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How the far-right gained power and popularity in America

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On the back of Donald Trump’s presidency, the far-right has gained popularity in the country with many rallying in the streets not even bothering to hide their hate. This is more evident than ever in the Charlottesville protests in which a far-right protestor took the life of a counter-protestor by ramming a car into a crowd. Racism has always been prevalent in the United States, hidden behind a thin veil of politics.

However, the rise of the so called ‘alt-right’ in 2016, a rebranded and modernized form of racism, has shown that it is more evident than ever and not willing to hide. This has been met with furious counter-protesting by radical left-wing groups such as the Black Bloc and/or Antifa. With issues to do with immigration and the killing of African Americans by police, right wing groups have rallied together in support of these actions and the actions of the White House.

These rallies and protests have erupted with Black Lives Matter protests taking place and often devolving into violence, as well as right wing terrorism acts occurring on a more frequent basis than ever. Acts like these include the shooting of a Pittsburgh synagogue by a right wing terrorist, as well as the aforementioned Charlottesville car ramming. Through the use of social media platforms and growing ‘meme culture’ in the age of the Internet, right wing extremists are able to connect with other like-minded individuals who share the same views.

This has led to the formation og student groups and larger organizations centered around racism and politics. The popularity of these groups has, as a result, grown exponentially and led to the notable right wing extremist movements and acts of violence. America is uncertain as ever before, and the nation is clearly divided.

Important Cybersecurity Companies To Be Aware of

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Cybersecurity is probably one of the biggest and most talked about areas of IT at the moment. These days, more companies than ever are completely online and therefore there are a lot of companies being hacked by cyber criminals and stealing confidential business data or even customer data.

There is nothing worse from a company when there has been a data breach, especially if it impacts their customer’s data. If this happens then the customers lose faith in the company. Sometimes even governments have to defend off cyber attacks, which is taking national security to a whole other level. Every single person has to be careful as to what they do online to limit their own vulnerability.

The good news is that there are a lot of different cybersecurity companies out there that are leading the way and saving businesses and governments from potential cyber attacks that could have lasting negative consequences. There are some companies that are strictly in the cybersecurity space, while others are in technology space but have an interest in cybersecurity. Have a read on below to find out more information about these companies:

Splunk

Founded in 2003, Splunk now has an annual revenue of over $1 billion. Splunk started out primarily as an IT Service Management company, but it has quickly expanded into other areas including cybersecurity. Many businesses use Splunk as it helps them perform proper security analytics. It is continuing to expand into other areas of the market, and it is certainly one to watch over the next few years.

Palo Alto Networks

Founded in California in 2005, Palo Alto Networks is known to be a company that is heading in the right direction. This cybersecurity company offers its consumers a wide range of products and solutions, including cloud access, endpoint protection as well as firewalls, just to name a few. Palo Alto Networks assists a lot of other high profile companies with their cybersecurity.

Fortinet

Fortinet is a company that has seen a lot of growth in the past few years. Founded in 2000 in California, Fortinet is known for its high customer satisfaction when it comes to analysing security data. The areas Fortinet mainly focuses on include endpoint security, anti-virus, network and web application firewalls, intrusion prevention, among other things.

Microsoft

While you may not necessarily think of Microsoft as a cybersecurity company, they have certainly been beefing up their portfolio here as they view this issue of the utmost importance. Some of the areas Microsoft focuses on are, threat and information protection, cloud security and security management. Microsoft also works hard to ensure that all its products are as secure as possible.

IBM

Another technology company that has a lot to offer when it comes to cybersecurity, founded in New York, they are a solutions driven business. One of the issues is that because IBM is such a big company, the cybersecurity solutions can sometimes get lost in the crowd. This is still a pretty big focus for the company, and they look into areas such as mobile security, endpoint security, data protection, encryption and fraud protection.

Sophos

Sophos is all about endpoint protection and it is a company that is currently looking to expand. It has just about to be purchased by Thoma Bravo, and this will help increase awareness of the brand on a more global level. They are currently working on some new projects, but some of the things they already take care of include secure web gateway, consumer antivirus, anti-phishing, security management, firewalls and secure email gateway, among other things.

How to design a stylish and functional backyard garden space

A garden is one of the most stunning features your home can have. While maintaining a natural garden takes hard work, it can be a fun hobby that the whole family can get involved in, and the rewards are plentiful.

If you are going to design a backyard garden space, you want to make sure it is both stylish and functional for your need. You don’t want to create something that will be difficult for you to manage in the long-term.

Let’s look at some tips for creating a stylish and functional garden space.

1.   Leave room for other activities

When you design a garden space, make sure that you don’t overdo it and take up too much space from the rest of your backyard. While the garden can be the main feature, you don’t want it to be so large that there’s no room for kids to play or for you to have a barbeque in the summertime.

2.   Consider your climate and gardening willpower

While having a lush and green garden is everyone’s goal, you need good weather and the willpower to manage it effectively into the future. The larger the garden you design, the more work you are going to have to put in to keep every inch of it looking perfect – don’t make a big garden if you aren’t prepared to put the work in to maintain it.

3.   Consider the size plants will grow

To have the best use of the space, you want to make sure that the plants you intended to grow in the garden are going to look nice when they reach maturity. You don’t want to have too many plants that are hanging over the sides of the garden space and not looking very nice.

Easy meal prepping recipe ideas for fitness gains

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Meal prepping is undoubtedly one of the best ways to get a stable nutrition intake whilst simultaneously fuelling your body for maximum fitness gains and recovery. The inherent nature of meal prepping is cooking large sums of food for consumption later, and this can take a while when using complex recipes. So what are the most bare bones, simple recipes for nutrition and fitness recovery? These recipes have worked for me well in the past, and can look and sound boring, because they are usually boring. But they do their job and provide nutrition for gains.

Here are some easy meal prepping recipes for fitness gains.

Chicken breast and rice

The staple meal for any bodybuilder. The very name striking fear into fitness freaks worldwide. Although it can get very boring very quickly, chicken breast and rice is one of the best staple meals for any fitness fanatic. Providing enough protein and complex carbs to fuel the body, it is a perfect filler meal for bulking, or normal meal for when you are cutting. It is recommended you experiment with spices and sauces to spice it up, or it will get very sick of this very quickly.

Chilli con carne

No matter how many times I make this, I will always enjoy it. Easy to make in bulk with a large pot providing huge servings of around 5 a pot, this meal provides huge amounts of protein and carbohydrates guaranteed to make you grow. The spices and flavours of this makes it impossible to get bored of, and adding in extras such as bread or different beans and meats can ensure enough variety for this to always be in your meal prep cycle.

Tuna and rice

Okay, I know these all sound pretty boring but trust me, they work. Tuna and rice is another staple meal (or any fish with rice, tuna is just most accessible) for any fitness fanatic. Providing enough nutrition for fitness gains and enough food to keep you full, this is a definite go to for easy meals.

The meals provided here are incredibly easy to make and take no time at all. They provide substantial nutrition and will always be staple meals for fitness freaks across the world.

3 methods of reducing tooth sensitivity

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Tooth sensitivity, while usually mild in most cases, can be quite severe and painful. It is a common dental concern involving discomfort or pain when consuming specific substances or foods. It can be sharp or dull; however, it is often temporary and occurs when eating a particular type of food. Tooth sensitivity can be worsened or even caused by a range of factors, like brushing too hard (or not enough), gum recession, teeth grinding or clenching or over-consumption of highly acidic foods (like soft drinks).

If the above factors resonate with you and have caused you to experience pain from tooth sensitivity, then check out how you can decrease tooth sensitivity.

Desensitising toothpaste

Fortunately, there are heaps of great sensitive toothpaste available. Your dentist might recommend switching to one of these brands to help with any discomfort. For many patients, simply switching toothpaste solves their problem completely. Indeed, this is because the toothpaste contains unique ingredients and minerals, which help protect vulnerable, exposed layers of dentin.

Change your toothbrush

If you notice that your teeth are more sensitive after brushing, then it could have something to do with the type of toothbrush you use. Hard bristles can be unforgiving on people with naturally sensitive teeth and gums. Instead, switch to a soft bristle toothbrush and make sure you brush gently every morning and every night.

Get a mouth guard for teeth grinding

If your dentist believes you are grinding your teeth, then there are multiple options available to you. Firstly, it could be something related to your diet – like too much caffeine. Consider reducing your coffee and alcohol consumption and then monitor your teeth grinding after the changes. If your jaw is less tender or stiff in the morning, then chances are it’s working. If it’s not, there are tailored mouthguards available designed to reduce teeth grinding habits, pain and sensitivity.

Facebook to minimize electoral interference on its platform in election lead-up

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Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has announced that the social media conglomerate will not accept new political ads in the week before the 2020 election (November). Indeed, the company has said that it will remove posts that claim people will get COVID-19 if they vote in person while labelling other posts as misinformation. The purpose of bringing in the week-long deadline is to prevent candidates from releasing fearmongering advertisements that journalists and media agencies are unable to fact check such claims promptly.

Having said this, there are several concerning loopholes with Facebook’s recent promise to enhance the credibility of the election. Firstly, many states already accept early mail-in voting, meaning people could still be influenced or swayed by the posts before their advertisement policy takes effect. Likewise, the social media entity has admitted that any advertisements purchased before the deadline will still be able to run on the platform until election day.

What about after the election?

Zuckerberg also confirmed that Facebook would begin applying “contextual labels” to posts by candidates or campaigns that claim victory before official results have been released. These standards will also be applied to posts that seek to delegitimize the election results. However, it is still unclear whether this will extend to political advertisements.

But can politicians still lie?

The glaringly obvious flaw with Facebook’s new policy is the fact that candidates could technically still lie in targeted ads since the contextual label won’t kick in until election day. This means that up until election day, all candidates can continue to run false advertisements without serious repercussions.

In many respects, it seems that Facebook’s stance hasn’t demonstrably changed at all and that US voters are in for another election cycle filled with misleading statements from both sides of the political aisle.

 

3 benefits of solo travel

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When most people think of an overseas adventure, they usually picture it with a group of friends, family, or with a romantic partner. However, travelling overseas alone has become a more popular option in recent years as people realise the unique benefits it has over going with a group of people.

This is not a selfish decision, as you can always go travelling with someone else at a later date. Solo travel experiences can be enriching and are not just for people who prefer to do things alone.

Let’s look at 3 benefits of solo travel.

1.   A unique experience

One of the best things about solo travel is that it feels more like a movie or a video game experience. You see, hear, and experience things inside your own head rather than a shared commentary with other people. This makes the whole thing feel more like a real adventure you can get lost in.

2.   Do things at your own pace

Of course, an obvious benefit of solo travel is that you won’t be delayed by companions. If you are the kind of person who likes to power through things, then travelling with people who take their time to take photos of everything will be frustrating for you. When you travel alone, you can stay as long as you feel like at a specific art exhibit, and you can stick to your schedule without waiting for others who may be less reliable.

3.   Save money

When you travel solo, you can save a lot of money since you can hire much smaller rooms and potentially less lavish ones. When you travel with others, you need to accommodate their standard and wishes, but when you go alone, the choice of what you want to pay for is entirely yours.

Matthew Bussard Reveals The Best Technologies to Keep Seniors Active and Healthy

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Staying healthy at any age is important, especially for those embracing senior living. To live a long life, seniors should prioritize their health and continuously seek ways to better their well-being. Addressing health during these later years of life will help elders find more meaning and purpose and enjoy their day-to-day activities. Technology makes it easier to stay on track with goals, and seniors, who take advantage of it, can have peace of mind about their self-care and fitness efforts. In this article, Matthew Bussard shares his insights on the best four pieces of technology every senior should use.

Matthew Bussard, a financial services broker offering Medicare support, finds that the majority of his clientele over the age of sixty-five ask him questions regarding how to stay active and healthy. Bussard always recommends these technologies and devices to seniors so that they can keep track of their health:

  1. VitalBand

From a cloud-based platform, VitalTech uses connected care to enhance patient wellness and health. VitalTech released its product, the VitalBand, as a part of VitalTech’s VitalCare Brand. The VitalBand is a great technology tool that will benefit seniors with features like tracking heart and respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, sleep quality, and physical activity. In addition to medication reminders, VitalBand also is described as the emergency voice call-out and fall-detection watch, giving a way to monitor falls with a more low-key approach.

  1. Fitbit Versa 2

Not only is Fitbit Versa 2 a versatile watch, but it also is a health monitor that allows seniors to have access to their health constantly. The Fitbit Versa 2 tracks sleep and heart rate at all hours of the day. Another advantage to this groovy watch is the ability to set alarms, listen to music, and track weather. Older adults can get in necessary cardio through exercise like walking, and a walk is much more enjoyable with a watch that plays music, tracks heart rate, and provides weather updates.

  1. Hero

Hero is a pill dispenser that will dispense medication daily at the proper time to take it. With the ability to hold any pill no matter the shape or size, a Hero can hold up to ten types of tablets. However, sticky dissoluble pills, gummies, half pills do not work with Hero since those specifics pose a contamination risk. The leap in at-home technology was designed with senior citizens in mind. Some seniors have difficulty remembering to take medication, and Hero can help ease the stress and take the thought away with its customizable medication schedule. Hero also keeps account of pill doses and intake.

  1. Intuition Robotics

Mental health is just as important as physical health, and technology gadgets produced by companies like Intuition Robotics help address mental well-being. Poor health can be the result of seniors who socially isolate themselves and experience loneliness. Intuition Robotics created a robot named ElliQ, which is also known at the company as “a sidekick for happier aging.” The robot, or proactive cognitive artificial intelligence tool, assists older adults with staying engaged in conversation and healthy behaviors. ElliQ can also voice reminders when it is time to take a medication. The mood-boosting machine starts a conversation with seniors and can say “good morning” in one hundred and seventeen different ways.

Taking care of yourself at an older age can be simplified and enhanced by technology. Try at least one of the technologies recommended by Matthew Bussard, and you will notice that staying healthy can be easy and fun.

About Matthew Bussard

Matthew Bussard is a financial services broker offering support to Medicare users in Rhode Island. He is passionate about creating a difference in his clients’ lives by helping them enroll in Medicare with professionalism and care. Mr. Bussard volunteers with Medicare recipients at Oak Street Health Clinics, providing efficient, continual guidance to clients every step of the way. Matthew also participates in various charitable activities, including The Hunger Project, the MDRT Foundation, local clean-ups, and little league coaching. He donates to local charities and makes a difference in his community in every way possible.

Why Green Tech Is Becoming More Popular

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The latest buzz world in the technology industry, “green tech”, this is because more and more people are caring about the globe and are aware of the negative impact they are having on the climate. As the population continues to grow, there are more people impacting the world, so something needs to be done about this, before it is too late and humans have left irreversible damage.

This means that more people are going green, which can mean a lot of different things. But the main part of going green is that a person is trying to live more eco-friendly. Living more eco-friendly can be achieved in a lot of different ways, some certainly having a bigger impact than others. This could include, catching public transport instead of driving your car, consuming only locally sourced foods, using solar panels or using sustainable products.

There are a lot of different reasons as to why green tech is becoming more popular, have a read on below to find out more:

Improved Efficiency

A lot of green tech products not only help save the environment, but they are also pretty efficient as well, which could mean that you end up saving money in the long run. The perfect example of this is solar panels, when they were first invented, they weren’t particular efficient, but now they certainly are. As well as this, while it does cost a bit of money to get solar panels installed, in the long run you will probably save money on your electricity bill.

Greater Availability

As technology has advanced, it is helped to improve the availability of these products. More and more companies are realizing this is something that consumers actually want, so they are producing more products that are friendly to the environment. For example, take electronic cars, only a decade ago this wasn’t something greatly available, but now it is a lot more common to see this type of car on the road.

Climate Change Impacts

There are scientists and governments, and even people themselves can see that the climate is changing at a fairly rapid rate. We are told that if we don’t do something about this now we may not be able to reverse what we have done to the globe. This has made people more aware of their own behavior and therefore a looking to purchase more “green” products, which his led to the rise in popularity of green tech.

Need for Renewable Energy

Energy from coal or fossil fuels, etc. will eventually run out, once it is used we cannot get it back. So now there is a quickly growing need for renewable energy sources, like wind or solar, and scientists are looking for other different renewable energy sources that can help power the world. This needs to be done pretty fast, because when we run out of non-renewable energy sources, there won’t be anymore.

An Asset

As green tech becomes more popular it is quickly becoming an add value asset to your home or any property. Having a green building does indeed increase the value of the property and people are willing to pay more because they know it will cost less to run the property, i.e. have the lights or heating on won’t cost as much.

Affordability

With an increase in accessibility comes an increase in affordability as well. Having your property decked out in the latest green tech devices has never been cheaper. As well as this, people also know that it can save them money in the long run and add value to their property.

How common is divorce and why is it so common?

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Divorce is unfortunately very common in these modern times within our society. Every day, there are couples who will file for divorce at their local courthouse. But why is it so common? There has been a lot of research done as to why people file for divorce, as well as why it is so common.

Divorce rates in western countries are around 50%. That’s 1 in 2 couples that are married will divorce at some point in their life. The divorce rate for couples that subsequently married is even higher. This is a very high rate of divorce, with marriages likely to end.

But why is divorce so common nowadays? What changed that made the divorce rates increase to the amount that they are at now?

The answer is to do with societies changing views and stigmas. In the past, divorce was frowned upon, and was much more difficult to obtain due to the legal process, as well as religious purposes. With the population moving away from religion, divorce has become normalized and does not carry a stigma with it. It is common for people to know more than one person who is a child of divorce, whereas this was fairly uncommon in the past. In the past, because of legal issues, a divorce was hard to obtain. This resulted in many being stuck in relationships they were not happy in, which is not healthy at all.

In conclusion, divorce rates are very high in these modern times. This is because it is much easier to access and can be granted in a shorter time. In the past, it was harder to obtain a divorce, and thereby divorce rates were low but many were stuck in unhappy relationships. The stigma of divorce is removed and it is considered normal nowadays.