#no one is getting an unfair advantage and no one is being penalized for using an accessibility feature that they need

[finalexpenses]

Please feel free to disregard this if you're uncomfortable with this topic continuining, I just wanted to throw in my 2 cents somewhere, I hope it doesn't bother you.

I think my biggest issue with the "drama" is how they're... ironically, dramatizing it. I'm not defending the hate Zeal got, especially the death-threats and everything, thats weird, wacky, and entirely uncalled for especially considering the topic of this drama is a literal fictional fish character. But it feels like they focused on that outside of the other weird stuff coming from them.

It's an official server, supposed to be for everyone that likes the game. If it was actually uncomfortable matters, like NSFW or such, then absolutely yes, I agree they should be banned. But why does self-shipping make them uncomfortable, when Zerum/Sebastian is allowed? Why does normal, everyday dresses make them uncomfortable? It feels weird to ban normal topics for what's supposed to be a hub for the community.

Obviously the hate was expected but no less uncalled for, but I think the devs behavior made it worse. I find it weird and petty that Zerum likes her character so much that they find it fit to ban innocent art in the official server. People will say she and Zeal are free to do what they want, and I'll agree that they have that right as the server owners, but they can't be annoyed that people misinterpret or get annoyed with what they say.

Sorry for the long rant, I was gonna say more but I don't wanna bother you anymore than I have already. You're free to disagree or disregard everything I say, I've just been thinking of this a little bit.

NO LITERALLY like. "all ship art" is banned in the server but if its zerum/sebastian it gets pinned? and why do drawings of seb in feminine clothing make you so uncomfortable that youve banned it. thats weird idk idk. like if its suggestive yeah i understand banning it bc its a big server and there are definitely minors in there but like. any feminine clothing at all? not even a flowy shirt? whats up with that

and thh zerum seemed to enjoy people being (even just minorly) upset at the fact that shes "canonically" married to sebastian (yea i know its actually canon but idgaf) and it just feels like shes instigating on purpose TBH. (screenshot taken from twt)

like i said i understand being possessive of a character you selfship with and not wanting to share but acting like this w it is a little much T_T just block filter and move on its not that big of a deal...

[howcaniseesomeonesipthroughvpn]

can you spoof on pokemon go using a vpn

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can you spoof on pokemon go using a vpn

Spoofing with VPN on Pokemon Go

Title: Exploring Spoofing with VPN on Pokémon Go: Risks and Consequences

Pokémon Go, the wildly popular augmented reality game, has captured the imaginations of millions worldwide. However, some players seek to gain an unfair advantage by spoofing their location using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). This practice, known as GPS spoofing, allows players to trick the game into thinking they are in a different location, enabling them to access exclusive Pokémon and participate in events not available in their area.

While the temptation to use VPNs for spoofing in Pokémon Go may be strong, it's important to understand the risks and consequences associated with this behavior. First and foremost, spoofing violates the game's terms of service, putting players at risk of having their accounts permanently banned. Niantic, the developer of Pokémon Go, actively monitors and cracks down on spoofing activities, employing sophisticated algorithms to detect and punish offenders.

Moreover, using VPNs for spoofing exposes players to potential security threats. By routing their internet traffic through third-party servers, players risk exposing sensitive personal information to hackers and cybercriminals. Additionally, many VPN services offer questionable privacy policies, raising concerns about data logging and unauthorized access to user data.

Beyond the legal and security implications, spoofing with VPNs undermines the spirit of fair play and sportsmanship that defines the Pokémon Go community. It creates an uneven playing field, disadvantaging legitimate players who abide by the rules and enjoy the game as intended.

In conclusion, while spoofing with VPNs may offer temporary benefits in Pokémon Go, the long-term consequences far outweigh any potential gains. Players are urged to resist the temptation and instead embrace the challenge of playing the game ethically and responsibly. After all, the true joy of Pokémon Go lies in the thrill of exploration and discovery, not in taking shortcuts through deceitful means.

Risks of spoofing in Pokemon Go

In the virtual world of Pokémon Go, where players explore their surroundings to catch Pokémon creatures, one prevalent risk that players face is spoofing. Spoofing refers to the act of using a software or other means to trick the game's GPS system, allowing players to virtually be present at locations without physically being there. While this may seem like a harmless way to catch elusive Pokémon or access faraway PokéStops, there are significant risks associated with spoofing in Pokémon Go.

One of the primary risks of spoofing is that it goes against the game's terms of service, and those caught spoofing run the risk of being banned from the game. Niantic, the company behind Pokémon Go, actively works to detect and penalize spoofers to maintain a fair gaming environment for all players.

Moreover, spoofing can expose players to security threats. By using third-party software to manipulate the game, players may unknowingly download malware or viruses onto their devices, putting their personal information at risk.

Additionally, spoofing undermines the core concept of Pokémon Go, which is to encourage players to explore their surroundings and interact with other players in real-world locations. By spoofing their location, players miss out on the social aspect of the game and the opportunity to discover new places in their communities.

In conclusion, while spoofing may offer shortcuts in gameplay, the risks involved in terms of punishment, security threats, and missed opportunities for real-world experiences make it a practice that serious Pokémon Go players should avoid. It is essential to play the game ethically and in accordance with the rules to have a positive and safe gaming experience.

VPN for location spoofing in games

Title: Leveraging VPNs for Location Spoofing in Gaming: Enhancing Experience and Security

In the realm of online gaming, players often seek ways to enhance their gaming experience, and one such method gaining popularity is the utilization of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) for location spoofing. VPNs, originally designed to secure internet connections and protect privacy, have found a new niche in gaming circles by allowing users to mask their true geographical location and appear to be playing from a different region.

Location spoofing via VPNs offers several benefits to gamers. Firstly, it enables access to geo-restricted content or servers that may not be available in their actual location. For example, certain game servers or events may be limited to specific regions due to licensing or regulatory reasons. By using a VPN to mimic a location where the content is accessible, gamers can enjoy a wider range of gameplay options.

Moreover, VPNs can also help reduce latency and improve connection stability by allowing players to connect to servers closer to the VPN server's location. This can result in smoother gameplay and reduced lag, particularly for online multiplayer games where split-second reactions are crucial.

Additionally, VPNs provide an added layer of security by encrypting internet traffic, protecting gamers from potential DDoS attacks or snooping by malicious entities. This is especially important in competitive gaming scenarios where players may be targeted by adversaries seeking to disrupt their gameplay or obtain personal information.

However, it's essential for gamers to choose a reputable VPN provider that prioritizes speed, security, and reliability. Furthermore, while using VPNs for location spoofing is generally legal, gamers should always adhere to the terms of service of the games they play to avoid potential penalties or bans.

In conclusion, VPNs offer gamers a versatile tool for location spoofing, enabling access to geo-restricted content, improving connectivity, and enhancing security. By leveraging VPN technology responsibly, gamers can elevate their gaming experience while safeguarding their privacy and online safety.

Legal implications of using VPN for Pokemon Go spoofing

Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) for Pokemon Go spoofing can carry significant legal implications, raising concerns about potential violations of terms of service and even potential legal consequences. Spoofing in Pokemon Go involves falsifying one's GPS location to trick the game into thinking the player is in a different location. While some users may turn to VPNs to facilitate this deception, doing so can run afoul of both the game's terms of service and various laws.

Firstly, Pokemon Go's terms of service expressly prohibit the use of unauthorized software or techniques to modify or falsify one's location. This includes the use of VPNs to spoof locations, as it undermines the integrity of the game and provides an unfair advantage to players. Violating these terms could result in penalties ranging from temporary bans to permanent account suspension.

Furthermore, depending on the jurisdiction, using a VPN for spoofing may also violate laws related to fraud, identity theft, or unauthorized access to computer systems. While enforcement of these laws in the context of gaming may vary, engaging in activities that involve deliberate deception or circumvention of security measures can potentially lead to legal consequences.

It's important for users to understand the risks involved in using VPNs for Pokemon Go spoofing and to consider the potential legal ramifications. In addition to the possibility of facing disciplinary action from the game's developers, users could find themselves in legal trouble if their actions violate applicable laws.

In summary, while using a VPN for Pokemon Go spoofing may seem like a convenient way to manipulate the game, it carries significant legal risks. Players should carefully consider the potential consequences and abide by the game's terms of service to avoid penalties and legal trouble.

Preventing cheating in Pokemon Go with VPNs

In the world of Pokemon Go, players often resort to various tactics to gain an unfair advantage over others. Cheating in the game can lead to consequences such as being banned from playing. However, there is a way to prevent cheating in Pokemon Go by using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).

VPNs are a popular tool for ensuring online privacy and security, but they can also be used to prevent cheating in games like Pokemon Go. By using a VPN, players can mask their IP address and location, making it more difficult for the game servers to detect any suspicious activity.

One of the main ways cheating occurs in Pokemon Go is through GPS spoofing, where players use software to manipulate their location in the game. By using a VPN, players can make it harder for cheating software to work effectively, as the VPN will make it appear as though the player's device is located elsewhere.

Additionally, using a VPN can help prevent account hacking and unauthorized access. By encrypting internet traffic, VPNs can add an extra layer of security to prevent malicious attacks on players' accounts.

Overall, utilizing a VPN while playing Pokemon Go can help maintain a fair gaming environment and ensure that players are competing on a level playing field. By taking steps to prevent cheating, players can enjoy the game as it was intended and avoid the risks associated with engaging in unfair gameplay practices.

[lincnok]

Disney Princesses are all excellent role models

Nowadays, we see something called the feminist movement, something that was born to empower young women, and equalize society, a noble cause; now it is nothing like it’s original goal, and some even bash more feminine, or soft spoken women in the fictional media. I have seen many ‘feminists’ go off about how earlier princesses, like Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora and Ariel are all ‘weak’ and are ‘unfit to be role models for young girls’ whilst princesses like Moana and Elsa are praised for their ‘empowerment’. In all of these events, both on the opposite sides of the spectrum, there is barely ever any space for the girls in the middle like Tiana and Pocahontas. Whilst these characters aren’t recognized, some get bashed, and others praised above the rest, which is unfair as they are all excellent role models and here’s why.

(I’m gonna start from the first movie cuz I find it easier that way)

Snow White:

This princess is overlooked and consistently talked about as weaker and ‘less than’, when in actuality, she is as strong a role model as any other. Even in the face of death, she is kind-hearted and care-free, choosing to clean the dwarves home, and never saying one bad word about her step mother. Yes, she did open the door to a stranger and eat the apple, but she was fourteen, and in the original story, had been living with the dwarves for two years, essentially leaving her ‘sheltered’. She lived in the middle of the forest with a group of tiny men for God’s sake, do you really think she would understand the no strangers rule? And even then, eating the apple was something she did out of politeness, rather than stupidity. It was her innocence taken advantage of that got her poisoned, not stupidity or weakness. She is a positive role model because she was able to stay level-headed, polite and innocent, even under severe pressure.

Cinderella:

Now in her story, she is claimed as weak because, in some people’s eyes, she did nothing in the face of abuse. Is that true? Absolutely! But not because she is weak, but because she is strong enough to know when not to fight. She cried and had bad days, but still chose to do the things she was asked in order for things to remain peaceful. She worked hard to achieve what she wanted. When she was told she had to do all her chores and more in one afternoon to go to the ball, she did, and made a dress on top of that. She would’ve gone to the ball anyway if it were not for her step-family’s spite, all she need the fairy godmother for was a change of clothes and a ride. She was honest and hard working, unbending even in the face of abuse and pain, something all girls should aspire to be.

Aurora:

This is the one that gets the worst media, as she had little lines and screen time and ‘slept through her whole movie’. But in all honesty, the girl lived in the forest with three fighting fairies, who did little to help with education and knowledge of the outside world, keeping her as sheltered as possible. She was happy and loveable, with a definite affinity for singing, something she did on the regular. Of course, we don’t get to see much of her personality there, but I’d like to say that she was something of a carefree spirit, happy and optimistic, trying her best to keep others happy too. She was a little boy crazy, yes, but she was fifteen, and Prince Phillip was the first man she had ever seen, so you can’t really blame her for her fascination with him. She had no idea about a curse, and if something possesses you, you don’t really have anything to do about it, and you can’t do anything if you’re asleep for one hundred years. But she kept herself happy and cheerful even in loneliness, as the prince was not only the first male she’d seen but also the first human she’d seen since she was a baby, and yet she was obviously happy, jubilant enough to sing for hours in the forest, despite being alone for most of her life. Happiness can be found in the even in the loneliest of places and that is what Aurora teaches us.

Ariel:

This girl gets bad media too because of her choice at the end of the film. Through out the film, she is presented as a curious soul, wanting to find out how the humans lived, collecting the trinkets and items from the shipwrecks said humans left. She did go too far in her curiosity, though, signing her voice away for legs. But she was eager to learn, and that is something all girls should aim to be. As I said before, she is bashed for making the decision to stay on land and get married, rather than going back home, but that is a very common thing to do, more common that people think. If a girl falls in love with someone in another country, she has every right to stay there with him, and thus Ariel shouldn’t be penalized for something so common and accepted. Her family didn’t condemn her, they came to her wedding and were happy for her. She chose her happiness over cultural norms, and that kind of confidence is something we should all aim to have.

Belle:

Belle isn’t bashed so much as diagnosed, and I feel like that isn’t right to do. I’m not saying that it isn’t true, but there is so much that is ignored about Belle’s story that should be mentioned. Like the fact that she is educated. This is something that was very rare in the time period in which she lived, and she definitely needs to get more recognition because of that. In an essay I read, it was said that she would be the equivalent of the village’s ‘IT guy’ and that is exactly right. When she rejected Gaston, she never said a bad word about him, nor wrote off his affections or was rude, she simply declined, which is something that should be respected and applauded rather than bought down. There is also the fact that she is quite feminine in appearance and picks a decidedly feminine dress despite being raised by a single father, which is a detail I rather liked, as it lets Belle be on both sides of the spectrum, being able to expertly communicate with her male friends, whilst also being ‘girly’ with her female friends, and thus makes her a well rounded character. Her falling in love with the Beast, may have well been a psychological disorder, but it wasn’t like her feelings weren’t reciprocated. And she wasn’t kidnapped. Kidnapping is abduction, meaning that you are taken or held somewhere against your will. She chose to stay. And it wasn’t like she was held in particularly bad conditions, the only condition was that she couldn’t leave. Yes, she was provided an ultimatum, but she chose to stay. And then made the best out of it. The falling in love was a side effect. Belle was educated, but not arrogant, kind and humble, polite and feminine, and those traits are wonderful, and make the princess an incredible role model.

Jasmine:

Jasmine is one of those princesses who is forgotten about, but I’ve come here today to let you know she is an absolute girlboss. In her movie, she was the crown princess, and her family ‘needed’ her to marry so that they could have a king and her dad could retire. But she wanted to marry for love instead of just political power and wealth and thus turned all her suitors away. This meant that she never gained any of the rights she would get if married and had to live in the palace for the rest of her life until she found ‘the one’. And if you pay attention, you’ll realize that Jasmine  was the ruling monarch because Jasmine was royalty and Aladdin was not. She was also only 17 when she became queen, which makes her queendom so much more impactful. Her little outing one the outside gave her that little bit of compassion that she would’ve needed to become a great sultan. She may not have been a warrior, but in terms of political prowess, she was one of the most powerful. She is the ruler that girls should want to look up to and follow, a role model to her community as well as her audience.

Pocahontas:

I don’t really know much about her, but I know enough to say this. In the film (not real life), she made the opposite decision to Ariel, and chose to stay with her tribe rather than stay the man she loved. That was a brave decision, and the fact that she made it in the face of pressure is to be admired.

Mulan:

Ah, yes. The great feminist icon. But the one who gets condemned for having a prince. Yes, she was a great warrior, and yes, she was professional, but that all doesn’t mean she’s not allowed to find love. She can be all those things and still be a mother and a wife, they don’t have to go separately. And, you know what? The fact that she had a prince just made it all the more inspiring, because thats what the #MeToo movement should be about, embracing all kinds of women, and not separating the roles of mother and wife from the roles of leader and independent. Having a husband doesn’t make you any less, and that, among other lessons, is what Mulan teaches us.

Tiana:

Tia should get about as much hype as Mulan, but in reality, she doesn’t. She is very much forgotten about other than the fact that she is black. Her story isn’t about ‘conquering racism’ or anything attributed mainly to ‘black media’, but instead is about a working girl, doing just that, working. She worked hard to achieve her goal, and not once did she even try to take a short cut. She found love along the way, made some friends and lost some friends, impacted some friends for the better, and achieved her goal, no short cuts and a whole lotta jazz music. That’s what the Princess and the Frog is about, working hard to achieve your dreams. That sentiment is something everyone should learn, and the fact that that’s a black girl up there being that role model for us just makes it even better.

Rapunzel:

Rapunzel, the queen of self-isolation. But despite that, she was always happy and optimistic, which is something us cynics could stand to learn about. She was curious, but had some common sense. She was probably the most organized out of all the Disney princesses, as she had a set schedule for everything. She was probably the most artistically gifted as well. She definitely not stupid, but instead innocent and gullible, but capable of defending herself and running a good negotiation. She could’ve been a lawyer! She was a perfect example of someone talented using their talents to better the people and that’s what makes her someone to look up to.

Merida:

Another warrior, except this time, set in Scotland without a prince. You guys know the story. Bought up in a home where all she was expected to do was get married and have kids, Merida yearned to be outside with her bow and arrow, but instead was told no. Eventually, tired of the pressure, she goes to a witch to get a charm to make make her mother more lenient. Instead, the charm turns her mother into a bear, and turns her curious little brothers into bear cubs. The race is on for Merida to get the cure before it is too late. She successfully cures her mother and brothers, fights the evil Mor’du and comes to appreciate her mother more. This little family story shows a headstrong girl getting love and affection from her family without condescending, and the best interests at heart. She sets of to fix her own mistake, something still not really shown in media. She teaches girls to love their family even when you don’t agree, stand up for themselves, take responsibility for their actions and try their best to fix their mistakes.

Elsa: 

I’ll start with her because this list is oldest to youngest. Another Princess without a Prince, she’s actually a queen for most of the movie, and isn’t even the mainest main character. She still teaches girls something. With her headstrong character, she was morally sound despite dealing with an immense feeling of self-hatred and fear. Only when she really broke did she ever intend to hurt anyone. She shows you how to be yourself in spite of the of the danger. She is brave and strong, with powerful abilities and love for her sister.

Anna:

Anna isn’t in the spotlight as much as Elsa was, seemingly naïve and gullible. Except, you have to realize that Anna is that she was left literally alone for God knows how long. Hans was the first person she’d met and liked who didn’t leave her alone. She liked him a lot, and it is believable that she would’ve said yes to Hans when he proposed. But still, as the story went on she became more mature, but didn’t lose her childlike spirit. She teaches us to go to the ends of the Earth for the ones you love, but to not be a push-over. To stand firm in the face of danger, but to not be reckless. Anna teaches us what true love is.

Moana:

“If I go there’s just no telling how far I go!” Moana is an adventurous soul, unafraid of nonconformity, and in love with the great unknown. She falls in love with the sea, and, even though she is prohibited, follows her dreams. She is the picture of determination and willingness to go out into the unknown, and she isn’t afraid to be herself, even amidst hardships, rejection and danger. Such a sprit is something to admire and aspire to have.

Every last one of the girls on my list is a role model and I hope you now understand why. So don’t look down on a little girl when she says her favorite princess is Cinderella. Don’t cuss out the little black girl who says she wants to be Snow White for Halloween even when there’s a princess that looks like you or vice versa. Don’t roll your eyes at the girl who says she likes Anna better than Elsa, or she wants to be a queen like Jasmine. Don’t hate on these characters because of circumstances they couldn’t control or because they’re not like you, because every single one of them is and can be a role model to a little girl, they all just cater to different types. Yes, the Disney princess line isn’t all representing, and many of these tales are taken out of context or made more light hearted, but no matter what the story is, these girls are their own characters and we should respect that, and everyones opinions on them.

Aight, I’m out.

[gothicdreamon]

There has been so much discourse about Big Sales at Build Mart and suggestions for other building games, so here is mine...

Disclaimer: This is me imagining what would be the most fun for me to watch, I don't think my idea is the best nor that Noxcrew should change it for this or anything similar (Or anything else actually, it's their tournament, they can do as they please!)

So the answer for me is Minecraft Monday. Yes, really. Remember the building game that it had? Built Battle? Players had access to Creative mode, they were given a prompt for their builds and at the end all the contestants voted on their favorites. It was EXTREMELY scuffed but I think MCC can do it way better and, in my opinion, the charm of Minecraft building is the limitless options.

So first, I think the prompt should be announced at the update videos just like they announce what maps are going to be played, that way teams know what to expect and can decide if they want to prepare something or just try to wing it at the event.

Secondly, they could add small fast mini-games to unblock materials. For example, "Spawn a chicken on the target to unblock the Woods" or something similar (I imagined stepping on a pressure plate that teleports the player to a room with the challenge, Grid Runners style but easier). This way even players that can't build because they don't know how or just don't like it can still play and be useful for their teams. The mini-games or mini-challenges can also go progressively harder the rarer the object (like getting woods is easy but it's a little harder for ores and then harder for plants and so on). And this is a bit side-tracked but imagine a special room with a super hard and time-consuming challenge, but if you complete it you can use the heads of the contestants, it isn't necessary but it could be pretty fun!

And finally, for the voting all builds should be at display at the same time (MCM did it one by one, but that's quite unfair as the last builds shown usually get more points) and it should be completely anonymous, that way people can't be biased towards their friends. There should be a rule that teams cannot give a clear indication of what build is theirs (like writing the team name on a sign or building their mascot), and if they break it they will be penalized. This one is kind of tricky because it does rely on the participants keeping their word of not cheating (two or more teams can easily make an alliance before the event) but I guess one can only trust the contestants to keep the MCC spirit. I would do it so each contestant can vote for a build only once and they can vote 3-5 times overall, each vote is X amount of coins and you can vote for your own build (so no one ends empty handed, but that's a preference).

I would love to see a competition like this. Teamwork would still be necessary as they have to make something from scratch really fast, so communication would still be the key. The builders would still have an advantage and the viewers can actually see what they are capable of with their skills, but even teams without build expertise can do well if they are witty/funny with the prompt. And, unlike Build Mart, it actually encourages leaning how to build, building tricks and even redstone if they dare! (Just like other games encourage becoming better at other certain skills). It'd be a game where people battle with creativity instead of memorization. Also, it'd be so exciting to see what everyone creates! Image the prompt being something like "Farming in the spring" (i'm not good at it, i know) and some team made a beautiful barn with flowers and animals and there's an armor stand that looks like a farmer harvesting the crops... And then next to that build there's a statue of a giant cock from another team. It'd be amazing.

The biggest downsides that I can see are the time restrictions: 10 minutes could be too little time to do something but upping it could feel too long for the viewers. And it'd also be a pain in the ass to code.

Anyways, these are my two cents since I saw a lot of people brainstorming ideas for another building game. Overall, I think what could be improved for another building game or revamping Build Mart is the way contestants gather the materials, something more fun.

[jjmalibu]

THE IMPORTANCE OF TRANS REPRESENTATION FROM JESSE DIAMOND

Introduce yourself!

I am a 29-year-old NASM certified personal trainer and transgender man. In a few weeks, I’ll be moving from Portland, Oregon to Virginia. I’ve participated in a lot of different sports, but right now I’m an avid, competitive powerlifter.

Do you plan on competing this year?

I plan on waiting at least until 2021 before I compete in powerlifting again. My first competition was in 2014, so it’ll feel good to be back on the platform again.

Who is your role model?

These are the transgender athletes that have really inspired me over the years.

Chloie Jonsson (@chlojonsson)

Schuyler Bailar ((pinkmataray))

Janae Kroczaleski (@janaemariekroc)

Kinnon Ross (@skinnin_kinnon)

Scott Percy (@fluffy757)

Tommy Murrell (@tommythetrainer78)

What's one of your favorite memories from growing up?

When I was 7 or 8 years old, my grandparents took my sister, our cousins, and I to the lake. I didn’t have a swimsuit with me, but my grandfather let me swim wearing only shorts. I didn’t know at the time, but the reason I was so happy was because I was experiencing gender euphoria. It felt so affirming to be able to swim shirtless.

How does your diet impact/support your training?

Because I’m a strength athlete, I typically maintain a high protein diet to optimize muscle recovery. I typically perform best when most of my calories are coming from whole, unprocessed, or minimally processed food sources.

Are there any black fitness entrepreneurs you’d like to promote?

Yes!

Tommy Murrell (pronouns he/him) is a NASM personal trainer with 8 different specialty certifications under his belt and a Bachelors degree in Physical Education. He is an Amateur Bodybuilder & Loves inspiring people to do their best. Tommy has worked with both cisgender and transgender clients with a variety of different fitness goals.

3Tfitnesslifestyle@gmail.com

Instagram: @tommythetrainer78

Ilya (pronouns he/they) is a Physical Therapist Assistant and Ace Certified Medical Exercise Specialist. He is also a grassroots organizer and educator whose work centers gender, racial and healing justice. Ilya decided to merge their love for restorative based movement practices and community advocacy to create Decolonizing Fitness, LLC which is a social justice platform that provides affirming fitness services, community education and apparel in support of body diversity.

www.decolonizingfitness.com

Instagram: @decolonizing_fitness

As a trans athlete, what are your thoughts and opinions about competing in mainstream sports & competitions? Do you feel there is an unfair advantage?

I dream of a world where trans athletes have the freedom to compete in whatever sport and for whatever organization that they choose. Every athlete, regardless of their identity or how they were born, has their own advantages and disadvantages when it comes to competing. It feels unfair to penalize or exclude athletes based on gender identity or whatever medications they might take. I think it should be the responsibility of each competitive organization to write policies that promote inclusion within the sport.

What are your thoughts on trans men representation and the lack of it in many areas?

The lack of trans masculine representation in the media is one of the reasons why it took me so long to come out as transgender. But I think it’s so great that we now live in a time where some of us can be ambassadors to our community using social media. Not everyone has the privilege of being out, but those who do have that privilege can use their visibility to help educate others about us.

Why is it important for Trans Actors to play Trans Roles in Hollywood?

In my opinion, one of the problematic aspects of cisgender actors playing transgender roles is that it perpetuates the idea that we are “ just playing dress-up”. When a transgender woman is portrayed by a cisgender man dressed in women’s clothing, that’s the perception some cis folks get of trans people; that trans women are just cisgender men dressed up as women and trans men are just cisgender women dressed up as men. This way of thinking is invalidating to our identities. A lot of cisgender, heterosexual people won’t go out of their way to educate themselves about the LGBTQIA community. If cinema is one way we can reach those people, then trans folks should be the ones telling our own stories.

What are things you learned about yourself after you transitioned?

Transitioning has taught me about the importance of self-care and patience. Sometimes it feels like having a 2nd or 3rd job when you want to transition medically because it can be time-consuming, confusing, and stressful hard work. It can take weeks, months, or even years to figure out how to get the financial or insurance coverage for one’s transitional needs. You have to take care of your basic needs and learn how to be patient when it comes to physical transitioning, so I’ve learned to apply those skills to my everyday life.

Did you feel that you had to rediscover your personality as a man when you transitioned?

Yes, absolutely. Testosterone changes you so much physically and mentally; my perspective on a lot of things has changed and now I find myself processing emotions in different ways than I did before starting HRT.

How are you feeling after phalloplasty?

I’m feeling quite relieved now that the process is over. Even though I only had two surgeries performed, I’m content with my body and feel grateful to be fully healed. My surgeon, Dr. Jens Berli, did an amazing job.

Could you provide some advice for people that want to transition but are afraid to?

You’re not alone; I imagine just about every transgender person experiences some level of fear prior to coming out. We live in a world where trans people are constantly misunderstood and mistreated, but it’s a lot easier now to connect with other people in the community and to find resources for yourself than it has been in the past. It’s ok to be scared, but don’t be too afraid to ask for guidance when you need it.

How is your mental health going?

Lmao always a work in progress! I’ve been doing a lot better now that I’m fully recovered from my surgeries and have clearance to workout again.

One piece of advice that has followed you into your future?

Don’t be afraid to seek out help. Every day is an opportunity to learn and grow; it’s ok to utilize outside resources or to ask for help in order to reach your goals.

Can you please provide us a list of organizations that help Trans Communities?

@theokraproject

@blacktranstravelfund

@bravespacealliance

@transequalitynow

@transjusticefp

@pointofprideorg

Do you have a final message?

Tough times make tough people. Whatever you’re struggling with right now, one day you’ll be stronger because of it. Don’t give up on yourself.

Follow Jesse Diamond here!

[sir-buh]

Airbending in Pro Bending

So I love the idea of pro bending (and imo they should have stretched season 1 into 4 seasons but that’s not today’s topic) and considering the fact that there are a ton of people out there now who are completely regular people not tied to the air nomad doctrines, airbending could potentially be incorporated into pro bending. But would it, in universe? Should it, considering the rules of the game? Watch in amazement as I infodump shamelessly about Avatar worldbuilding and headcanons for an whole ass essay.

Ok first off, let’s consider if pro bending still even exists. After all, Republic City has gone through some shit, yall. With the spirit vines everywhere, and some pretty serious waves kicked up by various kaiju battles in the bay, would rebuilding/reclaiming the arena be possible, and if i were would it be worth it? To be honest, probably not to both answers. But I highly doubt that this would kill off interest in the sport, since they loved it enough to build a massive arena for it and like, invent the radio or whatever. 

I think the time period after Korra’s show sees the rise of amateur sport bending. Or Street Bending, if you will. Like the neighborhood baseball games of yesteryear, I see small trenches being dug to mark the game field being filled with water. Dirtballs being used in place of heavier and harder stone discs (which probably weren’t super safe in the first place even with the protective gear they had on). Firebenders holding back on their fire blasts, and being severely penalized if they don’t. More of a flag football or dodgeball vibe is adopted, where if you are hit a certain number of times you have to move back a zone. Non-bending kids and friendly spirits get involved by acting as referees, coaches, waterboys, and cheer squads.

Now, in this environment, let us introduce airbending. As is established in the show the physical aspects of airbending, the style of martial art, is an extremely useful defensive tool. It’s not about being able to take a hit and keep on going, it’s about not being hit in the first place. Ironically, I see airbenders being the anchor around which teams play, and a common sight in these matches would be two airbenders dueling after the rest of their team has been pushed into the (now metaphorical) drink.

Now let’s talk rules, because this is the tricky part. So far we know certain things are illegal in Pro Bending, such as:

bending outside of your zone

combining two types of bending

bending too much at once

using alternative styles of bending, such as ice or lightning

purposefully going for headshots

A point in favor of airbending is headshots. It wouldn’t particularly matter injury-wise if you get airbended in the face. A blast of air is a blast of air. It would still be illegal tho for consistency’s sake and also because wind in the eyes tends to make them water and that’s kinda playing dirty.

Combining two types of bending wouldn’t be much of a problem either because water+earth bending is really the only efficient combination anyways.

Also, airbending has no alternative types/styles, so again we’re safe.

But what about bending outside of your zone? I don’t think refs would be able to judge very well where the wind originated since, y’know, it’s air. And what about bending too much at once? Would that even matter since it’s hard to actually injure someone with air?

Here’s what I propose: color festival powder. Or chalk powder or spice powder, whatever is most available to the kids. The wind has to start from one of the piles and be shot forward like waterbending in order to tag someone on the opposite team. That way you can regulate where the bending comes from, where its going, how fast it is, and how much of it there is to avoid an unfair advantage to the new airbenders.

Overall, I’d think airbenders would make for amazing additions to the sport. I’m going to cut this off here because it’s already getting p long, but if anybody has links to other sources talking about this I’d love to see them!

[newsboys-of-1899]

The Prosecution of Don Carlos Seitz, Part 2

Reposted with permission from Erster Stories.

We’re back to grill Don Seitz on more shady dealings! Last time we pinned him to one year in jail (assuming we can’t find a contract that would make his course of action, while still forceful and shady, absolutely valid). If you haven’t read that one, you can do so here. So one year in jail, not bad, right? But we are so far from done. Next, I think I can nail him with a fraud charge for things he discusses in the same memo. The World makes a lot of claims, both in Seitz’s notes to Pulitzer and in its public articles, that the strike is over before every other newspaper says it’s over. That could be a whole other post about why Seitz chose to repeatedly lie about that if he didn’t think it was over, or why he made the concessions he made to the strikers if he did think it was over. Assuming he was lying, though (which I do mostly because I despise him), we can absolutely catch him on something bad: where he mentions telling the advertisers that the strike was over and that they could return to advertising in the Evening World.

Media has always made money off of advertising. The advertisers pay money to put their ads out there so that the media they sold the ad to can distribute it and get the advertisers more exposure. However, if the paper was still being boycotted, it’s safe to say that the World probably wasn’t holding up their end of that deal to their full extent, even if they did have people who were still selling. This means that at least to some extent, the advertising money would go right into the World’s pocket and the advertisers would get nothing from it. So, if Seitz was lying about the strike being over, he would also be lying to his advertisers and making money off of it.

Originally, I thought this might be an exploitation charge, because it fits in definition, “to take unfair advantage of a person,” additionally since the examples cited on US Legal involve deception for monetary gain. But that’s not it, because exploitation doesn’t appear in the New York Penal Code. After much despair that I wouldn’t be able to catch him on anything for this that’s prosecutable in New York, my friend Baden suggested I look into the definition of fraud. Fraud’s a pretty wide category, so the penal code gets more specific than the general definition. I think I have him on something known as a scheme to defraud in the penal code, also known as the intent to defraud. The definition of a scheme to defraud reads essentially as follows:

“1. A person is guilty of a scheme to defraud… when he engages in a scheme constituting a systematic ongoing course of conduct with intent to defraud more than one person or to obtain property from more than one person by false or fraudulent pretenses, representations or promises, and so obtains property from one or more of such persons.

2. In any prosecution under this section, it shall be necessary to prove the identity of at least one person from whom the defendant so obtained property, but it shall not be necessary to prove the identity of any other intended victim.”

Systematically ongoing… check. Fraudulent pretenses… check. Obtains property… well, money isn’t exactly property, is it? The US Legal definition of intent to defraud comes to the rescue here, defining it in less legalese as follows:

“Intent to defraud is the intention to deceive others. It involves a specific intention to cheat others, for causing financial loss to others or bringing financial gain to one’s self.”

So financial gain does count. And we can certainly pinpoint at least one victim since plenty of people were likely advertising in the Evening World.

So what is his sentence? As usual, the sentence depends on the degree of the crime. The difference between the first and second degree of a scheme to defraud mainly lies in the number of people that fell victim to the scheme or the amount of money they made. It’s first degree if it involves 10 or more people, or earned them in excess of $1,000 dollars. I can’t confirm which degree we’re talking about with only the information in the memo, but the second degree is a class A misdemeanor and first degree is a class E felony. That’s up to a year for the misdemeanor, and more than a year for the felony.

All right, now that we have the modern charge, it’s time to do some more digging. Was this illegal back in 1899? I checked back in the 1965 Penal Law book that so kindly outlined things that were new between this version and a copy from 1909, and found that the charge (indexed as 190.60) doesn’t even exist in the 1965 book. While Article 190 exists, it only goes up to 190.35. I suppose there must have been an addendum to the article later on to expand the kinds of fraud charges contained in it.

In conclusion, Don Seitz was a rat and I’m frustrated that I can’t get him in trouble for swindling his advertisers. But boy, he would get in so much trouble for that today.  

I hope you enjoyed coming on this adventure with me! I’ll certainly do more of these if I encounter any more shady activity by anyone at the World or the Journal. I’m really quite motivated to make something stick to them now because I’m convinced they did something illegal that they actually could’ve gotten in trouble for at the time. Do let me know if any of you discover anything else that might fit the bill!

[crxstofcthlnn]

The Prosecution of Don Carlos Seitz, Part 2

We're back to grill Don Seitz on more shady dealings! Last time we pinned him to one year in jail (assuming we can't find a contract that would make his course of action, while still forceful and shady, absolutely valid). If you haven't read that one, you can do so here. So one year in jail, not bad, right? But we are so far from done. Next, I think I can nail him with a fraud charge for things he discusses in the same memo. The World makes a lot of claims, both in Seitz’s notes to Pulitzer and in its public articles, that the strike is over before every other newspaper says it’s over. That could be a whole other post about why Seitz chose to repeatedly lie about that if he didn’t think it was over, or why he made the concessions he made to the strikers if he did think it was over.



Assuming he was lying, though (which I do mostly because I despise him), we can absolutely catch him on something bad: where he mentions telling the advertisers that the strike was over and that they could return to advertising in the Evening World. 
Media has always made money off of advertising. The advertisers pay money to put their ads out there so that the media they sold the ad to can distribute it and get the advertisers more exposure. However, if the paper was still being boycotted, it’s safe to say that the World probably wasn’t holding up their end of that deal to their full extent, even if they did have people who were still selling. This means that at least to some extent, the advertising money would go right into the World’s pocket and the advertisers would get nothing from it. So, if Seitz was lying about the strike being over, he would also be lying to his advertisers and making money off of it.



Originally, I thought this might be an exploitation charge, because it fits in definition, “to take unfair advantage of a person,” additionally since the examples cited on US Legal involve deception for monetary gain. But that’s not it, because exploitation doesn’t appear in the New York Penal Code. After much despair that I wouldn’t be able to catch him on anything for this that’s prosecutable in New York, my friend Baden suggested I look into the definition of fraud. 



Fraud’s a pretty wide category, so the penal code gets more specific than the general definition. I think I have him on something known as a scheme to defraud in the penal code, also known as the intent to defraud. The definition of a scheme to defraud reads essentially as follows:



“1.
A person is guilty of a scheme to defraud... when he engages in a scheme constituting a systematic ongoing course of conduct with intent to defraud more than one person or to obtain property from more than one person by false or fraudulent pretenses, representations or promises, and so obtains property from one or more of such persons.

 2. 
In any prosecution under this section, it shall be necessary to prove the identity of at least one person from whom the defendant so obtained property, but it shall not be necessary to prove the identity of any other intended victim.”

New York Penal Law, Article 190.60


Systematically ongoing… check. Fraudulent pretenses… check. Obtains property… well, money isn’t exactly property, is it? The US Legal definition of intent to defraud comes to the rescue here, defining it in less legalese as follows:


“Intent to defraud is the intention to deceive others. It involves a specific intention to cheat others, for causing financial loss to others or bringing financial gain to one’s self.” 
US Legal, Intent to Defraud


So financial gain does count. And we can certainly pinpoint at least one victim since plenty of people were likely advertising in the Evening World. 


So what is his sentence? As usual, the sentence depends on the degree of the crime. The difference between the first and second degree of a scheme to defraud mainly lies in the number of people that fell victim to the scheme or the amount of money they made. It’s first degree if it involves 10 or more people, or earned them in excess of $1,000 dollars. I can’t confirm which degree we’re talking abo ut with only the information in the memo, but the second degree is a class A misdemeanor and first degree is a class E felony. That's up to a year for the misdemeanor, and more than a year for the felony.


All right, now that we have the modern charge, it's time to do some more digging. Was this illegal back in 1899? I checked back in the 1965 Penal Law book that so kindly outlined things that were new between this version and a copy from 1909, and found that the charge (indexed as 190.60) doesn't even exist in the 1965 book. While Article 190 exists, it only goes up to 190.35. I suppose there must have been an addendum to the article later on to expand the kinds of fraud charges contained in it.


In conclusion, Don Seitz was a rat and I'm frustrated that I can't get him in trouble for swindling his advertisers. But boy, he would get in so much trouble for that today.  
I hope you enjoyed coming on this adventure with me! I'll certainly do more of these if I encounter any more shady activity by anyone at the World or the Journal. I'm really quite motivated to make something stick to them now because I'm convinced they did something illegal that they actually could've gotten in trouble for at the time. Do let me know if any of y’all discover anything else that might fit the bill!


[davidhuzyk]

SURVIVOR 41 SEASON PREMIERE THOUGHTS

Here are my thoughts on the opening episode of the new season. Nothing I’m about to say is revolutionary, it seems like all these opinions have already been shared before, but I wanted to wait a few days to think on everything as well as talk to some family/friends before putting my final thoughts down. Overall it was pretty polarizing, lots to both love and hate:

PROS

Diverse cast: I don’t think there’s a dud among the whole cast, and the diversity allows for more dynamic chemistry and a lot of different stories to be told

Candid shots of production: I like that they are letting us in to that world. Previously in moments like the medical disaster in S32 Kaoh Rong they showed production, and it made a great impact as a viewer. I don’t find it breaks immersion, in fact the opposite. The average audience member nowadays is much more knowledgeable & initiative than back in 2000, when a show trusts its viewer in this way I think it helps them become more invested in the show, understanding the ins & outs of how it’s functioning

Editing/storytelling style: there was a lot of great moments playing with the edit this episode that previous seasons tended to stray away from. I enjoyed the edit showing/giving us as a viewer information the contestants don’t have yet, like hidden advantage locations. I also enjoyed how they presented the Prisoner’s Dilemma, leaving it a mystery until tribal council whether or not Xander & JD chose to risk or protect their vote. It’s nice that in yet another way production is trusting us as a viewer with more (or less) info

Fourth Wall Breaking: this is both a pro and a con for me (con to follow). I enjoyed the moments Jeff spoke to us as a viewer, explaining new rules or changes to the game. This reminded me of S1, and I think was a great way to help any new fans coming in to the show. Only new changes were discussed, and it was kept relatively brief, so even for super fans it didn’t feel bloated or like a time sink

Subtitles at tribal: while I have more to say on live tribals, I do at least appreciate this time having full subtitles for all conversations taking place. While contestants may want to obscure info from other players, us as viewers should never be left in the dark, so I appreciate this effort being taken this season

Penalties for losing challenges: I enjoy this twist, as it seems to carry the spirit of the game. This is Survivor, it should be about having to get by on less, not more. I always found it odd that there were “reward” challenges. There are two ways to give a team an advantage, you can boost them up with a prize, or you can penalize the opposition, and I’m happy to see this element come more into play. Similar ideas had been done before in previous seasons when a contestant would get to raid the opposing tribes camp for one or two items (ie. Sandra in S7 Pearl Islands) and that always seemed to make for great television

Footage from Home: I enjoyed the return of footage from back home like in the earlier seasons. It helps us connect and become more invested in the contestants, and I assume they will go away after the first episode or two, so long term they don’t seem to pose a problem

Shot in the Dark: this twist is just weak enough to be balanced. In essence I don’t see this really changing or impacting the game in any significant way, but it does at least maintain a glimmer of hope for each contestant so as a viewer you’ll never be bored. Should someone pull this off I think they are deserving of the free immunity for having read the situation properly, and would make for great television. Some may say this could make for an unfair moment with a separate contestant “wrongfully” going home, but that’s always been the case since hidden immunity idols were introduced. At least this way every contestant is aware of the confirmed, tangible (albeit slim) threat and not just the idea they “could potentially” have an idol

CONS

Cinematography: it seemed off, very different than last seasons. The confessionals all looked fine, but you certainly noticed it during camp life and challenges. There were no night shots used, a lot more static camera shots, and the slow motion during challenges was just overblown. There was maybe one good slow motion shot of Xander grabbing his buff and jumping in the water, every other one felt forced (Brad bellyflopping? Brad chopping bamboo? Naseer huffing & puffing a sandbag a couple feet?)

Shorter game length: an easy one to criticize, and I understand the reason why it’s only 26 days, but the condensing of the game seems to already have an odd ripple effect that I worry will make for a disjointed end game

Two Tribes Going to Tribal: this is most likely related to the 26 day time crunch, but if this is the standard this season it makes me worry how strong of a narrative we will get for each tribal. This premiere episode wasn’t too bad, but it was a 2hr premiere, regular 1hr episodes will surely have a hard time balancing every contestants narrative in that amount of time

Still Live Tribals: I know some people like these as they are exciting, but come on, this is chaos! In the early days Jeff would yell at contestants for trying to get up out of their seat. Jeff needs to maintain control again. Tribal is like a courtroom, Jeff is your judge and there is literally a jury, you wouldn’t see the defendant in a courtroom standing up, running around, whispering to others… there must be order!

Fourth Wall Breaking Moments: as mentioned above I enjoyed when Jeff explained new game dynamics to us as viewers, but when he would interrupt a conversation with the tribes to turn to the camera I just felt cringe. The worst was “alright, first tribal council”. It was so easy to leave that on the cutting room floor, the editors should have known better on that one especially

The Prisoners Dilemma: in concept this maybe wasn’t a bad idea, but the execution was horrible. Analyzing the setup, to me it only makes strategic sense TO risk your vote. The first problem is that a regular prisoners dilemma does not occur within a game, so normally you’re probably not as invested about the outcome of the other prisoners, only your own. But here because it’s a game it does make strategic sense to hinder your opponents. So risk your vote, because you either get an extra vote, or you’ve stolen two votes from opposing contestants for your one. Also looking at this specific situation, all three contestants who went on the boat were debatably the strongest physical player on their tribe, so it would make sense for each individual to want to weaken those other players and increase their risk of going home, in turn weakening their overall tribe. If they could trust their tribe than returning without a vote is not the worst thing, if they can properly articulate the situation and work it to their advantage (Xander was a great example of this, JD showed us the opposite lol). Overall it feels like a pretty flawed twist and needs reworking

No Shelter Building Focus: not a huge con, but I did miss the focus on shelter building. Through the conversation & act of shelter building we as a viewer usually get to see who is a leader, who might be confrontational, who is a team player, etc. But more so we’re reminded of the actual survival element of the show, which production seems to be putting less focus on

No Intro: not the first season to do away with the intro sequence but I would have liked to see it return

Production Challenge Errors: some of the recent staffing changes with CBS must have been on the Challenge Production team because there were some glaring problems with that first challenge. Firstly, Yase’s yellow oar completely blended in to the yellow rope, they had a distinct disadvantage. I know some people will say if they couldn’t notice the other two tribes grabbing their oar from that location it’s their fault, but that’s a crappy excuse, it should be completely level & fair entering a challenge. Also what was with the double anchors on the boats? Perhaps it was left on the cutting room floor but I don’t recall Jeff mentioning prior to the challenge beginning that the boats had two anchors. Now I’m certainly no expert when it comes to nautical knowledge but as far as my life experience I‘be only ever seen or heard one anchor being referenced on use in a boat. Clearly all of the Luvu tribe thought the same as they only unhooked their front anchor. Jeff however later in the challenge yells to the Ua tribe and reminds them to unhook both anchors. Luvu was further away having had a lead so they very likely couldn’t hear Jeff when he said that. It’s like Ua was given an extra advantage. It also was unclear what the objective with the boat was, I was surprised to all of a sudden see Ua paddling in the opposite direction back towards the ship. Production should have had them race in a circle instead of a straight “there and back”

Game Within the Game: I’m sorry, this is the lamest addition they’ve ever added. Really? A standard rebus puzzle? They don’t take up enough time/focus during an episode to actually have any impact, and the puzzles themselves have so far been extremely simple. Jeff says this is “for the kids”, but any child young enough to find that puzzle challenging certainly doesn’t have the attention span to sit through an entire episode and find the puzzle in the first place. For any adult wanting to play this game as well the answer will be online within minutes of it airing… what’s the point? Pure fluff that has nothing to do with the game

Within Episode Flashback: I certainly hope this doesn’t become a habit, but during JD’s confessional when he talks about building fire they actually flashback to him just minutes ago having built the fire. Seriously!? We literally just saw it, why waste screen time showing it again? That was a poor call from some editor and I hope this doesn’t become a storytelling pattern

And finally, the “Guys” debate: so much has already been said on this. Personal feelings aside from the use of the phrase, this is a discussion that should have been had off camera, and came off feeling way to pandering. Jeff literally says at the beginning of the episode “we are all going through what’s most likely the biggest world incident we will ever experience”, but yet we spend more screen time talking about the word “guys” than the pandemic and all the emotional trauma that may have caused? I know Survivor likes to be sensitive, but this was not the way to go about it. It doesn’t ruin the show for me, it’s just a phrase I know I can “survive” without it, but I hope this isn’t the first step in many changes like this down the line. I’m all for being inclusive, but the method in which the show decides to go about change can actually alienate their existing fan base, so I hope they make better decisions on how to implement change moving forward

[johnnymarkssh]

5 Tips to remember when playing battle royale games to avoid bans

When there is a new battle royale game in the market, there is so much excitement. The lovers of this genre don’t wait around for anything. They jump in and start playing the game, sometimes without even reading or understanding the terms & conditions.

However, it is of utmost importance that you do. It is necessary because there are some things that a game developer doesn’t allow. And if you do it, they will ban you from the game.

So, if you don’t wish to get banned from any battle royale game like modern warfare or apex legends, or PUBG, follow these tips.

Tip 1: Get an HWID spoofer

If you are using cheats or hacks to win a level or get an upper hand on your competitors, you need to use an HWID spoofer. Why? It is because the ant-cheat program looks at the HWID of the hardware you are playing from and can ban your computer, making you unable to play from that device.

When you use an HWID spoofer, you can play undetected. Also, if you unknowingly break any law in the game, it can keep you safe from being banned.

Tip 2: Don’t use any third-party programs

Using third-party programs while playing a battle royale game can usually get you banned. If the program promotes unfair practices and you are caught, the game will ban you permanently. So, don't use these programs & if you are using cheats or hacks, do use an HWID spoofer.

Tip 3: Do not change any data of the game

If you temper any game data or try to change it, you are violating the privacy policy of the game. It will get you banned from the game. So, do not play around with files that secure the data of the game.

Tip 4: Do not take advantage of any vulnerabilities in the game

Battle royale games like PUBG can have few vulnerabilities like a glitch or a bug. If the player takes advantage of these vulnerabilities to advance their play, there can be a severe consequence.

The developer can take your rewards and other things. In severe cases, delete your account and ban you from playing.

Tip 5: Do not use any offensive words

When playing the game, be respectful of your opponents. The characters in the game are fake, but the people playing behind them are real. If you use any words that insult a person based on their race, gender, or more, you will get penalized.

No one likes to get banned from a game that they love and are scoring high on. That is why it is essential that you keep these tips in mind and not break any rules unknowingly. Moreover, keep using an HWID spoofer to ensure your safety and secure yourself from banning.

[anisanews]

Trevor Bauer calls out media, MLB for story on baseballs being inspected for sticky substances

Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer tried to shift attention to media and MLB after it was reported Thursday that some of the balls from Bauer’s start against the A’s on Wednesday were sent to MLB to be examined for sticky substances.

Bauer tweeted his responses to a story by The Athletic that said umpires collected multiple balls from the game after being alerted that they contained sticky substances. The Athletic report did not specify who alerted the umpires. It did note that MLB has assigned monitors to each team to check for possible cheating.

Bauer called the reporters “gossip bloggers” and blasted MLB for leaking information. He also noted, as did The Athletic, that umpires are sending balls from other games to the league office as it attempts to enforce rules prohibiting the application of foreign substances to them.  

balls from every other pitcher being taken out of play in literally every other game this season are? Also lol to @MLB who already has “sources” talking to gossip bloggers about a supposedly confidential process a week into the season

thumbs up y’all keep killin it!

— Trevor Bauer (トレバー・バウアー) (@BauerOutage) April 9, 2021

Bauer has been alleging for years that pitchers gain an unfair advantage by using pine tar or other tacky substances to increase the spin rate on their fastballs and thus make the pitch more effective. In April 2018, he appeared to accuse Astros pitchers of using pine tar. He told Sporting News in May 2018 that he wasn’t singling out any organization but was criticizing MLB and people in baseball for ignoring rules.

SN Q&A: Bauer on pine tar, spin rates and more in 2018

“It’s not something that (MLB wants) to address. It’s not something they want public. It’s part of why there’s been such backlash on me making it public,” he said. “No one wants to talk about it, but it needs to be talked about, especially as teams use this information more and more to evaluate players and sign players and stuff like that. It creates a massively unfair playing field.”

Bauer told SN that he, his father and staff at Driveline Baseball had been testing the relationship between tackiness and spin rate for years during offseason training.

He likely used a foreign substance for an inning in an April 30, 2018, start for the Indians. His fastball spin rate in that inning jumped by about 300 rpm, which is the increase Bauer believes takes place when a pitcher uses pine tar or other sticky substances. He would not say whether he used foreign substances in the game.

In February 2020, he told HBO’s “Real Sports” that about 70 percent of MLB pitchers apply something sticky to the ball. “It needs to be talked about more because it affects every single pitch. And it’s a bigger advantage than steroids ever were,” Bauer said. “Because if you know how to manipulate it, you can make the ball do drastically different things from pitch to pitch at the same velocity.”

Bauer hasn’t been the only one in baseball complaining, however. The noise built to the point that MLB announced last March that it would more closely inspect game balls for foreign substances.

Bauer was immediately skeptical of MLB’s plans. He said March 25 on YouTube that pitchers could be penalized for using foreign substances when the source might in fact be fielders’ gloves or hitters’ bats.

“My question is: If I throw a pitch and it gets thrown out (of play) and tested and then have a foreign substance on it, how do they know that it came from me and not from the catcher’s glove or from the third baseman’s glove?” he asked. “Or on a foul ball, what if it happened to hit the handle of a bat where a hitter has pine tar or whatever other substance he wants, which is completely legal so long as it doesn’t go too far up the bat? How are they going to tell that that was me and fault me for using a foreign substance when it could have come from any host of other places that are all legal?”

He also questioned the effectiveness of MLB’s plans to analyze historical Statcast spin rate data and scrutinize key points in a game. He said pitchers can manipulate spin rates to avoid scrutiny, and he added that they use sticky substances either all the time or none of the time.

He saw little chance of pitchers being punished.

“My prediction: Nothing changes. You’re not going to see anyone getting ejected or fined or suspended or anything like that. Maybe a couple people in really glaring cases to try to send a message, but my prediction, (MLB is) just pandering to the public perception that ‘Hey, we’re solving this issue’ when they really don’t care to solve it one way or the other for competitive integrity reasons,” he said.

“Now, they do care to solve it for getting more balls put in play and making the game more interesting or whatever the case is. But I don’t think they really care about the competitive integrity,” he added.

from Anisa News https://ift.tt/2RbBHmX

[aion-rsa]

The Simpsons Season 32 Episode 13 Review: Wad Goals

https://ift.tt/3q614Co

This The Simpsons review contains spoilers.

The Simpsons Season 32 Episode 13

The Simpsons Season 32, episode 13, “Wad Goals,” pays homage to the screwball comedy golf classic Caddyshack. More than homage, it takes a full lipped sycophantic approach which some might consider over clubbing. But it’s not a Mulligan. The story line is very different. The similarities lie in the lessons learned, and unlearned, which resonate like “the force in the universe that makes things happen when you be the ball.” Bart and Millhouse get jobs as caddies, and brown their noses on the green.

The episode begins with what is becoming an increasingly alarming trend. Ralph Wiggum, the not-so-bright son of the almost equally dense Police Chief, appears to be off whatever meds he should be on. Ralph’s fantasias have been showcased from the earliest episodes where he remembers dreams were where his other lives were. Back then it was a place where he was a Viking and doctors didn’t tell him he wouldn’t have so many nose bleeds if he didn’t keep his finger in it. Now, he’s leading the Happy Parade on Parade Day.

Ralph is being led by an imaginary friend, and doesn’t realize his visions are not in the same reality as reality. Past imaginary friends, like a particularly memorable Leprechaun, have advised him to do things like burn down houses. His newfound reality, and his imaginative retelling, is far more fantastic and perilous. He doesn’t find a choo-choo, a 10 foot tall dog or a nomination at the Independent Spirit Awards behind the great green wall. He finds a playground with tiny cars, Easter eggs and men in clown pants.

The fact is, the golf course which Ralph uncovers is a true wonder because it is one of Springfield’s biggest secrets, up there with the Maison Derriere and whatever cathouse Grampa Simpson got shushed over. The only place most Springfieldians ever see golf courses are on commercials for pills which can help you get your life back. It’s also a place where Jimbo can learn extortion without bullying. You’ll notice none of Fat Tony’s gang partakes in golf.

Millhouse, being who he is, goes in thinking he’s got suck-up in his blood, but winds up misreading Burns with every syllable that comes out of his mouth. “Muzzle your nonsense, imbecile,” Burns finally says, which may be one of the kindest things ever said to Millhouse. Principal Skinner, we later find, is equally challenged when it comes to clubbing. His own mother decides not to play rather than have him as a caddy. Bart is luckier, hauling bags for Kent Brockman, local newscaster and easy money for a kid who knows how to stroke an overfed ego. This isn’t the first time Bart’s used flattery. He’s been turning on fake charm since Lunch Lady Doris was doling out spicy mac and cheese. This is a better pay grade.

Bart’s first lesson is “the best money is peeled off a wad of dollar bills,” which gives the episode its title. It’s fair that Bart becomes a suck-up. He going to have to talk to parole officers in a few years. And Homer is correct when he says this is probably the most legal job Bart’s ever going to get. But before he gets systematically penalized, Homer establishes the rules in biting commentary. Years ago, everybody got together and decided the American way was that all the money goes to a few dozen families and a few of their friends. What makes it more scathing is how blatantly true it is and how easily it is accepted. It’s a joke and we’re the punchline.

Marge, of course, doesn’t remember that and Julie Kavner cuts her own comic timing. The scene where she is trying to get Lisa’s attention is classic Simpsons. No words are needed, just a few grunts and low-lying hair. Everything she’s ever scolded Bart about is in peril. It’s also telling how Lisa agrees. She wants to go after golf for its history of racism and sexism and its unfair tax advantages.

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Marge is more concerned with the lousy sandwiches which are obviously catered, in spite of how much Kent goes on about Ramon’s martinis. One thing we know about Marge is she never backs down. She’s taken on the Krustylu studios, obesity, bootleg designer jeans, and Montgomery Burns himself. It all comes together for Bart, who realizes that’s why she still married to Homer.

It is funny, but fairly expected, to learn Homer pads his wad with non-static dryer sheets. He might not have to if he didn’t keep blowing his money on dryer sheets. “I’m not the father you thought you married,” Homer confesses in a classic Simpsonian breakdown, which is one of the short-gag highlights of the episode. Homer is no fool. He knows Marge only wants him to listen and not actually solve her problems.

The entire episode is loaded with social commentary. Marge titles her anti-golf petition “Stop coddling the SJWs,” which she doesn’t know stands for Social Justice Warriors. Lisa has to explain that social justice warriors are what the right calls anyone who wants positive change. Marge might have guessed if she read the fine print Lisa put into the petition, which included such items as “Let eight-year-old boys join the Peace Corps.” The petition gets a million signatures because the right misinterprets it, which is again something we can expect. One of the best responses to the online petition is a call to change the Second Amendment to the First.

Stephen Root as Bildorf is no Ted Knight, though he radiates just as much entitlement and vindictive privilege. He even steals the best idea since putting little whales on khakis. Declaring golf courses as religious houses of worship is a comic hole in one.  Golf have mercy on us all.

The Golf Commandments are something to behold if you can freeze frame them, keeping holy days like Masters Sunday; imparting sacred secrets, like honoring thy wife up to the point of tee time. As a religion, it checks all the boxes on the clipboards of the assembled religious leaders, who go there with the intent of looking down on a new religion but come around to the allure of the snack shop buffalo wings, and loosened membership restrictions. All are welcome and it’s only a $25,000 initiation. We can tell it’s got the okay of the major religions when it all turns out to be a sex cult.

At its heart “Wad Goals” is akin to The Seduction of Mimi. Bart gets the good gig, winning the acclaim and good graces of his peers, wards off the invading socialist forces by invoking God, alienates his friends with Ayn Randian discouragements, and wins them back with dirt bike class warfare. Ralph even gets to play the gopher, unearthing prime putting spots to the tune of “I’m Alright” by Kenny Loggins, the theme to Caddyshack.

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“Wad Goals” aims at too many targets and spends some time in the rough. The arc is timed out perfectly and Bart’s corruption and redemption resonates. There are plenty of quick and subliminal visual gags, and the pacing altogether is quick. But it doesn’t land as many solid laughs. The sex cult payoff is a little too pat, in spite of how unexpected it is. It’s almost like a short cut. Maybe the problem is golf. It’s not as exciting as even tennis. The Simpsons does a good job showing how it as one of the ultimate uneven playing fields, the commentary is pointed but the satire is just under par.

The post The Simpsons Season 32 Episode 13 Review: Wad Goals appeared first on Den of Geek.

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[jjmalibu]

Introduce yourself!

I am a 29-year-old NASM certified personal trainer and transgender man. In a few weeks, I’ll be moving from Portland, Oregon to Virginia. I’ve participated in a lot of different sports, but right now I’m an avid, competitive powerlifter.

Do you plan on competing this year?

I plan on waiting at least until 2021 before I compete in powerlifting again. My first competition was in 2014, so it’ll feel good to be back on the platform again.

Who is your role model?

These are the transgender athletes that have really inspired me over the years.

Chloie Jonsson (@chlojonsson)

Schuyler Bailar ((pinkmataray))

Janae Kroczaleski (@janaemariekroc)

Kinnon Ross (@skinnin_kinnon)

Scott Percy (@fluffy757)

Tommy Murrell (@tommythetrainer78)

What's one of your favorite memories from growing up?

When I was 7 or 8 years old, my grandparents took my sister, our cousins, and I to the lake. I didn’t have a swimsuit with me, but my grandfather let me swim wearing only shorts. I didn’t know at the time, but the reason I was so happy was because I was experiencing gender euphoria. It felt so affirming to be able to swim shirtless.

How does your diet impact/support your training?

Because I’m a strength athlete, I typically maintain a high protein diet to optimize muscle recovery. I typically perform best when most of my calories are coming from whole, unprocessed, or minimally processed food sources.

Are there any black fitness entrepreneurs you’d like to promote?

Yes!

Tommy Murrell (pronouns he/him) is a NASM personal trainer with 8 different specialty certifications under his belt and a Bachelors degree in Physical Education. He is an Amateur Bodybuilder & Loves inspiring people to do their best. Tommy has worked with both cisgender and transgender clients with a variety of different fitness goals.

3Tfitnesslifestyle@gmail.com

Instagram: @tommythetrainer78

Ilya (pronouns he/they) is a Physical Therapist Assistant and Ace Certified Medical Exercise Specialist. He is also a grassroots organizer and educator whose work centers gender, racial and healing justice. Ilya decided to merge their love for restorative based movement practices and community advocacy to create Decolonizing Fitness, LLC which is a social justice platform that provides affirming fitness services, community education and apparel in support of body diversity.

www.decolonizingfitness.com

Instagram: @decolonizing_fitness

As a trans athlete, what are your thoughts and opinions about competing in mainstream sports & competitions? Do you feel there is an unfair advantage?

I dream of a world where trans athletes have the freedom to compete in whatever sport and for whatever organization that they choose. Every athlete, regardless of their identity or how they were born, has their own advantages and disadvantages when it comes to competing. It feels unfair to penalize or exclude athletes based on gender identity or whatever medications they might take. I think it should be the responsibility of each competitive organization to write policies that promote inclusion within the sport.

What are your thoughts on trans men representation and the lack of it in many areas?

The lack of trans masculine representation in the media is one of the reasons why it took me so long to come out as transgender. But I think it’s so great that we now live in a time where some of us can be ambassadors to our community using social media. Not everyone has the privilege of being out, but those who do have that privilege can use their visibility to help educate others about us.

Why is it important for Trans Actors to play Trans Roles in Hollywood?

In my opinion, one of the problematic aspects of cisgender actors playing transgender roles is that it perpetuates the idea that we are “ just playing dress-up”. When a transgender woman is portrayed by a cisgender man dressed in women’s clothing, that’s the perception some cis folks get of trans people; that trans women are just cisgender men dressed up as women and trans men are just cisgender women dressed up as men. This way of thinking is invalidating to our identities. A lot of cisgender, heterosexual people won’t go out of their way to educate themselves about the LGBTQIA community. If cinema is one way we can reach those people, then trans folks should be the ones telling our own stories.

What are things you learned about yourself after you transitioned?

Transitioning has taught me about the importance of self-care and patience. Sometimes it feels like having a 2nd or 3rd job when you want to transition medically because it can be time-consuming, confusing, and stressful hard work. It can take weeks, months, or even years to figure out how to get the financial or insurance coverage for one’s transitional needs. You have to take care of your basic needs and learn how to be patient when it comes to physical transitioning, so I’ve learned to apply those skills to my everyday life.

Did you feel that you had to rediscover your personality as a man when you transitioned?

Yes, absolutely. Testosterone changes you so much physically and mentally; my perspective on a lot of things has changed and now I find myself processing emotions in different ways than I did before starting HRT.

How are you feeling after phalloplasty?

I’m feeling quite relieved now that the process is over. Even though I only had two surgeries performed, I’m content with my body and feel grateful to be fully healed. My surgeon, Dr. Jens Berli, did an amazing job.

Could you provide some advice for people that want to transition but are afraid to?

You’re not alone; I imagine just about every transgender person experiences some level of fear prior to coming out. We live in a world where trans people are constantly misunderstood and mistreated, but it’s a lot easier now to connect with other people in the community and to find resources for yourself than it has been in the past. It’s ok to be scared, but don’t be too afraid to ask for guidance when you need it.

How is your mental health going?

Lmao always a work in progress! I’ve been doing a lot better now that I’m fully recovered from my surgeries and have clearance to workout again.

One piece of advice that has followed you into your future?

Don’t be afraid to seek out help. Every day is an opportunity to learn and grow; it’s ok to utilize outside resources or to ask for help in order to reach your goals.

Can you please provide us a list of organizations that help Trans Communities?

@theokraproject

@blacktranstravelfund

@bravespacealliance

@transequalitynow

@transjusticefp

@pointofprideorg

Do you have a final message?

Tough times make tough people. Whatever you’re struggling with right now, one day you’ll be stronger because of it. Don’t give up on yourself.

[personalcoachingcenter]

Will AI Reduce Gender Bias in Hiring?

New Post has been published on https://personalcoachingcenter.com/will-ai-reduce-gender-bias-in-hiring/

Will AI Reduce Gender Bias in Hiring?

Executive Summary

Would women be better off if AI and algorithms were in charge of hiring? There are clearly reasons to be hopeful. One of the big advantages of AI is that, aside from being better at spotting things (i.e., millions of data points), it is also superior at ignoring things. AI can be trained to ignore people’s gender and focus only on the relevant signals of talent or potential. For example, algorithms can be trained to pick up relevant signals of EQ, competence, or communication skills, while being truly blind to gender. This would definitely favor women. If AI is trained to identify the actual drivers of performance – defined broadly as an individual’s contribution to the organization — then we can expect a much fairer, more accurate, and replicable assessment of people’s potential than what humans can do. This, again, should be good for women.

Vlaaka Kocvarová/EyeEm/Getty Images

AI is disrupting every area of life, including how organizations find talent. Companies are generally aware of the ROI that comes from finding the right person for the right job. McKinsey estimated that, for highly complex roles, stars can be expected to produce 800% more than average performers. And a recent Harvard Business School study showed that there are even bigger benefits to avoiding toxic workers.

Despite this crucial role of talent, organizations are still unable to attract the right talent, relying more on intuitive rather than data-driven talent identification practices — especially at the top, where the stake are actually highest. Indeed, too many leaders are hired on the basis of their technical expertise, political influence, or interview performance. As I illustrate in my latest book, Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders?: (And How to Fix It), most companies focus on the wrong traits, hiring on confidence rather than competence, charisma rather than humility, and narcissistic tendencies rather than integrity, which explains the surplus of incompetent and male leaders. The result is a pathological disconnect between the qualities that seduce us in a leader, and those that are needed to be an effective leader.

An interesting question that arises is to what degree new technologies within the brave new world of AI-based hiring tools could help us reduce error, noise, and bias in our talent identification processes. For example, would women be better off if AI and algorithms were in charge of hiring? Previous research has highlighted a clear inconsistency around gender and leadership. On the one hand, women are often evaluated more negatively by others – even when there are few granular behavioral differences between women and men. On the other hand, large scale meta-analyses suggest that women have a slight advantage when it comes to the soft skills that predispose individuals to be more effective leaders, and that they generally adopt more effective leadership styles than men do. For instance, if leaders were selected on the basis of their emotional intelligence, self-awareness, humility, integrity, and coachability, the majority of leaders would be female rather than male.

And yet there have been salient news stories recently indicating that AI may actually contribute to even more bias and adverse impact against women–and that when algorithms are trained to emulate human recruiters, they may not just reproduce human biases, but also exacerbate them, engaging in a much more efficient form of discrimination.

To be sure, we are much more easily shocked and scandalized by hiring mistakes done by AI, than by human errors or biases. It’s a bit like with self-driving cars: it takes one autonomous car crash to convince us that the technology is flawed, but we are OK with having 1.2 million fatal accidents and 50 million driving injuries per year, courtesy of humans. So, let us start with the important realization that most hiring practices are (a) intuitive and (b) ineffective. For every company that appoints most of its leaders based on objective and meritocratic criteria, there are many more where such appointments are a true rarity — something that may be happening by accident, occasionally, and independently of their intentions. It is also clear that AI cannot be biased in the way humans are: that would require AI to have emotions, feelings, or opinions. AI does not need to engage in unconscious biases to penalize women or other underprivileged groups in order to get a self-esteem boost. Of course, if AI is trained with biased data — for instance, if we teach it to predict which candidates will be rated positively by human interviewers — it will not just emulate, but also exacerbate, human bias: augmenting it and making it far more efficient. But this can be addressed by teaching AI to predict relevant and objective outcomes, rather than mimic human intuition.

In addition, there are reasons to expect AI-talent tools to be more accurate and predictive than humans (not just because humans are generally bad at this):

Our favorite method for screening and vetting candidates — including leaders — is the interview, and large-scale scientific studies have shown that interviews are most predictive when they are highly structured. Whereas in-person/analogue interviews are hard to standardize, video interviews allow us to put people through exactly the same experience, capture millions of data points on their behaviors (e.g., what they say, how they say it, language use, body language, and micro-expressions), and remove prejudiced human observers from the process. It is safe to assume that automating all unstructured and humanly-rated interviews would reduce bias and nepotism while increasing meritocracy and predictive accuracy. This should be good for women (and bad for men).

Of course there are some incredibly smart human interviewers who may generally outperform the algorithms (though watch out for the next Netflix documentary on how AI beats the best human interviewers, much like they beat the greatest chess or AlphaGo players).  The main problem, however, is that most people are not as intuitive as they think. And for every brilliant interviewer, there are hundreds or thousands who think they are brilliant, but in reality, are not. We all think highly of our own intuition, especially when we are not intuitive. As one of the founders of the behavioral economics movement — and Nobel laureate — Daniel Kahneman noted: “We’re generally overconfident in our opinions and our impressions and judgments.” Regardless of AI’s ability to detect talent, we can expect it to be much more aware of its ability than humans are of their own ability. This will also allow AI to improve (more than humans can be expected to do). Consider that the average human interviewer will never even admit to making a hiring mistake, for they will indulge in confirmation bias to see the candidates they personally hired in a positive vein once they are tasked with rating their performance. Humans have skin in the game: accepting mistakes makes them look stupid — AI does not care about looking stupid.

One of the big advantages of AI is that, aside from being better at spotting things (i.e., millions of data points), it is also superior at ignoring things. Imagine an ethical, well-meaning, and open-minded human who has every intention of being fair in their hiring practices and is therefore determined to avoid gender bias in his — let’s assume he is male — hiring process. Regardless of how hard he tries, it will be very hard for him to ignore candidates’ gender. Imagine him sitting in front of a female candidate, repeating to himself: “I must not think about the fact that this person is a woman,” or “I must not let this person’s gender interfere with my evaluation.” In fact, the more he tries to suppress this thought, the more prominent it will be in his mind. This will also lead to distraction or over-compensation. In contrast, AI can be trained to ignore people’s gender and focus only on the relevant signals of talent or potential. For example, algorithms can be trained to pick up relevant signals of EQ, competence, or communication skills, while being truly blind to gender. This would definitely favor women.

The critical factor for this to work is that organizations identify real performance data to train the algorithms. If AI is taught to predict or anticipate human preferences — like whether a candidate will be liked by their (human) boss once they are hired — we can expect bias to remain… and be augmented. However, if AI is trained to identify the actual drivers of performance — defined broadly as an individual’s contribution to the organization — then we can expect a much fairer, more accurate, and replicable assessment of people’s potential than what humans can do. This, again, should be good for women.

In sum, for those who are interested in not just helping women to be more represented in the leadership ranks, but also improving the quality of our leaders, there are clearly reasons to be hopeful about AI. However, many of the emerging innovations in this brave new world of technologically-enhanced and data-driven talent identification are still a “work in progress,” and we need to ensure that they are not only accurate, but that they are also ethical and legal alternatives to existing methods. Above all, it is time to admit that most of the practices that are in place are far from effective, and that they have contributed to much of the unfairness and nepotism that governs the average workplace. So, here’s to finding the necessary self-awareness to begin to improve.

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[shirlleycoyle]

Broadband ‘Zero Rating’ Actually Costs Customers More, Study Finds

The concept of “zero rating”—or the process of an internet service provider exempting certain content from broadband usage caps—has been controversial for several years now. But a new study suggests that ISP claims that zero rating saves consumers money are largely nonsense, and countries where the practice is avoided see lower wireless data prices overall.

Comcast sends this on-screen popup to users who get close to eroding their usage allotments.

Many ISPs now implement caps on how much data customers can use in a month, charging you extra should you go over said limit. Data suggests these limits don’t serve any real purpose outside of charging captive customers more money, and as a deterrent for users who quit an ISP’s traditional TV services in favor of streaming video alternatives.

“My opinion is that caps make little technical sense, and I believe that the fundamental reason for capping is to prevent disruption of the television entertainment business model that feeds the TV screens in most households,” Dane Jasper, CEO of Sonic.net, a small DSL provider based in Santa Rosa, California, said in 2016.

In more recent years, ISPs have been pushing the idea of zero rating, which involves exempting select content from these arbitrary limits. AT&T, for example, now routinely exempts its own streaming content from its usage caps, yet still penalizes users should they use a competitor like Netflix. Comcast engages in the same behavior on its cable broadband network.

The anticompetitive and free speech issues with letting ISPs determine which services get an unfair advantage on the network should be fairly obvious. But broadband providers have tried to downplay those concerns by claiming that zero rating saves consumers money, and should be seen as akin to a 1-800 number for data or the bandwidth equivalent of free shipping.

Consumers, who often don’t understand that broadband usage caps are bogus cash grabs in the first place, often buy into the argument that they’re getting something for free by being allowed to bypass them.

But a new multi-year study by the non-profit Epicenter.works challenges those assumptions. The study, which took a look at wireless data prices in 30 European Union nations, found that the cost of wireless data plans were notably more expensive in countries that allowed zero rating as opposed to those that have prohibited the practice.

In 2016, the European Union’s Body of European Regulators of Electronic Communications (BEREC) passed net neutrality rules for all of the EU, but it’s up to each individual EU country to determine how best to enforce them. Some EU member countries have specifically prohibited zero rating, while others have allowed the practice.

According to the study, EU member countries absent of zero rating saw a double digit drop in the cost of wireless data service after one year, while EU countries that embraced the practice saw wireless data prices increase.

“The existence or introduction of zero-rating offers is associated with markets which exhibit price developments that are adverse to consumers,” the study found.

The reason: once ISPs begin zero rating some content, they often jack up the overall costs to access other content—in a bid to make their preferred content more attractive.

Groups like the Electronic Frontier Foundation have long complained that zero rating also distorts the market in favor of the internet’s wealthiest companies. ESPN could, for example, pay AT&T to exempt its own traffic from these arbitrary limits, harming smaller competitors, educational institutions, startups, or non profits that can’t afford to pay for preferred treatment.

The EFF specifically addressed such concerns ahead of AT&T’s $86 billion merger with HBO, predicting that the ISP would be likely to give its own content an unfair competitive advantage on its networks via zero rating, something that quickly came true on several fronts.

“Zero rating by wireless carriers has effectively become a tool for them to direct their user traffic under the guise of giving consumers a benefit,” EFF lawyer Ernesto Falcon told Motherboard in an email.

“This EU study reveals that it actually is a more covert way to raise prices and increase their profits with the added benefit of anti-competitive self dealing,” he added. “This is particularly problematic with low-income users, which tend to be people of color, because they can only afford wireless broadband services and forgo wireline connections where zero rating is not a predominant practice.”

While the FCC’s since-discarded 2015 net neutrality rules didn’t specifically ban zero rating, the rules did give the FCC leeway to act if zero rating was being implemented anti-competitively.

But the FCC acted too slowly. In late 2016 it warned both AT&T and Verizon the agency would likely be taking action against this practice, but those efforts were cut short by the election of Donald Trump and his subsequent appointment of current FCC boss Ajit Pai, who proceeded to kill net neutrality rules entirely at the behest of industry.

Pai has subsequently made it clear in statements he has no intent of policing usage caps or ISPs that use such limits anti-competitively, while parroting industry claims that zero rating is akin to “free data.”

“These free-data plans have proven to be popular among consumers, particularly low-income Americans, and have enhanced competition in the wireless marketplace,” Pai said. “Going forward, the FCC will not focus on denying Americans free data. Instead, we will concentrate on expanding broadband deployment and encouraging innovative service offerings.”

In the years since, competition has forced some wireless carriers to bring back unlimited data plans for those willing to pay more. But even under these plans ISPs often impose arbitrary restrictions. Verizon for example now throttles all video on its network, only allowing you to view content in full HD if users pay the company an additional toll. 4K video is banned entirely.

In the wake of the federal repeal of net neutrality rules, several states have passed their own net neutrality protections. California’s pending net neutrality rules only allow ISPs to zero rate content if an entire class of content is exempted from usage caps (say, video or games), but prohibits ISPs from giving specific companies (including their own) preferential treatment.

There’s a chance that a current lawsuit could restore the FCC’s 2015 net neutrality rules. If that doesn’t happen and Congress is required to craft a new law, activists believe that a ban on anti-competitive zero rating will be integral in preventing the wealthiest content companies from buying their way to an unfair advantage.

“It’s essential that when we restore net neutrality federally, that it includes a prohibition on the type of zero rating practices where an ISP is giving its own products and affiliated services preferential treatment if we want to promote affordability and an open wireless Internet market,” Falcon said.

Broadband ‘Zero Rating’ Actually Costs Customers More, Study Finds syndicated from https://triviaqaweb.wordpress.com/feed/

[andrewuttaro]

New Look Sabres: GM 41 - FLA - Nope!

I had a wicked narrative setup for this one. Linus Ullmark gets the start, he shuts down the Florida Panthers after a weak stretch for the team and Carter Hutton and begins his coup to take over the starting role ahead of schedule! It’s not that Ullmark didn’t have a great game, it’s an open question which goalie gets the nod for Boston on Saturday (more on that later), but this game was much more a matter of the losers of three straight Buffalo Sabres squeezing out a W by the skin on their teeth. The last two or three minutes of this game could be described from a Sabres perspective as nope nope nope nope! I got to see this one in the flesh and as refreshing as it is to hear the building really into every zone clearance and icing these days it is quite something to hear it pissed as well. This game had some refereeing turns that could’ve decided the game but luckily Jeff Skinner had a night and yea, secondary scoring did kind of show up and what do you know, there’s your first win in eight games against the Panthers.  The road there was hard with the monster-sized pothole in the middle of that road being Roberto Luongo.

The Sabres remembered the sting of the two losses against this Florida team and the game began with some aggression. The home team would only just outshoot the Panthers in the first period but for the first time I can think of since maybe the Thanksgiving Eve game against Philadelphia, Buffalo’s best period was the first one. It was one of those net-crashing plays Buffalo has come to really profit from when Jeff Skinner got the puck and skated further into the crowd of red striped jerseys and got the shot away just as he lost his footing. It was a goal and Rick Jeanneret predicted it would be on the highlight reels across North America so keep an eye on that one. Tage Thompson’s line got a turnover in the neutral zone a few minutes later and streamed right back into the O-Zone. Thompson took the puck through the right circle and shot it around the defender Yandle and the screened goalie. The Sabres were up 2-0 before even the halfway point of this first period.  The Panthers response opportunities came but Ullmark stood tall and Luongo looked very human as that was the way the first frame ended.

Jack Eichel was out in this game. He’ll be out again Saturday to be re-evaluated next week according to Phil Housley. It’s unfair to Evan Rodrigues but the media including the team media itself kind of made E-Rod out to be the replacement centering Skinner and Reinhart on that first line. E-Rod did fine with his chance but the second period altogether showed just what Jack Eichel means to this team. The Sabres got pretty sloppy in the middle period, just holding off the Panthers for most of the period. Then Rasmus Dahlin got knocked down way back in the Panthers D-zone before Frank Vatrano and Jayce Hawryluk got in on Ullmark with only Marco Scandella in the way. You can imagine how that two-on-one turned out and the visitors got on the board. The indignation in the building was loud because of that Dahlin knock down. The period just did not go Buffalo’s way as Thompson got penalized for a very soft call for tripping and Okposo goal got called back because he was pushed into Luongo as he was already falling. I don’t care to litigate all the crowd-upsetting calls because calls or not this second period was not Buffalo’s period. But hey, the Sabres are normally fantastic in the third, right? Oh… uh about that… well it wasn’t a disaster, as the third period got under way and quickly the Sabres got something out of it.

A Lawrence Pilut shot from way out at the blue line was redirected in front my Sam Reinhart into the net: 3-1 and the two goal lead is back. This period, not unlike the first, was remarkably even in opportunities. The Panthers took a page from the Sabres book here and crashed the net with the man advantage and Mike Hoffman got the goal over a sprawling Ullmark at 12:15 into the final frame. I think this was the goal that really ended my Ullmark Coup narrative because at this point that lack of a save set Florida up for a comeback in the last eight minutes. Florida poured it on for a hot minute before Jeff Skinner went in unassisted and shot a goal that bounced through Luongo and embarrassed him so hard he laid back on the ice like we Sabres are his torturers! I’ll admit that was a little satisfying knowing what he’s done to this team over the years. I’ll tell you that was supposed to be the insurance goal to bag this game but nope nope nope nope, the Sabres had to fight off a Florida team that was not ready to go out into the cold January air just yet in a frantic final few minutes. Luongo got pulled; empty net and Buffalo missed every potential shot on that empty net. Meanwhile Aleksander Barkov reminded us how he is a rising star in this league and quickly becoming a Sabre-Killer of Luongo proportions as he cleaned up a Yandle rebound reaching all the way around the glove of Ullmark to put the visitors within one. Nope, nope, nope! I grabbed my head in agony in the last minute and a half of this game but luckily for my wife I would not go home grumpy about this one. It ended 4-3 Buffalo. It was barely a win but a win the Sabres really needed at the moment and against a team like Florida who’s really shown you what for in the prior meetings.

As sweet as a Sabres win against the Panthers feels right now, it only stops the bleeding right now, and only just. Both the Bruins and the Islanders played last night as well and got their two points each as well, even Montreal got a win to keep the wildcard race in the east same as it was the night before. The Sabres enter Boston Saturday night without their Boston-born and performing Captain needing a W there as well to make headway against the tightening middle pack of the East standings. It’s the last matchup between the Atlantic Division teams and it would be pretty fun for the season series to end 2-2 considering how both teams have fared this season; also its Boston so come on, kick their asses! After that there are six games before the bye-week including a three-game trip through Western Canada. Then it’s the stretch run for the last two months of the season.

I talked a fair amount about what this season has been and what it means in my Midseason Thoughts post. That’s the last one before this blog post and if you just can’t get enough of New Look Sabres I recommend that as well. If you just can’t get enough of New Look Sabres I would also appreciate it if you dropped a like, comment and shared this around where you can. The Buffalo Sabres are undefeated in 2019, what a year!

Thanks for reading.

P.S. The World Juniors Tournament is proving fun for Buffalo rooting interests as the Finnish team offed eternal-favorites Canada with the help of Sabres goalie prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (UPL for short) and Oskari Laaskonen.  Matej Pekar and Mattias Samuelsson aren’t doing too bad either for the Czechs and Americans respectively.