Topic Reading-Vol.2313-8/11/2018

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

The man who makes six figures rating dogs

Do you want to get your pet dog rated? If yes, there is a twitter account that rates your dog, not too seriously but generously. Just send photos and videos of your dog to this dog-rating account, he/she will be rated on a 10-out-of-10 scale. Since your dog is so special to you, the score is usually 10 or even higher. Interestingly, many pet owners seem to like this dog rating, or dog-show-off site so much that they buy lots of dog-related merchandises from their online shop. Now this dog rating account has become a successful business platform.

The founder of weratedogs.com was a college student when he opened a twitter account dedicated to dog photos and videos. He had no intention to create a new business or anything. But what he created was what people wanted. Yes, dog owners want to show off their beloved dogs. Isn’t that how a successful new business is initiated?

Enjoy seeing the video and check what weratedogs is like.

http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20180730-the-man-who-makes-six-figures-rating-dogs

Topic Reading-Vol.2312-8/10/2018

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Why Brazilians are always late?

Are you punctual? Is that important in your culture?

In countries like Germany, Switzerland, and Japan, punctuality is the rule number one, except for Japan where politeness is no less essential for business and social occasions. A delay by a minute makes others irritated and frowned. Yes, you are expected to arrive and things start on time in those cultures.

However in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro in particular, punctuality is neither expected nor appreciated. For example, turning up on time to a social gathering is regarded as awkward. And it’s not just for a few minutes but to an hour or two is the norm. Why do Brazilians hold such a relaxed approach to time-keeping? Is that because of the traffic congestion or lack of transportation infrastructure? Some say that’s because of their optimism in life.

Enjoy reading and learn how and why Brazilians don’t want to be punctual in western standard.

http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20180729-why-brazilians-are-always-late

Topic Reading-Vol.2311-8/9/2018

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Meet Britain's real-life Iron Man

You might have seen Robert Downey Jr. fly in the movie series Iron Man. Do you think a human can fly in the air like that? There had been no precedent for creating such a flying device until this British inventor came up with a jet-powered flying suit. It allows the wearer to fly as fast as 50 km per hour and as high as Mount Fuji. And to your surprise, it is on sale at a department store in London. The price? Just US$442,000, about the same price tag as a small apartment in a metro city like New York or a super car like Lamborghini’s Aventador.

This Jet Suit by Gravity is easy to operate, and anyone can wear it and fly, according to the inventor who claims he is no more than an ordinary person. Even if you cannot afford this special suit, you can still try it on at the department store, or you can test fly in his company’s hanger.

Interested?

Enjoy reading and think if you want to try it or wait until more affordable one becomes available.

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/iron-man-richard-browning/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.2310-8/8/2018

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Your next job interview could be with a computer program

When you search and apply for jobs, you may get a chance for an interview. Nowadays, you may be interviewed via video or asked to upload an introduction video of yourself. In any case, humans have been screening the candidates. But new AI technologies can monitor and detect your facial expressions and tone that cannot be recognized by ordinary humans. For example, when you are hesitant, reluctant, uncomfortable, or dishonest to answer questions, you tend to show some non-verbal sign without realizing it. But trained AI algorithms can detect such sings easily. This kind of technology can assist humans to make critical decisions as to whether the company should proceed with the hiring process of the applicant.

Will that be good news for you?

Enjoy watching the video and learn how things are changing in the job hiring process.

http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20180420-your-next-job-interview-could-be-with-a-computer-programme

Topic Reading-Vol.2309-8/7/2018

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

What is 5G and what will it mean for you?

Most of your mobile devices are connected via so-called 4G, fourth-generation network, or LTE, Long-Term Evolution. Though it is fast enough to watch videos or play online games, it sometimes becomes jerky or suffers glitches when data transmission is too congested. Is it time for a new generation of mobile internet connection?

Indeed. Fifth generation, or simply 5G, mobile internet is coming soon to provide much faster data transmission speeds, wider coverage, and more stable connections. Technically, the new data service could achieve browsing and download speeds about 10 to 20 times faster than the current 4G network. This means you can download or upload almost anything you want without stress or glitches. But more importantly, the new technology and infrastructure will allow real-time Internet of Things, or IoT, to the world. For example, cars are connected with each other continuously, so that real-time mapping, navigation, and auto-driving can be realized. Also, when numbers of drones are coordinated in the air, they can monitor or search wider areas more precisely for research, surveillance or rescue missions. Another possible use of IoT is to monitor your health conditions in real time, all the time.

How soon and where such services become available?

Enjoy reading and learn what the new generation mobile internet connection is about.

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-44871448

Topic Reading-Vol.2308-8/6/2018

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Why so many people fall for scams?

Do you receive junk mail, spam email or robocalls often? Nowadays, no one seems to be free from such solicitations. They are not only annoying but also potentially harmful. When you get sweepstakes, lottery or other mass-market scams, you may think you’re lucky. But that is exactly what those solicitors are intending. In many cases, consumers overestimate their ability judge what’s safe or unsafe and underestimate the risks and dangers of those traps and click, open or respond to the malicious invitations.

A new study found that those who are less educated tend to react more to financially motivating offers than others.

There is no easy money after all.

Enjoy reading and think what your strategies are to protect yourself from such scams.

http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20180727-why-so-many-people-fall-for-scams

Topic Reading-Vol.2307-8/5/2018

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

22 of the best places to visit in the United States

There are 50 states and a federal district, Washington DC, and five major self-governing territories like Puerto Rico and Guam in the United States of America. It is the third largest country by total area and is nearly as large as the entire continent of Europe. As the mainland lies between the Atlantic in the east and the Pacific Ocean in the west, and Canada in the north and Mexico in the south, it is very diverse in geography, climate, wildlife, and atmosphere. For instance, there are mega cities like New York and Los Angeles, a sub-tropical state like Florida and arctic region like Alaska, and mountainous Colorado and the Great Plains like Kansas.

Now, CNN Travel picks 22 attractive places to visit in the great country. How many of them have you visited or thought of visiting?

Enjoy seeing the photos and guides of 22 travel destinations in the US.

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/best-places-to-visit-united-states/index.html