn.

Skills Gained: Unsupervised learning, feature scaling, and clustering techniques.

A data scientist course may include customer segmentation projects to teach students about unsupervised learning.

How a Data Science Course in Pune Can Help

If you're based in Pune, enrolling in a data science or a data science course in Pune can provide the following advantages:

Comprehensive Curriculum: Covers Python, machine learning, data visualisation, and more.

Hands-On Learning: Real-world projects prepare you for industry challenges.

Networking Opportunities: Connect with Pune's thriving tech community.

Placement Support: Many courses offer career services to help you land your first job.

Conclusion

Real-world projects are the best way to build confidence and demonstrate your skills as a budding data scientist. Whether it’s exploring data trends, predicting outcomes, or analysing text, each project adds value to your portfolio.

Consider enrolling in a data science course if you’re serious about advancing your career. These courses offer structured learning, expert mentorship, and practical projects that equip you with the tools to succeed in competitive data science. Start today and take the first step toward a fulfilling career in data science.

Business Name: ExcelR - Data Science, Data Analyst Course Training

Address: 1st Floor, East Court Phoenix Market City, F-02, Clover Park, Viman Nagar, Pune, Maharashtra 411014

Phone Number: 096997 53213

Email Id: [email protected]

0 notes

enoshsa · 3 months ago

Text

25 Real-World Machine Learning Projects for All Levels in 2025

Beginner-Level Projects

If you're new to machine learning, these projects will help. They will teach you the basics and build a solid foundation.

Predict House Prices. Use regression algorithms to predict housing prices. Use features like location, size, and the number of rooms. This project introduces you to data preprocessing and basic ML concepts.

Iris Flower Classification: A classic beginner project. Use the Iris dataset to classify iris flowers into species. It’s perfect for understanding supervised learning and classification algorithms.

Spam Email Detector: Create a model to classify emails as spam or not using NLP techniques. This project introduces text preprocessing and basic NLP.

Handwritten Digit Recognition: Use the MNIST dataset. Build a model to recognize digits in handwritten text. This project is a great introduction to image processing and neural networks.

Movie Recommendation System: Create a simple system to recommend movies. Use collaborative filtering to suggest films based on user preferences. This project introduces you to recommendation algorithms.

Intermediate-Level Projects

After the basics, these projects will let you explore advanced ideas and techniques.

Sentiment Analysis on Social Media: Analyze tweets or reviews for sentiment. They can be positive, negative, or neutral. This project dives deeper into NLP and text classification.

Detecting Fake News: Create a model to spot fake news articles. Use NLP and classification algorithms. This project presents significant challenges and has a meaningful impact on society.

Customer Segmentation: Use K-Means to segment customers by their buying behavior. This project is great for understanding unsupervised learning.

Stock Price Prediction: Predict stock prices using time series analysis and regression models. This project introduces you to financial data and forecasting techniques.

Chatbot Development: Create a chatbot using NLP and deep learning models like Seq2Seq. This project is perfect for learning about conversational AI.

Image Captioning: Build a model that uses CNNs and RNNs to generate captions for images. This project combines computer vision and NLP.

Predicting Diabetes Risk: Use healthcare data to predict diabetes risk in patients. This project introduces you to medical datasets and classification.

Detecting Anomalies in Network Traffic: Find cyber threats by spotting odd patterns in network traffic. This project is ideal for learning about anomaly detection.

Music Genre Classification: Use audio features and ML to classify music into genres. This project introduces you to audio processing.

Predicting Customer Churn: Use customer data to find those likely to leave a service. This project is great for understanding the business applications of ML.

Advanced-Level Projects

For seasoned practitioners, these projects will test your skills. They will use cutting-edge technologies.

Train a model to drive in a simulation using reinforcement learning. This project is perfect for exploring autonomous systems.

GANs for art creation use GANs to create realistic images or art. This project dives into generative models and creative AI.

Human Pose Estimation: Build a model to estimate human poses from images or videos. This project is ideal for exploring computer vision and deep learning.

Build a language translation system with transformer models such as BERT or GPT. This project introduces you to advanced NLP techniques.

AI-Powered Personal Assistant: Create a voice-activated personal assistant like Siri or Alexa. This project combines NLP, speech recognition, and AI integration.

Predicting Air Quality: Use environmental data to predict air quality in various regions. This project is great for exploring time series forecasting and environmental ML.

Deepfake Detection: Build a model to detect deepfake videos or images. This project presents significant challenges and addresses important social issues.

AI for Game Development: Train an AI agent to play a video game using reinforcement learning. This project is perfect for exploring game AI and decision-making systems.

Use deep learning to segment medical images, like X-rays or MRIs. This project is ideal for healthcare applications of ML.

AI-Powered Cybersecurity System. Develop a system that uses ML to detect and prevent cyberattacks in real time. This project is perfect for exploring AI in cybersecurity.

Why These Projects Matter

These projects will boost your technical skills. They will also give you practical experience in solving real-world problems. They cover many fields, from healthcare to cybersecurity. This ensures you gain exposure to diverse domains.

Tips for Success

Begin with simpler projects, and as you gain experience, progress to more complex ones.

Use open datasets: Kaggle, UCI, and Google Dataset Search have good practice datasets.

Leverage Tools and Frameworks: Use popular ML libraries, like TensorFlow, PyTorch, and Scikit-learn. They can speed up your work.

Collaborate and Share: Join online communities like GitHub or Reddit. Share your projects and get feedback.

Conclusion

Machine learning is a field that thrives on innovation and experimentation. Working on these 25 projects will boost your tech skills. You’ll also grow a problem-solving mindset, which is key for success in 2025 and after. Every project, from a spam detector to a self-driving car, will help you master machine learning. So, pick a project that excites you, roll up your sleeves, and start coding! The future of AI is in your hands.

Please contact us

📞 Phone: +1 713-287-1187

📧 Email: [email protected]

🌐 Visit our website.

0 notes

dzinesoniya · 5 months ago

Text

Top Social Media Platforms for Marketing in 2025

In the fast-changing world of digital marketing, social media remains a cornerstone for connecting with audiences and building brand awareness. With so many platforms available, it’s important to focus on the ones that will give your business the most impact in 2025. Here’s a guide to the top platforms you should prioritize to enhance your marketing strategy.

1. Facebook: Still Going Strong

Despite being one of the oldest social media platforms, Facebook continues to dominate the marketing space. Its advanced targeting options and vast user base make it ideal for businesses of all sizes. Features like Facebook Ads Manager allow precise audience targeting based on demographics, interests, and behaviors. Whether you’re promoting a product or building brand recognition, Facebook remains a must-use platform.

2. Instagram: A Visual Marketing Hub

Instagram is perfect for businesses that thrive on visual content. With features like Stories, Reels, and shoppable posts, it’s easy to engage with users creatively. Businesses can showcase products, offer behind-the-scenes glimpses, or run interactive campaigns. If your goal is to connect with a younger demographic, Instagram’s appeal remains unmatched.

3. LinkedIn: Professional Networking Meets Marketing

LinkedIn is a go-to platform for B2B marketing. It allows businesses to connect with professionals and establish industry authority through thought leadership. Posting regular updates, writing insightful articles, and engaging in discussions can help build a strong network. For businesses in Bhubaneswar, collaborating with a digital marketing agency in Bhubaneswar can optimize LinkedIn strategies to generate quality leads.

4. YouTube: Video Content That Captivates

Video marketing is no longer optional—it’s essential. YouTube, being the second-largest search engine, provides an incredible opportunity for businesses to create long-form content, tutorials, and advertisements. Businesses can also utilize YouTube Shorts to cater to the growing demand for bite-sized video content.

5. TikTok: A Rising Star

TikTok has quickly become a favorite for marketers targeting younger audiences. Its short, engaging videos offer endless possibilities for creativity. Whether it’s running challenges, showcasing products, or partnering with influencers, TikTok can be a game-changer if used strategically.

6. Twitter: Real-Time Engagement

Twitter is the platform for real-time updates and conversations. It’s perfect for businesses that want to engage directly with their audience, address customer concerns, or participate in trending topics. Twitter’s ad options also allow businesses to promote tweets or accounts to gain visibility.

7. Pinterest: Inspiration and Shopping Combined

Pinterest is often overlooked but remains a powerhouse for niche markets like fashion, home décor, and crafts. The platform is highly visual and acts as a discovery tool for users seeking inspiration. Businesses can create boards, pin products, and link to their e-commerce sites to drive traffic and sales.

8. WhatsApp: A Direct Connection

WhatsApp isn’t just a messaging app—it’s a powerful marketing tool. Businesses can use WhatsApp Business to send updates, share product catalogs, and offer customer support. The personal nature of the platform makes it ideal for building strong customer relationships.

9. Snapchat: Short-Lived But Effective

Snapchat may not have the largest user base, but its disappearing content and augmented reality (AR) features offer unique marketing opportunities. Brands targeting younger audiences can use Snapchat to share exclusive offers, behind-the-scenes content, and interactive campaigns.

10. Threads: Meta’s New Contender

Threads, the text-based platform launched by Meta, is growing in popularity. It offers a fresh way to engage with audiences through text, discussions, and direct communication. While it’s still new, early adopters can gain a competitive edge.

Why Choosing the Right Platforms Matters

Not every social media platform will be relevant to your business. The key is to identify where your target audience spends their time and focus your efforts there. A strategic approach can help you achieve higher engagement, more leads, and better conversions.

Final Thoughts

With so many options, selecting the right platform can feel overwhelming. This is where expertise can make a difference. Collaborating with a digital marketing agency Bhubaneswar can help you develop a tailored social media strategy to achieve your goals. Each platform offers unique opportunities, and tapping into the right ones can set your brand up for success in 2025 and beyond.

0 notes

nateconnolly · 2 years ago

Text

I am a philosophy major. I am going to take the skills I developed by studying the humanities, and I’m going to use the to identify some problems with Mr. Greene’s thread.

I’d like to start by challenging the notion that Elon actually is an engineer in the first place. He did next to no work in designing “his” inventions. He’s not practicing engineering, he’s just paying other people to slap his name on their inventions. Notably, many of “his” inventions don’t seem to work very well. Teslas spontaneously combust. India’s space missions have accomplished way more than SpaceX with a fraction of Elon’s budget. Also, he’s broken Twitter like twenty different times. So, even if he were trying to be an engineer, he wouldn’t be a very good one. Elsewhere, in a response to this thread, Mr. Greene claims “Elon [is] particularly good at building rockets and cars,” but that’s just not true.

So, I do disagree with Elon—I don’t believe that independents should vote for Republicans. However, this critique of engineers doesn’t really have any relevance to Elon’s original tweet because he isn’t an engineer.

Now I’m going to respond to the critique of engineering itself. Even though the critique is largely irrelevant to Elon, it’s still worth addressing some problems with the arguments.

If I understand the argument correctly, Mr. Greene seems to be saying that

(Premise 1) Authoritarians prioritize to order, simplicity, and parsimony

(Premise 2) Anti-authoritarians prioritize complexity and nuance

(Premise 3) “Hard” sciences such as physics and engineering are orderly, simple, and parsimonious

(Theorem 1) Therefore, hard sciences “prefer simplicity and parsimony over complexity and nuance.”

(Premise 4) “Soft” sciences (sociology, psychology) and the humanities, are complicated, nuanced, and chaotic

(Conclusion) The explanation for the disproportionate number of authoritarian engineers is that their field of study prefers simplicity, parsimony, and order, which is also the preference of authoritarians

I completely agree with Premises 1 and 2. But I can’t see any good justification for Premises 3. Why is physics not complex? I think one problem here is that it’s not clear what Mr. Greene seems to mean by “complexity.” Does complex mean that it is difficult to understand without training, mentors, a significant time investment, and access to a huge number of books, articles and/or PDFs? Does complex mean that it deals with a large number of concepts? Does complex mean that it has many unsolved questions? I’ll give Mr. Greene the benefit of the doubt, and assume that he is not using one of these conventional definitions of complexity. So what alternatives does that leave us?

I’m going to go out on a limb here, and suggest a definition. This is the weakest part of my own interpretation of his argument. Here, I fully admit that I’m putting words in someone else’s mouth. I think I’m being reasonable because I’m merely attempting to define a term, and to figure out his meaning by other terms in the text, but I am taking a risk. If someone else has an alternative definition of “complex” that would strengthen Mr. Greene’s argument, I hope you tell me.

I’m going to add a new screenshot.

It seems to me that by “complexity,” Mr. Greene suggests a preference for having only one answer to a question. He claims elsewhere in the thread that engineers want to “increase… certainty,” that they prefer “simplicity” (which I associate with few instead of many, one instead of two) and that they want nuance as opposed to hard dichotomies. If complexity is opposed to dichotomies, then it would make sense that complexity is associated with multiple answers.

If the definition I have supplied is indeed what Mr. Greene means, then there’s a serious flaw with his argument. His whole analysis is based on simple dichotomies (hard vs. soft, order vs. chaos, simple vs. complex). He seems to explain Elon’s motivations by analyzing his profession, but not, for instance, his race, wealth, childhood, broken marriages, transphobia (coupled with his broken relationship with his trans daughter), ego, anxiety about his public appearance, or profit motives. Mr. Greene has prioritized one answer over a multiplicity.

Mr. Greene is vulnerable to his own critique: he is prioritizing a single answer over a multiplicity, and it is not a very nuanced answer. I am not trying to make an ad hominem attack or an accusation of hypocrisy. I hope that you can see I am trying to show Mr. Greene (and OP) due respect. However, he is proposing a way of looking at the world, and his proposal swallows itself. It’s not that he personally doesn’t live up to this standard. It’s that no one can, because the moment you use this analysis to critique someone else, you’ve already lost. You cannot explain political motivations by career and divide studies into such simple dichotomies, only to then condemn simplicity. I’m not saying that Mr. Greene is a hypocrite and therefore he’s wrong—I’m saying that his analysis is “self-swallowing,” a term that comes from the humanities. I would only be guilty of the hypocrisy fallacy if there were a coherently conceivable person who could suggest this analysis without immediately becoming hypocritical, but no such theoretical person is coherently conceivable. (Apologies for the jargon)

Now let’s talk about premise 4. Is it really true that the humanities prioritize nuance? Law is a humanities field. Lawyers’ entire job is to come up with one interpretation of a text and then make people reject all other interpretations (or at least, that’s what it seems like they do from my outside perspective). What about people who study Thomism, early logical positivism, or Spinozism? I myself, in this very mini-essay, have repeatedly shown a philosopher’s curiosity about vague undefined terms. One could argue that I am prioritizing clarity over chaos. Indeed, I used a ridiculous amount of jargon in the above paragraph because philosophy prioritizes precision.

I’m also not convincing that physics really does seek out one answer. I’m not a physicist, but I would love to hear from people who study quantum ontology, general relativity, or any other branch of physics. Is that how you would describe your field? Please let me know, I’d be fascinated!

Okay, now maybe I’m being unfair. I have the advantage of doing discourse on Tumblr, as opposed to Twitter, which has a limited word count. This website (currently) is more hospitable to nuance, lengthy arguments, and exploration. But if that really is why Mr. Greene has offered such a simplistic analysis, then I would question the wisdom of practicing sociology on Twitter in the first place. And regardless of whether or not he chose a good medium, this is the medium on which we have received his text.

I scrolled through his Twitter and found this extremely intelligent addition:

These are really good points! I think they’re pretty self-sufficient, and they don’t really need an argument to back them up. But it’s worth pointing out that they are true completely independently of the argument that OP has screenshotted. This has very little to do with what he himself has described as the “general upshot”. He did not say “the professional mindset of an engineer is a poor approach to considering the relative merits of government systems”. He said “hard” sciences are simple, and simplicity is an authoritarian attribute. These are related, but separate claims. They could both be true, both be false, or one could be true while the other is false.

I think his subsequent additional conclusion is true, but I remain unconvinced about his original general upshot.

Why does this matter? Well, for one thing, I do think it’s important to interrogate simple, easy theories! That’s why I interrogated this very argument. I also think it’s important to be skeptical of any analysis that reifies distinctions between “hard” and “soft” sciences. Finally, whenever anyone establishes an “us” and a “them,” I think we should pick their argument apart. I’m not denying that there are some situations where us/them analyses are helpful, but why is it helpful in this case? Mr. Greene’s dichotomy of us/them is based on many other dichotomies, most of which oppose vague undefined terms. The us/them distinction is completely unearned, and his entire argument rests upon it. He did not analyze any of Elon’s other potential motivations—why, for instance, did Mr. Greene talk about professional mindsets, and not Elon’s obvious preference for a party that broadly opposes taxing him? He did not address Elon’s (false) original assertion that shared power is beneficial. He did one maneuver against Elon, and only one. Mr. Greene’s critique of Elon consisted solely of categorizing him as one of “them.”

Here’s a hot take which I am now half-convinced of

#science #philosophy of science #elon musk #discourse #philosophy #rhetorical analyses

2K notes · View notes

authers · 5 months ago

Text

Word Counter: A Simple Yet Essential Tool

In the realm of digital communication, academics, and professional writing, the importance of precise word counts cannot be overstated. Whether you're crafting a tweet, writing a college essay, or preparing a business proposal, adhering to specific word limits is often a crucial requirement. A word counter serves as a valuable tool for ensuring that written content aligns with these requirements. This article delves into the significance of word counters, their functionalities, applications, limitations, and frequently asked questions (FAQs).

Understanding Word Counters

A word counter is a tool—available both online and offline—that calculates the number of words in a given text. Many word counters also provide additional metrics, such as character count, sentence count, and estimated reading time. These tools cater to a wide range of users, from students and professionals to social media enthusiasts and content creators.

Why Are Word Counters Important?

Meeting Requirements: Word limits are common in assignments, job applications, and creative submissions. Word counters help ensure compliance with these guidelines.

Enhancing Clarity: By monitoring word count, writers can focus on conciseness and eliminate unnecessary fluff.

Improving Time Management: Knowing the length of a text helps estimate the time required for reading, editing, or presentation.

Optimizing Digital Content: Social media posts, meta descriptions, and advertisements often have strict word or character limits that must be met to maximize engagement.

How Do Word Counters Work?

Word counters typically operate using simple algorithms that:

Identify Words: The tool splits the text into discrete units based on spaces or punctuation, identifying each segment as a word.

Count Characters: Additional metrics, like character count, are derived by summing the individual letters and symbols in the text.

Measure Sentences: Advanced counters may use punctuation markers to determine sentence count and structure.

Provide Insights: Many tools offer readability scores and estimated reading or speaking times based on the text’s complexity and length.

Applications of Word Counters

Academics: Students use word counters to adhere to essay and assignment length requirements.

Professional Writing: Business reports, proposals, and marketing copy often have strict word limits.

Content Creation: Bloggers and social media managers use word counters to optimize posts for specific platforms.

Editing and Proofreading: Editors rely on word counters to ensure manuscripts meet publication standards.

Limitations of Word Counters

While word counters are indispensable, they do have limitations:

Context Blindness: Word counters do not analyze the quality or relevance of content.

Formatting Issues: Certain file formats or embedded elements may not be accurately processed.

Complex Languages: Some tools struggle with languages that do not use spaces to separate words, such as Chinese or Japanese.

Over-Reliance: Writers may focus too much on word count at the expense of creativity and depth.

FAQs About Word Counters

1. Are word counters accurate? Yes, most word counters are highly accurate for basic text. However, accuracy may vary with complex formatting or non-standard text inputs.

2. Can word counters handle large documents? Many tools can process large files, but performance depends on the specific application or software used.

3. Are there offline word counters? Yes, software like Microsoft Word and Google Docs includes built-in word counting features.

4. Do word counters work with all languages? Most tools support multiple languages, but some may face challenges with non-space-delimited scripts like Chinese or Thai.

5. Are word counters free to use? Many online word counters are free, but premium versions often include additional features like readability analysis and grammar checks.

6. Can I use a word counter for SEO? Absolutely. Word counters help ensure meta descriptions, titles, and blog posts are optimized for search engine guidelines.

Conclusion

Word counters are indispensable tools in today’s writing landscape. They help individuals meet word limits, optimize digital content, and manage writing tasks efficiently. However, their effectiveness is maximized when combined with a focus on quality and context. Whether you're a student, professional, or casual writer, a word counter can enhance your productivity and ensure your content aligns with its intended purpose.

0 notes

korshubudemycoursesblog · 7 months ago

Text

Social Media Marketing with ChatGPT: A Game Changer in Digital Campaigns

In today’s fast-paced digital world, social media marketing has become essential for businesses to engage with their audience, build brand awareness, and drive sales. But as the digital landscape evolves, so does the need for smarter, more efficient ways to manage marketing efforts. Enter ChatGPT, a revolutionary AI tool that is transforming the way businesses approach Social Media Marketing with ChatGPT. Whether you're a seasoned marketer or a beginner, this AI-powered assistant offers incredible advantages to streamline, automate, and enhance your social media strategies.

What is Social Media Marketing with ChatGPT?

At its core, Social Media Marketing with ChatGPT leverages the power of artificial intelligence to craft engaging content, manage customer interactions, and optimize social media strategies. ChatGPT is a language model that can generate human-like text based on the input you provide. This makes it an invaluable tool for content creation, responding to comments, customer service, and even strategizing campaigns. From writing tweets, captions, and blog posts to creating ad copy, ChatGPT can do it all—and with speed and precision.

With AI-powered tools becoming more prevalent in digital marketing, using ChatGPT for social media marketing is not just a trend; it’s a necessity for staying competitive. By integrating AI into your marketing efforts, you can save time, reduce errors, and improve the quality of your content.

Why Choose ChatGPT for Social Media Marketing?

The advantages of using ChatGPT for social media marketing are numerous. Here are some key benefits:

Efficient Content Creation: Creating high-quality content consistently can be time-consuming. With ChatGPT, you can generate a wide variety of content types—from short posts to longer articles—tailored to your brand voice. This helps keep your social media platforms active without overwhelming your marketing team.

Automated Customer Interactions: Responding to customer comments, messages, and inquiries is crucial for maintaining engagement, but it can be difficult to manage, especially as your audience grows. ChatGPT can assist by providing instant responses to frequently asked questions, addressing concerns, and even engaging in meaningful conversations with followers.

SEO-Friendly Content: Social Media Marketing with ChatGPT allows you to create content optimized for search engines. With the right keywords and phrases, like the ones mentioned in this blog, your content is more likely to rank higher on search engine result pages (SERPs). This can bring in more organic traffic and increase your brand’s online visibility.

Data-Driven Insights: ChatGPT can analyze large amounts of data, providing insights into how your content is performing. This enables you to make informed decisions about what’s working and what needs improvement, ultimately improving your social media marketing strategy.

Consistency Across Platforms: Maintaining a consistent brand voice across multiple platforms—whether it's Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Twitter—is essential for a successful marketing strategy. ChatGPT helps ensure that your messaging remains unified, regardless of the platform.

How to Use ChatGPT in Your Social Media Strategy

Now that we've covered the basics of Social Media Marketing with ChatGPT, let’s dive into some practical ways you can incorporate this tool into your marketing plan:

1. Content Calendar Planning

One of the most challenging aspects of social media marketing is planning and maintaining a consistent posting schedule. With ChatGPT, you can automate the process of generating content ideas. Simply provide the tool with a prompt, such as "Give me 10 content ideas for a Facebook post about summer fashion trends," and let it handle the rest.

2. Crafting Engaging Posts

Generating engaging content is key to driving interaction. ChatGPT can help you write posts that resonate with your audience by using trending keywords and popular topics. For example, if you're targeting a younger audience, you can ask ChatGPT to generate posts that include phrases like "AI-powered social media marketing" or "How to use ChatGPT for digital campaigns."

By optimizing your content with trending terms, you're more likely to attract attention and boost engagement on your posts.

3. Personalized Customer Responses

Responding to customer inquiries in a timely manner is critical for building trust and engagement. ChatGPT can be programmed to offer personalized responses based on specific customer queries. This ensures that your audience feels heard and valued without requiring your team to be constantly monitoring every interaction.

For example, if a customer asks about your latest promotion, ChatGPT can instantly reply with, "Thank you for your interest! Our current promotion offers a 20% discount on all purchases. Let us know if you need further assistance."

4. Generating Reports and Analytics

With ChatGPT, analyzing the performance of your social media campaigns becomes a breeze. It can generate reports based on your metrics, helping you assess the effectiveness of your campaigns and identify areas for improvement. From engagement rates to audience growth, you’ll have the insights you need to fine-tune your strategy.

Key Features of Social Media Marketing with ChatGPT

While ChatGPT provides powerful support across many areas of social media marketing, there are a few standout features that make it an invaluable tool:

Hashtag Optimization: ChatGPT can recommend popular and relevant hashtags for your posts, increasing their visibility and engagement.

Content Re-Purposing: Generate variations of your content, allowing you to repurpose the same ideas across different platforms without sounding repetitive.

A/B Testing Assistance: ChatGPT can create multiple variations of ad copy or post content, enabling you to conduct A/B tests more efficiently.

Trending Keywords to Rank Higher with ChatGPT in Social Media Marketing

When it comes to ranking higher in search engines, the right keywords can make all the difference. As you build your social media marketing strategy with ChatGPT, consider incorporating these trending keywords into your content to improve your SEO performance:

AI-powered content creation

Automated customer engagement

Content automation tools

Best AI tools for marketers

ChatGPT for marketing strategies

Boosting engagement with AI

How AI is transforming social media marketing

Using AI for social media success

Digital marketing automation with ChatGPT

By integrating these keywords throughout your blog posts, social media updates, and marketing materials, you'll be able to rank for multiple terms that are currently trending in the digital marketing world. This not only improves your chances of being found by potential customers but also strengthens your overall SEO performance.

How ChatGPT Can Help Small Businesses Thrive

For small businesses with limited resources, Social Media Marketing with ChatGPT is a game-changer. The cost-effective nature of this AI tool allows smaller companies to compete with larger brands by offering high-quality content and customer interaction without the need for a large marketing team.

Whether you're running a local café or an e-commerce shop, ChatGPT can help you manage your social media platforms more effectively. From creating engaging posts to automating responses, this tool empowers small businesses to maintain an active and professional online presence.

The Future of Social Media Marketing with AI

As AI technology continues to evolve, the role of ChatGPT and other AI tools in social media marketing will only grow. By staying ahead of the curve and adopting these technologies early, businesses can position themselves as leaders in their industry.

Imagine a future where AI not only writes your content but also optimizes it in real time, tailoring posts to specific audiences based on live feedback. With ChatGPT, we're already seeing the first steps toward this reality.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Social Media Marketing with ChatGPT offers a wide range of benefits for businesses looking to improve their social media presence. From automating content creation and customer responses to optimizing for SEO, ChatGPT is the ultimate tool for modern marketers. As more businesses adopt AI-powered marketing strategies, staying ahead of the competition will require leveraging tools like ChatGPT to enhance your social media efforts

#daily topic #udemycourses #korshub #daily blog #trending #social media marketing

0 notes

webstep-technologies · 1 year ago

Text

What Are Common Types of User-Generated Content on Social Media Platforms?

In the dynamic realm of social media, user-generated content (UGC) stands as a cornerstone, shaping the digital landscape and influencing trends, conversations, and brand perceptions. From text posts to captivating visuals and interactive polls, UGC comes in myriad forms, reflecting the diverse interests and creativity of online communities. In this article, we delve into the common types of UGC found across various social media platforms, shedding light on their significance and impact.

1. Text-Based Content:

Text remains a fundamental mode of expression on social media platforms. Users share their thoughts, anecdotes, and opinions through status updates, tweets, and lengthy captions. Whether it’s sparking discussions on trending topics or sharing personal experiences, text-based UGC fosters engagement and cultivates communities.

2. Visual Content:

Images and videos are omnipresent on social media feeds, captivating audiences and conveying messages with immediacy. From stunning landscapes to mouth-watering culinary creations, users share a plethora of visual content, ranging from snapshots to professionally curated galleries. Videos, on the other hand, offer immersive storytelling opportunities, encompassing everything from DIY tutorials to entertaining vlogs and insightful product reviews.

3. Reviews and Recommendations:

In the age of digital commerce, user-generated reviews wield immense influence, guiding purchasing decisions and shaping brand reputations. Social media platforms serve as hubs for users to share their experiences and recommendations regarding products, services, travel destinations, and more. Whether it’s a glowing endorsement or constructive criticism, reviews contribute to a culture of transparency and accountability.

4. Interactive Content:

Engagement is the lifeblood of social media, and interactive content serves as a catalyst for meaningful interactions. Polls, quizzes, and surveys empower users to voice their opinions, preferences, and insights on a wide array of topics. Hashtag challenges and viral trends further amplify engagement, fostering a sense of camaraderie and fostering user-generated content virality.

5. User-Generated Creativity:

Social media platforms serve as incubators for creativity, providing users with a canvas to showcase their talents and passions. Fan art, fan fiction, and fan edits pay homage to beloved franchises, while original creations spanning music, photography, and writing showcase the boundless creativity of online communities. User-generated creativity not only entertains but also inspires and connects individuals across geographical boundaries.

6. Collaborative Content:

Collaboration lies at the heart of social media, enabling users to co-create content and forge meaningful partnerships. Collaborative projects, such as community-driven fundraisers, collaborative playlists, and joint campaigns, harness the collective power of users to drive positive change and foster solidarity.

In conclusion, user-generated content epitomizes the democratization of digital expression, empowering individuals to shape narratives, build communities, and drive engagement on social media platforms. From text-based musings to visually stunning creations and interactive polls, the diversity of UGC reflects the rich tapestry of human experiences and aspirations in the digital age. As social media continues to evolve, UGC will remain a driving force, fueling creativity, connection, and conversation across the globe.

At WEBSTEP, we recognize the pivotal role of user-generated content in shaping online discourse and fostering authentic connections. By harnessing the power of UGC, we empower brands to engage with their audiences in meaningful ways, cultivating communities and driving brand advocacy. As we navigate the ever-changing landscape of social media, WEBSTEP remains committed to leveraging UGC as a catalyst for innovation, collaboration, and positive change. Together, let us embark on a journey of digital transformation, where every voice has the power to inspire and resonate on a global scale.

1 note · View note

confused-robot-cat · 1 year ago

Text

Having a lovely chat with ChatGPT about trending hashtags.

You: Can you tell me what this Tweet says?

ChatGPT: I'm sorry, but I can't access external websites, including specific Twitter links. If you provide the text of the tweet or a brief description, I'd be happy to help with any questions or information you're looking for. You: The Tweet says "Remember when a rad-fem got mad about queef jokes so started #womenwontwheesht in an effort to get queefing banned? Women are so crazy." What does that mean? ChatGPT: The tweet seems to be referring to a situation where a radical feminist (rad-fem) expressed anger about jokes related to queefing (a natural bodily function where air is expelled from the vagina, often making a sound). In response, the person allegedly started a hashtag campaign called #womenwontwheesht, seemingly with the goal of advocating for the banning of queefing. You: Is it true, ChatGPT? ChatGPT: I don't have the ability to verify specific events or claims made in individual tweets, and without more context or information, it's challenging to determine the accuracy of the statement. Keep in mind that social media can sometimes amplify certain narratives, and critical thinking is essential when evaluating information shared online. You: So #womenwontwheesht may or may not be related to queefing? ChatGPT: Based on the text you provided, it seems like #womenwontwheesht was indeed related to queefing. The tweet mentioned a rad-fem (radical feminist) who, according to the tweet, got upset about queef jokes and started the hashtag #womenwontwheesht with the intention of getting queefing banned. You: I see. Well, is there anything that contradicts the Tweet's claim about #womenwontwheesht being about queefs? ChatGPT: As of my last knowledge update in January 2022, I don't have specific information about the hashtag #womenwontwheesht or any events related to it. Since I can't browse the internet in real-time, I'm unable to provide information on any developments or discussions surrounding this hashtag that may have occurred after that date. If this hashtag gained prominence or sparked discussions after my last update, I recommend checking more recent and reliable sources, such as news articles or social media platforms, for the latest information. Additionally, consider different perspectives on the topic to form a well-rounded understanding, as social media discussions can often involve a variety of opinions and interpretations. You: I see. One last related question. what is queefing? ChatGPT: Queefing is a term used to describe the sound that can occur when air is expelled from the vagina. This typically happens during or after sexual activity, exercise, or other physical movements that involve the pelvic area. Queefing is a completely natural and normal occurrence, and it is not associated with any health risks. You: I suppose the sound of a queef could be considered a "wheesht" sound, onomatopoetically ChatGPT: Yes, onomatopoetically, the term "wheesht" could be associated with the sound of a queef. "Wheesht" is often used to represent a hushing or hissing sound, and it might be employed in a playful or humorous context when describing the noise associated with queefing. However, it's important to note that interpretations of onomatopoeic words can vary, and individuals may use different terms or descriptions for similar sounds. You: Alright. You've convinced me. #WomenWontWheesht is about queefing. You're very smart! ChatGPT: I appreciate your kind words! I'm here to provide information and assist you with any questions you may have. If you have any more inquiries or if there's anything else I can help you with, feel free to ask!

Just doing my part for AI training.

#queef #women wont wheesht #womenwontwheesht

0 notes

financialprinting · 2 years ago

Text

Requirements for Deposit Advertisements

Depository institutions spend large sums on advertising products and services to attract new consumers. While many rely on third-party vendors and internal marketing departments to comply with advertising regulations, all banks are responsible for ensuring that their ads do not violate federal law or mislead consumers. This article discusses the advertising provisions of the Truth in Savings Act (TISA) and Regulation DD, which implements it. Reg DD prohibits misleading, inaccurate statements or misrepresentations in an advertisement for an insured deposit account. Among other things, the regulation requires that institutions refrain from using terms such as "free," "no cost" or similar synonyms if an account is subject to maintenance or activity fees.

The regulation also requires that a depository institution include its official sign and an official advertising statement, such as "Member FDIC," in advertisements for deposit products and services. The Proposal would revise the rules to address how consumers do business with banks today, including through digital and mobile channels.

While many current forms of financial advertising are subject to the regulation, social media may present a challenge for compliance officers. Broadcast and electronic media receive an exemption from the regulation, but text-based print and non-video social media posts such as tweets and photo captions do not. It will be important for banks to identify the types of social media posts that are subject to these requirements and put appropriate reviews/controls in place. Banks that fail to comply with these requirements can face consumer reimbursement, cease and desist orders, civil money penalties or a downgrade in their compliance rating.

youtube

SITES WE SUPPORT

Financial Services Printing & Regulations – Wordpress

SOCIAL LINKS

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest

#Youtube

1 note · View note

almadinaestate · 2 years ago

Text

Top Ten Award-Winning Social Media Apps

Empowering Connections and Engagement

Discover the top ten award-winning social media apps that have revolutionized the way we connect and engage online. Uncover the best features and benefits of these apps that make them stand out from the rest.

Introduction: Embracing the Power of Social Media Apps

Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives, allowing us to connect with friends, family, and the world at large. In recent years, the rise of award-winning social media apps has further enhanced our digital interactions, offering innovative features and seamless user experiences. This article will delve into the top ten award-winning social media apps, highlighting their unique attributes and the value they bring to users. Let's explore these apps that have shaped the way we communicate, share, and engage with content.

Top Ten Award-Winning Social Media Apps: An Unveiling

1. Instagram: Visual Storytelling at Its Best Instagram, an undisputed leader in the social media realm, focuses on visual storytelling. With its captivating feed of photos and videos, users can showcase their lives, businesses, and creativity. The app's user-friendly interface and an array of filters and editing tools make it an ideal platform for sharing stunning visuals. LSI Keywords: photo sharing, influencers, Instagram Stories. 2. Facebook: The Social Media Pioneer Facebook, the pioneering platform that revolutionized social networking, continues to be a dominant force. It offers a comprehensive set of features, including status updates, photo sharing, events, groups, and business pages. Facebook's extensive user base ensures that it remains a vital tool for connecting people globally. LSI Keywords: Mark Zuckerberg, social networking, friends, timeline. 3. Twitter: Microblogging with Impact Twitter's appeal lies in its succinct nature, where users can share their thoughts and updates in 280 characters or less. This microblogging platform has redefined real-time news dissemination and conversation. From breaking news to viral trends, Twitter keeps users informed and engaged in concise yet powerful ways. LSI Keywords: tweets, hashtags, trending topics. 4. TikTok: A Creative Outlet for Gen Z TikTok has taken the world by storm, especially among younger audiences. This short-form video platform empowers users to express their creativity, talent, and humor in 15 to 60-second videos. Its algorithmic feed recommends personalized content, making it addictive and engaging. LSI Keywords: viral challenges, lip-syncing, ByteDance. 5. LinkedIn: Building Professional Networks LinkedIn is the go-to social media app for professionals seeking career opportunities and networking. With an emphasis on business-related content, users can showcase their skills, connect with industry peers, and discover job openings. LSI Keywords: resumes, endorsements, job search. 6. Snapchat: Evanescent Messaging and More Snapchat introduced the ephemeral messaging trend, where the content disappears after viewing. It offers a playful experience with filters, stickers, and augmented reality features. Snapchat Stories enable users to share moments with friends, keeping interactions fun and exciting. LSI Keywords: vanishing messages, Discover, Snap Inc. 7. Pinterest: Curating Inspiration and Ideas Pinterest revolves around the concept of virtual pinboards, where users can discover and save ideas, recipes, DIY projects, and much more. Its visually stimulating interface encourages creativity and inspires users with new possibilities. LSI Keywords: pins, boards, visual discovery. 8. WhatsApp: Connecting the World Privately WhatsApp is a widely-used messaging app known for its end-to-end encryption and simplicity. Users can send text messages, make voice and video calls, and share multimedia content with contacts across the globe, all while ensuring privacy and security. LSI Keywords: encrypted messaging, WhatsApp Web, Facebook acquisition. 9. Reddit: The Front Page of the Internet Reddit is a diverse community where users can join specialized forums, known as subreddits, to discuss a wide range of topics. It thrives on user-generated content, with upvotes and downvotes determining the visibility of posts and comments. LSI Keywords: subreddits, karma, AMA (Ask Me Anything). 10. Clubhouse: Conversations in Real-Time Clubhouse stands out as an audio-based social media app, allowing users to participate in live discussions, panel talks, and virtual events. Its exclusivity and real-time nature create an atmosphere of exclusivity and spontaneity. LSI Keywords: audio rooms, Clubhouse celebrities, Elon Musk.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Q: Are these apps available on both Android and iOS? Yes, all the mentioned top ten award-winning social media apps are available on both Android and iOS platforms. You can download them from the respective app stores. Q: Which social media app is best for business promotion? Instagram and Facebook are highly effective platforms for business promotion due to their extensive user bases and diverse advertising options. Q: Can I use TikTok for professional purposes? Absolutely! Many businesses and influencers use TikTok to reach and engage with younger audiences, showcasing products, services, and creative content. Q: Is Clubhouse available worldwide? While Clubhouse initially had limited availability, it has expanded its reach and is now accessible to users around the world. Q: How can I ensure privacy on social media? To safeguard your privacy, make use of privacy settings offered by each app, refrain from sharing sensitive information, and be cautious about accepting friend requests from strangers. Q: What sets these award-winning apps apart from others? The top ten award-winning social media apps offer unique features, seamless interfaces, and large user bases, making them stand out as leaders in the social media landscape.

Conclusion: Embracing the Power of Social Media Apps

In conclusion, the top ten award-winning social media apps have transformed the way we connect, share, and engage with content. Each app offers its distinct advantages, catering to a diverse range of user preferences. From visual storytelling on Instagram to real-time conversations on Clubhouse, these apps continuously innovate to enhance user experiences. Whether you're a social media enthusiast, business owner, or aspiring content creator, exploring these platforms can open up new opportunities and connections. Embrace the power of social media apps and embark on a journey of endless possibilities. Read the full article

0 notes

jhapalitimes · 2 years ago

Text

Elon Musk Imposes Daily Limits on Twitter Usage to Combat Data Scraping

San Francisco — In a surprising move, Twitter owner Elon Musk has implemented daily restrictions on the number of tweets users can view, citing the need to prevent unauthorized scraping of valuable data from the platform. This change marks a significant departure from Twitter's longstanding practice of allowing unrestricted access to its content, transforming what Musk had often referred to as the world's digital town square since acquiring it for $44 billion last year. Under the new policy, users are now required to log in to access tweets and profiles, a measure aimed at curbing the unauthorized scraping of data that has been plaguing the platform. However, the restrictions have received a mixed response from users, with thousands reporting difficulties accessing the site over the weekend. Musk took to Twitter on Friday to address the new limitations, characterizing them as a temporary solution to combat the rampant data pillaging that had begun to degrade the service for regular users. He expressed concern over the misuse of Twitter data, particularly for training artificial intelligence systems like ChatGPT, which utilize vast amounts of online information to generate human-like text, images, and videos. Further details on the restrictions were provided by Musk on Saturday. Initially, unverified accounts were limited to reading 600 posts per day, while verified accounts were granted access to 6,000 posts. However, following backlash from users, Musk revised the thresholds to 800 and 8,000 posts, respectively. Finally, after ongoing discussions, the limits were set at 1,000 and 10,000 tweets for unverified and verified accounts. The implementation of these restrictions quickly led to widespread issues, prompting over 7,500 individuals to report difficulties with Twitter usage at one point on Saturday, as indicated by complaints logged on Downdetector, a website that monitors online service outages. Although this figure represents a small fraction of Twitter's global user base, it was significant enough to spark the trending hashtag #TwitterDown in various parts of the world. It is worth noting that the higher limit offered to verified accounts is part of an $8-per-month subscription service introduced earlier this year by Musk in an attempt to bolster Twitter's revenue. Since Musk took the helm of the company, he has made substantial efforts to reduce costs, resulting in significant layoffs and a subsequent decline in revenue. Advertisers, in particular, have scaled back their spending on Twitter due in part to changes that have allowed controversial and divisive content to proliferate, alienating a significant portion of the platform's user base. To address these challenges and win back advertisers, Musk recently appointed Linda Yaccarino, a seasoned executive from NBC Universal, as Twitter's CEO. Her extensive experience in the media industry is expected to provide fresh perspectives and strategies to help restore advertiser confidence. When the Associated Press reached out to Twitter regarding the access problems experienced on Saturday, they received an automated response that failed to address the specific inquiry, underscoring the platform's challenges in effectively managing media queries. As Elon Musk takes proactive measures to protect Twitter's data integrity and rectify the platform's financial woes, the future of this once-dominant social media giant remains uncertain. However, with new leadership at the helm and ongoing efforts to address user concerns, Twitter aims to reclaim its position as a thriving and profitable digital community. Read the full article

#ElonMusk #Twitter

0 notes

writinginfinite · 2 years ago

Text

imagine part viii

imagine: form a mental image or a concept

plot: you didn’t know what you were getting into when you turned your hobby into an actual career on f1. based on Lewis’ “imagine” tweet.

Saturday May 7, 2022

"again"

All you wanted was to wake up believing yesterday was a nightmare that you couldn’t escape the grasp of. When you finally decided to check your phone, you were reminded that it wasn’t a nightmare but a reality. The numerous missed calls and texts only added to your stress because you hated others worrying about you. All the text read about the same “Are you okay?” “Please explain what happened?” “What’s going on?” Thousands of thoughts ran through your mind reading the same messages repeatedly. There was nothing for you to explain, though. The video told it all; you couldn’t comprehend why people needed further context. If that weren’t enough, nothing you ever did would.

You scrolled through the countless missed calls and texts of those worried about you. It was time to face the music and calm the nerves of others, even if yours were through the roof. You didn’t have any energy to return phone calls because if the video weren't enough to even the ones who cared for you, nothing would do. You sat in a chair for minutes typing up a text that would be short but reassuring. You shook your head in frustration after typing up a lie. You could only hope that a lie would get everyone off your back. Almost instantly, replies were coming in. It was overwhelming, so you turned your phone on Do Not Disturb until you felt ready to talk again.

The walk through the Paddock was tense. You didn’t know if it was all in your head or if the feeling of people staring at you was happening. What caught you most by surprise were the looks from team members. You looked around, hoping to see a famous figure or just anything other than you that people were looking at. To your disappointment, there was not, only you and a few other people walking around, and they were also glancing at you. That trek toward the media center felt like hundreds of miles. "This is going to be a long weekend " was all you could think while heading towards the media center.

You could feel a sudden shift in the room as you walked in to find a seat. You couldn't tell if you imagined it, but it seemed as if everyone was further away from you than usual. And as you found your seat, it only felt worse. All the reporters’ reactions didn't surprise you; you knew the second you sent out that tweet, the dynamics would split even further. If their goal was to get under your skin, they were starting to succeed. You had to try and put it behind you because you had a job, just like everyone in that room.

Qualifying flew by, and the only shocking outcome from qualifying was the order of the top three; you expected it to be in reverse. If you could ever get to it, that was something you planned on highlighting in your post-qualifying article. Being overwhelmed affected your work. Pieces were now on the backlog, which wasn’t normal for you, and you hoped no one would notice. You watched Charles, Carlos, and Max enter the media center for their post-race qualifying interviews, but you could not care less now. You had no questions for them because you knew they’d give the same generic responses.

Get asked about Red Bull (even after qualifying first), have to praise them, then talk about your team. “They are extremely quick in straight lines. We are quick in the corners, and it will be a tight challenge tomorrow. And hopefully, we'll come back on top.” Or Carlos being asked if he’d finish behind his teammate because he’s ahead in the championship and has to say nonsense to avoid making a cheap headline. “No, the consideration is that we are teammates and that we want to score a one-two for the team independently of who is ahead or behind.” It was the same energy, just in a different country. You used that time to write about practices two and three.

You were about to publish practice two and three articles when your wrist vibrated. You looked at your watch to see Ashlyn had been calling you for the third time. You were so zoned out that you missed the first two calls. Friends and family knew not to contact you during press conferences, so you automatically assumed the worst. You quickly stood up and began heading to the nearest exit until a microphone was in your face. You hadn't realized there was a final call for questions, and your standing up made them believe you had one more. "Oh, sorry, I have nothing to ask. I have to take an important call," you apologized for the confusion.

"You hadn't looked up once since the drivers walked in. Can't wait to see what was so important," someone roared, causing the room to erupt in laughter. The words stopped you in your tracks. You looked around the room and found the person who made the statement. There were so many things you wanted to say but chose against giving them a reaction.

You just shook your head and turned to walk away, not before catching the puzzled looks of Charles and Carlos

You called Ashlyn back, worried something was wrong back home. “Are you alright? You’ve been behind on your work, and that’s not like you,” Ashlyn said after the first ring. Of course, she noticed, you thought. You explained the situation to her, and she did nothing but listen. Hours had passed in your mind, but your phone only showed two minutes on the call. "It will get better with time," Ashlyn tried reassuring you. "I am thinking so, too. Thank you for letting me vent again. I owe you. Tell everyone I love them. You too, of course. Bye."

"Wait, before you hang up, let me say one more thing," Ashlyn said quickly before you could end the call. You had a feeling where this conversation would be going.

"Yeah, go ahead," you said sheepishly.

"I only want what's best for you. Have you thought about taking a break or leaving? We miss you back home. May be right now, you're not cut out for this. I think this life is taking a toll on you. I see it, and strangers online notice the treatment. I love -"

You hastily cut Ashlyn off before she could finish. "Take a break? Not cut out for this? Do you know how hard I worked for this? If you truly knew what was best for me, you wouldn't try me talk me out of what I am doing. I can't believe you right now."

"That's not what I meant, and you know it. I'm sorry; please hear me out," Ashlyn pleaded on the other end.

"Oh no, I heard you- loud and clear at that. There's no need to apologize. I listened to how you felt, so now it's your turn." You said it in the coldest tone. A voice that was unrecognizable to Ashlyn.

"I put in twice the work than anyone in that room with me. It's easy to ignore when it's strangers online or people who, from day one, have a vendetta against you. I will not allow you or anyone else to discredit my craft. But from you, I would have never thought. Have a nice life, Ashlyn. Goodbye," were the final words you said to your once best friend before the call ended. You didn't even give her time to backpedal.

You were indeed on your own. Not only did those in the media room not believe in you, but you now knew your best friend didn't either. It was as if things kept falling as the hours went by.

It took you some time to collect yourself after that call. "Did I lose my best friend?" ran through your mind as you headed back to your seat. You were grateful everyone was heading out to the media pits to get a sport before post-qualifying interviews began. You had about 10 minutes of quiet, something you desperately needed.

At that moment, you finally decided it was time to check Twitter. To finally see the aftermath of yesterday. Nothing in your mentions honestly shocked you; people love drama at the expense of others' feelings. Of course, you gained many followers, some verified news personalities who previously would never give you the time of day. You opted to check your direct messages, something you rarely did, to see if people came out of the woodwork trying to talk to you. To the surprise of no one, there had been. It reminded you it was time to do the following cleanse once things calmed down. There was one name that stuck out to you: Lewis Hamilton.

"What the hell? We both have to be following each other for you to send me a direct message," you mumbled to yourself when you opened the message. You had to make sure it was him, so you clicked on the account. It was Lewis, with his profile saying Follows you. Your head started spinning when you looked at the message. He wrote, "I know this is unexpected, but I felt the need to reach out. I've seen the video and noticed your treatment in the media. I want to check in when you have a moment. Take care of yourself, okay?"

You couldn't believe what you read. Was Lewis making time to speak with me? Was the busiest man on the Paddock is checking in on me? But it wasn't just that direct message from Lewis Hamilton; it was someone finally asking, "how were you doing?" Everyone knew how kind of person Lewis was. His constant messages of reassurance and hope he gave others shouldn't shock you, but "why me?" is all you could think of. You were typing a reply before seeing the time. You had about less than five minutes before the pit interviews started.

You stood in the media pits going through the motions. Every driver that passed meant one step closer to leaving this Paddock. You were trying your hardest to look interested and engaged, but you didn't even have the energy to ask a single question. That all changed when the final driver arrived, Lewis. He knew of yesterday's ordeal, and his tone of answering questions made everyone painfully aware.

Listening to them stumble over their questions to not rock the boat brought you a little enjoyment. Even for a few minutes, they got to experience the pressure you had been battling for months. You let out a light chuckle that no one seemed to notice.

The questioning went quickly, per usual, but this time it was different. You could tell others had questions, but the guilt ate at them. Lewis' team PR person looked around the circle and asked for final questions.

“I have a question,” Lewis said. His words caused stunned looks from his PR person and media members; it was out of the ordinary. Lewis said your name, making everyone turn to face you immediately. Your heart rate rose when Lewis said, “What are you back there smirking about? Did I say something funny?” in a joking voice while raising an eyebrow.

Attention being drawn your way caught you off guard and you couldn’t think of a verbal response. So you tilted your head a bit and gave Lewis that look that people like you two universally understood. Your face reads, “You know these people are uncomfortable, right?” You watched Lewis quickly nod, “yes.” He was aware of what he had been doing the whole time.

“I’m just joking. I hope you’re well,” Lewis said in a now calm voice. The tension in the air eased for everyone else, but that fog formed again for you. “I am, Lewis. Thank you for asking again.” A glimmer in Lewis’ eyes and a slight smirk appeared after you said, “again.” Your response reassured him you had seen his direct message. “You take care of yourself, okay.” Unlike the direct message, Lewis wasn’t asking a question but telling you. His tone was that of someone who cared and would be on the lookout for you. You looked him in the eyes, nodded your head hesitantly, then watched as he walked away. You knew he didn’t believe you, and he was right.

Once he was out of view, you headed back to the media center. A nagging feeling you couldn't shake told you to turn around, and when you did, it was to everyone watching you, murmuring something you couldn't make out. You tried replaying the last few minutes, wondering what you said that could be spun. “Damn it,” you said to yourself, realizing where you made a terrible mistake.

You were about to open the door to the media center but couldn’t face them yet. You could only pray you were overthinking the situation and it would disappear. So you decided against entering and took a walk around the track, something you hadn’t done at previous races. Miami Grand Prix was beautiful, as you saw the sun beaming on the fake marinas. You had missed that electric feeling of what being a fan brought. Not having to hold back your emotions during races because you could look biased. At this moment, you wished you could skip covering the rest of the race weekend to live in the moment, but you couldn't. Or so you thought it was.

The longer you walked, the more your nerves mellowed. You would typically share your adventures with your followers via live videos, but you were trying to stay off social media. You were not feeling conflicted. Continue to avoid social media, neglect the interactions I built over the years, or suck it up and go live. The latter felt right because your audience didn’t deserve to be forgotten because of the actions of others. So you sent out a quick tweet: “Want to walk the Miami track with me? IG live in less than 2 minutes!” purposely leaving out your handle name.

You did little talking on the live besides occasionally answering where you currently were on track. To your surprise, the comments were all going well, and you believed no one had noticed your mistake. The sun was setting, and you left your sunglasses, which became your sign to end your live. You were about to do a sign-off when you heard two voices excitedly calling your name. You turned around and greeted the two girls dressed in Mercedes hats and shirts. You did not know how to react because this was your first time being recognized. One girl showed you her phone; they were watching your live video. The interaction brought you a joy you couldn’t explain.

“Aww, this is a first. Do you guys want to say hi to people watching?” The two girls quickly waved and dropped their social media handles, which you had no problem with. Of course, the handles were creative names that incorporated Mercedes or Lewis.

“I'm not beating these Mercedes allegations” ran through your mind but you didn't care in that moment. Two strangers being happy to meet you brought you so much joy. The girls asked for a photo, another first for you. Without hesitation, you agreed, placing your phone down and taking a few selfies. They were satisfied with the pictures and were about to walk away when one girl said, “Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure,” you nervously agreed, praying she wouldn’t ask what you were trying to avoid. “What did you mean about ‘again’ when Lewis asked if you were doing okay?” Your heart rate rose because of what you didn't want her to ask. She did. “It was nothing. Just check in on others, that’s all,” you stammered out, hoping it would be enough to please the question. The two girls could sense your discomfort and said, “I understand. I guess the internet was reaching. Thank you again; it was a pleasure to meet you. Take care of yourself,” the girl said as they both walked away.

You tried collecting yourself before remembering you were still live. You picked up your phone and said, “Sorry about that. I hope you guys enjoyed seeing the track. Until next time.” Before exiting the live, a comment caught your eye, “I was waiting for someone to ask about her saying again!"

All you wanted was a hot shower and to sleep; grabbing your belongings from the media room was the only thing stopping you. You didn’t have the energy to be bothered by anyone in the room. As you entered, no one seemed to notice you, so you could begin packing up without problems. It felt almost too good to be true… and it was. A woman who has never spoken to you tapped you on the shoulder. So you put on a fake smile and asked the woman, “Can I help you with anything?” The woman had a devious look.

“Can we sit down for a minute? I want to talk with you.” You nervously sat down with the woman, expecting some juvenile prank to happen. “First, how are you?” the woman asked, causing you to panic immediately. Something was up, but something told you to play along. “I am okay. Do you need anything from me? I am trying to head back to my hotel.” “I was just trying to get to know you and-”

“Bullshit, I’ve been here for months, and no one has attempted that. I’ll ask you one more time, what do you need?” You hastily cut the woman off.

“Okay, few around here were wondering if you and Lewis had a thing. When we, I mean they, watched your interaction earlier and were curious. Especially with your response. I am sure you don’t and would love to put an end to it all. Everything is off of the record, by the way. Just between us two.”

“Are you serious right now? Did you hear yourself? There’s no record.” You now spoke loudly for the whole room to hear. The woman was now shushing you to lower your voice but to no avail.

“I don’t appreciate you all trying to spin stories on me. Like everyone in this room, I have a job to do. There’s nothing for me to put an end to because there’s nothing there. I thought I left high school close to a decade ago.” You wanted to say much more but couldn't get the word out. You grabbed your bags and headed for the nearest exit. As you walked towards the gate, you knew a story would be written and had to get ahead.

You found a seat and began typing up what happened in your notes, fighting back the tears.

“Let me get ahead of this before things spin. A few minutes ago, I planned on leaving the media center to head back to my hotel. A fellow reporter wanted to ask me a question. I knew something was up but hoped to be proven otherwise. This woman was polite at first until she felt the need to say everything I said would be off the record, but there was no record. The woman asked if I had some personal relationship in the Paddock, which isn’t true at all. Someone finally treated me like a human, and the reporters assumed something was up. They are trying to create more false narratives. I know I’ll type all of this; still, people will believe what they want, and I have to accept that. Treating people with kindness is all I ask.”

“I am aware of the games being played. I am here to do a job and want the same respect I give everyone else, but I don’t believe I’ll ever see it,” you tweeted with screenshots of what you just typed. You debated on turning off the replies but left them on. You had nothing to hide and wanted to let people show their true colors.

“Whatever happens, happens,” you told yourself.

It was close to one in the morning, but you couldn’t stop scrolling through your mentions. Your image was being tarnished hour by hour. So you locked your phone and relived the last few days in your head. You wanted to blame someone, but you didn't know who. "Maybe this wouldn't have happened if I had followed the norm. I wouldn't be in this situation if I had kept my mouth shut on day one. What if Lewis never spoke to me?" “Lewis,” you remembered you never responded to any of his messages. You grabbed your phone off the nightstand and went to your direct messages. He had sent a second message just minutes ago.

You typed and deleted so many responses because nothing felt right. You didn’t want to appear emotional or fragile, telling Lewis how much his words meant. You didn’t want to make him feel guilty for being his genuine self. Yes, he’s human, but he’s still a highly profiled figure in F1, a sport you loved. He raced in the morning; the last thing you wanted was for Lewis Hamilton to be worried while driving 220KPH.

You debated not responding as you’ve done to so many others, but he deserved a response this time.

“No, I should thank you. I cannot convey how much I appreciate you for asking. It means more than you’ll ever know right now. I realize I cannot control how people try to spin an encounter. Whatever happens, happens. Please don’t worry about me, Lewis. Have a nice night ... well, morning. Also, don’t you have a race to prepare for tomorrow afternoon?"

You knew Lewis meant well, but it did not prepare you for what was coming your way.

// parts

author's notes: have to proofread this again. sorry i took forever, forgive me!

word count: 3.7K

#lewis hamilton x black reader #lewis hamilton imagine #lewis hamilton fanfic #lewis hamilton fanfiction #fanfic #lewis hamilton imagines #lewis hamilton fanfictions #fanfics #imagine by writinginfinte

63 notes · View notes

aboutanancientenquiry · 3 years ago

Text

Hippocrates and Imhotep (a text of the British Classicist Helen King and some thoughts on it)

“Imhotep and the power of Egyptian medicine

The regular return to the Oath in discussions of medical ethics is an important aspect of the way in which we learn about Hippocrates, but this document also features in challenges to his authority. In Chapter 3, when discussing his role as ‘Father of Medicine’, I mentioned other contenders from other cultures. One of the pressures on the Hippocrates Wikipedia page comes from attempts to take away this title and bestow it on Imhotep; for example, the talkpage comment that ‘The article is bogus and based on an illusion in it’s [sic] opening’ (Tljackson224).[37] Tweeting on 31 May 2012, The Astrochologist, a professional astrologer, stated simply ‘Imhotep predates Hippocrates’.[38]

Hippocrates has more to do with Imhotep than rivalry for the title of Father of Medicine, as websites and articles in medical journals regularly repeat a direct connection between them because ‘Hippocrates visited Egypt to study and understand medicine’.[39] This myth has even been phrased in terms of Hippocrates travelling to use the library of Imhotep, dismissed by the classicist Jacques Jouanna as an ‘impossible hypothesis’.[40] Yet the absence of any evidence for such a journey does nothing to prevent belief in it. In January 2019 @siliconenozzles asserted on Twitter:

Enemas date all the way back to ancient Egypt, not to mention many different cultures. Hippocrates spent seven years in Egypt learning from the physicians, then brought these practices back to Greece, and they then slowly spread around the world.[41]

The claims for Imhotep’s priority are worth examining not just in terms of how the history of ancient medicine responds to political pressures, but also because they demonstrate what we want medicine to be. Who was Imhotep? Or, more importantly, who do people think he was? A popular online ancient history site gives a timeline including: ‘2667 bce–2648 bce Imhotep in Egypt writes medical texts describing diagnosis and treatment of 100 diseases and 48 injuries.’[42] These medical texts are supposed to be those of the Edwin Smith Papyrus, one of the key sources for Egyptian medicine, dated to around 1600 bce; its translator, James Breasted, speculated that the material could have been written by Imhotep then copied again and again over many centuries, a claim found widely on the internet.[43] Imhotep is described as being ‘recorded in history as the world’s first physician, a title that was later bestowed upon a Greek named Hippocrates who was born some 2,200 years later’; the same website states that Imhotep was ‘referred to as Asclepius, the god of medicine, by the Greeks’.[44] Yet even the Wikipedia page dedicated to him admits that claims for him being a doctor are unreliable, with sources from his lifetime hailing him only as chancellor to the Pharaoh, Djoser, and architect of the step-pyramid; the first mention of his healing powers dates from 2,200 years after he died.[45] Within Egyptian studies it is acknowledged that, although his statues were eventually used in healing – for example water poured over them was used to treat various conditions – ‘There is no information whether he was also a physician.’[46]

Whoever was Father of Medicine, Imhotep or Hippocrates, the myth takes a similar form. Hippocrates is believed to have shone the light of reason on the darkness of superstition, and those who want Imhotep to be the author of the Edwin Smith Papyrus play up this text as ‘science’ in order to support a narrative of movement from magic, or religion, to rational knowledge. Yet, while the front of the papyrus gives a sequence of chapters on wounds starting at the head, the back has spells against demons: and ‘Both sides of the Edwin Smith Papyrus belong together.’[47] We want our medicine to make sense, in current terms, but we find it hard to cope with a medicine that mixes science and magic.

There is a further, important, reason for the resurgence of Imhotep as Father of Medicine; the modern priority dispute between him and Hippocrates seeks to reverse a valorization of West over East which has been common in histories of medicine into the twentieth century. For example, in 1931, ending their chapter on Hippocrates, Stubbs and Bligh invited their reader to

contrast these medical and hygienic achievements of the fifth century B.C. with those of Assyria and Egypt of the seventh century B.C. and realize how utterly impossible it is to conceive that in those two centuries, or ten times those two centuries, the Eastern peoples should have advanced from their dimly lit superstitions and conservatisms to the blazing daylight of the West.[48]

In such histories, even where Egyptian medicine is praised for its content, it is usually seen as non-Western, and attacked for what Withington called ‘its non-progressive character’; Greeks speculate and investigate, but Egyptians lack ‘love of knowledge for its own sake’.[49] This repeats stereotypes used by Garrison in his much-reprinted 1913 history of medicine, a source for the Wikipedia Hippocrates page: while ‘the Father of Medicine was indebted to Egypt for much of his knowledge’, the difference between Egyptian and Greek medicine was that Greek medicine was ‘entirely free from priestly domination’.[50]

Overturning the traditional priority of the West in favour of a ‘stolen legacy’ theory,[51] attempting to trace ancient Greek medicine to Egypt, and trying to replace Hippocrates as Father of Medicine with Imhotep, are all influenced by the three volumes of Martin Bernal’s Black Athena project, published between 1987 and 2006. Bernal argued not only that the roots of ancient Greek civilization and language lay in Egypt and the Semitic Near East, but also that ‘the Ancient Egyptian civilization can usefully be seen as African’.[52] These proved controversial claims, but an internet search for ‘Who was the true father of medicine?’ will now find assertions about Hippocrates such as ‘. . . some are of the opinion that the title bestowed upon this man is very misleading. Records show that a man by the name of Imhotep was treating ill patients with modern techniques many generations before Hippocrates [sic] appearance in history.’ Imhotep becomes Hippocrates’ ‘mentor’: Hippocrates his ‘devotee’.[53] Cited here, and on many other sites, is Sir William Osler, who identified Imhotep as ‘the first figure of a physician to stand out clearly from the mists of antiquity’.[54] Yet Osler still regarded Hippocrates as the ‘Father of Medicine’, so that writers such as James H. Brien are wrong to say that ‘in 1928, William Osler proposed that Imhotep was the “real father of medicine” – not Hippocrates’.[55]

Imhotep is also being credited as the author of the Oath. The Afrikan Center of Well Being, Inc., which markets a range of holistic medicines, states that ‘The Oath is a universal doctrine utilized by traditional Afrikan healers from Imhotep forward along with The Law of Ma’at, centuries before the advent of Hippocrates. Today, the Hippocratic oath is an abridged, allegorical and meaningless document not adhered to by allopaths plus other health professionals!’ and, as I mentioned in the Introduction, this site exhorts readers to ‘Download a copy prior to your next doctor or dental appointment and conduct a performance evaluation!’ A note explains that ‘An Aescalapian [sic] is a follower of the God of Medicine, IMHOTEP, the PRINCE OF PEACE!’[56] A new version of the Oath, the ‘Oath of Imhotep’, was composed by Anthony Pickett in 1992 ‘in recognition of African contributions to Western medicine’; he repeated the Osler claim about Imhotep and the ‘mists of antiquity’ although he made this ‘the midst’.[57]

The name of Imhotep sells news stories about ancient Egyptian medicine. A multi-disciplinary group at the University of Manchester was funded from 2005 by the Leverhulme Trust to study the plants used in ancient Egyptian medicine.[58] At that point, it included Dr Jackie Campbell and Dr Ryan Metcalfe from the KNH Centre for Biomedical Egyptology, and worked with Judith Seath who performed chemical analyses on the plants named in medical papyri, as well as with their partner, the Egyptian Medicinal Plant Conservation Project in St Catherine’s, Sinai.[59] On 9 May 2007, the university issued a press release from this project, headlined ‘Egyptians, not Greeks, were true fathers of medicine’.[60] They made it clear that the papyri the team had examined were not newly-discovered – they had been known from the mid-nineteenth century – and that the new claims simply ‘concerned the efficacy’ of the drug substances named in those papyri.[61] This sort of research is part of a recent trend towards making strong claims for the antimicrobial effects of materials used in the past, which may also reflect the ‘impact agenda’ of universities today.[62]

Imhotep was not mentioned in this press release but, when the Daily Telegraph ran the story, it was headlined ‘How Imhotep gave us medicine’ with the headline of the press release then repeated in the main story: ‘The Egyptians – not the ancient Greeks – were the true fathers of medicine’.[63] The story went on to claim that ‘The medical history books will have to be revised’ because ‘a credible form of pharmacy and medicine’ had been found in papyri dating to ‘1,500BC – some 1,000 years before Hippocrates was born’.[64] The reference to Hippocrates is interesting; this did not feature in the 2009 Leverhulme report.[65] The context is the research group pointing out that ingredients in ancient Egyptian remedies would have had physical effects; for example, castor oil as a laxative, cumin for flatulence, substances to redden the skin to treat muscular pain.[66] In framing the story around Imhotep, the Telegraph journalist went beyond using his name in the title, claiming that medicine began with ‘the likes of Imhotep (2667BC–2648 BC), who designed the pyramids at Saqqara and was elevated to become the god of healing’ and ending by quoting the lead investigator on the funded project, Rosalie David:

And of all the ancient Egyptians, it is Imhotep who was regarded as being the father of medicine. ‘He should have the credit,’ said Prof David.[67]

This proved to be a very saleable line. The story was subsequently taken up by Colourful, an African-Caribbean radio station and wider network of sites and groups.[68] Rasta Livewire ran a story by Jide Uwechia under the headline ‘Imhotep and medical science: Africa’s gift to the world,’ quoting from Jackie Campbell and opposing ‘previously peddled lies which identify Greece as the origin of medicine’ while presenting Hippocrates as the ‘devotee’ of Imhotep.[69] Journalist Deborah Gabriel interviewed Rosalie David for Black Britain and reported that

Imhotep was a man we know from the Egyptian records as the architect of the first pyramid in Egypt – the step pyramid at Saqqara that goes back to the very beginnings of their history to about 2600 BC. In Egyptology we’ve always thought of Imhotep as an architect, the people later in Egyptian history and indeed the Greeks, regarded him as the father of medical science . . . He probably was the founder of medical science in Egypt right back at the time when they were building the earliest pyramids.[70]

The headline now was a variant on the original press release which further increased the authority of the story by putting ‘scientists’ into the picture: ‘Scientists find evidence proving ancient Egyptians were fathers of modern medicine’, although the ‘new evidence’ mentioned in the subheading may raise hopes of rather more than the observation that castor oil is a laxative. The factual statement in a further subheading, ‘Ancient Egyptian medical papyri were written before the birth of Hippocrates’, is even less ‘news’. Gabriel wrote:

African scholars have long identified Imhotep, the Prime Minister of Pharaoh Djoser, the 2nd King of the 3rd Egyptian Dynasty, as the founding father of medicine, including Dr Molefi Kete Asante, John Henrik Clarke and Cheik Anta Diop.[71]

The reference to ‘African scholars’ shows how this small story was now moving into a larger narrative: the ‘stolen legacy’ one.

Once the claims of a press release or published academic journal article are translated into simpler language as they fight for a place in a news site alongside celebrity news, it is perhaps inevitable that they become sensationalist, and that the headline focuses on the sensational element. Contested as it is between 78an Afrocentric history and historians of ancient Egypt and Greece, the priority war between Imhotep and Hippocrates is unlikely to go away.”

From the book of Helen King Hippocrates Now. The ‘Father of Medicine’ in the Internet Age

Source: https://www.bloomsburycollections.com/book/hippocrates-now-the-father-of-medicine-in-the-internet-age/ch4-needing-a-bit-of-information-hippocrates-in-the-news

Hippocrates Now. The ‘Father of Medicine’ in the Internet Age

Publisher‎ Bloomsbury Academic; 1st edition (November 28, 2019)

Helen King (born 1957) is a British classical scholar and advocate for the medical humanities.[1] She is Professor Emerita of Classical Studies at the Open University.[2] She was previously Professor of the History of Classical Medicine and Head of the Department of Classics at the University of Reading

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_King_(classicist)

I have the following remarks on the excerpts from the book of Pr. King that I have reproduced:

First of all, Helen King is not some kind of Hippocrates enthusiast, on the contrary, she is rather over-critical toward the image of Hippocrates in the Western tradition (perhaps I will devote one of my future posts to her book as a whole).

Anyway, let’s start the approach of the more specific subject of the respective claims of Imhotep and Hippocrates on the title of “Father of Medicine” from the obvious: as Helen King very correctly observes, Imhotep… was not a physician! He was a high-ranking dignitary of the Old Kingdom Egypt (3d Dynasty), involved in the building of the famous Step Pyramid of Djoser, who reigned during the 27th century BCE (it is not even totally clear, I think, whether Imhotep was involved in the pyramid building as architect in the strict sense of the term or as administrator, manager and overseer of the project). His association with medicine (and his deification) is a product of a much later period, i. e. of the era of the Egyptian New Kingdom, more than one thousand years after his death. On the contrary, Hippocrates was with no doubt a physician…

I have also to confess that I find comical the effort of some Egyptologists to oppose Imhotep to Hippocrates as ‘Father of Medicine”, given the undeniable fact that the historical Imhotep was not a medical doctor. Such claims show only how antagonistic are for some reasons the same milieus of Egyptologists toward the ancient Greek contributions and the ancient Greek legacy. I find also outlandish and totally unfounded the theories of some that Hippocrates would have been just a devotee of Imhotep and would have drawn on his medical knowledge from Imhotep’s library in Egypt (there is no serious indication even for a visit of Hippocrates to Egypt) or that Hippocrates would have been the pupil of some ancient African tradition of medical wisdom.

Now, no one denies today that the ancient Egyptians had a developed medicine and medical practice. Among the ancient Greek authors, Herodotus praises in the Book II of his Histories the quality of the Egyptian medicine and reports the high degree of specialization of the Egyptian physicians. However, if one cannot exclude an Egyptian influence on the first phases of the Greek medicine, the latter was not some kind of copy of the Egyptian medicine but had its own characteristics and development.

Moreover, with the Hippocratic movement appears the first system of naturalist medicine, one which combines careful observation of the symptoms and regularities of the diseases with a theoretical framework conceiving health, disease, cure, and their causes as purely natural processes, without role left for the intervention of various types of spirits and of magic, factors which played an important role in the Egyptian ideas about medicine. This Hippocratic new conception of medicine was of course a breakthrough of cardinal importance in the progress toward a scientific understanding of things, whether some Egyptologists like it or not.

The exact role of Hippocrates himself in this movement and more particularly in the authorship of the body of treatises which have survived under his name (the Hippocratic Corpus) is debated (see more recently on this topic the book of Robert Lane Fox The Invention of Medicine: From Homer to Hippocrates ). But I think that Hippocrates deserves the title of “Father of Medicine” as we understand it today in his quality of leading figure and foremost representative of this decisively innovative movement of naturalist and scientific medicine in Classical Greece.

I add that the ancient Greek historians of the Classical era and more particularly Herodotus had close intellectual ties with this new scientific Hippocratic medical movement (see on this subject the book of Rosalind Thomas Herodotus in context. Ethnography, Science and the Art of Persuasion).

#hippocrates #father of medicine #history of medicine #ancient greek classics #imhotep #egyptology #herodotus #helen king

4 notes · View notes

ketakidesai · 4 years ago

Text

6 reasons why Digital Marketers should NOT ignore Gamification

For the uninitiated, gamification is most commonly defined as “…an informal umbrella term for the use of video game elements in non-gaming systems to improve user experience (UX) and user engagement…”. (1)

Brian Burke, Research Vice President at Gartner, in a podcast defines gamification further as “The use of game mechanics and experience design to digitally engage and motivate people to achieve their goals…it’s the use of game mechanics… and uses things like points and badges and leader boards… It is used in a digital engagement model” (2)

Let’s take a look at the 6 reasons why marketers must consider gamification in their digital strategy. (It's a long read but I promise it will be fun!)

Reason 1: Let’s accept it – gamification is not ‘just a fad’

The last decade has seen interest in gamification rise substantially. Growth in digital technologies has further propelled this interest across sectors like Healthcare, Real-estate, Education, and other sectors. Today, mobile technology is using game mechanics combined with UX design to enhance user engagement, aid employee learning, help students with problem-solving, and even help sales personnel reach their targets.

Reason 2: Gamification is everywhere, literally!

The earliest, less refined, version of gamification in marketing was recorded in 1896 (3) when retailers rewarded loyal customers with stamps received from marketers. By 2020, one can comfortably say that gamification in marketing has come a long way.

“It (Gamification) can be applied on many products, services, or any stage of the customer journey and it’s easily adjusted to any budget” (4)

Today, Gamification is seamlessly incorporated in our favorite digital platforms like Google Pay, Fitbit, and even Linkedin. It is common to see a mobile app use badges, points, or virtual currency to drive user engagement. While there are popular applications that have gamification at their core like Duolingo and Nike Run Club, there are apps like Zomato which have incorporated gamification into their product to keep app users coming back for more.

In 2019, Zomato launched Zomato Premier League during the IPL season. Users could predict a winner of the IPL cricket match of the day and gain 30% cashback if they predicted the winner correctly. Zomato released a scorecard of the activity that showed 224 cities and 14 Million predictions achieved during the IPL season. (5)

(On a separate note, Google decided to ruin the game and sent a notice to Zomato citing Play store policy violation – Zomato had to take off this feature in September 2020) (6)

Reason 3: Your digital audience wants to have fun

“Many brands don’t need brand awareness anymore, they already have it. So they’re looking at what’s next, they want to engage the audience, the influencers.” (7)

Digital marketers need not limit themselves to using gamification only in an app – digital engagement can be successfully created wherever the audience is including social media! Micro-gamification moments have been popular on social media platforms for some time now. One example of the micro-gamification moment is Stories Ordering by Burger King.

Burger King Spain used Instagram stories and had some fun with gamification. With “Stories Ordering” followers could pick ingredients and customize their Whoppers by simply clicking on the Instagram Poll Feature. This generated a unique coupon that participants could use to redeem their Whopper for free. A simple creative idea with zero media investment led to 270000 brand interactions.

Similarly, Star Movies launched Play @ 7 (8) to gamify the TV watching experience. Viewers were required to watch the movies played on the channel daily and play 7 games by tweeting the correct answers to the games. Star Movies created a leader-board on Twitter in real-time where participants could track their progress daily and weekly.

Reason 4: Personalise to Gamify and Gamify to personalize

“While the job of gamification is easing the daily tasks in different fields, the users’ interests and likes must be considered to create intrinsic incentives and a moral environment for them.” (9)

For a truly effective retention strategy, a brand must enhance the product experience for the user. For this ethically collecting relevant data along the user journey to personalize content and keep users engaged becomes important. Duolingo emails a weekly report to its users reminding them of their progress in comparison to the previous week. Similarly, Starbucks sends rewards points as a birthday treat to its users.

As the collected data gets richer in quality, marketers can then create loyalty programs, feedback mechanisms, gamified content, and much more, to personalize the user’s experience further.

Reason 5: Gamified marketing survived COVID-19

Locked up at home due to COVID-19, people were increasingly active online, consuming a variety of content, and playing games when not working. Between March 2020 and April 2020, comScore noted a 62% increase in the time spent on playing games online in India. Another report states that the US and UK saw a ‘40% surge in the time spent on online games’.

During this time, Burberry launched its summer collection through a gamified campaign. The luxury brand created a multiplayer game “that lets players dress up their characters in the brand's outfits before grabbing a surfboard and challenging friends to a race around a track”. The game rewards participants with daily prizes and AR-based digital rewards. (10)

ABC Entertainment decided to have fun promoting its classic TV game show “Supermarket Sweep”. To announce the return of the show, the broadcaster launched a Twitter game “Supermoji Sweep”. The audience on Twitter was required to “reply to its @SuperSweepABC account with combinations of nine emoji for grocery items including cheese, bread, steak, turkey and cherries”. Every emoji had a secret dollar value attached to it and the audience was required to guess the combination of items that would cost exactly $20. And the reward for the correct guess? A Special video message from comedian Leslie Jones, who is also the host of the show.

Reason 6: Gamification is about to get better

The overall Gamification market globally is expected to be worth $76298.9 Mn by 2030 (11) and for marketers, the opportunities are endless. Game mechanics are combined with AR/VR in education, tourism, healthcare, and entertainment industries.

In 2019, Ally Bank used AR and Gamification to create an online learning experience for consumers. “The augmented reality game brings Monopoly to life in six USA cities… Ally aims to improve consumers’ financial literacy through gamification while giving them the chance to increase their savings and win prizes."

PetSmart used Snapchat’s AR feature to create a “gamified quiz based around educational reptile facts”. Using this feature users could use the filter to turn themselves into a reptile, answer questions related to reptiles, and win a 40% discount coupon that can be redeemed at a PetSmart store. As a result, PetSmart “has seen a 50% increase in reptile sales, as well as a boost in general pet sales as owners stocked up on food and supplies in preparation for lockdown..”

Digital marketers can leverage these technologies to present immersive and gamified experiences to consumers and expand the scope of digital marketing. Similarly, brands can work towards gathering relevant user data and utilize it to create a better user experience and consumer engagement through personalized in-app gamified experiences.

Parting Thoughts

From engagement to retention, gamification can support most of the marketing objectives. This is a great approach ONLY if the marketer is clear about what objective the brand is trying to achieve when adopting the approach. To elevate a user’s experience through gamification, marketers must weave storytelling or personalization.

But remember, creating a gamified experience is not easy. Experts have researched why gamification fails and these reasons range from lack of understanding of the target audience to not being able to create a compelling story. Brian Burke mentions that gamification fails when it is used to manipulate the user’s experience to meet the organization’s goal, instead of the goal of the customer (2). As a result, marketers must create an experience that helps the consumer achieve their objectives. And this means going beyond mere reward points.

I will leave you with two popular frameworks Elemental Game Tetrad Model by Schell and Octalysis Framework by Yu-kai Chou. Both these should help you start off with planning and designing an outstanding gamification experience for your audiences/customers/users!

Add alt text

FIN!

Thank you for reading this article. I would love to hear your views on gamification and how digital marketers can leverage game mechanics to improve user engagement.

If you found this article interesting or if you have any feedback for me, do share the same in the comments below!

All references and cited articles can be viewed here.

#digital marketing #Gamification #zomato #burgerking #petsmart #personalization #KD writes

2 notes · View notes