Barbering Docs, Runaway Jerry & Post-Merge 🐭

Why Barbershops?

Born to an incarcerated mother, Lewis had a lot of struggle growing up. But professional mental health treatment seemed improbable back then.

In fact, even today, only about 25% of African Americans seek treatment for mental health issues, compared to 40% of white individuals. Reasons? Misdiagnosis by doctors, socioeconomic factors, and a lack of African American mental health professionals. In fact, according to the American Psychological Association, only 4% of the psychology workforce is Black. 

This despite the fact that there have been so many Black pioneers and trailblazers in the field of mental health in America. 

Like most people in the community, Lewis found solace and comfort in was his aunt’s hair salon. Around the country, barbershops have long held the image of “safe spaces” for reflective and unapologetic conversations. The image has been also perpetuated through various pop culture movies.

There is also some research to prove this.

The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health conducted an eight-month study interviewing over 35 barbers across multiple cities to find out how barbers can be effective listeners and problem solvers in the community on issues such as violence and public safety. The study confirmed that Black barbers play an essential role in Black communities as change agents.

Research conducted on results of the barber training programs are also extremely positive (Image above). 

For example, within the retail industry, revenue standards can vary widely (image above). 

• Men’s clothing stores qualify as small businesses if revenues are <$22.5 million, but for women’s clothing stores, the upper limit is $30 million and that for family stores is $41.5.
• Markets that exclusively sell meat, seafood, or produce qualify if they make <$8 million, but the upper limit for baked-goods stores is $14 million, for convenience stores $32 million, and for supermarkets $35 million.
• Hardware stores qualify if they make <$14.5 million, but the upper limit for paint and wallpaper stores is $30 million and for home centers $41.5 million.

Companies that may sell a variety or a cross of several products have a whole different set of rules applied to them. All factors considered, businesses may fall into one of 1,030 industrial classifications, which the SBA recalculates every five years.

Ethereum, the world’s second largest cryptocurrency network and home to about 3,500 active decentralized apps, has finally completed its much anticipated “Merge” upgrade. The new technology is pegged to reduce the carbon footprint of crypto mining by more than 99%.

How?

In technical terms, the network will switch from the “proof of work” to “proof of stake” system. 

In layman’s terms, crypto mining activities and business transactions will no longer require massive power-hungry computers. The older system required advanced computer set-ups feeding on an exorbitant amount of coal and gas. Ethereum claims the new system will make the network more energy-efficient. 

However, not everyone is enthused about Ethereum’s Merge. 

The main concern for many investors is that which Ethereum-based startups will thrive in a post-Merge world.

Several opinions fly. 

But since the goal to reduce carbon footprint is at the network’s forefront, startups that align with these objectives will definitely continue to grow.

In an effort to find some work-life balance, tech behemoth Samsung has created a new gadget that can prevent people from overworking.

This radical innovation is in fact a computer mouse that will stop working after the scheduled office hours.

Dubbed ‘Samsung Balance Mouse’, this gadget functions as a regular mouse during your general work hours. But it is designed in such a way that it will literally start running from the desk the moment you hit your regular work-hour limit.

What’s stopping me from grabbing the mouse tight? One might wonder. According to Samsung, the wheels of the mouse are activated as soon as it detects your hand movement. If you manage to catch the mouse, it will detach itself from its skin/outer shell and start running away speedily.

Recently, the tech giant shared an amusing concept video of the mouse on its official Korean YouTube channel showing you just how it works. 

There’s obviously no explanation required of why people need such a gadget and the ails of overwork in our society, so we’re not going to bug you with the repeated harangue. 

The mouse is in the initial concept stage, so it is unknown when it will be available for purchase.