Month: May 2022

Sports

Can Jayson Tatum Live Up to the Hype in the NBA Finals?

Post author By jacktiendana
Post date May 31, 2022

Jayson Tatum is the next, great NBA superstar—or so we’re told. At just 24 years old, he’s been the breakout player of these playoffs, leading the Boston Celtics to the Finals and grabbing the inaugural Eastern Conference Finals MVP along the way. His stats are sparkling (26.9 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game) and his tough shot-making gives him a sense of unguardable inevitability. A studied follower of the Mamba Mentality, Tatum has recreated his mentor’s graceful midrange game—and also his knack for a certain kind of cringey, performative grindset. Whereas new-age stars like Nikola Jokic or Giannis Antetokounmpo are both future Hall of Famers in unprecedented ways, Tatum is an All-Star straight out of central casting. He went to Duke and plays for the Celtics and scores lots of points. He can sling cold cults like a champ. There’s a certain tautology to it all: Tatum is a star because everyone keeps saying he’s a star.

Even if Tatum is certainly a great player, he also hasn’t been the undisputed top dog in any of Boston’s playoff series this year. Against the Nets, Tatum swept Kevin Durant, but Durant had to contend with Boston’s league-leading defense and Tatum got to feast on Bruce Brown. In the second round, Tatum was soundly outdueled by Giannis Antetokounmpo, a sobering reminder of the gap between Tatum and the NBA’s absolute elite. Only the staunchest Tatum-heads would argue that Tatum played better than Jimmy Butler after Butler and an undermanned Heat team nearly pipped the Celtics for a Finals berth.

A cynic could say that the Boston Media Mafia has manufactured consent around their favorite son. Ever since Tatum boomed Lebron James in the 2019 Eastern Conference Finals, the media apparatchik has thrown its full weight behind Tatum; Bill Simmons and his cartel of influential, trend-setting media members with New England ties have taken up Tatum as their cause celebre and elevated his standing in the general basketball discourse. To his credit, Tatum has validated a lot of the media’s shamrock-tinted gaslighting—he truly is among the best two dozen basketball players alive. And yet, when a Celtic who was patently not the most valuable player in the Eastern Conference Finals saunters across the stage to collect the freshly minted Larry Bird and Bob Cousy trophies, it’s hard to not grow suspicious of how and why it happened.

In this sense, there’s a growing rupture between the perception that Tatum is in the midst of an all-time great postseason run and the reality that he’s merely having a very good one. Notably, Tatum is a lackluster playmaker for a player this lauded and prolific—amongst the 64 players who Basketball Index classifies as either a “shot creator” or “primary ball-handler,” Tatum ranks 50th in passing creation volume (their proprietary metric for evaluating the true impact of a player’s passing).

While Tatum has pumped up his assist totals in the playoffs to nearly six per game, his playmaking ceiling is capped by his inability to stress multiple layers of a defense. Despite his size and athleticism, the 6’8 Tatum is a begrudging interior presence, scoring only 6.9 points on his 13.9 drives per game in the ‘yoffs, figures that lag behind gimmicky guards like Jordan Clarkson and centers like Karl-Anthony Towns. Despite his marionette-ish slipperiness with the ball, Tatum’s handle is more flashy than functional at this point; hounded by Miami’s handsy defenders, he barfed up nearly five turnovers a game.

As such, his reliance on his jumper allows Tatum to thrive against nearly every imaginable defensive coverage, but it leaves the Celtics vulnerable to spells of point-less grossness if Tatum is running cold; he has an icy 51.4 percent True Shooting in Boston’s 31 losses, compared to a rosier 61.3 percent True Shooting mark in their 51 wins. Tatum’s greatest asset as a scorer (his gobsmacking shot-making) feeds into his main offensive deficiency—when you can routinely drain impossible shots yourself, there’s no incentive to fuss for easier ones for your teammates. At a certain point for Tatum and the Celtics, being a bucket becomes a problem.

Although these Finals don’t represent some legacy-defining moment for the 24 year-old Tatum, they will provide some much-needed present clarity—it’s not that Boston’s boy-emperor has no clothes, but it’s unknown if he’s dressed in stylish gorpcore.

If Tatum is truly the generational scorer that a city full of lesser Wahlberg siblings believes him to be, he should have no problem vivisecting Golden State’s switching defense. His fellow All-NBA First-Teamer Luka Doncic just hung 32 points, nine rebounds and 6 assists per game on the Warriors, so surely Tatum can do the same, right? By taking home the Bill Russell Finals MVP trophy to pair with his Larry Bird and Bob Cousy ones, Tatum could once and for all prove he’s not a creation of Boston-obsessed basket-bloggers. For Boston to capture the title, Tatum needs to prove his lovers correct.

Tags boston celtics, jayson tatum, NBA Finals, nba playoffs

Style

Where to Buy Cannabis Seeds

Post author By Charlie Kolbrener
Post date May 31, 2022

Cultivating cannabis is a satisfying and rewarding endeavor. Before getting started, there are plenty of factors to consider, including lights, location, medium, and nutrients. It’s paramount to consider where to buy cannabis seeds.

While all the above are certainly important, there’s one crucial aspect often overlooked, and that’s seed quality. The best way to ensure you’re buying top-quality seeds is to work with a trusted cannabis seed supplier.

Read on to find out what to look for when choosing a cannabis seed supplier. You’ll also find some recommendations for websites featuring some of the best cannabis brands in the USA.

Homegrown Cannabis Co.

What to look for in a cannabis seed supplier

The most expensive setup and all the nutrients in the world won’t make much difference if you’re using low-quality seeds. The most important factors to look for in cannabis seeds are viability, genetic quality, and stability.

The best cannabis seed providers store their inventory in climate-controlled conditions to maintain high viability rates. Smaller brick-and-mortar establishments or less reputable online cannabis seed suppliers often lack adequate storage facilities. As a result, the viability of the cannabis seeds can be compromised.

The quality and strength of a seed’s genetics greatly affect the growing experience. While it might be tempting to plant those few seeds you found in the bottom of a bag of schwag; the results aren’t likely to be great. Low-quality seeds produce weak, sensitive plants that often fall foul of genetic issues like hermaphroditism or foxtailing.

Choosing a cannabis seed supplier that works with top cannabis brands ensures you’re getting both highly viable and genetically stable seeds with every purchase. In addition, the best cannabis seed providers offer more than just premium products. Expect nothing less than valuable growing tips and advice, exclusive deals, and brand partnerships.

You’ll find recommendations for establishments that go above and beyond just selling seeds in the following sections. These cannabis seed suppliers provide you with everything you need to make an informed purchase and much more.

An ideal cannabis seed provider is reliable, transparent, and trustworthy. Before choosing where you spend your money, look for a retailer who satisfies these conditions. Consider how long the company has been in business, whether or not they have positive customer reviews, and if they’ve maintained close partnerships with top cannabis brands.

Where to buy cannabis seeds: Three Good Suppliers to Explore

The following three cannabis seed suppliers all provide top-quality cannabis seeds with proven genetics at reasonable prices. While each has a different focus on what they provide, between them, you’ll find seeds from some of the best cannabis brands in the USA.

i49 Genetics

i49 Genetics is a no-nonsense cannabis seed provider that provides a wealth of attractive deals for its customers. Order two or more products from its range of over 400 varieties for free shipping. In addition, i49 runs regular exclusive deals and offers free seeds as part of its BOGO offers.

Use i49 as your cannabis seed supplier, and you’re guaranteed premium genetics and top quality with every purchase. Navigate to its clean, minimalist storefront, and you’ll find seeds separated into categories, making it easy to find the perfect seeds to match your needs.

Whether you’re after sativa, indica, hybrid, feminized, or autoflowering seeds, i49 offers an 80% germination rate guarantee.

On top of providing a huge range of top cannabis brands, i49 offers a wealth of advice on cultivating productive crops of cannabis. Beginners and experts alike should check out the High Gardening Blog for invaluable growing tips and guides for a range of popular strains.

One of the best-selling strains on i49 is its Ultra Violet OG feminized. These seeds develop into bushy, indica-style plants displaying stunning purple coloration.

This spectacular strain delivers high yields of potent, relaxing cannabis that’s ideal for winding down after a tough day. Spark a bowl of the fragrant buds, inhale the smooth floral smoke, lie back, and feel your worries and tension evaporate.

i49 Genetics offers an impressive range of medicinally-focused strains. Among the most popular of these is its CBD Harlequin feminized seeds. This specially-bred cultivar offers a massive 18% CBD while containing a negligible amount of THC, around 1%.

https://i49.net/?a_aid=one37pm&utm_source=ambassador&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=one37pm_seeds_distributors&utm_content=text

i49

Sun grown CBD Harlequin Plant in late flower.

While you’ll need some experience to manage this somewhat sensitive specimen, it’s an ideal option for medicinal users. CBD Harlequin provides significant analgesic qualities without the psychoactive effects associated with THC.

Homegrown Cannabis Co.

Homegrown Cannabis Co. aims to provide its customers with up-to-date information on all its seeds. In addition to buying seeds, customers are free to join a thriving community filled with discussion on all things cannabis. Join the conversation and engage with other like-minded growers online.

Every seed in Homegrown Cannabis Co’s vast range of options has a dedicated page providing reliable strain info and expert growing advice. You’ll find tips to help you from germination through to harvest, whether you’re an indoor or outdoor grower.

https://homegrowncannabisco.com/?a_aid=one37pm&utm_source=ambassador&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=one37pm_seeds_distributors&utm_content=text

Homegrown Cannabis Co.

It also has a Homegrown Diaries section, where users post growing journals displaying their progress and providing valuable insight into the cultivation process.

As a highly reputable cannabis seed supplier, expect to find top cannabis brands on offer at Homegrown Cannabis Co. Premium organic strains from cannabis gurus Nikki & Swami sit alongside designer options from Steve DeAngelo, Ricky Williams, and Kyle Kushman. Additionally, you’ll also find Mr. Kushman contributing regular blogs and articles.

One of the most popular seeds for Homegrown Cannabis Co.’s customers is its Shishkaberry Kush feminized seeds. This indica-dominant hybrid boasts astronomical amounts of THC, with buds regularly containing up to 24%.

Afghani genes give this strain incredible resilience, making it easy to grow under all conditions. The deeply fruity flowers deliver a nice balance of mental stimulation and physical relaxation.

Another top seller is Strawberry Cough feminized. Kyle Kushman introduced this sweet sativa to the wider community, and it gained mainstream attention after featuring in the hit movie “Children of Men.”

Homegrown Cannabis Co.

This award-winning strain is considered one of the best available. The syrupy-sweet, strawberry-smelling buds are packed with 25% THC and deliver a long-lasting invigorating cerebral experience.

SeedSupreme Seedbank

SeedSupreme Seedbank has positioned itself as the ultimate retailer of top cannabis brands. This rising star of cannabis seed suppliers prides itself on sourcing its seeds from a network of highly experienced growers. Along with its own range of premium seeds, you’ll find options from well-known names like Sensi Seeds, Barney’s Farm, Greenhouse, and more.

SeedSupreme’s close relationship with some of the best cannabis brands in the USA means it offers an extensive catalog of seeds. Browse its stylish store, and you’ll find hundreds of regular, feminized, and autoflower marijuana seeds from some of the most respected names in the business.

Seeds from SeedSupreme are high in quality but not necessarily in price. Head over to its deals section, and you’ll find exclusive promotions on a range of hand-picked, top-quality seeds. The seeds on offer here come from the top cannabis brands and offer potent strains with high yields and fantastic flavors at a reduced price.

One of SeedSupreme’s most popular offerings is the classic AK-47 feminized. An exotic fusion of landrace strains from around the world, AK-47 is a strain that needs little introduction.

This genetically diverse sativa-dominant superstar is a breeze to cultivate and provides generous yields of powerfully aromatic buds. Fire up AK-47 for a euphoric mood-boost and burst of energy before a dose of serious relaxation.

Gorilla Zkittlez feminized from Barney’s Farm is another strain that’s exploded in popularity for good reasons. This expertly crafted combination of West Coast genetics brings together the stupendously resinous Gorilla Glue #4 and tantalizingly tasty Zkittles.

https://seedsupreme.com/?a_aid=one37pm&utm_source=ambassador&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=one37pm_seeds_distributors&utm_content=text

Seed Supreme

The result is a sativa-dominant cultivar that delivers the high THC and sticky buds of GG#4 along with Zkittlez’s unforgettable flavors.

Well begun is half done

For a long time, buying marijuana seeds online was a total gamble. Thankfully the wild west days of pop-up shops and dodgy resellers are (mostly) over. It’s easier than ever to ensure you’re getting the best quality seeds, thanks to the existence of cannabis seed suppliers like the three mentioned above.

If you’re a grower, new or old, it’s essential to start off on the right foot by using proven, high-quality cannabis seeds. While the initial cost of premium quality seeds may be higher, they’ll pay for themselves in stronger plants, higher yields, and better cannabis.

The cannabis seed providers mentioned here may vary in target market, selection, and price-point, but they all share commonalities. They all provide guaranteed quality, high viability, and proven, stable genetics in every seed at reasonable, competitive prices.

Music

12 Hip-Hop Releases Archived in the Library of Congress

Post author By kaia
Post date May 31, 2022

Sony Music Entertainment/Rocafella Records/Def Jam

Hip-hop has come a long way. Birthed in the gritty streets of the Bronx in the late 70s, the once frown-upon genre is now a global phenomenon. Hip-hop has earned respect in the streets, on the charts, in boardrooms and even from the Library of Congress.

Easily one of the largest libraries in the world, the LOC acts as the US’ national library and is the oldest federal cultural institution in the country. Audio recordings including everything from iconic speeches by American icons such as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Franklin D. Roosevelt to podcast episodes featuring the world’s greatest comedians to game-changing hip-hop releases are also archived by the Library of Congress.

The Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry archives “audio treasures worthy of preservation for all time based on their cultural, historical or aesthetic importance in the nation’s recorded sound heritage.” There are about 600 musical recordings that were released between 1921 and 2010 that are a part of LOC’s National Recording Registry. Although there are thousands of songs nominated, only 25 new entries are archived every year.

The National Recording Registry houses a diverse collection of musical recordings that span across popular genres such as rock, pop, r&b, country, latin and hip-hop. This year’s group of iconic LOC entries includes classic creations from Wu Tang Clan and Tribe Called Quest. Tribe and the Wu are just the latest rap acts to make the list. Back in 2004, Public Enemy became the first hip-hop act featured in the Library of Congress after their Fear of a Black Planet album was added to the National Recording Registry. Since then, several more rap albums and songs have been included. Here’s a look at the 12 hip-hop releases that have been archived in the Library of Congress.

A Tribe Called Quest’s ‘The Low End Theory’

Wu-Tang Clan’s ‘Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)’

Nas’ ‘Illmatic’

Dr. Dre’s ‘The Chronic’

Jay-Z’s ‘The Blueprint’

Run-DMC’s ‘Raising Hell’

NWA’s ‘Straight Outta Compton’

Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight”

De La Soul’s ‘3 Feet High and Rising’

Public Enemy’s ‘Fear of a Black Planet’

Tags 2 Pac, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Dr. Dre, Jay-Z, Lauryn Hill, Nas, NWA, Public Enemy, Run-DMC, Sugarhill Gang, Wu-Tang Clan

Sports

ONE37pm Attends NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600

Post author By Jael Rucker
Post date May 31, 2022

Have you ever experienced a NASCAR race live? We got that very opportunity this past weekend with the Coca-Cola 600 race, and to say it was awesome is an understatement. While with some other sporting events you get there maybe about 30 minutes or so before the game to get your seats, food, etc., that isn’t the case when NASCAR comes to town. It’s an entire weekend of family-friendly festivities to keep you entertained. While we, unfortunately, weren’t able to attend the other events, we did spend the entire race day with the NASCAR team.

I got on the ferris wheel (which you’ll see in our TikTok coming out a little later), picked up some cool merch, and got some pizza before the red carpet driver introductions. After the driver intros, we hung out near Bubba Wallace’s car for a little while, and then made our way to one of the pit spots for the beginning of the race where we actually got to watch the opening laps (which you’ll also see on the TikTok).

ONE37pm: Greg, this is a special day here in Charlotte. Can you talk more about the fan experience?

Walter: We’ve got fans here from all 50 states and 12 countries, so you try to map out the day for them like Disney World so they can catch everything. We’ve planned out things at the fan zones, we’ve got activities, and all of these experiential pieces. We also have this juxtaposition of music. So when you put those two together it’s incredible. You are hearing the music, seeing all of these different things, and we hope that by the time you get back home you’re like “I want to do that again!”

ONE37pm: Just seeing this ourselves for the first time is what we would describe as an immersive experience. There isn’t any other sport where you can get as close to the athletes as you can here.

Walter: I don’t think so! Accessibility is one of the unique things about our sport. You can get right up to the drivers. The NFL doesn’t let you do that, the MLB doesn’t let you do that, etc. You can literally go around and see everything. I always say that if you give me 30 minutes with someone who has never been to a race before, they will leave a fan because it’s that accessible.

In addition to the race, we also checked out another cool experience earlier this week. On May 23rd, there was an exclusive private media event in Charlotte with NASCAR, Joe Gibbs Racing, and Stratasys, a leader in 3D printing solutions, to announce the first-ever 3D printed production parts that will be used on every NASCAR NextGen racing car.

A private media tour of the Joe Gibbs Racing facility was provided, and we caught up with Stratasys Pat Carey after the event to talk more.

The new 3D printed parts provide NASCAR with enhanced performance, flexibility, cost savings, and improved aerodynamics, and are being used by every team that competes in the NASCAR Cup Series. The parts are a culmination of nearly three years of planning, design, and development, as the Next Gen car underwent more than 37,000 miles of testing before its introduction at The Busch Light Clash in February. Stratasys has partnered with NASCAR teams for almost 20 years to support their endeavors to create highly competitive race cars, using 3D printing technology to support tooling, drill guides, and now production parts.

You can check out more via NASCAR.

Tags Sports

NFT

Royal is Selling Royalty Ownership as NFTs to Fans

Post author By erikal
Post date May 31, 2022

NFTs took over the cultural conversation last year and don’t seem to be stopping anytime soon. We’re seeing how different industries incorporate NFTs into their businesses or use them as additional revenue streams. The music industry has also welcomed NFT technology to explore new opportunities.

The Rise of Music NFTs

In March 2021, Kings of Leon became the first band to release their album as an NFT. Several artists like Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Grimes entered the conversation by collecting and launching their own collections. Some musicians (RAC, Portugal. The Man) started making their social tokens to engage with fans directly. Snoop Dogg bought Death Row Records to turn it into the world’s first NFT record label in February 2022.

There are many ways of utilizing the NFT technology in the music industry and numerous positions musicians can occupy in web3. Let’s look at the platform Royal, a marketplace where users can buy and sell percentages of songs as NFTs to earn royalties in return. Founded by Justin Blau (3LAU) and Justin Ross (co-founder of Opendoor), Royal creates an entirely new way musicians can engage with their fans.

3LAU

Let’s take a step back.

NFTs are certificates of authenticity that point to a piece of a media file.

Music NFTs are certificates of authenticity that point to an audio file.

Royal NFTs are certificates of authenticity that point to ownership of rights of a song, and not the audio file itself.

Royal enables fans to be a part of the artists’ journey by selling song rights as NFTs, giving a chance for anyone to own a piece of their favorite musicians’ songs and earn royalties with the artist. Fans can support artists by co-owning songs and having a real stake in that artist’s future, which creates a natural positive-sum case where both parties have shared aligned interests in seeing the artist become successful. People are more incentivized to care, share, and be a tastemaker when they have ownership.

Royal.io

How does it work?

Artists decide the percentage of the song to put up for sale and determine what additional perks and benefits they will provide to their fans. Through Royal, the song is tokenized, and fans can buy the token and claim their share of the royalties after it accrues, with payout times depending on the artist. Owning a Music NFT on Royal also gives the owner a license for non-commercial use of digital art. This doesn’t affect the artists’ publishing, songwriting, or mechanical royalties, nor does it involve any payment or royalties from the sync license.

For example, Diplo dropped his song “Don’t Forget My Love” on Royal. He allocated 20% of royalty ownership in the shape of 2110 NFTs in 3 tiers. Owners of the Gold token have access to the Royal collector Discord channel and get 0.004% of the streaming revenue from that song. Holders of the Diamond token get a guest list pass for a Diplo show, first dibs on all future Diplo drops, an Exclusive Diplo DJ mix, access to Discord, and 0.7% of the revenues generated through this song. He raised $398,000 from the token sale, which would’ve taken almost a hundred million streams on Spotify. Diplo retains all his rights to the song and only sold a percentage of the earnings generated via streaming.

Royal shifts power structures in the music industry and democratizes access by aligning fans’ and artists’ incentives.

While still in its early stages, Royal has the potential to disrupt the music industry and shape its business model. It raised $16 million in its seed round and another $55 million in November 2021.

Royal is giving artists another path they can take in releasing their songs and offers a potential new revenue stream. This revolutionary use of blockchain technology enables artists to make money directly from their fans through a token sale and receive small amounts (usually around 15%) of weekly streaming revenue. Earning enough money to live off for a couple of months by selling royalties could help many upcoming or indie artists who struggle with the streaming model and feel the pressure to create and deliver 24/7.

Electronic duo and one of the investors, The Chainsmokers, said in a joint statement, “We believe blockchain technology has the ability to transform music ownership the same way the internet has transformed the way music is listened to. At the dawn of Web3, Royal’s model of modernizing the way we collect and share music made perfect sense to us as musicians and investors—we had to get involved.”

Nas and Verité are among the artists who dropped songs on Royal. Collectors can use a credit card or cryptocurrency to buy the NFTs. With both co-founders’ previous experience in their respective fields and interest in additional revenue from the artists, Royal is positioned to have a successful future.

Tags Music NFTS, Royal

Popular Culture

Here’s Why You Should Watch ‘Hunter × Hunter’ Before The Manga Returns

Post author By elton
Post date May 31, 2022

Hunter x Hunter is making its grand return after a tweet from the series’ author, Yoshihiro Togashi, went viral. The caption “4 more chapters for the time being” appears on the Tweet, which also includes a side image of a piece of paper with what appears to be a rough design of a manga panel. Togashi has already finished six new Hunter x Hunter manga chapters and is now working to complete four more. The post gained over 200k likes in a matter of hours – since the account was recently created, there was no way of knowing if it truly belonged to the Hunter x Hunter author until the author of One-Punch Man verified it. If you still haven’t watched HxH yet, allow me to highlight the main reasons you need to before the manga returns.

1. World Building

Madhouse

Hunter x Hunter’s sense of world-building is exceptional. The show’s talented animators have done an amazing job of bringing Togashi’s manga universe to life. Each location is richly detailed and contains numerous unique/interesting areas, with even more of the globe to be discovered. The locales derive their names and styles from our world, such as Yorknew, which is modeled after New York. Many unrecorded species and entities exist within the manga/anime’s vast world, many of which are said to be stronger than the strongest Hunters. The world created in Hunter X Hunter is excellent, which even puts it on par with One Piece.

2. Story

Madhouse

The plot of HxH is extremely well-crafted – it ranges from fast-paced thrillers to light-hearted adventures to an in-depth examination of the human psyche. Heed this warning, though – in the anime’s opening stages, everything feels like it moves at a snail’s pace. The majority of HxH fans will agree here. But I believe staying with the show for the long haul is worth all the trouble and patience. That sluggish pace allows the plot to better develop the characters and the world they all inhabit. Each arc contains a plot that could stand on its own as a whole separate show. Some are better than others, obviously. But they’re all well-made and bring a new dimension to the HxH universe.

Despite being made up of discrete arcs, many of them forecast future events and immediately lead into the proceeding ones. Despite multiple arcs focusing on side characters, the story remains cohesive throughout. The character arcs can be complex at times, but they do tie to each other in meaningful ways. The characters aren’t just stereotypes, thankfully. And they all have a major impact on each other’s lives and the lives of others. They aren’t ideal at times, but they aren’t bad to the point of being insufferable. I gotta hand it to this show for not making me dislike a single character.

3. Characters

Madhouse

Hunter X Hunter’s cast of characters is as large and varied as a shonen cast can be. Each character is bright and distinct in their own right. Nobody feels two-dimensional or half-hearted, no matter how little their role is. Characters like Killua and Kurapika are extensively explored, plus the anime frequently employs an ensemble storytelling method during some of the larger arcs. Almost every important character in it has a variety of personalities. The more time you spend with our protagonists, the more you learn that they, too, have flaws in their character, particularly when it comes to their moral beliefs.

Some of the villains also display traits of camaraderie and friendship that I’ve never seen before. Togashi (the manga author) can create some of the most interesting characters, but he also appears to be detached from them, since he often kills off characters or excludes them from specific arcs. The antagonists are S-tier, I might add. Some antagonists are insane and psychopathic. Some people are harsh and ruthless. Some have an outward appearance that presents them as bright and charismatic. But they’re all fantastic in their own right.

I never found any of the villains wanting, not even Genthru from the Greed Island storyline. I liked him as well. The villains are well-written, well-designed, and, if I may say so myself, quite terrifying. More villains like this are needed in all forms of anime. They’re well-developed and go beyond other shonen’s conventional cliches. Often, villains are bland, evil-for-the-sake-of-evil antagonists. Meruem is a great example of an S-tier antagonist – his emotional development is a big part of his character development and he has plenty of valid reasons for his despicable actions. On him alone, I could cook up a thesis paper dedicated to his greatness.

4. Power System and Fights

Madhouse

Some of the best fights in anime can be found in HxH. As a longtime anime viewer, it doesn’t matter to me whether there are explosions every second and I don’t mind if every character’s attack is overly flashy. When this show finally gets into some action, the suspense rises because we care about the protagonists and want to see them succeed in battle. Since I gained a better understanding of who Gon is and realized how much stronger Hisoka was, Gon attempting to grab Hisoka’s badge was a nail-biter to watch. It’s worth noting that HxH fights involve more than just bashing each other over and over again since there are a lot of strategies put in play.

Instead of being forced to listen to a corny speech all about friendship and witnessing a character earn an insane power boost for the sake of overcoming the bad guys, Gon and Killua don’t always succeed. Togashi is a master at making them lose just enough to expose the power disparity between them and their foes. But he’s also good at helping them succeed just enough to keep them from appearing completely inept. Togashi understands how to take the weaknesses of his character and make them fail, rather than having the main character become the strongest warrior right away. This also emphasizes their character development as they mature and learn from their mistakes. “Nen” is hands down, the best shonen power system.

The Nen system is well-developed and pretty logical. It establishes defined boundaries and adheres to them at all times. It doesn’t establish that you can’t do something and then have the main character do it merely to keep the plot moving forward. It establishes clear rules that are easy for viewers to wrap their heads around. Because the anime follows the system of constraints and vows to the tee, not even Gon’s “power-up” broke the rules. It also doesn’t allow the protagonists to achieve enormous levels of power right from the jump.

Even after two years of training on Greed Island, Gon and Killua were unable to defeat their biggest enemies during the next story arc. And by cleverly employing the use of his squad, Togashi was able to defeat those powerful opponents without breaking any of the rules of Nen. Moments like that one bring the hype during HxH’s most intense skirmishes.

Tags Anime

Popular Culture

Pour Up with these Celebrities who Own Tequila Brands

Post author By kaia
Post date May 30, 2022

Mark Thompson, Getty Images/Miikka Skaffari, FilmMagic/Ethan Miller, Getty Images

There’s a new angle to the long-held debate of who is the G.O.A.T.— LeBron James or Michael Jordan. Fans and haters of both legendary athletes have vehemently argued about everything from their stats on the court to who has the best sneakers to which one has delivered the better Space Jam. Now folks can offer their opinions on which baller has delivered the best tequila. Next month, MJ’s Cincoro Tequila and Bron’s Lobos 1707 Tequila will go up against each other for the title of “Best Tequila Reposado.” Unlike with most of the other debates that involve Jordan and LeBron, these two aren’t the only ones competing for the top spot in the tequila game. There are several other celebrities who own tequila brands that are aiming to be the people’s champ.

Tequila is one of the most popular spirits in the world, so there’s no surprise that its popularity has caught the attention of celebrity investors and entrepreneurs. There is a growing number of celebrity owned tequilas founded and funded by moguls in entertainment, international pop stars and iconic athletes.

While some celebrities have simply lent their names to a tequila brand, others have been so heavily involved in the production process that they’ve collaborated with the distillers to create unique flavor profiles. It’s easy to assume that as the popularity of tequila continues to grow, more and more celebrities will get involved in the tequila business. Your favorite celeb may even be next to release a brand of tequila. Until then, you can just drink responsibly and pour it up in celebration of these celebrities who own tequila brands.

Michael Jordan

George Clooney

Sean “Diddy” Combs

Kendall Jenner

Rita Ora

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

Nick Jonas and John Varvatos

Tags Diddy, Dwayne Johnson, E-40, George Clooney, John Varvatos, Kendall Jenner, LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Nick Jonas, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Tequila, The Rock

Style

Blackstock and Weber: The Loafers Everyone Won’t Stop Talking About

Post author By maxpaek
Post date May 30, 2022

Most people are beginning to tire from the constant barrage of sneaker releases from huge conglomerates, striking out upon every drop only to be confronted with grossly inflated resale prices. Is a pair of Dunks really worth hundreds of dollars? Realistically, that money can go to a significantly higher quality shoe, and that realization has been felt across all of men’s fashion. Let’s talk about Blackstock & Weber.

The comeback of the loafer has been nothing short of a miracle in recent years, and in large part we have Chris Echevarria to thank. Since 2017, Echevarria’s Brooklyn-based brand, Blackstock & Weber, has redefined the loafer and restored it to its former glory within the menswear zeitgeist. Gone are the slim, shined, or suede silhouettes of yesteryear that conjure mental images of dreaded Wall Street financiers; they have been replaced with pebble grain leather and double stacked leather soles.

Much of Echevarria’s objective revolves around modernizing traditional Americana and creating a new vision for American fashion that defies the codes defined by the Ralph Laurens and Tommy Hilfigers of the world. The timing couldn’t be better, either.

Echevarria’s loafers don’t look like anything else you’ll see on the market now. His palette is relatively limited, with only a handful of styles, but within that there are hundreds of options. You’ll find everything from pebble grain leather to pony hair on classic welted soles or a sturdy Vibram lug sole, each constructed with a modern sensibility that feels immensely refreshing.

In just a short few years, Echevarria has managed to get his brand in stores like KITH, where the initial release had lines snaking down Lafayette. The brand has numerous collaborations under its belt now too, ranging from the Philadelphia 76ers to J.Crew, each embodying the spirit of the collaborator without compromising the design of the loafer. Regardless, grab yourself one of the pairs below before Echevarria and his team realize how underpriced these shoes are.

The Ellis Penny Loafer, Chocolate/White

Blackstock and Weber

Shop Now at B and W – $345

https://www.blackstockandweber.com/products/the-ellis-penny-loafer-chocolate-white

The Clásico Tassel Loafer, Onyx, Vibram 1757 Lug Sole

Blackstock and Weber

Shop Now at B and W – $365

https://www.blackstockandweber.com/products/the-clasico-tassel-loafer-onyx-vibram-1757-lug-sole

The Mason Horse Bit Loafer, Emerald

Blackstock and Weber

Shop Now at B and W – $345

https://www.blackstockandweber.com/products/the-mason-horse-bit-loafer-emerald

The Clásico Tassel Loafer, Flamingo

Blackstock and Weber

Shop Now at B and W – $345

https://www.blackstockandweber.com/products/the-clasico-tassel-loafer-flamingo

The Mason Horse Bit Loafer, Palomino II

Blackstock and Weber

Shop Now at B and W – $345

https://www.blackstockandweber.com/products/the-mason-horse-bit-loafer-palomino-ii

To read more about a designer making waves in the loafer game right now, check out our recent profile on Rotten Closet’s Ryan Kwong.

NFT

What is Ethereum (ETH): A Beginner’s Guide

Post author By erikal
Post date May 30, 2022

By now, you have probably heard of Ethereum. As one of the most utilized blockchains in the world you can book hotel rooms, buy airline tickets, purchase Amazon products, and of course trade NFTs using Ethereum. But, what is Ethereum exactly?

Ethereum is a decentralized, open-source blockchain with smart contract functionality. Ether is the native cryptocurrency of Ethereum, and the blockchain is the most utilized platform for buying, selling, and creating NFTs.

Blockchain technology is still new, so there is a lot to discuss when talking about the most popular blockchain in the world. Here’s everything you need to know about how Ethereum works and everything you can do with its technology.

Getty Images

What is Ethereum?

Technically speaking, Ethereum is a decentralized, open-source blockchain with smart contract functionality. Okay, great. So what does that mean?

Let’s break it down.

Decentralized describes the process by which the activities of an organization or platform—particularly those regarding planning and decision making—are performed away from a centralized entity. In Ethereum’s case, that means multiple computers make the decisions, not just a single server. These computers are better known as nodes in the blockchain world.

The problem with a centralized server is that if it crashes, so do all the platforms using that server. Whereas with a decentralized platform like Ethereum, if one server crashes, there are still numerous nodes around the world that will still allow Ethereum and its platforms to operate.

Open source refers to something (in this case Ethereum) people can modify and share because the platform is publicly accessible.

A Blockchain is a digitally distributed public ledger that exists on a platform.

Smart contracts are self-executing contracts with terms that are written into lines of code. Smart contracts are often used to cut out the middle man by automating the execution of an agreement using the code. It’s important to note that smart contracts are not viewed as legal contracts just yet.

Great. So how does Ethereum use all of these different terms to improve a user’s experience? Let’s use Uber as an example.

When you need a ride, you open up the Uber app, request a ride, and then a driver picks you up. Upon completion of the ride you pay the driver, then the driver pays a percentage of their earnings to Uber for facilitating the transaction.

In this example, Uber acts as the third party and is paid as such. However, if Uber utilized a smart contract, it could facilitate the transaction automatically using code. Hence cutting out the middle man and saving both the user and Uber money, and enables the driver to pocket more cash, creating a more efficient experience for everyone.

That being said, Ethereum is really just a platform used to run decentralized apps (DApps) worldwide, it’s not a currency like many might believe it to be. One of Ethereum’s goals is to decentralize the internet which in turn gives the power back to the people rather than to a large single entity. Ultimately, Ethereum allows people to connect directly through a string of decentralized computers.

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How does Ethereum work?

Ethereum utilizes a coding language called Solidity to write smart contracts that are the logic that runs decentralized apps (DApps).

In real life, a contract is simply an agreement of “ifs” and “thens”. For example, if I pay my landlord $1,500 per month to rent my house, then he lets me live in it. That is how smart contracts work on Ethereum. Developers write the conditions for their program, then the Ethereum blockchain executes it. But with smart contracts, they do everything for you.

Therefore, smart contracts automatically enforce, manage, perform, and pay according to the terms written by developers. On Ethereum, code is law. That means a contract on Ethereum is the final authority, and no one has the ability to overrule a contract unless something like a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) has been implemented.

To verify and execute every single transaction, Ethereum uses a proof of work (PoW) consensus mechanism. PoW is a complex mathematical equation that is solved by nodes and used to validate new blocks in the blockchain. Although this mechanism is what makes Ethereum so secure, it also requires a lot of energy from the computers to solve such equations.

The inefficiency of the Ethereum blockchain has many people concerned about the environmental impact that the Ethereum blockchain has on our planet, however, the good thing is that Ethereum is in the process of upgrading to a proof of stake (PoS) mechanism which will still be secure, but much more energy efficient.

To incentivize transactions on the Ethereum blockchain, the network utilizes a cryptocurrency known as Ether (ETH). Ether is used as the medium of exchange and is the native currency of Ethereum.

Ether can be infinitely created, meaning that more and more ETH can be pushed into the Ethereum network. Currently, there is a total supply of 120,920,725 ETH. So how is the value of ETH determined? Essentially, the value of ETH lies in the network’s future potential. As more companies build on top of the Ethereum blockchain, the demand for ETH increases. As a result, the value also increases.

You can easily buy your own ETH using our guide. But before you buy ETH, you should consider where you will store it.

To store your ETH, you can either use a centralized cryptocurrency exchange like Coinbase or set up your own decentralized wallet such as Metamask. The advantage of setting up your own decentralized wallet is that it is more secure. However, due to its high level of security, it’s nearly impossible to recover your wallet and its funds if you lose your secret phrase, which is required to access your wallet.

Moreover, if you really want to keep your digital assets safe, then using the best hardware wallet on the market is a sure way to give you peace of mind when storing any digital assets, including your ETH.

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What is Ethereum Used for?

There are numerous use-cases on the Ethereum blockchain. Below are some of the most recognized use-cases as of today.

NFTS

The Ethereum blockchain is best known for being the go-to blockchain for buying, selling, and creating NFTs. The most popular NFTs to date including CryptoPunks, Bored Ape Yacht Club, and VeeFriends have all been created on the Ethereum blockchain.

Wait a minute. Isn’t the Ethereum blockchain inefficient? Why not use a more efficient blockchain that costs less to transact and is better for the environment? It’s simple.

Ethereum is the leading NFT blockchain for a reason. When NFTs first became popular in early 2021, it was the result of CryptoPunks and the popular Nyan Cat Meme selling for large sums of money and making headline news. Since these NFTs both live on the Ethereum blockchain, the trend continued.

As more people began to create NFTs, they made sure to utilize the blockchain where all the attention had already been—the Ethereum blockchain. As a result, Ethereum became known as the go-to blockchain for those who wanted to sell their NFTs for a substantially higher price compared to other blockchains, which at that point, were far behind Ethereum in popularity.

In addition to Ethereum’s popularity, the security and its smart contract functionality are a big pro when it comes to NFTs. Many of us in the Web3 space are innovators, and Ethereum just so happens to be the platform where innovators can thrive and create whatever they want, while still ensuring security.

Decentralized Finance (DeFi)

Another application also founded using the Ethereum blockchain is decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms such as PancakeSwap. DeFi platforms enable people to lend and borrow funds from others, invest in assets, trade crypto, insure against risks, and earn interest in savings accounts.

The best part about DeFi platforms is that, unlike traditional centralized exchanges, DeFi exchanges use Ethereum’s smart contract functionalities to provide services that don’t need intermediaries. Saving the users’ fees, and the exchanges time and money.

Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO)

Another function discovered by Ethereum developers is a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO). A DAO is a blockchain-based organization that operates without any central authorities.

Instead, they are governed by smart contracts and the administrative decisions are voted upon by community members who are also stakeholders in the organization. At the end of the day, DAOs are open-source and community-governed, just like the Ethereum blockchain.

Overall, the Ethereum blockchain is still considered a new technology. All of its use-cases are still being optimized, and other use-cases are yet to be discovered. With that, it’s safe to say the potential of Ethereum seems very promising. With more than $27 billion of NFT sales volume alone, Ethereum is set to remain the premium blockchain for years to come.

Ethereum is a decentralized, open-source platform best known for NFTs and its cryptocurrency, ETH. The blockchain technology that powers Ethereum enables secure digital ledgers to be publicly created, viewed, and maintained—creating the ultimate transparent platform for creators and consumers alike.

How to buy Ethereum

To buy Ethereum, you’ll need to set up a digital wallet, purchase Ethereum on an exchange, and transfer the ETH to the wallet. You can read about different wallets, exchanges, and more in our detailed guide on how to buy Ethereum here.

How much does it cost to buy 1 Ethereum?

The current price of 1 Ethereum is $1910.555 per (ETH / USD) as of June 9, 2022. Ethereum is 60.94% below the all time high of $4891.70. Keep in mind that the price of Ethereum is constantly fluctuating depending on market conditions. You can choose to buy however much you want and if you hold, your total amount will change. For example, if you bought $1,000 USD in Ethereum on March 13, 2020, it would be worth about $14,700 today.

Tags ethereum

Gaming

The 23 Best Games Like ‘Valheim’

Post author By Akaash Sharma
Post date May 30, 2022

So before we get into our list of the best games like Valheim, here’s a primer on what that main title in question entails.

Released in February of 2021 was Valheim, a survival and sandbox game developed by Swedish developer Iron Gate Studio. Despite being worked on by a very small team and still being in early access to this day, the game has seen incredible commercial and critical success. As of April 2022, the game has sold 10 million units, with half of that number coming within a month of it dropping. Critics are calling it a breath of fresh air, praising its gameplay and storytelling.

The game has its players exploring a massive world that is heavily inspired by Norse mythology and Viking culture. As you traverse the world, challenges become harder, but materials also get more valuable. The game features big boss fights, a creative crafting system, combat that requires and rewards patience, planning, and skill, a great food system, a beautiful world, and a lot more. For those reasons and more, finding a game quite like it is difficult, but that doesn’t stop us from trying.

Below is a list of 23 games like Valheim, whether they compare to it in terms of general tone, genre, gameplay features, and more. Check it out below.

Games Like ‘Valheim’

Coffee Stain Publishing

Tags survival, valheim