Chris Voss's Blog, page 144
June 15, 2022
The Chris Voss Show Podcast – Spin Dictators: The Changing Face of Tyranny in the 21st Century by Sergei Guriev, Daniel Treisman
Spin Dictators: The Changing Face of Tyranny in the 21st Century by Sergei Guriev, Daniel Treisman
How a new breed of dictators holds power by manipulating information and faking democracy
Hitler, Stalin, and Mao ruled through violence, fear, and ideology. But in recent decades a new breed of media-savvy strongmen has been redesigning authoritarian rule for a more sophisticated, globally connected world. In place of overt, mass repression, rulers such as Vladimir Putin, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Viktor Orbán control their citizens by distorting information and simulating democratic procedures. Like spin doctors in democracies, they spin the news to engineer support. Uncovering this new brand of authoritarianism, Sergei Guriev and Daniel Treisman explain the rise of such “spin dictators,” describing how they emerge and operate, the new threats they pose, and how democracies should respond.
Spin Dictators traces how leaders such as Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew and Peru’s Alberto Fujimori pioneered less violent, more covert, and more effective methods of monopolizing power. They cultivated an image of competence, concealed censorship, and used democratic institutions to undermine democracy, all while increasing international engagement for financial and reputational benefits. The book reveals why most of today’s authoritarians are spin dictators―and how they differ from the remaining “fear dictators” such as Kim Jong-un and Bashar al-Assad, as well as from masters of high-tech repression like Xi Jinping.
Offering incisive portraits of today’s authoritarian leaders, Spin Dictators explains some of the great political puzzles of our time―from how dictators can survive in an age of growing modernity to the disturbing convergence and mutual sympathy between dictators and populists like Donald Trump.
The post The Chris Voss Show Podcast – Spin Dictators: The Changing Face of Tyranny in the 21st Century by Sergei Guriev, Daniel Treisman appeared first on The Chris Voss Show.
June 13, 2022
The Chris Voss Show Podcast – Building a Second Brain: A Proven Method to Organize Your Digital Life and Unlock Your Creative Potential by Tiago Forte
Building a Second Brain: A Proven Method to Organize Your Digital Life and Unlock Your Creative Potential by Tiago Forte
A revolutionary approach to enhancing productivity, creating flow, and vastly increasing your ability to capture, remember, and benefit from the unprecedented amount of information all around us.
For the first time in history, we have instantaneous access to the world’s knowledge. There has never been a better time to learn, to contribute, and to improve ourselves. Yet, rather than feeling empowered, we are often left feeling overwhelmed by this constant influx of information. The very knowledge that was supposed to set us free has instead led to the paralyzing stress of believing we’ll never know or remember enough.
Now, this eye-opening and accessible guide shows how you can easily create your own personal system for knowledge management, otherwise known as a Second Brain. As a trusted and organized digital repository of your most valued ideas, notes, and creative work synced across all your devices and platforms, a Second Brain gives you the confidence to tackle your most important projects and ambitious goals.
Discover the full potential of your ideas and translate what you know into more powerful, more meaningful improvements in your work and life by Building a Second Brain.
The post The Chris Voss Show Podcast – Building a Second Brain: A Proven Method to Organize Your Digital Life and Unlock Your Creative Potential by Tiago Forte appeared first on The Chris Voss Show.
The Chris Voss Show Podcast – The Secret Life of Secrets: How Our Inner Worlds Shape Well-Being, Relationships, and Who We Are by Michael Slepian
The Secret Life of Secrets: How Our Inner Worlds Shape Well-Being, Relationships, and Who We Are by Michael Slepian
Think of a secret that you’re keeping from others. It shouldn’t take long; behavioral scientist Michael Slepian finds that, on average, we are keeping as many as thirteen secrets at any given time. His research involving more than 50,000 participants from around the world shows that the most common secrets include lies we’ve told, ambitions, addictions, mental health challenges, hidden relationships, and financial struggles.
Our secrets can weigh heavily upon us. Yet the burden of secrecy, Slepian argues, rarely stems from the work it takes to keep a secret hidden. Rather, the weight of our secrets comes from carrying them alone, without the support of others. Whether we are motivated to protect our reputation, a relationship, a loved one’s feelings, or some personal or professional goal, one thing is clear: Holding back some part of our inner world is often lonely and isolating. But The Secret Life of Secrets shows you that it doesn’t have to be.
Filled with fresh insight into one of the most universal—yet least understood—aspects of human behavior, The Secret Life of Secrets sheds a fascinating new light on questions like: At what age do children develop the cognitive capacity for secrecy? Do all secrets come with the same mental load? How can we reconcile our secrets with our human desires to relate, connect, and be known? When should we confess our secrets? Who makes for the ideal confidant? And can keeping certain types of secrets actually enhance our well-being?
Drawing on over a decade of original research, The Secret Life of Secrets reveals the surprising ways that secrets pervade our lives, and offers science-based strategies that make them easier to live with. The result is a rare window into the inner workings of our minds, our relationships, and our sense of who we are.
The post The Chris Voss Show Podcast – The Secret Life of Secrets: How Our Inner Worlds Shape Well-Being, Relationships, and Who We Are by Michael Slepian appeared first on The Chris Voss Show.
June 12, 2022
The Chris Voss Show Podcast – Good Arguments: How Debate Teaches Us to Listen and Be Heard by Bo Seo
Good Arguments: How Debate Teaches Us to Listen and Be Heard by Bo Seo
Two-time world champion debater and former coach of the Harvard debate team, Bo Seo tells the inspiring story of his life in competitive debating and reveals the timeless secrets of effective communication and persuasion
When Bo Seo was 8 years old, he and his family migrated from Korea to Australia. At the time, he did not speak English, and, unsurprisingly, struggled at school. But, then, in fifth grade, something happened to change his life: he discovered competitive debate. Immediately, he was hooked. It turned out, perhaps counterintuitively, that debating was the perfect activity for someone shy and unsure of himself. It became a way for Bo not only to find his voice, but to excel socially and academically. And he’s not the only one. Far from it: presidents, Supreme Court justices, and CEOs are all disproportionally debaters. This is hardly a coincidence. By tracing his own journey from immigrant kid to world champion, Seo shows how the skills of debating—information gathering, truth finding, lucidity, organization, and persuasion—are often the cornerstone of successful careers and happy lives.Drawing insights from its strategies, structure, and history, Seo teaches readers the skills of competitive debate, and in doing so shows how they can improve their communication with friends, family, and colleagues alike. He takes readers on a thrilling intellectual adventure into the eccentric and brilliant subculture of competitive debate, touching on everything from the radical politics of Malcom X to Artificial Intelligence. Seo proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that, far from being a source of conflict, good-faith debate can enrich our daily lives. Indeed, these good arguments are essential to a flourishing democracy, and are more important than ever at time when bad faith is all around, and our democracy seems so imperiled.
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June 11, 2022
ATEN Podcast AI Audio Mixer | MicLIVE™ 6-CH C8000 Review
We got the opportunity to review the new ATEN C8000 audio mixer and its a great device for podcasts! It has multiple inputs and so many different modes you can play with. From the AI audio, Duck mode and up to 8 effect buttons you can custom program its a lot of fun. Its very easy, plug and play and works great with the simple software they provide for a seamless setup and operation. Whats nice is that is it is light and portable, you could take it anywhere on live shows or it even has a desk lock slot for security.
I found it worked great with Zoom and Streamyard calls even adding some fun with a life red “on air” button and cool sounds effects that come with it or you can add just by downloading. I put some rim shot sounds into it and a sad trombone for effect. I was also albe to program my podcast shows intro jingle into it making a wonder automated device for the show. I really loved the product and its priced incredibly well for being as feature rich as it is. I’d highly recommend it.
From their site: The MicLIVE 6-CH is the industry’s first AI-optimized audio mixer for podcasting as it adopts SmartEQ technology to deliver acoustic enhancement for an optimized voice recording experience. Integrating audio mixing equipment into a compact stage box housing, this audio mixer offers up to 6-channel audio inputs, a built-in DSP and AD / DA converter, and it adds audio up to 24 bit / 96 kHz to any USB-C-enabled laptop or tablet.
To polish users’ audio creation, the MicLIVE 6-CH features the capability of varying a user’s voice with 24 Voice FX programs, SmartEQ, the jingle pads that can save up to 8 special audio effects, and the auto ducking function. In addition, it ships with a built-in preamp that provides gain for the microphone’ signal, and a phantom power (+48V) power supply, which is suitable for connecting condenser microphones.
Apart from its easy-to-use, flexible hardware design, the MicLIVE 6-CH works with dedicated ATEN software, OnAir Audio, giving users complete control over every parameter while allowing them to simply assign audio from their computer, as well as edit the audio and customize sound effects through the intuitive interface.
Usually, broadcasting a live performance requires a team of professionals to assist with BGM or volume control, but thanks to the MicLIVE 6-CH, now just one user can create a pro-level broadcast. The MicLIVE 6-CH is an all-in-one solution tailor-made for podcasts, talk shows, livestreaming, worship, and music applications.
All-in-one design simplifies audio mixing workflow for podcasting – offers up to 6-channel audio inputs, DSP and AD / DA converter, and adds audio up to 24-bit / 96 kHz to any USB-C-enabled laptop or tablet
The industry’s first AI-optimized audio mixer – enhances microphone audio quality with enhanced acoustic models, SmartEQ, so anyone can have a real-time, high-quality recording
Jingle pads save up to 8 sound effects that can be customized from audio sources from a computer, microphone, and other audio inputs for a professional radio programming experience
Contains 24 Voice FX programs, including 6 adjustments in reverb mode, 6 in pitch mode, and 12 in gender mode
The auto ducking function lowers background music anytime one speaks, ensuring the speaker’s voice is always heard, loud and clear, during broadcasting
Diversified input interface options – supports audio media from professional XLR combo microphones, musical instruments, USB audio sources, and phone-in for mixing
Built-in preamp that provides gain for instruments and the microphone’s signal, and a phantom power supply that delivers reliable +48V phantom power for condenser microphones
Intuitive OnAir Audio software gives users complete control over every parameter while allowing them to simply assign audio from their computers, as well as edit audio and customize sound effects through an intuitive interface
The post ATEN Podcast AI Audio Mixer | MicLIVE™ 6-CH C8000 Review appeared first on The Chris Voss Show.
audioengine A1-MR Multiroom Home Music System w/WI-FI Review
We reviewed the new audioengine speakes and these pack a substancail punch for their sound quality. They make excellent sound and with wifi you can place them almost anyhwere. with a simple clean look they can accent any area well being either indescript or out in the open. They make exceptional computer destop speakers. Given the smaller size of the speakers, they still put out a great spectrum of treble and bass.
At their price point they are an excellent deal for whats packed into them. On top of that you can use your mobile apps to play on them and have so much wired and unwired connectity the variety of combination of music sources makes for the best music. Highly recommend you check them out and audioengines top of the line speakers.
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Type Powered Wi-Fi speaker system
Amplifier Type Class D
Power Output 60 W peak power total (15 W RMS / 30 W peak per channel), AES
Drivers 2.75” aramid fiber woofers 0.75“ Silk dome tweeters
Inputs 3.5 mm stereo mini-jack, Wi-Fi
Outputs LFE Variable line-out for subwoofer
Input Voltages 100-240 V 50/60 Hz auto-switching
SNR >95 dB (typical A-weighted)
THD+N <0.05% at all power settings
Crosstalk <50 dB
Frequency Response 65 Hz-22 kHz ±2.0 dB
Input Impedence 10K ohms unbalanced
Protection Output current limiting, thermal over-temperature, power on/off transient protection
Power Consumption Idle: 10W
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Dimensions (HWD) Each speaker – 6″ (15.2 cm) x 4″ (10.2 cm) x 5.25″ (13.3 cm)
Weight
Left (active) – 3.1 lb (1.4 kg)
Right (passive) – 2.4 lb (1.1 kg)
Total Shipping Weight
7.6 lb (3.5 kg)
Shipping Box Dimensions (LWH)
15″ x (38.1 cm) 7.25″ (18.4 cm) x 11″ (27.9 cm)
MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION
0.7″ (18 mm) thick MDF cabinets
0.75″ (20 mm) silk dome tweeters with neodymium magnets
2.75″ (70 mm) aramid fiber woofers with advanced voice coils
CABINETS
To minimize unwanted resonances and distortion, Audioengine cabinets have thick high-resin MDF walls with extensive internal bracing. Heavy internal sound-damping material is used to reduce unwanted sound reflections inside the cabinet. All cabinet edges are rounded which look great and reduce high-frequency diffraction effects on the front baffles. The A1-MR cabinet contains tuned, front-port slots.
FURNITURE GRADE FINISHES
The A1-MR cabinets are in versatile, grey finish offering a modern compliment to any small space or desktop.
CUSTOM COMPONENTS
Audioengine designs and manufactures our own tweeters, woofers, and other critical components. In other words, these are not “box built” speakers with off-the-shelf parts but custom-designed to our specifications. What we do not fabricate directly in our factory we have made to our designs (parts such as transformers, magnets, and wiring harnesses, for example). The cabinets, drivers, bass port designs, amplifiers, and crossovers are all painstakingly tuned together for each Audioengine model. This, in turn, makes for a much more efficient system that requires much less power than passive speakers and a separate integrated amplifier or similar A/V components.
BASED ON STUDIO MONITOR DESIGNS
Studio monitor speakers are used by producers and engineers in recording and production studios. They are designed with a theoretical flat frequency response which allows the engineer to create a final mix in such a way that the recorded music will sound good on most other speakers. Although Audioengine speakers are not designed to be up-close “nearfield” studio monitors, we do carry over much of the same higher-end technology, components, and design philosophy for all Audioengine speaker systems.
EFFICIENT INTEGRATED DESIGN
The speaker cabinets, drivers, innovative bass port designs, amplifiers, and passive crossovers are all critically tuned together for each Audioengine model. This, in turn, makes for a much more efficient system that requires less power than passive speakers and a separate integrated amplifier or similar A/V components. We build all this goodness into the left speaker cabinet to make it super-easy to connect your smartphone, tablet, computer, TV, network player or any other audio product.
AMPLIFIER DESIGN
The amplifiers in powered Audioengine speakers are located in the left speaker and are a conservatively-rated class D analog monoblock design. This is a more traditional speaker/amplifier marriage which provides excellent quality audio and greater flexibility. All circuit boards for the power and preamp sections are vertically mounted for maximum mechanical shock protection.
DRIVER DESIGNS
Audioengine uses audiophile-quality, ferrofluid-cooled silk dome tweeters with neodymium magnets. Silk tweeters hold up well under high power and the edge-driven design gives very smooth response. The woofers are aramid fiber woven glass composite with rubber surrounds. Aramid fiber is obviously very strong, which means the woofer retains its shape when being driven at high levels.
SHIELDING
Both drivers are directly video shielded and allow the user to place the speakers within a few inches of a video monitor. This shielding also offers protection for hard-drive digital music players.
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June 8, 2022
The Chris Voss Show Podcast – Love from Mecca to Medina by S. K. Ali
Love from Mecca to Medina by S. K. Ali
On the trip of a lifetime, Adam and Zayneb must find their way back to each other in this surprising and romantic sequel to the “bighearted, wildly charming” (Becky Albertalli, New York Times bestselling author) Love from A to Z.
Adam and Zayneb. Perfectly matched. Painfully apart.
Adam is in Doha, Qatar, making a map of the Hijra, a historic migration from Mecca to Medina, and worried about where his next paycheck will come from. Zayneb is in Chicago, where school and extracurricular stresses are piling on top of a terrible frenemy situation, making her miserable.
Then a marvel occurs: Adam and Zayneb get the chance to spend Thanksgiving week on the Umrah, a pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina, in Saudi Arabia. Adam is thrilled; it’s the reboot he needs and an opportunity to pray for a hijra in real life: to migrate to Zayneb in Chicago. Zayneb balks at the trip at first, having envisioned another kind of vacation, but then decides a spiritual reset is calling her name too. And they can’t wait to see each other—surely, this is just what they both need.
But the trip is nothing like what they expect, from the appearance of Adam’s former love interest in their traveling group to the anxiety gripping Zayneb when she’s supposed to be “spiritual.” As one wedge after another drives them apart while they make their way through rites in the holy city, Adam and Zayneb start to wonder: was their meeting just an oddity after all? Or can their love transcend everything else like the greatest marvels of the world?
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The Chris Voss Show Podcast – Z-Band, Inc. Booth Interview at Infocomm 2022
Z-Band, Inc. Booth Interview at Infocomm 2022
See them at Booth N1254
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June 7, 2022
The Chris Voss Show Podcast – Michael Fenster, MD of ChefDrMike.com
Michael Fenster, MD of ChefDrMike.com
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The Chris Voss Show Podcast – In the Hands of God: How Evangelical Belonging Transforms Migrant Experience in the United States by Johanna Bard Richlin
In the Hands of God: How Evangelical Belonging Transforms Migrant Experience in the United States by Johanna Bard Richlin
How evangelical churches in the United States convert migrant distress into positive religious devotion
Why do migrants become more deeply evangelical in the United States and how does this religious identity alter their self-understanding? In the Hands of God examines this question through a unique lens, foregrounding the ways that churches transform what migrants feel. Drawing from her extensive fieldwork among Brazilian migrants in the Washington, DC, area, Johanna Bard Richlin shows that affective experience is key to comprehending migrants’ turn toward intense religiosity, and their resulting evangelical commitment.
The conditions of migrant life―family separation, geographic isolation, legal precariousness, workplace vulnerability, and deep uncertainty about the future―shape specific affective maladies, including loneliness, despair, and feeling stuck. These feelings in turn trigger novel religious yearnings. Evangelical churches deliberately and deftly articulate, manage, and reinterpret migrant distress through affective therapeutics, the strategic “healing” of migrants’ psychological pain. Richlin offers insights into the affective dimensions of migration, the strategies pursued by evangelical churches to attract migrants, and the ways in which evangelical belonging enables migrants to feel better, emboldening them to improve their lives.
Looking at the ways evangelical churches help migrants navigate negative emotions, In the Hands of God sheds light on the versatility and durability of evangelical Christianity.
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