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How to get verified on all major social channels
Time to get serious about your brand.
11 February, 2021
Credit: Wayhome Studio via Adobe Stock
- Getting the verification tick on social media platforms is an important sign of authenticity and signals genuine influencer or brand status.
- Once you achieve a certain follower size, you can apply for 'verified' status on most platforms.
- Here are the details for how to get verified for the 7 major social media platforms.
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<p>We live in the age of fake news and conspiracy theories. No one really knows who or what to trust anymore. When you find a social media channel that supposedly belongs to a celebrity or influencer, how do you know it is them? It could easily be another person pretending to be the celebrity to gain attention and make money from their social media channel.</p><p>All the major social media platforms have created a solution to this problem. They have a social media verification system, where celebrities and influencers can verify their identities. Once they have the verification mark on their profiles, it will prove they are who they claim to be. That makes it easier for entrepreneurs, companies, and customers to trust influencers and purchase their products and services. </p><p>Want to get verified on the most popular social media platforms? Let's discuss how to get verified on all the major social channels.</p>
1) Instagram
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTYzNTYyMy9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1NDE3ODM2NH0.I5i8Amr1IKLNqLwQ21ZYXupPIrI4MSb_dR58MZimWFM/img.jpg?width=1245&coordinates=0%2C57%2C0%2C512&height=700" id="1250f" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="4ae008aa9b6642777fab05584da4304d" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="1245" data-height="700" />Credit: prima91 via Adobe Stock
<p>When you want to establish your reputation on Instagram, you need to do two things. First, you need to have a decent number of followers and views on your Instagram channel. Second, you need to request verification for your channel by verifying your identity with Instagram.</p><p>Newbies can save time if they <a href="https://likes.io/buy-instagram-followers" target="_blank">buy Instagram followers</a> or <a href="https://likes.io/buy-instagram-views" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">buy Instagram views</a> to make their profile stronger. It is crucial to verify they are "real" followers and not fake followers. Otherwise, Instagram might assume you are a scammer and deny your channel verification request. It's a smart idea to research the merchant to ensure they sell authentic followers.</p><p>Instagram has only offered a verification program since the end of 2018. People who become verified will see a small blue checkmark next to their name on the profile page. Viewers will see the same checkmark whether they use a smartphone app or the Instagram website to look at your profile.</p><p>After you've accumulated a few thousand followers, the next step is to submit the verification request to Instagram. There is no guarantee whether you will get verified, but it should be smooth if you follow the procedures. All you need is your photo ID ready to go, such as your driver's license.</p><p>Log into your Instagram account. Visit your profile page and choose the hamburger icon, which should be located on the upper right-hand corner of your screen. Now tap the word "Settings" and select "Request Verification" from the drop-down menu. The format of the page might look a little different, depending on which platform you use.</p><p>Next, you will be brought to a page where you enter your identity information. Enter your first name and last name in the appropriate boxes. Now you must enter the ID number on your driver's license or photo ID. Instagram will verify your ID information with the records from your state. If they match the information you entered, it proves you are the person you claim in your profile.</p><p>As a result, the verification icon will appear on your profile page. Then you can attract more attention as an Instagram influencer or brand because people will trust and believe in your authenticity.</p>2) TikTok
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTYzNTYyNS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzNzU3ODQ2MH0.iyNUuLVVotoorWnk4ZUBvsobTmdqlEHUvL1xhpnJf_w/img.jpg?width=1245&coordinates=0%2C248%2C0%2C780&height=700" id="95bb1" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="297955ff10f0b97d2b39bb149a9a5420" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="1245" data-height="700" />Credit: bloomicon via Adobe Stock
<p>TikTok is a Chinese video-sharing platform that has gained momentum in the west over the last year. It lets you create and share short-form videos of various genres, such as comedy, education, and dance. Teenagers and young adults use the platform the most, but older celebrities and influencers use it too. There is no reason why you cannot use it either, regardless of your age.</p><p>TikTok offers you two ways to verify your identity, both of which require an established and reputable TikTok account. You cannot merely make a new account and expect to receive verification status immediately. TikTok requires verified users to be celebrities or notable people. It takes time for a new user to achieve this kind of status.</p><p>If you are not a celebrity or a notable person, you still have a chance to pass the verification process if you post great content on your channel consistently. In this case, you would be deemed as a "popular user" rather than a "verified user."</p><p>The TikTok support team awards these titles to members who continue to post great content or achieve celebrity status. There are no verification forms to fill out and submit like there are on Instagram.</p><p>Just stay consistent with your content creation endeavors and promote your channel on other social media networks. If you gain a large enough following, the TikTok support team will notice it on their own.</p>3) Twitter
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTYzNTYyOS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0OTkxMjE1N30.Z0a_JGPCSOvEYgP6Kn60BvfTb1AqqkSJWiRMhPJ-bog/img.jpg?width=1245&coordinates=0%2C218%2C0%2C189&height=700" id="fa75f" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="422c0c1fedbf32026796cc581d86e437" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="1245" data-height="700" />Credit: itchaznong via Adobe Stock
<p>Twitter is a microblogging platform and one of the most popular social networking services. It is also one of the first social networks to create a verification program for its users. Once a Twitter account becomes verified, a small blue checkmark is placed alongside the name on the account page.</p><p>The Twitter verification process is not as complicated as you might think. You simply need to fill out all the account details and produce examples of web properties. Unfortunately, Twitter has stopped verifying new accounts since the beginning of 2018. They have been working on a new verification program for the last two years. The good news is the verification program should be available again in 2021.</p><p>Most people don't need to worry about Twitter verification unless they are a celebrity. An easier way to prove your identity to people is to post video blogs of yourself talking into the camera. Make sure you say the username of your Twitter account in the video, so people will know that the video wasn't stolen from elsewhere.</p>4) Facebook
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTYzNTYzMS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2NDg2OTY3MH0.OOz0GmuZU_7MqqS671tJZD4QiuS8I5ADHMgl4wYIcSA/img.jpg?width=1245&coordinates=662%2C0%2C662%2C0&height=700" id="e389b" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="39801330c7863c4f81e34ed784ddbe4e" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="1245" data-height="700" />Credit: Brad Pict via Adobe Stock
<p>Facebook needs no introduction. It is the number one social media network in the world, with over one billion registered users. A big reason why Facebook is so popular is that it caters to businesses as well as individuals. But when you have so many people on one social media platform, it requires a top-notch verification process to guarantee the identities of its most prominent users.</p><p>Facebook offers two verification badges for its users. Individuals can earn blue badges, and businesses can earn gray badges. A badge means the identity of the respective individual or company has been verified. When people see the badge on your profile page, they will know you're the real person or business rather than a scammer.</p><p>Blue badges are for celebrities, brands, government officials, popular companies, journalists, media figures, athletes and entertainers. The average individual cannot receive a blue badge if they don't have much popularity. Facebook expects you to have a good reason to get verified; the service is not available to just anybody.</p><p>If you want to receive a blue badge, you need to create high-quality content and gain a lot of press recognition. Once you or your brand gain enough popularity, you can try applying for verification at Facebook. If the support team approves your application, you will have the small blue checkmark placed by your name.</p><p>Gray badges, on the other hand, are reserved exclusively for business pages. Your business doesn't necessarily need to be popular to receive a gray badge. You only need to verify the authenticity of your business. Facebook puts a gray checkmark next to your business name if the verification is successful.</p><p>It is much easier to receive a gray badge than a blue badge because you don't need popularity. The verification process for a gray badge usually takes about 48 hours, so it is not long at all. But you must operate a real registered business in your state to qualify for the badge. Otherwise, you'll have to work harder to earn a blue badge. </p><p>When you're ready to apply for verification, you need to check your profile page to ensure it is complete. All of the information must be filled out, such as your name, interests, location, etc. Upload a high-resolution cover photo and company logo as well. Once this is complete, fill out the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/help/contact/342509036134712" target="_blank">Facebook verification form</a> and submit it. Wait for a response from the Facebook support team.</p>5) YouTube
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTYzNTYzMy9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyODUxMzk3N30.4lGTMlp3RLrtoSBJAZlu3IKThePiAbhdxeYVtX4mxk4/img.jpg?width=1245&coordinates=0%2C782%2C0%2C130&height=700" id="b4e82" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="d914f60d96632996ff60633c62f5fb5b" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="1245" data-height="700" />Credit: charnsitr via Adobe Stock
<p>YouTube is the most popular video-sharing platform in the world. However, most of its content creators don't realize that YouTube has a verification program. It is reserved for public figures, companies, and professional artists and creators to verify their identities to the viewers on the platform.</p><p>For example, if a professional singer wants to upload their music videos on YouTube and monetize them without worrying about a copyright strike, they need to verify their identity with YouTube customer support. It also gives audiences a greater incentive to subscribe to your YouTube channel because they'll know you're the real person or company and not a scammer.</p><p>The minimum requirement for verification is to have 100,000 subscribers or more on your YouTube account. If you can achieve 100,000 subscribers, you can apply for verification on YouTube. It will also earn you a Silver Button YouTube Award; a physical award sent to you in the mail to showcase your achievement.</p><p>Verification is not essential on YouTube unless you've built up your notoriety or celebrity status. When you have over 100,000 subscribers, you have built a big enough reputation to where someone might want to steal your views and mimic your account. If you notice such things taking place on YouTube, you'll know it's time to verify your account.</p>6) Pinterest
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTYzNTYzNi9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0MzM1NDAyNX0.G4S67BxU1xSlra5LwmIj8ZIY-2tfLdJ-Vt85MRjTzxI/img.jpg?width=980" id="9cf8b" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="edb2f7e6701ec000a31140674dcd69ba" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="5472" data-height="3648" />Credit: prima91 via Adobe Stock
<p>Pinterest is another popular image sharing social media service. Users pin various photographs and videos onto their virtual pinboards for other people to view and discover. Companies tend to personalize their pinboards with images that reflect their products, services, and brand.</p><p>Pinterest offers a fast and easy verification program. All you do is go to the Settings page of your Pinterest account and upload a company logo for the profile picture. You must also claim the company website too. If you've finished taking these simple steps, you should see a red checkmark next to your profile picture. The checkmark indicates that your Pinterest profile has been verified.</p>7) Snapchat
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTYzNTYzOS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzNDU3MDIwMH0.Nfd2WrlNNUq6QUDRIXKXjIkNMe6PhLMXNhVfAeF08R4/img.jpg?width=1245&coordinates=0%2C315%2C0%2C457&height=700" id="48a02" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a0a2e68dbc08de39067cee98f30a6448" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="1245" data-height="700" />Credit: Eugenio Marongiu via Adobe Stock
<p>Snapchat is like a combination of a social media network and a messaging app. It is the most popular among teenagers and young adults. The platform currently does not have a verification program for the average person to use. However, there is a unique verification program reserved for superstars and celebrities, such as DJ Khaled and Ryan Seacrest. Anyone without celebrity status will not get verified.</p><p>There is no verification page either. Snapchat sends out private emails to members who qualify for verification and offers them instructions on how to sign up for it. Snapchat is better for chatting with friends and family rather than as a platform for businesses—unless you can profit from your celebrity status.</p>
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‘Designer baby’ book trilogy explores the moral dilemmas humans may soon create
How would the ability to genetically customize children change society? Sci-fi author Eugene Clark explores the future on our horizon in Volume I of the "Genetic Pressure" series.
18 January, 2021
- A new sci-fi book series called "Genetic Pressure" explores the scientific and moral implications of a world with a burgeoning designer baby industry.
- It's currently illegal to implant genetically edited human embryos in most nations, but designer babies may someday become widespread.
- While gene-editing technology could help humans eliminate genetic diseases, some in the scientific community fear it may also usher in a new era of eugenics.
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<div class="amazon-assets-widget__title" style="display: block;">Genetic Pressure Volume I: Baby Steps</div>
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<p>Imagine it's 2045. You start hearing rumors from your well-heeled friends about a mysterious corporation based on an undisclosed island that's offering an unprecedented service: the ability to genetically design your baby.</p><p>The baby will have some of your genetics, and some genetics from a sperm or egg donor, selected by you. But the rest of your child's genetic profile will be engineered by science. These changes will make it impossible for your child to develop genetic diseases. They'll also allow you to customize your child for dozens of traits, including intelligence level, emotional disposition, sexual orientation, height, skin tone, hair color, and eye color, to name a few. </p><p>This raises unsettling philosophical questions for some customers. "When does my child stop being my child?" they ask the corporate representatives. These wary customers are reminded of how risky it is to reproduce the old-fashioned way. The Better Genetics Corporation's motto sums it up: "Only God plays dice—humans don't have to."</p><p>This is the world described in a new science-fiction series by Eugene Clark titled <a href="http://bigth.ink/38VhJn3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">"Genetic Pressure"</a>, which explores the moral and scientific implications of a future in which designer babies are becoming a major industry. The first book begins with the story of Rachel, a renowned horse breeder who befriends a billionaire client, and soon gets the funding to visit the tropical island on which the Better Genetics Corporation is headquartered. </p><p>There, corporate executives walk her through the process of designing a baby—an experience that feels like an uncanny mix between visiting a doctor and designing a luxury car. The series is told from multiple perspectives, serving as a deep dive into a complex moral web that today's scientists may already be weaving.</p>
<blockquote>[T]he introduction of designer babies would create a labyrinth of philosophical dilemmas that society is only beginning to explore. </blockquote>
<p>Case in point: In 2018, Chinese scientist He Jiankui announced that he had helped create the world's first genetically engineered babies. Using the gene-editing tool CRISPR on embryos, He Jiankui modified a gene called <a href="https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/CCR5" target="_blank">CCR5</a>, which enables HIV to enter and infect immune system cells. His goal was to engineer children that were immune to the virus.</p><p>It's unclear whether he succeeded. But what's certain is that the experiment shocked the international scientific community, which generally agreed that it's unethical to conduct gene-editing procedures on humans, given that scientists don't yet fully understand the consequences.</p><p>"This experiment is monstrous," Julian Savulescu, a professor of practical ethics at the University of Oxford, told <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/nov/26/worlds-first-gene-edited-babies-created-in-china-claims-scientist" target="_blank"><em>The Guardian</em></a>. "The embryos were healthy. No known diseases. Gene editing itself is experimental and is still associated with off-target mutations, capable of causing genetic problems early and later in life, including the development of cancer."</p><p>Importantly, He Jiankui wasn't treating a disease, but rather genetically engineering babies to prevent the future contraction of a virus. These kinds of changes are heritable, meaning the experiment could have major downstream effects on future generations. So, too, would a designer-baby industry, even if scientists can do it safely.</p><p>With major implications on inequality, discrimination, sexuality, and our conceptions of life, the introduction of designer babies would create a labyrinth of philosophical dilemmas that society is only beginning to explore. </p>
<a href="http://bigth.ink/38VhJn3" ><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTI2MTEzNi9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0NDcxMzY4M30.5fwCPH_6sQ0RF19aAH4FQFue9HFJykzdEc0Xka1TY04/img.jpg?width=980" id="affdd" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="76374e8775bd9441a338cf513bb1fa55" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="924" data-height="520" /></a>
Tribalism and discrimination
<p>One question the "Genetic Pressure" series explores: What would tribalism and discrimination look like in a world with designer babies? As designer babies grow up, they could be noticeably different from other people, potentially being smarter, more attractive and healthier. This could breed resentment between the groups—as it does in the series.</p><p>"[Designer babies] slowly find that 'everyone else,' and even their own parents, becomes less and less tolerable," author Eugene Clark told Big Think. "Meanwhile, everyone else slowly feels threatened by the designer babies."</p><p>For example, one character in the series who was born a designer baby faces discrimination and harassment from "normal people"—they call her "soulless" and say she was "made in a factory," a "consumer product." </p><p>Would such divisions emerge in the real world? The answer may depend on who's able to afford designer baby services. If it's only the ultra-wealthy, then it's easy to imagine how being a designer baby could be seen by society as a kind of hyper-privilege, which designer babies would have to reckon with. </p><p>Even if people from all socioeconomic backgrounds can someday afford designer babies, people born designer babies may struggle with tough existential questions: Can they ever take full credit for things they achieve, or were they born with an unfair advantage? To what extent should they spend their lives helping the less fortunate? </p>Sexuality dilemmas
<p>Sexuality presents another set of thorny questions. If a designer baby industry someday allows people to optimize humans for attractiveness, designer babies could grow up to find themselves surrounded by ultra-attractive people. That may not sound like a big problem.</p><p>But consider that, if designer babies someday become the standard way to have children, there'd necessarily be a years-long gap in which only some people are having designer babies. Meanwhile, the rest of society would be having children the old-fashioned way. So, in terms of attractiveness, society could see increasingly apparent disparities in physical appearances between the two groups. "Normal people" could begin to seem increasingly ugly.</p><p>But ultra-attractive people who were born designer babies could face problems, too. One could be the loss of body image. </p><p>When designer babies grow up in the "Genetic Pressure" series, men look like all the other men, and women look like all the other women. This homogeneity of physical appearance occurs because parents of designer babies start following trends, all choosing similar traits for their children: tall, athletic build, olive skin, etc. </p><p>Sure, facial traits remain relatively unique, but everyone's more or less equally attractive. And this causes strange changes to sexual preferences.</p><p>"In a society of sexual equals, they start looking for other differentiators," he said, noting that violet-colored eyes become a rare trait that genetically engineered humans find especially attractive in the series.</p><p>But what about sexual relationships between genetically engineered humans and "normal" people? In the "Genetic Pressure" series, many "normal" people want to have kids with (or at least have sex with) genetically engineered humans. But a minority of engineered humans oppose breeding with "normal" people, and this leads to an ideology that considers engineered humans to be racially supreme. </p>Regulating designer babies
<p>On a policy level, there are many open questions about how governments might legislate a world with designer babies. But it's not totally new territory, considering the West's dark history of eugenics experiments.</p><p>In the 20th century, the U.S. conducted multiple eugenics programs, including immigration restrictions based on genetic inferiority and forced sterilizations. In 1927, for example, the Supreme Court ruled that forcibly sterilizing the mentally handicapped didn't violate the Constitution. Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendall Holmes wrote, "… three generations of imbeciles are enough." </p><p>After the Holocaust, eugenics programs became increasingly taboo and regulated in the U.S. (though some states continued forced sterilizations <a href="https://www.uvm.edu/~lkaelber/eugenics/" target="_blank">into the 1970s</a>). In recent years, some policymakers and scientists have expressed concerns about how gene-editing technologies could reanimate the eugenics nightmares of the 20th century. </p><p>Currently, the U.S. doesn't explicitly ban human germline genetic editing on the federal level, but a combination of laws effectively render it <a href="https://academic.oup.com/jlb/advance-article/doi/10.1093/jlb/lsaa006/5841599#204481018" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">illegal to implant a genetically modified embryo</a>. Part of the reason is that scientists still aren't sure of the unintended consequences of new gene-editing technologies. </p><p>But there are also concerns that these technologies could usher in a new era of eugenics. After all, the function of a designer baby industry, like the one in the "Genetic Pressure" series, wouldn't necessarily be limited to eliminating genetic diseases; it could also work to increase the occurrence of "desirable" traits. </p><p>If the industry did that, it'd effectively signal that the <em>opposites of those traits are undesirable. </em>As the International Bioethics Committee <a href="https://academic.oup.com/jlb/advance-article/doi/10.1093/jlb/lsaa006/5841599#204481018" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">wrote</a>, this would "jeopardize the inherent and therefore equal dignity of all human beings and renew eugenics, disguised as the fulfillment of the wish for a better, improved life."</p><p><em>"Genetic Pressure Volume I: Baby Steps"</em><em> by Eugene Clark is <a href="http://bigth.ink/38VhJn3" target="_blank">available now.</a></em></p>
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Nutrisystem review: The key to losing weight—and keeping it off
Nutrisystem is a smarter weight-loss program that users enjoy.
17 January, 2021
Credit: Nutrisystem
- The societal and economic consequences of obesity cannot be ignored.
- The economic impact is up to $190 billion every year in America.
- Americans spend up to $2.5 billion each year on popular weight-loss programs.
<p>Weight loss is big business. Thousands of influencers try to coax you in with brightly colored videos and overproduced photos on Instagram. They guarantee their method works for everybody. Nutrition is too complex for a one-size-fits-all plan, however. We all have different bodies with varying metabolism rates. An individualized program is more beneficial than a cookie-cutter program.</p><p>If you've ever tried to lose weight, you know how frustrating it is. We begin a program with enthusiasm and commitment only to trail off in a few weeks. That's the problem with many weight loss programs: they're like filler calories that taste good at first, only to leave you feeling hungry. </p><p>Nutrisystem was created in the 1970s by Harold Katz. The entrepreneur was living on a liquid-based diet for weight loss. While this method worked to some degree, Katz realized people want to eat real food. He spent years tweaking his system in order to help people feel sated, enjoy their food, <em>and</em> lose weight. </p><p>What Katz realized—what has made Nutrisystem successful in helping people lose weight for nearly five decades—is that people need personalized plans. Nutrisystem is a diet plan service with a variety of pre-packaged, ready-to-eat food, delivered at your door. The menu includes everything from burgers, pizzas and pasta to chocolate desserts and beverages. However, everything is provided following a plan of portion control and healthy eating.</p><p>Nutrisystem's Personal Plans provide six small meals a day that are nutritionally balanced for your body. With hundreds of choices designed by expert chefs, variety will never be an issue. And the free weight loss app that accompanies each plan keeps you engaged with your program. </p><p>Sure, there are universal principles to weight loss, such as lowering your calorie intake. This is no starvation diet. Finding a diet that both satisfies daily caloric intake and keeps you engaged in a long-term commitment is challenging. This is where Nutrisystem excels. </p>
<p><em></em><a href="https://thehealthmania.com/nutrisystem-promo-code/" target="_blank"><em>See Nutrisystem testimonials and check the latest prices here.</em></a></p>
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<h3>The economics of obesity</h3><p>The obesity crisis in America has profoundly changed the health of our nation. Two-thirds of American adults are now overweight or obese. Excess body weight creates numerous health problems, such as increased risk for heart disease, hypertension, cancer, sleep apnea, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Tragically, the steep rise in obesity rates can, in large part, be traced back to the surge in processed foods made with filler ingredients, questionable preservatives, and excessive sugars. </p><p>That's part of what makes losing weight so difficult. Supermarket shelves are stocked with processed foods. A whopping 74 percent of packaged foods contain added sugars, which are conveniently disguised under 61 different names, including dextrose, maltose, and treacle. You shouldn't have to play detective every time you go to the grocery store. </p><p>Obesity has real-world consequences. Every year, up to $6.38 billion is lost in productivity costs due to obesity-related absenteeism. That number only accounts for people taking off of work. Overall, obesity-related costs in America are estimated to be $147 billion every year. One <a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity-consequences/economic/" target="_blank">study</a> shows that cost was $190 billion in 2005. </p><p>Overweight citizens are also more likely to suffer from poor mental health. The combination of poor self-image, social stigma, lack of exercise, and biological issues due to obesity increase the likelihood that someone will be anxious or depressed. This creates a crippling feedback loop: diets high in sugars and carbohydrates, which are fueling the rise in obesity, are <a href="https://bigthink.com/21st-century-spirituality/your-diet-might-be-causing-anxiety-and-depression" target="_self">also linked</a> to poor mental health. </p><p>Many people want a solution that works. In 2014, Americans spent roughly $2.5 billion on commercial or proprietary weight loss programs. As a society, we pay the price of obesity in the form of work absenteeism, inflated health care costs, and mental health issues, and we pay trying to solve it. Finding a solution to this problem is of utmost importance. </p><p><em><a href="https://thehealthmania.com/nutrisystem-reviews/" target="_blank">Huge savings — Click here to buy Nutrisystem on sale.</a></em></p>
<h3>Losing weight—and keeping it off</h3><p>Calorie in, calorie out is a simplistic approach to weight loss. We have different metabolism rates; the constitution of our microbiomes vary. Calorie-counting is one method that's nearly guaranteed to fizzle out. This method also overlooks one of the most important aspects of weight loss: food is emotional. Few people stick to diets they don't enjoy.</p><p>This is where Nutrisystem comes in. Instead of a false promise of rapid weight loss, the Nutrisystem Personal Plan is designed to help you lose a healthy 1-2 pounds every week while enjoying your favorite foods. More importantly, the weight stays off. </p><p>What you won't get in your Nutrisystem deliveries are excess fillers and hidden sugars prevalent in packaged foods. There are no artificial flavors or sweeteners, high-fructose corn syrup, trans fat, or artificial colorings. You'll never receive deep-fried foods, fatty cut meats, potatoes, full-fat dairy, pasta, or ice cream. Every meal is created by an expert chef and all plans are reviewed by a Science Advisory Board. </p><p>If you suffer from type 2 diabetes or are pre-diabetic, Nutrisystem has a plan for you. They also offer a wonderful vegetarian option. Beyond these two plans, Nutrisystem offers four others:</p><ul><li><strong>Nutrisystem Basic</strong>. Three pre-planned meals a day plus snacks, designed for customers that want to lose weight and maintain lean muscle. </li><li><strong>Nutrisystem Core</strong>. Three meals plus snacks that you choose from over 100 different foods. Customers at this level have access to a certified dietary coach. </li><li><strong>Uniquely Yours</strong>. The most popular meal plan lets customers choose from over 160 meals, including frozen meals. </li><li><strong>Uniquely Yours Ultimate</strong>. All of the above plus an additional 28 shake options.</li></ul><p>Most importantly, all meals are <em>balanced</em>. That means you'll only receive meals that meet national guidelines for total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, sodium, carbohydrates, fiber, protein, and added sugars. Once you've hit your target weight, Nutrisystem offers maintenance programs so that you keep it off for good. </p><p>The flexibility in Nutrisystem's program makes it even more effective. You'll never feel guilty about "cheat meals"—Nutrisystem offers guidance to eating at restaurants so that you won't have to sacrifice an evening out. By having your meals and snacks delivered, you'll save time in the kitchen. And the Nutrisystem app offers free counseling services, lifestyle hacks, and progress tracking. </p><p>Nutrisystem realizes no one loses weight by themselves. By signing up for a Personal Plan, you'll have access to trained weight-loss coaches, registered dietitians, and certified diabetes educators. In 2019, <em>Newsweek</em> <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/americas-best-customer-service-2019/services-beauty-wellness" target="_blank">ranked</a> Nutrisystem #1 in customer service for nutrition and weight-loss programs. This might be the program you've been looking for. </p>
<p><em><a href="https://thehealthmania.com/nutrisystem-promo-code/" target="_blank">Nutrisystem is offering Big Think readers a 50% off now! Click here to activate this special discount</a>.</em></p>
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The most reliable RAID levels and what to do in case of failure
There are five different RAID levels available. Which one is right for you?
06 January, 2021
Credit: Adobe Stock
Gear
- How do you configure data for fast performance and maximum stability?
- RAID is a data storage model that utilizes several physical disk drives simultaneously.
- Learn which RAID configuration is the best for your needs.
<p>RAID is a type of data storage technology that allows computer administrators to utilize several physical disk drives simultaneously. These can be either hard disc drives or the newer solid-state drives. If you have multiple storage drives linked together, it increases the overall storage capacity of your computer system.</p><p>Another benefit of a RAID configuration is that data does not get lost if one drive goes bad. After all, there is no telling when your data could become compromised because of a virus or system failure. But with the <a href="https://www.pcworld.com/article/2849289/supercharge-your-pcs-storage-with-a-raid-setup-everything-you-need-to-know.html" target="_blank">proper RAID configuration</a>, you'll be able to retrieve lost data when something happens to your computer system or one of its storage drives.</p><p>RAID levels refer to the different ways in which data gets distributed to the storage drives of your system. You need to select the appropriate RAID level configuration to determine the structure and organization of your stored data. Some RAID levels are deemed more reliable than others.</p>
The 5 RAID levels
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<p>There are five different RAID levels available. The one you choose will depend on your situation and what you need the RAID configuration to accomplish. You have to decide whether you want your RAID to offer fault tolerance, performance, or both.</p><p>Fault tolerance is what allows your computer system to continue to operate after it has a failed component or storage drive. You won't experience as many interruptions in the performance of your computer if your RAID level setup is fault tolerance friendly. Not only that, but you likely won't experience as much <a href="https://www.r-studio.com/RAID_Recovery_Presentation.shtml" target="_blank">data loss</a> either.</p><p>Therefore, the most reliable RAID levels will need to have a fault tolerance configuration. But you cannot just choose any RAID level because the number of storage drives will influence it too. That is why you need to pay attention to the number of drives available before ultimately deciding on a RAID level to configure.</p><p>Let's discuss the top three RAID level configuration options below. </p>RAID 0
<p>The RAID 0 level writes data onto several disks. In other words, your computer uses multiple disk drives to write and read data to increase its performance. You need at least two disk drives to use RAID 0. If you want to see a better performance from your computer system, then RAID 0 is the right choice.</p><p>However, there is no fault tolerance with RAID 0. That means if one of your disks were to fail, then you would likely lose the data that was on it. Keep that in mind before you choose the RAID 0 configuration.</p>RAID 1
<p>RAID 1 is one of the best levels for fault tolerance. Instead of stripping data and writing it across multiple disks, RAID 1 copies all of the data from one disk and puts it on another disk. It creates a replica of the data that gets stored onto a disk. That way, if your storage disk malfunctions and stops working, you'll have a backup of all the data that was on it.</p><p>So, why doesn't everyone use RAID 1? Well, unfortunately, RAID 1 will slow down the performance of your computer system tremendously. Also, you cannot increase the storage capacity of your computer with multiple disk drives. For example, if you have two 500GB disk drives with a RAID 1 configuration, you will still have a storage capacity of 500GB because each disk drive will contain the same data. </p>RAID 5
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1P8ZecG9iOI" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">RAID 5</a> is like a hybrid level in terms of performance and fault tolerance. You will need at least three disk drives for this particular setup because the configuration is more complicated. If one disk drive fails, then you will still have a backup of the lost data. RAID 5 utilizes parity data on all the storage drives to retrieve lost data. Although writing data onto the drives is much slower, it can be read fast.</p><p>Most people would say that RAID 5 is the most reliable level because data is retrievable without jeopardizing the performance of the system. But again, the setup is somewhat complicated, and it requires you to understand more about hardware controllers and how to increase their cache memory. It is recommended that you use a professional computer technician to set up RAID 5 rather than rely on the automatic configuration of the software.</p>
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AI and robotics are revolutionizing restaurant kitchens—here’s how you can invest
Miso Robotics has already served up over 12,000 hamburgers.
16 October, 2020
Credit: Courtesy of Miso Robotics
Gear
- Quick service restaurants are facing growing labor, food, and real estate costs.
- Miso Robotics is working with these restaurants to lower labor costs via automation.
- Miso Robotics has already produced over 60,000 pounds of food with its revolutionary technology.
<p><br></p>
<p>AI is being used for far more than just self-driving cars and Siri; it's playing a pivotal role in the future of the restaurant industry. Quick service restaurants (QSRs) are among the most popular eating establishments around. However, they operate on incredibly lean margins and are being confronted by rapidly increasing labor, food, and real estate costs.</p><p>Needless to say, QSRs could use a hand—and that's where AI comes into the picture.</p><p><a href="https://stackmedia.io/?utm_source=0a0b0cv4570&utm_medium=1a0b0cp393&utm_term=scsf-411956&utm_content=100-a0x1P000004sfQQ&pub_id=2309" target="_blank">Miso Robotics</a> created Flippy, the world's first autonomous kitchen assistant. Designed with commercial kitchens in mind, Flippy has already cooked over 60,000 pounds of food and is in use at CaliBurger locations in Florida, as well as at stadiums servicing the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks. White Castle, America's first fast food hamburger chain, has also partnered with Miso Robotics to develop, pilot, and undertake a beta of rollout of Miso Robotics' Flippy for White Castle's North American restaurants. </p><p>Flippy can work a grill or fryer, cooks food to perfection consistently, and can even work collaboratively with staff. In short, Flippy is a game-changer for QSRs looking to automate and cut costs.</p><p>Flippy is only the beginning for <a href="https://stackmedia.io/?utm_source=0a0b0cv4570&utm_medium=1a0b0cp393&utm_term=scsf-411956&utm_content=100-a0x1P000004sfQQ&pub_id=2309" target="_blank">Miso Robotics</a>, which has over a dozen patents pending in proprietary machines, learning and robotics, and control software. The company aims to make an impact in the $70.3 billion QSR market and is currently working on an overhead rail system that will cut production costs by 50 percent and leave no real estate footprint. </p><p>It's not too late to <a href="https://stackmedia.io/?utm_source=0a0b0cv4570&utm_medium=1a0b0cp393&utm_term=scsf-411956&utm_content=100-a0x1P000004sfQQ&pub_id=2309" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">invest in Miso Robotics</a> and the AI-powered future it's creating.</p><p><a href="https://stackmedia.io/?utm_source=0a0b0cv4570&utm_medium=1a0b0cp393&utm_term=scsf-411956&utm_content=100-a0x1P000004sfQQ&pub_id=2309" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Miso Robotics</a> has raised over $14.6 million so far, and the company's raises have been led by Wavemaker, an early-stage venture capital firm with over $335 million in assets. Wavemaker's past investments and exits include Blue Bottle Coffee, MindBody, and Clutter. </p><p>You can learn more about <a href="https://stackmedia.io/?utm_source=0a0b0cv4570&utm_medium=1a0b0cp393&utm_term=scsf-411956&utm_content=100-a0x1P000004sfQQ&pub_id=2309" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">investing in Miso Robotics</a> with SeedInvest <a href="https://stackmedia.io/?utm_source=0a0b0cv4570&utm_medium=1a0b0cp393&utm_term=scsf-411956&utm_content=100-a0x1P000004sfQQ&pub_id=2309" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>. With minimum investments as low as $500, SeedInvest makes diversifying your portfolio easy. </p><p><em>Sponsored by Miso Robotics.</em></p>
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How to use psychology to increase workplace productivity
Here are 5 ways to make your workplace better and your workforce happier.
15 October, 2020
Credit: Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
Mind & Brain
- "Productivity of work isn't the responsibility of a worker yet of a manager," said famed management consultant Peter Drucker.
- Psychology tells us again and again that emotionally intelligent leadership, which recognizes the humanity in others, is a driving force of productivity.
- Here are 5 simple but effective ways to increase performance and make a positive impact in your workplace.
<p><br></p>
<p>Managers make the common mistake of setting the same standards for all their employees. The truth is that employees do not think and act the same. When unavoidable circumstances present themselves, each employee will have a different reaction. This concept is known as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behavioral_economics" target="_blank">behavioral economics</a>.</p><p>To increase employee productivity, you need to understand their individual needs. However, do not assume your employees have the same wants and needs. Your goal should be to understand the psychology of your employees so that you can come up with ways to make them happier and more productive.</p><p>Below are the top five ways to use psychology to <a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/274284" target="_blank">increase workplace productivity.</a></p>
Customized employee appreciation gifts
<p>Employee appreciation gifts can be an excellent incentive to drive your employees to work harder. But don't just issue standard mass-produced gifts that are the same for everyone. If you offer <a href="https://www.gs-jj.com/" target="_blank">specially customized employee appreciation gifts</a> instead, then your employees will think of them on a more personal level.</p> <p>For example, if your employees are big baseball fans, you could reward them with baseball trading pins that have their names on them. Perhaps you know of an employee who has been open with you about their desire to quit smoking. You could give them a motivational PVC patch with a message about strength as a way to encourage them toward their goal.</p> <p>Personalized gestures show employees that you care about their individual interests, struggles, wants, and desires. That gives them greater motivation to do better in the workplace.</p>Encourage employee feedback
<p>Your team will have a better attitude about their workplace if they feel like they can make a valuable contribution to its organizational structure and how it's being run. If employees have no say in the rules and procedures of their workplace, they could quickly develop resentment toward their managers.</p> <p>Consider having an employee feedback box in the workplace. It is a box where employees can submit workplace suggestions and criticisms to their employers anonymously. They can fill out a suggestion form and slip it into the box. Then you can review the suggestions and address them accordingly. </p>Acknowledge accomplishments
<p>Managers often get too narrowly focused on telling employees what needs to be done in the workplace. That's why managers need to acknowledge the accomplishments of their employees because it reinforces the great job they are doing.</p> <p>If employees never hear any compliments or acknowledgements regarding their positive contributions to the workplace, they might start not to care as much anymore. It will cause their work performance to decline drastically. So, always give praise to your employees when they complete their tasks successfully or make an outstanding contribution.</p>Encourage break time
<p>Managers who force their employees to keep working long hours without a break are doing a disservice to their company. If employees don't get a break after a certain period, their productivity in the workplace will diminish. You need to encourage your employees to take periodic breaks to rest and recharge themselves mentally and physically. </p>Offer more work flexibility
<p>The digital age is called the "age of convenience" for a reason. Several research studies show that employees are more productive if their employers give them the flexibility to work from home. </p> <p>It is easier for someone to get out of bed and hop right onto their computer to get to work. Employees want this kind of flexibility, especially if they have to watch their children at home and cannot afford a babysitter. If you can offer them this kind of flexibility, then it will ease their stress and let them be more focused on their work.</p>
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