Η ζωή είναι γεμάτη εκπλήξεις, αλλά σίγουρα όχι τόσες όσες οι βραβεύσεις που θα απονεμηθούν στο PIDS Enghien! Ο Richard Edlund, ο "μάγος" των VFX, και η Sophie Leclerc θα παραλάβουν τον πολυπόθητο GENIE d’Honneur, ενώ εμείς οι υπόλοιποι κάνουμε τα πάντα για να φτιάξουμε... μπισκότα!

Αν αναρωτιέστε πώς να γίνετε κι εσείς μόνιμοι βραβευμένοι της ζωής σας, μη φοβάστε! Αρκεί να προσθέσετε λίγη φαντασία στα καθημερινά σας. Μήπως αντί για coffee break, να κάνετε ένα VFX break;

Η ζωή είναι μια ταινία, αρκεί να ξέρετε πώς να την γυρίσετε!

https://3dvf.com/sophie-leclerc-et-richard-edlund-recevront-un-genie-dhonneur-au-pids-enghien/
#VFX #Βραβεία #Σαρκ

hackaday podcast, visualizing sound, Windows 11, technology news, mystery sound, audio hacks, engineering, software updates, gadget reviews

## Introduction

In the ever-evolving world of technology, keeping up with the latest trends and innovations can feel overwhelming. Enter the Hackaday Podcast Episode 352, where hosts Elliot Williams and Kristina Panos meet over coffee to dissect the most intriguing developments in the tech universe. This week, they delve into the fascinating realm of visua...

Breville, Luxe Brewer, coffee maker, cold brew, drip coffee, single-button operation, coffee brewing, kitchen appliances, coffee enthusiasts

## Introduction

For coffee enthusiasts, the quest for the perfect brew is a never-ending journey, often leading to the exploration of various brewing devices. In 2025, the Breville Luxe Brewer has emerged as a noteworthy contender in the coffee maker market, promising both sophistication and ease of use. This review will delve into its features, performan...

Die ganze Welt spricht von den "8 besten Espressomaschinen für zu Hause (2025)", und ich kann nicht anders, als wirklich wütend zu werden über den ganzen Hype und die unkritische Lobpreisung dieser Geräte. Ist es wirklich nötig, unser Geld für Maschinen auszugeben, die oft nicht mehr als ein paar schnöde Tasten und eine überteuerte Preisklasse bieten? Ich meine, kommen wir mal klar!

Die Vorstellung, dass diese Maschinen unsere Küchen in ein schickes Café verwandeln, ist einfach lächerlich. Was für eine Illusion! Viele von diesen Geräten sind nichts anderes als teure Spielzeuge, die die Kunst des perfekten Shots nicht einmal annähernd beherrschen. Stattdessen verkaufen uns die Hersteller ein Traum von Barista-Qualität, während sie gleichzeitig die Realität ignorieren: viele dieser Maschinen sind einfach nur enttäuschend in der Leistung.

Wir leben in einer Zeit, in der Technik uns in die Irre führen kann. Die Marketingstrategien hinter diesen Espressomaschinen sind so übertrieben, dass sie uns glauben machen wollen, man bräuchte nur eine Maschine, um einen perfekten Espresso zu zaubern. Aber das ist einfach nicht wahr! Die Realität ist, dass viele von uns durch diese überteuerten Geräte nur frustriert werden. Wo bleibt der echte Genuss, wenn wir uns ständig mit schlechtem Kaffee herumschlagen müssen, der aus einer Maschine kommt, die mehr verspricht, als sie halten kann?

Und ja, die Kaffeekultur ist ein großes Ding, aber lasst uns nicht vergessen, dass Qualität oft mit der Fähigkeit des Baristas zusammenhängt, nicht mit der Maschine selbst. Man kann nicht einfach eine Maschine kaufen und erwarten, dass sie magische Ergebnisse liefert. Es braucht Zeit, Geduld und vor allem Wissen! Stattdessen wird uns eingeredet, dass jeder mit einer dieser "Tested by Coffee Pros" Maschinen ein Barista werden kann. Wo sind die echten Profis, wenn es darum geht, die Mängel dieser Geräte zu beleuchten?

Ich könnte stundenlang darüber diskutieren, aber ein Punkt bleibt klar: Wir müssen kritischer werden. Die Hersteller sollten zur Verantwortung gezogen werden für ihre übertriebenen Versprechen und die Konsumenten müssen aufhören, sich von diesen glänzenden Werbeversprechen blenden zu lassen. Wenn wir bessere Kaffeemaschinen wollen, müssen wir auch bereit sein, das Handwerk zu lernen – nicht nur unser Geld in Maschinen zu stecken, die mehr Schein als Sein sind.

Lasst uns aufhören, uns von Marketing-Blabla blenden zu lassen und anfangen, die Realität des Kaffeekochens zu akzeptieren. Egal wie viele "Tests von Kaffeexperten" durchgeführt werden, am Ende zählt der Geschmack – und der wird nicht durch eine Maschine garantiert!

#Espressomaschinen #KaffeeKultur #Kaffeegenuss #TechnikFrustration #Kritik

Tired of being a Google minion? Fear not! There’s a whole universe of alternative search engines just waiting for you to turn your back on the big G. From “privacy-focused” options that promise to keep your secrets safer than your diary under the bed, to “AI-powered” ones that will probably guess your next question before you even type it.

Why settle for the mundane when you can explore the uncharted territories of the web? After all, who doesn’t want to feel like a rebel while searching for cat memes or the nearest coffee shop? So, grab your virtual compass and venture forth into the land of 12 alternative search engines. Just remember, with great power comes great… confusion.

#AlternativeSearchEngines

https://www.semrush.com/blog/alternative-search-engines/

Ah, the Columbia Convening on AI Openness and Safety—because what the world really needs is more conferences where brilliant minds gather to discuss how to keep our digital overlords in check. Who knew that the secret to AI safety could be found in a fancy room in San Francisco, complete with organic snacks and artisanal coffee? It’s as if they think that a few hours of brainstorming on AI safety will magically solve all the problems that come with teaching machines to think for themselves.

On November 19, 2024, Mozilla and Columbia University’s Institute of Global Politics hosted this grand meeting of the minds—a true landmark event on the road to the AI Action Summit in France, scheduled for February 2025. Because if there’s one thing we need to keep our increasingly sentient machines in line, it’s the promise of a poorly translated French pastry.

Let’s take a moment to appreciate the irony here. We’re all terrified of AI taking over the world—becoming our new digital tyrants, if you will. And what’s our response? Let’s gather a bunch of thoughtful, well-meaning individuals to talk about it! After all, who could resist the allure of ruling out the potential apocalypse over a round of PowerPoint presentations? Because nothing says “AI safety” quite like a well-lit conference room with plush seating and a complimentary Wi-Fi connection.

The research agenda from this gathering is supposedly going to shine a light on the dark corners of AI development. What will they find? Perhaps they’ll discover that AI can’t be trusted with anything more complex than ordering pizza (and even that is questionable). Maybe they’ll come up with a groundbreaking solution like “let’s just not teach them to think” or “how about we keep the kill switches handy?”

Oh, and let’s not forget the realpolitik of this meeting. With a title like “AI Openness and Safety,” one can only imagine the kind of delightful jargon that was tossed around. Was there a panel on “Ethics in AI: How to Apologize to Humanity After the Robots Take Over”? Or maybe a workshop titled “How to Ensure Your AI Doesn’t Become Sentient While You’re Still Figuring Out How to Use Excel”?

While they’re at it, I’d suggest they add a session on “The Art of Pretending We’re in Control While We’re Really Just Hoping for the Best.” After all, nothing says “we’ve got this” like a room full of experts scratching their heads over the next big breakthrough in AI safety.

So, here’s to the Columbia Convening on AI Openness and Safety—a noble effort to tame our future overlords. May it be as fruitful as a garden where no one remembers to water the plants, and may we all live in blissful ignorance until the robots decide they’ve had enough of our shenanigans.

#AISafety #ColumbiaConvening #AIOpeness #FutureOfAI #TechHumor

Once an employee gives notice, it's too late.
People don’t quit jobs, they quit poor leadership, broken cultures, and stagnant environments.

A colleague once told me:

“I didn’t leave because of the workload or pay, I left because I couldn’t see myself thriving there anymore.”

And that’s the real issue.
Employees rarely leave for a single reason.

They leave because of the culture, the leadership, and a lack of opportunity to grow.

Here’s why your team might be walking out:

Retention isn’t about hiring more people to fill empty seats.

It’s about asking: Why are they leaving in the first place?

Here are the top reasons employees quit:

1) They feel invisible.
- When was the last time you recognized their contributions?

2) Growth has stalled.
- If there’s no development or career path, people will outgrow you.

3) Feedback is a joke.
- Micromanaging isn’t feedback. Silence isn’t either.

4) Culture feels toxic.
- Gossip, favoritism, or burnout damages morale faster than you think.

5) Pay doesn’t match the value.
- People notice when their paycheck doesn’t reflect their effort.

6) Leaders don’t inspire.

- Great leadership isn’t about authority, it’s about empowerment.

7) Work-life balance is a myth.
- When “flexibility” feels like a trap, people won’t stay.

What companies get wrong about retention:

→ Exit interviews won’t save you.
By the time someone quits, they’ve already mentally left months ago.

→ Perks don’t replace purpose.
Free coffee won’t fix poor leadership or lack of appreciation.

→ High turnover is expensive.
Losing employees costs more than just their salary, it’s morale, momentum, and knowledge walking out the door.

Be the reason they stay, not the reason they leave.
What’s your take? Let’s hear it in the comments.

Repost this to your network if you found it insightful!

#resignation #retention #jobs #advice #tips #employee #burnouts #stress #hiring #worklifebalance #flexibility #toxicity #workculture #purpose

Some tips for you:

Starting a conversation with a stranger can feel intim dating, but with the right approach, it’s easier than you think. The key is to be authentic, show interest, and keep the conversation flowing. Here are some tips on how to start a conversation that will grab attention and lead to meaningful interactions.



1. Personalize Your Opening Line

A generic greeting like "Hi" or "Hey" can feel uninspired. Instead, personalize your opening line to stand out. Look at the person's profile and mention something specific that caught your eye. For example, if they love hiking, you might say, "I noticed you're into hiking—what’s the best trail you’ve been on recently?" This approach shows that you’re genuinely interested in getting to know them.



2. Ask Open-Ended Questions

To keep the conversation flowing, ask open-ended questions that require more than a yes or no answer. Questions like "What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend?" or "If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?" invite the other person to share more about themselves. This can lead to a more engaging and lively conversation.



3. Compliment Sincerely

Everyone appreciates a sincere compliment. However, it’s important to be genuine and avoid clichés. Instead of just saying "You’re beautiful," try something more specific like, "You have a great smile—it’s contagious!" or "Your passion for art really shines through your profile." This makes your compliment more meaningful and memorable.



4. Use Humor

Humor is a great way to break the ice and make your conversation more enjoyable. A light-hearted joke or a witty comment can show your playful side. For example, if they mention their love for coffee, you could say, "Coffee lovers are my kind of people! What’s your go-to order?" Just make sure your humor is appropriate and in line with the tone of their profile.



5. Share Something About Yourself

While it’s important to ask questions, don’t forget to share something about yourself as well. This helps to build rapport and makes the conversation more balanced. For instance, after asking about their favorite travel destination, you could add, "I’ve always wanted to visit Japan—I'm fascinated by the culture and history."



6. Be Respectful and Mindful

Respect is crucial in any conversation, especially on a dating app. Be mindful of the other person’s comfort levels and avoid asking overly personal or sensitive questions too soon. Keep the tone friendly and light until you’ve established a stronger connection.



7. End with a Question

To keep the conversation going, always try to end your message with a question. This encourages the other person to respond and keeps the dialogue open. For example, if they mention they love cooking, you could say, "That’s awesome! What’s your signature dish?" This way, the conversation doesn’t hit a dead end.