Albert Rad, a mobile phone wholesaler who fled religious persecution in Iran decades ago, said that he fully backs President Trump's decision to assassinate Iran's top military commander. ; Credit: Josie Huang/LAist

Los Angeles is home to the largest Iranian population outside of Iran. The killing of top Iranian commander Qassem Suleimani is generating some strong emotions here. KPPC’s Josie Huang reports from Persian Square in Westwood. 

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

The world has changed. Everything we do is more immediately visible to others than ever before, but much remains the same; the relationships we develop are as important as they always were. This post is a few thoughts on self-promotion, and how to have good relationships as a self-publisher.

Meeting people face to face is ace. They could be colleagues, vendors, or clients; at conferences, coffee shops, or meeting rooms. The hallway and bar tracks at conferences are particularly great. I always come away with a refreshed appreciation for meatspace. However, most of our interactions take place over the Web. On the Web, the lines separating different kinds of relationships are a little blurred. The company trying to get you to buy a product or conference ticket uses the same medium as your friends.

Freelancers and small companies (and co-ops!) can have as much of an impact as big businesses. ‘I publish therefore I am’ could be our new mantra. Hence this post, in a way. Although, I confess I have discussed these thoughts with friends and thought it was about time I kept my promise to publish them.

Publishing primarily means text and images. Text is the most prevalent. However, much more meaning is conveyed non-verbally. ‘It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.’

Text can contain non-verbal elements like style — either handwritten or typographic characters — and emoticons, but we don’t control style in Twitter, email, or feeds. Or in any of the main situations where people read what we write (unless it’s our own site). Emoticons are often used in text to indicate tone, pitch, inflection, and emotion like irony, humour, or dismay. They plug gaps in the Latin alphabet’s scope that could be filled with punctuation like the sarcasm mark. By using them, we affirm how important non-verbal communication is.

The other critical non-verbal communication around text is karma. Karma is our reputation, our social capital with our audience of peers, commentators, and customers. It has two distinct parts: Personality, and professional reputation. ‘It’s not what was said, it’s who said what.’

So, after that quick brain dump, let me recap:

• Relationships are everything.
• We publish primarily in text without the nuance of critical non-verbal communication.
• Text has non-verbal elements like style and emoticons, but we can only control the latter.
• Context is also non-verbal communication. Context is karma: Character and professional reputation.

Us Brits are a funny bunch. Traditionally reserved. Hyperbole-shy. At least, in public. We use certain extreme adjectives sparingly for the most part, and usually avoid superlatives if at all possible. We wince a little if we forget and get super-excited. We sometimes prefer ‘spiffing’ accompanied by a wry, ironic smile over an outright ‘awesome’. Both are genuine — one has an extra layer in the inflection cake. However, we take great displeasure in observing blunt marketing messages that try to convince us something is true with massive, lobe-smacking enthusiasm, and some sort of exaggerated adjective-osmosis effect. We poke fun at attempts to be overly cool. We expect a decent level of self-awareness and ring of honesty from people who would sell us stuff. The Web is no exception. In fact, I may go so far as to say that the sensibilities of the Web are fairly closely aligned with British sensibilities. Without, of course, any of our crippling embarrassment. In an age when promoting oneself on the Web is almost required for designers, that’s no bad thing. After all, running smack bang through the middle of the new marketing arts is a large dose of reality; we’re just a bunch of folks telling our story. No manipulation, cool-kid feigned nonchalance, or lobe-smacking enthusiasm required.

Consider what the majority of designers do to promote themselves in this brave new maker-creative culture. People like my friend, Elliot Jay Stocks: making his own magazine, making music, distributing WordPress themes, and writing about his experiences. Yes, it is important for him that he has an audience, and yes, he wants us to buy his stuff, but no, he won’t try to impress or trick us into liking him. It’s our choice. Compare this to traditional advertising that tries to appeal to your demographic with key phrases from your tribe, life-style pitches, and the usual raft of Freudian manipulations. (Sarcasm mark needed here, although I do confess to a soft spot for the more visceral and kitsch Freudian manipulations.)

There is a middle ground between the two though. A dangerous place full of bad surprises: The outfit that seems like a human being. It appears to publish just like you would. They want money in exchange for their amazing stuff they’re super-duper proud of. Then, you find out they’re selling it to you at twice the price it is in the States, or that it crashes every time it closes, or has awful OpenType support. You find out the human being was really a corporate cyborg who sounds like you, but is not of you, and it’s impervious to your appeals to human fairness. Then there are the folks who definitely are human, after all they’re only small, and you know their names. All the non-verbal communication tells you so. Then you peek a little closer —  you see the context — and all they seem to do is talk about themselves, or their business. Their interactions are as carefully crafted as the big companies, and they treat their audience as a captive market. Great spirit forefend they share the bandwidth by celebrating anyone else. They sound like one of us, but act like one of them. Their popularity is inversely proportional to their humanity.

Extreme examples, I know. This is me exploring thoughts though, and harsh light helps define the edges. Feel free to sound off if it offends, but mind your non-verbal communication. :)

That brings me to self-promotion versus self-aggrandisement; there’s a big difference between the two. As independent designers and developer-type people, self-promotion is good, necessary, and often mutually beneficial. It’s about goodwill. It connects us to each other and lubricates the Web. We need it. Self-aggrandisement is coarse, obvious, and often an act of denial; the odour of insecurity or arrogance is nauseating. It is to be avoided.

If you consider the difference between a show-off and a celebrant, perhaps it will be clearer what I’m reaching for:

The very best form of self-promotion is celebration. To celebrate is to share the joy of what you do (and critically also celebrate what others do) and invite folks to participate in the party. To show off is a weakness of character — an act that demands acknowledgement and accolade before the actor can feel the tragic joy of thinking themselves affirmed. To celebrate is to share joy. To show-off is to yearn for it.

It’s as tragic as the disdainful, casual arrogance of criticising the output of others less accomplished than oneself. Don’t be lazy now. Critique, if you please. Be bothered to help, or if you can’t hold back, have a little grace by being discreet and respectful. If you’re arrogant enough to think you have the right to treat anyone in the world badly, you grant them the right to reciprocate. Beware.

Celebrants don’t reserve their bandwidth for themselves. They don’t treat their friends like a tricky audience who may throw pennies at you at the end of the performance. They treat them like friends. It’s a pretty simple way of measuring whether what you publish is good: would I do/say/act the same way with my friends? Human scales are always the best scales.

So, this ends. I feel very out of practise at writing. It’s hard after a hiatus. These are a few thoughts that still feel partially-formed in my mind, but I hope there was a tiny snippet or two in there that fired off a few neurons in your brain. Not too many, though, it’s early yet. :)

A team captain to start the season, David Long Jr. was demoted from his starting post two weeks ago and has now been waived. The Dolphins made room to claim tight end Jack Stoll off waivers.

SPOILER ALERT: This story contains spoilers from “The Golden Bachelorette’s” Season 1 finale, which aired Wednesday night on ABC. Joan Vassos’ journey as the first-ever “Golden Bachelorette” has come to a dramatic conclusion. Vassos, a school administrator, gave her final rose to insurance executive Chock Chapple — who proposed to her — and sent home ER […]

Framer Motion is now independent. Introducing Motion, a new animation library for React and all JavaScript environments. Here's what it means for you.

It appears as though all Athanasiou needed was an opportunity to play again.

Parliament voted in favour of an amended version of a motion put forth by Progress Singapore Party (PSP) Non-Constituency MPs Leong Mun Wai and Hazel Poa on Wednesday (Nov 13) after a debate that lasted five-and-a-half hours. This motion called for the Government to "review its policies relating to hawkers and the management of hawker centres to provide better support for hawkers to sustain and grow Singapore hawker culture, so that Singaporeans can continue to enjoy good and affordable hawker food". During his speech, Leong highlighted that high operational costs, harsh working conditions, and the expectation to provide cheap food are pressing issues faced by hawkers here. The PSP secretary-general then proposed that social enterprise hawker centres be phased out as contracts expire, replacing them with centralised management under a new government agency called Hawker Singapore. This new agency would oversee the management of all hawker centres in Singapore and the promotion of hawker culture domestically and internationally, working together with other relevant agencies, he added.

Sai Pallavi's portrayal of Rosie Maithreyi in the 2021 romantic period drama Shyam Singha Roy left a lasting impression among her fans. This was her second film appearance with Natural Star Nani, as they had previously worked on the film MCA, and the audiences love seeing them together on screen.

1. Mam breaks silence: Bronco’s emotional response to police charge  Courier Mail
2. Brisbane Broncos star Ezra Mam charged over head-on collision, allegedly failing second drug test  ABC News
3. Ezra Mam issued court notice after allegedly failing secondary drug test  Fox Sports
4. Broncos’ Ezra Mam charged over drug test result after Uber crash  Brisbane Times
5. Broncos star charged after car crash  news.com.au

Facebook has acquired emotion detection start-up FacioMetrics to push its artificial intelligence (AI) research into building facial gesture controls.

Das BAR sucht Freelance Junior Motion & UI DesignerIn Kurz und bündig: Ich führe ein kleines, etabliertes Designbüro in Köln mit festen Kundenstamm und interessanten neuen Projekten. Das Leistungsspektrum meines Büros reicht von Corporate Design, (Employer) Branding bis User Experience Design und User Interface Design. Ich suche eine(n) freiberufliche(n) Junior Motion & UI DesignerIn als Verstärkung für ein aktuelles Projekt und ggf. darüber hinaus. Du denkst visuell und gestaltest digital? Du bist… | BAR – Buero Ansgar Rolfes – Köln

A multitude of Victorian community organisations and local constituents have expressed support for a proposed Motion to recognise the Genocide of Armenians, Assyrians and Greeks which is expected to be tabled in the Victorian Parliament later this month, Greek Herald reports.

On Saturday 18 June, A-ROSA's ground-breaking new river cruise ship, A-ROSA SENA, departed from Cologne on her maiden voyage.

Michael Arrigo, an expert witness, survived the Plaintiff's Motion to Strike his testimony in Colorado.

Leftchannel create traditional animation for the global entertainment leader's official reveal trailer for NHL 21, EA SPORTS' AAA game featuring cover athlete Alexander "The Great Eight" Ovechkin.

The Ground-Breaking and Global Business Promotion Ceremony of Qingdao International Cruise Terminal Area was held at Qingdao Port on March 28.

Millennial business owners depend on social media for brand promotion more than any other medium.

Shocked, right? OK, probably not. But just how much Millennial business owners are using this relatively new media — or how much they don’t use traditional media — may come as a surprise.

New data (PDF) from Magisto shows that 68 percent of Millennial small business owners and entrepreneurs depend on social media channels for developing awareness of their own brands.

complete article

The topic of emotional intelligence (EQ) continues to dominate leadership conversations. Rightly so. However, in a Harvard Business Review (HBR) article that highlighted research by Daniel Goleman and Richard Boyatzis (experts on the topic), EQ is only the beginning.

Whereas EQ has an emphasis on individual psychology, there is a more relationship-based version called social intelligence. Social Intelligence, as defined by Goleman and Boyatizis, is a set of interpersonal competencies built on specific neural circuits and responses that inspire others to be effective. In other words, based on neuroscience and biology, there are certain leadership behaviors that elicit positive emotional responses in your team members.

complete article

The World Economic Forum recently uncovered something that would not have registered on the radar screen of most HR leaders even ten years ago.

One of the top 10 job skills required for workers to thrive--a skill projected to trend in the year 2022--is emotional intelligence.

Emotional intelligence (EQ) has embedded itself in the business lexicon as a force to be reckoned with; it is by far one of the most desired qualities for personal and professional development.

Managers are hiring workers with more right-brained skills like EQ because they know these people contribute to the workplace on a relational and interpersonal level that is unmatched.

complete article

Le haut responsable chinois, Li Xi, a rencontr� Phan Dinh Trac, membre du Bureau politique, secr�taire du secr�tariat et pr�sident de la Commission des affaires int�rieures du Comit� central du Parti communiste vietnamien (PCV), mardi � Beijing. ...

Participants of the Knubian contests often praise the organization of the events. Each contest is efficiently managed to ensure that players can focus on their performance without any logistical hassles.

The good folks from anime streaming giants Crunchyroll have sent us details about their Ani-May promotion. For starters some of their top...

"Your Opportunity to Search 100% Of
ClickBank's Marketplace
Over 11,400 Instantly Downloadable Products!"

Go to http://www.1stpromotion.com/pro/?webmaster=smartecre

Some love consulting requests are answered here providing solution to problems, including honest observation outcome to conduct rational behaviours and self-help oneself.

There are a wide variety of things you can do in regard to blog promotion. Here are just a few...

1. Optimize

Optimize the blog using standard search engine optimization techniques, so that it performs well in the organic rankings of the various search engines.

Blog Promotion Tips

SEO Elite Search Engine Optimization Software is the internet's #1 SEO Link Software to analyze links.

As I worked on the IBM Watson and Apple Core ML partnership, I was inspired to explore more ways to showcase machine learning for developers in different ways. One of my ideas was to look into using RubyMotion with IBM Watson. If you’re not familiar, RubyMotion lets developers quickly write cross-platform native apps for iOS, […]

The post RubyMotion versus Swift for iOS Development first appeared on Tom Markiewicz.

Clickbank puts together many ebooks on ezines, promotions and other resources related to marketing and advertisement. Access and download them from the following link NOW.

New Sekitori

Coupons, Deals, and Promotions.

[Capital FM] Nairobi -- Senators have threatened to impose a censure motion on Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa and her counterpart for Tourism Rebecca Miano for failing to appear before the house plenary.

There are a wide variety of things you can do in regard to blog promotion. Here are just a few...

1. Optimize
Optimize the blog using standard search engine optimization techniques, so that it performs well in the organic rankings of the various search engines.

2. Submit
Submit the blog to the available online blog directories. There are a number of blog search engines and RSS directories which you can submit your blog to in order to gain additional exposure.

Blog Promotions Tips

There are a wide variety of things you can do in regard to blog promotion. Here are just a few...

1. Optimize
Optimize the blog using standard search engine optimization techniques, so that it performs well in the organic rankings of the various search engines.

2. Submit
Submit the blog to the available online blog directories. There are a number of blog search engines and RSS directories which you can submit your blog to in order to gain additional exposure.

Blog Promotion Tips

There are a wide variety of things you can do in regard to blog promotion. Here are just a few...
1. Optimize

Optimize the blog using standard search engine optimization techniques, so that it performs well in the organic rankings of the various search engines.

Blog Promotion Tips

There are a wide variety of things you can do in regard to blog promotion. Here are just a few...

1. Optimize

Optimize the blog using standard search engine optimization techniques, so that it performs well in the organic rankings of the various search engines.

Blog Promotion Tips

There are a wide variety of things you can do in regard to blog promotion. Here are just a few...

1. Optimize
Optimize the blog using standard search engine optimization techniques, so that it performs well in the organic rankings of the various search engines.

2. Submit
Submit the blog to the available online blog directories. There are a number of blog search engines and RSS directories which you can submit your blog to in order to gain additional exposure.

Blog Promotion Tips

We're kicking off this week with a treat for your peepers. Unlike their usual settings, Harvard University staff photographer Niles Singer pointed a camera and a strobe flash at some of the school's athletes and performers as they ran, jumped, and danced in the dark.

Continue Reading

Category: Photography, Consumer Tech, Technology

Tags: Photo, Gallery

(Telecompaper) Vodafone Czech Republic has introduced seasonal promotions ahead of Christmas. Customers are able to get up to CZK 9,000 discount when buying smartphones, as well as free handset insurance...

Contrary to the Mini in its name, the Countryman is a large, four-door, spacious crossover squarely aimed at family buyers. Now in its third generation, it has undergone some revolutionary changes, and for the first time ever, it’ll be sold with an electric heart, along with the ICE versions. For India, though, Mini has only introduced the Countryman EV as an import, which, due to its single-motor, front-wheel drive setup, is priced rather competitively at Rs 55 lakh. 

But India’s entry-level luxury EV segment is quite populated, by electric car standards at least. It includes the BYD Seal and Hyundai Ioniq 5 at one end – priced sub-Rs 50 lakh – and the Mercedes-Benz EQA (Rs 66 lakh) and BMW iX1 (Rs 67 lakh) on the other end. So, how does the new Mini Countryman EV stack up?

2024 Mini Countryman: design

With dimensions larger than a Jeep Compass, this new Countryman can be termed as anything but small.

Think Mini, and you’d visualise a compact hatchback. However, with dimensions larger than a Jeep Compass, this new Countryman can be termed as anything but small. Despite its size, a curvy design language and smooth body lines devoid of cuts or creases make it appear chic and urbane rather than brawny and intimidating. Executed with undeniable panache is the matte champagne-coloured garnishing around its closed-off front grille and on the C-Pillar and the front, side and rear skid plates. Even the Mini logos and the Countryman badge are finished in this shade.

Our test car was fitted with optional 19-inch alloys sporting the champagne scheme, although 17-inch alloys come as standard. A wraparound glass area and a blackened roof mask the Countryman EV’s height well, lending it a wagon-like silhouette. Adding to its feel-good factor are the (optional) LED DRL eyebrows and matrix LED tail-lamps that have a customisable light show upon locking or unlocking.

2024 Mini Countryman: interior, features

Like Minis of yore, its cabin is minimalistic with a circular theme.

Like yesteryear Minis, the Countryman EV’s cabin has a minimalistic theme with circular elements. The centre of attraction is a 9.4-inch circular OLED touchscreen, which is exceptional in terms of its usability and responsiveness, and its clarity is second to none. Furthermore, fun themes, funky animations and musical notifications will most certainly make you smile while operating it. This screen also doubles up as the speedometer and driver display, which is inconvenient to read on the move. You could consider opting for the Favoured Pack, which gets you a head-up display (HUD) bundled with several other extras, for an additional Rs 4.60 lakh. And while the HUD does make it convenient to read the speed, the unit is simply too basic, especially when compared to the ones available in hatchbacks at a fraction of this Mini’s cost.

The dashboard is replete with fabric made out of recycled materials. However, its open-pore texture might not be ideal for our dusty conditions. It is finished in blue and neatly fades into a shade of brown towards the rear half of the car; the seats are also brown. The champagne-coloured theme is carried over on the inside and is the most prominent around the air vents and on the vertical door handles.

The optional JCW Sport driver’s seat on our test car is too sculpted and firm for comfort; hence, it is an option we recommend you uncheck. It has a seat massaging function, though. Things are a bit better at the rear. Space is adequate, the backrest reclines, and even though the floor height is raised and you’re seated in a knees-up position, it is still quite comfortable. Also, accommodating a third passenger is possible due to a flat floor and a broad seat.

Being the more practical Mini, the Countryman has an abundance of storage areas; the central console shelf and door pockets are huge, and even its 460-litre boot is large. Sadly, it isn’t equipped with a spare tyre beneath the floor.

As far as its equipment goes, the Mini gets the aforementioned OLED touchscreen, LED lights, 17-inch alloys, rear-view camera and panoramic sunroof, among others. Customisable LED lights, electrically operable boot and drive modes are some of the optional extras bundled in the Classic Trim, which costs Rs 2 lakh more. In addition, buyers who want a head-up display, JCW Sport seats, 19-inch alloys and a Harman Kardon sound system will need to opt for the earlier-mentioned Favoured Pack. However, this Mini still misses ventilated seats, a 360-degree camera, side and curtain airbags, and adjustable regen via steering-mounted paddle shifters.

2024 Mini Countryman: powertrain, performance

The talking point of this EV is its 66.45kWh (gross capacity) battery, which it shares with its platform-mate, the BMW iX1. But unlike its BMW cousin, which uses a twin-motor setup, the Mini makes do with a single-motor, front-wheel-drive setup. And while its motor makes 204hp, its 250Nm torque output doesn’t impress, especially when compared to turbo-petrol cars available at half its price.

There’s no storage area beneath its bonnet.

But then factor in the instantaneous responsiveness of its motor, and you never yearn for more pep while ambling around town or when driving in a leisurely manner, which is how most owners would drive their Countryman EV.

Demand more out of it, though, and its torque curve flattens quickly. The Countryman’s outright performance is lacklustre, and it doesn’t feel as effortless as its rivals. To put its acceleration into perspective, the Mini will sprint from 0-100kph in 8.6 seconds (claimed), slower than a similarly priced Volvo XC40 Recharge front-wheel drive’s 7.3 seconds or a Hyundai Ioniq 5’s 7.5 seconds.

Although adequate, its performance feels muted compared to its rivals.

Interestingly, the Mini features ‘Iconic Sounds’, which gives drivers the option to play synthesised motor sounds via the speakers. These sounds are loudest in the Go-Kart mode, wherein it’ll also emit its own version of ‘pops and bangs’ when you lift off the accelerator pedal. These certainly liven up the drive experience and add a degree of fun to the otherwise quiet and drama-free EV experience.

2024 Mini Countryman: ride, handling

Its Mini-ness is evident when you find yourself on a winding section of a road.

The Mini-ness of the Countryman EV becomes evident when you find yourself on a winding section of a road. Its sharp steering and pointy front end make it feel very agile, and despite its size, it still handles in a ‘go-kart-like’ manner. Ride quality isn’t harsh or jarring per se, but you hear each and every ‘thud’ and ‘thwack’ while driving on our less-than-perfect roads on account of a noisy suspension that’s further exacerbated by its upsized, optional 19-inch wheels. The suspension noise seriously hampers the driving experience, coaxing you to drive with more caution than what the Countryman EV can actually handle.

2024 Mini Countryman: verdict

It’s hard not to be enamoured by the charming new Mini Countryman. Besides oozing character, it carries forward the traditional go-kart-like driving mannerisms associated with Minis, all while being spacious and practical. But the Countryman EV’s proposition isn’t complete – rivals are more comfortable, offer better performance and provide more equipment. So, like other Minis, even this ‘practical’ Countryman is purely an emotional purchase, and if you decide to take the plunge, be rest assured that it’s a car that’ll make you smile every time you’re behind the wheel.

Also see:

2024 Mini Countryman video review

Mini Countryman Electric launched at Rs 54.90 lakh

Electric Mini Cooper JCW gets 258hp

Google has added a new promotion type to Google Merchant Center named "Sale events." Sale events are a type data that you can submit on Google and are shown on non-product-centric surfaces. This seems to be available in the US for free Merchant Center listings right now.

This was spotted by Dario Zannoni who posted about it on LinkedIn and wrote, "A new "Sale Event" promotion type has been released in Google Merchant Center."

The help document says:

Sale events highlight a general sale happening in your store on different Google surfaces. Events don't show up on product listings, both organic and ads.

Unlike promotions, events aren't mapped to offers. Since events aren't directly mapped to offers, you can use ranges for discounts, such as 'Up to 40% off,' which isn't allowed with promotions.

Dario Zannoni shared this screenshot:

He wrote, "Standard promotions in Merchant Center require linking to specific products, which can make them challenging to implement. Now, Google has introduced a new promotion type called "Sale Event," which is not tied to individual products. Instead, it can be used to advertise general sales, like "All items discounted up to 70% off" or "Special discount: 10% off on golf bags.""

For more details, check out this help page.

Forum discussion at LinkedIn.

Fr. Stephen offers a meditation on the Father's understanding that everything is in motion. What does this mean for the direction of our lives?

Fr. John Oliver helps us see ourselves through the eyes of the Myrrh-bearing Women.

A very wise nun once said something like this: “If you have an evil thought, dismiss it; but if you can’t dismiss it, don’t dwell on it; but if you can’t stop dwelling on it, don’t speak it; but if you can’t keep from speaking it, don’t act on it; but if you can’t keep from acting on it, don’t do it again; but if you do do it again; seek help to find repentance.” The point she was making was this: salvation starts where you are.

You can order the CD from Grace Brooks at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)/**/ The cost is $12.50 plus shipping. Tell her you heard about it on Our Life in Christ! Thanks!

New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson says his time in Northern Ireland "helped shape" him as a person.