A: “Click restraint” is when we stop ourselves from clicking on the first links that pop up on a web search and take steps to assess which sites might offer the most reliable scientific information first.

TL; DR: Top results from a web search are often sponsored or from websites that have more effective search engine optimization. These sites won’t necessarily contain the most reliable scientific information, but practicing click restraint can help us identify the search results that do.

We get it. You want information and you want it now. We do too. Why would you not click on the results right at the top of your web search? Unfortunately, websites that a company has paid to show up at the top of your search results (i.e. those that say sponsored) or those that pop up because of search engine optimization (i.e., they figured out how to end up first on a search list) are not necessarily those that yield the most reliable information. But fear not, if we can resist the urge to click on those shiny first few search results, there are some strategies we can use to sift through the many results we get during a web search and hone in on the most legitimate sources of scientific information.

A recent article from Poynter Institute outlines several strategies from the Stanford History Education Group that can help us practice better “click restraint” when doing web searches.

They suggest the following:

⭐Scan at least the first full page of results from your search (scroll past the sponsored links and other results that may be at the top only due to search engine optimization). This is what fact-checkers do to get a sense of the scope of information being reported on a topic.

⭐Notice which results are from non-news sources. Personal blogs, entertainment magazines, TikTok videos, or opinion pieces are less objective and not as reliable as major news outlets.

⭐Do “lateral” searches. If you aren’t sure about a website or organization, do a separate search of that organization’s name to see what they say about themselves or others say about them.

⭐Before you click, pay attention to the snippets available in the preview. You should be able to see the source, the title, a few lines of text and the url for the website. If the title and preview content are overly sensational or the url doesn’t match the organization name, these are red flags that the site may not be offering reliable information.

Taking these steps can help us assess which websites and information sources are likely to be more reliable before making that “click”.

The Poynter article linked below also includes a handy video all about “click restraint” and gives an excellent example of what it would look like in real life to use “click restraint” when searching for information on whether ‘air fryers change our DNA’-worth checking out!

The Poynter article

More information about Poynter’s Media Wise program

An informative (and entertaining) video on “click restraint” from the ‘Crash Course Navigating Digital Information’ series that is part of Poynter Institute’s digital media literacy program, Media Wise

Another great overview of “click restraint”  from the Stanford History Education Group

All of Those Nerdy Girls past posts on navigating uncertainty and misinformation

Link to Original FB Post

On Thursday, Nov. 2, James Kulich, director of the Master in Data Science and Analytics program at Elmhurst University, will host “How Today’s AI Will Impact Your Profession, and How You Can Prepare.”

Kulich will lead a panel of experts in a discussion about the impacts of AI on your professional world, whatever it might be, and ways to tap into its potential.

In addition to leading the Master in Data Science and Analytics program at Elmhurst, Kulich is a professor of mathematics and chair of the Department of Computer Science & Information Systems. He has extensive experience in applying quantitative methods and analytical tools to produce useful and actionable information from widely ranging data.

Kulich’s talk is part of the Graduate Studies Lecture Series, a yearlong series celebrating 25 years of graduate programs at Elmhurst University.

Graduate studies at Elmhurst launched in 1998 with five programs. Today, Elmhurst offers more than 20 master’s degree programs and a number of graduate certificate programs in the business, education, health care and technology fields.

The lecture on the impact of AI begins at 7 p.m. in the Frick Center, Blume Board Room. Admission is free. RSVP at elmhurst.edu/cultural.

Questions? Email marketing@elmhurst.edu.

In this Focus On AfriLabs show, we’ll take you on a journey through the event, showcasing some of the most memorable moments and giving you a glimpse of the future of African tech. You’ll hear from inspiring speakers, meet innovative entrepreneurs, and learn about the latest trends and developments in the African tech scene.

Sat, 21 Oct 2023 10:07:30 GMT

MIAMI — As 2023 draws to an end, it is clear that South Florida’s real estate market continues to change but what is unclear is what direction it will take as the calendar turns to 2024.

The home inventory is fluctuating as some sellers have dropped their prices even as skyrocketing insurance rates and taxes are leading some would-be buyers to wait.

And then there are the high mortgage rates affecting the South Florida housing market.

Larry Burns has lived in his home in Plantation for 30 years and says he would like to sell and move but not with the current mortgage rates.

“It’s about impossible for anybody,” he said. “I’m a veteran and even those rates have gone high.”

With current mortgage rates at the highest level in decades, some buyers are sitting it out.

“Rates are at nearly 8 percent, the highest in 23 years,” said veteran mortgage broker Michelle Smith, adding that there is still high demand for houses.

And bidding wars can still happen, but even with high mortgage rates hesitation can be a loss.

She recommends taking the leap with the hope of refinancing down the road.

“Only if they feel comfortable with the payment (and) If that payment fits their budget and they can afford to do it,” she said. “The key is finding everything out up front. Know your numbers; be wise (and) don’t have surprises close to closing.”

So would she recommend people taking the leap and buying something in the current market?

“Yes but only if they can afford it,” she said.

Burns said there’s only one way he’ll buy now

“If interest rates were lower I would probably do it,” he said. “My kids live in Charlotte, North Carolina so I don’t want to sell and go up and pay a high interest rate that may not match what I have down here.”

Between inflation, the cost of renting or buying and stagnant wages, the gap to home ownership is getting wider.

CBS Miami compiled numbers from the Health Resources and Services Administration to get a clearer picture of what wages are necessary to afford housing in South Florida.

Here’s what we found:

Miami-Dade County, 2021
A family of one adult would need to earn $32,982 per year to afford basic needs.

That comes out to about $16 an hour or $2,749 a month.

Of that $2,749 monthly income:

• 45% would go to housing ($1,231)
• 0% to child care ($0)
• 7% to health care ($203) and
• 11% would go to food ($309).

In Miami-Dade County, there are about 235,600 single adults living alone without children (25% of households). The median annual income for one-person households is $27,496 ($2,291/month).

A family of one adult and one school-age child would need to earn $52,955 per year to afford basic needs. That comes out to about $25 an hour or $4,413 a month.

Of that $4,413 monthly income:

• 35% would go to housing ($1,551),
• 9% to child care ($384),
• 16% to health care ($719) and
• 13% would go to food ($556).

In Miami-Dade County, there are about 71,600 single-parent families with one income earner (11% of families). The median annual income for families with one income earner is $43,510, ($3,626).
—————

A family of one adult and two school-age children would need to earn $60,561 per year to afford basic needs. That comes out to about $29 an hour or $5,047 a month.

Of that $5,047 monthly income:

• 31% would go to housing ($1,551),
• 15% to child care ($769),
• 15% to health care ($760) and
• 16% would go to food ($791).

In Miami-Dade County, there are about 71,600 single-parent families with one income earner (11% of families). The median annual income for families with one income earner is $43,510, ($3,626).
—————

A family of two adults and two school-age children would need to earn $70,790 per year to afford basic needs. That comes out to about $34 an hour (or $17 with two income earners) for a total of $5,899 a month.

Of that $5,899 monthly income:

• 26% would go to housing ($1,551), 13% to child care ($769),
• 14% to health care ($833) and
• 17% would go to food ($1,031).

In Miami-Dade County, there are about 108,300 two-parent families with two income earners (17% of all families). The median annual income for families with two income earners is $84,656, ($7,055).

While Gen Z remains marketing’s great white whale, marketers may be overlooking the tremendous spending potential of their parents. On track to be the wealthiest generation in history as $70 trillion is passed to them from baby boomers, Gen X regularly engages with social media and is the fastest growing user base on TikTok. However, only 13% of this population feels seen in social advertising, according to a recent report from Wavemaker detailing how the industry is leaving this increasingly valuable cohort behind.

Ninety-two percent of Gen Xers use social media everyday and make up 28% of TikTok’s user base. However, Gen X accounts for only 5% of brand spending on influencer campaigns. There is also a considerable lack of research involving Gen X, with only 4% of generation research conducted by the advertising industry looping in this cohort.

“There is so little research on Gen X compared with other generations, even though they are set to become the wealthiest generation of all time and offer long term brand loyalty,” said Zoe Bowen-Jones, senior insight director at Wavemaker, in an email to Marketing Dive. “When it comes to social, they’re barely even considered.”

The study looked at 200,000 Gen Xers worldwide using five different methods. A qualitative study included 60 members of this generation from the U.S., India and the U.K who discussed their social media attitudes and behaviors. Audience Origin, a prosperity syndicated survey from Group M included data on 67,000 Gen Xers. On device content testing looked at how 4,000 Gen Xers interacted with influencer campaigns. Insights on 7,000 Gen Xers was provided by influencer marketing agency Goat. Additionally, a meta analysis of studies in three markets across four categories conducted between 2019 and 2022 was done by Momentum.

Overlooked and understudied

Gen X, who currently occupy the 45-to-60-year-old age category, account for 27% of global spending. Their earnings and savings have also been steadily increasing. Not only does this group have a substantial nest egg already, but it is prepared to inherit trillions in the coming years.

Despite accounting for 31% of the global population, Gen Xers are underrepresented in advertising. Only 24% of TV ads feature characters over the age of 50, while 76% feature characters 19 to 49. This has led to a low rate of feeling seen by the industry, at only 13%. This is significantly lower than younger generations, but higher than baby boomers, at 9%.

“This report shows us not only the differences that the ‘wealthiest generation the world has ever known’ have in social media usage but much more importantly how we can recognise and respond,” said Bowen-Jones.

The lack of feeling seen translates to significantly lower engagement. Influencer campaigns saw 30% lower retention rates among Gen Xers and 20% fewer interactions with content compared with Gen Zers and millennials. In addition, there was a 47% lower impact on brand opinion.

What Gen X wants

If brands want to win the favor of Gen X, they cannot follow the same playbook that is used for millennials and Gen Zers. Compared to their younger and older counterparts, this consumer base expects different things and brands should adjust accordingly.

First, Gen X creators tend to perform better with Gen X consumers than other groups. These posts also tend to be 75% longer than posts from Gen Z creators. The tone and content of campaigns favored by Gen Xers is also different, preferring self-improvement language over the more salesy tone employed by younger creators.

Playing to a Gen X audience successfully can pay off, as trust is 30% more important to this group than younger generations when it comes to purchasing decisions. Additionally, Gen X purchases tend to be driven by need, with Gen Zers twice as likely to have a “treat yourself” attitude. Gen Xers also consider 27% less brands than younger consumers as well.

“Gen X presents a huge opportunity for brands — they’re a highly engaged, loyal and wealthy consumers — and shouldn’t be overlooked by advertisers,” said Bowen-Jones. “Our research indicates that Gen X are more brand loyal, have longer attention spans and are more engaged on social media, ultimately proving to be more valuable consumers than their younger counterparts.”