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Poring through university admissions applications takes immense manual labor, and human bias is often the subject of questionable headlines because of poor decision-making. AI could solve this problem, but bias oversights are still plentiful enough to negatively impact a student’s future. How Is AI Used in College Admissions? AI does more than scan college applications to see if they meet requirements, though this is its primary application. Application Screening Algorithms are customizable depending on a university’s standards for seeking applications that meet the criteria. AI can scan numbers from standardized tests, identify the value of extracurricular commitments and judge this against coursework. Predictive Analytics Machine learning can compare previous applicants to incoming ones to judge their chances of success. This is helpful from an administrative perspective because it gives boards insights into potential retention rates in the coming years. The process becomes more accurate the longer a university uses AI. Personalized Communication During and after the application process, competent chatbots could be invaluable resources for students. If they have questions about submitting forms or what a prompt means, a chatbot has the knowledge to give helpful responses. Bias Mitigation AI algorithms are just as capable of defeating bias as formulating it. For years, humans have turned the other way to accept some applications even if they did not meet a metric. An AI will not. Aspects of the admissions process become more objective because it removes some chances for human-based bias to compromise the process. How Could AI Develop Bias? Universities are responsible for collaborating with AI engineers and data scientists to filter out the chance of bias. This is an around-the-clock job, as the algorithms constantly change as they learn from themselves. Data Bias These repetitions could cause data bias, which is one of the biggest oversights for admissions. This is when the dataset includes information that promotes harmful training, such as discriminating against certain demographics because of historical tendencies. Algorithmic Bias Algorithmic bias is another red flag. This occurs when criteria carry different weights throughout the training process. Is the model starting to prioritize test scores over GPA, or is it skewed to prefer families with alumni? Experts must adjust how the AI views each metric to ensure consistency after repeated learning cycles. The University of California made a landmark decision to remove standardized test scores from its considerations because of systemic racism and ableism causing disadvantages to students. Years of historical trends like this do not bode well for training AI because it will need to learn how to weigh this metric if necessary in some places. Additionally, the depth of the bias will take a lot of work to overcome. Feedback Loops This hints at how dangerous feedback loops can be. Depending on the learning environment AI overseers employ, the model may become more extreme in its outcomes. Positive reinforcement could favor students with specific backgrounds or demographics. Researchers see this bias problem impacting universities, but graduates will find this extends into job applications. The crossover is immense, proven when researchers enter fake but demographically distinct names in ChatGPT 3.5 against a real job posting. AI put names culturally associated with Black Americans lower than names tied to white men and Asian women. Emotional Gaps An estimated 90% of students with over a 4.0 GPA and flawless SAT scores still fail to get into America’s top 10 universities. Adding AI oversights could make matters worse or inconsistent. AI has limited contextual understanding of an applicant’s experiences with too much weight on quantitative interpretations. It may not know how to judge a compelling story in an application essay or students who have to apply using nontraditional methods. What Can Admissions Officials Do? Some universities have already been privy to biased AI, and avoiding these fiascos in the future is crucial for maintaining reputation and keeping applicants interested. What proactive and preventive measures can schools take to keep students safe and be judged accurately? Many AI enthusiasts wonder if curating historical data, potentially skewing it or making the past inaccurate, would improve modern bias. Diverse and representative training alongside continuous monitoring is a more proactive approach to designing bias-free AI for admissions. This includes input from inclusive, interdisciplinary populations and datasets to fill gaps in socioeconomic, ethnic, educational and demographic experiences. Incorporating bias detection and mitigation tools will complement these efforts. AI professionals should help university leaders become literate in AI bias. They can offer workshops for noticing anomalies and providing feedback for further training. This helps if the admissions AI has integrated transparency, forcing it to explain where it derived its decisions. These insights are roadmaps for all AI users because they trace the source of problematic and biased information. Universities can also take a mixed approach to admissions, including human interactivity, to judge qualitative aspects. A recent study revealed an AI model was a poor predictor of educational outcomes because of its racial biases. It was incorrect at predicting the academic success of students with Asian backgrounds 73% of the time. AI can look at numbers effectively with minimal error, but humans may be better judges when reading personal statements or conducting interviews. Students in the Hands of AI Removing AI bias from college admissions is a deceptively critical issue, as poor data management could disrupt many students’ bright futures. Data scientists and university leaders must prioritize this, as the next-generation workforce relies on its accuracy and integrity to give them a chance at education. Neglect will cause numerous problems for all industries that need experienced professionals walking in the door. Poring through university admissions applications takes immense manual labor, and human bias is often the subject of questionable headlines because of poor decision-making. AI could solve this problem, but bias oversights are still plentiful enough to negatively impact a student’s future. Poring through university admissions applications takes immense manual labor, and human bias is often the subject of questionable headlines because of poor decision-making. AI could solve this problem, but bias oversights are still plentiful enough to negatively impact a student’s future. How Is AI Used in College Admissions? How Is AI Used in College Admissions? AI does more than scan college applications to see if they meet requirements, though this is its primary application. AI Application Screening Application Screening Algorithms are customizable depending on a university’s standards for seeking applications that meet the criteria. AI can scan numbers from standardized tests, identify the value of extracurricular commitments and judge this against coursework. Predictive Analytics Predictive Analytics Machine learning can compare previous applicants to incoming ones to judge their chances of success. This is helpful from an administrative perspective because it gives boards insights into potential retention rates in the coming years. The process becomes more accurate the longer a university uses AI. insights into potential retention rates Personalized Communication Personalized Communication During and after the application process, competent chatbots could be invaluable resources for students. If they have questions about submitting forms or what a prompt means, a chatbot has the knowledge to give helpful responses. Bias Mitigation Bias Mitigation AI algorithms are just as capable of defeating bias as formulating it. For years, humans have turned the other way to accept some applications even if they did not meet a metric. An AI will not. Aspects of the admissions process become more objective because it removes some chances for human-based bias to compromise the process. How Could AI Develop Bias? How Could AI Develop Bias? Universities are responsible for collaborating with AI engineers and data scientists to filter out the chance of bias. This is an around-the-clock job, as the algorithms constantly change as they learn from themselves. Data Bias Data Bias These repetitions could cause data bias, which is one of the biggest oversights for admissions. This is when the dataset includes information that promotes harmful training, such as discriminating against certain demographics because of historical tendencies. Algorithmic Bias Algorithmic Bias Algorithmic bias is another red flag. This occurs when criteria carry different weights throughout the training process. Is the model starting to prioritize test scores over GPA, or is it skewed to prefer families with alumni? Experts must adjust how the AI views each metric to ensure consistency after repeated learning cycles. The University of California made a landmark decision to remove standardized test scores from its considerations because of systemic racism and ableism causing disadvantages to students. Years of historical trends like this do not bode well for training AI because it will need to learn how to weigh this metric if necessary in some places. Additionally, the depth of the bias will take a lot of work to overcome. remove standardized test scores remove standardized test scores Feedback Loops This hints at how dangerous feedback loops can be. Depending on the learning environment AI overseers employ, the model may become more extreme in its outcomes. Positive reinforcement could favor students with specific backgrounds or demographics. Researchers see this bias problem impacting universities, but graduates will find this extends into job applications. The crossover is immense, proven when researchers enter fake but demographically distinct names in ChatGPT 3.5 against a real job posting. AI put names culturally associated with Black Americans lower than names tied to white men and Asian women. culturally associated with Black Americans lower culturally associated with Black Americans lower Emotional Gaps An estimated 90% of students with over a 4.0 GPA and flawless SAT scores still fail to get into America’s top 10 universities. Adding AI oversights could make matters worse or inconsistent. AI has limited contextual understanding of an applicant’s experiences with too much weight on quantitative interpretations. It may not know how to judge a compelling story in an application essay or students who have to apply using nontraditional methods. estimated 90% of students estimated 90% of students What Can Admissions Officials Do? Some universities have already been privy to biased AI, and avoiding these fiascos in the future is crucial for maintaining reputation and keeping applicants interested. What proactive and preventive measures can schools take to keep students safe and be judged accurately? Many AI enthusiasts wonder if curating historical data , potentially skewing it or making the past inaccurate, would improve modern bias. Diverse and representative training alongside continuous monitoring is a more proactive approach to designing bias-free AI for admissions. This includes input from inclusive, interdisciplinary populations and datasets to fill gaps in socioeconomic, ethnic, educational and demographic experiences. Incorporating bias detection and mitigation tools will complement these efforts. curating historical data AI professionals should help university leaders become literate in AI bias. They can offer workshops for noticing anomalies and providing feedback for further training. This helps if the admissions AI has integrated transparency, forcing it to explain where it derived its decisions. These insights are roadmaps for all AI users because they trace the source of problematic and biased information. Universities can also take a mixed approach to admissions, including human interactivity, to judge qualitative aspects. A recent study revealed an AI model was a poor predictor of educational outcomes because of its racial biases. It was incorrect at predicting the academic success of students with Asian backgrounds 73% of the time. AI can look at numbers effectively with minimal error, but humans may be better judges when reading personal statements or conducting interviews. students with Asian backgrounds 73% students with Asian backgrounds 73% Students in the Hands of AI Removing AI bias from college admissions is a deceptively critical issue, as poor data management could disrupt many students’ bright futures. Data scientists and university leaders must prioritize this, as the next-generation workforce relies on its accuracy and integrity to give them a chance at education. Neglect will cause numerous problems for all industries that need experienced professionals walking in the door.

Addressing Bias in AI Models Used for University Admissions Decisions

Fangirls of the 2010s My parasocial relationships (definition upcoming) with internet influencers started, like a lot of millennials my age, circa the 2010s when normal everyday people started using platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram to post about their day to day while also experimenting with making money online by sharing their niche knowledge to interested audiences. Each person has their own niches. My favorite niche creators to follow back then were beauty bloggers like Jenn Im (clothesencounters), Estee Lalonde (essiebutton), or Michelle Phan (ricebunny lmao). I found their content useful and relatable. As they were all around my age (early 20s), all dating outside of their races and/or living outside of their home countries, they almost felt like “friends” to me. Over the years, I occasionally buy the stuff they recommend, purchase the books they write, or clothing/ beauty items they create with their personal brands. When Estee out of the blue announced her separation in 2018 from her long term boyfriend of 9 years who was the reason she moved to the UK and had a career in YouTube in the first place, I was shocked and caught completely off guard. 6 years later, I had similar feelings when Jenn Im announced her divorce earlier this year from her husband of 10 years with whom she shared a son, a house, and by all accounts a good collaborative career with. In both cases, their apparently healthy, loving and mutually beneficial relationships with their significant others (see here, or here) contribute a great deal to my positive impressions of the brands they endorse or the projects they create together. When they suddenly ended the relationships without any explanation, I felt financially and more importantly, emotionally cheated and betrayed. The best way I can express this feeling is as if out of the blue, your favorite TV shows which you buy with your money and invest many hours watching, suddenly end without an explanation. I thought: if me, an educated mother of 2 who’s also a business owner feels this way about some weird celebrity “gossips”, then: a. what is wrong with me? and b. I wonder if other people on the internet feel the same way. A simple google, tiktok or reddit search would then appease my worry and send me straight to rabbit holes upon rabbit holes. That yes, hundreds, if not thousands of people, mother or not, business owner or not, feel similarly about the situations. My feelings, indeed, are valid. one of the many hundred comments/threads on reddit surrounding Jenn Im’s divorce Parasocial Relationships So, let’s dissect this. What even are parasocial relationships? Parasocial relationships, if I have to define it, would be this: one sided relationships where one side is completely oblivious and ignorant to the existence of the other person, while the other side is completely invested and (think that they know) the other person well. Dictionary.com defines it as: a relationship that a person imagines having with another person whom they do not actually know, such as a celebrity or a fictional character. Take this definition to heart, you can see why parasocial relationships could be problematic. One obvious problem for the audience is imbalance of powers. The creators make money off of traffic to their platforms. Their audience consumes the content, perhaps buy things from the (oftentimes) carefully crafted narrative. However, audience is only privy to what the creators choose to share. So they have incomplete information when making decisions whether or not to invest their financial or emotional resources into the “relationships”. This makes them much more prone to manipulation. Another problem is what modern day philosophers like contrapoints or lindsey ellis coined “manafactured authenticity”. That is, unlike the pre-internet celebrities who are generally unapproachable and not “one of us”, the modern day internet influencers present themselves a lot of the times as just one of their fans. In order to gain trust and following, they don’t just bombard fans with highly produced adverts. They also share facets of their lives, mistakes and stumbles in the form of life lessons, and of course, personal relationships they might engage in with other people in real time. In other words, “real” life (or something akin to it). So when things go south, such as when the messages the creators choose to share contradict with previous messages (like a sudden breakup), a natural breakdown of trust occurs. Their fans who have followed their every move and supported every product they endorse, suddenly feel out of the loop, and like they don’t know the creators anymore. “I thought we were friends”, many would think. But unlike other relationships where there are generally resolutions or expectation of a resolution, there are no resolutions in a parasocial relationship. Audience is expected to “move on”, “respect their privacy”, “be considerate in these difficult times”. Of course, from the creators side, there are many problems as well. They are not the traditional celebrities of the pre-internet day with at least a layer of separation between them and their fans. The most successful of them all, as mentioned above, are generally more approachable, accessible, friendly. In fact, traditional celebrities in recent years have started to copy this strategy and try to erase the gap between them and their fans by sharing more personal stuff online. The trade off for influencers in this case is the slow (or sometimes fast) erosion of their personal privacy. Many cope with it by suddenly disappearing from the internet for a while (like Michelle Phan). Others choose to never share certain aspects of their life with the internet, such as their romantic partners, or their children. But for the most part, the unfortunate burden of being an influencer is that part of your life at least is there for you to monetize, and hence, you’ve gotta share it. At the end of the day, it’s their job. Additionally, influencers also face unfair criticism and scrutiny from bad faith actors due to the sheer amount of stuff that they share online. People speculate, judge, and sometimes just outright make up lies and defame them. People feel entitled to parts of their lives they have no business in knowing. And the speed at which information and disinformation travel is a lot in the internet age. For example, Estee expressed worsened anxiety and PTSD from the barrage of negativity and even conspiracy that came her way and her ex boyfriend’s way after the separation announcement. She proceeded to deleting all of her old videos featuring the ex (and presumably any residual income that might come from them.) Jenn Im faced a lot of accusations of her being a “bad mother” and had to defend herself amidst her own messy divorce and coparenting journey. Which sounds horrible for anyone, celebrity or not. “It’s the price of fame”, the old adage goes. But what’s different this time around is just how alarming close to real life their online persona is, and they have to have a certain online presence to do their job. After a traditional entertainment role, artists can go back to their “real life” and leave their role behind. But not these internet creators. They might experience a very real phenomena unique to internet age, wherein they start to believe the things and sometimes lies people say about them, and find it hard to distinguish what’s real from what’s not. It’s one thing for 1 random person to say you are a bad mother. It’s a PR disaster, personal nightmare and mental hellscape when thousands of people who you thought were your fans like a comment calling you a “bad mother” during your darkest days. I’d imagined they would feel betrayed & manipulated too. We are all influencers in a way Lastly, this whole tangent makes me think about my own social media usage and the personas we all portray online, whether or not we are aware of them. Everyone can have their moment of fame in the TikTok age. Everyone puts their best foot forward as literal ‘highlight reels’ on Instagram. Everyone has probably experienced a moment where they engage in an activity thinking how it would look online first, before engaging in the moments themselves. If you have ever met someone in real life for the first time and become shocked about how their irl appearance and actions have nothing or very little to do with what they portray online, you’ll get what I mean. We all in a way engage in these semi parasocial relationships with our online selves. The more aware we are of the thin line, the less disconnected we would prone to get when we have to go back to living our life, for our own good, and not just “for the gram”. So the next time you find yourself comparing your life to those of others, especially those portrayed online by people you either don’t know or have not met in person for a long time, as I know we all secretly do, ask yourself this question: “Do I want to doomscroll until I rot or do I wanna go outside and smell some actual flowers instead?” Hey, most of the time, the right answer is just that. Go outside. Live your life. Nobody but you can live it. Originally published on linhdaosmooke.com Fangirls of the 2010s My parasocial relationships (definition upcoming) with internet influencers started, like a lot of millennials my age, circa the 2010s when normal everyday people started using platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram to post about their day to day while also experimenting with making money online by sharing their niche knowledge to interested audiences. Each person has their own niches. My favorite niche creators to follow back then were beauty bloggers like Jenn Im ( clothesencounters ), Estee Lalonde ( essiebutton ), or Michelle Phan ( ricebunny lmao). I found their content useful and relatable. As they were all around my age (early 20s), all dating outside of their races and/or living outside of their home countries, they almost felt like “friends” to me. Over the years, I occasionally buy the stuff they recommend, purchase the books they write, or clothing/ beauty items they create with their personal brands. clothesencounters essiebutton ricebunny When Estee out of the blue announced her separation in 2018 from her long term boyfriend of 9 years who was the reason she moved to the UK and had a career in YouTube in the first place, I was shocked and caught completely off guard . 6 years later, I had similar feelings when Jenn Im announced her divorce earlier this year from her husband of 10 years with whom she shared a son, a house, and by all accounts a good collaborative career with. In both cases, their apparently healthy, loving and mutually beneficial relationships with their significant others (see here , or here ) contribute a great deal to my positive impressions of the brands they endorse or the projects they create together. When they suddenly ended the relationships without any explanation, I felt financially and more importantly, emotionally cheated and betrayed. The best way I can express this feeling is as if out of the blue, your favorite TV shows which you buy with your money and invest many hours watching, suddenly end without an explanation. I was shocked and caught completely off guard similar feelings here here financially emotionally I thought: if me, an educated mother of 2 who’s also a business owner feels this way about some weird celebrity “gossips”, then: a. what is wrong with me? and b. I wonder if other people on the internet feel the same way. A simple google, tiktok or reddit search would then appease my worry and send me straight to rabbit holes upon rabbit holes. That yes, hundreds, if not thousands of people, mother or not, business owner or not, feel similarly about the situations. My feelings, indeed, are valid. one of the many hundred comments/threads on reddit surrounding Jenn Im’s divorce one of the many hundred comments/threads on reddit surrounding Jenn Im’s divorce Parasocial Relationships So, let’s dissect this. What even are parasocial relationships? Parasocial relationships, if I have to define it, would be this: one sided relationships where one side is completely oblivious and ignorant to the existence of the other person, while the other side is completely invested and (think that they know) the other person well. one sided relationships where one side is completely oblivious and ignorant to the existence of the other person, while the other side is completely invested and (think that they know) the other person well. Dictionary.com defines it as: a relationship that a person imagines having with another person whom they do not actually know, such as a celebrity or a fictional character. a relationship that a person imagines having with another person whom they do not actually know, such as a celebrity or a fictional character. Take this definition to heart, you can see why parasocial relationships could be problematic. One obvious problem for the audience is imbalance of powers . The creators make money off of traffic to their platforms. Their audience consumes the content, perhaps buy things from the (oftentimes) carefully crafted narrative. However, audience is only privy to what the creators choose to share. So they have incomplete information when making decisions whether or not to invest their financial or emotional resources into the “relationships”. This makes them much more prone to manipulation. imbalance of powers Another problem is what modern day philosophers like contrapoints or lindsey ellis coined “ manafactured authenticity ”. That is, unlike the pre-internet celebrities who are generally unapproachable and not “one of us”, the modern day internet influencers present themselves a lot of the times as just one of their fans. In order to gain trust and following, they don’t just bombard fans with highly produced adverts. They also share facets of their lives, mistakes and stumbles in the form of life lessons, and of course, personal relationships they might engage in with other people in real time. In other words, “real” life (or something akin to it). contrapoints lindsey ellis manafactured authenticity So when things go south, such as when the messages the creators choose to share contradict with previous messages (like a sudden breakup), a natural breakdown of trust occurs. Their fans who have followed their every move and supported every product they endorse, suddenly feel out of the loop, and like they don’t know the creators anymore. “I thought we were friends”, many would think. But unlike other relationships where there are generally resolutions or expectation of a resolution, there are no resolutions in a parasocial relationship . Audience is expected to “move on”, “respect their privacy”, “be considerate in these difficult times”. there are no resolutions in a parasocial relationship Of course, from the creators side, there are many problems as well. They are not the traditional celebrities of the pre-internet day with at least a layer of separation between them and their fans. The most successful of them all, as mentioned above, are generally more approachable, accessible, friendly. In fact, traditional celebrities in recent years have started to copy this strategy and try to erase the gap between them and their fans by sharing more personal stuff online. The trade off for influencers in this case is the slow (or sometimes fast) erosion of their personal privacy. Many cope with it by suddenly disappearing from the internet for a while (like Michelle Phan). Others choose to never share certain aspects of their life with the internet, such as their romantic partners, or their children. But for the most part, the unfortunate burden of being an influencer is that part of your life at least is there for you to monetize, and hence, you’ve gotta share it. At the end of the day, it’s their job. erosion of their personal privacy. Additionally, influencers also face unfair criticism and scrutiny from bad faith actors due to the sheer amount of stuff that they share online. People speculate, judge, and sometimes just outright make up lies and defame them. People feel entitled to parts of their lives they have no business in knowing. And the speed at which information and disinformation travel is a lot in the internet age. unfair criticism and scrutiny from bad faith actors For example, Estee expressed worsened anxiety and PTSD from the barrage of negativity and even conspiracy that came her way and her ex boyfriend’s way after the separation announcement. She proceeded to deleting all of her old videos featuring the ex (and presumably any residual income that might come from them.) Jenn Im faced a lot of accusations of her being a “bad mother” and had to defend herself amidst her own messy divorce and coparenting journey. Which sounds horrible for anyone, celebrity or not. defend herself “ It’s the price of fame ”, the old adage goes. But what’s different this time around is just how alarming close to real life their online persona is, and they have to have a certain online presence to do their job. After a traditional entertainment role, artists can go back to their “real life” and leave their role behind. But not these internet creators. They might experience a very real phenomena unique to internet age, wherein they start to believe the things and sometimes lies people say about them, and find it hard to distinguish what’s real from what’s not. It’s one thing for 1 random person to say you are a bad mother. It’s a PR disaster, personal nightmare and mental hellscape when thousands of people who you thought were your fans like a comment calling you a “bad mother” during your darkest days. I’d imagined they would feel betrayed & manipulated too. It’s the price of fame alarming close to real life We are all influencers in a way Lastly, this whole tangent makes me think about my own social media usage and the personas we all portray online, whether or not we are aware of them. Everyone can have their moment of fame in the TikTok age. Everyone puts their best foot forward as literal ‘highlight reels’ on Instagram. Everyone has probably experienced a moment where they engage in an activity thinking how it would look online first, before engaging in the moments themselves. moment of fame If you have ever met someone in real life for the first time and become shocked about how their irl appearance and actions have nothing or very little to do with what they portray online, you’ll get what I mean. We all in a way engage in these semi parasocial relationships with our online selves . The more aware we are of the thin line, the less disconnected we would prone to get when we have to go back to living our life, for our own good, and not just “for the gram”. We all in a way engage in these semi parasocial relationships with our online selves So the next time you find yourself comparing your life to those of others, especially those portrayed online by people you either don’t know or have not met in person for a long time, as I know we all secretly do, ask yourself this question: “Do I want to doomscroll until I rot or do I wanna go outside and smell some actual flowers instead?” Hey, most of the time, the right answer is just that. Go outside. Live your life. Nobody but you can live it. Originally published on linhdaosmooke.com Originally published on linhdaosmooke.com linhdaosmooke.com

Real or not real? Social Media, Parasocial Relationships, and Internet Influencers

বাস্তব না বাস্তব? সোশ্যাল মিডিয়া, প্যারাসোশ্যাল রিলেশনশিপ এবং ইন্টারনেট ইনফ্লুয়েন্সার

Echt oder nicht echt? Soziale Medien, parasoziale Beziehungen und Internet-Influencer

¿Real o no real? Redes sociales, relaciones parasociales e influencers de Internet

Réel ou non réel? Médias sociaux, relations parasociales et influenceurs Internet

असली या झूठा? सोशल मीडिया, पैरासोशल रिलेशनशिप और इंटरनेट इन्फ्लुएंसर

現実か非現実か? ソーシャルメディア、パラソーシャルな関係、そしてインターネットのインフルエンサー

진짜야, 진짜가 아니야? 소셜 미디어, 준사회적 관계, 인터넷 영향력자

Real ou nao real? Mídia social, relações parassociais e influenciadores da Internet

Настоящий или не настоящий? Социальные сети, парасоциальные отношения и интернет-влиятельные люди

Gerçek ya da değil? Sosyal Medya, Parasosyal İlişkiler ve İnternet Etkileyicileri

Thực hay không thực? Truyền thông xã hội, các mối quan hệ cận xã hội và những người có ảnh hưởng trên Internet

真实还是虚假？社交媒体、准社会关系和网络影响者

Robinhood has made waves in the casual investment community for being a commission-free, mobile-friendly app that’s made trading accessible to everyone — not just the wealthy or experienced traders. It’s only natural, then, that a similar solution be made available for would-be crypto investors — and it’s vital that this solution is made specifically for the casual investor. After all, even with more people trading in decentralized digital currencies than ever before, the majority of Americans still don’t have a strong grasp of crypto concepts. This can prevent new and inexperienced traders from integrating cryptocurrency into their everyday transactions and investments, and it risks concentrating knowledge and trading power in the hands of a few individuals or groups. And sure, there are solutions like Coinbase and Kraken available, but these platforms are still bogged down by unnecessary features and confusing terminologies. This is where Bolide comes in. This easy-to-use mobile trading app aims to simplify crypto investments (specifically memecoins) for everyone, even those without any prior crypto experience. Learn more about the common barriers of crypto investing, how Bolide is breaking these down, and how Bolide CEO Ox Bid is giving memecoins their Robinhood moment — pushing to make social, on-chain memecoin trading easy and fun for everyone. Memecoin Trading: Navigating the Wild West of Crypto Memecoin trading is the buying and selling of digital currencies that are often inspired by internet jokes or cultural memes. However, unlike more established cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum, memecoins are highly volatile and lack additional built-in uses, making them a risky investment. The value of memecoins typically stems from viral marketing campaigns, speculation, and hype. While this adds to the risky charm of memecoins, it also makes it challenging for newcomers to distinguish between legitimate investments and fleeting trends. Additionally, the market's lack of regulation makes it ripe for scams, where promoters might inflate a memecoin's value and sell off their holdings at a peak, leaving others with devalued assets. The cryptocurrency market itself is also volatile. For instance, during the crypto winter of 2022, the market saw a major downturn, resulting in a $2 trillion loss in market value and impacting many investors. Such slumps can be triggered by withdrawing from large investors, significant frauds or security breaches, or tighter government regulations. Finally, navigating crypto trading platforms also requires a high level of digital and financial literacy. In order to maintain their investment and stay safe, beginners need to invest time into learning which risks avoiding and deciphering which coins are worth investing in — all while managing complex trading interfaces. Due to these barriers, a lot of investors forgo crypto trading altogether. Bolide: Memecoin Trading for the Masses Bolide is a mobile app that makes it easy and affordable for beginners to start trading memecoins. It uses Pimlico’s Account Abstraction technology to allow gasless transactions and embedded wallets from Privy for social logins. In doing so, it gives users affordable transactions, secure account access, and lets them store their customer keys safely. This way, users can manage their investments with ease and confidence, knowing their data and digital assets are well-protected. And thanks to a simplistic user interface, users can navigate Bolide as easily as they would a standard bank account — even if they’ve never used the on-chain market before “As an early investor and trader in crypto,” says Ox Bid, CEO and co-founder of Bolide, “my dream has always been to provide access and teach people how to navigate this space. The crypto market is undoubtedly risky, but it can be less so if customers have access to straightforward tools, as complexity often leads to mistakes and barriers.” Bolide is now available on the App Store, and its initial traction is notable. “Though we've been on the market for only a few weeks,” Ox says, “our trading volume has nearly reached $157,000, with an average of 13 trades per user and an average trade value of $30.” Clearly, Ox’s strategy of appealing to a lay audience of retail investors is paying off. Bolide’s Social Finance Future According to Ox Bid, it's time for memecoins to have their Robinhood moment. To this end, she believes that the secret to making memecoin trading accessible to everyone is to take Robinhood's affordable, user-friendly approach, apply it to crypto, and add a social twist. She notes that modern consumers are deeply influenced by social media in everything they do, from choosing where to eat to deciding where to live — and she sees this trend as vital to the future of retail crypto trading. “People often make decisions based on recommendations from influencers or friends,” Ox explains. “My goal is to create a similar influence-driven recommendation system, where users can see which tokens to buy based on the on-chain actions of top influencers, friends, and traders.” In doing so, Ox hopes to return to what made memecoins great in the first place: fun and levity. “I aim to make the crypto market not only accessible to the masses but also exciting and social,” she says. Trade Memecoins with Confidence Using Bolide Newcomers should be able to confidently trade crypto without having to sift through pages of research. They should feel at ease knowing that their investments are protected and that they have access to the tools and support required to make informed decisions. This is where Bolide shines. By blending the user-friendliness of Robinhood and the engagement of popular social platforms, Bolide gives users the freedom to navigate crypto trading in a fun and informative way. To learn how Bolide is making the most out of its Robinhood moment, check out the app for yourself. You can also follow Ox Bid on her Farcaster at @oxb, and on X at @Oxxbid. Robinhood has made waves in the casual investment community for being a commission-free, mobile-friendly app that’s made trading accessible to everyone — not just the wealthy or experienced traders. It’s only natural, then, that a similar solution be made available for would-be crypto investors — and it’s vital that this solution is made specifically for the casual investor. After all, even with more people trading in decentralized digital currencies than ever before, the majority of Americans still don’t have a strong grasp of crypto concepts. This can prevent new and inexperienced traders from integrating cryptocurrency into their everyday transactions and investments, and it risks concentrating knowledge and trading power in the hands of a few individuals or groups. And sure, there are solutions like Coinbase and Kraken available, but these platforms are still bogged down by unnecessary features and confusing terminologies. majority of Americans majority of Americans This is where Bolide comes in. This easy-to-use mobile trading app aims to simplify crypto investments (specifically memecoins) for everyone, even those without any prior crypto experience. Learn more about the common barriers of crypto investing, how Bolide is breaking these down, and how Bolide CEO Ox Bid is giving memecoins their Robinhood moment — pushing to make social, on-chain memecoin trading easy and fun for everyone. Memecoin Trading: Navigating the Wild West of Crypto Memecoin trading is the buying and selling of digital currencies that are often inspired by internet jokes or cultural memes. However, unlike more established cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum, memecoins are highly volatile and lack additional built-in uses, making them a risky investment. The value of memecoins typically stems from viral marketing campaigns, speculation, and hype. While this adds to the risky charm of memecoins, it also makes it challenging for newcomers to distinguish between legitimate investments and fleeting trends. Additionally, the market's lack of regulation makes it ripe for scams, where promoters might inflate a memecoin's value and sell off their holdings at a peak, leaving others with devalued assets. The cryptocurrency market itself is also volatile. For instance, during the crypto winter of 2022 , the market saw a major downturn, resulting in a $2 trillion loss in market value and impacting many investors. Such slumps can be triggered by withdrawing from large investors, significant frauds or security breaches, or tighter government regulations. crypto winter of 2022 crypto winter of 2022 Finally, navigating crypto trading platforms also requires a high level of digital and financial literacy . In order to maintain their investment and stay safe, beginners need to invest time into learning which risks avoiding and deciphering which coins are worth investing in — all while managing complex trading interfaces. financial literacy financial literacy Due to these barriers, a lot of investors forgo crypto trading altogether. Bolide: Memecoin Trading for the Masses Bolide is a mobile app that makes it easy and affordable for beginners to start trading memecoins. It uses Pimlico ’s Account Abstraction technology to allow gasless transactions and embedded wallets from Privy for social logins. In doing so, it gives users affordable transactions, secure account access, and lets them store their customer keys safely. This way, users can manage their investments with ease and confidence, knowing their data and digital assets are well-protected. Pimlico Pimlico Privy Privy And thanks to a simplistic user interface, users can navigate Bolide as easily as they would a standard bank account — even if they’ve never used the on-chain market before “As an early investor and trader in crypto,” says Ox Bid, CEO and co-founder of Bolide, “my dream has always been to provide access and teach people how to navigate this space. The crypto market is undoubtedly risky, but it can be less so if customers have access to straightforward tools, as complexity often leads to mistakes and barriers.” Bolide is now available on the App Store, and its initial traction is notable. “Though we've been on the market for only a few weeks,” Ox says, “our trading volume has nearly reached $157,000, with an average of 13 trades per user and an average trade value of $30.” Clearly, Ox’s strategy of appealing to a lay audience of retail investors is paying off. Bolide’s Social Finance Future According to Ox Bid, it's time for memecoins to have their Robinhood moment. To this end, she believes that the secret to making memecoin trading accessible to everyone is to take Robinhood's affordable, user-friendly approach, apply it to crypto, and add a social twist. She notes that modern consumers are deeply influenced by social media in everything they do, from choosing where to eat to deciding where to live — and she sees this trend as vital to the future of retail crypto trading. “People often make decisions based on recommendations from influencers or friends,” Ox explains. “My goal is to create a similar influence-driven recommendation system, where users can see which tokens to buy based on the on-chain actions of top influencers, friends, and traders.” In doing so, Ox hopes to return to what made memecoins great in the first place: fun and levity. “I aim to make the crypto market not only accessible to the masses but also exciting and social,” she says. Trade Memecoins with Confidence Using Bolide Newcomers should be able to confidently trade crypto without having to sift through pages of research. They should feel at ease knowing that their investments are protected and that they have access to the tools and support required to make informed decisions. This is where Bolide shines. By blending the user-friendliness of Robinhood and the engagement of popular social platforms, Bolide gives users the freedom to navigate crypto trading in a fun and informative way. To learn how Bolide is making the most out of its Robinhood moment, check out the app for yourself. You can also follow Ox Bid on her Farcaster at @oxb , and on X at @Oxxbid. the app the app at @oxb @oxb @Oxxbid . @Oxxbid

Is This the Robinhood Moment for Memecoins? Discovering the Bolide App

এটি কি মেমেকয়েনের জন্য রবিনহুড মুহূর্ত? বোলাইড অ্যাপ আবিষ্কার করা হচ্ছে

Ist dies der Robinhood-Moment für Memecoins? Entdeckung der Bolide-App

¿Es este el momento Robinhood para las Memecoins? Descubriendo la aplicación Bolide

Est-ce le moment Robinhood pour les Memecoins ? À la découverte de l'application Bolide

क्या यह मेमेकॉइन्स के लिए रॉबिनहुड मोमेंट है? बोलाइड ऐप की खोज

これはミームコインのロビンフッドの瞬間か？Bolideアプリを発見

지금이 Memecoin의 로빈후드 순간인가요? Bolide 앱 발견

Este é o momento Robinhood para Memecoins? Conhecendo o aplicativo Bolide

Это момент Робинхуда для мемкоинов? Знакомство с приложением Bolide

Bu Memecoin'ler için Robinhood Anı mı? Bolide Uygulamasını Keşfetmek

Đây có phải là khoảnh khắc Robinhood dành cho Memecoin? Khám phá ứng dụng Bolide

这是 Memecoins 的罗宾汉时刻吗？探索 Bolide 应用程序

**SAN FRANSCISCO, United States, April 4th, 2024/GamingWire/--**Cloudborn, the latest release from Antler Interactive, successfully demoed at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco last week. Featured in both the Inworld and BGA booths, the first-of-its-kind Web3, RPG, MMO, AI, PC-based game proved to be more than just a lengthy combination of acronyms. Constantin Berthelier, Narrative Designer at Antler Interactive, led the demonstrations and game tests for attendees at this year’s show. “We had testers of all sorts, some big names from big studios and publishers. Others were devs mostly curious about our title,” he explained. Attendees appeared most curious about Cloudborn’s use of AI-backed Non-Playable Characters (NPCs), something rival titles are racing to implement. With the first mover’s advantage, the team from Antler Interactive was able to drum up significant interest in their AI-NPC character, Zero. Constantin recounted, “I had anticipated that most GDC attendees were privy to the recent updates on the AI scene and would be somewhat blasé when interacting with our characters. But no, it did provide the wow effect! Most users were overwhelmed that they had the liberty to tell Zero all they wanted,” he said, then adding “Zero remained relevant and on character no matter what the testers would tell him.” Cloudborn is a Web3 gaming title, meaning various game elements utilize blockchain technology to give more control and self-ownership to gamers. This is presumed to open doors to many opportunities in a rapidly evolving and competitive technology space. Constantin shared that “The executives of big publishers, like NetEase, Square, Enix, and Amazon, all thought this [the web3 aspect] would be interesting, and even more so when I explained what it could allow.” Cloudborn encompasses a unique mix of AI and web3 technologies, aiming to improve the gaming experience. Using advanced, gameplay-focused AI - developed by their partners, Inworld - Cloudborn introduces a world that evolves as players make their moves, making environments and characters change in real-time, leading to a more immersive and personal game. Oliwer Svensson from Antler Interactive notes, “This goes beyond simple data; it's about the unpredictable ways AI shapes your character.” The use of blockchain means players truly own their characters, items, and achievements. Those testing the new title at the Game Developers Conference described it as “beautiful”, “unique”, and “fresh”, while also remarking on the “well-made UI”. One attendee is quoted as saying that Cloudborn has designed “the best UI possible to contain the AI prompts and feedback”. Attending the conference has proven to be a catalyst for Antler Interactive’s developmental charge, as they look to make Cloudborn a market leader. During the event, they opened early partnership discussions with several game producers, developers, artists, narrative designers, technologists, Web3 experts, and more, taking away considerable connections to support their growth. What was most interesting for the Cloudborn team was that while there was a noticeably big web3 presence at GDC there were no direct rivals to their title at the event. “There was one other Web3 game, but offering a very different concept. AI companies were present too, but they weren’t exploring narrative in the same way we are, in creating dynamic NPC personalities. One gaming project was looking at narrative development and AI but on a non-live model”. Cloudborn left the event feeling satisfied by the feedback and the knowledge that they have a unique proposition of a Web3 game that pushes ownership, experience, AI NPCs, and advanced trading. About Anter Interactive Antler Interactive is a Swedish gaming studio renowned for its innovative approach to gaming. Focusing on cutting-edge technologies, Antler Interactive strives to create immersive and involving experiences that captivate players worldwide. Antler, a multi-award-winning gaming studio, won the Binance Launchpool project of the year for My Neighbor Alice. Antler Interactive is a subsidiary of ChromaWay. More information can be found at antlerinteractive.com and cloudborn.game. Contact PR Manager Ramsey Shallal GELO ramsey@gelocubed.com This story was distributed as a release by Gamingwire under HackerNoon’s Business Blogging Program. Learn more about the program here. **SAN FRANSCISCO, United States, April 4th, 2024/GamingWire/--**Cloudborn, the latest release from Antler Interactive, successfully demoed at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco last week. Featured in both the Inworld and BGA booths, the first-of-its-kind Web3, RPG, MMO, AI, PC-based game proved to be more than just a lengthy combination of acronyms. Constantin Berthelier, Narrative Designer at Antler Interactive, led the demonstrations and game tests for attendees at this year’s show. “We had testers of all sorts, some big names from big studios and publishers. Others were devs mostly curious about our title,” he explained. “We had testers of all sorts, some big names from big studios and publishers. Others were devs mostly curious about our title,” he explained. Attendees appeared most curious about Cloudborn’s use of AI-backed Non-Playable Characters (NPCs), something rival titles are racing to implement. With the first mover’s advantage, the team from Antler Interactive was able to drum up significant interest in their AI-NPC character, Zero. Constantin recounted, “I had anticipated that most GDC attendees were privy to the recent updates on the AI scene and would be somewhat blasé when interacting with our characters. But no, it did provide the wow effect! Most users were overwhelmed that they had the liberty to tell Zero all they wanted,” he said, then adding “Zero remained relevant and on character no matter what the testers would tell him.” Constantin recounted, “I had anticipated that most GDC attendees were privy to the recent updates on the AI scene and would be somewhat blasé when interacting with our characters. But no, it did provide the wow effect! Most users were overwhelmed that they had the liberty to tell Zero all they wanted,” he said, then adding “Zero remained relevant and on character no matter what the testers would tell him.” Cloudborn is a Web3 gaming title, meaning various game elements utilize blockchain technology to give more control and self-ownership to gamers. This is presumed to open doors to many opportunities in a rapidly evolving and competitive technology space. Constantin shared that “The executives of big publishers, like NetEase, Square, Enix, and Amazon, all thought this [the web3 aspect] would be interesting, and even more so when I explained what it could allow.” Cloudborn encompasses a unique mix of AI and web3 technologies, aiming to improve the gaming experience. Using advanced, gameplay-focused AI - developed by their partners, Inworld - Cloudborn introduces a world that evolves as players make their moves, making environments and characters change in real-time, leading to a more immersive and personal game. Oliwer Svensson from Antler Interactive notes, “This goes beyond simple data; it's about the unpredictable ways AI shapes your character.” The use of blockchain means players truly own their characters, items, and achievements. Inworld Inworld Those testing the new title at the Game Developers Conference described it as “beautiful”, “unique”, and “fresh”, while also remarking on the “well-made UI”. One attendee is quoted as saying that Cloudborn has designed “the best UI possible to contain the AI prompts and feedback”. Attending the conference has proven to be a catalyst for Antler Interactive’s developmental charge, as they look to make Cloudborn a market leader. During the event, they opened early partnership discussions with several game producers, developers, artists, narrative designers, technologists, Web3 experts, and more, taking away considerable connections to support their growth. What was most interesting for the Cloudborn team was that while there was a noticeably big web3 presence at GDC there were no direct rivals to their title at the event. “There was one other Web3 game, but offering a very different concept. AI companies were present too, but they weren’t exploring narrative in the same way we are, in creating dynamic NPC personalities. One gaming project was looking at narrative development and AI but on a non-live model”. Cloudborn left the event feeling satisfied by the feedback and the knowledge that they have a unique proposition of a Web3 game that pushes ownership, experience, AI NPCs, and advanced trading. About Anter Interactive Antler Interactive is a Swedish gaming studio renowned for its innovative approach to gaming. Focusing on cutting-edge technologies, Antler Interactive strives to create immersive and involving experiences that captivate players worldwide. Antler, a multi-award-winning gaming studio, won the Binance Launchpool project of the year for My Neighbor Alice. Antler Interactive is a subsidiary of ChromaWay. More information can be found at antlerinteractive.com and cloudborn.game. Contact PR Manager Ramsey Shallal GELO ramsey@gelocubed.com This story was distributed as a release by Gamingwire under HackerNoon’s Business Blogging Program. Learn more about the program here. This story was distributed as a release by Gamingwire under HackerNoon’s Business Blogging Program. Learn more about the program here . here here

Cloudborn Demo Takes GDC By Storm With Many Wowed By Gameplay

Small commercial enterprise owners face many challenges and risks in the dynamic international of entrepreneurship. From belongings damage and felony liabilities to employee-associated dangers, the course to achievement is fraught with capacity barriers. This is wherein the function of Comprehensive Small Business Insurance Plans will become important, presenting a safety net that may mean the difference between flourishing and floundering in hard times. Understanding the Importance of Small Business Insurance Small companies are particularly prone to economic setbacks arising from unforeseen events. An unmarried lawsuit, natural catastrophe, or workplace twist of fate can result in expenses that many small agencies are unprepared to handle. Insurance is not just a protection degree; it's a fundamental part of your enterprise's economic fitness. Types of Insurance Plans for Small Businesses When thinking about coverage, small business owners ought to be privy to the diverse sorts of coverage available: General Liability Insurance protects your commercial enterprise from well-known prison claims, such as injuries. Property Insurance: If you own or rent space in your commercial enterprise, assets insurance is important to shield your physical belongings against fireplaces, robbery, and other damages. Professional Liability Insurance: Also referred to as Errors and Omissions insurance, it is essential for agencies that provide services or advice to customers. Workers' Compensation Insurance: This is necessary when you have employees. It covers scientific prices and lost wages if an employee gets injured. Product Liability Insurance: If your enterprise manufactures products on the market, this insurance protects against damages that products could cause. Tailoring a Plan to Your Business Needs No groups are alike, and insurance wishes can vary greatly depending on your industry, size, and precise business activities. It's essential to assess your risks and consequently tailor your coverage insurance. Consulting with coverage experts who provide Comprehensive Small Business Insurance Plans can offer insights and alternatives that align with your business requirements. The Cost of Insurance vs. The Cost of Risk While managing expenses concerns small enterprises, skimping coverage may be a steeply-priced mistake. The charges fee is often less than the potential losses from an uninsured event. It's a balancing act between finding less costly insurance and ensuring adequate safety. In conclusion, coverage isn't always just a regulatory requirement; it is a strategy to guard your business's destiny. With the right Comprehensive Small Business Insurance Plans, small commercial enterprise proprietors can shield their tough-earned belongings from the unpredictable nature of the business world. Remember, being organized is not about managing dangers; it is about ensuring the durability and success of your business. This story was distributed as a release by Ascend under HackerNoon’s Brand As An Author Program. Learn more about the program here: https://business.hackernoon.com/brand-as-author

Navigating the Complexities of Small Business Insurance: A Must for Entrepreneurs

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Bewältigung der Komplexität der Versicherung für Kleinunternehmen: Ein Muss für Unternehmer

Navegando por las complejidades de los seguros para pequeñas empresas: una necesidad para los emprendedores

Naviguer dans les complexités de l’assurance pour petites entreprises : un incontournable pour les entrepreneurs

लघु व्यवसाय बीमा की जटिलताओं से निपटना: उद्यमियों के लिए जरूरी है

中小企業保険の複雑さを乗り越える: 起業家必需品

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Преодоление сложностей страхования малого бизнеса: необходимость для предпринимателей

Küçük İşletme Sigortasının Karmaşıklıklarını Aşmak: Girişimciler İçin Bir Zorunluluk

Điều hướng sự phức tạp của bảo hiểm doanh nghiệp nhỏ: Điều bắt buộc đối với doanh nhân

应对小企业保险的复杂性：企业家的必修课

In the rapidly evolving realm of Web3, where innovation meets practicality, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Kevin Lu, the dynamic Co-Founder of Scalene and its flagship product, Friendzone (FZE). With a background rich in blockchain development and strategic growth, Kevin has spearheaded initiatives that have reshaped the landscape of and Social-Fi. Today, we delve into the intricate layers of Friendzone, exploring the vision, mechanics, and future prospects of this groundbreaking platform. Web3 Revolutionizing Social-Fi: A Deep Dive with Kevin Lu, Co-founder of Scalene & Pioneer Behind Friendz 1. Ishan Pandey: Kevin, it's an absolute honor to have you with us. To kick things off, can you share with our Hackernoon readers the story behind Scalene and its transition to a Web3 Venture Builder? Ishan, thank you for this opportunity to share more about Scalene and Friendzone. Our vision to onboard the next wave of Web3 builders and consumers was co-founded with a self-funded investment of $750K USD. Kevin Lu: Our journey began by fostering the talents of Web3 enthusiasts; we launched two core products, an Academy Platform and Talent Engine, that offered placement programs for top-tier talent into exceptional teams or a showcase opportunity at an industry-leading event. To debut our products, we co-hosted Glitch Hackathon, the first multi-chain developer festival in South Korea, where we supported over 300 builders and 1200 conference attendees. This initiative alongside Trinity Venture Studios, has evolved into a joint venture, reinforcing our commitment to developing emerging talent but also paved the way for our strategic growth. We also had the honor of contributing to GM VN, the largest Web3 Conference in Vietnam, as the exclusive hackathon and builder partner. Scalene alumni have joined some of the fastest-growing Web3 teams in 2023, including Infinex and Entangle Protocol. Our shift at Scalene to consumer-focused and mass-market products is a strategic answer to the changing landscape of Web3. Our goal is to draw a new wave of users and transform the digital world with impactful, user-centric experiences. Our debut and flagship product, Friendzone (FZE), marks a significant milestone in Scalene's journey. It embodies and is the first stepping stone on our mission to empower the entire consumer frontier of Web3, capitalizing on the now matured infrastructure landscape, leveraging advancements made available recently like ERC4337 and Privy. With Friendzone, we're championing a whole new ecosystem of social applications similar to DeFi Legos, which we refer to as SoFi Legos. In this ecosystem, every interaction transcends mere connectivity; it becomes a source for value creation, unlocking possibilities previously unimagined through composability, open-source, and decentralized collaboration. This evolution towards consumer-friendly and widely appealing products reflects our strategic foresight in adapting to the evolving dynamics of Web3, intending to attract an entirely new demographic of users and reshape the digital realm with engaging user-driven experiences. 2. Ishan Pandey: Friendzone is poised to be a notable player in the Social-Fi space. Based on the information available about its planned launch, could you shed light on the expected influence of Friendzone’s adaptive bonding curve and staking mechanism in this domain? How do you envision these features distinguishing Friendzone in the Social-Fi landscape? Drawing on our teams' experience in major DeFi, infrastructure, and middleware - we're proud to pioneer unique approaches within the Social-Fi domain. Our innovation of an adaptive bonding curve in our protocol design sets us apart as the first Web3 team to integrate a responsive pricing mechanism based on supply, demand, and reputation. Tying this with one of the core values behind Web3, ownership, we are excited to also be the first Web3 social project to implement native reward distribution through staking. Kevin Lu: Our core Unique Selling Points (USPs) revolve around these innovations. The essence of building a truly social Web3 product lies in embracing mechanisms that are inclusive and engaging for all users, regardless of their financial status or the timing of their platform engagement. We believe that limiting mechanisms, which could be perceived as 'anti-social,' have no place in the creation of a genuinely social Web3 environment - incentives are misaligned with speculation. The success of a Web3 project isn't solely dependent on intuitive UI/UX or an extensive feature set. The foundation of a project's longevity and impact lies in its protocol design and incentive loops. If these aspects are rudimentary or flawed, the project risks fizzling out after a speculative frenzy or worse, burning early users of the platform. At the heart of an exceptional Web3 project is a deep understanding of protocol, incentive design, and the unique financialization opportunities that crypto offers to leverage the resultant network effects. This understanding is the driving force behind building Friendzone from the ground up. We've observed numerous pitfalls in the current designs of , and we speak with users daily to understand their needs and challenges. This user-centric approach informs our development process, ensuring that we're not just another Social-Fi platform but paving the way for the next steps of evolution in this sector. SoFi platforms The features of Friendzone – particularly our adaptive bonding curve and staking mechanism – don't just differentiate us from other Social-Fi platforms; they set a new industry benchmark. These features are designed to foster a more inclusive, dynamic, and engaging Social-Fi environment. As we continue to iterate and refine Friendzone, our goal is to establish the industry standards for how Social-Fi projects should be conceptualized and executed, always with the protocol and incentive design at the forefront. 3. Ishan Pandey: You've had a remarkable journey with Band Protocol, marked by significant achievements. How have these experiences influenced your approach and vision for Scalene and Friendzone? My time at Band Protocol, complemented by my involvement in venture investments and advisory roles, was crucial in shaping my vision for Scalene and Friendzone. In Web3, the impact is often born from hands-on experience rather than just theory. The Web3 environment is ever-shifting, and practical experience is key. At Band Protocol, we reached significant milestones like securing $25B in total value and working with a wide spectrum of teams, from startups to mid-stage companies and enterprises like Google Cloud. These experiences have provided me with a deepened understanding of protocol and incentive design in Web3. Kevin Lu: Drawing from these rich experiences, coupled with the expansive network accrued over the last six years, provides Friendzone the competitive edge to create a Social-Fi platform that stands out and is here to stay in the rapidly evolving Web3 space. The key learning here is the importance of adaptive and user-centric product design, which is central to our vision. By integrating advanced incentive mechanisms and fostering a community-driven environment, we're addressing the gaps in current Social-Fi offerings. Our focus is not just on creating a platform but on cultivating an ecosystem where every interaction adds value, both socially and economically. 4. Ishan Pandey: The concept of monetizing social graphs is fascinating. Can you explain how Friendzone enables creators and users to transform their social engagement into tangible, monetizable assets? Our platform's core creator feature is the Custom Creator Controls, which provide end-to-end flexibility for content creators regardless of size. They can offer a variety of content, bounties, and experiences, setting their own terms and pricing for access directly within the app. This could range from Pay-Per-View (PPV) content to unique experiences or even exploring new concepts in social engagement. Our goal is to empower creators, brands, companies, and communities to tap into their audience base that is eager to support them more actively and intimately. Kevin Lu: During our version 1 incentivized beta launch, we're committed to engaging closely with our users. We believe in a hands-on approach to understanding their needs and preferences. This ongoing dialogue is crucial for refining our monetization streams. We're focusing on solving critical issues faced by creators and users in the monetization space and are excited to delve into creative markets that have yet to be defined. As we identify these highly demanded problems and feature requests, we plan to continuously roll out and expand our custom creator access controls. This iterative process ensures that we are not only responding to current market needs but are also ahead of the curve in anticipating and creating new opportunities. Our vision with Friendzone is to make social engagement not just interactive but also rewarding, transforming the way value is created and shared in the social graph. 5. Ishan Pandey: In terms of technology and user experience, what sets Friendzone apart from other Social-Fi platforms like Friendtech and Stars Arena? What fundamentally differentiates Friendzone from other Social-Fi platforms is our commitment to pioneering the capabilities of Web3 and industry growth. We consciously chose not to take the shortcut of forking existing projects. Unlike many SoFi projects, there isn’t a single line of code or element of protocol design in Friendzone that has been borrowed from existing models. This distinction is critical in the context of Web3 Social-Fi, which is still extremely early; forking often leads to mere value extraction from followers rather than creating meaningful engagement and value for both creators and users. Kevin Lu: Our approach is not just about avoiding reputational risks for creators, who, in an ideal scenario, should avoid having multiple profiles across various SoFi platforms of the same nature. It’s about aligning incentives with the true spirit of Web3 — moving away from mere speculation and towards creating genuine, sustainable value that is equitable and accessible. This ethos is why we are preparing for cross-chain capabilities by 2024, already having connections with various blockchain networks to enhance our platform’s reach and utility. At Friendzone, every aspect – from protocol level and incentive design to our product feature set, native reward distribution through staking, and, for the first time in Web3, an adaptive bonding curve – is a result of grass-roots efforts from our team. Our focus isn’t on capitalizing on short-term speculative frenzies. Instead, we’re strategically playing the long game, aiming for broader user distribution and establishing Friendzone as a truly social platform. Our commitment is to build a platform that not only stands the test of time but also reshapes the way social interactions and value creation are perceived in the digital realm. Ishan Pandey: Looking at the future, what exciting developments can we anticipate from Friendzone, particularly in terms of features like 'Anti-Chips' and the decentralized reputation system? The future of Friendzone is positioned to bring a fresh take in the realm of on-chain reputation, a challenge that still remains mostly unsolved in the blockchain space. Our perspective is that solving on-chain reputation requires a multifaceted approach, integrating factors like on-chain transactions, credibility, and social graphs. Friendzone's contribution in this space is our focus on leveraging social standing and social graphs as a building block to a comprehensive on-chain reputation system. Kevin Lu: An interesting concept we’re researching is ‘Anti-Chips,’ a feature designed to foster what we call 'fair market reputation.' This concept is based on allowing users to interact with reputations in a manner similar to market dynamics – users can 'bet' for (long) or against (short) someone's reputation. This is based on publicly available information, social graphs, and digital interactions, offering a transparent and open-market perspective on reputation. By integrating these considerations, we aim to create a decentralized reputation system that is both robust and reflective of real-world social dynamics - one that is permissionless, and resistant to Sybil attacks and exploits. We're excited about the potential of Anti-Chips to rethink the way reputation is built and perceived in the social world. Our conversations with CL207 have been instrumental in refining these early ideas, and we look forward to rolling out this feature, as it represents a significant step forward in our mission to enhance the utility and experience of social interactions on Friendzone. Ishan Pandey: Scalene's collaboration with giants like Google Cloud and Immutable is impressive. How do these partnerships enhance the capabilities and reach of your projects? : Our collaboration with key team members from Google Cloud and Immutable has been a significant milestone for Scalene. These relationships are a testament to our credibility and the strength of our team as Web3 native builders. Both Andy, our CTO and Co-Founder, and I have been immersed in the Web3 space for nearly six years, and our conviction in this industry is unwavering. We've found our passion and purpose in Web3, and these relationships reinforce our dedication and the trust we've earned in the industry. Kevin Lu We are incredibly humbled and grateful for the support of all our partners and advisors, especially during the formative stages of Scalene when we were launching our Academy Programs. Their backing played a crucial role in our early successes and in building our continued reputation in the Web3 community. Moreover, these relationships have opened significant doors for us, which is particularly powerful as we develop Friendzone. Social interaction is a fundamental aspect of human nature, and having the support of industry leaders boosts our ability to not only establish Friendzone as a leading consumer platform but also to extend its reach to support brands, companies, enterprises, and DAOs. Ishan Pandey: Finally, for our aspiring Web3 builders and enthusiasts, what advice would you offer, drawing from your extensive experience in this rapidly evolving field? Dive deep into the Web3 industry, not just as an observer, but as an active participant. Working in the field exposes you to its nuances and challenges, cultivating you into a Web3 native. It's about gaining hands-on experience and understanding the ecosystem from the inside out. Kevin Lu: Build something. Web3 is a space of endless possibilities, and hackathons are a great way to start. They often highlight gaps in the sector, offering opportunities to fill these with your ideas. Plus, there are prizes and recognition if you place well, which is merit to your skills and innovative thinking. Innovate: Engage on platforms like X/Twitter and Discord. Web3 is unique in that it offers visibility and direct access to a wide range of professionals, from founders to executives to thought leaders. It's a space where your voice can be heard and where you can learn directly from the experiences and insights of others. Interact: Last but not least, never ever hesitate to ask for help. Stay tuned for an enlightening journey through the digital landscape with Kevin Lu. Don’t forget to like and share the story! : Vested Interest Disclosure This author is an independent contributor publishing via our . Be it through direct compensation, media partnerships, or networking, the author has a vested interest in the company/ies mentioned in this story. HackerNoon has reviewed the report for quality, but the claims herein belong to the author. #DYOR brand-as-author program

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