This decade, Uber causes a revolution in ride share and the way people go to and from. But there are setbacks. There are complaints of discrimination, harassment, even crime. Therefore, Uber cleans house: starts with twenty firings.
All 20 lost their jobs because of harassment complaints. Also, they hired two executives to redo strategies. But it’s not just angry customers writing letters. It’s much bigger. Even former Attorney General Eric Holder is helping out. This started with former employee Susan Fowler blogged about sexual harassment at Uber. Then, several Uber execs quit. Not even CEO Travis Kalanick is immune. A video caught him arguing with an Uber driver.
But it’s not just the twenty firings. Because 31 more are in counseling over harassment. But it’s not because they want to be. And yes, Kalanick is also taking steps as Uber cleans house. He got his top software engineer to resign. This was because of a sexual harassment claim against him at Google, his last workplace. Since then, Uber hired two women executives. One of them is also their highest ranking African-American executive. Her name is Bozoma Saint John. She praises these changes, but says more needs to be done.
I think Saint John is right. Uber grew so fast. Their focus was on ?growing the business and grow profits and revenue. There is nothing wrong with that. In fact, that was every business should be doing, especially every IT service business. But I think in doing that, they slightly neglected the workplace culture. It can happen to the best of us. We get so caught up in the money and profits. We sometimes forget to think about who we’re bringing in and who could be getting hurt. If we create an, “Anything goes as long as we’re getting money…” culture, the result will probably be a culture of harassment, bullying and discrimination. ?I don’t say this is Uber’s fault. For the record, I am a huge fan of Uber. But that’s just human nature. I commend Uber for cleaning house. Is this a lesson for us all?
It’s 2007. I hardly played a video game in 10 years by this point. But this group introduces me to Halo. Hence, my love for gaming comes back. I wish it didn’t leave in the first place. Here’s how video games provide benefits, part three.
In today’s fast pace world, it’s important to think on your feet and think fast. Gaming helps you do that. For instance, you play Halo. You have to think fast! Furthermore, this will improve memory skills in other aspects of life. Video games can even repair brain cells. That’s funny because they always told us video games killed brain cells.
Did you know video games relieve stress? Despite our super technology and super IT support, people have more stress than ever. But games take your mind off of it. It provides a great, and clean outlet. And when you do tackle that stressful issue, you’ll be more able to handle it. But do you think gamers are just for stoners with nothing to do? Think again! Video games help people become better nurses, doctors, and surgeons. That’s because games make you work with your hands, make critical and quick decisions, and do see with minimum stress. So next time a surgeon saves you or a loved one, maybe a video game helped them do that.
That’s something to think about. Think about stress. You could take it out on a video game. Or you can take it out on drug abuse, alcoholism, abusing other people, or other dark paths. So that got me thinking. Video games can save people from themselves. I’ve seen people in computer repair almost go insane. Then they play a game on their phones, or whatever device they have. So video games save stress for a lot of people. These are just some ways video games provide benefits, part three. What are some other ways video games provide benefits?
As a teenager, I got in trouble over trading video games at school. Then Mom grounded me and took my gaming privileges away. She said, “I don’t care if you never play video games ever”. I know Mom meant well, but if she knew that video games provide benefits, part two.
So this picks up where I left off yesterday. Here are some more benefits. One is creativity. In the old days, most video games did the thinking and planning for you; you just played the game. However, now there are games like Sims and Minecraft. Hence, these games let you create your own world. This includes homes, characters, personalities, and stories. Therefore, you end up creating your own little world. So if you can do this through a video game, imagine taking this talent into the real world. This can help you do better at work or at school. You can even get creative while trying to land that special someone. These kinds of games help you do that.
Did that blow your mind? Well, wait until you hear this. Video games can help you build social connections. Y’all don’t hear me, though. But I see this with my own eyes. When friends and I play Halo, we have to socialize with each other. This is especially true for team games. Also, it’s a great way to learn teamwork and play well under pressure. These are good skills to have in today’s 21st century world. Those of us in computer repair know all about playing well under pressure. This brings me to another point. Video games can actually start and build friendships. Yes, teamwork has something to do with that. But there is a whole video game culture out there. People go to these conventions and really connect with each other. In these ways, and others, video games brings people together.
Maybe we could invite Republicans and Democrats, conservatives and liberals, to play video games together. Maybe they can even bring them together. ?So you see, video games provide benefits, part two. What are some other benefits?
Several days ago, I reported congress passing a law that would kill Internet privacy. Many don’t like this. But some others take action, or threaten to. Then there’s Max Temkin. He’s the founder of party game, ‘Cards Against Humanity’. He threatened to reveal all of Washington’s dirty little secrets. So could someone expose Congress Web history?
But he doesn’t want to stop there. Temkin also talked about buying the browser history of every Congressman. Then, he publishes it. He put this up on social media this week. Hence, as you can imagine, the response was quick and plenty. Furthermore, he urged people to the Electronic Frontier Foundation. They fight for online privacy rights.
This comes in the wake of Congress voting to repeal laws protecting online privacy. After the vote, Temkin took to Twitter. One can feel his frustration. Yes, this move upset a lot of people. But few talk about buying Congresses’ records. ?Someone started a Go Fund Me page. But I doubt Temkin is behind this page. However, this Go Fund Me page is raising cash to buy Congress web history. So far, they raised $160,000. The original goal was $10,000. Yes, there are a lot of upset folks out there.
But Temkin cautions people about Go Fund Me pages raising money to buy records. However, if someone can obtain these records, he won’t hesitate to publish them. That’s the last thing Congress wants, especially in this volatile political climate. Trust me. The last thing anybody wants to do is upset a IT support leader or computer repair worker. Don’t tick off anybody that high up in tech as Temkin is. If the cause fits the situation, they will expose you, especially if you’re doing wrong. And this bill is wrong. I don’t know is selling and publishing records is the right way to go about it. But I’m certainly don’t condemn it. So let’s suppose they do get and release Congress web history. Would that be wrong? Or would they get a taste of their own medicine?
For years, I discuss the lack of diversity in IT service and IT support and other tech fields. But one HBU (historically black university) works to change that. So is Google. Let’s see how Google and Howard University encourages more diversity.
Google and Howard University partner to build a leaning campus on Google’s headquarters. Hence, they will call this campus Howard West. Their target is black engineering and computer science majors. But first, they will have to apply. They expect to start with around 30 students this summer. However, they want over 700 to be in the program by 2022. Howard West students will study for three months. Also, private donors will cover their Silicon Valley expenses.
But that’s not all. This program will expand to other HBU’s. Google and Howard hope this new school will help more Blacks get jobs in tech. Furthermore, Howard University’s president hopes this school prepares hundreds of Black computer scientists for the global tech force. Google knows it has to do something. Blacks only make up 2% of Google’s roster. Also, one 1 in 100 Google engineers are black. But Google isn’t the only company struggling with diversity. Just about every Silicon Valley corporation lacks diversity.
But at least Google and Howard are trying to do something about it. I applaud their efforts. Studies prove that companies with more diverse work forces do better than homogeneous companies do. They create better goods, services, and yes, even computer repair (I thought I would sneak that one in). Also, more diverse groups are better at making decisions and solving problems. Google and Howard seem to get it. Well, maybe I’m giving Google too much credit too early. Maybe I’ll wait until more the Google roster is a lot more than 2% black. What is this? Is this 1957 or 2017? Well, this is a start. Will it get the results? And the next question, will other tech companies and HBU’s follow Google and Howard in their footsteps?
How much did you pay for your the latest iPad? Did you pay $800? Or did you pay $600? Then, you better sit down. Because Apple reveals their next move. It’s a cheap iPad: Apple sales modest, accessible iPad.
Apple expects this cheap iPad to go on sale next week. Yes, it will have a brighter screen, but that won’t be the selling point. Because you can buy this iPad for as low as $329. That’s right. Furthermore, this is the lowest price ever for an Apple tablet. Also, the iPhone SE will come in small models, like 16GB and 64GB. That’s half the sizes of current iPhone SE’s. So what will come from these iPads?
We can expect 32GB of storage. Also, expect new features like facial recognition, wireless charging, and a curvier display. It has a 10 hour battery life.They come in gold, silver, or space gray. The model is 9.7 inches. However, it will not have Apple Connector or Apple Pencil. ?Do you like making and sharing videos on Apple devices? Then you’re in luck, too. Yep, there’s a new app for that (I won’t get in trouble for using that line, will I?). They call the app Clips. Here, you can add emojis and captions to your social media posts, or even just to Apple’s exclusive messaging app.
Apple is trying to reach out to a wider audience here. I like it. I just with this cheap iPad came in Black. In our Boston computer service shop, black iPads are very popular. Quite a few customers bring them in for screen replacement. Apple knows they’re not the only candy store in town. They also know Android and other competitors offer tablets for low, low prices. But wait. This cheap iPad sounds a lot like the iPad Air 2, doesn’t it? Don’t tell anybody, but it is! They’re just bringing the price down. Oops, did I say that aloud?
