On Valentine’s Day, a lawsuit was filed against Match Group, the company behind popular dating apps like Tinder, Hinge, and Match, by six individuals in the US. They argue that these apps use game-like tactics to foster addictive behavior, making swiping addicts of many users. Match Group dismissed these claims as “ridiculous,” but the experiences of many users suggest otherwise.

Dating apps have revolutionized how we seek romantic connections, offering a seemingly endless pool of potential partners at our fingertips. While these apps promise convenience and expanded dating opportunities, they come with significant downsides. The constant barrage of profiles and the gamification of swiping can lead to addictive behavior, trapping users in an endless cycle of seeking the next dopamine hit.

The addictive nature of these apps might be intentional. Tinder’s co-founder admitted to drawing inspiration from psychological experiments on pigeons.

The addictive nature of these apps might be intentional. Tinder’s co-founder admitted to drawing inspiration from psychological experiments on pigeons. Experts highlight that the gamification of dating apps triggers the release of neurochemicals like dopamine and serotonin, making the experience addictive. Consequently, users find themselves trapped in a cycle of seeking the next dopamine hit with every swipe.

Studies have shown that the design of these apps exploits the brain’s reward system, similar to how gambling works. The unpredictability of matches and the intermittent rewards create a loop that keeps users engaged, often leading to compulsive behavior. The superficial nature of swiping based on photos alone promotes a culture of objectification and shallow judgments, detracting from the possibility of meaningful connections.

These apps, driven by profit rather than genuine connections, exploit users’ desire for love and companionship, often at the expense of their mental health.

The lawsuit alleges that users are stuck in a “pay-to-play” loop, constantly seeking matches that never materialize. Features like Hinge’s “most compatible” often present mismatched profiles, and the apps’ insistence on “freezing” or “resetting” accounts rather than deleting them adds to the frustration. These apps, driven by profit rather than genuine connections, exploit users’ desire for love and companionship, often at the expense of their mental health.

Many users have reported that dating apps reinforce a narrow and limiting physical “type” that they seek, which can be harmful and reductive. Additionally, the cost of premium features on apps like Hinge and Tinder often outweighs the benefits, leading to frustration and wasted investment. Despite recognizing the negative impact on their mental health, including feelings of depression and commodification, many users continue to engage with these platforms due to their addictive nature.

The impact of dating apps extends beyond individual users. The culture they promote has contributed to a breakdown in basic respect and communication in romantic relationships. The ease of ghosting, the abundance of choice, and the superficial nature of swiping all undermine the possibility of meaningful connections. Even those who avoid dating apps are indirectly affected by the behaviors they cultivate in others.

Heyoosh AI, the world’s first AI Personal Matchmaker, is redefining the dating experience by prioritizing real connections over endless swiping.

However, amidst this bleak landscape, a new solution is emerging: Heyoosh AI, the world’s first AI Personal Matchmaker, is redefining the dating experience by prioritizing real connections over endless swiping. Heyoosh offers a judgment-free, private, and secure environment focused on users’ needs and preferences.

Heyoosh AI stands out by eliminating profiles and instead relying on a personalized approach to matchmaking. Users share their authentic selves with Heyoosh, which tailors connections based on their interests, preferences, and deal breakers. This method ensures that each match is meaningful and compatible.

Privacy and security are paramount for Heyoosh. With encrypted chats and robust security features, users can trust that their data is safe and not being tracked. This focus on privacy addresses a significant concern many have with traditional dating apps.

Heyoosh also offers a transparent pricing model, starting with a free 7-day trial and then transitioning to a low-cost monthly subscription. This approach makes quality matchmaking accessible without the hassle of ads or invasive tracking.

By prioritizing genuine connections, privacy, and user needs, Heyoosh is paving the way for a healthier, more fulfilling dating experience. As we navigate the future of love, Heyoosh AI offers hope for those seeking meaningful relationships in a digital age.

Download Heyoosh today and discover where the future of love can take you.

Breaking the Swipe Cycle: How Heyoosh AI is Revolutionizing the Toxic Dating App Culture was originally published in Keepod on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

The promise of Universal Basic Income (UBI) has cast a long shadow over the halls of policy for decades. It’s a siren song, a seemingly utopian proposition that whispers of a guaranteed, unconditional payment for every citizen. UBI beckons with the allure of alleviating poverty, boosting economic participation, and weaving a stronger social safety net. Yet, the specter of financial burden and potential disincentives to work continue to cast long shadows over its implementation.

But what if there was a way to rewrite this narrative entirely? What if there was a method to not only provide a basic income but also incentivize behaviors that contribute to a healthier, more productive society? Enter Bitwalking, an app that disrupts the UBI conversation by rewarding users with digital currency (BW$) for the simple act of walking. It’s a step change, a paradigm shift that moves us beyond the concept of a handout and towards an earned income rooted in our most basic human activity — movement.

The dream of UBI boasts a rich history, with threads stretching back to philosophers like Thomas More in the 16th century. More championed a system that guaranteed a minimum standard of living, a vision that resonated through the ages. Fast forward to the 20th century, and figures like Milton Friedman championed similar ideas through negative income tax plans. Today, UBI pilots around the globe, from Finland to Kenya (and even in some areas of the United States, like Stockton, California), are yielding fascinating results. Participants in some programs report reduced stress, improved mental health, and even a slight uptick in employment rates. These initial studies paint a hopeful picture, but it’s important to note the results may not be universally applicable across all programs, and the long-term effects of UBI are still being debated.

Imagine transforming your leisure walk into a conscious choice towards a healthier you and a brighter financial future.

Bitwalking offers a compelling counterpoint to these concerns. Unlike UBI’s fixed stipend, Bitwalking users earn BW$ through the power of their own steps. This shift from receiving to earning fosters a crucial sense of agency. Your daily walk to work or your evening jog around the park isn’t just good for your health — it’s now generating a form of digital income. This gamification of physical activity injects a powerful dose of motivation, not just for the individual but for society as a whole. Imagine transforming your leisure walk into a conscious choice towards a healthier you and a brighter financial future.

But Bitwalking’s impact transcends the personal. By encouraging a more active population, it unlocks a treasure trove of economic benefits that ripple outwards, enriching the very fabric of society. Studies consistently show a link between physical activity and improved cognitive function, memory, and focus. A healthier workforce translates to increased productivity, leading to higher output and economic growth. Imagine a nation where employees, invigorated by their daily walks, are sharper, more creative, and able to contribute more effectively to the engine of commerce. Absenteeism due to preventable health issues plummets, replaced by a more engaged and productive citizenry.

Picture yourself invigorating your health with a morning walk to the bakery, while simultaneously injecting a dose of digital currency directly into the local economy.

Furthermore, Bitwalking bypasses the traditional financial institutions by allowing users to spend BW$ directly with each other. This creates a network of local value exchange, empowering small businesses and fostering a more resilient economic landscape. Picture yourself invigorating your health with a morning walk to the bakery, while simultaneously injecting a dose of digital currency directly into the local economy.

Imagine a world where a street vendor in Mumbai and a tech worker in San Francisco have equal opportunities to generate BW$ simply by going about their day.

Perhaps the most compelling aspect of Bitwalking is its inherent equality. Every step, regardless of location or socioeconomic background, earns the same amount of BW$. This aligns perfectly with the core principle of UBI — ensuring a basic level of economic participation for all. Imagine a world where a street vendor in Mumbai and a tech worker in San Francisco have equal opportunities to generate BW$ simply by going about their day. This fosters a more equitable distribution of value, potentially chipping away at traditional economic disparities. A young student walking to school and a retiree taking their daily stroll are both contributing to their own well-being and the collective health of the financial ecosystem.

From Universal Steps to Digital Dollars: How Bitwalking Reimagines UBI was originally published in Keepod on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Remember the heady days of 2009, when Satoshi Nakamoto unleashed Bitcoin on the world? A digital currency, free from the manipulation of central banks, promised to democratize finance and empower the everyman. Fast forward a decade, and that utopian vision seems to have been lost in a labyrinth of skyrocketing prices, volatile markets, and energy-guzzling mining operations. Bitcoin, once a beacon of financial inclusion, now resembles a playground for the privileged few — a high-stakes poker game where fortunes are made and lost with a click.

But there’s a quiet revolution brewing in the world of digital currency, and it’s centered around a concept as simple as putting one foot in front of the other. Enter Bitwalking: a platform that rewards users with BW$ for the simple act of walking. It’s an elegant subversion of the current crypto-landscape, one that steps away from the speculative frenzy and taps into a core human desire — to be healthy and to contribute.

Unlike Bitcoin, which requires extensive computing power and hefty investments, Bitwalking is radically inclusive. It doesn’t matter if you’re a billionaire strolling the avenues of Manhattan or a street vendor navigating the crowded streets of Mumbai — every step counts the same. There’s no need to be a tech whiz or a financial guru to participate. All you need is a smartphone and a pair of shoes.

This focus on radical equality is refreshing in a world obsessed with wealth disparity. Bitwalking recognizes the inherent value in every individual, regardless of their socioeconomic background. It’s a system built on the simple truth — that a healthy and active population is the backbone of a thriving society.

But Bitwalking’s ambitions reach far beyond just rewarding exercise. They’ve meticulously crafted a system that prioritizes user privacy and empowers individuals. Forget the complex exchanges and the murky world of cryptocurrency speculation. Bitwalking transactions are free, instant, and can happen directly between users. Imagine buying groceries from a local vendor or paying your rent, all with a few taps on your phone, using a currency you generate yourself through your daily activities.

The true power of Bitwalking lies in its community. By focusing on ease of use, transparency, and a core set of principles centered around human well-being, Bitwalking has the potential to foster a vibrant ecosystem where BW$ becomes a viable day-to-day currency. It’s a system where the value is determined by the collective actions of its users, not by the whims of remote investors or powerful institutions.

There’s a sense of poetic justice in this. While Bitcoin has become an emblem of unchecked capitalism, Bitwalking embodies a return to the original dream of cryptocurrency — a system that empowers individuals, fosters community, and rewards healthy habits. It’s a chance to rewrite the narrative, to reclaim the promise of a more equitable and sustainable financial future. So lace up your shoes, download the app, and start walking. With every step you take, you’re not just taking charge of your health; you’re contributing to a financial revolution — one step at a time.

Tap here to Download Bitwalking

Walk This Way: How Bitwalking is Reclaiming the Original Dream of Cryptocurrency was originally published in Keepod on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Traditional dating apps are rife with negativity. Endless swiping, a relentless focus on appearance, and a culture of ghosting all contribute to a feeling of disposability and a cheapening of the connection process.

The very act of swiping right or left breeds a superficial judgment based on a few photos and a short bio. Gone are the days of getting to know someone through conversation and shared experiences. We’ve become conditioned to make snap decisions based on curated profiles, leading to a constant stream of unsatisfying matches.

Furthermore, these apps often thrive on a business model that exploits user data. The pressure to create a detailed profile, often with prompts that encourage oversharing, feeds into a system where your data is collected and analyzed. This information is then used to target you with ads or manipulate your swiping behavior, not necessarily to find you a compatible partner.

But is there a better way? Thankfully, there are signs of a shift towards a more mindful and ethical approach to dating. Some apps are focusing on fostering deeper connections through prompts that encourage users to share their values and interests. Others are prioritizing user privacy and reducing the emphasis on swiping.

While a specific solution wasn’t mentioned in this article, the emergence of AI-powered matchmaking services like Heyoosh shows promise. By focusing on understanding user needs and facilitating genuine compatibility, these services could offer an alternative to the toxicity of traditional dating apps.

The future of love online shouldn’t be about swiping through endless faces or feeling pressured to overshare. It should be about creating meaningful connections based on mutual respect and understanding. By demanding better from dating apps, we can move towards a more positive and fulfilling online dating experience.

Heyoosh, mentioned in this article, is a project by Keepod.

Swipe Left on Dating App Toxicity: Is There a Better Way to Find Love? was originally published in Keepod on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

keepod prv-21 preserve your privacy and anonymity. start your private os on any computer without leaving a trace on it. including pre-configured secure browsing, track-blocking, and everything you need to keep private. you can use the internet anonymously and circumvent censorship.

be invisible. leave no trace. was originally published in Keepod on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

We are so exited to reveal our latest collaboration with NordVPN: light and fast secure browsing onboard the Keepod PRV-21.

The fastest VPN on the planet steps into the keepod PRV-21 to deliver secure browsing and privacy protection.

Start Keepod PRV-21 on any pc or mac and turn on the nordvpn browser extension to protects your browser traffic with strong encryption so that no one can decipher your browsing data. Changing your virtual location is as easy as pie, it takes just one click to hide your IP address, jump between different locations and avoid snooping of any kind.

5700+ ultra-fast VPN servers worldwide, automatic connection to the best server for you and no bandwidth limits to slow you down.

When you disconnect Keepod from the computer you won’t leave any trace of the keepod system itself or what you used it for.

Available with every Keepod PRV-21 starting may 29th.

Try NordVPN risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Only Now 70% Off.

Keepod and NordVPN joining forces. Browse privately. Leave no trace. was originally published in Keepod on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Say hello to the new Keepod PRV-21 personal security device. start Keepod’s complete OS on any PC or Mac, do what you want to do, leave no trace.

PRV-21 defends you against tracking and surveillance. You can use the internet anonymously and circumvent censorship.

All data is discarded at the end of the session so if your device falls to the wrong hands, it has no data and it can’t be associated to you.

Using Keepod on a computer doesn’t alter or depend on the OS installed on it. you can use it in the same way on your computer, a friend’s computer, or one at your local library. you won’t leave any trace of the keepod system itself or what you used it for.

Lightweight and powerful it elevates even your old PC to a whole new level of performance to let you do everything faster and more efficiently.

Launch info
Keepod PRV-21 will be launched may 13th 2020.
Shipping starts may 29th.

Price
29 USD. Free international shipping.

It’s nobody’s business what you do online. was originally published in Keepod on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Drawing the line on phone distribution is difficult. Although cellphones provide limitless access to information and services, this capability sometimes causes more harm than good.

When it comes to technology management, even adults have trouble creating healthy limits on screen time. Constant stimulation from social media, messenger applications and other apps challenges one’s ability to stay present in their everyday lives.

In an environment which intends to foster education, the mobile-first approach might not be the best platform. The question then becomes: which technology platform maximizes learning while keeping addictive habits and social media exposure to a minimum?

Former Google Manager Tristan Harris discussed the addictive nature of certain apps in a 60 Minutes piece. Harris’s studies indicate that copious amounts of phone usage alter the brain chemistry of the user. Certain apps are designed to “brain hack,” meaning they are infiltrated with rewards which alter the viewer’s brain chemistry. Chemicals are released upon earning the rewards, which form trigger habits.

According to a study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), “As users stumble onto these hidden treasures, the surprise stimulates production of a brain chemical called dopamine. Neurologists told us dopamine signals the body that something pleasurable is about to occur. It plays a pivotal part in cravings and desire.”

Through social media exposure, young people are taught to compare themselves to others and focus on trivial statistics such as likes and comments. Even in countries with more access to mental health resources, young people still experience negative side effects due to social media. According to a study from the Royal Society for Public Health, “Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram all led to increased feelings of depression, anxiety, poor body image and loneliness.”

With a mobile-first approach, young students are more exposed to the negatives of social networking apps. Certain platforms have acknowledged their bullying potential and are trying to combat them with new features. For example, Instagram will now test a “shadow ban,” which allows an account to “restrict” another user by making their comments only visible to themselves. If students are already using social platforms as a soapbox for bullying, this reality detracts from the legitimacy of the mobile-first approach.

Another negative aspect of this approach regards net neutrality. In places with little internet access, social media sites can manipulate these rules. In a 2014 Facebook campaign, CEO Mark Zuckerberg was under fire for services which allegedly violated net neutrality laws. This controversy elicited rippling consequences and eventually led to India rejecting Facebook’s Free Basics.

Students need to create and consume content in a manner which adapts to their conditions. Communities should have access to a resource which is suitable for a personalized educational experience. Ideally, this practice would help students write papers, create presentations and absorb substance in a productive format.

In the Mindoro Island of the Philippines, students are using Keepod to educate themselves about various agricultural methods. Through internet research, these students provided their communities with a new knowledge of farming and how to maximize their local resources.

Similarly, in the College Socka Bongue School in Cameroon, students are staying after school to conduct research on their Keepods. Through personalized computing, the children educated themselves about health awareness. This especially empowered young female students.

By distributing educational resources, especially in a classroom setting, students use technology in a productive manner. Rather than having non-stop access to social media and other time-consuming apps, students use their scheduled computing time in a way which benefits their community.

Is the “mobile-first” approach best for students? was originally published in Keepod on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

In 2015, Yannick Nestle worked as a Keepod intern in Tel Aviv. After a summer as a project manager, he decided to get his father, Eberhard, involved with the company.

Eberhard studied economics in school, later working for Hewlett-Packard in finance and project management for the next 30 years. He now is located in Stuttgart, Germany, where he works as the CFO of time2help.

Time2help, founded by the Nestle family and friends, supports the Living Water Children Centre in Arusha, Tanzania. Along with aiding orphans and less fortunate children, time2help also focuses on educational support for promising schools.

“My sister-in-law wanted to show her daughter that the world is not all perfect,” said Eberhard. “They went to Tanzania where they could volunteer and witness a different type of environment.”

After working with a children’s center in Arusha, their family inquired about other projects they could aid. They were soon introduced to the Yakini Primary School.

Keepod and time2help teamed up with the Yakini School manager, Christian Kimaro. Before this partnership, the school had no technological equipment and was having trouble fundraising.

“We are very happy to be the first school in our region to work with Keepod,” said Kimaro. “In the meantime we are using Keepods for communication between the teachers of our school and the students.”

Primarily, the communication is being facilitated through Google Classroom. This app allows students to research and be more flexible in their style of learning. Teaching Aid materials are also provided on student profiles, allowing resources to be viewed by individual students.

“Our school has benefited from Keepod, as we are the only school in our region with the facilities to learn online,” said Kimaro. “It has also given a great opportunity to our teachers to adapt to the new ways of teaching through technology.”

The Yakini Primary School published a video about their Keepod products. A few students and their teacher discussed how Keepod influenced their education.

A new shipment is on its way to the Yakini Primary School. Thanks to new sources of funding, 30 refurbished laptops and 150 Keepods are being sent to Tanzania. Along with these new resources, funding has been set aside to build a new computer room and establish an IT education course for future school years.

Time2help introduces Keepod to Yakini Primary School was originally published in Keepod on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

With a population of over 18 million, Malawi is becoming a hub for the personal computing movement. Located in southeastern Africa, Malawi is home to a variety of tribes, languages, and cultural landmarks. The country is full of potential yet lacks many of the resources needed for its citizens to thrive.

“Leading up to the most recent presidential elections [in May 2019], there were severe power shortage problems in Malawi,” said Carl Meyer, a Keepod associate and the co-founder of Shift IT. “The power grid seems to be improving, but the vast majority are still not connected to the electrical grid and do not have access to the internet.”

Meyer began tackling internet connectivity issues around 10 years ago. He deployed the first country-wide hotspot network and has experience in the African Internet Service Provider space.

One of the prominent groups Meyer worked with is the Malawi Cricket Union. The Union hoped to obtain computing devices, specifically Android tablets. Through the company Source IT, the Union’s wishes came true. However, within a month of receiving the tablets, they were all broken. Source IT looked for an alternative device, as repairing the tablets cost just as much as buying new ones.

Keepod and Meyer soon formed a relationship, creating a low-cost alternative for the Union. Through distribution of Keepods, schools around Malawi were able to live stream cricket games from the Malawi Cricket Live Youtube channel.

In May, Meyer helped create a “fulfillment center” in Malawi. This center, funded by Dzuka Africa Hub, is solar-powered and allows for Keepod manufacturing in Africa. This new project helps spread Keepod products across the continent, decreasing associated shipping times and costs.

“If people want to purchase their own devices, we need to look to where we can reduce the costs,” said Meyer. “With the fulfillment center, the opportunity has arisen. In the future, Malawi will not need to pay any additional charges, upholding the promise of the $7 PC.”

The center costs upwards of $2000 to set up. Compared to the alternative of international manufacturing and shipping, this fulfillment center will help keep costs low and create jobs in Malawi.

Through this project, the team was able to provide rural students with offline RACHEL plug-and-play servers. The server contains downloaded educational websites and content for students.

For those that are not connected to the grid, the companies use the “sneakernet” to obtain technology requests. The “sneakernet” refers to the physical movement of media rather than transferring it over a computer network.

Typically, a few rural citizens have access to low-data using apps such as Twitter. Through a social media request, the company is able to download the response by a data courier using a smartphone and then loading the data onto each server.

This project has had a massive impact on rural Malawin communities.

Recently, students at the Rainbow Hope Secondary School were able to expand their studies in STEM through Keepod devices. Crowdfunded by STEM Build Malawi, this project, led by 20+ women engineers, used Keepod devices to help build a STEM classroom at their school.

Through the Keepod devices, these engineers will be educating students, parents, and teachers about jobs in the STEM field as well as practicing skills they have learned through classroom workshops.

The long-term goals of the center are to shift potential income to local communities, which encourages social and physical development.

“This is the first time we [Keepod] have created this model and we want to replicate the center around the world,” said Nissan Bahar, the co-founder of Keepod. “We want to act as a responsbile company. It is not a tagline, rather, it is how you change the communities you work with.”

With access to the right technology, students in Malawi have the opportunity to expand their studies and potential career paths. Providing these communities with personal computing is the first step in building a fulfilling educational experience.

Malawi-based fulfillment center broadens Keepod’s African outreach was originally published in Keepod on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.