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Yes – upload that Video!

It’s Monday. For many of you – back to work… for me, well… my Out Of Office is ON!! – Yes, that’s right – I’m taking the week of work…

However, I wanted to share a blog post and say to you, Yes! – Upload that video.

Bal, which video?

You know… that video, of you talking about a subject that you really enjoy. That subject that you really love. That subject that brings a smile to your face.

Bal, but why?

Well – recently there was a great article on BBC News…

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/business-49207532/i-get-so-much-recognition-from-youtube

It’s about the Dairy Farmer – who has over 2 million subscribers on YouTube – which allows him to a) make some serious money and b) get recognized – which he can monetize at some point!

His YouTube channel is phenomenal –

So why am I sharing this with you?

Because anyone can do this! – that’s right… even you! – all you need to do is, start recording videos of your interest and upload them. Sounds so simple, right?

Because it is! – and then grow your audience.

As you know – some of my passions are digital, technology… and food! – which got me thinking…. Bal’s Food Tour?

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Bal's Friday Thought

Bal’s Friday Thought…

Been having some great conversations lately – and also reflecting on myself. I think I’m a nice guy – and if you know me, I believe you’d agree I am – however, am I so nice… that I would avoid conflict? – on some occasions, maybe.

But then the question is – how can you win without fighting….

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FaceApp… good or bad?

Let’s be honest – when a new craze hit’s the streets, we are want to be part of it!

Recently – you would have noticed the FaceApp that makes you look older than what you are. It’s all a bit of fun – you share a photo/camera roll with the app, then choose a photo and hey presto – it’s uploaded to their servers and their ‘AI’ (Artificial Intelligence) works it’s magic and you have a photo that’s increased your age and make you look old!

All the stars and celebs are doing it.

I’m sure your friends are doing it.

The kids for sure are doing it.

And because of FOMO – Fear of Missing Out – you’ve probably downloaded it and going to play around with it.

If you haven’t or are going to – there’s concerns about the Russian based company who’s responsible for the app, and what the data might be used for.

Breaking it down – they take your photo’s and place it on their server. This means, they have access and use your photos.

How do you feel sharing your photos with them? – maybe you’re ok with that… but the concerns are, what they can do with them. They can also – find you on all social media accounts, find out all sorts of information about you – and then, well… it all depends, they could do all sorts. You’ve probably heard about ‘deepfakes’. If not – I’ll share more in another blog post but it’s when they can take an image or video, place it on something else and make a video look so realistic that you wouldn’t believe it’s not true.

So the company has come out and said they delete the images from their server – and do not keep them. Which is nice to know.

The concerns raised were that the company is in Russia and may have links with the Russian Government. However, they’ve come out saying there are no such links. And all photo’s are deleted (as mentioned).

FaceApp is run by a company called Wireless Lab OOO.

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Bal's Friday Thought

Bal’s Friday Thought…

Some people (including myself – well, I have moments) when they don’t believe in themselves.

Self doubt sets in and they struggle…. recently, I’ve been having some great conversations with someone who’s kind of become a mentor.

I saw the below – and made me laugh… so true, right?

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Bal's Friday Thought

Bal’s Friday Thought…

It’s always those quiet ones…

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Bal's Friday Thought

Bal’s Friday Thought…

Recently I was told… no, don’t do that- they’re not nice.

My response –

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Super Hot!

Weekend gone- we saw temperatures soar!!! High… and break records!

That’s right – In Paris, it was hitting record temperatures never seen before – and in England, we have 30 degrees Celsius!!

Now – how can you keep cool? There’s a few advances that can help you..

  1. Ice Cooling Vest – That’s right! You can get a vest, that takes ice packs and will keep you cool!! That’s right – replaceable, cooling and awesome!

2. Secondly – if you haven’t got air conditioning in your house, why not have a portable simple air con unit?

That’s right – your very own personal air con unit to keep you cool! – there’s plenty available on amazon and other shopping sites, just search for the size you’d like and keep your cool….

3. Now, if you’re like me – and drive a lot, you need to ensure you have the right drinks, snacks etc… in your car at a good temperature. The best way to do this is to have an in-car cooler!

That’s right! – plugs straight into your cigarette lighter and keeps your drinks and snacks cold! Exactly what’s needed if you’re going on a long journey or if your car doesn’t have already an in-built fridge!

Summary –

These are tech items I thought would be useful – obviously, take care in the heat, follow your local government/council recommendations (usually they say stay indoors) and most importantly – stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

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Bal's Friday Thought

Bal’s Friday Thought…

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Bal's Friday Thought

Bal’s Friday Thought…

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Who needs air anyway?

Recently, I’ve noticed – there’s been a lot of innovation around vehicles.

There’s the self-driving cars which I’ve spoken about before, there’s also the flying cars which are coming soon… and yes, we have the fully electric cars which are getting better and better.

But there’s so much to a vehicle which can be improved – and why is it we think in traditional manners?

Take the tyre for example.

Take Michelin for example. Started in 1889. Has much changed with their tyres? – same old rubber and air. Yes, there’s been new and improved designs.. but anything radical?

Now – don’t get me wrong, Michelin are a great company with some great history and delivering some great products.

But you know… everything is being disrupted.

And why not better – for Michelin, to team up with a car manufacturer, to work on something that would be ‘ground-breaking’.

How brilliant is this?! – Safety first.

No air. Simply design. Less rubber. Potential reduction in CO2.

So… who needs air, anyway?