Charlie Fletcher is a freelance writer living in the pacific northwest who has a variety of interests including sociology, politics, business, education, health, and more.
Why the ethical use of data and user privacy concerns matter
This article was contributed by Charlie Fletcher
Data and its uses pervade the digital economy. From online data mining to AI/ML-enhanced analytics, the range of data sources and tools available on the web are boundless. For every digital user accessing applications, however, there are just as many privac...
A Fresh Start: 5 Ways to Reclaim Your Life After Divorce
Going through a divorce can leave you feeling emotionally drained, financially insecure, and even worried about your future. No matter how long you were married or how the relationship ended, divorce is never easy. It can cause you to feel like you’ve lost part of your identity, and you might not know which direction your life is headed.
Take a deep breath.
Those thoughts and feelings are perfectly normal, but they don’t have to be permanent.
Reclaim Your Life after Divorce
Now that you’re do...
Coping Strategies to Manage Chronic Stress and Anxiety
Chronic stress and anxiety can be completely debilitating. If you’ve lived with a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) for any amount of time, then you’ll know how day-to-day worries can quickly spiral out of control and leave you feeling panicked and in need of help.
If you do suffer from GAD, then you should see a trusted medical professional who can get you the help you need and may refer you to therapists or offer other treatment options.
However, if you are unable to see a medical professi...
Surprising cybersecurity weak points business owners should look out for
We are excited to bring Transform 2022 back in-person July 19 and virtually July 20 - 28. Join AI and data leaders for insightful talks and exciting networking opportunities. Register today!
Cybersecurity has taken on new levels of importance facing redoubled cyber attacks. The post-pandemic digital landscape is fraught with threats. In fact, these attacks peaked in December of 2021 with a slew of Log4j exploits. The popular Java-based logging utility is only one surprising cybersecurity weak...
How the Increase in Alcohol Sales May Create a New Mental Health Crisis Post COVID-19
There’s no question that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted almost everyone’s lives in some way. Whether you know someone with the virus, you’ve lost your job, the change in routine has made life difficult, or you miss interacting with others, this pandemic has changed the way many people live.
As a result, mental health has become a growing concern throughout the country. Research discovered that from February 16-March 15, prescriptions for antidepressant, anti-anxiety, and anti-insomnia med...
How Remote Technology is Helping Workplaces Transition to a New Normal
At a time in which we are making significant changes to the way we work, remote technology can help us not only ease into a new normal of working from home but thrive in a post-COVID-19 world.
It’s safe to say that COVID-19 has had a turbulent effect upon our lives, both at work and at home. While many have been hoping for the world to return to the same state as it was before lockdown, the reality is many of the changes are likely to be permanent.
Rather than roll back to our old, comfortabl...
Home Arranging Tips to Make Life Easier for Your Disabled Pet
Pets can become part of the family overnight. They offer a lifetime of companionship and love. Whether you’ve adopted a disabled pet or yours has formed a disability over the years, it doesn’t make them any less capable of providing you with unconditional love and joy. However, there are some challenges pets with disabilities have to face that their more able-bodied counterparts don’t usually struggle with. One of those challenges is navigating their way around the house.
Your pet should be a...
Pros and cons of reopening Illinois schools during the pandemic
The surge of COVID-19 cases in Illinois ended with more than 1,900 new cases in a single day on the last day of July. With that in mind, should students return to school in the fall? Before the outbreak, Chicago public school students were expecting a return to in-person schooling on September 8.
There are both pros and cons regarding returning to school in September. Let’s examine both, despite not having a precise answer on what will happen for the 2020-21 school year. Let’s see what we do ...
How to Freelance When You’re A Parent
When you’re a parent, freelancing can seem like the perfect amalgamation of your personal and professional lives. And the truth is, there are a lot of benefits that the lifestyle provides, such as saving on childcare costs and being able to work around a flexible schedule.
However, once you’re actually employed as a work from home (WFH) freelancing parent, there are several drawbacks to the situation that quickly become apparent. Avoiding distractions, staying productive, and generally balanc...
Virtual Virtuoso: Optimal user experience features for e-learning
Whether you’re an experienced educator or a parent struggling to adjust to remote learning in the face of the national lockdown, chances are good that you’re looking for ideas to help your student, or students, thrive in the unfamiliar world of the virtual classroom.
And it doesn’t much matter if the classroom is your second home, or if you haven’t stepped foot inside of a school for decades. We’re all feeling out of our depth right now as we contend with the fear of the virus, the anxiety of...
The Marketer’s Guide to Building a Consistent Brand
What does it mean to build a brand?
Many of us can remember jingles, commercials, and characters from our favorite brands dating as far back as childhood. From “Got Milk” to “Double Double Your Refreshment,” from the GEICO gecko to Mayhem, certain things are instantly recognizable to many consumers.
These taglines and characters are part of the collective idea we have about a company — that is, its brand.
What can you do to build a consistent, long-lasting brand for your own business? Here ar...
How to Respond to Microaggressions at Work
There are a number of ways that employees can feel unhappy in the workplace. Dealing with micromanagement, annoying coworkers, and demanding customers can be enough to make even the best workplaces miserable.
If you’re a member of a marginalized group, you may also deal with microaggressions in the workplace on top of everything else. Moreso, microaggressions can be difficult for others to recognize, which makes them even more challenging to address. And while they may not be considered haras...
How to Ensure Your Loved Ones are Healthy From a Distance
Long-Distance Caregiving:
At the end of the day, there’s nothing more important than family. But let’s face it. Life is tough. Between the responsibilities of work and home, it can feel like there’s simply not enough of you to go around.
But when you’re tasked with caring for a loved one who lives far away, the weight of the responsibility you carry can feel like the weight of the world. Because added to the duty to keep them safe and well, you may worry about the things you could be missing,...
Teaching AI and robotics concepts in business courses
We are excited to bring Transform 2022 back in-person July 19 and virtually July 20 - 28. Join AI and data leaders for insightful talks and exciting networking opportunities. Register today!
This article was contributed by Charlie Fletcher
The business world and the tech world are more inextricable than ever. Every business relies on software and technology to power its endeavors. But technology is rapidly evolving. Just as many retailers are finally adopting an online presence, other leading...
Introducing Green, Healthy Habits To Your Kids
By Charlie Fletcher
Habits, both good and bad, tend to take root by the tender age of 9. In other words, many of the behaviors that will dominate your life have already been more or less set in stone before you reach high school.
This puts a particular emphasis on parents as they guide their fledgling humans into the tricky business of adult life.
If you’re a parent with young kids, it’s important to approach your child-rearing developing good habits that balance both personal health and care...