The short version of events in Afghanistan is that Pakistan won and the international alliance led by the United States lost. Of course the story is not over and things could change – Iraq, for example, is a case of an intervention going very wrong but then returning to a more hopeful state of play.
The same could happen in Afghanistan too, but it is very unlikely. The scale of the loss and the degree of political exhaustion at home have left the key western players rethinking their position. They will now ponder the fact that Afghanistan offers them very little in terms of economic interests and also the fact that a wider strategic competition between China and the US will increasingly dominate the global chessboard.
Pakistan, which nourished the Taliban and played for time to maintain its sphere of influence, will thus durably “own” Afghanistan. It has the largest political and economic stakes in Afghanistan, it has more sway over the Taliban movement than any other outside player, and its longstanding ally, China, has already indicated its willingness to be of help.
Now, western partners, including Nato and the EU, must build on this reality. Their chief priority should be to support stability. It will not be the type of stability or political order for which they have fought for two decades, but a Pakistan-sponsored Taliban Afghanistan is what is on offer. The immediate goal should be to provide the Taliban and Pakistan a degree of support for their rule in return for a de-radicalised order: that is, an order that does not breed or sponsor international terrorism and engage in human atrocity.
Obviously, the US and Europe want neither the terrorism nor the refugees that stem from radicalism. Nor does Pakistan, which has borne a heavy cost from the radicalisation of its own society during the war, evidenced by domestic terrorism, political unrest and refugees.
Perhaps the Taliban regime will arrive at the same conclusion. If it is to govern, it needs resources and support, and it risks being at war not only with international society but also large segments of Afghanistan’s own society, which, of course, has changed in the 20 years since 2001. The population is more urban and better educated, and while the trend is not overwhelming, it is sufficiently strong to be a factor of restraint on the Taliban.
A continued low-intensity war with the Taliban might be tempting as a vindication of human rights values. And there will be political determination to redefine failure as a temporary setback. The Taliban could be squeezed financially, its domestic opponents could be armed, special operations forces could occasionally wrongfoot it and Pakistan could be prodded to lie low. But denial of failure is poor strategy. A protracted conflict on these terms would not and could not change the basic parameters that brought defeat in the first place.
Recognition and acceptance
A forward-looking policy must begin with an overt recognition that the Taliban and Pakistan have been victorious. It should then spell out the terms of western engagement. Having lost the war, the west must offer the Taliban development potential: diplomatic recognition and, with it, opportunities for finance and trade. The west should also offer to channel humanitarian aid into Afghanistan on terms that suit both sides. Pakistan, meanwhile, should be convinced that this recognition of its political sphere of influence is real and durable.
The first step should be to do everything possible – and for the losing side, that may not be a lot – to promote a Taliban-led government of transition that includes as many Afghan parties as possible. Power sharing eluded the republic erected in 2002-2004, and the international community never put this missing piece of the puzzle front and centre of its policy. But it is also worth reminding the Taliban and Pakistan that the alternative to power sharing is a very real risk of civil war. Ethnic groups in Afghanistan’s west and north have the capacity to organise armed resistance with the backing of outside powers. The west must, in this regard, appeal to the Taliban’s sense of history and buttress the reminder with a policy of recognition and development.
Evacuees board planes at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul. EPA
For its part, the west cannot accept international terrorism emanating from Afghanistan – and Europe, especially, cannot accept a continued flow of refugees for fear of further inflaming domestic politics. Western states would be right to signal that financial sanctions, covert military operations and other means of coercion could come into play if they are pushed.
The key, though, is to recognise these instruments for what they are: instruments of a (hopefully) orderly retreat, not means of continued war. The west cannot choose to oppose Taliban rule. That game is over. The real choice is between a retreat that furthers the hope of moderate Taliban rule and a retreat that, by opposing this rule, stokes further misery.
Facing facts
Time is of the essence. Afghanistan could be on the precipice of civil war while bewildered western governments seem to be mostly concerned with their public image in the face of human suffering. One can all too easily imagine that nothing much will happen in terms of western response – and certainly not a coordinated one.
Leading governments should defy lethargy and come together to define a policy of recognition and engagement. This would allow common institutions such as Nato and the EU to do what they do best: corral western interests and empower the voice of lead nations.
As tempting as it is to let go, or to grandstand and continue the war by other means, the right thing to do is to refashion policy and stay engaged, albeit on narrower and greatly reduced terms. This turnaround will ultimately define the parameters by which we will judge the high cost of Afghan policy post-2001.
Sten Rynninghas been a professor in the field of international security and war studies since 2008. He established the Centre for War Studies at my university in 2012 and continue to head it, and they have a masters program in International Security and Law connected to the research centre. He continues to research war and strategy, especially as related to NATO and Western diplomacy.
Support for the withdrawal is widespread in the United States, with the majority of Americans – regardless of political affiliation – in favor of ending American military operations in Afghanistan. The war has been, and would continue to be, costly, both in financial terms and in terms of American lives.
There are significant moral costs at stake in either remaining in or withdrawing from Afghanistan. As a political philosopher whose work focuses on international affairs, I have tried to understand how ethical reasoning might be applied to such cases.
The first, and most important, ethical question might be: Is the United States justified in withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan?
A second question might involve asking about how the moral wrongs that are likely to emerge in Afghanistan should weigh upon the American conscience. Should American political leaders regard these wrongs as, in some fashion, their responsibility?
More broadly, is it sometimes possible that, in doing the best available thing, we are nonetheless guilty of doing something morally wrong?
Power and moral tragedy
Many philosophers have disliked the idea that someone might make the best choice available and nonetheless be thought to have committed a moral wrong. Immanuel Kant, for one, thought this vision was fundamentally in conflict with the purposes of morality – which is to tell people what it is they ought to do.
If a moral theory told us that, sometimes, there is no option open to us that does not involve doing wrong, then that theory would sometimes imply that even a perfect moral agent might end up having to become a wrongdoer.
That sort of theory would mean that there might be situations in which we could not escape from doing wrong. If we were unlucky enough to end up in those situations, we would become liable for wrongdoing because of this bad luck. Kant thought this sort of “moral luck” was simply implausible. For Kant, if we do what is best, we can regard ourselves as having avoided doing wrong.
Other philosophers, however, have been more willing to entertain the possibility of moral tragedy, which is understood as a state of affairs in which all options open to us involve serious moral wrongdoing.
Michael Walzer, a political philosopher at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey, argues that those who exercise power over others may frequently find themselves unable to do good for some without doing serious wrong to others. Instead of thinking that the good they do outweighs the wrong, Walzer argues, individuals ought to accept that the wrong continues to be a genuine wrong.
For example, the politician who must make a deal with a corrupt colleague in order to help protect vulnerable children does wrong in the name of a greater good. This individual does their best but nonetheless stains their soul in the doing.
On this view, politicians who do wrong while trying to do what is right may do the best thing, but they should also be understood as having done wrong, and having stained their consciences in the doing. For Walzer, it is difficult for a person to be both good at politics and a genuinely good person.
Afghanistan and moral responsibility
If Walzer is right about politicians, his analysis might also help in understanding the morality of international relations – and the morality of withdrawing from Afghanistan.
There are fears that the Taliban might once again impose restrictions on girls once U.S. troops withdraw from the country. Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images
Taken in this context, the benefits of withdrawal may be sufficient to make it the right act. However, the rights violations that are likely to follow in the aftermath of this withdrawal are genuinely wrong, and they are rightly attributed to the United States. The women and girls of Afghanistan are likely to face human rights abuses, and the inhabitants of Afghanistan will likely face significant violence as the Taliban seek to reassert their rule. This ought to trouble the politicians who defend the withdrawal, and those voters who gave power to those politicians.
This vision of international politics is echoed in former Secretary of State Colin Powell’s advice to then-President George W. Bush about the invasion of Iraq – codified as the “Pottery Barn rule” after the perceived store policy: If you break it, you bought it. That is: If you make yourself the ruler over others, you are responsible for them, and what happens to them should be on your conscience.
There are at least two things that might follow this moral vision. The first is that, even if the withdrawal entails taking ownership of some moral wrongs, the United States has an obligation to ensure that such wrong is minimized.
It might therefore acquire, for instance, an obligation to provide refuge to those people who have borne particular risks in the name of the United States, such as the translators who worked on the military bases within Afghan territory and have been targeted by the Taliban for their work.
The second is, more broadly, that the United States works to ensure that it avoids entering into such morally tragic situations in the future. If Walzer’s analysis is correct, it might be impossible to avoid situations in which the United States is responsible for serious moral wrongs. Having power over others always involves the risk of moral bad luck, and the United States has exceptional power in the global community.
But it might at least be expected that the United States, in future conflicts, take account of what philosopher Brian Orend calls justice after war and enters into such conflicts only with some clarity about how and when to end them well.
The article has been updated to clarify that Michael Walzer is a scholar at Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey.
Michael Blake is a Professor of Philosophy, Public Policy, and Governance at the University of Washington. Until 2016, he was the Director of the UW’s Program on Values in Society. He received his bachelor degree in Philosophy and Economics from the University of Toronto, and a PhD from Stanford University. He obtained some legal training at Yale Law School, before running away to become a philosopher.
He is jointly appointed to the Department of Philosophy and to the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs.
While you may think you understand volatility in the financial marketplace, you should note that this is one of the most misunderstood concepts in the fiscal realm.
OK, we hear you ask, but what exactly does volatility mean in the context of the financial market? In simple terms, this refers to how quickly the price of a security or market index changes within a predetermined period of time, with this relating directly to increased risk and more seismic price shifts.
However, without volatility it would be hard for traders to make a profit in the near-term, so it’s a fascinating concept that offers both benefits and disadvantages. But what causes volatility and how does this impact fiat money and cryptocurrencies differently?
What Causes Volatility?
Volatility is inherent to both fiat money and cryptocurrency, while there are various triggers that cause rapid price movements depending on which assets you trade.
In the crypto market, however, it’s fair to surmise that a host of different and unusual factors are central to the volatility of assets such as Bitcoin (BTC).
For example, it’s fair to say that BTC and similar tokens are digital assets that don’t provide a tangible or secure store of wealth, which means that their value is heavily reliant on market sentiment and the opinion of strategic investors.
We saw BTC embark on a significant bull run during Q1 of this year, with this primarily driven by Elon Musk’s endorsement and a $1.5 billion investment by Tesla.
However, Musk’s subsequent criticism of Bitcoin’s mining practices and their sustainability quickly triggered a bear run, during which the asset shelved nearly 50% of its value.
Similarly, there’s also an underlying structural issue with crypto assets, with much of the volatility in this market driven by the forced closure of long and short positions in crypto derivatives.
Leverage also plays a key role here, although this may play a part in fiat money volatility in the forex marketplace.
Can BTC Ever Replace the US Dollar (USD)?
These elements have prevented the widespread adoption of Bitcoin and similar crypto assets throughout the financial marketplace, although these entities have made their mark in sectors such as iGaming.
The question that remains, of course, is can BTC ever replace the dollar? This seems unlikely in the current climate, especially when you consider that BTC has peaked above $60,000 this year and plunged below the $35,000 mark barely four weeks later.
This highlights immense volatility within the marketplace, and while this may offer value for investors, the USD and similar fiat currencies are far more stable and better suited to everyday currency exchanges and purchases.
However, there’s no doubt that major banks are looking to integrate crypto assets and blockchain technology into their existing models, especially as third-generation blockchains (which are far more scalable) begin to enter the marketplace.
The Last Word – Do Stablecoins Offer an Alternative?
The reason for this is simple; as stablecoins are pegged to the value of a fiat currency (typically the USD), creating a unique sense of stability while affording users access to the numerous benefits of cryptocurrency (including accessibility, transparency and anonymity).
This could create a gateway for stablecoins to enter the mainstream in the near-term, particularly by providing greater financial inclusion for those who are unbanked across the globe.
In general terms, digital drawing, digital art or digital illustration is what is done in digital drawing programs (software), such as Illustrator or Photoshop. But when we talk about digital illustration itself, we are referring to more elaborate work, since it includes more graphic elements and editing effects.
From digital drawing software and applications, both paid and free, to online platforms that can be accessed by anyone in the world. In contrast to AI art generation, digital drawing requires hands-on input from artists. Digital drawing is a wide universe that you need to know step by step before you start drawing.
What are the advantages of drawing digitally? What equipment or devices do I need? Or what are the most recommended programs for digital drawing? If you are asking all these questions (and more), don’t stop reading this article until the end.
Digital drawing or digital art is an artistic technique that has its origin in traditional drawing. The latter is done with specific materials, such as pencil, eraser or brush; digital drawing uses digital tools and programs.
In other words, digital drawing or digital art uses software that emulates the traditional techniques of conventional drawing, such as charcoal, watercolor, ink, oil, etc.
If, in essence, drawing is a linear representation made with a pencil or brush; digital drawing is a vectorial linear representation, such as clips or infographics.
Digital drawing usually uses vector programs, such as Illustrator, but can also be done in bitmap editing programs, such as Photoshop.
If you want to get started in the vast world of digital drawing, you will need to have the right drawing device and software. But we will get to that later.
What is vector drawing?
Vector drawing, also known as vector illustration, is a digital drawing technique that consists of drawing geometric objects (lines, curves, circles, etc.) to create a graphic image out of them. For example: drawings, logos or fonts.
Vector Girls Drawing/freevector.com
Vector images
Consequently, the resolution of vector images is practically infinite. That is, they can be maximized or reduced without affecting their color and shape.
For example: to create a vector illustration of a pet, you can use a photograph as a base. The photo is “traced” by lines and other geometric elements. These elements together are what will form a vector image.
Bitmap Images
Unlike vector images, these types of images are composed of a series of pixels or points. This means that the greater the number of pixels, the higher the quality of the image. This is known as resolution. Therefore bitmap images depend on a permanent number of points.
Source: helpx.adobe.com
What do you need for digital art?
Remember that most digital paintings software is paid software. And you don’t necessarily have to start using expensive software. So before you buy, we recommend that you try it out. Most of them have free trial periods. Take your time.
Another aspect you should take into consideration before starting digital art is the monitor. Monitors below 20 inches are not the most recommended. Although, if this is the case with your current monitor, don’t worry too much, you can replace it later.
Drawing with a drawing tablet is much better than drawing with a mouse. If you are thinking about buying one, we say that there are several drawing tablets ideal for beginners. For example, the Wacom brand is one of the most recognized in the industry, the company has devices with differentiated prices.
If you draw by hand, don’t stop doing it. Getting started in digital art does not mean abandoning your traditional drawing skills. Instead, they will help you understand digital drawing more easily.
What does it take to make a digital drawing?
First of all, you will have to define what devices and tools you will use to make digital painting.
These are the tools and devices you need to start creating digital art:
PC / laptop and mouse: these are the devices widely used by artists making vector illustrations. The mouse will function as a pencil or paintbrush.
PC, tablet and digital pen: Drawing on a tablet is the closest thing to drawing with a real pencil. This device is connected to your PC or laptop and includes a pen.
Graphic tablet and digital pen: But there are also graphic tablets that do not need to be connected to a PC. They have touch screens and allow you to draw directly on them with a digital pen.
Tablet and digital pen: tablets are not like graphics tablets, made for digital drawing; however, due to the size of their screens, they are also a good option for drawing. To do this, you will need to download a drawing application and buy a pen.
Cell Phone / Smartphone and digital pen: Nowadays there are cell phones that allow you to make elaborate drawings, thanks to the many drawing apps that are on Google Play or the Apple Store. However, the screen size of these computers can be a limiting factor when drawing. Also, remember that you will need a digital pen.
Digital art Software
Without a doubt, the most popular option on the market is Photoshop. Adobe’s program is a sophisticated software, with endless features such as brushes, layers, cutting and editing tools, color and text editing. Not to mention that the software can be used not only for digital drawing, but is also an image editor and a favorite of designers for assembling graphic pieces.
Using a tablet and photoshop for the first time may seem daunting at first glance, but don’t despair! One advantage of using such a widespread program is the numerous tutorials you can find to learn how to use it, or to ask questions. You will also find many resources such as brushes and presets to download to enrich your work.
Unfortunately, such an amazing tool comes at a price. Photoshop costs from $9.99 per month, but if you are on a budget, there are other programs like Paint Tool SAI and Krita that are free! Both have tools like brushes and layers, but are a bit simpler, not least because they are not image editing programs.
Procreate: If you are willing to make a larger investment, a tool that many artists are adopting is Procreate, available only for iPad Pro. Like Photoshop, it offers a good variety of features that mimic other drawing and painting techniques. The app itself costs $9.99 to download, but the iPad Pro with the pen costs a lot more than a tablet. However, besides the convenience of drawing directly on the screen, it has one big advantage which is that it is a complete device. If you use a tablet you need a computer, the iPad is already a computer. In other words, besides being able to be used for other purposes, it is super portable and easy to take wherever you want.
What software do digital artists use?
Once you have analyzed what equipment you have to start drawing, it is time to choose the digital drawing program that you will use to make your creations. The offer is quite wide.
What if you are wondering, “what is the best tool”? Actually, the answer depends on your goals as an artist, your budget, and the condition and performance of your devices.
These are the most popular digital art software and applications:
Adobe Illustrator
If you decide on a vector style, Illustrator is considered by many professional artists to be the best illustration software because it has advanced features. It also has good typographical functions. It is a paid software, although it offers a free 7-day trial period.
Adobe Photoshop
It is the world’s most popular graphic design software. But it is not only made for illustration, it also has editing, 3D, digital painting and even animation functions. Photoshop is an ideal tool in creating digital art, and the best thing is, it’s compatible with almost all devices! If you think you need to learn more about this amazing software, you can always enroll in a Photoshop training course to expand your knowledge and improve your skills.
Paint Tool SAI
It is a light, fast and user-friendly drawing program. One of its strong points are the color and blending tools. If you are just starting to draw or illustrate digitally, Paint Tool SAI is a great program. Although it only works on the PC. Its free trial period is 30 days.
GIMP
Although it is a graphics editing and retouching program, GIMP also allows you to draw and paint digitally. The best part? It’s free. It is compatible with JPG, GIF, PNG, and TIFF formats, and also with Photoshop. Perhaps this is why, over time, it has become the best free alternative to Photoshop.
GIMP has a catalog of effects and selection tools such as brushes, textures, scale modification, cloning, etc. In fact, its interface is very similar to the Adobe program. In addition, it is possible to install plug-ins.
Adobe Fresco
This is Adobe’s drawing application that invites you to “discover (or rediscover) the joy of drawing and painting.” Fresco is available for Windows tablets and iPad. Fresco features vector tools, brushes similar to traditional tools, an eyedropper that allows you to sample multiple colors simultaneously, etc.
Procreate pocket
If you have an iPad and prefer portability, Procreate is a good alternative for you. Although it is an app, it is very complete in functions. With it you can create professional sketches, paintings and illustrations. It will be like having a portable drawing studio. For best results, the use of the Apple Pencil will be fundamental.
Autodesk SketchBook
This is a drawing app available for free on Google Play, iTunes Store or Mac App Store. It also has desktop versions for Mac and Windows. Autodesk SketchBook is a powerful tool for sketching and illustrations. In addition, it has an interface designed to maximize drawing space on all devices.
Other apps you can find on Google Play are Ibis Paint X, Medibang Paint, and Artflow.
Clip studio paint pro
Clip Studio Paint is the digital drawing and painting tool that many believe is the best Program for digital art.
Many people think that because it is Japanese, the software is only good for concept art (or for manga artists and comic artists) and anime (Animations). But on the contrary – the tools, functions and the powerful Brush Engine are absolutely essential and make it the perfect alternative for any kind of digital art creation on the computer.
How do you make a digital drawing?
Source: helpx.adobe.com
There are many different ways to paint. Here is just one example of how you might start if you are a beginning artist, as the process of making digital art can seem complex at first.
Open your drawing program or application and create a new file, after that set the length and width of your sheet.
Create a new transparent layer and call it “sketch”.
Make a sketch of your drawing. Create a new transparent layer and call it “sketch”.
Now reduce the opacity of your sketch or lines, to serve as a guide when drawing.
Divide your drawing into parts and create a layer for each of them. For example, if your drawing is a character, create a new layer called “hair” to draw just that part. Don’t forget to name each layer you create.
Set the “pencil” size and start drawing on the new layer. After the custom brushes, and after you have drawn, make sure that the “hair” layer is above the “sketch” layer.
Don’t forget to create multiple layers, i.e. create a new layer for each part of your drawing
Sketch the parts of your character, orienting it from the sketch.
After you have finished outlining all the parts of your character, save the sketch. This way you’ll be able to better visualize your drawing.
To color your drawing, make sure everything is closed. That is, there are no open lines.
Some suggested resources for you to use while creating your first digital arts and also throughout your career as an illustrator or digital artist.
Free images and references: Unsplash, FreePik, and Pinterest.
Platforms and communities for digital artists: ArtStation, DevianArt and Behance.
How to make digital art online?
There are several programs and applications for drawing online. Although many of them also have a downloadable desktop version. These apps work in a web browser, without the need to install them on your computer or device.
SumoPaint
This is an easy app to learn and teach. Of course, to use it in your browser, you will need to install a Flash plugin. Otherwise, it offers the option to go to the website and use the app in its free version. Sumo Paint offers more than 300 different brushes and many unique tools and effects.
Sketchpad
This is a drawing application that you can use for free online. It also has its downloadable desktop version that costs $4.99. With Sketchpad you can draw, sketch, edit photos, or design. It offers 18 brushes and more than 5,000 cliparts.
In addition, it supports JPEG, PNG, PDF and SVG formats.
DeviantArt Muro
This is a free digital drawing program created by the DeviantArt community on the occasion of its 10th anniversary. This platform has 21 brushes, basic and professional modes, an intuitive layout, and supports all HTML5-enabled browsers, including the iPad.
Which app is best for digital art?
There are a few contenders for the title of best digital art software for beginners, all options have a learning curve. Once you learn one, all the tools are similar enough that it is not difficult to switch to another. You just need to learn what layers are, what effects you can do with them, and learn color palettes, opacity and flow.
If you want to start with no investment, we suggest Krita, which is free software with many options.
Other popular options are: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Fresco, Adobe Illustrator, Procreate, GIMP, Corel Painter, ArtRage, Affinity Photo, Clip studio paint pro, Medibang paint pro, Paint Tool SAI, MyPaint, and Autodesk SketchBook.
Now more than ever, more people are looking to technological solutions for both their personal and professional needs. The global conditions of 2020 sparked an unprecedented interest in the tech industry as businesses explored remote work alternatives, software and platforms, while on a personal level, at-home entertainment and remote communication methods witnessed a boom. So, is this the most opportune time to get a piece of the pie in the tech sector? Well, recent reports and data suggest so. Based on industry projections for 2021 and the near future, the interest in tech companies is expected to continue on an upward trajectory. However, this is not to say that the industry went unaffected by the instability of 2020. Initially, the global tech revenue was projected at $5.2 trillion for the year, which was subsequently reviewed to $4.8 trillion as the economy faced several disruptions. However, the tech sector fared better than others and saw a new wave of interest from investors.
Overview of tech stocks
With the above in mind, novice investors may be considering tapping into the tech industry, which can be subcategorised into software providers, hardware providers, semi-conductors, internet information providers and telecommunications. As with any trading endeavour, it is most important to trade through a credible and reputable broker. In most cases, the older and more established brokers may be preferable because of industry knowledge and experience. Many brokers also offer industry insights, the latest news on the markets and expert commentary, amongst other things. Moreover, studying the updated market analysis by City Index, which is one of the oldest brokers in the trading industry, may be worthwhile to gain a better understanding and overview before choosing a trading strategy to implement.
While many are quick to champion investing in one of the major tech companies, such as Apple, Amazon, Microsoft and Facebook, it is important to understand that just about any company can face challenges that may lead to stocks plummeting. Although there is relatively more confidence in the abovementioned tech giants, they are not immune to turbulences, as all investment opportunities come with a certain level of risk.
Alternatively, one could consider investing in smaller, but promising technology companies that display a competitive edge and innovation. Innovation is key in this industry, as companies that offer game-changing solutions and convenience tend to be the most lucrative, and it is important to be able to identify those well in time and strategise accordingly.
What to look out for
While innovation remains at the forefront when exploring possible investment opportunities in tech, two other phenomenons that are gaining traction are cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI). Companies that prioritise these and are actively innovating in these technologies are said to be quite promising, as AI and cloud computing are already being implemented in some corporate spaces and households. The appeal of these two is essentially hinged on convenience, in addition to innovation; while cloud computing allows one to access their resources from pretty much anywhere and does away with physical storage, AI is infiltrating multiple aspects of life and industries as it reduces human intervention in everyday activities.
Gone are the days when auto payments did not exist and you had to remember to pay your bills before the due date. Automatic payments have made life much easier for us consumers when it comes to paying the electricity bill, mortgage, rent, and even your Netflix subscriptions. It not only liberates us from the hassle of standing in long queues to pay the bill but also frees us from anxiety. However, do businesses benefit from recurring payments? They sure do. The automated payment process is not only time-saving but is also a cost-effective way for a business to manage its finances. Here are 4 ways your business can benefit from automatic payments.
1. Decreased Late Payments
Late payments can be extremely detrimental for businesses as they disrupt the cash flow of the company. It can also cause damage to your relationship with your clients. You may have to charge them a penalty fee for the late payment, and this may negatively impact your relationship with your customers. This can be harmful to the business as the customer may opt for another business that offers automatic payments or does not charge a fine for late payments. Recurring automatic payments can save you from this trouble. It will not only improve the cash flow of the company but will also significantly decrease late payments. The decreased late payments also allow you to predict your finances and manage them easily.
2. Time-Saving
Recurring payments save you from the trouble of going over the payment records to see whether your customers have made a payment or not. Automatic payments will save your accounts department a lot of time. You will not be required to send out any invoices or payments receipts.
In addition, it will also save you from the hassle of reminding your customers to pay their bills. You will save a significant amount of time with automatic payments. You will only have to schedule the recurring payment processing once; then, your payment system will be automated. You will only have to deal with declined credit cards or other rare late payment scenarios. It will also help your customers save time as well as they will not have to spend time looking at emails or mechanically paying their bills.
3. Improved Customer Experience
Late fee fines and follow-up calls are some of the things that can infuriate your consumers. With recurring automatic payments, your customers will not have to pay any late payments fine. This will avoid any conflicts that would have negatively affected the customer experience. Moreover, the decreased follow-up emails and calls also make for a better customer experience as they do not like to be bothered with reminders. Recurring payments also give an impression to the customers that their ease comes first. With recurring payments, they will not have to go through the trouble of paying bills themselves. This will lead to customer retention and loyalty to your business.
Automatic payments may even lead your customers to spend more as they’re not looking at how much they’re spending. This boosts the influx of cash flow for businesses. The recurring payments significantly enhance the customer experience along with creating a stable cash flow for the business itself.
4. Steady Revenue
Automated payments provide a chance for steady income for your business. Your customers will be billed on a specific date, and you will receive your payments at a fixed time. This will provide steady, regular revenue to your business. You will not have to deal with late payments from the customers. It will also decrease your costs of sending out follow-up emails or giving calls to remind your customers to pay their bills.
When you have a predetermined date for payments, your business looks more steady as it receives its payments on time without any delays. Your business will have a chance to manage its cash flow better as you will be receiving payments directly into your bank. This will save you from all the lengthy payment verification record-keeping procedures as well.
Recurring automated payments have a significant number of benefits for your business. Automatic payments save your business from the hassle of going through outstanding payments. It also protects your customer experience as well by reducing follow-up emails and late payment fines. Recurring payments will help save your accounts department a significant amount of time. They will not have to deal with sending out bank receipts or manually going through the payment verification process. With the many benefits of automated payment, you should definitely consider opting for it for your business.
What goes up…must first prove its brute strength on the ground.
ZeroAvia, a leading innovator in decarbonizing commercial aviation, tested its 600-kilowatt flight-intent system aircraft engine at its headquarters in Hollister, California, on August 10. The f hydrogen-electric powertrain pulled a 15-ton mobile unit known as a HyperTruck across the tarmac. Heavy-duty military trucks inspired the design of the HyperTruck, which tests 40- to 80-seat hydrogen-electric-powered aircraft that rely on ZeroAvia’s powertrain. Historically, the powertrain has hauled a fraction of that weight, namely the company’s 19-seat aircraft.
Development on the engine began in late 2020 as part of the HyFlyer II program, and the HyperTruck haul is the first major milestone for this project. Ground tests of the flight-intent system show that the HyFlyer II program is on track to deliver a hydrogen-electric, zero-emission propulsion system for airframes—or airplane frames without its propulsion or instrumentation systems—with 10 to 20 seats.
What ZeroAvia Learned From the Test
ZeroAvia’s CEO Val Miftakhov describes the test as an “important [step] in reaching [the company’s] next major goal of flight testing in [its] 19-seat aircraft in both the U.S. and U.K. [Dornier 228]-based prototypes.” ZeroAvia plans to conduct test flights of Dornier aircraft that use this engine by year-end in the company’s U.K. facility.
“The Hollister [California] testing is a significant milestone for our new HyperTruck testbed and ZA-600 that also confirms the operation of our next-generation control system and software,” says Gabe DeVault, ZeroAvia’s head of testing and applications. “Our U.S. team is excited to support the important work of our colleagues in the U.K. and ultimately scaling up our proven hydrogen fuel cell integration for larger commercial aircraft engines, which the HyperTruck supports.”
A Historic Hydrogen Fuel Flight
ZeroAvia completed the world’s first commercial-grade, hydrogen-electric flight in September 2020. The six-seat Piper Malibu M350 performed a taxi, takeoff, full circuit, and landing at ZeroAvia’s former R&D facility in Cranfield, England. The company equipped the aircraft with a smaller version of their hydrogen fuel cell powertrain.
This achievement is one of the first steps in the transition toward zero-emission hydrogen as the primary energy source in commercial aviation. The company is zooming toward a future in which hydrogen-fueled aircraft will eventually overtake fossil fuel aircraft in distance and payload.
This flight followed the first battery-electric flight on a commercial scale, which took place in June 2020 using the same aircraft as the HyFlyer I project.
ZeroAvia Secures Grant Funding
ZeroAvia secured £12.3 million, or about $16.8 million, in funding for HyFlyer II from the U.K. government through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) program.
The latest ATI grant involves ZeroAvia’s collaboration with two partners, Aeristech and European Marine Energy Centre. This program’s goal is to deliver a certifiable 19-seat hydrogen-electric powered aircraft for the commercial market by 2024. It will conclude with a 350-mile flight with the test aircraft and powertrain before that date.
While ZeroAvia’s 600kW hydrogen-electric powertrain is platform-agnostic—meaning it is compatible with any airframe—the commercial significance is that it’s the same size as the other powertrains present within 19-seat aircraft like the Cessna 208 Caravan and Viking Air DHC-6 Twin Otter. Both models are commonplace in regional passenger and cargo transport.
A Zero-Emission Flight Movement
ZeroAvia is a leader in zero-emission aviation that currently focuses on the development of hydrogen-electric aircraft engines. These engines will initially target commercial passenger aircraft with 9 to 19 seats and a range of 500 miles. However, ZeroAvia says it will eventually expand into other aviation markets, such as agriculture and cargo.
ZeroAvia has research facilities in the U.K. and the U.S. and has obtained certificates for experimental aircraft from the CAA and FAA.
Initially, bitcoins were created as a type of currency the transfer of which cannot be controlled or tracked, but in fact, it turned out that information about transactions and balances remains completely open to third parties. In order to be able to conduct anonymous transactions in the bitcoin network, cryptocurrency blenders were created.
A cryptocurrency mixer or bitcoin mixer is an Internet platform that offers the service of mixing your coins with coins of other owners or previously cleaned coins that are in the platform’s reserve. Then, these mixed coins are returned to you in already cleaned condition (as a whole sum you deposited or in installments).
After the coins have undergone the procedure described above, it becomes almost impossible to trace the source of their origin and the identity of their owner.
Methods of coins mixing
At the moment, the most popular methods of mixing coins are:
With the help of centralized bitcoin mixers (tumblers)
We are talking about services that have their own significant supply of coins on their balance sheets, and these coins are mixed with the cryptocurrency of the clients who applied for participation. Such services work according to the following principle: the user transfers the desired amount to the chosen platform, where the bitcoins fall into the common “pot”, and then they are mixed with the available coin stock. Upon completion of the mixing procedure, new, already cleaned coins are transferred to the address specified by the client or to several provided addresses.
In order to get rid of all possible ‘electronic traces’ and, accordingly, to further increase the level of anonymity of transactions, many bitcoin mixers offer customers a number of options for additional protection. Their use is optional but highly recommended to enhance your own privacy. For more options, you can also check https://thebiticodes.com/ out.
These include:
– setting a random service fee;
– using a function of the time delay of the operation;
– multitransactions.
Through CoinJoin process
The second popular coin mixing method is CoinJoin that is not completely anonymous. This solution means combining several transactions of participants into one pool and paying back the clients with relatively ‘clean’ coins.
The choice of many customers is to use both mixing methods at the same time. Such a solution helps to increase the confidentiality of cryptocurrency transactions.
The Blender.io service is one of the most reliable, user-friendly, and currently very popular platforms for mixing bitcoin transactions. The only information that is requested from the client is the address to which the previously deposited cryptocurrency funds will be returned. Registration and any personal data are not required, and upon completion of operations, all traces of user actions are deleted.
The main advantages of Blender.io include:
– the availability of a large reserve fund of already cleaned coins;
– the highest possible speed of transactions;
– the feature to manually set operations time delay up to 24 times a day, the option that is not offered by any other service;
– absence of a fixed service fee (each user has the opportunity to determine the fee amount individually);
– the ‘tumbler’ is equipped with the additional function “Mixing Code” that guarantees complete confidentiality for returning participants;
– opportunity to use SegWit and betch32 addresses;
– automatic deletion of information about actions of the participant upon completion of transactions;
– the ability to include up to eight addresses for the withdrawal of cryptocurrency;
– the site features a regular URL and one with a pseudo .onion top-level domain (for browsing through Tor and Darknet).
2. SmartMix
It is one of the most popular blenders today, famous for its simplicity and convenience of use. It also promises the complete anonymity of the history of transactions with cryptocurrencies.
The platform has a whole array of additional tools and benefits not found at other tumbling services. SmartMix users can become members of the referral program, under which a client who shares his unique and confidential referral link with friends and invites them to join in receives cryptocurrency bonuses for each transaction made through this link. According to the terms of the loyalty program, the client saves money on service fees, too; the more coins he or she mixes, the greater the discount.
The user selects the preferred coin among three available types of cryptocurrency, specifies the address for funds withdrawal (five of them can be included in total), sets the transaction delay (optionally, maximum for 72 hours), and transfers the desired number of coins to the platform.
SmartMixer offers the following mixing options: mixing with the coins of other participants, with the personal reserves of the site, and with the cryptocurrency of investors.
Users do not need to provide any registration data, and a small fee for coin cleaning is deducted from the mining fee, which is very convenient for customers.
The confirmation of each performed operation happens through the letter of guarantee sent to the user. The data on transactions are automatically deleted after 24 hours, thereby ensuring the confidentiality of the participant’s identity.
The process of mixing coins itself takes only a few minutes.
3. Mixer Money
The user transfers a certain number of coins to the service account, this amount is split into smaller ones, and each of them is mixed with small amounts of crypto funds belonging to other users or coins stored in the platform reserve. ‘Clean’ coins are returned in small portions to the address specified by the user. The described algorithm significantly complicates the process of blockchain analysis, which guarantees the complete confidentiality of the cryptocurrency.
The mixing procedure takes 6 hours. In two days after the operation, all data about it is automatically erased.
A feature of Mixer Money is the implementation of two different modes of mixing coins. To become a user of the platform, you do not need to enter any registration data.
4. PrivCoin
A distinctive feature of this site is that it combines the functions of a mixer and a swapper at the same time. This means that the service not only mixes and ‘cleans’ the coins but also provides for the possibility of changing the kind of cryptocurrency and withdrawing it in a new desired form. It guarantees users an even greater level of privacy.
It is also interesting that the participants independently set the size of the commission fee for their transactions, thus influencing the level of anonymity of operations. The larger the commission amount, the safer the operations, respectively.
The PrivCoin resource offers its users the ability to set a transaction delay of up to 24 hours.
Since the platform has ample reserves of cryptocurrency funds, transactions are processed immediately after confirmation of the deposit of coins. Upon completion of the transaction, the client receives a letter of guarantee, and the log with all the data on the operation performed is destroyed in a day.
According to the terms of PrivCoin, there is the lowest allowable amount for mixing: 0.01 BTC. Anything less than that is considered a donation and is non-refundable.
The undoubted advantage of this service is round-the-clock technical support for its users.
5. Bitcoin Laundry
The reason for the high popularity of this cryptocurrency mixer lies in its ability to remove even the hint of a connection between the past and present addresses of users. Due to this interference, it becomes impossible to establish the identity of the client and to restore the trace of carried transactions.
Bitcoin Laundry does not charge its customers a service fee, there is a small commission fee only for coins withdrawal to the specified address.
Participants are offered the opportunity to include up to five addresses for the withdrawal of cryptocurrency funds. The particularly convenient thing about it is that for each of the addresses you can specify the percentage of the total amount that will be deposited here.
In order to make it as difficult as possible to keep track of ongoing transactions, this resource allows you to automatically or manually set the desired time delay for payments to each of the addresses.
The history of transactions is deleted automatically in 7 days after its completion; it is also possible to dispose of the transaction log in manual mode, with just one click.
6. BTC Blender
A distinctive feature of this site is a simple and convenient process for cleaning coins. The service requires a single confirmation of the transaction, after which the cleaned cryptocurrency funds are transferred to the specified address. If desired, the user has an option to manually enter a time delay for the operations. Upon completion of the operation, each participant is sent a unique link, and by following it, they can delete their journals.
The fees set by BTC Blender are among the lowest in the field, making only 0.5% of the total amount, which makes it particularly attractive for customers who need to clean large amounts of coins.
7. Bitcoin Fog
The service performs efficient cleaning of coins, hiding the actions taken by users in the cryptocurrency world. ‘Laundered’ coins can be withdrawn to one or several addresses (maximum 5). The journal with operations is automatically disposed of in 7 days.
Bitcoin Fog offers its customers high-quality technical support. For example, if within two hours after the completion of the transaction, the customer’s balance has not been deposited with money, you can contact the support and count on a fast and efficient resolution of the issue.
The platform operates on a separate dedicated server that is openly connected to the network. Its launch, however, is carried out on the other piece of equipment, and any suspicious activity is strictly monitored. At the slightest sign of intrusion, the site is automatically blocked.
Are you a wholesaler? Maybe you are new to the wholesaling business and need some pointers to facilitate your business operations. If you would like to take your business to the next level and improve its efficiency, here are a few tips to help you along the way.
Build a Winning Team
This one is a no-brainer! If you want an efficient and successful business, you need to hire the right team. From logistics staff to admin and accounts, when you get this right, you will certainly build a successful wholesaling business. If recruiting employees is not your thing, work with a reputable Human Resources company or recruitment agent to help you choose a team of forward-thinking, hard-working employees.
Go Digital
Digital is the way to go when it comes to building business systems that work efficiently to boost productivity. Excel spreadsheets and order forms are fine however, you can take your business operations one step further by investing in automation applications that improve the efficiency of ordering, selling and distributing.
Monitor Your Inventory Carefully
It is easy to get bogged down with multiple tasks that you forget about your stock list. Create an efficient system that allows you to keep track of stock levels effectively. You might even need to invest in safety stock to protect you against increased demand for certain products. It might also be beneficial to invest in automated stock check applications to eliminate the need for constant manual checks.
Get Trade Credit Insurance
If you don’t already have it, get trade credit insurance. This type of insurance provides cover for businesses when customers fail to pay their credit invoices on time. It helps to prevent financial setbacks as a result of bad debts. It is necessary to highlight the importance of trade credit insurancebecause without it, your wholesaling business might face unnecessary financial struggles as a result of customers failing to make payments on time.
Provide Great Customer Service
Aside from providing high-quality products, your excellent customer service is what will keep your customers coming back over and over again. Therefore, place emphasis on great customer service and your customers will be willing to pay for it.
Keep an Eye on Your Cash Flow
Keep a close eye on your cash flow, hire a professional accountant to take care of the books to avoid major cash flow problems. Make sure you enlist the help of a highly trained reputable financial advisor to keep your finances in order.
Conduct Frequent Staff Training
Frequent staff training is vital, your staff need to constantly improve, learn and grow. Also, developments in technology and new legislation could affect how you run your business therefore, your staff need to undergo frequent training to improve business operations.
Running a wholesaling business is not easy however, if you take the time to utilize some of the tips outlined in this article and continue to learn and evolve as a business, you will certainly build and sustain a successful, efficient wholesaling business.
Gambling is a game of chance where you are expected to win or lose. When you win, you will be excited, no doubt. You may not know what is at stake when you lose. Perhaps you might have experienced losses but not the more critical deal of it. American Debt.org estimated gamblers average loss to be $55,000.
Gambling is about money. You have to pay to sponsor your gambling activities. These days, online casinos have a wide range of payment methods. Casinos employ e-wallets, Google Pay, and a host of others. It is pretty easy to locate the Apple Pay casino list by IrishCasinoHEX.com online if you wish to make easy and fast payments. And if you decide to use crypto, several casinos integrate the payment system as well. Hence, all these fast payment methods make it easy for players to part with their hard-earned cash in a few minutes without knowing it.
Once you transfer money to your gaming account, the amount you paid might not be the amount you will withdraw. It is either you win some more or lose a significant part of your fund.
If you are new to gambling, you may find it difficult to relate to the aftermath of a loss. Perhaps, you are yet to experience a significant loss that will warrant such. However, others have been tortured, resulting in financial and psychological effects. Below are the financial and psychological effects of losses in gambling;
Inability to socialize with family
This effect is a two-way occurrence. Gambling is an activity that takes part of your time. Obviously, you will assign your free time to gamble if you are not addicted to it. Your free time can then be the only time you have to relate with your family. Since you have chosen to gamble, your family has to suffer the consequences of your action.
As a result, you will not recreate with family or enjoy a family day out. Your kids and wife might end up complaining about this act. Psychologically you might be sucked in between choosing over family or gaming. Unfortunately, this might be a difficult choice for an addicted gambler.
On the other hand, gambling loss can take a toll on your social life. The pains of losing big might force one into social withdrawal. You will find it difficult to communicate or relate with anyone at the moment. This might not go down well with family members who may need your utmost attention.
Inability to meet your daily needs
It is advisable to gamble with money you can afford to lose. Regardless of your gambling expertise, never disregard this advice. Gambling results are unpredictable and can be shocking. Gambling with the money for basic needs can result in a painful loss.
When you lose a huge sum of money, it may jeopardize your ability to cater to your basic needs. The embarrassment that follows is also unfavourable. You then begin to regret your action.
All sides regret
This is a funny experience that happens to all gamblers. There are two sides to gambling; the win and the loss. A gambler can regret even when experiencing both sides. This is called the all sides regret of gambling.
A gambler who plays and wins will regret not taking higher money. If care is not taken, this regret may lead to a more significant loss. When you lose, you may regret why you gamble on such a day. It is bitter when you have already had a nudge not to gamble on that day.
Cutting your expenses for gambling sake
No doubt you are not receiving your wages so that you can gamble. Likewise, there is no such thing as a gambling allowance, which means that you must have allotted a particular of your income for gambling. While doing this, some part of your expenses is at the receiving end.
You might reduce your feeding fee to save money for gambling. Other basic amenities like clothing and mortgage may be at the receiving ends. This is a worrisome effect of gambling every gambler needs to avoid. The need to gamble with extra money after other needs are met cannot be overemphasized.
Inability to sleep after loss
Gambling can have an emotional effect on the gambler. Dealing with gambling loss can be overwhelming. When you lose a massive amount of money, it can result in insomnia. The reoccurring thought of how quickly the money vanished might hurt you badly.
This problem can persist for several nights if proper care is not taken. Likewise, it can metamorphose into sickness for the gambler. When gambling, it is essential you learn when to walk away to avoid huge losses.
Results into smoking or drinking
Gamblers’ ability to manage emotions can be different. While some can handle loss effectively, others may not. To numb the regret of loss, some gamblers may resolve to smoking or drinking. Consequently, this might be more harmful to their health.
Gambling must admit before playing that he can manage his emotions. It is advisable to avoid gambling if you are weak emotionally.
Concentration problem
Gambling is also an intellectual activity. You must take your time to analyze and calculate before gambling. When you gamble over time, this activity becomes part of you. As such, you can engage in it unconsciously.
This act will affect your concentration in other engagements. You may find your colleagues complaining about how unconcentrated you have become. You also might begin skipping details and missing information.
Although gambling can be an exciting activity, you cannot overrule the opposing sides. The outcome of gambling can either be winning or losing. When you lose, the aftermath effect can be overwhelming.
The effect of losing in gambling can be financial or psychological. Inability to afford needs, social withdrawal, and lack of concentration are effects of loss in gambling. Gamblers who cannot manage their emotions are strictly advised to avoid gambling.
By Danny Leipziger
China cannot continue to rely on exports to drive its growth, but what are the alternatives?
China ran a $1.2 trillion trade surplus last year, and despite admonitions from the IMF to rely...
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Sten Rynning has been a professor in the field of international security and war studies since 2008. He established the Centre for War Studies at my university in 2012 and continue to head it, and they have a masters program in International Security and Law connected to the research centre. He continues to research war and strategy, especially as related to NATO and Western diplomacy.
