David Lidsky's Blog, page 2616
October 6, 2016
Duolingo's Chatbots Won't Judge You For Your Lousy French
The language-learning platform is launching "nonjudgemental" AI so beginners can practice foreign languages without feeling intimidated.
The language-learning platform is launching "nonjudgemental" AI so beginners can practice foreign languages without feeling intimidated.
Luis von Ahn is a genius according to the MacArthur Foundation, but he feels pretty dumb when he tries to speak Portuguese. "I can read anything, and I can write almost perfectly, but I will not open my mouth," the CEO and cofounder of the foreign language-learning app Duolingo confesses to Fast Company. "The majority of people don't like sounding stupid, and this is one of the major impediments for learning a language."
Twyla Wants To Make Buying Art Easy, Affordable, And Intimidation-Free
Catering to those of us who can't afford Sotheby's, the new online marketplace sells limited-edition prints from top artists.
Catering to those of us who can't afford Sotheby's, the new online marketplace sells limited-edition prints from top artists.
For someone who is tinkering with the idea of buying art for the first time, it can be hard to know where to start. Even if you've got a few thousand dollars to invest in a piece to display in your home, you're probably priced out of Sotheby's and Christie's auctions. (Not to mention, making conversation with millionaire art aficionados over pre-auction champagne is not everyone's idea of a good time.) You could visit a neighborhood art gallery, but then how do you assess how much a painting is worth, especially when the owner gives you the hard sell?
Shyp Goes Nationwide By Letting You Comparison-Shop Shipping Services
What's the most economical way to get a package to its destination? This "Kayak for shipping" will tell you.
What's the most economical way to get a package to its destination? This "Kayak for shipping" will tell you.
Shyp, the San Francisco startup that aims to make shipping easy, will let you use your smartphone to summon a courier to your door. If you want, it will even pack your stuff for you. But the company, which launched in 2013, has been in no hurry to expand. It still only has couriers and warehouses in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco.
25 Reasons To Call In Sick And Come To The Fast Company Innovation Festival
From November 1-4, more than 125 events, 175 speakers, and thousands of attendees will take over New York City for #FCNY16.
From November 1-4, more than 125 events, 175 speakers, and thousands of attendees will take over New York City for #FCNY16.
The second annual Fast Company Innovation Festival comes at a busy time of year—one week before this whirlwind of a presidential election comes to a close, and days before the New York City marathon. The lead-up to the festival has been a marathon of sorts for the staff here, and we're pretty excited about the lineup we've pulled together. Running from November 1-4 at venues across New York City, the festival's content is built around the theme, "Find Your Mission. Deepen Your Purpose." Here are 25 good excuses to play hooky and join us:
What Stops Workers From Going Freelance
According to a new survey by Freelancers Union and Upwork, 81% of workers say they would consider freelancing. So why don't they?
According to a new survey by Freelancers Union and Upwork, 81% of workers say they would consider freelancing. So why don't they?
Freelancers love to freelance, according to a , a nonprofit organization that advocates for independent workers, and Upwork, the largest online freelance marketplace.
Use This Formula To Tame Your Hopeless To-Do List
All you need to know are your ABCs.
All you need to know are your ABCs.
You know how to write a to-do list. If you're like lots of people, you may already be in the habit of writing out a list of the day's tasks as soon as you get into the office each morning or even the night before.
The Follow-Up Email Every Job Seeker Needs To Know How To Write
You can do much more than just get your name back at the top of a hiring manager's inbox.
You can do much more than just get your name back at the top of a hiring manager's inbox.
Fact No. 1: After you've interviewed for a job, hiring managers don't always get back to you in the time frame they told you they would.
7 Emergency Steps For Ending Team Conflict
Two colleagues butting heads can quickly turn into a problem for everyone.
Two colleagues butting heads can quickly turn into a problem for everyone.
First, the good news: We're all different people with unique talents, abilities, and personalities. And now for the bad news: We're all different people with unique talents, abilities, and personalities—which often clash. Sometimes the results of all these personalities working together are great. Other times, especially under high pressure, they aren't.
October 5, 2016
Twitter Met With Senate Staffers To Discuss Concerns Over Russian Propaganda
Among the concerns was that Russia could be using social media to spread misinformation designed to sway the U.S. presidential election.
Among the concerns was that Russia could be using social media to spread misinformation designed to sway the U.S. presidential election.
Representatives from Twitter have met with Senate staffers to discuss concerns about Russian-backed efforts to use the network to spread propaganda and misinformation to manipulate the U.S. election, both sides confirmed on Wednesday. The meeting was the result of a letter sent by Delaware Sen. Tom Carper, ranking Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security Committee, to Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey about the issue.
NASA's Astronaut Twin Brothers' Seven Steps For Reaching Huge Goals
Take it from Scott and Mark Kelly, two guys who know the real meaning of "moonshot."
Take it from Scott and Mark Kelly, two guys who know the real meaning of "moonshot."
"As kids, we did not do well in school. We had no goals to speak of. We had no direction."
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