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The newest sensation sweeping the Games is cupping, an ancient bloodletting practice originally used to purge chi. Nowadays, it’s typically extolled as a device to remove “stagnant blood, expel heat, treat high fever, loss of consciousness, convulsion, and pain.” There’s no scientific consensus as to how bursting capillaries with heated cups accomplishes this, but it can certainly have some medical effects … like possibly necrosis.
Coagulated blood from a cupping session. Wikimedia Commons
Nevertheless, the real heydey of Olympic quackery is long gone. For a while, from the 1904 Olympics’ Anthropology Days for “savage” races, on through the 1936 Games, which saw doubt that the black Jesse Owens could outpace the Aryan ideal, the principles underlying Olympics-related scientific theory was just eugenics pseudoscience.
As fascination with proper breeding waned, biomechanics started becoming the common denominator of Olympic progress. The high jump, alone, went through seven popular techniques before settling on the whimsically named Fosbury Flop in 1968, as the most efficient. External factors became more important, too. Running outfits evolved from three-quarter length combos to form-fitting duds. Carbon fiber bikes began popping up in the ’80s, alongside mens’ speedos–a far cry from the old baggy two-piece suits. Then, in ’92, Speedo debuted the s2000 suit that cut drag by 15 percent, which would later give rise to the 2008 LZR suit that would be banned for its effectiveness.
Michael Phelps and Australia’s Eamon Sullivan wore the now-banned LZR Racer swimsuit at the 2008 Olympics. Wikimedia Commons
Cupping may be making headlines, but by no means is it the extent of modern Olympic pseudoscience. Since 2008, the games have popularized kinesiology tape, which, somehow, “alleviates discomfort and facilitates lymphatic drainage” using slight lateral tension on the surface of your skin. Only, it doesn’t.
In addition to cupping, some Olympians are turning to acupuncture, which, although it has no evidence behind its use to treat disease, has been shown to reduce pain, (physical pain, at least)–regardless of where the needles are stuck. In other words, the placebo pain reduction of wanton needling is nearly as effective as precision pricking.
Then there’s the paleo diet, acclaimed by swimmer Amanda Beard, which comes with a good principle: “eat what we’re made to eat, and we’ll be healthier.” Except, hunter-gatherer diets came in lots of different types, with the general macronutrient split ranging from 19-35 percent for protein, 22–40 percent for carbohydrate, and 28–58 percent for fat. Not to mention things like widespread lactose tolerance show that our digestive systems have evolved alongside our diets.
Even icing sore muscles, a widely accepted practice, is often abused as an unscientific recovery panacea before going back into the game–though the Olympics are hardly the only culprit. Most evidence to date suggests that using it as a stopgap before returning to activity could potentially do more harm than good.
There’s more, to be sure, including Olympic endorsements of vitamins, which nutritionists generally contend are unnecessary for most Americans–and which decades of mortality rate tracking for at least 429,000 individuals has demonstrated are actually more likely to be counterproductive to health.
High-speed motion capture is helping Olympians swim better than ever. Graham Murdoch
Yet it’s hard to fault athletes. Through the last few games, more so than ever before, records have fallen thanks to small-scale engineering, from silica nanoparticle-loaded racquets to carbon nanofiber golf clubs, and Big Data analytics that digitize athletes, model their movements, catalog performances, and help formulate strategies.
When the best arrows in Olympians’ quivers are among science’s most abstract, jargonistic, and near-mystical, it’s not surprising they’d find pseudoscience indistinguishable–or perhaps even more plausible due to its seeming simplicity.
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Why Does My Screen Keep Dimming
Mobile phone screen dimming is usually caused by your auto-brightness feature. This feature is supposed to save you power as it regulates brightness levels according to the light source from the outside.
However, if your screen continues to dim even after you’ve turned off the feature, the issue may be more serious.
How to Stop Screen from Dimming on iPhonesTo stop the screen from dimming, you must first identify the source of the problem. Many iPhone users have pointed that the brightness is automatically lowered when the device overheats. This is yet to be confirmed by the officials.
So, while you wait for your phone to cool down and see it’s really the culprit, try the following fixes:
Disable Auto Adaptive Brightness Off Turn off Attention Aware features Turn off Your True Tone Settings Check Your Power ModeLow power mode usually reduces or halts all processes that may be tasking your mobile phone. And the brightness, which does not appear to be resource-intensive, could also be lowered in the process.
Open Settings on your iPhone
Go to Battery
Switch off low power mode
Check your Dim Lock Screen Section
Go to the Quick settings on your iPhone
Scroll down and find do not disturb option and go to lock screen
Find the option dim lock screen option and toggle it off
Reset Your iPhone’s SettingsIf the above step fails, then try resetting the device. Be sure to back up your data in the cloud before moving forward with this option.
How to Stop Screen from Dimming on AndroidsThese fixes are somewhat similar to that of the iPhone. But since the UI is a little different, here are a few troubleshooting methods for you to navigate.
Turn Off Adaptive Brightness
Go to the settings of your device
Find display
Toggle off adaptive brightness
Check if the Device is in Power Saving ModeCheck if your device is in power-saving mode as some of its features dim screens to conserve power.
Depending on your Android device, you can find the option by scrolling down your android quick setting menu from the top of the screen or bottom.
Reset Your Device
Go to the setting menu of your device
Find about phone
Select Reset Device
General Things to Consider for iPhones & AndroidIf none of the above methods work, you may be dealing with faulty hardware or a problem with one of your mobile accessories.
Do Not Use Aftermarket ScreensSuppose you use a phone that has just gotten its Screen replaced with an aftermarket replacement. Then if the Screen keeps dimming and doesn’t get too full brightness, it is a possible issue caused by the quality of the Screen you installed.
Especially for big brands like Samsung and iPhone, many aftermarket options are available. We recommend purchasing original screens only.
Check Your Ambient Light SensorThis sensor is a component on your device that senses ambient light and adjusts the brightness of the device.
Suppose all fixes have failed for you, then it’s best to take it to a repair center to have this component checked. Dust, blockage usually are the main causes of this sensor malfunctioning.
Check Your Battery HealthImproper battery fluctuations can also cause the screen to dim. These issues generally come along with short run time after charging the device, phone shutting off suddenly, temperature rising significantly, etc.
Have a repair center check battery if these other issues surface; fixing the battery may solve these issues along with the dimming problem.
Related Questions How Much Brightness Is Good for Mobile Phones?Screen brightness is rated in terms of nits. A rating over 400 is decent for environments with sunlight in it.
Anything lower than that may not be that pleasing to you. Screens above 600 nits are considered good. Nowadays we have options of screens that are above 1000 nits.
What Color Combination Is the Most Comfortable for Your Eyes on a Mobile Screen?Since White reflects every wavelength in the color spectrum, having black texts on White would be the best combination.
How Do We Fix Zero Brightness on Android Phones?Zero brightness is related to dead LEDs on the device; these LEDs are responsible for generating light on the device. The only fix for this is to replace the screen display panel.
Why Does Chatgpt Need Phone Number?
When you register for a new ChatGPT account, you’ll notice that the Openai asks for your phone number. You cannot complete the registration process without verifying your number. However, many users are concerned about their security and privacy while using ChatGPT.
ChatGPT has been banned in some countries for collecting and storing users’ information without their consent. If you know the same, you might think twice before submitting your phone number to ChatGPT.
Despite all, the question is, Why does ChatGPT need a phone number? Isn’t it possible to use ChatGPT without entering your phone number?
Well, ChatGPT asks for your phone number mainly for various reasons. Read this guide to learn why ChatGPT asks for your phone number during registration.
Why does ChatGPT need phone number?
ChatGPT doesn’t accept VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) numbers, which means you’ll need an active mobile number to verify your account.
ChatGPT supports two-factor authentication. Firstly, it verifies its user’s email address and, secondly, its phone number. The phone number verification step ensures you are an actual human and not creating a fake account.
Adding an additional security layer also ensures that your account doesn’t get hacked easily.
ChatGPT also asks for a valid phone number to ensure its users don’t create multiple accounts because a user may have multiple email addresses but not numbers. So, by asking for a phone number, ChatGPT ensures that every user creates a limited number of accounts.
Again, ChatGPT is banned in some countries. So, if you try accessing ChatGPT from a restricted country, the phone number verification step will prevent you from proceeding ahead. The phone number will help ChatGPT to verify your country of residence. It also provides country-specific benefits to some users.
Another reason for providing your phone number to ChatGPT is to use it for account recovery or claiming your account in the future.
For instance, if you run into some issue while logging into ChatGPT, you can give your phone number and identity to the customer support team, who will help you recover your password.
The company also states that the user’s phone number helps prevent fraudulent activities, scams, and account hacking.
Is it safe to give OpenAI my phone number?
Your phone number may be linked to several places, including your bank accounts. By leaking your phone number to third-party vendors and other business owners, Open AI can put your personal information at risk of being hacked.
So, it’s evident to think before entering your phone number on ChatGPT’s website.
Again, with the recent news regarding ChatGPT’s ban in Italy, your concerns may have been raised more. But you shouldn’t worry!
Open AI promises to keep your mobile number safe and not disclose it to anyone else. The company only asks for your phone number to verify your identity and keep your account secure. So, it is safe to give your phone number to ChatGPT.
Does ChatGPT store your phone data?
ChatGPT stores its users’ information, such as personal details, social media details, usage data, cookies, and log information. It uses this information to enhance the user experience and improve the platform.
ChatGPT also collects and saves the chat conversations until the user deletes them. After deleting the chat history, ChatGPT stores its user information for a few days before deleting it from its records permanently.
Open AI also mentions in its privacy policy that the data it collects will be deleted from its records when you stop using its services. However, it will take several days to delete the data based on how important and sensitive the user’s information is.
Can you sign up for ChatGPT without giving your phone number?
Unfortunately, ChatGPT doesn’t allow users to use the platform without providing a phone number. So, you must enter your phone number and verify it to complete the registration process. Besides, ChatGPT doesn’t support VoIP numbers.
However, some virtual number generator websites like Dingtone claim they use real phone numbers to prevent online sites from detecting them. You can use such websites to generate a phone number and try using it to create a ChatGPT account.
You can also use a private number to sign up for a ChatGPT account. This number won’t reveal your personal information but will help complete the registration process.
Again, in some countries, ChatGPT supports account verification via WhatsApp. You can share your WhatsApp details to use ChatGPT without giving your phone number. This option is most feasible when you don’t have an active cell phone.
How To Win The Pr Game
I sometimes find myself amazed at just how some people approach public relations. Public relations or PR is all about one thing: enhancing a company’s reputation.
Consumers don’t expect companies or people to be perfect but they do expect them to own up to problems right away and offer a remedy, not excuses for what has gone wrong. Sure, the threat of legal action often looms large in slowing corporate responsiveness, but leniency can be received from the affected parties when a remedy and sincere apology are offered.
But it is often the little things that mess up PR or at least takes the wind out of its sails. Whether you consider yourself a journalist, writer or blogger, there are certain things you want to get from businesses when considering running their story or using it as a springboard for a fresh discussion.
Specifically, any one of the following points can spell the difference between a company winning or losing the PR battle:
Generalized Release — Sharing news via a press release is still an important way for getting the word out. So why do some companies send out their news without taking the time to address that information to an actual person and adding a personalized note? Never assume that your news will get read or shared if you’re too lazy to connect with key influencers. Anything less is considered spam.
Belittling the Competition — Competitiveness is to be admired, but it shouldn’t happen at the expense of putting down a competing product. Consumers are much more sophisticated than what you suppose and are looking for solid, factual information. If you have something to say about your competitor’s product offering, then do so by explaining how your product lasts longer or performs better under certain conditions. Brand loyal consumers don’t take kindly to having their favorite products bashed and won’t make the switch if you make them feel stupid for buying a competing product.
Say What?! — Clarity, brevity and common sense are attributes of any good news story. Your news wins if you make your points succinctly, but you’ll lose if you’re long winded, off topic or offer news that is not clearly defined.
As companies work to build up their reputation it makes sense to elicit feedback from a dispassionate third party first to see if a proposed PR campaign is strong. An idea hatched in the bowels of the corporate marketing department may make sense to the PR wonks, but do lasting damage if ill-conceived or presented without proper care.
Why Is Microsoft Tilting At Consumer Windmills?
Microsoft traditionally has made — and continues to make — the lion’s share of its revenues by selling software to businesses. But in the coming post-Bill-Gates era, Microsoft is gearing up to get more serious about selling to consumers.
Microsoft’s growing consumer-market love is going to require substantial changes, several of which are underway, by the Redmond software maker. For one, Microsoft is going to have to make good design and simple and elegant out-of-the-box experiences a top priority.
The company needs to go after students and younger consumers to get them excited about Windows and other Microsoft products before they descend on the workforce with pre-established Mac OS X and Linux preferences. And somehow Microsoft needs to find a way to achieve that elusive goal of changing the perception of its products and technologies as being for staid enterprise users, not the cool kids.
Just last week (March 13), Microsoft brand managers were staked out at the Hotel Sax in Chicago to promote Microsoft consumer products to guests of the property. Microsoft had set up a number of Xbox 360 Elite gaming consoles to show off Windows Media Center and Microsoft games; Zune listening stations; Windows Vista PCs running Windows Live services; and “The Studio–Experience by Microsoft” lounge.
The message: Microsoft is all about “connecting people to whatever it is they want (leisure travelers who want to connect for work, or vice versa), and showing in a hands-on way what they can do with tech in their lives, and how attainable it is today with the right set-up,” a company spokesperson explained.
These are long-term bets, Ballmer has reminded Microsoft’s constituents, which may take as long as 10 years to ripen. But Microsoft has no choice because “software never wears out,” as Ballmer has taken to proclaiming. (Ballmer isn’t stating outright that Microsoft has almost completely saturated the market for PC operating systems and desktop productivity suites, but that’s what he is really getting at. Windows Vista’s biggest competitor is XP and Office 2007’s is older versions of Office.)
Microsoft brass, from Chief Software Architect Ray Ozzie on down, have said they believe that future technology innovations will come more from the consumer side of the market than the enterprise side. At the same time, Microsoft is hoping it can create the same type of “halo effect” from which Apple has managed to profit. Apple managed to parlay sales of iPods and iPhones into increased Mac sales. In Microsoft’s case, the company would be trying to convert Xbox and Zune users to Windows PC users (and/or to get Windows users to try other Microsoft-branded wares, like Xbox, Zune and Windows Mobile phones).
Microsoft execs also see the consumer market as being Microsoft’s weakest link — and not just in its battles with Apple. In his February 14 post-corporate-reorg e-mail to the Microsoft troops, President Kevin Johnson acknowledged Microsoft’s need to get its consumer messaging and marketing in order. Johnson wrote:
“Today, looking globally, our sales and marketing organizations are not as well aligned by customer segment as needed, particularly as we compete in the consumer segment with companies such as Apple and Google.”
Microsoft is responding by consolidating, Johnson explained:
“We have revamped our engineering approach and the team is making progress on key user scenarios across the PC, phone, and Web. As we look to the future, we must reinvent our approach to consumer marketing, the pre-sales experience, the way we work collaboratively with our PC partners, and how we communicate our brand and what it stands for. To do this, we will make changes to bring all consumer audience marketing across PSD (Platforms & Services Division) into a single organization. This will enable us to align marketing resources, eliminate silos, communicate the end-to-end experiences, and better connect with consumers.”
The next step in Microsoft’s consumer campaign will be to deliver the infrastructure that will enable “mesh networks” of devices, social experiences and other areas, company officials said earlier this month at Microsoft’s Mix ’08 conference.
The thinking: If users can get all their Microsoft products to work together more seamlessly, they’ll have less reason to add an iPod or a Google Docs to their technology mixes.
It’s worth remembering, however, that Microsoft officials have been promising connected entertainment and connected productivity scenarios for years. Consumers are still waiting….
Athletes Are Getting The Real Win: Diplomas
Photos by BU Athletics
Boston University’s athletic teams are scoring big where it matters most — off the field, in classrooms, earning diplomas.
According to the NCAA, which tracks graduation data of students on athletic scholarships at Division I institutions, BU’s Athletics Department earned an overall graduation success rate (GSR) of 94 percent for students intending to graduate in the classes 2003 to 2006. Women’s basketball, golf, rowing, soccer, tennis, and men’s and women’s swimming put up perfect scores.
Nationwide, the graduation rate for Division I students receiving athletic aid during the same period was 79 percent, although the national figure factors in sports such as fencing, gymnastics, bowling, skiing, and football, which BU doesn’t offer.
“It’s another indication of the quality of student-athlete we have here at BU,” says Michael Lynch, assistant vice president and director of athletics. “They’re focused on achievement in school as much as they are on the playing field, on the ice, on the tennis court. Our student-athletes graduated 4 percentage points better than the University’s general student population , which I’m really proud of.”
Terrier men’s basketball and crew, men’s and women’s cross country and track and field, women’s lacrosse, softball, and wrestling achieved GSR scores of at least 90 percent. Of BU’s 23 varsity sports, rates for 17 were reported, because cross country, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field are compiled as one sport per gender. Women’s ice hockey did not become a varsity program until the 2005-2006 season.
Three BU teams earned GSR scores in the 80 percent range, including men’s ice hockey, at 82 percent, which Lynch says mirrors the national average. He points out that a few Terrier icemen leave school periodically to play professionally, therefore fewer graduate. Of 18 players on athletic scholarships during the period analyzed, two left for the NHL and one graduated beyond the study’s six-year time limitation.
“One good thing about ice hockey, and all our sports, is that when players leave without attaining their degree, we will encourage and help them come back,” Lynch says. “Throughout their career, Coach Jack Parker will keep in touch with them about completing their degrees. We’ve had guys come back after 10 or 11 years of pro hockey.”
Lynch is especially proud of men’s basketball. Nationally, graduation rates among men’s hoops and football players have been low, although those figures are slowly rising as a result of reforms. For all collegiate b-ball players who entered in 2002, 66 percent earned diplomas. For the entering class in 1995, the first year of data collection, that figure was 56 percent.
“While we don’t have football, our men’s basketball numbers have been fantastic, as well as our women’s basketball,” Lynch says. “A couple of years ago, we had perfect scores in men’s and women’s basketball, and the last couple of years they were in the high 90s.”
The NCAA’s GSR was developed to provide more accurate graduation data than that provided by the methodology mandated by the federal Student Right-to-Know Act, which calculates based solely on freshman matriculation, not including students who transfer in, not excluding those who transfer out.
The federal rate offers the only method to compare student-athletes with the general student body. According to those figures, 80 percent of the general Boston University student body matriculating between 1999 and 2002 graduated within a six-year time span, whereas 84 percent of all Terrier student-athletes earned degrees during the same period.
“We have a great support system in place,” Lynch says. “Our student-athlete support services group is top-notch, dedicated to making sure our athletes do what they need to do in the classroom. Our coaches follow up on student-athlete progress in the classroom and the community as well. How you do on the field is important, and we want to win, but we want to do it in a way that allows our students-athletes to achieve what they can in the classroom, too.”
Caleb Daniloff can be reached at [email protected].
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