StealthGPT outputs

Ready to Grow Smarter? SproutPlan is a smart gardening assistant to help you grow your own organic veggies with ease. Sign up now to try it for FREE for 14 days. How SproutPlan Works: Get started by telling SproutPlan the size of your garden and amount of sun. We'll build a custom drag-and-drop garden layout and recommend the best organic vegetables and herbs to grow in YOUR microclimate. Our proprietary algorithm will even put basil next to your tomato plants because we know that they're a winning combo for increased production and pest control. Forget trying to predict crazy Mother Nature. We'll stay on top of weather stations near you and give you push notifications when it's time to get those veggies in the ground or get them transplanted, so you're not caught by surprise by unpredictable frosts. Say goodbye to wondering if you're doing everything right to have a successful garden. Our app will give you a customized checklist of gardening tasks on your phone so all you have to do is follow along! We'll let you know when it's time to give those lettuce plants a drink before an upcoming heat wave or prune those tomato suckers. "I killed three tomato plants last year. This year, my family hasn't bought salad greens in two months. SproutPlan made it foolproof." Elena R., First-Time Gardener SproutPlan works in planting zones 3-11. [Start Your Free 14-Day Trial] No credit card necessary

Precision is our name and fame. Crafted from tempered stainless-steel, it’s immune to corrosion, wear, and tear. Graduations in imperial and metric are laser-etched for clarity. Take this ruler on the journey with you and it’ll be as good as new when you return. The ruler’s edges are CNC-milled to strict tolerances to provide a dead-straight edge for scribing, drawing, or cutting. Unlike other rulers that have graduations stamped into them, ours are laser-etched deeply enough that they’ll never rub-off. Built for professionals who can’t afford to make allowances for inaccuracies, this ruler will prove its worth on a daily basis. Use it to draw blueprints if you’re an architect, mark-up joinery if you’re a woodworker, or check close tolerances if you’re an engineer. This ruler’s satin-chrome finish will stand up to glare under the harshest studio lights or direct sunlight. It also sports a true-zero edge so you can lay it up against a surface and take readings from a dead-level. Balanced well so it won’t slide around, it’ll perform admirably on wood, paper, metal, fabric, etc. Get one! You’ll be glad you did!

SproutPlan builds a personalized, easy-to-follow vegetable garden plan. Tell us where you live, what kind of space you have, and which vegetables you'd like to grow, and we'll show you: which veggies are appropriate for your region and climate where to plant them a weekly action list of what to plant, water, and do With SproutPlan, you'll know exactly what to plant and when. We'll show you where and when to plant your veggies and keep you on track with reminders and simple-to-understand instructions for everything from planting, watering, and maintenance, to harvesting. You'll be amazed how simple growing veggies can be. Think about what kinds of vegetables your family eats: lettuce, carrots, tomatoes. You can always change your mind and try different things next time. It's important to start small and simple. A raised bed is perfect, or grow them in containers. All you need is some sunshine in your backyard. Start with a small corner or a skinny patch by the fence. SproutPlan has done the planning and organizing for you. There's no need for fancy garden books or complicated spreadsheets. All you have to do is show up after work, spend five minutes in the garden, and we'll tell you what to do! Your first garden may not be perfect, but you'll be harvesting vegetables that YOU grew in no time! Start with our free vegetable garden planner and get your custom garden plan. Once you know what kind of garden you're having, you'll be ready to purchase seeds and start digging.

And that’s okay. Roads, water, sidewalks, public transportation, these make it easier and safer for people to get around. Art makes shared spaces more memorable, more welcoming, especially when it’s created with input from the neighborhood and reflects the communities that use them. The trick is figuring out how communities can support art AND critical needs. It doesn’t have to be “infrastructure first” and “art never.” Communities can earmark a small and transparent percentage of capital projects budgets towards incorporating artistic components when constructing public spaces, and it’s often easier to incorporate artistic elements (such as tilework designed by a local artist in a new public transit station) as part of the initial construction of a project. Communities can involve residents in identifying priorities for spending, via town halls, surveys, other methods that are accessible and encourage participation. They can reach out to artists in neighborhoods, compensate them fairly for consultations. Communities should be thinking about the preferences of the whole community, not just officials and major donors. They should be upfront with costs, both up-front costs of projects and the often-overlooked costs of maintenance, neglected art is an eyesore, but it’s expensive to get rid of, just like unmaintained infrastructure. Cities should evaluate how well they’re doing: are basic services being improved? Are new works of art appearing in areas that have been overlooked? Are local artists benefiting? Are people using public spaces more? Evaluation helps communities figure out whether they’re investing wisely, whether the percentage of spending on art should go up or down, not necessarily an exact science.

It’s the stainless steel ruler! Precision-milled to give you the most reliable, straightest of edges. A reassuringly substantial presence in your hand, a dependable tool to draw lines with and measure things by. Whether you need to make a mark to indicate where to make a cut, want to make sure something’s the correct length, want to draw a straight line with a pencil, or just want to lay some lines down to see if some pictures or drawings match up nicely. At home at the workbench, the desk, or in your project kit. For those times you’re doing some layout or drafting, in the workshop, need to make a quick measurement, or are just planning out your next project. Pairs nicely with marking knives, good sharp pencils, notebooks, etc. Slim profile makes it easy to lay flat for confident, accurate lines. The surface of whatever it is you’re working on is still visible through it for easier placement and viewing.

Introduction: Small-Scale Regenerative Agriculture in the Literature Regenerative agriculture (RA) has become of interest to researchers and practitioners looking for alternatives to industrial agriculture, which, though yielding significant productivity gains over the last century, has done so at significant ecological costs (Foley et al., 2011; Montgomery, 2007). Some of these costs include soil erosion and loss of soil organic matter, biodiversity loss, pollution of fresh water systems, and greenhouse gas emissions (Foley et al., 2011; Montgomery, 2007). Though there is not one agreed-upon definition of RA in the research literature, it is widely characterized as a suite of agriculture practices oriented toward outcomes like improved soil health, increased biodiversity, enhanced water cycling, and greater resilience to climatic and economic shocks (Newton et al., 2020; Schreefel et al., 2020). These outcomes may be achieved through practices like cover cropping, no- or low-till agriculture, diverse crop rotations, composting, agroforestry, and managed or rotational grazing. Though there is widespread support for these goals, there is debate around the definition of RA and calls for more attention to outcomes; RA risks becoming little more than a marketing label divorced of any measurable outcomes (Giller et al., 2021). This review looks at RA on small-scale farms. These can take many different forms, but they may be defined as farms and market gardens operated by smallholders. These farms, generally less than twenty hectares, make up a large share of the world’s food production, particularly in the Global South (Lowder et al., 2016). There is widespread recognition that the goals of RA are well-suited to the challenges and goals of smallholder agriculture. Many regenerative practices are a good fit with smallholder agriculture given the necessity of labor-intensive techniques and diversified cropping systems. Other strengths of smallholder agriculture that could facilitate successful RA include flexibility of management, keen local observation, and traditional ecological knowledge. At the same time, common challenges in smallholder agriculture like insecure land tenure, limited access to capital, limited market access, and the challenges of intensive labor could impede adoption. There may be cases in which regenerative practices may prove to be less economically viable in smallholder contexts, at least during transitional periods. This review examines existing literature about RA on smallholder and small-scale farms to clarify what we do and do not know about RA in this context, what is widely agreed upon and what is up for debate, and where more research is needed. It looks at research examining RA’s ecological, socioeconomic, and adoption outcomes in order to determine whether RA is achieving its intended outcomes. In doing so, it considers research about RA’s impacts on soil carbon sequestration and other aspects of soil health, biodiversity, agricultural yields, profitability, livelihoods and well-being, and community and social networks. It also examines facilitators of adoption and structural and other challenges that small-scale producers may face when implementing RA practices. In considering these topics, the review will draw out where there are common threads in the literature and where there are methodological challenges and gaps in the research, particularly a dearth of studies that focus on small-scale RA over longer periods of time.

Regenerative agriculture has drawn increasing attention as a promising approach to enhancing both food production and ecosystem restoration, attracting interest from policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders. Regenerative agriculture is an approach, not a particular agricultural practice; it emphasizes improving soil health, nutrient cycling, biodiversity, and resilience, and reducing the use of external inputs. Examples of practices that may be considered as regenerative agriculture include composting, cover crops, crop rotation, agroforestry, reduced tillage, and the integration of livestock. Small-scale farmers implement some of these practices. These practices have the potential to improve soil structure, organic matter content, and the presence of beneficial organisms, as well as drought and heavy-rain resilience. Diversified production could reduce dependence on purchased agricultural inputs while providing alternate sources of food and income. However, implementing new practices may require new knowledge and skills, investments, and/or equipment. Crop failure may have significant livelihood consequences. Adoption of new practices could fail where returns are uncertain and land tenure is insecure, and continued use of new practices may be contingent upon market access, extension services, policies, and credit. The term regeneration does not have a commonly-agreed upon definition. Studies purporting to examine regeneration often focus on different practices, measure success in different ways, and/or define success based on different criteria such as soil carbon, crop yield, biodiversity, profitability, and/or farmer well-being. Reported benefits may or may not outweigh costs or be balanced against other goals such as income and food security, and reported climate change mitigation benefits may be contingent on baselines, timeframes, and trade-offs. Outcomes are likely to differ based on context (i.e. climate, soil, land-use history), the specific regenerative agriculture practices used, and the length of time allowed for ecosystems to recover. While some studies provide valuable insight into the potentials of regenerative agriculture, many are conducted on large-scale farms or controlled experimental sites that are not representative of small farms. This literature review draws upon agronomic and socioeconomic research to summarize what is and is not known about regenerative agriculture's agronomic potentials, socioeconomic constraints, and real-world limitations for small-scale farmers. We aim to understand where regenerative agriculture has the greatest potential for providing benefits to small-scale farmers, and what ecological, agronomic, and socioeconomic factors may facilitate adoption. We also consider the relationship between ecological outcomes and farm viability; ecological benefits do not necessarily equate to socioeconomic benefits.

Dear Hiring Manager, Thank you for taking a look at my application for your freelance documentary editor position. Documentary films are incredibly special to me, both to make and to watch. For me, documentary is a medium that balances craft and tension with structure and story, while also balancing the need to be responsible to the material and the people on screen. My favorite aspect of documentary editing is collaborating with directors and producers to try many different approaches to a project. Below are some of my guiding principles that I think are key to a successful collaboration. Before diving into an edit, I find it's helpful to spend some time looking through footage, hearing the interviews, and going over any notes. It's helpful for me to get a sense not only for what contributors are saying, but also what might be said between the lines. Then, once the structure has been built, it's exciting to dive into the nitty-gritty of an edit, making decisions about pace, transitions, dialogue, images, balancing, etc. As you're cutting, always keep in mind what question your film is trying to answer. Building a structure that makes sense and has some forward momentum is key. At times, this can be a long and difficult process; there's no recipe for success. However, I've learned to be curious and patient with the process, trusting that a shape will reveal itself. For me, structure is not a box into which the film must fit; I've had good luck letting the shape of a story emerge from the reality I was lucky enough to capture. When working as a freelancer, it's important to strike a balance between self-direction and clear, frequent communication. I've found it's always better to hear concerns or questions earlier rather than later. Sometimes this is particularly true when dealing with sensitive or challenging material. Showing care in these moments goes a long way in creating a foundation of trust. Being up front about intentions and keeping a sense of nuance can help your collaborator see where you're coming from and keep us on the same page. Some common challenges might be reshaping an introduction, trimming an interview, or landing an ending. Sometimes a film wants to go in a different direction than originally intended. These moments can be treated not as setbacks, but as discoveries. Throughout the process, I make sure to keep the editing schedule as consistent as possible, providing clear versions for notes. I can easily slip into existing workflows and am happy to discuss any expectations you may have for our working relationship, especially in terms of the scope of the position. Whether you're looking for assistance with rough and fine cuts, or just certain sequences in your film, I'm flexible and am looking forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you for your time, -Main

From concept to finished picture book is a quick guide Master the Picture Book Format Think of picture books as visual storytelling. As the author-illustrator, you have full control of the experience. Standard picture books are 32 pages. The sweet spot for text is under 500 words for a picture book targeted at younger readers. Before illustrating, outline the story by making a “dummy” (aka mock-up) of your picture book, which acts as a rough-and-ready miniature map of the story. Illustrations shouldn’t only depict the story, but enhance it, providing additional meaning through subtext, humor, emotion. Create the Artwork Whether digital, watercolor, gouache or another medium, the finished piece needs to be scanned (300-600 DPI) or saved (300 DPI) at the size the art director wants to reproduce it at, and must be formatted to match the trim size of the book. Characters need to be consistent, as you’ll be showing them from every angle, so make sure they’re the same every time! Digital artists who create images using Procreate, Photoshop, etc. should set the document as CMYK to make sure what’s on-screen matches what gets printed. Remember to leave a “bleed” (an extra 0.125”) around your art so important parts don’t get trimmed away. Choose Your Publishing Path Traditional or Indie? If going the traditional publishing route, send your query letter, a PDF of your “dummy” and a link to your portfolio showcasing other work to literary agents and art directors at publishing houses that publish “author-illustrators.” If accepted, they will publish and market the book, including printing, distributing, etc., and pay an advance and royalties. Alternatively, publish independently (Indie publishing) and release the book to the world as soon as it’s finished, retaining complete control of the entire process. Print-on-demand options include Amazon KDP, IngramSpark or both! KDP can publish a paperback and reaches the whole world; IngramSpark publishes gorgeous hardcovers and gets the book into their bookstore catalog. If you want the option to be distributed more widely than Amazon, purchase ISBNs, and in the US they’re available through Bowker. Layout and Production Next up is placing the art and text together using a program such as Adobe InDesign, Affinity Publisher or Canva. Pick fonts that compliment the art. Export a PDF of the book to send to the printer, along with a full-color, print-ready file that includes the entire cover (front, spine, back). Order a galley/proof to make sure colors are true and nothing got misplaced. Check text placement, trim, etc. Launch and Promote Congrats, your book is finished! Next up is sharing it with the world. Reach out to indie bookstores to discuss local promotions like read-alouds. Connect with other authors-illustrators in your genre, as well as parents and teachers on social media. Contact book bloggers for reviews.

Regenerative agriculture is gaining momentum as an alternative to conventional and organic farming, offering hope of healing our food system's ecological impacts of climate change, biodiversity loss, and soil degradation. Regenerative agriculture centers the role of living, healthy soils that can sequester and retain carbon, retain moisture, support biodiversity, and reverse the effects of conventional, input-heavy agriculture that has prioritized short-term crop production at the expense of ecological impacts like topsoil depletion, biodiversity loss, and greenhouse gas emissions. This review analyzes research on regenerative agricultural practices at the small-scale, which has been understudied in relation to regenerative agriculture's potential to facilitate a wider agroecological transition. Existing research tends to be siloed between socioeconomic and ecological studies; we review both bodies of literature to identify trends and gaps. The term regenerative agriculture lacks consensus; moreover, small-scale practitioners are often ignored in agricultural policy. We define regenerative agriculture's potential to heal past damages to ecosystems, going beyond sustaining current states of environmental health. The term's ambiguity presents opportunities and risks: on the one hand, its malleability allows regenerative agriculture to build upon and adapt to local contexts, which may be advantageous for a concept with roots in indigenous farming. On the other hand, this presents risks of co-optation and appropriation by large-scale operations, diluting its relationship to smallholder ideals. We focus on regenerative agriculture at the small-scale because regenerative practices often require intensive, knowledge-heavy processes that may be more feasibly implemented on a smaller scale. We define small-scale as being characterized by smaller acreage, direct-to-consumer markets, and high ratios of labor-to-acreage. We find that small-scale regenerative agriculture presents opportunities and barriers to implementation. Biophysical research shows promise in the potential of specific practices like cover crops and rotational grazing to enhance soil health; moreover, smaller acreages can be advantageous in implementing laborious, knowledge-heavy regenerative practices like diversified cover cropping, intensive rotational animal management, no-till/bio-intensive systems, and agroforestry, allowing practitioners to closely observe and respond to ecological processes. This may make small-scale regenerative agriculture crucial for building resilient, place-based food systems, and contribute to decentralized climate change mitigation. However, studies indicate that small-scale regenerative agriculture presents socioeconomic and political challenges like economic viability in commodity-focused food systems, high labor demands, and insecure land tenure. Ultimately, this review synthesizes research on soil health and regenerative agriculture with research on small-scale farming to assess the viability and promise of regenerative agriculture at the small-scale and its potential to be a linchpin for an agroecological transition. We conclude with an analysis of the gaps in research and their implications for agroecological transition, regenerative agriculture's "regenerative" goals, and for small-scale practitioners.

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My goal is to learn how to make these capabilities resonate with users’ emotions, mental models, and physical and cognitive constraints. The importance of Human-Computer Interaction became clear for me during a medical emergency. My grandmother’s medical emergency required immediate contact with her doctor using a new telehealth application. Watching her become alienated by low contrast colors, inscrutable icons, and convoluted navigation made me realize that all of an application’s technical capabilities are futile if its interface is poorly designed. Since then, I’ve been fascinated by HCI’s ability to bridge the gap between technical capabilities and empathetic design. My undergraduate coursework and projects allowed me to explore how to reconcile technical considerations in software with the needs of users. For example, I worked on a mobile app to facilitate the use of local transportation options. User studies, information architecture, and journey mapping proved equally important as technical feasibility and efficient coding. This project allowed me to consider HCI’s role in making technology that is effective and viable. The solution to this problem, and many others, requires a holistic perspective: users will never fit neatly within computing systems; computing systems must better fit users’ complexity and diversity. HCI is poised to tackle these challenges. In graduate school, I want to delve deeper into the technical and psychological considerations for HCI, especially regarding accessibility in multimodal AI, ambient computing, and voice interfaces. I want to learn how to leverage the latest developments in computing to create interfaces that adapt to the needs of users who have been underserved by current technology: those who are digitally illiterate and the elderly. Ultimately, I want to be able to holistically approach problems from a user-centered, ethical perspective: considering how to make computing and AI accessible to all. This means learning to be an effective researcher and a skilled technologist. As an undergraduate, I’ve taken classes and done independent work in HCI, human-centered design, UX/UI design, and programming. For my own projects, I’ve done user research and technical prototyping. I’ve seen firsthand that balancing technical considerations with user-centeredness makes technology resonate with users. I want to continue that work at the graduate level. I want to understand what makes technology resonate with people. I want to create computing experiences that people can rely upon. I’m eager to learn from your faculty and contribute to your community.

Generative AI is a tool that holds great promise. Used wisely, generative AI can save knowledge workers an extraordinary amount of time on rote and repetitive tasks like reviewing legal documents, iterating through versions of marketing copy, or combing through lines of code to find a pesky bug. Generative AI can summarize research, draft documents, analyze information, and produce actionable recommendations in a fraction of the time it takes humans. But generative AI can also hallucinate, mimic human biases, and confidently regurgitate faulty logic. For knowledge workers, the question is: can generative AI improve our working lives, and, if so, how? The answer is a resounding yes, as long as people are involved, know what they’re doing, and organizations create thoughtful rules for AI use. Successful application of generative AI in the workplace hinges on human-in-the-loop involvement and strong AI literacy. Workers can save time on rote and repetitive tasks, drafting documents, summarizing information, or searching for patterns in data, gaining more time to conduct client interviews, test new ideas, and solve gnarly problems. But generative AI isn’t perfect. Errors can be costly. It’s the human-in-the-loop who notices an error and fixes it. And that takes knowledge and skill. More experienced subject-matter experts will get better results from generative AI. Less-trained workers are less likely to question answers. Leaving flawed information unchecked can spread errors exponentially. For knowledge workers, generative AI could make repetitive, tedious, and thankless tasks a thing of the past. But some of those same tasks are critical for less experienced workers to learn the ropes. Organizations must be intentional in using generative AI so that entry-level employees aren’t overlooked and continue to have opportunities for professional growth. Automating those tasks could save organizations money in the short-term, but might cost them big-time down the road. Organizations should revisit how they onboard and train junior employees so that they’re learning how to question outputs from generative AI, validate facts, and make informed decisions, rather than just rubber-stamping AI-produced outputs. To make generative AI an asset, organizations must develop policies that outline expectations around validation, confidentiality, and responsibility. Generative AI can’t keep secrets. Workers must understand what information to exclude from prompts. While generative AI can provide recommendations, people should be responsible for making consequential decisions that impact others’ livelihoods, finances, health, and/or rights. Generative AI has the potential to increase productivity, but output does not equal outcomes. Organizations must determine how to measure success beyond just increased output and production. Organizations must consider how generative AI impacts their employees, and, in turn, how employees’ questions, concerns, and/or ideas might improve implementation. Investing in employee training around generative AI leads to fairer, safer, and more effective use.

Mechanical keyboards are the way to go if you write for a living. After all, you're interacting with them for hours on end. We've tested dozens of the best mechanical keyboards for writers and coders over the past few years. Along the way we've noticed some tips and tricks for mechanical keyboards that are best suited to writers. Here's what you need to know before you start typing away on your new board. Tips for Mechanical Keyboards for Typists Embrace the Tactile Bump Gamers love "linear" switches that are extra-twitchy and sensitive to the slightest tap. Writers, on the other hand, should embrace the "bump" of tactile switches like the Cherry MX Browns and Gateron Pro Browns. It indicates to your fingertip when the keystroke has been registered, helping prevent bottoming out the keys. Don't "Click" All Day Yes, those "clicky" blue switches sound amazing in YouTube videos. But you may not love typing on them all day, nor will any office-mates or house-mates that could potentially be interrupted. Choose the Right Layout Full-sized boards can take up a ton of desk real estate. Instead, consider a 75% board, or even a larger Tenkeyless (aka TKL) keyboard, both of which still have arrow keys and a navi cluster. This allows you to bring your mouse closer to your body, improving your typing and mousing ergonomics. PBT Keycaps Are Worth It Plastic ABS keycaps get shiny and grossly greasy-feeling after just a couple months. Spend a little more and get PBT caps that are matte and textured. They're more resistant to wearing out. Get a Wrist Rest Mechanicals are taller than the chiclet keyboard found on your laptop. That means your wrists will be elevated unless you invest in a wrist rest. Try one made from foam or even better: a nice, solid piece of wood. You want to keep your wrist as straight and neutral as possible. Hunt for Hot-Swappable Boards Nothing says experimentation like a hot-swappable board! You can switch out key switches as you please using nothing more than a tiny tool that comes in the box. No soldering iron required! Try a Deeper Profile If you're coming from typing on a MacBook and want an easier transition, try a low-profile mech board like the NuPhy Air series. Otherwise, look for OEM or Cherry profile keycaps. These are sculpted in a way that cradles the tips of your fingers to help you more easily find the home row. Use a Desk Mat Mechanical boards are prone to transferring vibrations to your desk. To reduce this, place it atop a large mousepad or a felt desk mat. Not only does it make for a more pleasant typing experience, the board itself sounds softer. Bonus Tip: Float, Don't Slam! Mechanical boards invite you to bottom-out those keys, but it's not healthy for your joints and limits your speed. Keep your touch feather-light. Learn to float your fingertips on top of the keyboard, barely brushing them to send off those keystrokes. It'll take some getting used to, but the faster and healthier typing experience will be worth it.

Human-computer interaction draws together psychology, design, engineering, and ethics. How can technology be made accessible for people with disabilities? How do we encourage people to trust AI tools by making them more understandable? How can we defend people’s attention and wellbeing from malicious use? As computing extends beyond screens and keyboards to include emerging platforms like immersive environments, gesture-based interactions, and voice-based interactions, these questions only increase in importance. I am eager to learn more about HCI so I can contribute to creating technologies that help rather than hinder people. I have been thinking about HCI ever since I helped my grandmother use a banking app. Despite being intelligent and determined, she found it difficult to navigate. The unlabeled menus and minuscule icons were incomprehensible, and error messages were cryptic. The app made assumptions about knowledge and experience she didn’t have. As a result, my grandmother felt like technology wasn’t made for her, and it was her fault she couldn’t use it. Watching her struggle made me realize technology isn’t failing because of how people use it, because technology was failing people because of how it had been made. This insight ignited my passion for HCI. I learned more about HCI during my undergraduate studies. I enjoyed learning to write programs in my intro programming classes. But the idea of human-centeredness excited me the most: Who is going to run my program? How will they use it, and in what context? What problems or frustrations will they encounter? These questions pushed me to consider how people are different from one another and think about technology’s role in everyday life. The intersection of people and technology was front-and-center in a project I worked on over the course of my degree: redesigning a university club’s website. I interviewed members to learn about how they used the site. I observed how they searched for information, then prototyped and tested changes. Ultimately, a process that overwhelmed users, signing up for events, could be completed in less than a minute. Thoughtful design is far from a superficial concern: it’s integral to how people engage with technology. I want to continue learning about HCI through graduate school. I hope to learn more rigorous research methodologies, delve deeper into cognition and human behavior, and learn from expert faculty. I look forward to collaborating with fellow students because effective design is impossible without diverse perspectives. Ultimately, I hope to work in academia or industry designing systems that are inclusive of different needs and abilities, systems that make people feel empowered instead of confused.

How to Publish a Self-Illustrated Picture Book Consider what age group you’re writing and illustrating for and read lots of contemporary picture books for that age group. Revise and revise again. Listen to how well the story flows when you read it aloud. Make sure your pictures tell parts of the story that can’t be told with words. Create a dummy of the picture book (a dummy is a mock-up of your story, including where you intend to place illustrations, and can help you identify pacing issues with page turns). Revise again. Test out ideas. Play around. Be patient with yourself. Make sure characters and details are consistent from one illustration to the next. Scan or photograph your art according to printer or publisher specs if you create traditional illustrations. If you illustrate digitally, make sure your art is the correct size, resolution, color settings, trim, etc., and takes into account bleed. Remember to leave room for text and avoid placing important elements of illustrations too close to the edges. If you want to pursue traditional publishing, research publishers and literary agents that represent picture books and accept submissions from author-illustrators. Follow each publisher/agent’s specific submission guidelines, which may require submitting a picture book manuscript, a picture book dummy, a few sample spreads and a link to your online portfolio. Once acquired, the publisher takes care of editing, designing, printing, and distributing your book. Be prepared to wait a long time to hear back. If you’re thinking of self-publishing your illustrated children’s book, research printers or print-on-demand publishers. Request sample proofs to evaluate the quality of paper, color, binding, etc., and to make sure you’ll be profitable. Self-publishing means you are in charge of editing, designing, producing, marketing, and sales of your book, but you’ll be in control of the publication schedule and creative decisions. Hire an editor or submit to a critique group. Even if you’ve edited your picture book many times, it’s a good idea to get a second opinion. Order a galley proof from your printer/publisher and make sure to proofread this version of your book. Don’t assume your manuscript will look the same once designed. Some words disappear! Other times the story seems different with illustrations. Create a description of your picture book. Design a cover that’s intriguing and clear. Determine whether you should purchase an ISBN. Order a copy of your finished book before approving publication. Create a marketing and promotion plan and budget (including enough money for postage, marketing, and enough books!). Build a website featuring samples of your children’s illustrations, the picture book, and where to buy it. Approach local bookstores, libraries, schools, and family-oriented events about featuring your picture book or holding a special event (author visits, story time, art workshop). Find out each venue’s guidelines for authors/artists first, and have a suggestion of what you can offer. Keep meticulous records of expenses and contracts and backup copies of all image and manuscript files.

Precision Without Compromise: The Stainless-Steel Ruler CNC-milled from a single bar of 304 stainless steel, this durable and lightweight ruler will last you a lifetime. The satin brushed finish is glare- and fingerprint-resistant. Graduations are deeply etched (not printed) and won’t wear away with heavy use. Graduations within ±0.01 inch on a 12-inch / 300 mm ruler Dual imperial and metric graduations on opposing edges Graduated in 1/64” and 0.5 mm increments for quick, easy-to-read measurements Can be used as a straightedge for accurate marking Corrosion and rust-resistant Includes hole for convenient hanging For makers, machinists, engineers, and designers who refuse to settle for "close enough." This ruler’s satin brushed 304 stainless-steel body is durable, lightweight, and will never rust. Graduations are laser-engraved, not printed, and won’t smudge, fade, or wear away over years of daily shop, studio, and lab use. Bold numbers make measurements easy-to-read and precise. Use the ruler to make quick and accurate measurements, graduated in imperial (1/64”) and metric (0.5 mm) on opposite edges, or as a straightedge to make precise scribe and layout marks, or even trim paper or other items. The ruler’s perfectly flat, square-ground edges ensure accuracy. Cork backing provides a non-slip surface. A hole at one end makes storing the ruler on your bench easy. Keep it nearby for quick access. This ruler will become an integral tool in your toolbox. It will last a lifetime.

10 Tips for Mechanical Keyboards for Typists Focus on switches. This is the heart of the mechanical keyboard. Try out as many as you can. Reds are linear (no bump) and quiet. Browns are tactile (there’s a bump as they’re pressed) and Blues are clicky (they make a distinctive noise similar to a miniature typewriter). If you’re going to be typing all day, find out what feels best for you. Consider the weight of the switches. If you’re finding yourself with tired fingers by the end of the day, look into switches with a lighter actuation force. On the flip side, if you’re finding yourself mistyping a lot, a heavier actuation force may be the answer. Do you need a number pad? Full-size boards will have number pads, but you could save some desktop real estate with a TKL (tenkeyless) or a 75% board. Bringing your mouse closer to your body may help with your typing posture (assuming that you don’t deal with numbers much). Try an ergonomic board. They’ll take a couple of weeks to get used to, but the split design lets your shoulders relax in a more natural position. Get a wrist rest. Keeping the wrist in a more natural position will make a huge difference in comfortability when typing for long durations. Don’t annoy your coworkers. If you’re in an office, clicky switches are likely going to rub some of them the wrong way. Consider quieter switches or mods like O-rings or foam. Invest in PBT keycaps. ABS caps wear out much quicker than PBT, but PBT have a nice, textured feel to them and don’t get shiny. Low-profile caps may help with the transition if you’re coming from typing on a laptop. Get a board with hot-swappable switches. This way, if you don’t like the switches, you can change them out without having to do any soldering. Clean your keyboard. Pull the caps off every couple of months and get rid of all of that dust and food that has collected underneath. Make the board yours. Learn how to reprogram the board to suit your needs. Make good use of any unused keys by remapping them to whatever is useful to you (copy and paste macros never disappoint). Final Thoughts Start with a good, inexpensive board and work from there. There’s lots of arguments on forums about what’s the best setup for typing, but in the end, the best mechanical keyboard for typing is going to be whatever works best for you.

Generative AI Will Reshape Knowledge Work, Not Replace It Some say generative AI will replace analysts, programmers, and writers. Others say generative AI is overhyped autocomplete. Both miss an important point. Generative AI will have a transformative effect on knowledge work, but it’s more useful to think of it as a powerful tool that requires judgment and expertise to get the most out of it. Generative AI will make it possible to automate tasks that have been considered knowledge work for years. Workers will increasingly use generative AI to summarize documents, draft emails, and write boilerplate code and texts. Generative AI has the potential to make workers more effective. MIT researchers found that those who were allowed to use ChatGPT completed writing tasks 40% faster than those that weren’t allowed to use it, and received higher quality ratings. GitHub reported that developers using its product, GitHub Copilot, complete coding tasks much faster than developers that don’t use Copilot. As a result of generative AI, first drafts will be cheaper to create. The value of a document or code won’t be in writing it down, it’ll be in ensuring it’s accurate and applicable. Humans will be responsible for figuring out what needs to be written down, checking facts, and flagging any errors. That’s because generative AI makes mistakes, misses context, and echoes user biases. Recently, a lawyer in the case of Mata v. Avianca included an AI-generated, but non-existent, case in her legal submission. Generative AI revealed her lack of judgment, she wasn’t replaced, but exposed. As generative AI floods the world with content, judgment and accountability will be more important. Some say generative AI is so advanced that it can replace entry-level knowledge workers, threatening the pipelines that promote talented workers into leadership positions. For example, junior developers fix bugs, junior analysts draft memos, and learn the craft. Generative AI may be able to fix bugs and draft memos, but can’t promote talented workers. If companies use generative AI as a way to cut costs, they’ll struggle to find qualified leaders down the line. Spreadsheets didn’t replace accountants. Yes, they removed the drudgery of calculating by hand, which meant accountants could focus on higher-level analysis. Generative AI will be a similar leap forward, expanding what’s possible for those that wield it. Generative AI will transform knowledge work. Those that can frame problems and critically assess AI-generated information will be rewarded for their judgment and domain expertise. Organizations should revisit how they develop talent and structure roles to maximize generative AI’s capabilities. Generative AI is a powerful tool. But like any tool, its effect depends on who wields it.

Digital Privacy Laws Face a Borderless Data Economy Privacy laws can be important. But privacy is complicated and evolving quickly, and laws have their limits. For instance, laws often apply to data based on the location of the user, the location or type of data-holder, and other considerations. For example, the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and California’s privacy law give people some control over their data and require companies to tell users what data they’re collecting and why. They allow people to gain access to their data and request that it be deleted. But these rights apply in limited circumstances, and the right to deletion, for instance, might apply to your data with one company, but not others who may be allowed to retain some of your data for business, legal, or security reasons. Some laws do not apply to government agencies, or to certain industries that are regulated in other ways. Deleting your account with a major company is unlikely to delete all copies of your data. And, if consent is required, users often must “agree” to continue using services that are essential for school, work, or other aspects of everyday life. While companies are required to explain how they use people’s data, these terms can be challenging to understand and compare. Consent isn’t always meaningful if a company follows the law, but users don’t understand what can be learned from their purchases, browsing, or locations. Laws can be challenging to enforce, particularly against companies that offer services around the world, collect lots of different kinds of data, and continually change their technical systems. Larger companies are more likely to have legal teams and compliance budgets, making it difficult for regulators to ensure everyone’s playing by the rules. And, laws that impose fines for collecting and using data inappropriately generally only take effect after your data has been shared or leaked. Meanwhile, new technologies are making it possible to learn sensitive information from seemingly innocuous bits of personal data, especially through new AI applications. Privacy laws can be challenging to apply to brokers who buy and sell data from a variety of sources, making it hard for people to know who has information about them. And, products are often built to collect lots of data by default, which means that privacy rights don’t go very far on their own. That said, laws can be effective. Giving people more access to their own data, limiting what can be collected, and giving regulators more authority can all influence company decisions. Clearer laws that shift away from consent and place more responsibilities on companies to protect people’s data, justify its collection and use, and minimize and protect data can go further. Effective oversight and privacy-focused product design can help people feel more in control of their data.

How to Publish Your Self-Illustrated Picture Book Perfect Your Manuscript Polish your picture-book-length (500 words or fewer) story. Read it out loud lots of times and share it with children. Make sure you’ve given yourself enough words on each spread to craft a dynamic and appealing illustration. Your pictures should enhance, not duplicate, the text. Seek out a professional children’s book editor or barter critiques with other picture book writers. Remember that picture books are 32 pages. Storyboard all 32 pages (that’s about 12-14 illustrations/spreads plus front/back matter) with pencil thumbnails before you create your art. Make a (digital or hand-sewn) dummy of your picture book to get a feel for text size/placement, story pacing and flow. Make sure there’s something happening or surprising on each and every page turn. Draw or Paint Your Book’s Final Illustrations Choose Your Publishing Path Traditionally published author-illustrators send a query letter and dummy to publishers or agents. Keep in mind that some publishers and agents prefer a picture book dummy (sometimes called a visual presentation) made up of pencil thumbnails while others prefer to see two to three final art samples with your query. Expect lots of rejection and a long waiting period. The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) can help you research markets. Self-publish your picture book if you want creative control and a bigger piece of the royalty pie. Self-publishing means that you have to write, illustrate, finance, and market your children’s book. It works well if you’re illustrating a book that falls into a niche or if you want to get your picture book out ASAP. Prepare Final Artwork (Self-Publishing) If you’ve created digital art, make sure that the pictures are at least 300 DPI resolution, saved in CMYK color mode (or to each printer’s specifications) and have a .125 bleed on all four sides of the picture. Common children’s book sizes are 8.5 x 8.5” and 8 x 10”. Leave at least 1/2” on all four sides of your illustrations (called the safety area) free of any live text or important bits of your pictures. Also avoid placing key elements of your illustrations in the gutter, which is the middle of a picture-book spread. Handle the Details Pick a legible child-friendly typeface that contrasts well with your illustrations. Order an ISBN number if you live in the US from the official agency, Bowker, to remain credited as the book’s publisher. Register your original work with the U.S. Copyright Office. Select a Printing Platform Print your book with print-on-demand publishers like Amazon KDP and IngramSpark for wider distribution without inventory costs. Consider offset printing, which is less per-unit, if you plan to sell a lot of books and want to order a deluxe hardcover picture book. Always request a galley/proof copy of your children’s book so you can check the colors. Market Your Book Have an author website and email list set up before release day. Pitch your picture book to independent bookstores, parenting bloggers, school librarians, etc. Plan book promotions (downloadable coloring/activity sheets) and offer to visit schools and do story-times. Solicit reviews by sending out ARC (advanced reader) copies. Consider launching a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for an offset print run and drum up interest for your illustrated children’s book. Keep Creating Study the successes/failures of your first children’s book, solicit reader feedback, and plot your next children’s book. Building a strong backlist is the goal of most authors/illustrators.

Digital Privacy Laws Struggle to Keep Pace With Data-Hungry Technology But as lawmakers celebrate landmark laws such as Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation and California’s new Consumer Privacy Act, researchers and advocates say that privacy laws still leave gaping holes. On paper, new laws give people the right to know what information a company has about them, ask that information to be deleted and prohibit companies from sharing it. But enforcement can be tough because regulators are often badly outnumbered, overseeing thousands of businesses, and investigations can drag on for years. And fines may only make up a tiny percentage of revenue for some of the biggest tech companies, which may be willing to write checks and chalk up fines as the cost of doing business. Consent is key to these laws. Companies can’t collect certain kinds of data without explicit consent from users. But many researchers say consent is a flawed idea. Users are being asked to understand and control what happens with their own data, and it’s been shown again and again that consumers are not up to that challenge. It would take weeks of full-time work just to read all of the terms of service and privacy policies that a person encounters in a year. Companies can be required to be more forthright in asking for consent, but many of those banners nudge people to give in and hit “accept.” Data can be sent around the world in a matter of milliseconds, but laws stop at national borders. Attempts to craft rules for how much data can be sent between Europe and the U.S. have repeatedly fallen apart, creating legal uncertainty. Researchers also say that the laws are struggling to keep up with technology. Companies can link different kinds of data to identify people they claimed to be keeping track of anonymously. They can infer information about politics, financial status, health that’s in a legal gray area because people didn’t provide the information directly. Governments can sometimes buy this kind of data that they would otherwise need search warrants to obtain. And as companies start using A.I. more, data-hungry A.I. algorithms will only increase the demand for personal information. As a result, some privacy advocates want laws that minimize the amount of data companies can collect and prohibit certain kinds of data, such as precise geolocation data, from being sold, period, taking the burden of protecting their information off individuals’ shoulders. Industry groups argue that regulations should avoid being too onerous, saying they can stifle innovation and crush small companies.

However, rather than being considered an extraneous luxury, public art is best implemented alongside other forms of infrastructure, particularly when incorporated into a Percent for Art policy. Of course, a city’s infrastructure should prioritize projects that provide basic necessities to its community, such as clean and reliable water, safe roads, and stable utilities. Yet, with careful planning, public art has the potential to enhance these projects in ways that enrich the quality of life and strengthen the identity of a city. Under a Percent for Art policy, a municipality invests a percentage (usually .5 to 1 percent) of the budget of major infrastructure projects on incorporating some kind of artistic element. Such spending does not detract from necessary improvements to a city, but adds character to them. For example, sculptural lighting on a drab highway overpass may make it a point of interest; a concrete stormwater basin may be landscaped into a pocket park and graced with a mosaic. Moreover, aesthetic appeal can lead to a range of financial benefits that feed back into a city’s ability to build new infrastructure. Transit centers decorated by local artists may be less susceptible to graffiti and therefore save money in upkeep. Attractive spaces invite tourism and encourage foot traffic that can lead to growth in local businesses and an expansion of the tax base to support civic projects. On a less quantifiable level, art brings an element of pride and a sense of place and safety. Ultimately, infrastructure defines the skeleton of a city; public art animates its spirit and fosters a sense of community.

Art has many benefits to communities: It attracts tourists, expresses neighborhood pride, expresses important issues, celebrates history, supports local artists and promotes creativity. Communities should support art in public spaces. However, communities should continue to give priority to basic needs that promote economic vitality and protect life (i. e. roads, bridges, emergency services and the water system), particularly when there are backlogs in maintenance or public safety issues. When those needs have been addressed, communities should incorporate a percent for art approach to support projects that include artistic elements by allocating one to two percent of the budget for public capital projects to art. Communities can also diversify revenue streams to support arts (e. g. endowments, corporate sponsorship, philanthropy, grants). Communities should involve residents in arts-related budgeting decisions through an open budgeting process with clear guidelines for allocating funds. Temporary art installations and neighborhood murals are other inexpensive options that can be considered. Ultimately, residents will be more supportive of arts projects when core services are being adequately provided, when they are engaged in the budgeting process, and when art reflects community history and values. For example, spending on art for a new transit center, bridge, or plaza has a minimal additional cost and does not compete with other spending decisions like maintaining the water system. However, using money from the water system to pay for a piece of art is not reasonable.

[Date] [Documentary Production Team or Hiring Manager's Name] [Company or Production Name] [Address or “Remote”] [City, State, Zip] Dear [Hiring Manager's Name or Documentary Production Team], As an experienced non-fiction editor, I am writing to express my interest in the freelance Documentary Editor opportunity for your upcoming documentary feature or project. Documentary editing is the last rewrite of the script, and I thrive on sculpting hours of vérité and copious amounts of interviews into a compelling three-act narrative, striking the right balance of emotional truth, a clear voice for the subject(s), tension, and pace. On my most recent documentary [feature/short] I served as the lead editor, building the story from the ground-up from more than 150 hours of untranscribed material. In close collaboration with the director, I carved a strong narrative arc and thematic through-line out of an overwhelming amount of material. My job was to create a temporary soundscape for the piece and fine-tune its pace to maximize impact. My experience with the full gamut of non-fiction post-production tasks, including: Advanced editorial workflows in Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and/or Avid Media Composer (pick the applicable NLE) Building offline and online edits that incorporate archival footage, multiple-camera setups, color, and sound roundtripping, and other elements of the finishing process An ego-free creative spirit that embraces iteration, experimentation, and collaboration I look forward to the opportunity to dive into the nitty-gritty of your project and lend my experience to elevate and amplify its emotional impact. I’m available for remote or hybrid work, and value proactive communication to identify and work through story-blockers as they arise. I would love to look at the assembly or learn more about your vision for the film. Thanks for your time and consideration. Sincerely, [YOUR NAME HERE] [PHONE NUMBER HERE] [LINK TO YOUR EDITOR SHOWREEL HERE] [LINK TO YOUR LINKEDIN PROFILE HERE]

Buying a mechanical keyboard can seem overwhelming: switches, keycaps, layouts, colours, sizes, brands, software... Where do you start?! Start with you Start with what kind of keyboard suits your needs. Will you be using it for work, gaming, both? Do you write for hours upon hours, or are you just popping in short emails every so often? There is no one-size-fits-all mechanical keyboard that will suit every typist - find out what will be most comfortable and useful for your use cases. If possible, also try a few out in real-life for more than a minute each - you’ll quickly find out which one will be comfy enough for extended sessions. Pick a sound The main difference between linear, tactile, and clicky mechanical switches is the feel and sound of the keypress. Linear switches have a smoother keystroke, tactile switches will give a bump, clicky switches will be audible. Try them out (a switch tester comes in really handy here to avoid buying the wrong keyboard) and find out which ones you like. If you share your room or are on calls often, be mindful about how annoying the clacky sound of a keyboard can be; go for quieter switches and/or a well-made keyboard to muffle the bottom-out sounds. Some boards come with hot-swap sockets - this way you can play around with different switches in the future without having to solder. Size, shape, feel Do you need a number pad? Will your wrist angle be more comfy with a full-size, tenkeyless (no number pad), or some other layout? Tenkeyless and smaller boards leave more space on the desk for your mouse. Try out different keycap profiles; they can be taller/shallower, more/less contoured - go for whichever feels comfy in the long run for you. Try to avoid typing at a steep angle (bending your wrists upwards) for prolonged periods of time; breaks are key! Check out how well-made the larger keys (space, enter, etc.) feel; good stabilizers are extremely important as they will make or break the typing experience. Extras, extras, extras Now for the fun part: are there any little things that would make your life easier? Media keys, wireless, swappable cable? Software to remap keys? Go through reviews of keyboards you’re thinking of getting to find out which extras they may or may not have. Set a budget It’s easy to get swept up and blow your whole savings on a custom keyboard... Leave some wiggle room in your budget for any unexpected costs. Ultimately, a mechanical keyboard should make typing easier and more comfy - pick whichever seems like it will make your life easier and will be reliable for years to come!

Dear Hiring Team, With eight years of experience editing documentaries and other nonfiction work for broadcast, festival, and streaming audiences, I'm excited to apply for your freelance editor opening. Below are a few details on my experience and expertise. Links to my full reel and portfolio are here. I got my start in feature-length doc post-production as AE on a film about communities coping with the prospect of abandoning their coastline. In this role, I logged more than 200 hours of footage and helped shape the assembly cut, which enabled the director to secure additional funding to complete the project. Since then, I've grown as an editor, cutting everything from 8 minute web shorts to a 90 minute feature that premiered at a regional film festival. Most recently, I finished a short doc about a third-generation bakery owner. By centering the film around a single morning of work in the bakery, the film took shape organically around her daily ritual, giving order and rhythm to interviews that had been shot in pieces and varied greatly in energy. The film has since been selected into two film festivals and has already helped the nonprofit client to raise more donations. On the techy side of things, I'm proficient in Adobe Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve and comfortable enough in Avid Media Composer to jump into existing projects. I've done my own color correction, audio cleanup, and motion graphics as needed to save productions from sinking budgets and timelines. I'm happy to wrangle big media drives, keep track of archival footage, and manage mixed formats/frame rates, and other complications. My home system is fully set-up for remote editing with solid backup plans in place. Ultimately, though, great documentaries can't just be edited; their stories must be discovered. My job is to listen to what's on screen, find the story hiding inside, and help it come forward and breathe. I always make sure to listen to directors' wishes closely before I start pulling frames, then come back with cuts that are organized and easy to review. When producers call on me to edit for them again, it's because I hit deadlines, raise red flags about structural problems ASAP, and do my best to anticipate problems before they become expensive. If you'd like more information about my experience, feel free to reach out, as references are available on request. Thanks for your time and consideration! Best, [main]

I first became interested in human-computer interaction when I sat next to my grandfather and watched him struggle to book a medical appointment through a website. The site contained all of the necessary information, but small text, confusing drop-down menus, and unclear error messages overwhelmed him. As I sat next to my grandpa and helped him get the appointment booked, I started to think about why technology, which is meant to make everyday tasks easier, can make them harder for some people. That question sparked an interest in me to learn about how we can design technology that is effective and inclusive for everyone. The idea of human-computer interaction appeals to me because it is a combination of technical problem-solving with an emphasis on people. A program can be efficient and reliable, but if people don’t understand it or don’t trust it, it doesn’t function well. This idea encourages us to do research to understand people’s needs and expectations, question assumptions, and think about issues of accessibility, privacy, and simplicity. Human-computer interaction provides systematic approaches for improving technology and addressing common challenges that people encounter when they interact with technology. I’m excited to learn about these approaches and think about how we can translate everyday problems into better technology. In particular, I hope to learn about how to engage with users who have a wide range of technical abilities, knowledge, and interests throughout the process. It is important to have a mindset of humility and active listening before creating technology. Additionally, I’m interested in learning about user-centered design because it encourages us to explore how people use technology outside of lab settings, which is an important measure of a product’s success. Interface design appeals to me because it encourages us to be creative and flexible; we have to pose interesting questions, create solutions to those questions, and change our plans in light of data and results. Through this iterative design process, we learn to see failure as an opportunity to learn. I want to study human-computer interaction because I’m eager to learn about how we can create technology that empowers and respects all of its users. I hope to apply my interest and knowledge to technology that plays an integral role in our lives such as healthcare and education or to novel technologies that have not yet reached its potential. Ultimately, I would consider my work in HCI successful if it leads to experiences where people (such as my grandpa) can perform important tasks confidently and independently.

BRUSSELS, When the European Union enacted its landmark digital privacy law six years ago, many hoped it would rein in Big Tech’s unchecked collection of personal information. Others followed suit. Since the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation went into effect, privacy frameworks have proliferated in regions ranging from California to New Delhi. Today, however, privacy laws appear toothless. “We are using 20th-century legal concepts to regulate 21st-century predictive behavioral engineering,” said Open Tech Institute digital ethics researcher Elena Vance. First, existing privacy regulations rely on a notice and consent model. If websites want to harvest users’ data, they must explain what information they’ll gather and get users’ approval. This is why internet-goers must click Accept when they visit a website and get pelted with a cookie banner. But such prompts have done little to give internet-goers power over their own data: A University of Oxford study found that more than 80% of users accept them without a second thought just to access content. Many suffer from consent fatigue. Second, privacy laws don’t keep up with technology. For instance, many regulations center on companies hoarding users’ Personally Identifiable Information without permission, which might include things like your name, email address or Social Security number. But tech companies don’t need your PII to build richly detailed profiles of you and sell them to the highest bidder. Through a process called algorithmic fingerprinting, they can aggregate data points that aren’t individually identifying — think geolocation data, your phone’s battery level, how quickly you type — and use them to deanonymize you with as much as 99% accuracy. Passing a law that restricts direct data collection does nothing to stop inferential profiling. Likewise, although the explosion of generative AI tools constitutes an obvious privacy threat because they’re built on top of billions of webpages they’ve been trained on, few would characterize AI training data scraping as a violation of any particular user’s privacy. Once your digital footprint gets baked into an algorithm, there’s no pulling it back out. Finally, privacy laws are difficult to enforce. National Data Protection Authorities are significantly underfunded and struggle to keep up with trillion-dollar tech companies that can afford deep-pocketed legal teams to fight them. Meanwhile, even hefty fines barely register as operating costs for Big Tech. For these reasons, the consensus among technologists is it’s past time to pivot from consent-based privacy laws that place the burden of action on individual users to laws that prohibit certain kinds of data-guzzling business practices.

The introduction of the spreadsheet in the 1970s didn’t take jobs from accountants. Instead, it took menial tasks away from accountants. The profession has since exploded, with accountants now providing valuable, strategic insights into businesses’ financials. Similarly, while doomsayers are already panicking about generative AI hollowing out careers in computer programming, creative writing, medical diagnosis, and law, generative AI will prove to be a boon for knowledge workers, elevating the nature of work and making them more valuable to their respective industries. Generative AI has the potential to automate mundane cognitive tasks that plague knowledge workers. Information retrieval, first drafts, summarization, and generative AI has the potential to minimize administrative tasks, thereby increasing the amount of time knowledge workers can spend on higher-level decisions. Generative AI is already changing how knowledge workers approach their work; an individual programmer can utilize AI as an assistant, an individual writer can utilize it as a copywriter, an individual businessperson can utilize it as an analyst. The implications of generative AI mean that one person will be able to do the work of an entire department. Generative AI is an invaluable tool to help workers be more effective in their respective domains, allowing them to devote their energies on high-level decisions and strategic moves. In many respects, knowledge workers’ contributions to society have little to do with knowledge. Rather, knowledge is contextualized and applied is the act of providing a fitting answer to a question at hand. Generative AI can pull together insights from countless sources, but knowledge workers provide answers to questions. Generative AI is capable of identifying patterns to provide a cogent prediction about what may happen, but it lacks contextualized intuition. Generative AI may be able to predict what might happen, but knowledge workers decide what should happen. Generative AI lacks the capacity for ethics, moral decision-making, or boardroom dilemmas. Generative AI has no emotional intelligence, empathy, or human experience; it can’t console a family or inspire confidence in clients. Generative AI can pull together insights, but knowledge workers innovate. Generative AI provides adequate responses based on extant knowledge, but knowledge workers bring forth revelations never before seen. Generative AI lacks the spark of life, and knowledge workers bring paradigm-shifting insights to the table. In a world awash with generative AI, the human element becomes knowledge workers’ biggest advantage. Tasks that used to require extensive training (e.g. advanced coding, sophisticated market research), expensive resources (e.g. professional-quality images and copy), or both will become accessible to everyone, unleashing an intellectual renaissance built upon creativity and human connection. Generative AI will be a boon for knowledge workers, taking drudgery out of work and unleashing their true potential by making them more valuable to their respective industries than ever before.