Thursday, November 23, 2017

Random charts - democracy support

 


"A deepening anxiety about the future of democracy around the world has spread over the past few years. Emboldened autocrats and rising populists have shaken assumptions about the future trajectory of liberal democracy, both in nations where it has yet to flourish and countries where it seemed strongly entrenched. Scholars have documented a global “democratic recession,” and some now warn that even long-established “consolidated” democracies could lose their commitment to freedom and slip toward more authoritarian politics. 

A 38-nation Pew Research Center survey finds there are reasons for calm as well as concern when it comes to democracy’s future.."

Sunday, November 19, 2017

Random charts - internet freedom

 
 

Source: Manipulating Social Media to Undermine Democracy

"Governments around the world have dramatically increased their efforts to manipulate information on social media over the past year. The Chinese and Russian regimes pioneered the use of surreptitious methods to distort online discussions and suppress dissent more than a decade ago, but the practice has since gone global. Such state-led interventions present a major threat to the notion of the internet as a liberating technology. 

Online content manipulation contributed to a seventh consecutive year of overall decline in internet freedom, along with a rise in disruptions to mobile internet service and increases in physical and technical attacks on human rights defenders and independent media. 

Nearly half of the 65 countries assessed in Freedom on the Net 2017 experienced declines during the coverage period, while just 13 made gains, most of them minor. Less than one-quarter of users reside in countries where the internet is designated Free, meaning there are no major obstacles to access, onerous restrictions on content, or serious violations of user rights in the form of unchecked surveillance or unjust repercussions for legitimate speech."

Random charts - marriage

 
 


"In 2015, 17% of all U.S. newlyweds had a spouse of a different race or ethnicity, marking more than a fivefold increase since 1967, when 3% of newlyweds were intermarried, according to a new Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data.2 In that year, the U.S. Supreme Court in the Loving v. Virginia case ruled that marriage across racial lines was legal throughout the country. Until this ruling, interracial marriages were forbidden in many states."

Thursday, November 16, 2017

Random chart - profitability



"Ninety-nine of the largest publicly traded health care companies cumulatively collected $33 billion of profit and $577 billion of revenue worldwide in the third quarter this year, according to earnings reports we tracked. Pharmaceutical companies collected more than 60% of those profits, but only 22% of the revenu."

Random chart - healthcare costs


Source: Where Does Your Premium Dollar Go?

Saturday, November 4, 2017

Bragi Dash Pro - first look


Purchased the Bragi Dash Pro, a set of "True Wireless Intelligent Earphones." Wireless, Bluetooth earbuds for streaming music, plus additional features including:  activity tracking (heart rate, steps, distance, speed, etc.), iTranslate integration, and personal assistant connectivity (Siri, Cortana, Alexa...).

Nice packaging, very solid construction...

 
 

Downloaded the Bragi app from Google Play, installed, then ran it to get prompted through the setup and pairing process:

 
 

Turns out I have to upgrade the OS to enable Alexa, so that's what is in process. Followed in instructions and the update is in process. Since it will be about two hours, that's it for today, will have to try the earbuds tomorrow...

The technical specifications (use link or see below):

 
 

Dash Pro Reviews:
Reviews on Amazon
Dash Pro review - Wareable
Review: Bragi Dash - Cord Cutter - Wired
Extensive 1-week review of the Dash Pro - Reddit
Bragi Dash Pro Review | Best Wireless Headphones? - Brotographer
Bragi Dash Pro true wireless earbuds review - Digital Trends
Bragi Dash Pro review: All the smarts in a convenient, wire-free earphone - Pocket-Lint
No Humble Bragi: These Wireless Earbuds Translate Any Language - Tom's Guide

YouTube Reviews:
Bragi "The Dash Pro" Headphones - Unboxing and Test
48 Hours later: Do I still like the Bragi Dash Pro? AirPod replacement?