#consumer advocacy

[leam1983]

On Rushed Development

I'm with Jim Sterling in saying that it's unfair how we pilloried CD Projekt RED for Cyberpunk 2077's bungled development cycle when an at least equivalent trainwreck in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is treated by diehards as "being part of the actual appeal".

I mean - I can't wrap my head around that one. Game Freak are complacent as fuck, they can't be arsed to develop anything novel in the context of a game loop that'd make Edison bulbs feel new, and that one time that involves their adding in a simple open-world wrinkle to the formula results in a cavalcade of honestly embarrassing bugs for any AAA developer.

Yet, because this is one of Nintendo's first-party devs, people are absolutely smitten with the fucking things. There's a ton of appologia for ScarVio on here, and the fan art's already gushing. Where's the disgust? Where's the outraged calls for refunds or for better consumer advocacy?

Cyberpunk's arguably turned itself around since its tumultuous early days, but ScarVio is still broken all to shit after its first patch, and we haven't received news out of Nintendo indicating that more updates are planned. If I hadn't side-loaded Scarlet on my Steam Deck and had actually paid good money for this, I'd be fuming.

As yes, I do advocate piracy. At this point, it's all Nintendo deserves.

Come on, Pokémon fans, take your rose-tinted glasses off and realize you're being treated with the same disdain and contempt as EA treats its sports games fans.

[trendynewsnow]

Confusion in EU Food Labelling Framework Amid Delays and Voluntary Schemes

Confusion Surrounds EU Food Labelling Framework Delays in updating the European Union’s food labelling framework have led to an explosion of voluntary schemes and claims that often confuse rather than clarify for consumers, according to a report released by the European Court of Auditors (ECA) on Monday. Although food labelling has the potential to empower consumers to make healthier and more…

[rodspurethoughts]

Kroger Exec Admits to Inflating Essential Item Prices

Inflating Essential Pricing In a tense federal courtroom in downtown Portland, the spotlight was on Kroger executives as they faced sharp scrutiny over allegations of inflating prices on essential staples such as eggs and milk. This courtroom drama unfolded against the backdrop of Kroger’s proposed national merger with supermarket behemoth Albertsons — a move Kroger claims is vital for their…

[mattbrittonnyc]

AI Revolution: Matt Britton's Insights on Consumer Advocacy & Social Change

In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) continues to redefine boundaries across sectors, its influence on consumer advocacy and social change is becoming increasingly significant. As businesses and organizations look to understand and harness the potential of AI in these areas, the need for guidance from seasoned experts has never been more critical. This is where Matt Britton, a renowned AI keynote speaker and a luminary in consumer trends, steps in to shed light on this transformative technology.

Matt Britton, the founder and CEO of Suzy, a cutting-edge consumer research platform, stands out as a preeminent figure in the landscape of AI and consumer insights. His extensive experience, which includes consulting for over half of the Fortune 500 companies, uniquely positions him to offer invaluable perspectives on how AI is shaping consumer advocacy and driving social change. His insights are not only rooted in real-world applications but are also forward-thinking, considering the rapid pace of technological advancement.

The Intersection of AI and Consumer Advocacy

Consumer advocacy has traditionally been about protecting buyers from unfair trade practices and ensuring their rights are respected. However, with the advent of AI, these efforts have transformed into more proactive and predictive measures. AI systems can now analyze vast amounts of consumer data to identify patterns and predict issues before they become widespread problems. This capability allows for a more dynamic form of advocacy, where potential issues are addressed swiftly and efficiently.

Matt Britton, through his keynote speeches, delves deep into how AI tools and algorithms are being leveraged to enhance the responsiveness of businesses to consumer needs. As an AI expert speaker at top conferences around the globe, he provides a detailed analysis of case studies where AI has successfully been integrated into consumer advocacy strategies, thereby not only solving problems but also enhancing consumer trust and loyalty.

AI’s Role in Driving Social Change

Beyond consumer advocacy, AI's potential to drive social change is immense and multifaceted. From environmental conservation efforts to public health and human rights, AI is playing a pivotal role. Matt Britton's discussions often highlight how AI is used to analyze social patterns and behaviors, which in turn helps organizations to implement more effective social change initiatives.

One of the key aspects that Matt emphasizes is the ethical use of AI in these scenarios. As an innovation speaker, he stresses the importance of using AI in a manner that is transparent, fair, and without bias. This is crucial in ensuring that the social changes brought about by AI are beneficial and equitable.

Matt Britton: A Leading Voice at the Nexus of AI, Consumer Trends, and Social Innovation

As a best-selling author of "YouthNation," Matt has chronicled the rising tide of the millennial generation and their profound impact on the marketplace. This book has established him as a leading consumer trend expert and a trusted voice on Generation Z's behaviors and expectations. His ability to connect these generational insights with AI’s capabilities makes his keynote speeches particularly compelling and relevant.

In his role as a top keynote speaker, Matt has the unique ability to translate complex AI concepts into clear, actionable strategies for his audience. This skill makes him a favored choice among top conference speakers, particularly for events focusing on technology, consumer insights, and social impact.

Engaging with Matt Britton for Your Next Conference

For event organizers and businesses seeking to inspire and educate their audience about AI's role in consumer advocacy and social change, engaging Matt Britton as a keynote speaker is a strategic choice. His presentations are not only informative but are also designed to provoke thought and encourage action among attendees.

Matt’s approach to speaking engagements is highly interactive, often involving the audience in discussions and Q&A sessions, which makes the learning experience more engaging and personal. His ability to connect with his audience, combined with his deep knowledge of AI and consumer trends, ensures that his speeches are both impactful and memorable.

Conclusion

As AI continues to evolve and influence various facets of our lives, understanding its implications on consumer advocacy and social change is paramount. Matt Britton, with his extensive expertise and experience, offers profound insights into these areas. His keynote speeches are not just talks; they are a blend of foresight, analysis, and practical advice delivered in a manner that resonates with a wide range of audiences.

Investing in a keynote session with Matt Britton could be the catalyst that enables an organization to navigate the challenges of today’s AI-driven world effectively. His guidance can help pave the way for leveraging AI not only for economic success but also for fostering a more just and equitable society.

[flightyquinn]

On the one hand, absolutely fuck anyone who puts misleading nutrition information on their packaging. That information is needed for people's safety. It can quite literally be a matter of life and death for people to know that the thing they're buying is actually what it says on the package.

On the other, there's this culture of absolute snobbery around "luxury" foods. Very specific sources have to be used on certain products for it to be considered "real", which greatly inflate prices for the consumer. Anything that isn't from those sources gets labeled as "fake" and treated as an inferior product that ought to be taken off the market regardless of actual taste, quality, or anything that actually matters at the kitchen and table.

So I don't really care about "bootleg" oils as long as;

It's labelled correctly.

It tastes good.

They're not artificially jacking up the price on something that's cheaper to produce.

This scam made the California University study 124 imported oils and found that over 70% of samples failed the tests.

These failed:

Mezzetta

Carapelli

Pompeian

Primadonna

Mazola

Sasso

Colavita

Star

Antica Badia

Whole Foods

Safeway

Felippo Berio

Coricelli

Bertolli

These brands passed:

Corto olive

Lucero

McEvoy Ranch Organic

Omaggio

California Olive Branch

Bariani Olive oil

Lucini

Ottavio

Olea Estates

Cobram Estate

Kirkland Organic

Also, test the olive oil yourself at home. Put the bottle out when cold, or in the fridge for 30 min. if it gets solid, it is pure and has monounsaturated fats.

[aixelsyd13]

One last message from Levin?

Actual footage from a staff meeting about my recliner...

Have you read about our experience buying a recliner from @levinfurnituremattress? (Levin Furniture and Mattress/Levin Furniture and Mattress) Catch up here before I drop the latest communication from them: https://wp.me/pwqzc-3eo 🪑 I would love to hear your thoughts on how they or I could have handled the situation better. I don’t feel they owe me anything at this point. Where should we go…

[lugarn]

Advocacy and Art (PSA)

As somebody who was around during the AIDS crisis, I have a lesson to share. It's very short, and very simple, and very brutal.

Consuming art is just consumerism. Making art is the only real advocacy.

(obviously also advocacy is advocacy, I'm speaking in particular about fandom 'advocacy')

I learned this at museums, watching people discuss so many artists' final pieces of art. I learned this at clinics, when we ran campaigns to try and get support from the public. I learned this at the AIDS quilt, listening to people comment on how pretty some squares were.

Most of all I've learned this from the way I am still treated. If consuming art was advocacy that changed people's minds, then we wouldn't have dealt with the neglect and the active ignoring of the HIV/AIDS while it got worse and worse.

But art is only advocacy if you're making it. Consuming art is not advocacy.

Consuming shows, movies, and art made by others is not advocacy. Awareness is a very limited form of advocacy only needed for things people are actually unaware of beforehand.

Thus, for queers, the only advocacy possible through art is making your own. Consumption is not activism.

[ctbraininjurysupportservice-blog]

Ongoing Silence! Lack of Transparency in Connecticut's Federally Funded Programs Raises Alarm

Secret Directory and Practices: Concerns Rise for Brain-Injured Individuals in Connecticut Medicaid

Federal Anti-Kickback Statute | Medicaid Referral Fraud | ABI RESOURCES

Transparency and Accountability Concerns in CT's Federally Funded Programs for Brain Injury Care

Care Managers. Do you have the right to change yours? Understanding Protecting Your Freedoms

Investigating the Legality and Impact of CCC's Secret Electronic Randomization System on Federally

Disability Rights Connecticut (DRCT) Team

Dear Brain Injury Alliance of Connecticut ( BIAC )

Dear Governor Ned Lamont, Advocacy Request for Brain Injury Survivors

Alleged Discrimination at Connecticut Community Care | Calls for Internal Investigation

The Importance of Informed Choice in Achieving Free Choice in Healthcare.

Informed Choice and Its Implications for Connecticut's ABI Waiver and MFP Programs

Steps for Consumers to Officially Change Care Managers in MFP and ABI Waiver Programs.

Enhancing Ethical Systems / Advocating for Consumer Rights and "Request to change Care Manager Form

Are They Leaving People with Slower Recovery Behind? MFP and ABI Waiver Programs

Freedom of Information Act Request - Connecticut ABI 1549P Consultation Services Funding.

[sapphia]

USA please listen to me: the price of “teaching them a lesson” is too high. take it from New Zealand, who voted our Labour government out in the last election because they weren’t doing exactly what we wanted and got facism instead.

Trans rights are being attacked, public transport has been defunded, tax cuts issued for the wealthy, they've mass-defunded public services, cut and attacked the disability funding model, cut benefits, diverted transport funding to roads, cut all recent public transport subsidies, cancelled massive important infrastructure projects like damns and ferries (we are three ISLANDS), fast tracked mining, oil, and other massive environmentally detrimental projects and gave the power the to approve these projects singularly to three ministers who have been wined and dined by lobbyists of the companies that have put the bids in to approve them while one of the main minister infers he will not prioritise the protection of endangered species like the archeys frog over mining projects that do massive environmental harm. They have attacked indigenous rights in an attempt to negate the Treaty of Waitangi by “redefining it”; as a backup, they are also trying to remove all mentions of the treaty from legislation starting with our Child Protection laws no longer requiring social workers to consider the importance of Maori children’s culture when placing those children; when the Waitangi Tribunal who oversees indigenous matters sought to enquire about this, the Minister for Children blocked their enquiry in a breach of comity that was condemned in a ruling — too late to do anything — by our Supreme Court. They have repealed labour protections around pay and 90 day trials, reversed our smoking ban, cancelled our EV subsidy, cancelled our water infrastructure scheme that would have given Maori iwi a say in water asset management, cancelled our biggest city’s fuel tax, made our treasury and inland revenue departments less accountable, dispensed of our Productivity Commission, begun work on charter schools and military boot camps in an obvious push towards privatisation, cancelled grants for first home buyers, reduced access to emergency housing, allowed no cause evictions, cancelled our Maori health system that would have given Maori control over their own public medical care and funding, cut funding of services like budgeting advice and food banks, cancelled the consumer advocacy council, cancelled our medicine regulations, repealed free prescriptions, deferred multiple hospital builds, failed to deliver on pre-election medical promises, reversed a gun ban created in response to the mosque shootings, brought back three strikes = life sentence policy, increased minimum wage by half the recommended amount, cancelled fair pay for disabled workers, reduced wheelchair services, reversed our oil and gas exploration ban, cancelled our climate emergency fund, cut science research funding including climate research, removed limits on killing sea lions, cut funding for the climate change commission, weakened our methane targets, cancelled Significant National Areas protections, have begun reversing our ban on live exports. Much of this was passed under urgency.

It’s been six months.

[everything-real-estate]

From Sampling to Advocacy: How to Turn Followers into Your Brand's Voice

Understanding the Power of Influencers In today’s digital landscape, the term influencer has evolved significantly. No longer just individuals with a vast number of followers, influencers now represent trusted authorities and sources of information within their niches. As you delve into the world of influencer marketing, it’s crucial to grasp what defines an influencer and how their dynamic…

[coralangelartisan]

Word of Mouth Marketing: Turning Customers into Advocates

Word of mouth marketing isn’t a new concept; it’s as old as commerce itself. Nowadays, its impact is amplified. A recommendation from a friend or family member carries more weight than any advertisement. Why? Because it comes from a place of trust and genuine experience.

[fullhalalalchemist]

URGENT: 🚨🚨EARN IT ACT IS BACK IN THE SENATE 🚨🚨 TUMBLR’S NSFW BAN HITTING THE ENTIRE INTERNET THIS SUMMER 2023

April 28, 2023

I’m so sorry for the long post but please please please pay attention and spread this

What is the EARN IT Act?

The EARN IT Act (s. 1207) has been roundly condemned by nearly every major LGBTQ+ advocacy and human rights organization in the country.

This is the third time the Senate has been trying to force this through, and I talked about it last year. It is a bill that claims "protects children and victims against CSAM" by creating an unelected and politically appointed national commission of law enforcement specialists to dictate "best practices" that websites all across the nation will be forced to follow. (Keep in mind, most websites in the world are created in the US, so this has global ramifications). These "best practices" would include killing encryption so that any law enforcement can scan and see every single message, dm, photo, cloud storage, data, and any website you have every so much as glanced at. Contrary to popular belief, no they actually can't already do that. These "best practices" also create new laws for "removing CSAM" online, leading to mass censorship of non-CSAM content like what happened to tumblr. Keep in mind that groups like NCOSE, an anti-LGBT hate group, will be allowed on this commission. If websites don't follow these best practices, they lose their Section 230 protections, leading to mass censorship either way.

Section 230 is foundational to modern online communications. It's the entire reason social media exists. It grants legal protection to users and websites, and says that websites aren't responsible for what users upload online unless it's criminal. Without Section 230, websites are at the mercy of whatever bullshit regulatory laws any and every US state passes. Imagine if Texas and Florida were allowed to say what you can and can't publish and access online. That is what will happen if EARN IT passes. (For context, Trump wanted to get rid of Section 230 because he knew it would lead to mass govt surveillance and censorship of minorities online.)

This is really not a drill. Anyone who makes or consume anything “adult” and LGBT online has to be prepared to fight Sen. Blumenthal’s EARN IT Act, brought back from the grave by a bipartisan consensus to destroy Section 230. If this bill passes, we’re going to see most, if not all, adult content and accounts removed from mainstream platforms. This will include anything related to LGBT content, including SFW fanfiction, for example. Youtube, Twitter, Reddit, Tiktok, Tumblr, all of them will be completely gutted of anything related to LGBT content, abortion healthcare, resources for victims of any type of abuse, etc. It is a right-wing fascists wet dream, which is why NCOSE is behind this bill and why another name for this bill is named in reference to NCOSE.

NCOSE used to be named Morality in Media, and has rebranded into an "anti-trafficking" organization. They are a hate group that has made millions off of being "against trafficking" while helping almost no victims and pushing for homophobic laws globally. They have successfully pushing the idea that any form of sexual expression, including talking about HEALTH, leads to sex trafficking. That's how SESTA passed. Their goal is to eliminate all sex, anything gay, and everything that goes against their idea of ‘God’ from the internet and hyper disney-fy and sanitize it. This is a highly coordinated attack on multiple fronts.

The EARN IT Act will lead to mass online censorship and surveillance. Platforms will be forced to scan their users’ communications and censor all sex-related content, including sex education, literally anything lgbt, transgender or non-binary education and support systems, aything related to abortion, and sex worker communication according to the ACLU. All this in the name of “protecting kids” and “fighting CSAM”, both of which the bill does nothing of the sort. In fact it makes fighting CSEM even harder.

EARN IT will open the way for politicians to define the category of “pornography" as they — or the lobbies that fund them — please. The same way that right-wing groups have successfully banned books about race and LGBT, are banning trans people from existing, all under the guise of protecting children from "grooming and exploitation", is how they will successfully censor the internet.

As long as state legislatures can tie in "fighting CSAM" to their bullshit laws, they can use EARN IT to censor and surveill whatever they want.

This is already a nightmare enough. But the bill also DESTROYS ENCRYPTION, you know, the thing protecting literally anyone or any govt entity from going into your private messages and emails and anything on your devices and spying on you.

This bill is going to finish what FOSTA/SESTA started. And that should terrify you.

Senator Blumenthal (Same guy who said ‘Facebook should ban finsta’) pushed this bill all of 2020, literally every activist (There were more than half a million signatures on this site opposing this act!) pushed hard to stop this bill. Now he brings it back, doesn’t show the text of the bill until hours later, and it’s WORSE. Instead of fixing literally anything in the bill that might actually protect kids online, Bluemnthal is hoping to fast track this and shove it through, hoping to get little media attention other than propaganda of “protecting kids” to support this shitty legislation that will harm kids. Blumental doesn't care about protecting anyone, and only wants his name in headlines.

It will make CSAM much much worse.

One of the many reasons this bill is so dangerous: It totally misunderstands how Section 230 works, and in doing so (as with FOSTA) it is likely to make the very real problem of CSAM worse, not better. Section 230 gives companies the flexibility to try different approaches to dealing with various content moderation challenges. It allows for greater and greater experimentation and adjustments as they learn what works – without fear of liability for any “failure.” Removing Section 230 protections does the opposite. It says if you do anything, you may face crippling legal liability. This actually makes companies less willing to do anything that involves trying to seek out, take down, and report CSAM because of the greatly increased liability that comes with admitting that there is CSAM on your platform to search for and deal with. This liability would allow anyone for any reason to sue any platform they want, suing smaller ones out of existence. Look at what is happening right now with book bans across the nation with far right groups. This is going to happen to the internet if this bill passes.

(Remember, the state department released a report in December 2021 recommending that the government crack down on “obscenity” as hard the Reagan Administration did. If this bill passes, it could easily go way beyond shit red states are currently trying. It is a goldmine for the fascist right that is currently in the middle of banning every book that talks about race and sexuality across the US.)

The reason these bills keep showing up is because there is this false lie spread by organizations like NCOSE that platforms do nothing about CSEM online. However, platforms are already liable for child sexual exploitation under federal law. Tech companies sent more than 45 million+ instances of CSAM to the DOJ in 2019 alone, most of which they declined to investigate. This shows that platforms are actually doing everything in their power already to stop CSEM by following already existing laws. The Earn It Act includes zero resources for proven investigation or prevention programs. If Senator Bluementhal actually cared about protecting youth, why wouldn’t he include anything to actually protect them in his shitty horrible bill? EARN IT is actually likely to make prosecuting child molesters more difficult since evidence collected this way likely violates the Fourth Amendment and would be inadmissible in court.

I don’t know why so many Senators are eager to cosponsor the “make child pornography worse” bill, but here we are.

HOW TO FIGHT BACK

EARN IT Act was introduced just two weeks ago and is already being fast-tracked. It will be marked up the week of May 1st and head to the Senate floor immediately after. If there is no loud and consistent opposition, it will be law by JUNE! Most bills never go to markup, so this means they are putting pressure to move this through. There are already 20 co-sponsors, a fifth of the entire Senate. This is an uphill battle and it is very much all hands on deck.

CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES.

This website takes you to your Senator / House members contact info. EMAIL, MESSAGE, SEND LETTERS, CALL CALL CALL CALL CALL. Calling is the BEST way to get a message through. Get your family and friends to send calls too. This is literally the end of free speech online.

(202) 224-3121 connects you to the congressional hotline. Here is a call script if you don't know what to say. Call them every day. Even on the weekends, leaving voicemails are fine.

2. Sign these petitions!

Link to Petition 1

Link to Petition 2

3. SPREAD THE WORD ONLINE

If you have any social media, spread this online. One of the best ways we fought back against this last year was MASSIVE spread online. Tiktok, reddit, twitter, discord, whatever means you have at least mention it. We could see most social media die out by this fall if we don't fight back.

Here is a linktree with more information on this bill including a masterpost of articles, the links to petitions, and the call script.

DISCORD LINK IF YOU WANT TO HELP FIGHT IT

TLDR: The EARN IT Act will lead to online censorship of any and all adult & lgbt content across the entire internet, open the floodgates to mass surveillance the likes which we haven’t seen before, lead to much more CSEM being distributed online, and destroy encryption. Call 202-224-3121 to connect to your house and senate representative and tell them to VOTE NO on this bill that does not protect anyone and harms everyone.

[mattbrittonnyc]

Harnessing AI for a Better Future: Matt Britton on Consumer Advocacy and Social Change

In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology and society, Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands as a transformative force, reshaping industries and human experiences alike. As organizations and communities grapple with how to harness AI for good, the importance of informed, visionary voices in the field cannot be overstated. Among such voices is Matt Britton, a renowned AI keynote speaker, whose profound insights into AI’s role in consumer advocacy and social change are reshaping perspectives on a global scale.

Matt Britton, the founder and CEO of the consumer research platform Suzy, is uniquely positioned to discuss the intersection of AI and consumer advocacy. His extensive experience, which includes consulting for over half of the Fortune 500 companies, renders him an unparalleled expert in understanding and predicting consumer trends. His best-selling book, YouthNation, has cemented his reputation as a forward-thinker and authority on how youth behavior and technological advancements drive market changes.

The Role of AI in Consumer Advocacy

Consumer advocacy, traditionally a human-driven realm, is undergoing a significant transformation with AI integration. AI's ability to analyze vast datasets can unearth insights about consumer behavior and preferences with unprecedented accuracy and speed. This capability allows companies and organizations to better serve their customers and advocate for their needs effectively. Matt Britton has consistently highlighted how AI can act as a catalyst in empowering consumers, making it a pivotal tool for companies aiming to align closely with consumer interests and ethics.

AI Amplifying Voices for Social Change

Matt Britton's speeches often focus on the potential of AI to serve as a lever for social change. In a world where social media platforms can both unite and divide, AI has the power to analyze patterns and sentiments across vast networks, identifying trends that can lead to meaningful social movements. Britton argues that when leveraged responsibly, AI can enhance the impact of advocacy campaigns, streamline resource allocation, and ensure that the voices calling for change are amplified and heard.

Meeting Consumer Demands in the Age of AI

As a consumer trend expert and Generation Z expert, Britton's insights are crucial for organizations looking to adapt to the new realities shaped by these advanced technologies. His keynotes delve into how businesses can harness AI not only to predict trends but also to create products and services that resonate with an increasingly informed and tech-savvy consumer base. This approach is particularly relevant as Generation Z and subsequent generations expect brands to not only respond to their demands but also anticipate future needs and challenges.

Ethical Considerations and the Future of AI

In his role as an innovation speaker, Matt does not shy away from discussing the ethical implications of AI in consumer advocacy. His talks address critical questions about data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the digital divide. Britton’s discussions are rooted in the belief that transparency and ethics must be at the core of AI deployment in any field, especially when it involves sensitive consumer data and the potential for societal impact.

Why Matt Britton Is Among the Top Keynote Speakers for Your Next Conference

Organizing a conference that tackles themes of AI, consumer advocacy, or social change requires speakers who not only bring expertise but also engage and inspire their audience. Matt Britton is one of the top conference speakers whose dynamic presentations are filled with actionable insights, data-driven analysis, and compelling case studies. His ability to connect with diverse audiences – from tech experts to marketing professionals – makes him an ideal choice for conferences aiming to influence and inform industry leaders about the future of consumer relations and social advocacy through AI.

Conclusion

For companies, organizations, and conference planners seeking to illuminate the possibilities that AI holds for consumer advocacy and social change, Matt Britton stands out as a top choice. His unique blend of expertise, charisma, and insightful analysis promises not just to educate but also to inspire action and innovation across industries. Engaging Matt Britton as a keynote speaker is more than an event highlight; it's an investment in understanding the future dynamics of consumer interaction and the role of AI in sculpting a more responsive and responsible market landscape.

In an era where AI's influence continues to expand, having a speaker like Matt Britton can profoundly impact how we perceive and utilize this technology for the greater good. His perspectives not only provoke thought but also drive change, aligning perfectly with the goals of forward-thinking organizations worldwide.

[aixelsyd13]

Well, I 𝘸𝘢𝘴 done with Levin. Then they emailed a customer satisfaction survey. 🤣

Talk about not being able to read the room...

Well, I was done with Levin. Then they emailed a customer satisfaction survey. That triggered me again. Here’s what I sent back. Then I dug up as many corporate names as I could, and their email syntax. I know some landed, because about three minutes after I hit send they were calling my wife. Here’s what I said: 💻 Hello Friends, I recently had what we’ll call a horrendous experience with…

[reasonsforhope]

"The California state government has passed a landmark law that obligates technology companies to provide parts and manuals for repairing smartphones for seven years after their market release.

Senate Bill 244 passed 65-0 in the Assembly, and 38-0 in the Senate, and made California, the seat of so much of American technological hardware and software, the third state in the union to pass this so-called “right to repair” legislation.

On a more granular level, the bill guarantees consumers’ rights to replacement parts for three years’ time in the case of devices costing between $50 and $99, and seven years in the case of devices costing more than $100, with the bill retroactively affecting devices made and sold in 2021.

Similar laws have been passed in Minnesota and New York, but none with such a long-term period as California.

“Accessible, affordable, widely available repair benefits everyone,” said Kyle Wiens, the CEO of advocacy group iFixit, in a statement. “We’re especially thrilled to see this bill pass in the state where iFixit is headquartered, which also happens to be Big Tech’s backyard. Since Right to Repair can pass here, expect it to be on its way to a backyard near you.” ...

One of the reasons Wiens is cheering this on is because large manufacturers, from John Deere to Apple, have previously lobbied heavily against right-to-repair legislation for two reasons. One, it allows them to corner the repair and maintenance markets, and two, it [allegedly] protects their intellectual property and trade secrets from knock-offs or competition.

However, a byproduct of the difficulty of repairing modern electronics is that most people just throw them away.

...Wien added in the statement that he believes the California bill is a watershed that will cause a landslide of this legislation to come in the near future."

-via Good News Network, October 16, 2023

[allthegeopolitics]

It's high time the companies most responsible for climate change pay for the damage it causes, says environmental advocate Ben Edgerly Walsh. Walsh is the climate and energy program director with the Vermont Public Interest Research Group. The non-profit environmental and consumer advocacy group has been pushing for legislation to force fossil fuel companies to shoulder some of the costs dealing with climate change. On Thursday, the group achieved its goal when Vermont became the first state to enact such a law. "The reality is they are the ones responsible for the pollution that caused the climate crisis. They've made an enormous amount of money on the product that caused that pollution. And they very clearly knew what they were doing," Walsh told As It Happens host Nil Köksal. "We think it's only fair that they pay their fair share of the costs."

Continue Reading.