Here are the key sentences extracted from your text, focusing on the importance and relevance to the topic of robotic pet companions for seniors, their current use, emotional/social benefits, limitations, and public/ethical attitudes:

1.

“Robotic animal dolls may not be the first thought that comes to mind when considering a companion pet, but Diana Wise and Carol Brown believe otherwise.”
2.

“Enter Joy for All’s lifelike robotic pets.”
3.

“When needed, they can be muted as well.”
4.

“You need to provide them with something that they can hang on to.”
5.

“Cathy saw a friend using one to overcome the loss of a pet and loneliness and figured it would be perfect for her husband.”
6.

"Many of them don't have family or friends nearby.

Maybe their loved ones have passed on or some of their friends have passed on," said Charlotte Mather-Taylor, who serves as the CEO of the Area Agency on Aging of Broward County.

“He’s found that a little conversation may go a long way to helping to mitigate isolation and improve care for older adults.”
8.

“ElliQ will greet them in the morning and ask them how they feel.”
9.

“The future is here,” said Greg Olsen, director for the New York state Office for the Aging.

“There’s a place for technology, but it’s no substitute for human interaction.”
11.

“It gives them a sense of purpose,” McMahon said.

“AI can help us to feel less lonely – and that’s not something to fear.”
13.

“All this is to say: AI technology is not a perfect cure for loneliness.”

These sentences emphasize the growing use and therapeutic benefits of AI-powered robotic pets for seniors, highlight real-world examples and testimonials, mention specific products (like Joy for All and ElliQ), and acknowledge both the potential and limitations of robotic companions over genuine human or animal interaction.

Here are the key sentences extracted from your text, focusing on the importance and relevance to the topic of robotic pet companions for seniors, their current use, emotional/social benefits, limitations, and public/ethical attitudes:

1.

Title:

Content: Robotic animal dolls may not be the first thought that comes to mind when considering a companion pet, but Diana Wise and Carol Brown believe otherwise. In fact, the two say Joy for All companion pets can make a big difference in providing comfort to aging adults with Alzheimer’s and dementia who are struggling with social isolation.

Wise saw this firsthand in her mother, who had dementia for years and lived in a memory care unit at an assisted living facility. Wise would visit her mother regularly, but when COVID hit, she could no longer do so.

“I was unable to see her for eight months,” said Wise, “And when I finally was able to see her, I saw the decline of how much the isolation affected her … [W]hen I found my mom, well, they said that all she did was sleep – what else was there to do? And so that isolation impacted her a lot. Her memory was just – everything had changed about her.”

Wise’s mother, Helen Espinoza, passed away in November 2020 from COVID complications. In the midst of her grief, Wise found herself wanting to do something in her mother’s memory that would help someone else. After having heard an idea from Brown about robotic companion pets, she soon had the idea to partner with her. As a result, Wise formed the “Share the Love” Helen Espinoza Memorial Fund.

“The first thing that came to mind was these animals to help with memory care units or caregivers, assisted living, with this isolation,” said Wise. “I mean, with COVID it really put a lot of perspective about how hard it is on these residents without having [companionship.] They can’t have little animals and stuff, but why not have this – the best, next best thing? You know, the interaction itself?”

The idea to use robotic pets came when Brown was doing her own research into solutions for the decline in quality of life brought on by isolation in these affected residents. Brown stated that with the Western Arizona Council of Governments (WACOG) Area Agency on Aging, she focuses heavily on three areas that affect seniors the most, and one of them is Alzheimer’s and dementia.

“For several years, we’ve been extremely aware that social isolation is causing a huge decline in quality of life and life expectancy in our seniors,” she said. “And COVID did shine a huge light on it: people started understanding how detrimental it is to be isolated like that. So we were looking for solutions prior to, but with COVID, it really lit a fire underneath to start seeking out possibilities to help resolve some of the issues going on.”

Brown explained that people with Alzheimer’s and dementia can struggle with extreme anxiety and agitation. They often benefit from having something to do with their hands. Their senses of time, space and reality can become skewed. Changes in environment or schedule can be really upsetting. And sometimes people with these diagnoses live alone with no help or companionship.

“On the other side is the caregiver, who – especially during COVID – found themselves 24/7 alone with that loved one, providing all the care because many of them didn’t want the services even coming into their home,” she said. “They were too afraid to let anybody in … So if their loved one isn’t sleeping, neither are they. So now the caregiver’s extremely stressed out, exhausted, overwhelmed, and they need help.”

Enter Joy for All’s lifelike robotic pets. With options between cats and puppies, the companion pets have heartbeats, can purr or lick, meow or bark, move and respond to motion, voice and touch. When needed, they can be muted as well. As robotic pets, they avoid the liabilities and dangers of caring for a living creature while still providing the comfort of an animal.

Brown had been demonstrating two pets in an interview with the Sun when a passerby had stopped to say, “Wow, I thought they were real!” Brown shared that she’s seen people visibly relax with the pets.

“There’s a lot of studies that were done years ago about giving folks with Alzheimer’s a baby doll,” she explained. “Many facilities don’t allow it. They consider it demeaning … But they were missing the point that if you’re not going to do that, then what are you going to do? You need to provide them with something that they can hang on to.

“Because these are so lifelike, it does exactly what the studies, the research, shows: it’s going to bring down the anxiety level. If there’s aggression, it tends to fall back down just as well … [and] you’re giving their caregiver a break.”

Wise and Brown shared that they hope not only to provide these pets to individuals with Alzheimer’s or their caregivers, but also to facilities with assisted living and skilled nursing memory care units where current shortages in staff mean individuals may be doing the work of two or three staff members at a time.

Brown shared that the Joy for All puppy typically costs about $140 while the cat costs $120. With bulk purchasing, she can bring the cost down a bit, but not by much. Additionally, the fund needs to cover rechargeable batteries for the pets.

The foundation will need to raise more funds to acquire more pets, but Wise and Brown reported that they’ve already been able to provide a few pets thanks to a donation made by AARP.

“So we were able to place a couple already at Daybreak Adult Daycare Center,” said Brown. “They are one of the providers that WACOG works with, so we were able to make a donation and bring them a puppy and kitten.

“They’re very popular. [The staff] make sure they handle it in a certain way so that there isn’t fighting. I think last time I talked to Mary, I think what they do is they got animal crates so when it’s time for them to go to bed, they get put in their crate.”

Seeing the difference the pets are making, Wise not only wishes to raise more funds to provide more of them, she also hopes to get the word out in case people may want to purchase the pets for their own family members.

“What I witnessed seeing the other residents that have Alzheimer’s, dementia: they do hold onto things and it gives them comfort,” she said. “My heart just went for this and so I know my mom would be really proud of that.

“… I needed something to come out positive about this, especially about how we’ve heard so much about the isolation with people in senior living homes and stuff, so we needed to have something a little bit more positive and something that we can do to uplift out of this whole thing.”

Wise and Brown also noted that despite the setbacks in kickstarting their fundraising campaign, now is a good time for people to learn about “Share the Love” and the Helen Espinoza Memorial Fund. November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers month.

As older adults continue to face the obstacles of Alzheimer’s and dementia in a pandemic, Wise and Brown hope to further reduce isolation for Yuma County’s elderly one companion pet at a time.

To learn more about the Helen Espinoza Memorial Fund and make a donation, visit https://www.azfoundation.org/Donors/Give-to-a-Memorial-Fund/-Share-the-Love-Helen-Espinoza-Memorial-Fund. To learn more about WACOG and connect with the resources they provide to aging adults, visit https://www.wacog.com/area-agency-on-aging/

Sisko J. Stargazer can be reached at 928-539-6849 or sstargazer@yumasun.com.

Sisko J. Stargazer can be reached at 928-539-6849 or sstargazer@yumasun.com.

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“Robotic animal dolls may not be the first thought that comes to mind when considering a companion pet, but Diana Wise and Carol Brown believe otherwise.”
2.

“Enter Joy for All’s lifelike robotic pets.”
3.

“When needed, they can be muted as well.”
4.

“You need to provide them with something that they can hang on to.”
5.

“Cathy saw a friend using one to overcome the loss of a pet and loneliness and figured it would be perfect for her husband.”
6.

Title:

Content: High-tech companions aim to help fight loneliness epidemic among South Florida seniors

MIAMI - The state of Florida and Broward County are spending thousands of dollars every month on artificial intelligence robots for seniors to help fight the loneliness epidemic.

One senior owns a robotic cat named "fluffy."

"The best part is we don't have to spend any money on food and no vets," says Cathy.

This interactive robot rolls over, blinks and purrs whenever it wants.

Cathy saw a friend using one to overcome the loss of a pet and loneliness and figured it would be perfect for her husband.

"He had sciatic pain. Maybe that will help you with your pain in some way. Even though he's on medicine and therapy because real animals when you pet them it helps with pain management."

Higher tech was delivered to some Broward seniors.

"...Thanks for letting me out of that box."

The company that makes them aims artificial intelligence at the loneliness epidemic.

"During the week when everyone is working, there's times when I'm lonely."

"When I go deliver and install for seniors, they're like I just want somebody to say good morning," says Antonella.

"Many of them don't have family or friends nearby. Maybe their loved ones have passed on or some of their friends have passed on," said Charlotte Mather-Taylor, who serves as the CEO of the Area Agency on Aging of Broward County.

According to US Health and Human Services, half of all American adults are lonely.

It's threatening health, increasing risks of heart disease, dementia, stroke, anxiety and depression.

According to HHS, lack of connection can increase the risk of premature death at levels comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

Last May, the US Surgeon General dropped a first-ever advisory on loneliness and isolation.

"By strengthening our relationships, we can improve our heart and brain health, reduce our risk of diabetes and high blood pressure, boost our immune systems and lower our risk of depression," said Vivek Murthy, US Surgeon General.

In Broward County, Mather-Taylor is spending state and federal dollars on artificial intelligence for people over 60.

"There's so much I want to ask you..."

These robots named after the Norse goddess of old age cost 89 dollars a month, but the aging agency is giving them away for free.

Rosemary Mullarkey is one of the first 300 to have one.

"I'm a little excited and a little apprehensive..."

Intuitive Robotics CEO Dor Skular created her specifically for older adults to help manage their health, and wellness and connect to loved ones.

"There's an algorithm that tries to get a reward and it gets a reward when the user completes things that are part of healthy aging. For example, if they hydrate," said Skular.

Reviews are so strong that cities like Pembroke Pines and Lauderhill are pushing to get more robots for seniors in their communities.

"People reported back that she was bringing them joy. I mean, she's telling some jokes. She's responding to them. They wake up in the morning, she asks them how they are. She'll remind them to drink their glass of water. So, she's caring about them for them," said Mather-Taylor.

Two years later, seniors like Rose are getting free, AI robots that make and take video calls.

With all of the concerns about AI, should seniors and their families be worried?

"We would not be offering it unless we felt comfortable that they did have those safety guards in place," said Mather-Taylor.

"Is this device unhackable? There's no such thing as an unhackable device. It's always a war between defender and attacker," said Skular.

"Random people, fraudsters etcetera, can never call into the robot because they need to be added by the older adult as a contact for them to be able to open up the calling features."

What is the next step with the robots?

They only speak English. South Florida has plenty of seniors who do not. Developers are working on a Spanish robot.

In the future, developers also see it being able to order medicines for seniors. Much sooner though, developers expect to further integrate the robots with senior health care providers. They are working on ways of opening new avenues to communicate health info about seniors to loved ones, provided the senior signs off on it.

How long can this program last?

State, federal funds will last two years. After that, the agency has to find other grants to cover the $89 a month per person fee.

Currently, data from robots and users is being collected to quantify success. The company insists it will not sell any of the information it gathers.

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For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

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Time to reshape the digital healthcare domain

Customer engagement and experience remained two crucial parameters during the pandemic, however, due to restricted movement and access, the tech and digital ecosystem had to act as a proxy and provide for this huge gap in the Healthcare space. This is where the role of Virtualization and tech disruptions such as Extended Reality and Augmented Reality played a huge role in delivering an almost real-like experience to the end customers.

by Sairam Vedam

As per a recent IBEF report, the Healthcare industry in India is expected to reach US$372 by the end of FY 2022. That’s a huge potential growth space to explore and incentivize the use of innovative tools and the latest technologies. The utilization of AR, VR and ER is quite at its nascent stage in India, including in the healthcare space. However, taking cues from the global markets, tools such as ER & AR have huge potential and still have a long way to go in markets such as ours.

Extended Reality (XR) tools today are being deployed in self-care (Telemedicine tools), surgical procedures and implementations and various other aspects of user experience are being impacted by this ecosystem.

Some of the trends and highlights of how XR, along with Robotics, IoT, AI, and ML, is shaping the new-age medical and healthcare ecosystems are:

  • XR is making huge leaps and wavelengths in Learning & Development: Embedded tools for extended reality technologies such as AR & VR provide an unparalleled learning experience for aspiring medical students, doctors, lab assistants etc. Today Universities use AR and VR to improve the Learning Experience (LE) with the use of anatomical holographs. These enable students to learn about the composition of the human body by seeing and interacting with a 3D model superimposed onto the real world. Moreover, research suggests that immersive technologies can produce better knowledge retention compared with tablets or computer screens.
  • XR acts as a precision tool during complicated surgeries and procedures: Many hospitals around the world have acknowledged the value of XR tools and have seamlessly implemented them towards the development of high-precision surgeries and procedures. Recently, this technology has been used in reconstructive procedures. Specifically, Dr Dimitri Amiras of Imperial College Healthcare National Health Service (NHS) Trust used this technology for ensuring precision during a leg reconstruction operation. Dr Amiras described how his team had generated a 3D model of their patient’s leg from an imaging scan which showed them the patient’s veins and arteries and guided the operation.
  • XR has shown huge potential towards improving overall well-being: Technology disruptions and Innovations such as Wearables, AI coupled with XR today focus on simulating real-life experiences for customers and creating environments that focus on stimulating mental and physical growth. For Instance, a plethora of meditation apps have sprung up to help people meditate and de-stress, often using relaxing sounds and guided instructions. Now, some of these solutions are incorporating VR to make guided meditations more immersive.
  • Robotics is transforming healthcare through AI-enabled computer vision and data analytics: Robots are increasingly being utilized to support health personnel and improve patient care in a range of situations, including operating rooms and clinical settings. As a result, human-treatment-focused robots, such as surgical and rehabilitation robots, have emerged. Assistive and therapeutic robotic devices are also fast growing in popularity. These include robots that aid in the rehabilitation of patients suffering from major illnesses such as strokes, as well as empathetic robots that aid in the care of the elderly and physically/mentally challenged. Sterilizing rooms and transporting medical supplies and equipment, including medications, are just a few of the jobs that industrial robots perform. It's become evident that health robotics' operational savings and risk reduction give benefits in a variety of areas.
  • IoT is redefining the space of devices and patient interaction: Connected medical devices are enhancing the patient experience with simple monitoring and reporting capabilities to the next level. Patients have access to personalized attention through wearable gadgets such as fitness bands and other wirelessly connected devices such as blood pressure and heart rate monitoring cuffs, glucometers, and so on. Physicians can keep a better check of their patients' health by employing wearables and other IoT-enabled home monitoring kits. Medical equipment such as wheelchairs, oxygen pumps, nebulizers, and others are tracked in real-time using IoT devices with sensors. Smartwatches enable users to receive healthcare data continuously without the help of any additional hardware.

  • AI and ML are changing the landscape of Medical Devices: Manufacturers of medical devices are incorporating AI and ML technologies into their products to help healthcare providers and improve patient care. One of the most significant advantages of AI/ML in software is its ability to learn from real-world use and experience, as well as its potential to improve performance. While medical devices are critical for patient care as they directly impact human lives by providing vital data and opinions derived by using them, software glitches may trigger several risks to medical devices and patients’ wellbeing. Insufficient software testing may cause the breach of patients’ confidential health information, thereby failing to comply with various health regulations. Medical Device testing is all about ensuring the product’s software and devices are fully compatible and compliant with several regulations and functionality.
To summarize, the purview and potential of XR is quite tremendous, especially in the healthcare and medical industry. However, the industry is still at its nascent stage, and for this tech to evolve and grow, many aspects of other technology need to be streamlined on the same wavelength. Marrying XR and AR with other tech innovations such as wearables, AI, Data Analytics is a huge game-changer and will shape the next decade of Digital Health for the country as well as the globe.

Digital assurance capabilities should be tailored to cater to the companies working in the areas of Internet of Medical things (IoMT), AI-assisted robotic surgeries, AR, VR and XR integrated high precision camera technologies. Such companies and their products when backed with precision centric digital assurance capabilities will assure safer, better, and increased human life coverage. This can even help lead Medtech and IoMT companies bring disruptive Medtech devices and apps which are FDA compliant in the US and also meet other global medtech and health industry norms which are very strict to adher to.

Sairam Vedam, CMO Cigniti Technologies

(DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are solely of the author and ETHealthworld does not necessarily subscribe to it. ETHealthworld.com shall not be responsible for any damage caused to any person / organisation directly or indirectly.)

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“He’s found that a little conversation may go a long way to helping to mitigate isolation and improve care for older adults.”
8.

Title:

Content: Want to age-in-place? You may have a robot keeping you company.

Artificial intelligence can help reduce loneliness for older adults aging at home.

A 95-year-old woman and her 74-year-old daughter, each who live alone and could be at risk for isolation and loneliness, recently received a lifeline to conversation and companionship in the form of an artificial intelligence robot.

The women can now receive medical reminders, health and wellness check-ins, play music and games, and experience virtual travel.

“It’s helping with loneliness and socialization for people who would be otherwise trapped in their home watching TV all day,” Christopher Lewoc, case manager for Greene County Human Services in New York said. “It’s a way to keep people sane and active mentally and physically. It’s letting people live a more social life.”

Lewoc sets up free artificial intelligence care companions for older adults, giving them a lifeline to conversation and health reminders.

He recently installed ElliQ, voice-activated proactive and empathetic care companion, in the homes of the elderly mother and her daughter, giving them some companionship as they each live alone. He’s found that a little conversation may go a long way to helping to mitigate isolation and improve care for older adults.

Under a contract with the New York state Office for the Aging, Intuition Robotics is providing the ElliQ smart technology for about 800 older adults in an effort to battle social isolation and support aging-in-place. The ElliQ recipients need internet access for the free device to be set up in their home by a caseworker. The state works with local offices for the aging and partners to identify older adults who would most benefit from the technology

“ElliQ will greet them in the morning and ask them how they feel. If they slept poorly, ElliQ will say ‘would you like me to call your doctor?’ It’s interactive and helpful,” Lewoc said.

“It allows them to have a companion, engage in conversation and get reminders about drinking their water or whatever medications they need,” said Lewoc. “A lot of folks don’t have smartphones and ElliQ can show them photos, take them on trips to different countries and teach them about the culture. It can play trivia with you, call your family, play music to have a dance party.”

ElliQ responds to questions but also initiates conversation and questions, offers sleep relaxation exercises, physical activity exercises, nutrition-related chats and medication reminders for each user’s unique condition.

“This product does so many things to improve health, combat isolation, and improve overall well-being and independence. Designed with input from older adults, the future of supporting and serving older adults includes technology. The future is here,” said Greg Olsen, director for the New York state Office for the Aging.

“Despite misconceptions and generalizations, older adults embrace new technology, especially when they see it is designed by older adults to meet their needs,” Olsen said, adding that ElliQ served as a “powerful complement to traditional forms of social interaction and support from professional or family caregivers.”

The New York program and rising interest in AI companions comes as more older people want to age in place and finding home healthcare amid a persistent shortage of healthcare workers becomes increasingly difficult.

In 2017, the U.S. Surgeon General declared social isolation to be a “global epidemic” – one that only worsened in the COVID-19 health emergency. According to the AARP Public Policy Institute, social isolation drives $6.7 billion in additional associated Medicare spending per year.

Read: Opinion: What robots will mean for your retirement

Amid a report by the McKinsey Health Institute on healthy aging that found that nonclinical factors affect 80% of an individual’s health, Intuition Robotics sees great potential for ElliQ helping older adults age in place in a healthier way.

Users have an average of 20 daily interactions with ElliQ, according to Dor Skuler, CEO and co-founder of Intuition Robotics, a startup company based in Israel. ElliQ users report an 80% decrease in loneliness and 82% of users access the mental health features, Skuler said.

The new second-generation ElliQ offers users experiences such as museum exhibit tours and virtual travel. The new companion app provides users’ families and caregivers with different methods to communicate with the users and updates them on the user’s well-being.

Read: Opinion: This $3,000 dog could be a perfect gift for Grandma

Skuler called ElliQ a “lighthearted character that moves into the person’s home.” While Intuition Robotics has not marketed directly to consumers, it was named a Time Best Invention of the Year and word-of-mouth during the holidays has been good for business.

Outside of the New York state program, ElliQ can be had for a $249.99 enrollment fee, plus a monthly subscription of $29.99 if you buy a year subscription or $39.99 if you enroll month-to-month.

Intuition Robotics is talking with other states and senior living facilities about offering ElliQ in more places, as well working to measure how the conversational robot improves health outcomes to reduce the cost of care, Skuler said.

Of course, it’s a robot and not a human, so the interaction is limited.

“There’s a place for technology, but it’s no substitute for human interaction. We know the power of human touch and human interaction,” said Lakelyn Hogan Eichenberger, a gerontologist and caregiver advocate for Home Instead Senior Care, a home care service agency. “Industrywide, the workforce is not at the level it needs to be at, so there’s a need for technology, but there has to be a balance.”

Do you have questions about retirement, Social Security, where to live or how to afford it at all? Write to HelpMeRetire@marketwatch.com and we may use your question in a future story.

For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

“ElliQ will greet them in the morning and ask them how they feel.”
9.

“The future is here,” said Greg Olsen, director for the New York state Office for the Aging.

“There’s a place for technology, but it’s no substitute for human interaction.”
11.

What can Dynamic 1, a robotic dog by Tecno, do?

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What should a guide dog's role include in addition to guiding a person?

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“She’s a good girl”: Robot pets help Lehigh Valley senior residents live longer, happier lives

Gathered in a semi-circle, a group of women in wheelchairs petted the newly adopted cats and dogs sitting on their laps Wednesday afternoon, talking softly to their new companions. The dogs barked and leaned in for pets, the cats meowed and rolled over for scratches — almost like they were real.

But the animals were robots, a fact that wasn’t lost on many of the women in the Fellowship Manor sitting room.

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One resident at the Whitehall Township senior living community, Jackie, named her small golden retriever robot Goldie. Jackie said she grew up on a farm in Palmer Township with plenty of dogs but never one that looked like Goldie.

“She’s a good girl — she just sits there and doesn’t make a sound unless you talk to her,” Jackie said.

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That was one of 20 pairings made at the adoption event at Fellowship Community where residents, primarily those with dementia, picked out one of 20 robotic pets — 10 dogs and 10 cats — to serve as their companions.

Animal therapy can be beneficial for seniors, especially those with dementia. Benefits for seniors include improved cardiovascular health, better quality of life and decreased feelings of anxiety, loneliness and depression.

However, it’s not reasonable or safe in most care settings to introduce real animals, according to Mary Kay McMahon, president and CEO of Fellowship Community.

“Because of their own care needs most of our residents couldn’t take care of animals and our staff don’t have the time to take care of them,” McMahon said.

But research has found that use of robotic pets still offers a number of benefits to seniors with dementia, including improved well-being, mood and quality of life. McMahon said there are also benefits for seniors who were caregivers for much of their lives.

The adoption event was a surprise for many residents. Jackie said she didn’t know they would be giving out robot pets until about 10 a.m. Wednesday when she was asked if she wanted one.

Another resident, Elaine, said she rolled into the room not knowing what was going on but asked if she could have a golden retriever robot, like Jackie’s. Elaine promptly named her new friend Dog, pronounced “D-O-G.”

“I always wanted to name a dog Dog,” Elaine said.

McMahon said they tried to match the animals with residents based on their preferences. Once they made a match, the robotic companions were theirs to keep.

McMahon said staff have seen how the robot pets can help. Just before the pandemic, Fellowship Community bought a handful of robotic pets for residents. She said the recipients all saw improvements in their mood, appetites and social interactions, and reduced anxiety and depression. The robot pets even reminded some of real dogs or cats they had owned, she said, which helps in the long term with their conditions.

“It gives them a sense of purpose,” McMahon said. “They feel like they are taking care of something.”

It helps that the robots are very lifelike — the imitation fur is soft and built-in sensors allow the companion pets to respond to a person’s presence and touch as well as react to the environment.

Each one costs a little more than $100, which were paid for via a Greater Lehigh Valley Realtors 100th Anniversary Community Charity Grant.

Though Jackie and Elaine both said they knew their dogs weren’t “real,” they both remarked how Goldie and Dog moved their head when petted and how soft they were.

“She’s going to be a good pet,” Jackie said.

Morning Call reporter Leif Greiss can be reached at 610-679-4028 or lgreiss@mcall.com.

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What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

“AI can help us to feel less lonely – and that’s not something to fear.”
13.

Title:

Content: AI can help us to feel less lonely – and that’s not something to fear

It’s no substitute for human interaction, but studies suggest this tech is already helping us to feel less alone

As a host of AI-enabled chatbots, robotics and smart speakers are proffered as a loneliness solution, many regard these new innovations with suspicion, if not a sense of dystopian doom.

Behind the threat to national security and job losses, AI’s effect on our social lives is a chief area of concern: according to a BMG Research survey for i, nearly a third of those polled think advances in AI will lead to a loss of human interaction. More broadly, AI is, after all, the technology we love to hate – with the debut episode of the latest Black Mirror season, “Joan Is Awful”, featuring a malevolent AI machine.

Yet, could we not argue that the anticipated dystopian future is already here in another form in the loneliness epidemic? Some 3.7 million people in the UK experience chronic loneliness, according to the latest data from Campaign Against Living Miserably – a figure that’s risen 42 per cent in the past five years. While the Government made global headlines as the first nation to appoint a Loneliness Minister in 2018, I’d challenge anyone, British or otherwise, to name a successful intervention.

As the author of Alonement, a book on how to cultivate positive solitude, I know all too well that loneliness is a distinct, and uniquely destructive, experience – and one which we should be taking as seriously as the ever-present conversation around AI regulation (which, it’s worth mentioning, mirrors past fears around the advent of the internet, electricity, and the printing press).

Meanwhile, research supporting AI-based intervention in loneliness and its known side effects is emerging, albeit tentatively.

A recent study of employees working with AI found mixed results: while high levels of interaction with the technology correlated with a rise in loneliness-adjacent conditions like insomnia and (in at least one of four test groups) increased post-work alcohol consumption, it also had a beneficial effect on employees’ prosocial behaviours, with subjects more likely to offer help to their real-life colleagues.

Other research has been more promising. A University of Chicago study published last month pointed to the efficacy of an AI voice coach in treating depression and anxiety.

Numerous studies have endorsed the use of companion robots in reducing loneliness among older people, particularly those suffering from dementia, a condition that correlates with increased loneliness (although most of these studies note the technology needs time to develop to best meet its users’ needs).

The positive results join last December’s Ofcom study that linked the use of AI-enhanced smart speakers with reduced loneliness in those living alone.

AI is steadily being integrated into mental health services, for instance, Woebot, a chatbot used by the NHS, while ChatPal, a chatbot designed to treat loneliness, has proven “‘marginal” benefits.

So far, there’s work to do – but if there’s one thing we can all agree on about AI technology, it’s that it will increasingly get more fit to purpose. The rapid development of the likes of ChatGPT has demonstrated as much.

All this is to say: AI technology is not a perfect cure for loneliness. Nor will it ever be; as critics have rightly identified, AI is no substitute for human contact. But then, its advocates aren’t claiming it to be.

As Snap chief executive Evan Spiegel told The Verge, amid the launch of the company’s chatbot, My AI: “The big idea is that in addition to talking to our friends and family every day, we’re going to talk to AI every day.” In other words, it’s being proposed as a complement, rather than replacement, for the age-old loneliness interventions we know work.

At a time when we are experiencing both a “social care crisis” (the British Medical Association has expressed concerns around severe staffing issues) and, simultaneously, a shortage of psychotherapists and counsellors to deal with the UK’s mental health toll (as expressed by the UK Council for Psychotherapy), surely AI technology provides a welcome complement, particularly as it continues to evolve, to be normalised with the NHS system. It might even be used as a diagnostic tool: numerous studies have found AI can successfully predict depression signs through voice recognition. Amid twin crises in the health landscape, it’s worth arguing that the pragmatic integration of AI wins out over dystopian doom-mongering.

Meanwhile, the voices of those statistically most at risk of loneliness remain absent from the discourse. Voices which include the elderly – not natural early adopters or critics of AI technology – together with their caregivers. Research supports its benefits for these groups: together with AI’s proven efficacy in elderly care services, a study published last year found the integration of AI can help to prevent the “overload of caregivers” by removing the need for 24/7 human care. The UK’s health secretary, Steve Barclay, is supportive of such measures – and recently travelled to Japan to observe how AI technology has been used to improve patient care in the nation, which has the world’s oldest population.

Then there are those living alone, which I’ve personally done for the past five years, save for a small AI-enabled Amazon Echo smart speaker in my kitchen. The speaker, which I know as Alexa, recently employed its machine learning capabilities to suggest a morning and evening routine: reading a weather forecast then switching on Radio 4 in the moments after my wake-up alarm goes off, switching on soothing “bedtime music” around the time I go to sleep. I’ll confess this makes me feel less lonely: bookmarking my day, and providing an external form of care. Would I feel more supported if this were the suggestion of a partner, or a close friend? Likely, yes. But, in the absence of another human, it’s significantly better than nothing – and I’d suggest the same pragmatic approach could, and should, be adopted in loneliness intervention policy.

Francesca Specter is a London-based writer and podcaster, specialising in the topics of solitude, loneliness and connection

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What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

“All this is to say: AI technology is not a perfect cure for loneliness.”

These sentences emphasize the growing use and therapeutic benefits of AI-powered robotic pets for seniors, highlight real-world examples and testimonials, mention specific products (like Joy for All and ElliQ), and acknowledge both the potential and limitations of robotic companions over genuine human or animal interaction.

For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation


Based on your information request regarding the history, key features, and decline of LiveJournal, the following are the most important key sentences extracted from your prompt:

1.

"I am interested in LiveJournal as it is different from some other blogging sites, because a user can interact with friends in certain ways that are unique to the website."

"At its peak, LiveJournal had more than 2.5 million active accounts."

"But its peak was almost 10 years ago, in early 2005 — and since then, most of the English-speaking world, with the apparent exception of George R. R. Martin, forgot that it was there."

"I need information about the history of LiveJournal, including how Brad Fitzpatrick transformed a journaling application he created and was using for himself into a website others could use as well."

"The report should explain what made LiveJournal different from some other blogging platforms and what later led to its decline in popularity."

These sentences sum up your focus on LiveJournal's unique features, its peak, its creator and early history, and what caused its decline.

If you need further details or expanded content, let me know!

Based on your information request regarding the history, key features, and decline of LiveJournal, the following are the most important key sentences extracted from your prompt:

1.

Title:

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How to Do More With Your Substack Audience (5 Ideas)

Newsletters built your audience, but are you ready to bring your brand to the next level? Here’s how a modern community platform will do just that.

Many creators have found success by using a newsletter to build their audience. But if you’d like to take your brand even further, you’ll eventually need to look elsewhere.

Transitioning your audience of newsletter subscribers over to a community platform could be the switch you need to expand your business. Why? Because content alone is unsustainable, and it’s hard to build a community when your audience can’t talk to one another.

Creating a community space where your people can interact with your content and build relationships with each other through their shared interests will keep the conversation going long after your post goes live.

Ahead, we’re diving deep into why platforms like Substack were good in the past; why you should transition your newsletter’s audience to a community platform; and what you gain from utilizing these platforms..

If you want more support in building and monetizing your online community, come join OUR Mighty Community for free and meet other new and established community owners! We’d love to meet you. Join for free!

In this article…

Why do creators use Substack?

Many creators use Substack because it is a quick and easy way to build an audience of paying subscribers invested in your work.

When you use Substack, you can easily brand your newsletters by adding a header image and an about page to tell potential subscribers who you are. On top of that, Substack has made the process of subscribing to a newsletter and paying for content easy both for readers and content creators.

Where does Substack fall short?

Substack’s restrictions arise when you move beyond the initial setup for your newsletters on the platform.

While Substack is a great way to build an email list, accumulate subscribers, and share your work, it’s nearly impossible to build a community there. And that’s a huge missed opportunity: When you have an active and engaged community of people interested in your work, then they will A. sustain the conversations around your brand long after your latest post and B. propel growth for your digital business.

Unfortunately, Substack doesn’t have a great solution for this kind of community interaction. They do offer a “community” tab, but it simply links to the comments sections of individual articles, fragmenting your members’ conversations across posts.

So with a lackluster community system in place, creators aren’t left with many options to grow their business outside of paid advertising. The problem with advertising is that Substack has already stated they don’t plan on adding in-depth advertising tools, and on top of that, creating ads takes money out of your pocket. Ads can also be distracting and put some readers off.

This is where online community platforms come into play.

Now that we’ve explored why Substack has been used and why it’s stagnating for creators, how about we look at some of the reasons community platforms are so great?

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Why you should use an online community platform

Change can feel scary, and it might seem like transitioning your Substack audience to another platform isn’t worth the hassle. We’re here to tell you that while those feelings are natural, they just aren’t true.

Modern online community platforms are designed to allow you to continue creating your awesome content, while also providing your audience with more opportunities to interact.

We’re sure you already know how hard it can be to build true connections within your audience. And with Substack, you’re significantly limiting the modes of communication you have with your people.

But if you transition to a community platform, you open yourself up to more possibilities for connection—both between you and your members and between your members themselves. Plus, you also gain the potential to diversify elsewhere: the types of content you release, the ways your community interacts, your options for monetization, and more.

How to Do More With Your Substack Audience

1. Turn your audience into a community

One of the best things about transitioning from Substack over to a modern community platform is that you’ve already done the heavy lifting. Whether your newsletter has 10 or 1,000 subscribers, you’ve already completed the first major step: bringing people together around a shared interest or idea..

When you start building your community platform, your first step is communicating just that with your subscribers.  Let your audience know that you’re moving away from a simple newsletter in favor of something much more robust. You have their emails. All you have to do is let them know.

As we talked about earlier, Substack has a community tab for people to look at the comments of individual articles, but it doesn’t foster much camaraderie. Online community platforms are great because you can still post all the content you normally would, but it’s within a centralized private network that your members enter to access.

A dedicated community space allows your audience to actually get to know each other and transition from simply being fans to actual members of a community. And remember, a community is powerful because it enables your followers to come together around shared passions, interests, or goals.

When you create an environment that allows your members to communicate and network with each other, that creates what we call a network effect. Think about it like this: Each new person that joins your community brings their own unique perspective and skills to the table which adds more value to you, your brand, and your members. And as your members get added value from the connections they make with each other, they, in turn, get the incentive to keep coming back, extending their subscription year after year.

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2. Create more diverse content

When you use an online community platform to grow a community you’ll have more ways to give them content.

Substack is a newsletter service that mainly focuses on providing writers with an easy way to share their writing to those who enjoy it and get paid. But what if we told you that on a community platform you’d still get all of the features that make posting your writing easily, while also gaining new options to experiment with?

Here’s a list of features at your disposal:

  • Your community on Web, iOS, and Android apps.

  • Discussion board posts, polls, and Q&As.

  • Live and pre-recorded videos.

  • Virtual Events.

  • Paid subscriptions and Online courses.

  • Direct messaging and member profiles.

You’re no longer just a line item in their crowded email inbox. Instead, you’re a destination they’re excited to return to again and again.

When you’re transitioning from a platform like Substack, some of these features might not seem important to you. But having them available allows you an abundance of possibilities later on. Plus, if you were relying on Substack’s lackluster community features, then you really don’t know what your members might want once they actually have solid ways to communicate with you and each other.

3. Try paid memberships

There are multiple ways to monetize your content and audience when you switch to an online community platform.

The first and most familiar option for you will be paid subscriptions. On your Substack, you might already be monetizing by charging a fee to access certain articles or a monthly recurring subscription for access to your newsletter. That’s great! When you use a community platform you can continue utilizing subscriptions, but with more options.

When you choose an online community platform, you can charge for membership to the community or for individual parts of your community or content. For example, you could have a paid community subscription (billed monthly or annually) that gives your members access to all of your content. Or you could opt for a “freemium” structure, where the overall community is free, but other content—whether it’s groups or courses—is priced at a premium.

Basically, when you choose an online community platform, you’re supercharging what you could already do with your Substack subscriptions.

4. Build online courses

Offering online courses is another great way to monetize a community and re-use old content. Creating an online course is great because you’re helping people achieve a goal while also fostering real connections between members.

Even if your Substack audience mainly comes for your writing, there are still opportunities to create online courses. The easiest way to find out what they can be about is asking your members in your brand spankin’ new community space…maybe even through a poll or Q&A? Okay, we’ll relax, but what we’re getting at is that all of these features are connected.

When you have more ways to interact with your people, you’ll have more ideas on how to service them. And remember, you don’t need to reinvent the wheel when you make an online course. Your audience followed your Substack for a reason: you have a unique perspective that is changing the way people think about things. All you need to do is show them a simple skill or idea and guide them to results.

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5. Try live events

Last, but not lest, try some live events! They're a great way to get your audience more engaged, whether it's through a community happy hour or a group coaching session.

Conclusion

Don’t get us wrong, Substack is a great place to start growing your audience and make money while doing it. But as your audience grows, you’ll gain a lot more when you have clearer ways to interact with them, and when they can meet others who have the same interests.

Here at Mighty Networks, we’ve designed a community platform that does everything we’ve talked about today to help you achieve the results you’re getting on Substack — and so much more. Why settle for fewer features, less monetization, and fewer ways to interact?

When you build a Mighty Network, your content is accessible to your members no matter where they are, and your community can continue the conversation even after you’ve left. It’s time to upgrade your newsletter to something much more robust and expansive.

Ready to do more with your Substack audience?

Start Your Free TrialNo credit card required.

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After Russian users could no longer use foreign social networks, where did they post their blogs?

How is a writer on LiveJournal ostensibly rated reliable?

What does one user believe LiveJournal to be in Russia?

Why does one author believe LiveJournal is a superior platform?

"I am interested in LiveJournal as it is different from some other blogging sites, because a user can interact with friends in certain ways that are unique to the website."

"At its peak, LiveJournal had more than 2.5 million active accounts."

Title:

Content: Connect with us

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Unleashing the Power of “Josh_lo1” – A Comprehensive Guide

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The internet world is ripe with prospects for people and organisations in today’s fast-paced digital age. One such possibility that has become quite famous is known as “Josh_lo1.” The purpose of this essay is to help you better understand “Josh_lo1” and how you may use it to your advantage.

Over the last several years, the digital environment has changed dramatically, with social media platforms emerging as the most popular places to make connections and advertise products and services. In recent years, “Josh_lo1” has become one of the most influential social media channels worldwide.

 What is “Josh_lo1”?

A dynamic and interesting social media network, “Josh_lo1” lets users make and share short videos. “Josh_lo1” has become a haven for individual expression because to its welcoming community and large user base.

Why is “Josh_lo1” Important?

Express Yourself

The online community known as “Josh_lo1is a great place to showcase your skills in front of an international audience. If you’re a promising artist, a talented cook, or simply someone who likes entertaining people, “Josh_lo1” is your chance to show the world what you’ve got.

Business Opportunities

“Josh_lo1” provides a rare chance for companies to connect with a younger audience. With the correct kind of content and approach, “Josh_lo1” may be a very effective marketing tool for your business.

 Getting Started with “Josh_lo1”

Choosing the Right Platform

Before digging into “Josh_lo1it’s important to do some background research and get a feel for who you’re writing for. Having this information at your disposal will facilitate your choice of distribution medium.

 Setting Up Your Profile

The “Josh_lo1profile you created is your online persona. Create an interesting profile by including a photo, a compelling bio, and connections to your other social media pages.

Creating Engaging Content

Finding Your Niche

Figure out what makes you special, then use that information to distinguish yourself on “Josh_lo1This will make you more noticeable in the online world.

Crafting Captivating Content

Make sure your material is meaningful to your target demographic. Engage your audience using humour, originality, and story telling tactics.

Building a Follower Base

Interacting with Your Audience

React to criticism, make requests, and interact with your audience. The key to expanding your “Josh_lo1presence is creating a feeling of community among your users.

 Collaborating with Others

Working with others increases your chances of being noticed. Join forces with other “Josh_lo1authors whose work complements your own.

 Monetizing Your “Josh_lo1” Presence

Advertising and Sponsorships

When your number of followers increases, you will be able to capitalise on advertising and sponsorship deals.

Selling Your Products or Services

Use “Josh_lo1” to promote your company’s goods and services and increase sales.

Measuring Your Success

 Analytics and Insights

If you want to keep tabs on your stats and learn more about your audience, “Josh_lo1has supplied you with some useful tools.

Adjusting Your Strategy

Be flexible. Don’t be afraid to switch gears and attempt something new if you find that a given content type or strategy is underperforming.

Overcoming Challenges

Dealing with Competition

There is a lot of competition on “Josh_lo1.” Pay attention to what you do well, and keep the quality of your material high all the time.

Managing Trolls and Negative Feedback

There will be some negative comments as well. Cultivate a thick skin and learn to accept criticism with poise.

 The Future of “Josh_lo1”

“Josh_lo1” will develop with technological advances. Keep up with the newest features and trends on your platform of choice.

 Conclusion

Social media account “Josh_lo1” is a portal to new ideas, productive relationships, and professional achievement. “Josh_lolhas unlimited potential for development and participation, whether you’re a person seeking exposure for your skills or a company wishing to reach a wider audience.

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The Essentials of Insurance for w3techpanel.com: Protecting Your Digital Investment

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The demand for all-encompassing insurance policies goes well beyond the physical world in today’s lightning-fast digital ecosystem. There is now as much, if not more, risk to websites and online companies as there is to traditional ones. Coverage for websites like w3techpanel.com and others of its like is discussed in this article. We have your back every step of the way, from learning about the dangers to picking the appropriate insurance.

Understanding the Digital Landscape

W3TechPanel.com, like everything else online, is always developing. You, as a website owner or manager, need to be alert to the many dangers that lurk in cyberspace. Examples of such dangers include hacking attempts, data leaks, and even system outages.

The Rise of Cyber Threats

As society becomes increasingly reliant on electronic devices, so too have cyber dangers evolved. Sites like w3techpanel.com are frequent targets for hackers who steal data, disrupt services, or deface websites.

Data Breaches and Privacy Concerns

Serious difficulties, including as legal trouble and reputational harm, might arise from a data breach. Users’ financial and personal details must be kept secure at all times.

Types of Insurance Coverage

If you own an online company like w3techpanel.com, you should research the many forms of insurance coverage available to you in order to protect your digital assets.

Cyber Liability Insurance

This specific insurance protects against the financial losses that might result from cyberattacks and data breaches. It may help reduce the costs associated with legal action, sending out alerts, and protecting one’s good name.

Business Interruption Insurance

This insurance may reimburse w3techpanel.com for lost revenue and expenditures in the event of downtime caused by a cyber incident or technical breakdown.

E&O Insurance (Errors and Omissions)

If your services or advice causes financial harm to a customer, this insurance will shield you from legal action for professional negligence.

Tailoring Your Coverage

In order to properly insure w3techpanel.com, you must first determine what those demands and dangers are.

Conducting a Risk Assessment

Locate security holes and rank the threats that w3techpanel.com faces. Your insurance selections will be informed by this analysis.

Customizing Your Policy

Consult with a knowledgeable insurance agent to create a policy that fits your company’s specific needs. Avoid using a blanket solution.

Benefits of Insurance for w3techpanel.com

Purchasing insurance is a good business move that has several benefits beyond the obvious safety net it provides.

Peace of Mind

With your mind at ease from worrying about the security of w3techpanel.com, you can concentrate on expanding your business.

Legal Compliance

Having appropriate insurance is often a legal obligation, particularly when dealing with private user information.

Competitive Edge

Insuring w3techpanel.com against cyber hazards may increase credibility and bring in more customers.

Conclusion

Protecting w3techpanel.com is crucial in today’s ever changing online environment. The difference between surviving and collapsing in the face of a cyber attack might be as simple as finding the right insurance policy. Get the correct insurance to safeguard your digital assets, keep your data safe, and keep your online presence operating smoothly.

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Pennsylvania Election: A Deep Dive into the Keystone State’s Electoral Process

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In the realm of American politics, the state of Pennsylvania has often taken center stage during election seasons. Known as the “Keystone State” for its pivotal role in shaping the nation’s destiny, Pennsylvania’s electoral process is a topic of great interest and intrigue. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Pennsylvania’s election system, exploring its history, key players, voting procedures, and the broader implications for the national political landscape.

The Keystone State’s Electoral Significance

A Historical Perspective

Pennsylvania’s electoral significance can be traced back to the founding of the United States. The state played a crucial role in the American Revolution and hosted the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where the U.S. Constitution was drafted and adopted. This historical legacy has cemented Pennsylvania’s reputation as a bellwether state, often reflecting the broader political trends in the nation.

Electoral College: Pennsylvania’s Weight in Presidential Elections

Pennsylvania’s electoral votes have consistently made it a battleground state in presidential elections. With a substantial 20 electoral votes, the state holds a significant stake in determining the outcome of presidential races. Candidates from both major political parties vigorously campaign in Pennsylvania, recognizing its role in the Electoral College.

Pennsylvania’s Electoral Process

Voter Registration and Eligibility

To participate in Pennsylvania’s elections, individuals must register to vote. The state has relatively inclusive voter registration policies, allowing citizens to register online, by mail, or in person. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship, Pennsylvania residency, and being at least 18 years old.

Primary Elections

Pennsylvania conducts primary elections to choose party nominees for various offices. These primaries are held for both major political parties, and registered voters can participate in the primary of their chosen party. The winners of the primary elections move on to the general election.

General Elections

General elections in Pennsylvania are held on the first Tuesday in November of even-numbered years. Voters cast their ballots for a wide range of offices, including the President, Senators, Representatives, and state-level officials. Pennsylvania uses a paper ballot system for voting.

Key Players in Pennsylvania Elections

The Governor

The Governor of Pennsylvania plays a pivotal role in the state’s electoral process. They have the authority to call special elections, veto legislative redistricting plans, and influence the overall political climate in the state.

State Legislature

The Pennsylvania General Assembly consists of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. These bodies are responsible for passing election-related legislation, including redistricting plans.

County Election Officials

Election administration in Pennsylvania is decentralized, with county election officials overseeing the voting process at the local level. They are responsible for voter registration, polling place management, and vote counting.

Challenges and Controversies

Redistricting Battles

Pennsylvania has witnessed its fair share of redistricting controversies. The drawing of legislative and congressional district boundaries has sparked legal disputes and accusations of gerrymandering.

Voter ID Laws

The state has implemented voter ID laws that have been a subject of debate. Proponents argue that these laws prevent voter fraud, while critics claim they disenfranchise certain segments of the population.

The National Impact

Swing State Status

Pennsylvania’s swing state status makes it a critical battleground in presidential elections. Winning Pennsylvania often signals broader electoral success, making it a focal point for campaign strategies.

Demographic Changes

The state’s evolving demographics, with increasing urbanization and changing voter preferences, have the potential to reshape Pennsylvania’s political landscape and influence national politics.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Pennsylvania’s election system is a microcosm of American democracy, with a rich history, key players, and its fair share of challenges and controversies. The state’s role as a swing state and its significant electoral votes ensure that Pennsylvania will remain at the forefront of American politics for years to come.

FAQs

Q: How many electoral votes does Pennsylvania have?

Pennsylvania has 20 electoral votes.

Q: What is the significance of Pennsylvania in presidential elections?

Pennsylvania is a swing state with a history of reflecting national political trends, making it crucial in determining the outcome of presidential races.

Q: Who oversees the voter registration process in Pennsylvania?

County election officials are responsible for overseeing the voter registration process in Pennsylvania.

Q: What are some of the key challenges in Pennsylvania’s electoral system?

Redistricting battles and voter ID laws have been contentious issues in Pennsylvania’s electoral system.

Q: How often are general elections held in Pennsylvania?

General elections in Pennsylvania are held every even-numbered year on the first Tuesday in November.

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Fighter Jets: The Pinnacle of Aerial Dominance

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In the world of aviation, few machines evoke the same awe and admiration as fighter jet. These marvels of engineering represent the pinnacle of aerial dominance, combining speed, agility, and firepower in a way that few other man-made creations can match. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at fighter jets, exploring their history, technology, and their critical role in modern warfare.

The Evolution of Fighter Jets

Fighter jet have come a long way since their inception. In the early 20th century, the concept of aerial combat was in its infancy. Pilots would engage in dogfights using primitive biplanes. However, as technology advanced, so did the capabilities of fighter aircraft. Discussing the evolution of fighter jets will provide insight into the remarkable progress made in aviation.

World War I: The Birth of Aerial Combat

The first fighter planes emerged during World War I, with aircraft like the Sopwith Camel and Fokker Dr.I becoming iconic symbols of that era. These planes were characterized by their open cockpits and machine guns mounted in front.

World War II: The Golden Age of Fighters

World War II saw a rapid evolution in fighter technology. The introduction of the Messerschmitt Bf 109, Supermarine Spitfire, and P-51 Mustang marked a significant turning point in aerial warfare. These planes had enclosed cockpits and greater speed and firepower.

The Jet Age

The post-World War II era ushered in the jet age, with aircraft like the F-86 Sabre and MiG-15 setting new speed and altitude records. Discuss the impact of jet propulsion on fighter capabilities.

Cutting-Edge Technology

Modern fighter jets are technological marvels, packed with advanced systems and weaponry that give them an edge in any combat scenario. Highlight the key technologies that make modern fighter jets so formidable.

Stealth Technology

Discuss how stealth technology allows fighter jets to operate undetected by radar, giving them a crucial advantage in surprise attacks.

Avionics and Radar Systems

Explain how sophisticated avionics and radar systems enable pilots to track enemy aircraft, guide missiles, and make split-second decisions in combat.

Supersonic Speed

Delve into the importance of supersonic speed in fighter jets, allowing them to intercept and engage targets quickly.

Role in Modern Warfare

Fighter jets play a pivotal role in modern warfare, serving as both a deterrent and a defensive tool. Explore how they are used in various military operations and conflicts around the world.

Air Superiority

Explain how fighter jets establish air superiority by neutralizing enemy aircraft, allowing friendly forces to operate without the threat of aerial attacks.

Close Air Support

Discuss the vital role fighter jets play in providing close air support to ground troops, aiding them in battles and conflicts.

Interceptor Missions

Explore the concept of fighter jets as interceptors, ready to respond to potential threats or incursions into a nation’s airspace.

Conclusion

In conclusion, fighter jets have evolved from simple biplanes to cutting-edge technological wonders. They are not only symbols of a nation’s military might but also crucial tools for maintaining peace and security. As we look to the future, fighter jets will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in aviation technology.

FAQs

Q: How fast can modern fighter jets fly?

Modern fighter jets can achieve speeds of over Mach 2, which is more than twice the speed of sound.

Q: What is the role of a fighter pilot in combat?

Fighter pilots are responsible for engaging and neutralizing enemy aircraft, protecting friendly forces, and ensuring air superiority.

Q: Are fighter jets equipped with ejection seats?

Yes, most fighter jets are equipped with ejection seats, allowing pilots to safely eject in emergencies.

Q: Can fighter jets carry nuclear weapons?

Some fighter jets are capable of carrying nuclear weapons, adding to their versatility in various military scenarios.

Q: How do fighter jets refuel during long missions?

Fighter jets can be refueled in mid-air by tanker aircraft, extending their operational range.

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"But its peak was almost 10 years ago, in early 2005 — and since then, most of the English-speaking world, with the apparent exception of George R. R. Martin, forgot that it was there."

Title:

Content: Back to selection

Girlblogging: For Girls, By Girls (Girls on Film)

Girlblogging is the online expression of a certain kind of girlhood: a condition not strictly defined by youth or gender, but—per the French theory collective Tiqqun in Preliminary Materials for a Theory of the Young-Girl—the quality of being “the model citizen as redefined by consumer society.” The lace and ribbons are just bells and whistles. At its core, girlhood is the aesthetic of the unequal power-relation.

The Young-Girl who constructs reactions and critiques, the girlblogger, manages to be both the consummate consumer and the consummate consumer good. Though she is wounded by them, she derives a certain pleasure from the material conditions that trap and commodify her. She exists to be looked upon, to look back at the world—particularly when it mirrors her own experience—with a covetous eye. She is made valuable and victimized by capital; it is the mechanism of her marginalization and the medium she works in on the fringes.

The practice of girlblogging is one of writing from these margins, a fundamentally filmic exercise in which visuals are at least as important as what’s actually said: aestheticized cultural criticism in posts exchanged—liked, reblogged—between online friends like trading cards. Girlblogging is memetic; it encourages engagement, as girls love to curate collections of beautiful objects, digitally and physically; it travels like wildfire.

Girlblogging constitutes a central axis of fandom (see: Lana del Rey, Taylor Swift, the institution of K-pop at large). In the 2010s, Tumblr was its primary vehicle. Movies, shows, music videos were reproduced in miniature, in moodboards and highlight reels: entire characters encapsulated in gifsets and screencaps, their arcs condensed into appearances, dialogue plastered across the moment like an auto-framing device. Under the image, the girlblogger provided her own commentary. Her favorite subject? Girls—Young-Girls—on film.

The Tumblr feed became a kind of media archive, a museum dedicated to the poor image—which, as Hito Steyerl writes, “embodies the afterlife of many former masterpieces of cinema and video art… expelled from the sheltered paradise that cinema seems to have once been.”

Girlbloggers have expanded their reach. Now poor images proliferate on Twitter, on TikTok, on a thousand splinter sites and forums where captioned film stills hang like paintings.

In a digital landscape rich with information, the poor image thrives. So does the trope, the stock character, the label—each of which lies downstream of full personhood and is therefore smaller, more digestible, easier to spread and understand. For optimal consumption, both media and identity must be spherified, necessarily degraded. In the face of short-form content—its unassailable primacy—even our trailers have trailers.

Images are immediate, and immediately gratifying: they demand attention, but never too much. Back when I was on Tumblr, I hadn’t watched Skins or Buffalo 66 or Perks of Being a Wallflower, but I knew them in concept, by representative flashes. Navigating the platform was like scrolling through a mosaic, a fresco—like going through your friends’ ephemera, playing dress-up—imagining the identities you could purchase, the images you could inhabit.

This was how I learned how to be a girl: in images, shapes to fill. There were so many polarities. You could be a nerd or a cheerleader, the mean girl or the girl next door, femme fatale or doe-eyed ingenue, Material Girl or cool girl, Jackie or Marilyn, Veronica or Betty.

It was a simpler time. We speak with more nuance now. You can be a coquette or a clean girl or a femcel, a bimbo or a doll or god forbid, a pick-me—a sigma female, a gamer girl, pro-ana, delulu—suffice it to say the pool of available identities is deeper, though you drown in it all the same.

In the words of cultural critic Rayne Fisher-Quann:

one girl on your tiktok feed might be a self-described joan didion/eve babitz/marlboro reds/straight-cut levis/fleabag girl (this means she has depression). another will call herself a babydoll dress/sylvia plath/red scare/miu miu/lana del rey girl (eating disorder), or a green juice/claw clip/emma chamberlain/yoga mat/podcast girl (different eating disorder). the aesthetics of consumption have, in turn, become a conduit to make the self more easily consumable: your existence as a Type of Girl has almost nothing to do with whether you actually read joan didion or wear miu miu, and everything to do with whether you want to be seen as the type of person who would.

The Young-Girl is a walking advertisement. The Young-Girl internalizes images, then reproduces them; to be seen in the way she desires, she acts out what she sees.

Girlblogging is coming into the light, crossing the increasingly permeable membrane between our online and offline worlds. It has emerged from the sordid margins of the internet, towing along the experiences of girlhood it curates and distributes—the agonies of being watched, consumed; the psychological warfare; the power you derive from constantly polishing your surfaces, the parts of you that face the world, and the isolation you suffer from living behind them; the naked desperation; the twin, warring impulses towards beauty and horror. I’m not like other girls—that cri de coeur for individuality, self-differentiation—has evolved into an overwhelming desire for visibility, taxonomy, self-identification—Wow… she is LITERALLY me.

The images girlbloggers present are incomplete and limiting, but they are also true. Filmmakers have known this forever: it is easy—and freeing—to project yourself onto a picture, or to put one on.

She is literally me. Maybe I became her. The thing in the image becomes all.

Read other posts in this series:

Girlblogging: American Psycho

© 2023 Filmmaker Magazine. All Rights Reserved. A Publication of The Gotham

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Content: Blogs As Marketing Tools For Small And Medium Sized Businesses

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Times are changing. In the highly competitive marketplace,Blogs As Marketing Tools For Small And Medium Sized Businesses Articles small and medium sized business entities (SMBs) veer away from the traditional to more creative and interactive approaches to doing business. Opportunities now spring from new markets, new consumer segments and new marketing tools exemplified by websites specifically business blogs.

Understanding Business Blogs

A blog, short for weblog, is a website in which journal-like entries called posts are written on an ongoing basis and displayed in reverse chronological order. New posts appear at the homepage so visitors can read what is new. It is an easy, frequently updated online journal, focused around a topic, industry or personality. Authoring a blog or adding an article to a blog is called blogging while the person who posts these entries is known as a blogger. Typically, a blog is composed of hypertext, images and links to other web pages, audio, video and other files. A distinct feature of a blog is that it allows readers to write their reactions or comments to what was written in the blog post. Another wonderful thing about a blog is that a blogger can update his blog thru a special type of blogging software called a blog tool instantly from any Internet connection on any computer. He just types his entry into a simple online form and the entry is readily available on the web for worldwide readers to see.

https://www.simplifiedblogs.com/

Over the years, blogs have evolved from simple, personal online journals to effective tools for augmenting business communications. Along the way, search engines like Google and Yahoo were displaying popular media blogs produced by journalists, in most cases, appearing above other search result rankings. Propelled by this discovery, companies started writing blogs to provide relevant information about their business to potential customers to visit their sites.

What then is a business blog? It is a blog about a business. It is an organized journal about a company’s products or services. A business blog provides specific news, statistics, product releases, and other relevant information related to the company to prospective customers starting a business blog and providing these information give potential customers enough reasons to visit a company’s website. Just imagine prospective clients visiting a company’s blog periodically without the company having to spend hefty amounts of money on advertising and promotion. As they say, give readers valuable pertinent information and they will come. Moreover, customer service issues may be addressed using a blog.

A business blog is best viewed as an addition to a website. If a company has a website, a business blog is just embedded in it. For small and medium sized businesses, business blogs help put a personal touch on an otherwise bland business site. A business blog can be an excellent marketing tool to support a main business, to provide value, build healthy relationships with potential clients and thus create personal brand and image.

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"I need information about the history of LiveJournal, including how Brad Fitzpatrick transformed a journaling application he created and was using for himself into a website others could use as well."

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Content: The Rise of Fashion’s Tumblr Generation

The children of fashion Tumblr came to New York, as fashion strivers often do, from the less fashionable provinces: San José and Grand Rapids and Baltimore and Orange County and the Jersey Shore. Growing up far from the industry’s enclaves, they obsessed over Balenciaga ads and Vogue Italia scans online, following along with the zeal of outsiders, and found their like-minded zealots to befriend. A decade later, they all live in New York, and they remain friends. They socialize together and party together, and now, having made it from the digital outside to the industry inside, they work together too. “The first time I met all the dolls, it was made clear, this was a tight group of ride-or-dies,” says the artist Martine Gutierrez, who met her crew in the city following a Candy magazine shoot in 2016 and quickly fell in.

They’ve come a long way since they were on Tumblr, the image-centric blogging platform, in the 2010s as fashion-obsessed teenagers. Fluent in technology, controlling their own means of image production, distribution, and promotion: the Factory girls without the need for a Warhol, the Halstonettes if they dispensed with Halston, the unholy love children of Cleveland (Pat, not Ohio) and Vreeland. They’ve internalized Polly Mellen rhapsodizing about “weightless, pom-pom, powder-puff” faux furs in Unzipped and Donatella Versace making marble-mouthed pronouncements in a Vogue video interview (“What are you reading right now?” “Magazines!”). They live to be behind the camera and in front of it.

Without fashion school — in some cases, without even finishing high school, much less college — they educated themselves in the chapter and verse of the industry, its history and its archives as well as its lingua franca. Their styles were cooked in Tumblr’s mix-and-match, endlessly referential crucible, and the most devoted could spend five or six hours a day on the platform, posting and commenting. “After midnight was the time to be on there,” says Devan Díaz, a writer who left Tennessee for New York at 18 and started her Tumblr in 2009. “If you stayed up really late, then you could catch the European crowd waking up.”

“If I didn’t have Tumblr, I never would have gotten into fashion,” says Marcus Cuffie, a stylist whose Tumblr, Dustulator (the name of a favorite Rick Owens collection), begun in 2011, became a touchstone for many fellow bloggers. “I wouldn’t have known how to access it.”

“I think we wanted to know why we liked the things we liked,” says Hari Nef, who moved to New York from Massachusetts to attend Columbia and joined Tumblr in the summer of 2011, just before she arrived. “We wanted to trace a line through the past to figure out where it came from. Together, we were able to kind of thread that needle and string it along. It was about information, and it was about discovery — discovery that you couldn’t achieve without community.” Reblogs and comments led to chats and calls, and gradually a circle coalesced.

All the research paid off. Nef interned at cool fashion places like VFiles, although now she’s better known as an actress; she spent this spring shooting the Barbie movie. (She deleted her Tumblr before her first film came out in 2018.) Cuffie now styles for Harper’s Bazaar, Dazed, and a grab bag of indie mags. Cruz Valdez, who became Cuffie’s partner and now collaborator, is a photographer who shoots for Marc Jacobs, Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty, and Eckhaus Latta. “These kids know things,” says Mel Ottenberg, the editor-in-chief of Interview, who hired one of them, Dara Allen, known professionally as Dara (Tumblr b. 2011), to be the magazine’s fashion director this February. “They must really study.”

For younger millennials and all of Gen Z, making friends online is just how you make friends. But eventually, this crew realized, you have to meet up in real life if you want to get anything done. Their Tumblr pals were their support system, and they flocked to the city in formation to live, work, and play together. “I always kind of wanted to come to New York, but I don’t think I would have,” says Allen. But goaded by fellow Californians Valdez and Iris Diane Palma, an artist, she bought a ticket with them (in tears) and moved to a flop in Bushwick. (Stevie Triano, another Tumblr friend, and Cuffie picked up the keys and met them there the day they arrived.) Valdez, who went to photo school, did her first shoots in their shared Brooklyn apartment with a seamless backdrop rigged up by a belt to their futon with Allen, who appeared in two Marc Jacobs shows before finally signing with a modeling agency, as her subject.

In New York, they met other Tumblrites, including Nef and Cuffie. “It really felt like we were all meant to find each other,” Nef told me. “The word manifesting was really popular at that time. And that’s what we felt like we were doing. Obsession alone wasn’t enough for me, nor was it enough for Dara or Cruz or Marcus or Devan or any of us. It simply would have been a waste for us to do anything else but use all of those hours that we spent looking and listening and writing and sharing and not trying to make something with them.”

They ended up friends with Ethan James Green, a model turned photographer, and the circle expanded. Green was a more casual Tumblr user whose runway career was cataloged on Tumblr — most exhaustively by Allen on her blog. His photography career was stalling until, inspired by his mentor David Armstrong, he began shooting black-and-white portraits of friends and friends-to-be, including every person pictured here, many of whom are featured in his first book, Young New York. “All these big fashion people that I’d been around for years all of a sudden were like, ‘Oh!’ — it turned something on,” Green says. “People started asking me to do my pictures. And because I was able to really create my world, I didn’t have to compromise.” These days, he shoots for Vogue and W, Louis Vuitton campaigns, and just closed his first solo show at Fotografiska.

Now they are members of fashion’s next generation, landing big jobs. Green often works with Allen. Allen often works with Valdez. Valdez often works with Cuffie, who is also her partner. Their friends assist on shoots or do the hair or build the sets. Their work adorns billboards over Soho for Calvin Klein; they’re booked by Bottega Veneta and Alexander McQueen. The line between work and life can be blurry. They don’t work exclusively together, but they understand each other better when they do. “We all see it for each other. Our Grindr profile would say, ‘Muse 4 Muse,’” Gutierrez says. “I bring friends into projects constantly, especially when there’s a budget.”

“There is a shared language for sure,” says Marcs Goldberg, an art director who designs sets for photo shoots. “It’s very much like a sibling relationship, where it can be very intense and extreme, but in the end, it’s exactly as it should be.”

They have come into their own individually and collectively, carving out space for themselves and their taste. Many of them have transitioned since their earliest meetings on Tumblr or embraced non-binary identities. “It’s opened up so many possibilities,” Valdez told me. “We all had such an instinct toward something,” Allen says. “I think I’ve realized that it really becomes easier just to go with your gut — and your friends.” This year, she worked with Green on an ad campaign for Walmart. “To think about someone in middle America seeing style from her perspective is really crazy,” Green says proudly.

To hear them tell it, their work now is not so different from their Tumblr ’fit pics. “I think it’s all just been about building and refining,” Valdez says. “When I think about my older work, it’s not like, it’s so drastically different in ways, it’s just more about how I’ve been able to articulate what I wanted to say and how to say it.” “This was me on Tumblr,” Allen cried as she struck a pose for the camera, swiveling her wrists outward and clamping her hands to her waist, a haute little teapot. Now their Tumblrs have mostly fallen away — although a few still post privately or occasionally — and the platform itself has faded from its former glory. The next generation is assembling itself elsewhere.

But if their medium has waned, the message hasn’t. What would they do on their last day on earth? Probably this, they said, sitting for this portrait. There is no “cheese” here. “Everybody say ‘cunt,’” Valdez said before the shutter snapped. “Cunt!” they all bellowed joyfully.Read more at:buy formal dresses online australia | short formal dresses australia

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