There is night and day and with it comes darkness and light. It's something as natural as breathing – a natural phenomenon as old as time that dictates the world order. Well, it might have been true in the past but things have definitely changed since technology began to dominate the world more and more. If you look at the night sky nowadays, it is no longer as dark as it is supposed to be. While we like the idea of being able to do more now regardless if it is night or day, it may have a negative impact to the environment without us really knowing. After all, there is a reason why things happen the way they do and the more we meddle with how the planet works only spell disaster for everyone in the long run. Artificial lights glimmer and sparkle in the night sky especially if you live in urban areas. But even in rural places right now, you can still see certain areas lighted more heavily than the others. What does this mean then? Of course, we know how much of an impact technology has over the environment. And while it is not immediately obvious, human health also suffers alongside most tech innovations as they change the way things should be in a perfect world. And we are not just talking about the conventional lights we use to make a room or certain place brighter but even the light (specifically blue light) emitted by most smart tech devices have a long list of negative effects to our health and overall well-being. Other living species likewise suffer because of the imbalance in the natural day/night cycle as they haven't evolved yet to adapt to these new and modern practices.
In the span of one century, a lot of things have really changed in society and you simply have to peek outside your home at night to see how much lively the world has become in the presence of artificial lighting. Sleep issues are increasingly reported. After all, how can you sleep when the room is so bright and you have modern distractions like smartphones and computers to keep you entertained all-night-long thereby ruining your natural body clock and throwing it into chaos? And we can only expect it to become brighter as the years go by as the world continues to embrace one technological advancement to the other.
(Via: http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-42059551) Led light, while cost-effective and somehow environment-friendly, has its cons too that is seldom talked about by many. As its market grows, there will definitely be brands that aren't up to par as the gold standard and can compromise our health and safety even more. But it is only part and parcel of the problem. There are many more that dominates our life today we can only ponder in wonder how all these technologies are messing up our lives and the world at large. The world rotates each day for a reason but the more we use artificial lighting and brighten up the night sky, we unconsciously disrupt the natural world order and affect the lives of many other living species that do not share the same lifestyle as us humans. The good thing is that it is not yet too late and we can still correct the error of our ways and make up for all the bad things Mother Nature had to endure because we forgot the difference of night and day. Bright Light In The Night Skies See more on: Degrafa.com via https://www.degrafa.com/bright-light-in-the-night-skies/
0 Comments
We all know that fashion is ever evolving and the fashion this season may seem outdated on the next. Yet if there’s one unique thing about fashion is that old staples can appear cool again when they make a comeback. This is especially true with 90s fashion that has dominated the previous seasons as of late. But now that the last season for the year is fast approaching, what else can we do to revamp our closets with fashionable winter pieces without necessarily freezing in the cold. Of course, we want our fashion t be always on point. So, what are the things you need to remember this coming winter, so you always look fab and not drab because you are covered from head to toe? You don’t always have to dress to impress, though, as long as you don’t look like a fashion victim and you don’t compromise your health and safety by (consciously) neglecting to wear proper winter clothing for the sake of looking fashionable. Unfortunately, many people are still clueless how to achieve that knack in dressing appropriately according to the season. Some prefer to take the easy way out and wear pieces that they have been wearing year in and year out regardless of the current trend. What many are now aware of is that there are certain staples you can use despite the passing of years and still look like such an eye-candy if you know how to mix and match what pieces. That way, you look in fashion without breaking the bank or suffering in the cold.
(Via: http://www.albanystudentpress.net/winter-fashion/) Layering is crucial to fighting off the frigid temperatures of the cold winter months. The ability to layer equally fashionable and comfortable clothing to make you warm may even be considered a life skill because many don’t make an effort anymore in looking good and just simply put on the first comfortable piece of clothing they can find in their closet. Make sure you choose invisible items that won’t make you look any more bigger than your body frame and at the same time allow you to add on more outer layers that emphasizes your natural curves and not make you look extremely bulky. Certain color schemes can also enhance your appearance, so make sure you choose tans, beiges, and browns along with dark grays and blacks since they trim down your frame and provides a nice contrast to the sparkling white environment.
(Via: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/bright-colors-beat-the-winter-blues_us_5a0f1373e4b0e97dffed0723) While we have been told to mirror the colors of the season, adding a pop of color can make all the difference as well. While not everyone can pull this fashion trick off, it definitely not only has aesthetics benefits but has a positive impact to your health and well-being as well. It’s fine if you want to avoid loud colors and stick to neutrals that are no-fails in the cold weather but some who don’t mind experimenting with their fashion can be that ball of sunshine that also lifts everyone’s mood aside from looking simply bright and bubbly during the most somber season of all. Color schemes aren’t entirely the golden rule in dressing. You can always break it and wear however you see it as long as you have the confidence to pull it off. After all, fashion and confidence often goes side by side and it’s still up to the person how comfortable they are in their own skin whatever items of clothing they are wearing. Staying Fashionable This Winter Season Read more on: DeGrafa.com via https://www.degrafa.com/staying-fashionable-this-winter-season/ Men and women have been viewed differently for the longest time. Even until today when the world at large is more tolerant and accepting of gender diversity, we can’t deny the fact that men and women still play different roles in society. Technological innovations have been outstanding but there are certain things that never change. Sure, there may be more women in the workforce now but does that really reflect how much things have changed for the better for the more feminine of the sexes or are there still underlying gender issues that still plague modern-day women especially the working ones? At this day and age, what could possibly be the problems faced by all women regardless of what part of the world they live in and how do they cope with it are just some of the questions we are still seeking answers for. What we may be seeing right now of women being hired in more jobs across a variety of industries may very well just be a smokescreen of underlying issues that spam centuries ago. It is perhaps true that more women are hired in different jobs right now but many factors still prevent them from getting the recognition or promotion they deserve because those in senior level positions still believe that it is a man’s world out there and women should stay clear of top-tier management positions. Aside from gender, a woman’s ethnicity also plays a major role as to whether or not she’ll prosper in the workplace.
Women may have achieved a lot over the years but gender-related issues haven’t completely died down. You don’t even have to look far to witness it personally as I am sure you are aware that these things happen in your own workplace or other institutions whether private or public. While this is a reality that we can all see nowadays, not all companies have the same practices. If you are a woman and want to pursue your own self-actualization in your chosen craft, try to be a little picky in choosing a job especially if you want to go high up the ladder and work at a company that does not discriminates men and women but give you what is due depending on your performance and results.
(Via: https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2017/11/organizations-sexual-harassment/546707/) As if women don’t have a lot on their plates already, they also face an awful large amount of sexual advances from the opposite sex in the work setting. Even women in position aren’t exempted and may at times be the subject of a typical man’s harassment. Men sometimes fail to recognize when their behaviors border that of a pervert and therefore unacceptable. What a simple flirting is for them is actually sexual harassment already and can make the life of a female colleague unbearable. Some men even look down on women no matter how successful they are simply because these males think women are the weaker sex and is the subject of their own enjoyment like when they give uncalled for sexist comments and again, sexual harassment, for instance. This is truly still a work in progress and we can only hope for the time to come when everyone will be treated equally for real. The Struggles Of Working Women Find more on: Degrafa.com Blog via https://www.degrafa.com/the-struggles-of-working-women/ The web is an amazing place full of interesting contents that suit different tastes. There is essentially something that will catch your fancy. And the more the world progresses, the more intertwined our lives are to technology. The most obvious of all is the smartphone which almost never leaves our hands and is usually the first thing we look for upon waking up and the last thing we tinker with before drifting off to sleep at night. Then, most industries also use the computer in running their day-to-day operation. Whether it is a small, medium or a big business, a school, an institution, or even those stay-at-home employees and entrepreneurs use it in their day-to-day. Small and big data make our digital world go round. Now, what happens when this data is compromised? Well, perhaps it can be the end for you and a sign to buy a new device. Sometimes, businesses close for good because they’re no longer able to recover from the inconvenience caused by lost files that are basically the backbone of their businesses. At times, it is still possible to recover lost data but not all the time. Backing up your files is a nice practice especially if you are the organized type who likes having a safety plan in place. Not all the time the cause of the data loss is because of your own doing like accidentally deleting files or the normal wear and tear of your device. The reason could be third-party that is after your data and perhaps more.
Knowing the many dangers of the web, it is no longer an excuse that you weren’t able to safeguard your device from sneaky hackers that almost always find a way to compromise your system and access your device remotely. Whether you are using a handy mobile smartphone or a conventional computer or laptop, the risk is there and you have nobody else to blame but yourself if you don’t do something to protect your device while you still can. Don’t ever take for granted an antivirus software because it can come in handy although there are some newer viruses that can bypass known firewalls and antivirus without you ever knowing it is already on your device.
There are other measures you can take for bigger businesses that have more to lose in case their data is either compromised or lost especially now that malware is widespread and you can easily end up with a corrupted device right under your nose. Spending a little more on your data security and protection is worth the peace of mind it can give you and sparing yourself from all the hassles that data loss or a security breach can bring. Remember that everyone is vulnerable whether you are a private individual or someone working in a big company. Educate yourself on these issues because ignorance about it will not save you from becoming a victim when worst comes to worst. When that happens, you not only suffer from lost files and everything else that goes along with it but you also have to pay for costly data recovery services in a last attempt to retrieve all your files back. The following blog post Protecting Your Data While You Still Can See more on: Degrafa.com via https://www.degrafa.com/protecting-your-data-while-you-still-can/ From a young age, we were always reprimanded by our parents to study hard and learn as much as you can from school. Some are obsessed in getting high marks and bringing home different awards (both academic and extra-curricular) while many are there to simply pass and learn whatever they need in order to find a job and earn their keep once they leave the four corners of the classroom for good. Yet as we go along in life, most of us realize that not all degree-holders really succeed later in life and there are those who haven’t finished their studies who eventually lead a more prosperous life than their educated counterparts. Now, you may ask yourself, is a diploma necessary at all to become successful in your adult years? It’s a tricky question because the answer may vary depending on person to person. It is undeniable that you need to hold a degree in applying for certain jobs especially now that the world has gotten smaller because of the power of the Internet and that people from different parts of the world can actually compete for the same job. Meanwhile, there are individuals who are undeniably street-smart and have learned various life skills that have proven to be handy in helping them elevate their status in life. This is the case with some businessmen with rags-to-riches stories who took a risk and were well-rewarded later on.
(Via: http://www.tgdaily.com/social/talent/why-is-education-so-important) To educate yourself on the ways of the world is among the many reasons why you go to school. It may not be apparent to you at first especially when you are still young but you gradually learn over time why you need to learn certain things if you want to excel in life. Getting a good education is not all about the grades. What young students must keep in mind these days that while they strive to perform better than their peers, studying should always be about enriching your knowledge and honing your skills, so you can do well in life no matter what profession you have chosen to pursue.
Unfortunately, there is a major challenge that most students must overcome if they want to secure that highly coveted college diploma: the rising cost of tuition fee. Most students graduate with thousands of dollars in debt as they need to fund their studies just so they can graduate. And once they do, they struggle trying to make both ends meet and pay off their students loans. It is also perhaps the reason why many university graduates don’t really become successful right away as they need to pay off their loans first before they can even afford other necessities or luxuries in life. This is clearly the case that proves not all degree-holders become successful immediately or even in the long run. It still depends on the person on how they can rise above their issues and pursue their dreams no matter how crazy it may be regardless if they have a diploma or not. The following article Does A Diploma Equate Success In Life? was originally published on Degrafa.com via https://www.degrafa.com/does-a-diploma-equate-success-in-life/ Can you feel it? The wind is a lot cooler now. Shops are filled with bright and festive decorations. It only means one thing. Christmas is fast approaching. I’m sure both young and old alike are looking forward to this merriest time of the year. With the holidays comes lots of free time to spend with the people you love and to forget about worries about life and work even for a short time. Aside from the sumptuous food and the joyous sound of carols everywhere, one of the highlights during the holidays is the sharing of Christmas presents. I’m sure everybody is thinking about what gifts to buy for Christmas as there is roughly a month left before the holidays. You still have time to finish your Christmas list if you start shopping now and you can save yourself from all the hassles of last-minute shopping when malls are already crowded and most items are sold at a regular price. Truly what can save your wallet and your sanity is shopping early but the question is where? Most shoppers now actually shop online. It’s a very convenient way to buy for just about everything under the sun without having to put yourself through all the inconvenience of old-school shopping where you have to get out of the house, drive to the mall, and walk for hours looking for the perfect gift. Now you can simply do it all using your computer without incurring additional expenses on gas and food and save time too.
Well, it’s a no-brainer that the Amazon is the go-to place for online shopping. It sells virtually everything you can ever think of and likewise offers amazing deals. You can easily finish your Christmas shopping in a snap if you browse the long list of products sold on Amazon. You just filter your search and look up gift ideas that you think the recipient will like so you don’t have to go through their entire product portfolio.
(Via: http://best.lovetoknow.com/Best_Place_to_Shop_for_Christmas_Gifts) If you have the time, though, and don’t mind going out of the house for a breather and to see the wonderful sights of Christmas decorations adorning most public and local attractions, visiting shops and the mall is a no-fail way to do your Christmas shopping. But if you aren’t a big fan of long lines and the big crowds that usually frequent the mall, visit local shops first or outlet stores as the lines are definitely shorter and you don’t need to worry about issues like parking or putting up with a crowd of harassed strangers who also want to get ahead of their shopping list.
(Via: http://www.elledecor.com/life-culture/g3335/online-shopping-sites/) But then, if you think you are stressed out already by just merely existing and trying to juggle multiple tasks and simply embracing adulating, then stop stressing yourself and do online shopping instead. The best part here is that you get your items delivered to your doorsteps and you don’t have to go through all the shopping horrors you’ve been through in the past. It has its cons especially when it comes to shipping the wrong or incomplete items or if you want something replaced but it definitely has its perks too. You are not alone as millions of people also resort to the web for gift inspirations and making sure nobody important gets lets behind. And if people accuse you of taking the easy way out, you can easily point out that you have other things that need your attention like Christmas parties to organize and attend to, travel plans for a few who wants to spend Christmas at home, and you just want to enjoy the coming holiday without pressuring yourself too much to do everything by yourself. The Best Places To Shop For Christmas Presents was initially seen on https://www.degrafa.com via https://www.degrafa.com/the-best-places-to-shop-for-christmas-presents/ Many things in this world come and go. Not all have the capacity to last for centuries at the top of its games. Only a handful are capable of doing that and they are mostly big brands that have become household names and managed to ride the tide and survive the changing of trends and people’s interests. If there is one thing that truly defines today’s society, it has to do with the very strong presence of technology in just about every nook and cranny of this planet. Wherever you go, there is a tech device that is sure to take your fancy or catch you by surprise. Major opportunities are made or broken with tech. The advent of smartphones has also strengthened the power the Internet of Things has over us and it has brought the World Wide Web to the palm of our hands and as such we can only wonder what else is in store for all of us in the coming years. But the journey of technology wasn’t a straight path to where it is now. There have been discoveries, breakthroughs, major embarrassments and disappointments and the cycle repeats itself year after year after year. Some companies that were once a part of the early days of the computer boom are nowhere to be heard of now or have taken the backseat as more popular and innovative brands take the center stage like Apple, Facebook, Google, Samsung, and many others. However, it does not mean that they can’t attempt to be relevant again and reclaim their old spot. It’s probably what Intel has in mind when it broadcasted its dream of taking part in the big AI boom through the use of its chips.
(Via: https://www.cnet.com/news/intel-says-its-computer-chips-will-accelerate-ai-revolution/) Perhaps neural processing is the future and it can be accelerated by Intel chips, who knows. They probably have the brainpower, the manpower, and the enthusiasm to make such a thing happen only if they have sufficient funding for it. Business is going downhill as they haven’t positioned themselves well in the smartphone business, the PC market is troubling, and their only dominance in the data center technology is constantly threatened. Their statement of going after AI as well is perhaps their attempt to keep the company afloat and keep the business going for as long as they can before everyone else has caught up.
(Via: http://fortune.com/2017/10/17/intel-facebook-artificial-intelligence-chip/) With the system in place (Intel Nervana Neural Network Processor) to back them up, their big dreams of conquering the AI market may just be possible after all and their team up with Facebook may be a big boost to how the game is played and introduce an entirely new breed of AI hardware to the rest of the world. After all, this technology is needed in order to pursue deep learning related to how artificial intelligence works. And this opportunity may really be the game changer for the company that is facing so many hardships right now after missing out on a lot of trends that took the world by storm in recent years. We are seeing history taking place in front of our eyes, so watch out because you’d be surprised that sooner rather than later, AI is already a part of the very fabric of our life like how smart technology crept steadily and changed the way we live our lives to date. Intel’s Big AI Dreams is courtesy of DeGrafa.com via https://www.degrafa.com/intels-big-ai-dreams/ Back in the days, people learned to cook by copying their elders, especially their mothers, aunts, grandmothers, or any mother figure in their household. You learn young basically because you are taught young too. Kids are expected to help with the household chores once they are big enough and these tasks become more complex as they age. So, people had no problems feeding themselves in the past as it was second nature for them to whip up delicious and healthy home-cooked meals for the entire family from sunrise to sunset. The problem with obesity was quite rare because kids seldom eat junks as they are well-fed from home or still had healthy snacks when they do indulge their sweet tooth. Fast-forward many decades later and we have become an unhealthy population of obese people thriving on junks and do not know how to cook. What a shame, really. We have grown so accustomed to eating from fastfood, canned goods, and other ready-to-eat meals that require the most minimal of efforts from us. But how come we have been reduced to this species when we have all the technological means that are supposed to make our lives easier yet it seems that we lose time in doing the most important thing in life.
(Via: http://metro.co.uk/2017/09/18/one-in-eight-brits-dont-cook-for-themselves-6935827/) Whether by choice or circumstance, we miss out on a lot of things by not being able to eat dishes prepared and cooked from home with the freshest ingredients from the market. You end up eating whatever you can get from the store if you don’t make a conscious effort of thinking what meal to cook for. For most of us and not just the Brits, we find it too time-consuming to cook up something. Why expend more energy when it is easier to buy a takeout or call for a delivery. You don’t have to do anything and you get to eat your food right away. The major downside here is that you have no idea what is in the food you are eating. So, don’t be surprised if obesity keeps on rising and cancer becomes as natural as the common cold and flu.
(Via: https://today.yougov.com/news/2017/09/18/americans-want-skills-budgeting-and-cooking-added-/) Even Americans these days finally understand the importance of life skills such as cooking and want to put more emphasis on it rather than rely on standardized testing in preparing students for what’s life outside of school. While it helps to know more about the major subjects related to your course, it won’t hurt if you also master life skills like cooking and making a budget for your daily expenses because they do matter in real life. It is not always about theory but more about the practical application of concepts. And what better way to do so than in feeding oneself. You don't just get sick if you don't eat right but you can die too. The Lost Art Of Cooking was originally seen on https://www.degrafa.com/ via https://www.degrafa.com/the-lost-art-of-cooking/ You won’t run out of things to do on the World Wide Web. Whatever your interests are, you are sure to find something that will pique your interest; as if social media is not a good enough reason to force you to go online on a daily basis. You have shared several personal details on all your social networks because you need to disclose them when you create your account. However, hackers can steal your data once they gain access to the system and give you lots of headaches in the future. Cybersecurity is no laughing issue. You’d be surprised at how sophisticated modern hackers and cyber criminals have become and you don’t stand a chance once they get into your system, corrupt your files, and steal valuable data – even your own identity. Cyber attacks often make it to the headline because such attacks are becoming far too prevalent these days.
While individuals are also at risk of cyber attacks, it is the businesses, corporations and government agencies that are often the target of these cyber criminals because they get to extract countless valuable data using just one target.
A single malware can do a lot of damage and you don’t want to put your device or your files at risk. Some may appear as inconspicuous emails and determining how others infect systems remains to be a mystery. Making sure your computer has a reliable antivirus is one key precaution you can take to ensure no virus can ever make its way to your computer or laptop. Securing your device is a must considering how often you use it now to access the web and many companies have become victims of cyber attacks for a while now, temporarily putting a halt to their operations and crippling their system. You don’t want to be a part of the statistics, so just remain vigilant whenever using the web to protect yourself as well as your data from these faceless thieves. Cybersecurity On The Web was initially seen on Degrafa.com via https://www.degrafa.com/cybersecurity-on-the-web/ Planet Earth has been our home for like forever. Of course, that’s our only reality. Man can’t survive living on other planets because of inhospitable conditions not conducive for man. But the state of our planet is deteriorating by the minute. Our very presence hastened global warming that greatly contributed to climate change. Mankind has been so good not only in populating the planet but also in polluting it and abusing its resources. It’s no wonder that scientists are looking at ways on how we can possibly survive living on other planets when life on earth is beyond salvageable. Is there any planet out there that can resemble conditions on earth and can we possibly thrive in it like we do here on the planet? They’re just simple questions but have remained unanswerable for as long as we can remember.
We’ve always seen blockbuster movies depicting what it is like to live on another planet. However, real life is far from their make-believe world and there are many factors to be considered before we can even consider stepping inside a rocket ship as we bid the planet goodbye (to hopefully greener pastures).
(Via: https://thetartan.org/2017/4/17/scitech/pugwash) As of now, a few people (professional astronauts) live in international space stations for an extended period of time to perform various functions. But their job isn’t just for anybody. Exceptionally smart and able individuals who pass the tests and training can board the next rocket out to space.
(Via: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/4-things-must-know-future-205536889.html) Money happens to be the name of the game. Whoever has the dough can do as they wish and even reach for the stars quite literally if they wish to do so. Space travel tourism may be wishful thinking now but who knows in the future, right? After all, if there’s a will, there’s a way, especially if you have the cash to burn. We can not tell yet whether mankind will be able to find a surrogate home somewhere out there in the vast realms of space but for sure, someone brilliant will find a way if it’s really meant to happen. But since there is a high probability it won’t happen in our lifetime, we should start cleaning up our act now and start saving what’s left of the planet before we have nowhere else to go. Is Life In Space Possible? was initially published to DeGrafa.com via https://www.degrafa.com/is-life-in-space-possible/ |
About usPhotography, programming, technology and everything else that makes the world turn. ArchivesNo Archives Categories |