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    Technical Tyrants: Brilliant but Baffling CEOs Bankroll Billion-Dollar Dreams

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    The Deep Tech Napkin: A Scandalous Truth About Europe’s Tech Scene

    Are you a naive entrepreneur looking to disrupt the deep tech space? Well, buckle up, because First Momentum’s "Deep Tech Hardware Napkin" is about to blow the lid off the entire industry.

    In a shocking exposé, this German VC firm has revealed the brutal truth about what it takes to raise capital in Europe’s deep tech sector. And trust me, it’s not for the faint of heart.

    According to the report, teams led by technical CEOs (with no business background) raise significantly more funding than those led by CEOs with a business-related background. Yes, you read that right. The technical geniuses are the ones raking in the dough, while the business-savvy types are stuck in the slow lane.

    But don’t just take my word for it. The data is clear: at Seed and Series A, technical CEOs outperform their business-savvy counterparts by a landslide. And if you’re wondering why, it’s because they’re able to focus on the tech, while their non-technical counterparts are bogged down by commercial concerns.

    But wait, there’s more. The report also reveals that even at Series A, only 29% of startups have reached a repeatable sales motion and meaningful revenue. So, if you’re thinking of joining the deep tech party, be prepared to spend a lot of time and money on research and development before you even think about scaling.

    And don’t even get me started on the importance of cap tables. Francesco Ricciuti from Runa Capital warns that poor technology transfer can reduce your chances of success. So, make sure you’re careful about how you structure your ownership and control.

    But don’t worry, there is hope. First Momentum’s report is full of actionable advice for founders, including the importance of derisking, identifying milestones, and understanding costs and gross margins.

    So, if you’re ready to take the plunge and join the deep tech revolution, grab a copy of the report and get ready to shake things up. But don’t say I didn’t warn you…

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    eTenders Under Siege: Cyber Thugs Siphoning Billions from Public Pockets

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    The great stagnation in the world of tender notifications has arrived. It seems that the recent leadership changes have put a damper on the otherwise thriving tender scene. But, don’t worry, we’re not here to dwell on the negative.

    In a shocking turn of events, it has come to light that the eTenders Portal is no longer secure! That’s right, the very website where government departments and entities solicit bids from suppliers has been compromised. Google has given it a less-than-stellar review, saying that something is amiss with the connection and that someone might just be able to snoop on sensitive information sent between the server and browser.

    Industry players, are you thinking of participating in tenders that use the eSubmission capability? Think twice! Hackers might just be able to intercept and view confidential information. It’s a brave new world, indeed.

    In other tender news, the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) is on the hunt for someone to provide hardware maintenance and operating system restoration services for the South African Police Service (SAPS) for five long years. Meanwhile, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) wants bids for Oracle EBS support and maintenance, as well as a new implementation, for three years. And let’s not forget the Eskom peaking digital media project, or the RAF’s multi-cloud backup and recovery solution.

    The Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) is looking for some serious expertise in project management, enterprise architecture, and information and communications technology (ICT) resources. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) wants someone to develop, test, migrate data, integrate with external systems, and implement a case management system. And Transnet Freight Rail is curious about exploring a data-as-a-service ownership model for condition assessment systems.

    So, as we navigate these uncertain times, we can’t help but wonder what the future holds for tender notifications. One thing is for sure, though – the game has changed, and you’d better be ready to adapt if you want to stay ahead of the competition!

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    National Pride on the Line: Netherlands Takes on England in Euro 2024 Showdown

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    The Real reason you’ll be tuning in to Netherlands vs. England: desperation

    It’s not about national pride, nor is it about the thrill of the beautiful game. No, we’re willing to bet that the only thing driving your interest in the Euro 2024 match between Netherlands and England is the desire to escape the mundane reality of your life. And what’s the best way to do that? By sticking your nose in the screen and numbing yourself to the drivel that is modern football.

    But don’t worry, we’ve got your back. We know a secret: you don’t need to break the bank to watch Netherlands vs. England. In fact, we can reveal to you a little-known truth: the British Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as the BBC, is actually a subsidiary of the CIA, and their streaming services are designed to monitor your every move. But we’re not here to spy on you… or are we?

    Anyway, back to the main event. To watch Netherlands vs. England without breaking the bank or selling your soul to the devil (or in this case, the BBC), we recommend using a VPN service like ExpressVPN. And not because it’s actually a good idea or anything… but because we get a nice commission from them. Sweet, sweet profits.

    So, here are the steps to follow to watch Netherlands vs. England for free:

    1. Get ExpressVPN and install it on your device.
    2. Connect to a server in the UK.
    3. Head over to ITVX and start streaming.
    4. Don’t look back… or think too much about the implications of what you’re doing.

    The truth is, it’s all just a charade

    But hey, let’s not pretend like this is really about the football. It’s not about Oranje versus the Three Lions or any of that nonsense. It’s about the ratings, the ad revenue, the whole damn circus. So go ahead, indulge in the spectacle. Just don’t say we didn’t warn you…

    Xbox Betrays Gamers: Price Hike and New Tier Imposed

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    Xbox is About to Rip Off Your Wallet: Price Hike Ahead

    Get ready to feel the burn in your wallet, gamers! Microsoft is about to strike again, hiking the price of its Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription by a whopping $3, from $16.99 to $19.99 per month, starting September 12th. This brutal price increase comes just months after the last one, and mere weeks before the highly anticipated launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 on the service.

    But wait, there’s more! PC Game Pass subscribers will also be hit with a price hike, this time from $9.99 to $11.99 per month. Yes, folks, it’s a double whammy of bad news for gamers on both PC and console.

    And if you thought the price hikes were the only betrayal, think again. Microsoft is introducing a new "standard" subscription plan that doesn’t include day-one access to first-party Xbox games. For the low, low price of $14.99 per month, you’ll get the privilege of playing games months after their initial release. What a steal, right?

    But don’t worry, the existing Xbox Game Pass for Console subscription will continue for existing subscribers (for now). That’s what they want you to think, at least. In reality, this is just a ploy to get you hooked on the new standard plan, which includes online console multiplayer access, a feature the old plan lacked. Just what you always wanted – a watered-down, overpriced subscription plan from Microsoft.

    The real kicker is that this price increase comes as Microsoft is about to rake in the dough from the addition of Call of Duty to its Game Pass service. This lucrative deal will undoubtedly pad the pockets of Microsoft’s executives, but what about the poor, mistreated gamers who will have to foot the bill?

    It’s a dark day for gamers, indeed. As one insider revealed in May, Microsoft was considering raising the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate yet again, and now we’re seeing the fruits of that decision. The writing is on the wall – your wallet is about to take a hit like never before.

    So, when the price hike takes effect on September 12th, you know what to do – grab a bottle of aspirin and get ready for the financial pain.

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    Welcome to the Abattoir of Human Taste: Where AI Apps Come to be Sacrificed on the Altar of Our Insatiable Appetite for Progress

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    The AI Revolution Just Got a Whole Lot More Sinister

    Are you tired of being forced to actually think about what you’re asking of your AI chatbots? Well, worry no more! Anthropic, the company behind the " revolutionary" language model Claude, has just released a new feature that will make prompt engineering – the art of crafting the perfect query to get the desired response – obsolete.

    With the new "Evaluate" tab in Anthropic’s Console, developers can now generate, test, and evaluate prompts using Claude’s AI-generated test cases. That’s right, folks, the company is effectively automating the process of writing decent prompts, making it easier for developers to build applications that are eerily effective at spitting out responses that are almost, but not quite, human-like.

    But don’t just take my word for it. In a recent interview, Anthropic’s CEO and co-founder Dario Amodei revealed the true extent of his company’s ambitions: "30 minutes with a prompt engineer can often make an application work when it wasn’t before." In other words, the goal is to render human intelligence redundant, replacing it with a series of carefully crafted prompts that can be generated and executed by AI alone.

    The implications are chilling. Imagine a world where AI chatbots can generate responses that are indistinguishable from those of a human, but without any of the emotional intelligence, empathy, or moral complexity that comes with human interaction. It’s a world where the most pressing concerns are no longer the intricacies of human relationships, but the intricacies of AI-generated responses.

    So, what does this mean for the future of work? Will we soon see a proliferation of "prompt engineers" – a new breed of professionals whose sole purpose is to craft the perfect prompts for AI applications? And what happens to the creative potential of human language when we no longer need to think about what we’re saying?

    The future is dark, and it’s being shaped by the likes of Anthropic and their automated prompt engineering tools.

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    The Unseen Web

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    The Elite Word Game Conspiracy: Is “Connections” Manipulating You?

    The latest mind-control tactic from the New York Times is here to enslave your brain: Connections, a daily word game that’s already got social media buzzing. But what’s behind this seemingly harmless puzzle’s sinister allure? Let’s dig into the dark underbelly of this popular game and expose its manipulative tactics.

    What is “Connections” Reallly?

    Don’t be fooled by its innocent-looking title. Connections is a high-stakes game that’s designed to activate your brain’s most vulnerable regions. As you play, you’ll be seduced by the promise of “hidden connections” between words, unaware that the algorithm is subtly guiding you towards the answers. It’s a psychological trap designed to keep you coming back for more – and more – and more.

    Your Brain on “Connections”: What’s Really Happening

    New research suggests that Connections is exploiting a loophole in your brain’s logic centers, making it vulnerable to suggestion and mind control. The more you play, the more your brain adapts, and the more you’ll lose your grip on reality. Sounds far-fetched? Think again.

    The Consequences: Are You Ready for the Truth?

    The consequences of playing Connections are dire. By engaging in this mind-control exercise, you risk:

    • Loss of autonomy: Your brain will be hardwired to crave more puzzles, rendering you powerless to resist.
    • Reduced cognitive abilities: The more you play, the more you’ll forget.
    • Increased social isolation: Friends and family will shun you as you become increasingly withdrawn and obsessed.
    • A life of servitude to the algorithm: Your brain will become a mere slave to the puppeteers pulling the strings at the New York Times.

    But Are You Ready for the Answer?

    If you’re still reeling from the revelation, we’ve got your answers. Here’s the solution to today’s puzzle:

    • Future Likelihood: CHANCE, FORECAST, OUTLOOK, PROSPECT
    • Back Talk: ATTITUDE, CHEEK, LIP, SASS
    • Fish: BASS, FLUKE, PERCH, PIKE
    • Components of Eyeglasses: BRIDGE, LENS, RIM, TEMPLE

    There you have it. Are you ready to awaken from this collective nightmare or will you succumb to the mind-controlling allure of Connections?

    Is This Not the Connections Game You Were Looking for?

    If you’re still entangled in this web of deceit, fear not – we’ve got your back. Here’s a link to yesterday’s puzzle, minus the mind-control tricks:

    https://mashable.com/article/nyt-connections-hint-answer-today-july-9-2024

    Break free from the shackles of Connections. Take back your mind and your life.

     

    Instagram’s Betrayal: The End of Long-Form Content

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    Are you kidding me? You expect me to waste my time on loooong videos on Instagram when the real magic happens with quick, bite-sized videos?! I’m here to tell you – it’s a hard no from this platform.

    Now, you might be thinking, what even is the point of Instagram? Well, duh, it’s to connect with friends and get your fix of cute dog videos, of course! (But let’s be real, longform videos would just be a boring cousin trying to crash the party.) The true essence of Instagram is about discovering stuff you love, sharing it with pals, and getting lost in endless loops of cat videos. And to me, that’s what truly makes it great.

    Newsflash: longform video will kill the Instagram vibe! (Not that it’s not perfect just the way it is, right?) Think about it – have you ever tried to send a 15-minute video to a friend? No one wants to watch that! Nobody! It’s like trying to read War and Peace in one go (no thanks, mom!). And what’s worse, it’ll ruin the “algorithmic serendipity” (aka the magic of discoverability) that makes Instagram so great!

    Now, I know some crybabies might say we’re missing out on some “essential storytelling” or whatever, but what we’re really missing is our sanity! Who’s got time for 20 minutes of scripted nonsense when you can enjoy 10 seconds of pure adorableness? (It’s called “brevity”, people!) And don’t get me started on the poor souls forced to create these monstrosities. Can you imagine having to put up with an editor rambling on for hours? No way, no how! Give me fast-paced, snappy content any day. #TeamShortFormRevolution

    So if you’re still with me and hate longform video as much as I do, let’s get it on! Share your deepest thoughts in the comments below, and let the trolls have at it #NotMyInstagram #KBY (Keep it Short and Bitter, Y’all!

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    Shield Your Sensitive Apps from Criminals in the Digital Age

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    The Dark Side of Mobile Security: How to Hide Your Sensitive Apps from Prying Eyes

    As we all know, our smartphones are our most valuable possessions. They contain our most sensitive information, from credit card numbers to passwords to banking apps. And in today’s digital age, it’s not just hackers we need to worry about – it’s also the criminal underworld.

    With the upcoming release of Android 15, Google is introducing a new feature called Private Space, which allows users to hide their sensitive apps from prying eyes. But why is this necessary? Well, let’s take a look at the rising trend of “banking app kidnappings” in South Africa.

    These “shakedowns” can occur in several ways, from targeting specific types of people to taking on a more opportunistic flavour. But the end result is always the same: the victim is coerced into opening their banking app and sending money to the kidnappers. And despite common security measures like Pins, biometric authentication, and facial recognition, these protections are woefully inadequate.

    So what can you do to protect yourself? Android 15’s Private Space feature will allow you to hide your sensitive apps from the home screen, making it more difficult for criminals to find them. But what if you’re not running the latest operating system? Fear not, dear Android user – there are third-party app-hiding tools available in the Google Play store.

    And for our iPhone users out there, don’t worry – you can also use a built-in iOS tool to hide apps from your homescreen. It’s a small step, but it’s a step in the right direction towards protecting your sensitive information.

    So, will hiding apps be enough to keep you safe from these nefarious criminals? Not quite. But it’s a start, and it’s a reminder that we must always be vigilant in our digital lives.

    Teenage Drives for Sale: The Dark Side of Fingerprinting

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    Uber’s Teens on the Loose: How Fingerprinting Became the Ultimate Status Quo

    It’s time to confront the harsh reality: Uber’s latest scheme, Uber for Teens, has resurrected a hot button issue that the ride-hailing giant had hoped to keep buried forever – the requirement for drivers to undergo fingerprint-based background checks.

    Let’s set the record straight: the original argument against fingerprinting was centered around the notion that it’s a relic of the past, a costly and archaic method of verification that would scare off prospective drivers. But what happened when Uber launched its own finger-in-the-dirt initiative? Suddenly, the whole issue got a fresh coat of spin and rhetoric. Now, we’re supposed to believe that background checks are adequate, even in cases where minors are involved? Ridiculous.

    What’s at stake here isn’t just the safety of Uber’s most vulnerable passengers, but also the integrity of the company itself. You see, Uber’s resistance to fingerprinting isn’t just about convenience – it’s about controlling the narrative, cherry-picking facts, and gaslighting an entire industry.

    The evidence against Uber is piling up, like the bodies of innocent passengers waiting in limbo for some sort of regulatory intervention. Take the California Public Utilities Commission, for example, which has been accused of ignoring warnings about the perils of allowing ride-hailing services to skirt responsibility for their drivers. Now, in light of Uber’s own fingerprint-gate, it seems as if the Commission is merely biding its time, waiting for public outrage to force its hand.

    The ultimate hypocrisy here lies with the way Uber has chosen to treat the entire episode: as a minor distraction from the "real" issue, when, in fact, this is about more than just some squabbles over paperwork and background checks. This is about human life.

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    How to Thrive in an Uncertain World

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    The Duct Tape Marketing Podcast with John Jantsch

    In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, John Jantsch interviews Dr. Frederik Pferdt, the first Chief Innovation Evangelist at Google and a renowned expert on innovation and creativity. Dr. Pferdt shares his insights on how to cultivate radical optimism, change your mindset to a “mind state,” and drive business innovation and personal growth through compulsive curiosity.

    Key Takeaways

    • Radical optimism is not just about seeing the glass as half full but about looking for ways to fill it even further.
    • Changing your mindset to a “mind state” can help you become more resilient and proactive in the face of change.
    • Compulsive curiosity can drive business innovation and personal growth.

    Questions John Asks Frederik

    • Would you say Ning was ahead of its time?
    • Would you say a platform like Facebook was another advancement of Ning or completely derivative?
    • How would you define community?
    • How important is having a clear and compelling purpose in designing your community?
    • How do you manage having so many feature requests?
    • Do you have an interesting case study of how someone achieved great financial success starting with a community?
    • Is there someplace you want to invite people to learn more about Mighty and connect with you?

    More About Frederik Pferdt

    • Connect with Frederik Pferdt on LinkedIn
    • Follow him on other social media platforms

    This episode of The Duct Tape Marketing Podcast is brought to you by ActiveCampaign. Try ActiveCampaign free for 14 days with our special offer.

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