nudge

Yeah, I think they are planning to merge green and amber lists, so you wouldn't need the pre-departure or post-arrival tests for the UK anymore. I'm in Crete, no sign of Fusion yet

To go to Spain, you need either a negative test or proof of vaccination, and you have to fill in a Health Control Form (Formulario de Control Sanitario) a day before your flight (they send you a QR code, and they check it on departure and arrival). I'm currently in Greece.

With technology improving, self checkouts and similar technology will make cashiers - and many other jobs in general - obsolete in the future; the same thing that happened to phone operators, elevator operators, or gas station attendants, as well as many other professions that don't exist anymore. That's normal, and you can say that's the price of technological progress... It's also true that labour markets tend to adjust to changes and automation usually creates new jobs, and it's good if people can be retrained and take on new professions, but let's be honest, the transition is quite challenging for some, especially older workers. If many of lower skilled jobs get automated and become obsolete in the future, and if a significant part of global workforce has to shift occupational categories, learn new skills and be re-employed as a result, unemployment rates can potentially go through the roof, especially combined with the aging population.

Ah, right. I was scratching my head there looking for a potential connection I don't use self checkouts, either. I don't like big businesses making me do the work so that they can save payroll and maximise their profits while I still pay the same price for the items Also, if I'm buying alcohol (which happens 90% of the time whenever I'm at the store), then I still have to wait for the cashier/attendant to approve it anyway. I also quite like short, non-binding human interaction. And they do make some jobs obsolete.

What do self checkouts and immigration have in common?...

Why would you think I'm religious though?

Yeah, great memories.

Done

I didn't even know that there are sequels... And yeah, I can imagine. Sequels rarely manage to keep up with the original, in general.

The most powerful nuclear-powered ice breaker in the world, 50 Let Pobedy (50 Years of Victory). Arktika-class vessel with two nuclear reactors, 75000 HP, 160m long, 11m max draught, can break through 3 meter thick ice, cruising speed of 20 knots in open water. Has a dining room, sauna, library, auditorium, passenger lounge, volleyball court, gym, swimming pool (indoor, heated), infirmary, elevator, helipad (helicopter deck) with a Mi-2 transport helicopter. What a ship; looks so majestic and ominous.

Divergent (2016) Not great, not terrible. Quite a predictable story, and has some serious pacing issues, but overall, a decent watch. Hunger Games-like, but I actually enjoyed this one better. 6/10

Real-time marine traffic in Yellow Sea and East China Sea. Mind-blowing

I'm one of those weird few who actually prefer humid heat over dry heat

Lovely.

Yes, 40% for non-exclusive and 60% for exclusive stock images, plus an active promotion of my content to the target customers for 6 years. It's a new and project by a group of Asian photographers and artists, so I expect a very slow start, but what I like is that they are focused on selling specific content instead of generic stock images, as I think it has by far more potential than competing with big and already established microstock platforms.

Cheers John! I'm naturally mistrusting and always wary about things like that, but a quick research suggests they are legit, and in the end, I don't have anything to lose considering I take those images as a hobby anyway... Might as well give it a go

I have posted a few of my astrophotography images on social media recently, and have just received a partnership offer from a small media company that specialises in stock images Apparently, they want to me to regularly contribute astro-related images to them, with me earning a 60% commission. I am obviousy going to discuss terms and whatnot before I commit to it, but what are your thoughts? Decent opportunity to earn some passive pocket money?

Literally crying

It's a good thing they caught early though, at least no other on-pitch near-death emergency

Ja!

Jupiter is very bright tonight, and in conjunction with Moon (4 degrees). Looks amazing. I just observed that and the Perseids, great night for stargazing.

Yeah, as it's well over +30 degrees during the day, so I'd probably just join the other dead there in the valley

Nah, I'm only half German, born and raised elsewhere, just spent summers in Germany as a kid/young teen. Moved to SE Asia 7 years ago because I like it there...

Southeast Asia:) I haven't been to Germany for over a decade, except airports.