New FTC rule banning fake reviews took effect this past Monday.
A variety of scenarios are covered, like:
- AI-generated fake reviews,
- Did not have actual experience with the business or its products or services,
- Prohibits businesses from buying reviews,
- And more.
Here’s hoping this makes a difference to the growing amount of “noise” online in this arena (which seems to be outnumbering the legit reviews).
“Many forms of government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and war. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or wise. Indeed it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.” — Winston Churchill
“Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve.“ – George Bernard Shaw
Dan Rodricks: ‘Kind of fantastic,’ lightning bugs to come alive in Reservoir Hill mural
(via Baltimore Sun)
Jon Batiste, Für Elise - Batiste 🎶
From his new album titled, “Beethoven Blues”, a re-imagining of Beethoven with a New Orleans twist.
My first reaction: Someone who’s mastered both classical and improvisational genres, having fun combining both. :)
(Seriously checking out this vinyl.)
“Shang-Chi: Legend of the Ten Rings”
I’d backed away from Marvel overload in recent years (and since story lines started to feel duplicative & without much depth), but occasioned on this one and really enjoyed the first act plus appreciated the creativity of the second act. Good dialogue moments, plot development, acting, cultural insight, etc.
If you find in your algorithm (or maybe even lookup) ;), would recommend checking out.
The more mechanical the age, inevitably, it becomes less humane.
-Atticus Pünd, in Moonflower Murders
Last night’s ⚾️ game brought to you by the letter “C” and the letter “D”. 🙂
Interesting stat from recent poll by UMBC Institute of Politics regarding
Attitudes toward the Size of Maryland State Government
• 40 percent of Maryland adults would like to keep state government services and taxes about as they are now
• 36 percent of Maryland adults would like fewer state government services to reduce state taxes
• 15 percent of Maryland adults would rather have more state government services even if it meant higher state taxes
(via Baltimore Sun editorial page, 9 Oct 2024)
Been following the MoneyLetter group now for a few years and overall like their analysis and portfolios.
Because of my background, I’ll layer in a little of my own approach, but if you’re just interested in “automated money management”, I think their new offering is worth the look – Essentially, their money manager decisions are automatically accomplished in your portfolio which is housed on the Betterment platform.
For more information, check out MoneyLetter Live.
In 2009, the median home price was $220,900, according to the Federal Reserve, and a new car cost an average of $23,276, according to the Energy Department. Had prices increased at the rate of the consumer-price index, the average house would cost $322,000 today and a car would cost $34,000. Instead, the Fed reports an average house goes for $412,000 today, and a typical new car is $48,000, according to Kelley Blue Book.
The national going rate for a babysitter 15 years ago was $10.50 an hour, according to Care.com. Now it’s $18.38, 20% more than if the cost had tracked the consumer-price index.
Budget-conscious HENRYs tell me it’s often hard to find midtier options in, well, anything, as companies push luxury versions of everything from high-end water bottles to $1,000-a-night hotel rooms.
File under: “Not only do things not cost what they used to, they don’t cost what they’re ‘supposed’ to cost now.”
And I’ve commented on the last paragraph to the Mrs. for about 5-10 years now: Business pricing strategy has all but eliminated the ‘middle option’ for anything from home supplies, to cars, to pencils. You either go with uber cheap from China, or you go for super high-end (which in many cases, still isn’t that good - you’ve just paid for the feeling of premium without the actual premium; like the $425 pair of Bose headphones I splurged on 3 years ago that starting tattering after a year-and-a-half of gentle use at the office).
My takeaways: Be happy with less and what really matters, be resourceful, and stand on the sidelines long enough so supply-side gets the signal.
UPDATE 11 Oct 2024: In related news, WSJ reports today, “After Years of Increases, Companies Are Rolling Back Prices” via @WSJ
Just to put some punctuation on the end of the O’s ⚾ season here: Certainly hoped for a better result than to be swept again in Round 1 of post-season, but there was some good ball to watch over the summer, obviously the second half was painful as we limped along to the end of regular season, but we did make it to post-season for the second time in two years, and we did have another decently interesting season to watch.
So thank you O’s for going out there and giving it your best each night, for fighting to come back as best you could, and keep your chin up: Baltimore thanks you. Enjoy an off season of some well-deserved rest!
Bookstores are making a comeback. Here’s one with 50,000 titles by Dan Rodricks in The Baltimore Sun
In Baltimore, the Ivy Bookshop and Greedy Reads are among independent stores that continue to buck the online trend and serve readers. Membership in the American Booksellers Association has just about doubled (to more than 2,400) since 2016, and the association says nearly 200 stores are opening over the next two years. A booksellers group in Colorado reports that, since 2020, at least 100 new stores have opened in 14 Western states, many of them in small towns.
I was starting to get into book reading more, but got waylaid by a couple life events (good ones). I’ve got some titles I need to finish up, and still torn some on the space requirement of books (need some dimensional folding solution), but the one I’m tempted to buy now is Andrew Steeves’ final letterpress book under the Gaspereau Press imprint, “Type Bountiful”.
My wife accused me the other day of stealing the thesaurus … I was shocked, surprised, and amazed.
⚾Feels like gang’s back together (with players finally coming back from IL), and great to be able to celebrate the O’s clinching their post-season in a 5-3 win over the Yankees where saw a lot of the spark we’ve come to enjoy the last year-and-a-half from the team!
Welcome back Mountcastle, Coulombe, Westburg, Urias, Webb, & more!
(Vid via X)
Maryland must reverse its competitive decline
Maryland’s alarming slide from 22nd to 31st place in CNBC’s 2024 Top States for Business rankings is more than a statistic — it’s a glaring warning sign about our state’s economic competitiveness.
Our fall is particularly concerning in three key areas: business friendliness (from 24th to 37th), infrastructure (from 15th to 37th) and a stagnant workforce ranking (28th). Most alarmingly, Maryland ranks 47th for the cost of doing business, making it the fourth-most-expensive state for businesses to operate in. These rankings matter. They influence business decisions on where to locate, expand or invest.
A good explanation of the infield fly rule - Essentially, it prevents the defense from intentionally missing an infield fly ball and forcing a double play. ⚾️
Remarkable Paper Pro – Been enjoying the Remarkable 2 for a year, and these next improvements seem to be in all the right areas (e.g., size of screen and color). Very tempted to upgrade.