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Search giant also revved up its spending on data centres as it competes in artificial intelligence raceView the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Prior to September 2024, any Apple user interested in active noise-canceling (ANC) AirPods would've had to shell out $250 for the AirPods Pro. With the release of the ANC AirPods 4, the tech is much more affordable—and you can currently grab these $179 earbuds for $148.99. (Apple also has a more budget-friendly version of the AirPods 4 without ANC; that model is currently for $99.99, down from $129. Both of these prices mark record lows, according to price-tracking tools. While the discounts aren't mind-blowing, the fact we're seeing any price reductions on newly released AirPods makes them a good deal, relatively. Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth Headphones, with Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Audio, Transparency Apple AirPods 4 (With ANC) $148.99 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $179.00 Save $30.01 Get Deal Get Deal $148.99 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $179.00 Save $30.01 Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth Headphones, Personalized Spatial Audio, Sweat and Water Resistant, USB-C Apple AirPods 4 (Without ANC) $99.99 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $129.00 Save $29.01 Get Deal Get Deal $99.99 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $129.00 Save $29.01 SEE -1 MORE The AirPods 4 have updated USB-C charging. Both models are powered by Apple's H2 chip, so you'll get Personalized Spatial Audio (so you can hear sounds seemingly coming from different directions as you move your head) and the ability to use head gestures to tell Siri "yes" or "no" (this also works for answering or denying calls). If you spring for the ANC AirPods 4, you'll get a charging case with a built-in speaker, which you can use with Find My to locate it if you lose them. You'll also get features like Conversation Awareness, which lowers your music volume when your AirPods detect that you're having a conversation; Transparency Mode, which lets you better hear your surroundings while your earbuds are in; and Adaptive Audio (combines ANC and Transparency mode to adjust ANC levels based on the noise around you). Keep in mind that since these are open style earbuds, lacking a silicone tip to better block out noise, the ANC will not be as good as what you can get from AirPods Pro. Both versions are rated IP54 for dust and water resistance, offer up to five hours of listening per charge (30 hours with the charging case), and can handle automatic switching with your other Apple devices. You can read more about the non-ANC AirPods on PCMag's "excellent" review, and more about the ANC AirPods on PCMag's "outstanding" review. View the full article

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit to reject the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), arguing that its reporting requirements impose unconstitutional burdens on small businesses. The brief was filed in Community Associations Institute, et al. v. U.S. Department of Treasury, a case that challenges the CTA’s beneficial ownership reporting mandates. NFIB’s brief questions whether Congress has the authority to impose the CTA’s reporting requirements under the Commerce Clause, arguing that the law regulates neither activity nor economic conduct. “The Corporate Transparency Act does not regulate activity, let alone economic activity, while also imposing burdensome reporting requirements on small businesses and raising numerous privacy concerns,” said Beth Milito, Vice President and Executive Director of NFIB’s Small Business Legal Center. “NFIB will continue to advocate for the small business community by contesting this harmful law.” Legal Arguments Against the CTA NFIB’s brief presents three core arguments: The CTA does not regulate activity, making it incompatible with Congress’s Commerce Clause authority. To satisfy the substantial effects test, Congress must be regulating economic activity, defined as the introduction, production, or exchange of goods or services. Because the CTA regulates noneconomic activity, it does not meet the Commerce Clause’s legal standard. In addition to this case, NFIB’s own lawsuit challenging the CTA remains active. Meanwhile, NFIB is advocating for legislative relief through the Repealing Big Brother Overreach Act, a bill that would repeal the CTA and eliminate its beneficial ownership reporting requirements for small businesses. The case remains pending before the Fourth Circuit as NFIB continues its efforts to challenge federal mandates that it views as overreach. Image: Canva This article, "Small Businesses Challenge Corporate Transparency Act in Federal Court" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit to reject the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), arguing that its reporting requirements impose unconstitutional burdens on small businesses. The brief was filed in Community Associations Institute, et al. v. U.S. Department of Treasury, a case that challenges the CTA’s beneficial ownership reporting mandates. NFIB’s brief questions whether Congress has the authority to impose the CTA’s reporting requirements under the Commerce Clause, arguing that the law regulates neither activity nor economic conduct. “The Corporate Transparency Act does not regulate activity, let alone economic activity, while also imposing burdensome reporting requirements on small businesses and raising numerous privacy concerns,” said Beth Milito, Vice President and Executive Director of NFIB’s Small Business Legal Center. “NFIB will continue to advocate for the small business community by contesting this harmful law.” Legal Arguments Against the CTA NFIB’s brief presents three core arguments: The CTA does not regulate activity, making it incompatible with Congress’s Commerce Clause authority. To satisfy the substantial effects test, Congress must be regulating economic activity, defined as the introduction, production, or exchange of goods or services. Because the CTA regulates noneconomic activity, it does not meet the Commerce Clause’s legal standard. In addition to this case, NFIB’s own lawsuit challenging the CTA remains active. Meanwhile, NFIB is advocating for legislative relief through the Repealing Big Brother Overreach Act, a bill that would repeal the CTA and eliminate its beneficial ownership reporting requirements for small businesses. The case remains pending before the Fourth Circuit as NFIB continues its efforts to challenge federal mandates that it views as overreach. Image: Canva This article, "Small Businesses Challenge Corporate Transparency Act in Federal Court" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Windows 11's minimum system requirements have been controversial from the day Microsoft unveiled the new version of its desktop operating system. The controversy boils down to one single line item: TPM 2.0 support. TPM stands for Trusted Platform Module, which is a chip that protects against malware and ransomware attacks. If your PC doesn't have TPM version 2.0, then you can't officially upgrade to Windows 11, unless you used a bypass that Microsoft had published. It appears that Microsoft doesn't want you to use the bypass any longer. Neowin spotted an update to a Microsoft support page with wording about the bypass removed. You can even check the page on The Wayback Machine to see what it looked like until a few days ago. The previous version mentioned that you could add a new registry key called AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU to bypass the TPM check and install Windows 11 on 'unsupported' PCs. In the updated version of the support article, that section is no longer there. This means that Microsoft no longer recommends any official method to install Windows 11 on 'unsupported' PCs. This move comes ahead of a planned end of updates for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, after which you'll have to pay annually to receive security updates. That could be an expensive proposition for each successive year that you choose to remain on Windows 10. Several methods to bypass the Windows 11 TPM check still exist, but it remains to be seen if they'll continue to work in the future. Microsoft has advised against upgrading 'unsupported' PCs, going so far as to say that doing so will void your warranty and that your PC may no longer be entitled to receive updates. But if you're like my editor and can't yet upgrade, at least you can make your Windows 10 PC look and feel like Windows 11. View the full article

There are many different types of construction. Most think of dwellings, but when driving past road crews tearing up the streets, that’s also an example of a construction project. In fact, there are many different types of construction projects. Let’s review different types of construction, defining and illustrating them so they are clear and understandable. We’ll also look at international building codes and how construction project management software helps deliver all types of construction more efficiently. 1. Residential Construction Likely the most familiar type of construction is residential. It refers to the process of building, renovating or remodeling homes and other living spaces. Residential construction involves the creation of structures intended for individuals or families to live in. This type of construction can range from small single-family homes to large multi-unit buildings, from new builds to extensive renovations or additions with varying complexities based on design, location and building materials. Here are some examples. Single-family homes Custom home construction Apartment complexes Townhouses Regardless of whether a general contractor builds residential or any other types of construction that we’ll list below, they’ll work more effectively with construction project management software. ProjectManager is award-winning project and portfolio management software with multiple construction planning and scheduling tools. Construction managers can use robust Gantt charts to schedule tasks and resources, linking all four types of task dependencies to avoid delays or cost overruns and keep their profit margin. They can also filter for the critical path and set a baseline to track progress in real time. Meanwhile, subcontractors and site crews can execute tasks with task lists with unlimited file storage, comments, tags, priority and more. There are also kanban boards to visualize workflow and calendars to provide a monthly overview to keep stakeholders updated on progress. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. /wp-content/uploads/2024/04/critical-path-light-mode-gantt-construction-CTA.pngProjectManager has powerful Gantt charts to schedule and track construction projects. Learn more 2. Commercial Construction Another one of the types of construction is commercial, which refers to the building, renovation or expansion of structures intended for business purposes rather than residential living. These projects are typically larger in scale and can include a variety of buildings and facilities that serve the needs of businesses, organizations and the general public. These construction projects often involve complex design and considerations, adherence to safety and zoning regulations and using specialized materials and construction planning techniques. These buildings are typically intended to generate revenue or provide services to the public. They include the following. Office buildings Shopping malls Hotels 3. Industrial Construction Another one of the types of construction is industrial, which is the building, renovation or expansion of facilities used for industrial purposes, such as manufacturing, processing, storage or the production of goods. These projects are typically large-scale and require specialized designs, materials and construction techniques to accommodate the specific needs of the industries, such as factories, power plants or chemical processing plants. Industrial construction projects are often highly specialized and must comply with stringent safety, environmental and operations standards. These facilities typically require robust infrastructure to support heavy machinery, storage systems and production processes. Examples include the following. Factories Power plants Oil refineries 4. Infrastructure Construction Types of construction can also include infrastructure construction. It involves the building, engineering, upgrading and maintenance of essential systems and facilities that support the functioning of a society and economy. These projects typically focus on large-scale public works and utilities, aimed at providing transportation, water, energy and communication services to communities. Infrastructure construction is critical for the development and functioning of cities, regions and nations. Government agencies often fund these construction projects. They are essential for ensuring the proper functioning of cities, industries and transportation networks. These projects require long-term planning, substantial investment and adherence to safety, environmental and regulatory standards. Different types of construction can include the following. Highways Railways Airport construction 5. Civil Engineering Projects Civil engineering projects are types of construction that involve the design, construction and maintenance of infrastructure systems that are essential for society’s functioning. These projects are typically large in scale and focus on public works, including transportation, water management, energy and other critical facilities. Civil engineering projects aim to improve and maintain the built environment, ensuring safety, efficiency and sustainability. These construction projects require advanced knowledge of construction techniques, material science, environmental considerations and regulatory compliance. They play a key role in improving quality of life, boosting economic activity and ensuring the safety and sustainability of urban and rural environments. These projects tend to be one of the following. Bridge construction Tunnel excavation Dam building 6. Mixed-Use Development Types of construction like this refer to real-estate development that combines multiple types of users or functions within a single site plan or area. The goal is to create a more integrated, sustainable and vibrant environment by bringing together different spaces that support one another. The benefits of mixed-use development include reducing traffic congestion, improving the efficiency of infrastructure, fostering community interaction and promoting sustainable land use. These uses typically include the following. Residential and retail complexes Live-work spaces Urban redevelopment projects /wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Construction-Estimate-Template-Excel-image.png Get your free Construction Estimate Template Use this free Construction Estimate Template for Excel to manage your projects better. Download Excel File 7. Institutional Construction Construction projects that build or renovate structures designed for public, educational, healthcare, government or similar uses are called institutional construction. These projects typically involve the construction of facilities that serve the community or specific organizations rather than private or commercial interests. These types of construction project often require careful planning to meet specific regulatory, accessibility and safety standards, and they may be funded by government or nonprofit organizations. These buildings typically have large groups of people and are designed with long-term use, functionality and public safety in mind. These are some examples. Schools, universities and educational facilities Hospitals and healthcare facilities Government buildings 8. Modular Construction When referring to these types of construction, one is talking about a method of building where a structure is created off-site in separate, prefabricated sections or modules that are then transported to the construction site and assembled. Each module is built to the same standards as traditional construction, but the modular method allows for faster assembly because much of the work is done in a controlled environment. Besides prefabrication, other key features of modular construction include efficiency, flexibility, quality control and sustainability. Examples of this construction project include the following. Portable classrooms Modular healthcare clinics Prefabricated office spaces 9. Prefabricated Construction Modular construction is a type of prefabricated construction, which is a broader term that refers to any building or construction components manufactured off-site in a controlled factory environment before being transported to the construction site for assembly. These components can include walls, floors, roofs and other structural elements. The key idea is that parts of the building are pre-made, which can speed up the on-site construction process and facilitate construction quality control. Types of construction that are prefabricated include panelized construction, precast concrete and volumetric construction. These are typical examples of this type of construction project. Prefab homes Prefabricated warehouses Prefabricated bridge components 10. Land Reclamation Construction These types of construction refer to creating new land by altering bodies of water or by improving existing land areas unsuitable for development. This is typically done to expand usable land for urban development, infrastructure projects, agriculture or other human activities. The goal of land reclamation is to make previously unusable or underutilized land viable for construction and other purposes. Overall, these construction projects are a significant engineering and construction challenge that often requires careful planning, environmental management and long-term sustainability considerations. They include the following. Coastal landfills for urban development Artificial islands (e.g., Palm Jumeirah in Dubai) Wetland restoration projects /wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-construction-ebook-banner-ad.jpg Building Construction Types According to the International Building Code The International Building Code (IBC) classifies buildings into five primary construction types based on the materials used in the structure and their fire-resistance ratings. These classifications help determine the safety standards for the design and construction of buildings, including fire protection, structural integrity and building durability. Below are short definitions of each. Type I: Fire Resistive Construction The key characteristic of Type I construction is that it provides the highest level of fire resistance, with walls, floors and structural elements designed to withstand fire for a significant period (usually two to four hours, depending on the specific element). These buildings are made of non-combustible materials like concrete, steel or masonry. This is used for high-rise buildings, hospitals and large commercial or institutional structures. Type II: Non-Combustible Construction These buildings have fire-resistant features, but they don’t offer the same level of protection as Type I buildings. Fire-resistant ratings are typically between one and two hours. These construction products include steel or concrete for structural elements, but the fireproofing is less stringent than Type I. This code is used for mid-rise commercial buildings and warehouses. Type III: Ordinary Construction These buildings are less fire resistant than Type I and II buildings but still provide some protection due to the masonry on non-combustible exterior walls. Interior elements may be made of wood or other combustible materials. It’s commonly seen in older buildings, low-to-mid-rise commercial structures and apartment buildings. Type IV: Heavy Timber Construction The heavy timber construction can improve fire resistance due to the charring effect of large wooden beams, which creates a protective layer that resists further combustion. These construction projects are made with large, heavy wood beams, columns and floors, with limited use of steel and masonry. They’re used in buildings where aesthetics or design flexibility with exposed wood are important, such as barns, warehouses and certain commercial or industrial buildings. Type V: Wood-Framed Construction Type V buildings are made entirely of combustible materials, such as wood or other lightweight materials. This is the most common construction type for residential buildings. Because it’s made from wood, these types of construction have the least fire resistance compared to the other types. Fire ratings for structural elements are typically limited to one hour or less. ProjectManager Helps Manage All Types of Construction Projects There are a lot of types of construction, but regardless of the construction project, it is best served with project management software. Of course, not all construction project management software is the same. ProjectManager is award-winning project and portfolio management software that’s preferred by construction firms both large and small. Our multiple project views help plan and execute work, both in the office and on the job site. But that’s only the beginning of the advantages using our software provides to construction professionals. Robust Resource Management and Cost Tracking Features When scheduling tasks on Gantt charts, general managers can also schedule resources, both human and nonhuman, including their costs. This helps estimate the cost of the project to protect your profit margin and deliver more accurate estimates when bidding. Once the job has been awarded, construction managers can set the availability of their team, including PTO, vacation and global holidays, as well as skill sets. This makes it easier to assign tasks. There’s also a color-coded workload chart to get an overview of resource allocation and balance the workload to keep teams working at capacity without risking burnout. A team page gives a daily and weekly view of the team’s activities, which can be filtered to show priority, progress and more. Secure timesheets streamline payroll and provide a window into labor costs to help keep to the budget. /wp-content/uploads/2024/05/timesheet-lightmode-good-version-lots-of-tasks.png Real-time Online Project Dashboards and Reports Once the construction project is executed, monitoring progress and performance is crucial to delivering on time and within budget. After setting the baseline on the Gantt chart, our software automatically collects live data and displays it on easy-to-read graphs and charts for a high-level overview. Managers can quickly discern cost, time, workload and more. For more detail, toggle to the customizable reports, such as status, portfolio, timesheet, variance, workload and more. All reports can be filtered to get into the weeds or provide a more general summary to share with stakeholders and keep them informed. /wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Dashboard-light-mode.jpg Related Construction Project Management Content Construction project management is a big field. We’ve hardly scratched the surface in this article. For those who want to read more about Gantt charts, construction contracts, download free templates and more, click on any of the recently published blogs below. Why Use a Gantt Chart in Construction Project Management Types of Construction Contracts: Pros, Cons & Best Practices 32 Construction Documents (Templates Included) Construction Phases: Documentation, Templates & Steps Best Construction Scheduling Software ProjectManager is online project and portfolio management software that connects teams whether they’re in the office, on the job site or anywhere else. They can share files, comment at the task level and stay updated with email and in-app notifications. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. The post 10 Types of Construction Projects with Examples appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

Spring cleaning time is around the corner and while you’re prepping your regular to-do list, there are a few things you might be overlooking—we all have blind spots, after all. Let’s go over a few of the places you are likely to forget about so you can add them into your routine. Once you familiarize yourself with these suggestions and tips, you can use this checklist I created in Google Sheets to help remind you about what you might have missed. You can make your own copy out of this doc and open it up every couple of months to check off each of the tasks as you work through them. Most overlooked spots in your bathroomYou already know to clean your toilet (and how not to do it) and your tub. You have no water stains and your tile is pristine. Forgetting anything? It might be these: Clean and unclog the overflow holes in your sink, if you have them. Clean and disinfect high-touch but rarely-noticed surfaces like your shower head handle, toilet flusher, and drawer pulls. (Familiarize yourself with the difference between disinfecting, sanitizing, and cleaning while you're at it.) Dust and wipe down any vents. Wash your shower curtain. Clean your shower head thoroughly, as well as the sink faucet's aerator, which can get gunky over time. Wipe down the inside your medicine cabinet (and maybe take some time to declutter it). Wipe down the outside of your toilet, including the sides. Do the same for the exterior of your garbage can. Clean any dusty light fixtures. Finish up with the baseboards, then mop. What you're forgetting to clean in your kitchenThe kitchen experiences a fresh mess every day (multiple times a day, even), so while you're spending all that time wiping down the counters and loading the dishwasher, it's easy to miss the grime that is building up over time in less-noticed spots. Periodically, you should: Clean under and behind your major appliances (which you can actually do without moving them). Dust and wipe down the top of your refrigerator, not just inside and under it. ...but empty out and clean your fridge, including the shelves, too. (When you're putting everything back inside is a great time to reorganize the contents.) When you’re tackling the oven, don’t forget the warming drawer, plus the vent, hood, and knobs. Scrub down your backsplash. Clean out your toaster's crumb tray. Wipe down the outer surface of your garbage can. Clean and disinfect your drawer pulls and the handles on your cabinets, fridge, and microwave. Disinfect the light-switches (and any other switches in the room). Spruce up your light fixtures. Wipe down the tops and undersides of your cabinets, especially the ones up top that have exposed space under the ceiling. Thoroughly dust and clean all the baseboards before you sweep and mop the floor. What to clean in your living roomYou pay attention to cleaning your kitchen and bathroom for sanitary reasons, which makes sense, but the living room? That’s all about aesthetics, baby. You want to impress your guests, after all. Impress them even more by remembering to: Dust your plants (even your fake ones). Dust your candles. Clean and disinfect high-touch items like remotes and coasters (plus those light switches). Dust picture frames and any other knick-knacks. Remove couch and chair cushions and vacuum underneath them for a horrifying surprise. Clean window blinds and curtains. (Blinds are easy: There's a hack.) Dust and wipe down your windowsills, too. Clean the undersides of coffee tables, side tables, and ottomans. Clean your light fixtures. End with the baseboards again before sweeping, vacuuming, and/or mopping. What needs to be cleaned in the bedroomsYour bedroom is the one area that is all about you—so treat yourself to an extra clean one. Try cleaning these for some bonus points: Wipe your curtain rods and windowsills when you toss your curtains in the wash. (If you have blinds, clean those instead.) Clean and disinfect high-touch items like alarm clocks, drawer pulls, door knobs, and light switches. Clean your ceiling fan (but make sure to do that before you vacuum). Dust the top of your headboard. Dust plants, candles, picture frames, and knick-knacks. As usual, finish up with those baseboards before cleaning the floor. View the full article

In the run-up to this weekend’s Super Bowl in New Orleans, fans couldn’t be more excited to see the Philadelphia Eagles face off against the Kansas City Chiefs, as the latter attempts to make Super Bowl history as the first team to win the championship three times in a row. With advertising prices hitting all-time highs, and an exciting halftime show featuring recent Grammy winner Kendrick Lamar scheduled, why are ticket sales plummeting? That’s right: Ticket prices for Super Bowl LIX are down 30% over this past week, or around 50% cheaper than last year. Currently, the cheapest seats are selling for somewhere between $3,057 to $4,300 before taxes on the secondary market, compared to a year ago, when they were selling for $9,365 on the secondary market. Here are the current ticket prices as of Monday night, according to USA Today: StubHub: $3,057 ($4,130 with fees) TickPick: $4,300 all-in SeatGeek: $3,414 ($4,620 with fees) Gametime: $3,374 ($4,527 with fees) Ticketmaster: $3,330 ($4,001 with fees) TicketSmarter: $3,613 ($4,697 with fees) Vivid Seats: $3,228 ($4,454 with fees) There are a few possible reasons for the low ticket sales. For one, New Orleans may not have the same pull for fans who wanted to party in Las Vegas last year when the Chiefs faced the San Francisco 49ers. Another reason is that New Orleans’ Caesars Superdome stadium has a lot more seats (74,000) than Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium (65,000), making last year’s seats harder to come by, and a result, more pricey (call it simple supply and demand). Finally, New Orleans is still reeling from last month’s terrorist attack that killed 14 people and injured at least 35, when a man plowed his pickup truck into a crowd and opened fire. In response, local officials have created “an enhanced security zone” along Bourbon Street, and are shutting down and limiting traffic on roads near the stadium and cordoning off the area surrounding the Superdome. And according to NFL chief security officer Cathy Lanier, thousands of state, federal, and local law enforcement officers will be on the ground during the Super Bowl, the Associated Press reported. View the full article

The Federal Reserve Board lifted two enforcement actions against the megabank dating back to 2011. But the Fed's seven-year-old asset cap remains in effect. View the full article

Google streamlined the process for importing cost data into Analytics, reducing mandatory fields and offering more flexible reporting options. The big picture. Marketers can now import cost data with just three core requirements: source, medium, and date, eliminating previous constraints around campaign names and IDs. Key updates. Including the following fields allows for more detailed reporting. Without them, Google Analytics will report cost data in aggregate when dimensions like campaign name or ID are queried. Simplified required fields. You now only need three fields to import cost data: Source: Where the traffic originated. Medium: The type of traffic (e.g., CPC, organic). Date: The date for data mapping. Optional campaign fields: Campaign name and campaign ID are no longer required but can be included as optional key fields. Why we care. This change simplifies the cost data import process, reducing the barrier for you to track and optimize ad spend within Google Analytics. However, excluding campaign-level details could limit reporting insights. Bottom line. For more accurate and granular cost reporting, import campaign name and campaign ID when possible. But for those just looking to get basic cost tracking set up quickly, the new requirements streamline the process. View the full article

Just like everything else, cars keep getting more expensive—new car prices have risen steadily in recent months, and will probably just keep getting pricier (the average new car now costs an eye-watering $49,740). That’s one reason why about half of all car buyers finance their purchase, and why we collectively owe an astounding $1.644 trillion in auto loan debt. But that’s also why about 38% of car buyers bought their vehicles with cash. Cash offers some advantages, especially if you’re looking to avoid interest and monthly payments that can mess with your budget. But if you decide to buy your next car without financing it in any way, there’s one thing you should absolutely never do: Tell the dealership. The benefits of buying a car with cashBuying a car with cash doesn’t mean you dump an oil drum of pennies on someone’s desk, it just means you’re not financing the purchase with a loan. There’s absolutely no reason you can’t do this as long as you have the funds, and buying with cash has some serious benefits: No monthly loan payments. If you’ve ever financed a car, you know that paying several hundred bucks a month can put a crimp in your finances for years to come. No interest. Paying cash means you don’t have to pay extra on top of the price of the car. Avoid overspending. When you’re financing a car, salespeople usually keep you focused on whether you can afford the monthly payment, which can obscure how much you’re actually paying for the car. Paying cash means you don’t go over your budget without realizing it. True ownership. If you pay cash, no one can repossess the car—if you decide to sell it, it will be solely your decision. Plus, you start off with 100% equity in the vehicle. On the other hand, dealers make a lot of money by getting you to finance the purchase through them. The majority of dealer loans have a markup of up to 2.5% that goes directly to the dealer, which can translate to a fair bit of money over the course of a car loan. That gives them an incentive to offer you a better price or to throw in extras—as long as they think that extra money is on the table. The best way to buy a car in cashPeople think buying a car in cash will get them the best price, but it’s actually the opposite—once a dealer knows they won’t get the extra money through arranging financing, they’ll have less interest in crafting an appealing price and throwing in extras. If you’re going to pay for the car in cash, there are a few basic bits of strategy you should follow: Deflect. Salespeople will often ask you directly how you plan to pay for the car. If you’re going the cash route, deflect—tell them you’re considering options, or tell them you want to hear your financing options. Don’t lie, necessarily, but don’t admit you’re paying cash until you have to. Negotiate the final price. Get the best deal you can on the vehicle, including anything you can get thrown in (like coatings or free upgrades). Get it in writing, if you can. Arrange payment. Once you have the total cost of the car nailed down and you inform them that you’re not interested in financing and will be paying cash instead, be ready with a payment method. A personal check can cause delays and might not even be accepted, so having a cashier’s check from your bank is probably the easiest and safest way to handle this. It’s not impossible that the dealership’s finance department will be unwilling to close the deal if they assumed they’d be making a profit from a loan. But if they won’t honor the price you negotiated when you want to pay cash, ask yourself if you can trust this dealer at all. If a dealer wants to blow up a sale when you want to pay cash, it’s best to walk away. Paying cash for your next car won’t magically make it a bargain, but it can save you a lot of money over time—as long as you don’t tip your hand too early. View the full article

Google revised its policy for dating and companionship advertisers, pushing back enforcement and clarifying certification rules for aggregators. Extension. The deadline for certification has been extended from March 4 to April 9. After this date, uncertified advertisers will no longer be permitted to run ads. Aggregator update. Aggregatoars promoting dating or companionship services will be eligible to serve restricted ads with proper certification, starting April 9. These ads will appear on Search with age and country restrictions. Certification for aggregators opens Feb. 25, while other advertisers can continue applying for certification. Why we care. The certification process aims to ensure transparency and safety in dating-related advertising on Google. The timeline extension and aggregator guidelines provide you with additional clarity and time for compliance. What’s next: Advertisers should prepare for the April 9 enforcement deadline and secure the required certification to avoid disruptions in campaign eligibility. View the full article

Mike Waltz and Jonathan Powell will hold talks about the Indian Ocean territory View the full article

The new year isn’t getting off to a great start when it comes to employment in the tech industry. Tech giant Salesforce is reportedly getting ready to cut 1,000 roles at the company. The expected job cuts are just the latest in a line of layoffs already initiated by well-known companies in the technology sector, including Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft. Here’s what you need to know. Salesforce to reportedly lay off over 1,000 employees Today, Bloomberg reported that Salesforce, the world’s top customer relationship management software company, will be cutting more than 1,000 positions at the company. The news came from an unnamed source and was not an official announcement from Salesforce. Nothing is known about which departments will be hit hardest by the cuts. However, a Bloomberg source said that any displaced workers will be allowed to apply for other positions at the company. We’ve reached out to Salesforce for comment. It’s also worth noting that these cuts aren’t a net job reduction at Salesforce, as the company is also currently actively hiring salespeople to promote its AI offerings to customers. Salesforce reported having 73,000 employees as of January 2024, which means that a reduction of 1,000 personnel equates to fewer than 1% of its workforce. Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, and more cut jobs Despite being fewer than seven weeks into the new year, many major tech companies have already announced plans to reduce their workforce or cut staff in 2025. In mid-January, Facebook parent company Meta Platforms announced it would cut about 5% of its workforce. A 5% reduction in staff equates to layoffs totaling about 3,600 people, noted Bloomberg. As of last September, Meta employed about 72,000 workers. Announcing the cuts in an internal memo, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said, “I’ve decided to raise the bar on performance management and move out low-performers faster.” And Meta isn’t alone. In January, Microsoft also laid off some workers it deemed low performers, Business Insider reported. It is unknown how many employees at the Redmond company would lose their roles. We’ve reached out to Microsoft for comment. Amazon in January also announced it would eliminate staff, Bloomberg reported, with dozens in its communications department being targeted. And it’s not just the big tech giants. Smaller tech companies have also announced layoffs since the new year began. Those companies include payments platform Stripe, which is eliminating 300 positions, and Placer.ai, the Israeli location analytics firm, which is laying off 150 workers. A repeat of 2022-2024? The large number of high-profile tech companies that have announced layoffs in the early days of 2025 has understandably given rise to anxieties of those in the industry who lived through the massive job cuts implemented by the industry between 2022 and 2024, when hundreds of thousands of tech workers lost their jobs. What workers now want to know is if 2025 will be a repeat of those years. At this point, that’s impossible to answer. However, the 2022-2024 period of mass tech industry layoffs was generally spurred by overhiring during the pandemic years when many tech companies saw a rapid uptick in users and customers. In 2025, the greatest threats of job layoffs don’t come from pandemic-induced overhiring as much as they do from the rising specter of AI and its ability to replace human workers. It remains to be seen whether AI will pose a serious risk to tech industry jobs this year. As for layoffs in the tech industry, layoffs tracking site Layoffs.fyi says that so far in 2025, 31 tech companies have laid off just over 7,000 employees. That compares to the 152,000 employees laid off across various companies in 2024 and the 264,000 and 165,000 laid off in 2023 and 2022, respectively. View the full article

The Federal Reserve terminated two mortgage-related enforcement actions against Wells Fargo & Co. from more than a decade ago, the central bank said Tuesday. View the full article

Are you tired of the annoying "AI overview" at the top of your search results? Turns out you can get rid of it by starting your search with the word "fuck." The trick spread thanks to a now-viral thread on Tumblr and it works wonders. I've been trying it out all morning: the AI disappears but the results are otherwise more-or-less the same. Is this the best way to stop seeing AI in search results? No. We've talked about how to disable Google's AI search results by changing the default search engine in your browser to only pull in web results, and that's better. But is this the funnest way to stop seeing AI in search results? Fuck yeah it is. And it's perfect if you sometimes want to see AI results, but need a way to exclude them on a case-by-case basis. Credit: Justin Pot Sometimes, when you search, you want a quick answer. AI results in search are potentially useful for this. Sometimes, though, what you're looking for is a deep dive on a particular issues written and curated by actual experts. AI results, in that context, are mostly just cluttering your search results. Turns out you can blast them out of your search results with a strategically placed f-bomb. I don't know specifically why this works, but I assume it's some filter Google set up to avoid situations where the AI swears at users. It's particularly funny because this is how people use profanity in real life. Comedian James Acaster once explained the reason he started swearing during standup in one of my favorite bits. He realized that by not swearing he "attracted a demographic that I hate." The point: saying "fuck" every now and then can means people who don't like profanity won't engage with you. This trick, apparently, also works with bots: swear liberally and they won't interact with you. Welcome to the fucking future. View the full article

For the first time in over two decades, Capri Sun is expanding its single serving offerings with a colorful new bottle—but don’t worry, the iconic pouch is here to stay. Capri Sun’s new bottles are hitting shelves nationwide today at Kroger, Circle K, some Walmart locations, and regional convenience stores like Meijer and Hy-vee. They come in the brand’s three most popular flavors: Fruit Punch, Pacific Cooler, and Strawberry Kiwi. According to the company, each bottle contains about double the liquid contents of a traditional pouch, at 12 fluid ounces. However, for those interested in a smaller serving size and that classic form factor, Capri Sun pouches aren’t actually going anywhere (in fact, Capri Sun sells over six million of the mini beverages every day.) Instead of replacing the pouch, the new bottles are actually Capri Sun’s attempt to get pick-up in the convenience store market, an area where its normally delightful packaging has caused the juice to be overlooked amongst a sea of other, more easy-to-drink options. Kristina Hannant, Capri Sun’s director of marketing, says the brand has actually tried to stock pouches at convenience stores, but found that “consumers weren’t reaching for them as often when faced with many other bottled options.” That makes sense, given that Capri Suns weren’t exactly designed to be displayed in a traditional beverage aisle or crammed into a cup holder on a long road trip. The pouch is all about the tactile experience, one that’s particularly enchanting for young kids (stabbing the pouch with the straw; crunching its plastic exterior; perhaps using it as a projectile) but less so for parents in the driver’s seat. “Designed specifically to fit the shelves and coolers of convenience stores, the Capri Sun bottles cater to the busy, on-the-go lifestyle of today’s families with a resealable cap that parents can appreciate—especially given 53% of parents prefer beverages their kids can drink on the go and many find that bottles help with preventing spills,” Hannant says, referring to a statistic from market research firm Numerator. The bottles were also made to cater to a group of Capri Sun’s most dedicated and outspoken followers: According to a press release, “Between 2020 and 2023, a staggering 76% of suggestions received by the Capri Sun call center were about fans wanting a bigger product size.” Presumably to maintain product recognition, the bottles’ design is essentially a copy-pasted version of each flavor’s corresponding pouch, though it’s still a bit disconcerting to see Capri Sun’s branding outside the usual context. Logically, Capri Sun’s new bottles make sense as a supplementary offering. But, until proven otherwise, we’re inclined to argue that half of the Capri Sun’s nostalgic factor really comes down to the fact that anything tastes more magical out of a pouch. View the full article

On a freezing cold Wednesday afternoon in eastern Kentucky, Taysha DeVaughan joined a small gathering at the foot of a reclaimed strip mine to celebrate a homecoming. “It’s a return of an ancestor,” DeVaughan said. “It’s a return of a relative.” That relative was the land they stood on, part of a tract slated for a federal penitentiary that many in the crowd consider another injustice in a region riddled with them. The mine shut down years ago, but the site, near the town of Roxana, still bears the scars of extraction. DeVaughan, an enrolled member of the Comanche Nation, joined some two dozen people on January 22 to celebrate the Appalachian Rekindling Project buying 63 acres within the prison’s footprint. “What we’re here to do is to protect her and to give her a voice,” DeVaughan said. “She’s been through mountaintop removal. She’s been blown up, she’s been scraped up, she’s been hurt.” The Appalachian Rekindling Project, which she helped found last year, wants to rewild the site with bison and native flora and fauna, open it to intertribal gatherings, and, it hopes, stop the prison. The environmental justice organization worked with a coalition of local nonprofits, including Build Community Not Prisons and the Institute to End Mass Incarceration, to raise $160,000 to buy the plot from retired truck driver Wayne Whitaker. He’d only just purchased it as a hunting ground, and it was an easy sell. “There’s nothing positive we’ll get out of this prison,” he said. The penitentiary has been a gleam in the eye of state and local officials and the Bureau of Prisons since 2006. It has always sparked sharp divisions in Roxana and beyond and was killed in 2019 after a series of lawsuits, only to be quietly resurrected in 2022. Last fall, the bureau took the final step in its approval process, clearing the way to begin buying land. Some in Letcher County, which saw 5.2% of its population leave between 2020 and 2023 and grapples with a 24% poverty rate, believe the prison will replace jobs and tax revenue lost with the decline of coal. Federal prison construction has boomed in central Appalachia as mining has faltered, with 8 of the 16 penitentiaries built there, often atop mines, located in Kentucky alone. “Those are all expressions of the economic crisis that has occurred due to the collapse of the coal industry, and for which the prisons and the jails are proposed,” said Judah Schept, a professor of justice studies at Eastern Kentucky University. In his book Coal, Cages, Crisis, Schept noted that mine sites are considered ideal locations for prisons or a dumping ground for waste, rather than places of ecological value, as some biologists have argued. The Roxana site has been reclaimed, meaning re-vegetated with a forest that now shelters a number of rare species, including endangered bats. Opponents argue that a prison will bring more environmental problems than jobs. Letcher County was 1 of 13 counties ravaged by catastrophic flooding in 2022, a situation exacerbated by damage strip mining caused to local watersheds. The prison slated for Roxana will exacerbate the problem. The Bureau of Prisons estimates it will damage 6,290 feet of streams and about 2 acres of wetlands. (The agency has promised to compensate the state.) DeVaughan said the purchase also is a step toward rectifying the dispossession that began with the forced removal and genocide of Indigenous peoples. The Cherokee, Shawnee, and Yuchi made their homes in the area before, during, and after colonization, and their thriving nations raised crops, ran businesses, and hunted bison that once roamed Appalachia. In all the time since, coal, timber, gas, and landholding companies have at times owned almost half of the land in 80 counties stretching from West Virginia to Alabama. Several prisons sprang from deals made with coal companies, something many locals consider the continuation of this status quo. Changing that dynamic is a priority for the Appalachian Rekindling Project, which hoped to buy more land to protect it from extractive industries and return its stewardship to Indigenous and local communities. DeVaughn said Indigenous peoples throughout the region will be welcome to use the land as a gathering place. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Cherokee Nation, and United Keetoowah Band did not respond to requests for comment. DeVaughan sees its work establishing a new vision of economic transition for coalfields, one that relies less on “dollars and numbers” and more on “healing and restoration” of the land and the Indigenous and other communities that live there. She is working with the Cheyenne and Arapaho nations to acquire a herd of bison and plans to work with local volunteers, scientists, and students to inventory the site’s flora and fauna. The plot sits at the edge of the 500-acre site outlined for the prison, which would hold over 1,300 people in the main facility and adjoining camp. A representative of the Bureau of Prisons told Grist land acquisition will continue. This isn’t the first time the agency has hit such a pothole. Six years ago, Letcher County master falconer Mitch Whitaker refused to sell nearly 12 acres, requiring the agency to revise its plans. The prospect of doing so again led Representative Hal Rogers, who represents the area in Congress and has been the leading champion for the prison, to lambaste ARP and its allies. “This land purchase comes as no surprise from a group led by Kentucky outsiders and liberal extremists,” he said in a statement. But many of those on hand that Wednesday to celebrate the sale were local residents like Artie Ann Bates, who grew up in Letcher County and saw waves of strip mining damage her family’s land. “It’s just really hard seeing a place you love be destroyed,” she said. The purchase is a “sign of progress,” she added, bundled up at the foot of the mine site alongside her neighbors. — Katie Myers, Grist This article originally appeared in Grist, a nonprofit, independent media organization dedicated to telling stories of climate solutions and a just future. Sign up for its newsletter here. View the full article

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: My husband is a blue collar worker, and he’s very experienced in his field. A little less than a year ago, he decided to switch jobs. He went from doing residential work in people’s homes to commercial work on big buildings. He had over two decades of experience doing the residential side of things, but very little commercial experience. So, in some ways it was like starting over again and having to train from the ground up. At the time, he had two competing job offers: one with a residential company that was offering a slightly lower base pay, but more potential bonuses and benefits, and the commercial company he ultimately went with. To leverage the other offer, he talked to the commercial company and they decided to hire him at a slightly lower rate than he wanted but with an extra week of PTO, and they said they would look at a raise at his 90-day review to bring him up where he wanted to be, based on his performance. At his 90-day review, his boss told him that he was incredibly impressed with how fast he was learning the job. His exact words were, “You’re kicking ass and taking names!” He told my husband that they were not only going to give him a bigger raise than promised, they were also going to give him a new work van and send him to be trained for bigger, more complex systems and look at another significant pay bump at the one-year mark if his trajectory continued. When my husband showed me his glowing review, I told him to make sure and include that on his resume. He’s not actively looking for a new job at the moment, but he is going back to school and needs an updated resume for that (as well as just keeping his resume fresh). We have a relative who is a hiring manager in a white collar industry (think banking/finance). At a recent family gathering, my husband was talking to this relative and asked for their opinion on his resume. When they saw that he had written that his boss had said he was “kicking ass and taking names” at his 90-day review, they told my husband that that was unbelievably unprofessional and that they would have thrown his resume directly into the garbage the second they saw that. They said having that comment on his resume would make them seriously question his judgment, and they would never, ever hire someone who thought that was acceptable … and in fact, they would consider reaching out to their industry contacts and telling others to avoid that person as well because it was so wildly inappropriate. My husband was very taken aback and upset by this, but I told him that this feels like (1) a bit of an overreaction, and (2) a difference in industry norms. I said that he was just quoting his boss and the feedback was literally written on his evaluation and told to him verbally, and other people in the same industry wouldn’t be thrown by it at all. I said he could take it off of his resume if he wanted and just leave the other details, but personally I thought it was charming and showed how enthusiastic his employer is about his work. I work in healthcare, so I feel like I’m predisposed to lean more towards being conservative, but even I thought that the response my husband got was over the top. If I saw that on a resume, my first thought would be, “Clearly, their last boss was very enthusiastic about their work!” (We do live in a more culturally conservative area, though where my husband and I work has become quite a bit more progressive in recent years.) He seems to be a bit deflated by this, so I wanted to seek other opinions. Is this a “never ever under any circumstances” type of thing, or is this something that can be more industry-dependent? Your relative’s reaction was over the top. I wouldn’t include “kicking ass and taking names!” on a resume, but that’s largely because it’s not specific enough, not because it’s an outrageous offense. I mean, it’s true that you normally shouldn’t include profanity on a resume, and the bar is pretty high for doing it. (There are times when I’d consider it, though! If Barack Obama or, I don’t know, Tom Hanks put in writing that I was “incredible at getting shit done,” I’d seriously consider putting that on a resume. But again, that’s a high bar — and even then some people might raise their eyebrows at it, but that would be outweighed by the number of people who loved it.) My take on the quote your husband used is that it doesn’t convey enough about why his employer felt he was kicking ass and taking names, which is ultimately the part that matters. It would be more effective to write about the work specifics that made them feel that way. For example: “In first 90 days, exceeded team’s previous sales by 20% and brought in two new six-figure contracts, earning kudos from management and an unusual out-of-cycle salary increase.” (That said, I could see using the “kicking ass and taking names” quote in a cover letter if there was a way to work it in organically.) Regardless, though, your relative’s reaction is absurd. They’d reach out to industry contacts to tell them never to hire him? That’s ridiculous, and that tells you that this is someone with no sense of proportion and with bad judgment. It’s absolutely useful for your relative to share that the wording would be considered unprofessional in their industry, but once they went beyond that, they were teaching you something about themselves more than about resume-writing (and that lesson is that you shouldn’t take professional advice from them). View the full article

Rival companies in fierce battle for talent in race to build powerful artificial intelligence ‘agents’View the full article

On Tuesday, Apple announced Apple Invites, a new app for iPhones that creates custom event invitations "for any occasion." If that sounds a lot like popular party planning apps like Partiful, that's because, well, it is—only, this app integrates with the greater iOS experience, which is likely bad news for third-party competitors. This isn't a surprise to anyone follow Apple rumors closely. As reported by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple has been working on an invite system for iOS, internally referred to as "Confetti." It wasn't clear whether those plans would manifest as a standalone app, or rather as options built-into existing apps like Calendar and iMessage. Of course, we now know it's the latter. If you've used an event-planning app before, Apple Invites is probably going to be straightforward. When you start an event, you have a series of customizable options: You can add a custom background for the event, similar to iOS's wallpaper selector (although, here, Apple is pushing Apple Intelligence to generate the background images); give the event a name; and set a date, time, and location for your event. These are pretty standard features for an app like this. What gives Apple Invites an interesting spin is the Apple-centric features. You can create a shared album for this event, so that all partygoers can add the pictures and videos they took in one centralized location—eliminating the need for someone to coordinated a shared album with all the guests during or after the fact. In addition, you can create a shared playlist for the party, if you trust your guests to add their music to your event. When your invitation is finished, you have your choice in how to send it out. You can simply send out a public link to the invite via any channel you wish, or you can send invites to a specific list of guests. You can choose whether you want to approve each guests' RSVP, or whether you're happy to automatically add anyone to the guest list who says they're going, as well as whether invitees are allowed additional guests—from plus ones all the way to plus fives. There's a lot of control here, but there is a catch: You need to be subscribed to iCloud+. If you pay for extra iCloud storage, you're already subscribed, but otherwise, you won't be able to create invitations. You don't need iCloud+ to RSVP, though. Anyone can accept or reject an event invitation from Apple Invites through the site—no iCloud or Apple Account needed. While I don't care for the AI-generated backgrounds, I do like the overall presentation here. Built-in shared albums and playlists are what's really selling it to me, though, and I imagine they're going to appeal to a lot of party-planning people. Whether that's enough to overtake popular options like Partiful, we'll have to wait and see. You can try Apple Invites right now, either from the App Store or from icloud.com/invites. View the full article

A civil engineer contributes to how modern cities and towns look because they play an essential role in planning and constructing residential and commercial projects. They design, construct, and maintain projects such as bridges, canals, roads, and buildings. They work closely with other professionals, including construction workers, urban planners and architects. This blog will walk you through how to hire civil engineers. Role and Responsibilities of a Civil Engineer Civil engineers play a pivotal role in the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of infrastructure projects. Their responsibilities extend across various aspects of engineering and project management, ensuring that the structures are safe, sustainable, and efficient. Below is an expanded list of the roles and responsibilities of a civil engineer: Designing Infrastructure Projects: Civil engineers play a crucial role in developing comprehensive designs for infrastructure projects. Their work encompasses a wide range of structures, including roads, bridges, tunnels, water supply systems, sewage treatment facilities, and dams. Utilizing advanced design software to create precise and detailed plans. Conducting feasibility studies to assess the potential success and sustainability of a project. Testing designs for reliability, safety, and compliance with regulations using simulation software. Project Management and Oversight: Once a project moves from the design phase to construction, civil engineers take on the role of project managers, overseeing the construction process to ensure that everything adheres to the original plan. Ensuring that construction follows the designed plans, safety regulations, and specifications closely. Overseeing budgets, resources, and timelines to guarantee that projects are finished on time and within the set budget. Conducting site inspections and monitoring construction progress to address any issues promptly. Collaboration with Other Professionals: Civil engineering projects often require a multidisciplinary approach, necessitating collaboration with professionals from various fields. Working closely with construction managers to coordinate the construction phase, ensuring that the project meets the designed specifications. Collaborating with surveyors to establish reference points, grades, and elevations to guide the construction. Partnering with urban planners to ensure that the infrastructure projects align with city development plans and environmental regulations. Coordinating with architects to integrate aesthetic and functional aspects into the infrastructure projects. Ensuring Safety and Compliance: A critical responsibility of civil engineers is to ensure that all projects comply with local, state, and federal regulations and safety standards. Establishing safety measures and protocols to ensure the protection of both workers and the public throughout the construction process. Consistently reviewing and updating project plans to ensure they adhere to evolving regulations and standards. Conducting risk assessments to minimize potential hazards associated with the construction and use of the infrastructure. Sustainability and Environmental Protection: Modern civil engineering also emphasizes sustainable development and environmental protection. Incorporating sustainable practices and materials into the design and construction processes to minimize environmental impact. Designing infrastructure that is resilient to climate change, natural disasters, and other environmental challenges. Working on projects that improve environmental quality, such as water and air pollution control systems and green building practices. Civil engineers, through their expertise and dedication, ensure that infrastructure projects not only meet the immediate needs of society but also contribute to long-term sustainability and resilience. Drafting an Accurate Civil Engineer Job Description Drafting an effective civil engineer job description is the first step in hiring one. A concise overview of the role should emphasize the importance of creating a sustainable, safe, and efficient environment. Responsibilities The core responsibilities need to be detailed. These can generally include using CAD software, conducting environmental impact assessments, feasibility studies, etc. Qualifications Core qualifications that should be included in a job description include a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related field. A strong knowledge of safety regulations, building codes, and industry standards on construction projects is a must. Skills Analytical and problem-solving skills are essential. Mentioning organizational and project management abilities is also necessary. A good civil engineer should also have excellent communication and teamwork abilities. A good job description also acknowledges the freelance civil engineering trend. It should be mentioned that freelancers are expected to manage several products and meet client expectations. Essential Qualifications and Skills for a Civil Engineer When businesses look to hire a civil engineer, they typically seek candidates with a mix of specialized skills, relevant certifications, and appropriate educational backgrounds. One of the minimum educational requirements is a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or related field. That applies to a freelance civil engineer candidate, too. More specialized roles usually require a master’s degree with specializations in structural engineering, urban planning, and environmental engineering, to name a few. The Fundamentals of Engineering Exam assesses fundamental knowledge and serves as the initial step toward becoming a licensed professional. After about four years of work experience, a candidate can get a professional engineering license. They need to sit for a PE exam. This license is mandatory for professionals who want to sign off on projects or work as consultants in different fields, including structural engineering. Or on civil engineering projects. Civil engineers can also pursue certifications like PMP or project management professional. You can also look for software certifications relevant to the industry. Finally, a good candidate has technical proficiency and can manage timelines, budgets, and resources. There’s a growing focus on projects that minimize environmental impact and are sustainable. Suitable candidates also need to understand how data analytics and The Internet of Things are transforming the maintenance of structures. How to Hire a Civil Engineer: A Step-by-Step Guide Here is a step-by-step guide that will help you find the perfect civil engineer for your small business. How to Find Civil Engineers Traditional sources for hiring include Monster, Glassdoor, and Indeed. More specialized websites like the American Society of Civil Engineers exist when you’re looking for a civil engineer. You can find freelance civil engineers for short-term projects on websites like Freelancer and Upwork. Building a team with contractors and freelancers is becoming more popular because they are flexible and have cost-effective specialized expertise. There are also unusual ways to promote a job opening, like community bulletin boards, job fairs, and connections through your local chamber of commerce. Interviewing Civil Engineer Candidates: What to Focus On Interviewing techniques for a civil engineer include touching on a candidate’s specialized skills, certifications, and educational background. Find out about any certifications from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Draft a list of the best interview questions to ask candidates based on your company’s specific needs. You’ll want to know about their project management experience and specialized skills, such as proficiency in software like AutoCAD. A set of questions on engineering standards, design principles, and regulatory compliance can help you find the ideal candidates and reduce hiring bias. Once you make your decision, follow up with your top selections and send an interview rejection letter to the rest. Checking Qualifications, Certifications, and Past Projects when Hiring Civil Engineers A candidate for a civil engineering job must have a solid educational background and professional certifications that can be validated. Civil engineering requires high levels of technical expertise and knowledge. Verifying that a candidate has fundamental knowledge in structural analysis and geotechnical engineering is a sound practice. They should have professional certifications and be licensed as a Professional Engineer (PE). You should also review a candidate’s past civil engineering accomplishments when hiring. That allows you to evaluate their ability to work under pressure and apply theories to real-world situations. Onboarding Your New Civil Engineer Once you make your decision, it’s time to consider how to onboard new employees. Onboarding is an essential part of the process when you’ve hired a new civil engineer. A structured program reduces the time a new candidate takes to get productive. Here are some onboarding best practices to consider: Familiarizing a new engineer with ongoing projects helps them fit in. Show them your latest structural engineering projects. Getting them acquainted with company protocols includes walking them through coding standards, project manager tools, and security policies. Integrating them into team dynamics includes introducing a new candidate into your business’s communication and collaboration style. Social integration is essential. Ensuring Continuous Growth and Development Civil engineers must engage in ongoing professional development and remain informed about the latest engineering technologies and standards. Additionally, they should stay up-to-date with industry certifications to maintain their competitiveness. New Technologies Civil engineering is continually evolving, and there are always new technologies, techniques, and materials to stay on top of. It’s a heavily regulated industry, so a structural engineer must follow regulations, codes, and norms. Essential Certifications Certifications are essential in certain areas, such as water resources and transportation engineering. They’re a testament to any engineer’s dedication and expertise. Expert Guidance It’s essential to consider the civil engineering consultants’ role in professional development. They offer expert guidance and customized training programs that can help. You can also use a training plan template to facilitate continual learning. Step/TipDescription How to Find Civil Engineers- Utilize traditional job boards like Monster, Glassdoor, and Indeed. - For specialized searches, consider the American Society of Civil Engineers. - For short-term projects, freelance platforms like Freelancer and Upwork are useful due to the flexibility and specialized expertise of freelancers. Interviewing Civil Engineer Candidates- Focus on specialized skills, certifications, and educational background. - Inquire about project management experience and software proficiency (e.g., AutoCAD). - Ask questions related to engineering standards, design principles, and regulatory compliance. Checking Qualifications and Certifications- Verify the candidate's educational background and professional certifications. - Ensure they have fundamental knowledge in structural analysis and geotechnical engineering. - Check for Professional Engineer (PE) licensure. - Review past projects to evaluate their ability to apply theories to real-world situations and work under pressure. Onboarding Your New Civil Engineer- Implement a structured onboarding program to speed up the new hire's productivity. - Introduce them to ongoing projects and company protocols, including coding standards, project manager tools, and security policies. - Integrate them into team dynamics and the company's communication and collaboration style for social integration. Ensuring Continuous Growth and Development- Encourage continuous professional development and staying updated with the latest engineering technologies, norms, and certifications. - Stay informed about new technologies, techniques, and materials in the ever-evolving field of civil engineering. - Consider the role of civil engineering consultants for expert guidance and customized training programs in areas like water resources and transportation engineering. https://youtube.com/watch?v=CsaFLAA784o%3Fsi%3D_TLBW80PvkDCeuA- FAQs: How to Hire a Civil Engineer Here are some answers to common questions that apply to structural engineering and other areas. How do civil engineers collaborate with architects and urban planners? These experts collaborate with urban planners and architects by integrating structural functionality and safety considerations. Are there different specialties within civil engineering? Yes, there are several different specialties, including structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, and transport engineering, to name just a few. How crucial is it for a civil engineer to be familiar with local building codes? Civil engineering services need to be well-versed in regional safety standards, industry best practices, and legal requirements. Additionally, they should have a strong understanding of local building codes. What role does sustainability play in modern civil engineering? Modern civil engineering involves integrating eco-friendly technologies and materials, protecting natural habitats, and optimizing energy use. Sustainability is essential in their work to minimize environmental impact and conserve resources. Modern civil engineer jobs focus on sustainability. Image: Envato Elements This article, "How to Hire a Civil Engineer" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

A civil engineer contributes to how modern cities and towns look because they play an essential role in planning and constructing residential and commercial projects. They design, construct, and maintain projects such as bridges, canals, roads, and buildings. They work closely with other professionals, including construction workers, urban planners and architects. This blog will walk you through how to hire civil engineers. Role and Responsibilities of a Civil Engineer Civil engineers play a pivotal role in the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of infrastructure projects. Their responsibilities extend across various aspects of engineering and project management, ensuring that the structures are safe, sustainable, and efficient. Below is an expanded list of the roles and responsibilities of a civil engineer: Designing Infrastructure Projects: Civil engineers play a crucial role in developing comprehensive designs for infrastructure projects. Their work encompasses a wide range of structures, including roads, bridges, tunnels, water supply systems, sewage treatment facilities, and dams. Utilizing advanced design software to create precise and detailed plans. Conducting feasibility studies to assess the potential success and sustainability of a project. Testing designs for reliability, safety, and compliance with regulations using simulation software. Project Management and Oversight: Once a project moves from the design phase to construction, civil engineers take on the role of project managers, overseeing the construction process to ensure that everything adheres to the original plan. Ensuring that construction follows the designed plans, safety regulations, and specifications closely. Overseeing budgets, resources, and timelines to guarantee that projects are finished on time and within the set budget. Conducting site inspections and monitoring construction progress to address any issues promptly. Collaboration with Other Professionals: Civil engineering projects often require a multidisciplinary approach, necessitating collaboration with professionals from various fields. Working closely with construction managers to coordinate the construction phase, ensuring that the project meets the designed specifications. Collaborating with surveyors to establish reference points, grades, and elevations to guide the construction. Partnering with urban planners to ensure that the infrastructure projects align with city development plans and environmental regulations. Coordinating with architects to integrate aesthetic and functional aspects into the infrastructure projects. Ensuring Safety and Compliance: A critical responsibility of civil engineers is to ensure that all projects comply with local, state, and federal regulations and safety standards. Establishing safety measures and protocols to ensure the protection of both workers and the public throughout the construction process. Consistently reviewing and updating project plans to ensure they adhere to evolving regulations and standards. Conducting risk assessments to minimize potential hazards associated with the construction and use of the infrastructure. Sustainability and Environmental Protection: Modern civil engineering also emphasizes sustainable development and environmental protection. Incorporating sustainable practices and materials into the design and construction processes to minimize environmental impact. Designing infrastructure that is resilient to climate change, natural disasters, and other environmental challenges. Working on projects that improve environmental quality, such as water and air pollution control systems and green building practices. Civil engineers, through their expertise and dedication, ensure that infrastructure projects not only meet the immediate needs of society but also contribute to long-term sustainability and resilience. Drafting an Accurate Civil Engineer Job Description Drafting an effective civil engineer job description is the first step in hiring one. A concise overview of the role should emphasize the importance of creating a sustainable, safe, and efficient environment. Responsibilities The core responsibilities need to be detailed. These can generally include using CAD software, conducting environmental impact assessments, feasibility studies, etc. Qualifications Core qualifications that should be included in a job description include a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related field. A strong knowledge of safety regulations, building codes, and industry standards on construction projects is a must. Skills Analytical and problem-solving skills are essential. Mentioning organizational and project management abilities is also necessary. A good civil engineer should also have excellent communication and teamwork abilities. A good job description also acknowledges the freelance civil engineering trend. It should be mentioned that freelancers are expected to manage several products and meet client expectations. Essential Qualifications and Skills for a Civil Engineer When businesses look to hire a civil engineer, they typically seek candidates with a mix of specialized skills, relevant certifications, and appropriate educational backgrounds. One of the minimum educational requirements is a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or related field. That applies to a freelance civil engineer candidate, too. More specialized roles usually require a master’s degree with specializations in structural engineering, urban planning, and environmental engineering, to name a few. The Fundamentals of Engineering Exam assesses fundamental knowledge and serves as the initial step toward becoming a licensed professional. After about four years of work experience, a candidate can get a professional engineering license. They need to sit for a PE exam. This license is mandatory for professionals who want to sign off on projects or work as consultants in different fields, including structural engineering. Or on civil engineering projects. Civil engineers can also pursue certifications like PMP or project management professional. You can also look for software certifications relevant to the industry. Finally, a good candidate has technical proficiency and can manage timelines, budgets, and resources. There’s a growing focus on projects that minimize environmental impact and are sustainable. Suitable candidates also need to understand how data analytics and The Internet of Things are transforming the maintenance of structures. How to Hire a Civil Engineer: A Step-by-Step Guide Here is a step-by-step guide that will help you find the perfect civil engineer for your small business. How to Find Civil Engineers Traditional sources for hiring include Monster, Glassdoor, and Indeed. More specialized websites like the American Society of Civil Engineers exist when you’re looking for a civil engineer. You can find freelance civil engineers for short-term projects on websites like Freelancer and Upwork. Building a team with contractors and freelancers is becoming more popular because they are flexible and have cost-effective specialized expertise. There are also unusual ways to promote a job opening, like community bulletin boards, job fairs, and connections through your local chamber of commerce. Interviewing Civil Engineer Candidates: What to Focus On Interviewing techniques for a civil engineer include touching on a candidate’s specialized skills, certifications, and educational background. Find out about any certifications from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Draft a list of the best interview questions to ask candidates based on your company’s specific needs. You’ll want to know about their project management experience and specialized skills, such as proficiency in software like AutoCAD. A set of questions on engineering standards, design principles, and regulatory compliance can help you find the ideal candidates and reduce hiring bias. Once you make your decision, follow up with your top selections and send an interview rejection letter to the rest. Checking Qualifications, Certifications, and Past Projects when Hiring Civil Engineers A candidate for a civil engineering job must have a solid educational background and professional certifications that can be validated. Civil engineering requires high levels of technical expertise and knowledge. Verifying that a candidate has fundamental knowledge in structural analysis and geotechnical engineering is a sound practice. They should have professional certifications and be licensed as a Professional Engineer (PE). You should also review a candidate’s past civil engineering accomplishments when hiring. That allows you to evaluate their ability to work under pressure and apply theories to real-world situations. Onboarding Your New Civil Engineer Once you make your decision, it’s time to consider how to onboard new employees. Onboarding is an essential part of the process when you’ve hired a new civil engineer. A structured program reduces the time a new candidate takes to get productive. Here are some onboarding best practices to consider: Familiarizing a new engineer with ongoing projects helps them fit in. Show them your latest structural engineering projects. Getting them acquainted with company protocols includes walking them through coding standards, project manager tools, and security policies. Integrating them into team dynamics includes introducing a new candidate into your business’s communication and collaboration style. Social integration is essential. Ensuring Continuous Growth and Development Civil engineers must engage in ongoing professional development and remain informed about the latest engineering technologies and standards. Additionally, they should stay up-to-date with industry certifications to maintain their competitiveness. New Technologies Civil engineering is continually evolving, and there are always new technologies, techniques, and materials to stay on top of. It’s a heavily regulated industry, so a structural engineer must follow regulations, codes, and norms. Essential Certifications Certifications are essential in certain areas, such as water resources and transportation engineering. They’re a testament to any engineer’s dedication and expertise. Expert Guidance It’s essential to consider the civil engineering consultants’ role in professional development. They offer expert guidance and customized training programs that can help. You can also use a training plan template to facilitate continual learning. Step/TipDescription How to Find Civil Engineers- Utilize traditional job boards like Monster, Glassdoor, and Indeed. - For specialized searches, consider the American Society of Civil Engineers. - For short-term projects, freelance platforms like Freelancer and Upwork are useful due to the flexibility and specialized expertise of freelancers. Interviewing Civil Engineer Candidates- Focus on specialized skills, certifications, and educational background. - Inquire about project management experience and software proficiency (e.g., AutoCAD). - Ask questions related to engineering standards, design principles, and regulatory compliance. Checking Qualifications and Certifications- Verify the candidate's educational background and professional certifications. - Ensure they have fundamental knowledge in structural analysis and geotechnical engineering. - Check for Professional Engineer (PE) licensure. - Review past projects to evaluate their ability to apply theories to real-world situations and work under pressure. Onboarding Your New Civil Engineer- Implement a structured onboarding program to speed up the new hire's productivity. - Introduce them to ongoing projects and company protocols, including coding standards, project manager tools, and security policies. - Integrate them into team dynamics and the company's communication and collaboration style for social integration. Ensuring Continuous Growth and Development- Encourage continuous professional development and staying updated with the latest engineering technologies, norms, and certifications. - Stay informed about new technologies, techniques, and materials in the ever-evolving field of civil engineering. - Consider the role of civil engineering consultants for expert guidance and customized training programs in areas like water resources and transportation engineering. https://youtube.com/watch?v=CsaFLAA784o%3Fsi%3D_TLBW80PvkDCeuA- FAQs: How to Hire a Civil Engineer Here are some answers to common questions that apply to structural engineering and other areas. How do civil engineers collaborate with architects and urban planners? These experts collaborate with urban planners and architects by integrating structural functionality and safety considerations. Are there different specialties within civil engineering? Yes, there are several different specialties, including structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, and transport engineering, to name just a few. How crucial is it for a civil engineer to be familiar with local building codes? Civil engineering services need to be well-versed in regional safety standards, industry best practices, and legal requirements. Additionally, they should have a strong understanding of local building codes. What role does sustainability play in modern civil engineering? Modern civil engineering involves integrating eco-friendly technologies and materials, protecting natural habitats, and optimizing energy use. Sustainability is essential in their work to minimize environmental impact and conserve resources. Modern civil engineer jobs focus on sustainability. Image: Envato Elements This article, "How to Hire a Civil Engineer" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

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We may earn a commission from links on this page. Discourse crops up now and again about acceptable movie-watching etiquette: Is it OK to fast-forward through boring parts? Younger moviegoers even admit to watching slower movies at double speed—though it's certainly not just the youngest film-watchers: if we're gonna talk about attention spans, we have to talk about how we ain’t got ‘em anymore. I’m not saying I blame these folks. Modern tech takes advantage of our brains’ addictive tendencies by training us to use our phones like we’re on a ravenous hunt for serotonin. Meanwhile, blockbusters have gotten longer, but also faster and louder—there’s a big difference between three hours of Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles and three hours of Avengers: Endgame. When we’re asked to listen too long to a bit of dialogue, or gaze at a vista that doesn’t seem to be directly advancing the plot, we’re pulling out our phones. (I’m also guilty of this when watching at home, which is part of the reason I love seeing movies in the theater, where I am duty-bound to actually pay attention.) But there’s an art to the boring movie, and some of them wouldn’t be half as compelling if they actually tried to thrill us with every frame. Here are great movies that invite you to be bored by injecting a bit of silence or lingering on a long conversation. They’ll move you deeply, challenge your preconceptions, or maybe put you right to sleep. Any would be a win, really. To paraphrase the great philosophers Mae West and Xtina: I like a movie what takes its time. Nosferatu (2024) Run time: 132 minutes Robert Eggers is no stranger to a languid pace, and Nosferatu, in tone, resembles his modern folk horror classic The Witch (or, if you prefer: The VVitch). Like that 2015 film, this vampire remake is full of creepy build-up punctuated by moments of shock that are generally few and far between. Reviews for Nosferatu were good, but audiences were divided: Some found its pace seductive, some somnolent. I'm in the former camp, personally, and it's hard to deny that the movie's most disturbing elements stick with you. You can rent Nosferatu from Prime Video. Nosferatu (2024) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Power of the Dog (2021) Run time: 126 minutes Jane Campion is another master of deliberate pacing, including with her most recent—a movie that slow-walked its way into a Best Picture Oscar nomination and won her a Best Director prize. Unlikely western star Benedict Cumberbatch plays Phil Burbank, the stoic and casually cruel leader of a group of cowboys in 1925 Montana. His demeanor masks deeper secrets, gradually brought to the surface as his soft-spoken younger brother falls for a local widow and threatens Phil's power and equilibrium. It's not a movie of big, explosive moments, though, but one whose characters reveal themselves on gradually and with extreme reluctance against a beautifully photographed western backdrop. You can stream The Power of the Dog on Netflix. Power of the Dog (2021) at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix Ali: Fear Eats the Soul (1974) Run time: 93 minutes A lovely and poignant romance from German director Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Ali charts the cross-cultural, May/December romance between 60-year-old widow Emmi (Brigitte Mira) and the title's Ali (El Hedi ben Salem), a much younger (and, it must be said: extremely hot) Moroccan guest worker who draws her eye when she steps into a bar out of the rain. The unlikely pairing draws snickers and open condemnation from Emmi's family and neighbors who think that she has taken leave of her senses—that social schism gradually taking its toll on the relationship. There are dramatic moments, certainly, but it's largely quietly understated, with whispers speaking more loudly than shouts. You can stream Ali: Fear Eats the Soul on Max and The Criterion Channel or rent it from Prime Video. Ali: Fear Eats the Soul (1974) at Max Learn More Learn More at Max Skinamarink (2022) Run time: 100 minutes Writer/director Kyle Edward Ball’s film began life as a YouTube channel devoted to recreations of the childhood nightmares submitted by users. What plot there is in this feature-length take on that idea involves a four-year-old named Kevin who injures himself while home alone with his six-year-old sister, Kaylee. What follows makes little narrative sense, and it’s certainly easy to understand why the micro-budget film was polarizing for audiences. Where the film succeeds, and brilliantly, is in recreating the sense of a child’s twilight world, one in which even a familiar home can feel bizarre, unsettling, and terrifying under the right circumstances. Ball takes his time creating that mood—and it’s nearly all mood. I’m not sure what he’s trying to do has ever been done better. You can stream Skinamarink on Hulu and Shudder or rent it from Prime Video. Skinamarink (2022) at Hulu Learn More Learn More at Hulu Inland Empire (2006) Run time: 180 minutes I’ve seen just about everything that David Lynch has ever produced, and I still have no idea how to talk about Inland Empire. If you don’t count Twin Peaks: The Return (the 18 hours of which Lynch wants you to consider a film), this is the most recent of the director’s features, though it was released way back in 2006 (the first film to be shot entirely on digital video, it’s recently been remastered). There are sex workers and anthropomorphic rabbits in a story about a woman who gives her all to get a part in a Hollywood movie, only to descend into a nearly three-hour fever dream. It’s either a moving and surreal dive into some kind of cinematic collective unconscious, or an impenetrable collection of non sequiturs. No one musters emotions of unease and dread like Lynch, even if we, as viewers, aren’t even sure what we’re so anxious about. You can stream Inland Empire on Max and The Criterion Channel or rent it from Prime Video. Inland Empire (2006) at Max Learn More Learn More at Max Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011) Run time: 81 minutes At a mere 81 minutes, it's hard to get too bored by David Gelb's documentary, but the stakes here are more personal than world-altering. Set to a score by Philip Glass, the film follows the title's Jiro Ono, the then-85-year-old sushi master who's regarded as one of the world's greatest living sushi chefs. He makes sushi that looks (and, presumably, tastes) incredible, crafting the same sushi day after day alongside his sons, while continuing to refine his skills into his 80s and beyond. That's pretty much it. Just a gentle exploration of the idea that the key to happiness might be getting really good at something, but also never being completely content with your talents. You can stream Jiro Dreams of Sushi on Tubi and Prime Video. Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Lost in Translation (2003) Run time: 102 minutes Bob (Bill Murray) takes a business trip to Tokyo smack dab in the middle of a major midlife crisis. Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) is a young Yale grad tagging along on a trip to the city with her celebrity photographer husband. The two outsiders spend time together, experiencing the city with a kind of not-quite-romantic melancholy. Plot-wise, that's pretty much it, but it still winds up being deeply moving. You can rent Lost in Translation from Prime Video. Lost in Translation (2003) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Vitalina Varela (2019) Run time: 124 minutes Vitalina Varela plays the title character here (who shares the actress's name and some of her biography) in the quietly powerful story of a Cape Verdean woman who travels to Portugal to meet with her estranged husband following an absence of decades, only to discover that he's recently died. There's not much more to the plot than that: the story of a migrant worker who all but melted away in his desire for a better life, and the wife who comes to learn about her own husband after a very long time. You can rent Vitalina Varela from Prime Video. Vitalina Varela (2019) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) Run time: 132 minutes (theatrical cut) There’s a scene in the first Star Trek movie that’s controversial not for its political or philosophical content, but for its length: a nearly five-minute shuttle flyby of the newly re-designed USS Enterprise, accompanied by a rousing bit of Jerry Goldsmith scoring. It’s either a nearly erotic bit of spaceship porn, or one of the dullest sequences ever put to film, depending on your perspective (I’m very much team spaceship porn). The rest of director Robert Wise’s movie, rushed into theaters before it was quite finished, is similarly stately paced. There’s no fighting, little action, and plenty of self-serious pontificating. In some ways, it feels like it’s trying too hard to be 2001: A Space Odyssey, but it has a strange power of its own—especially with the circa-2001 director's cut. You can stream Star Trek: The Motion Picture on Paramount+ or rent it from Prime Video. Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) at Paramount+ Learn More Learn More at Paramount+ The Blair Witch Project (1999) Run time: 81 minutes So much of the ur-found footage film’s runtime involves slightly (but realistically) annoying people wandering around lost in the Maryland woods while disturbing, but rarely thrilling, events put them on edge and turn them against each other. Little actually happens before the memorable closing minutes, but it all serves to effectively build up an unbearable sense of tension. This is definitely one where the sum adds up to more than the (often boring) parts. You can stream The Blair Witch Project on Starz or rent it from Prime Video. The Blair Witch Project (1999) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Goodbye, Dragon Inn (2003) Run time: 81 minutes Taiwan's answer, in a sense, to Cinema Paradiso, this film takes place almost entirely during a screening of the (real) 1967 wuxia classic Dragon Inn at an old Taipei movie theater on its last night. It's all very deceptively simple, alternately following filmgoers of various persuasions and motivations: a woman looking for food, a Japanese tourist looking for a good time with another man (any man, really), an elderly actor from the film, etc. With a sense of the absurd but also a sweetly poignant take on the death of the cinema experience, director Tsai Ming-liang takes his time to build a film in which the sum of individual moments builds to a greater whole. You can rent Goodbye, Dragon Inn from Prime Video. Goodbye, Dragon Inn (2003) Learn More Learn More Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011) Run time: 127 minutes When we think of spy dramas, we tend to think of Bond (James Bond), Bourne, or Atomic Blonde...but Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is something else entirely, a quietly paranoid film set in a grubby, dingy 1970s. Gary Oldman plays John Le Carre's George Smiley, here brought out of retirement to help uncover a mole within the highest ranks of British intelligence. There's barely any action, and nary even a raised voice (in stark contrast with Oldman's more recent spymaster role in Slow Horses). Instead, Tinker Tailor makes the case that spy craft is about information: who has it, who controls it, and who knows how to get it. You can rent Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy from Prime Video. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Russian Ark (2002) Run time: 96 minutes As boring Russian movies go, Russian Ark is especially challenging, but also, ultimately, really lovely and rewarding. It’s also a supreme technical feat, unfolding in a single, uninterrupted take. Filmed in the the Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg, the story, such as it is, involves an unnamed narrator who wanders the halls of the building, encountering real and fictional people from the city’s 300-year history. The discussions are largely philosophical, but the scope increases as the movie progresses. By the end, we’ve encountered 2,000 people and multiple orchestras, all seamlessly maneuvered through time and space. You can rent Russian Ark from Prime Video. Russian Ark (2002) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Eyes Wide Shut (1999) Run time: 159 minutes Few Stanley Kubrick movies couldn’t appear here; the director loves his deliberate pacing. Eyes Wide Shut is a particularly interesting case, though, since a movie about Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, and a kinky sex cult doesn’t sound like something in danger of putting people to sleep. And yet, people were initially put off by the movie’s chilly formalism and distant, dreamlike feel. Kubrick’s swan song was a bit of a bait-and-switch, promising a peek under the covers of one of Hollywood’s then-hottest couples, and instead offering a slow-paced cautionary tale about the dangers of sexual obsession. You can stream Eyes Wide Shut on the Criterion Channel or rent it from Prime Video. Eyes Wide Shut (1999) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Ikiru (1952) Run time: 143 minutes Japanese director Akira Kurosawa is best known for epics such as The Seven Samurai and Rashomon, but even in those relatively action-packed films, an ambivalence toward lives filled with violence breaks through. His filmography is also filled with quieter, more contemplative works, with 1952's Ikiru (meaning, roughly, “To Live”) among the best. Kanji Watanabe (Kurosawa regular Takashi Shimura) plays a veteran bureaucrat who has worked in the same monotonous job for decades. At the same time he discovers that he’s dying of stomach cancer, a group of parents arrives in search of permits to clear a cesspool and build a playground for the local children. Watanabe commits himself to going against everything he’s learned about playing by the rules in order to help the parents cut through the red tape that would likely put an end to their dream. It’s both a universal and a uniquely Japanese story about heroic deeds, even if they mostly involve shuffling paperwork. You can stream Ikiru on Max and The Criterion Channel or rent it from Prime Video. Ikiru (1952) at Max Learn More Learn More at Max Judgment at Nuremberg (1961) Run time: 3 hours and 10 minutes What do you mean you're not into watching a three-plus hour courtroom scene? Director Stanley Kramer followed up Inherit the Wind with this legal drama depicting a fictionalized version of one of the twelve Nuremberg Military Tribunals that determined the horrifying extent of Nazi war crimes following World War II. Spencer Tracy leads one of the most star-stacked casts ever(?), including Burt Lancaster, Marlene Dietrich, Judy Garland, William Shatner, and Montgomery Clift, among others. You can stream Judgment at Nuremberg on Tubi and MGM+ or buy it from Prime Video. Judgment at Nuremberg (1961) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Beau Travail (1999) Run time: 90 minutes Galoup (Denis Lavant) reflects on his experiences in Djibouti, leading a section of men as part of the French Foreign Legion in writer/director Claire Denis’s sun-baked queer classic. Everything is going great for Gallup until the arrival of Gilles Sentain (Grégoire Colin), who inadvertently threatens Galoup’s relationship with his commander, and inspires Galoup to a nearly irrational jealousy. There’s the potential for violent drama, but the film favors the languid and elliptical (also the very sweaty), building tension through stunning scenery and brilliant camerawork. Beau Travail makes frequent appearances on Best-Movies-of-All-Time lists, and deservedly so. You can stream Beau Travail on Max and The Criterion Channel or rent it from Prime Video. Beau Travail (1999) at Max Learn More Learn More at Max The Straight Story (1999) Run time: 112 minutes This one is a David Lynch movie so uncharacteristic of the director that it hardly feels like his movie; watch this Disney release back-to-back with Inland Empire and feel your brain melt. The great Richard Farnsworth, joined by Sissy Spacek, plays the real-life Alvin Straight, who crossed the country to visit his ailing brother on a riding lawnmower, going around five miles per hour, which is also about how fast the narrative moves. Lynch’s sensibilities somehow bring a feeling of newness to the slow-moving story set in a rural landscape. You can stream The Straight Story on Disney+ or rent it from Prime Video. The Straight Story (1999) at Disney+ Learn More Learn More at Disney+ Weekend (2011) Run time: 97 minutes Andrew Haigh’s slice-of-gay-life romantic drama stars starring Tom Cullen and Chris New as a couple of guys who hook-up at club and spend the titular weekend together. They talk about their interests and pasts, eat, go for walks, and engage in some frank (especially for the time) fucking—honestly, it’s still rare to find a mainstream-ish movie with even a basic understanding of the mechanics of cis gay male sex. Anyway! A planned move on Monday ups the stakes by putting a time limit on their relationship, but otherwise the dramatic beats are all emotional, with the movie providing a charming, poignant, and generally real-feeling look at modern relationships. You can stream Weekend on AMC+ and The Criterion Channel or rent it from Prime Video. Weekend (2011) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Before Sunrise (1995) Run time: 101 minutes Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke wander around Vienna, having casual conversations and offering up monologues relating to their views on life, art, and love. Director Richard Linklater’s minimalist, flawlessly cast movie is simultaneously soaringly romantic and completely down to earth, its no-plot premise feeling as daring and risk-taking as anything in cinema. If you like it, two more similarly slow-paced installments follow. You can rent Before Sunrise from Prime Video. Before Sunrise (1995) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Paterson (2016) Run time: 118 minutes Jim Jarmusch directs Adam Driver as the title character, a bus driver and poet who follows pretty much the same routine each and every day (which is deeply relatable, even if it’s a lot more common in real life than onscreen). Paterson drives his bus, walks his wife’s dog, and stops at a bar for a beer in the afternoon, each day writing some poetry in his notebook. As a movie, it’s deliberately non-dramatic, even as it turns on the kind of small event that can cause major upheaval in your life. You can stream Paterson on Prime Video and Freevee. Paterson (2016) at Freevee Learn More Learn More at Freevee Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles (1975) Run time: 201 minutes Even the name of Chantal Ackerman’s masterpiece is long, with the finished film clocking in at over three hours and taking place over just three days, with a camera that, by design, hardly seems to move. And yet! The film captures the highly disciplined schedule of a widowed mother who goes through the same routine each day, one that includes fairly joyless sex work involving a single customer before her son gets home from school. It’s all quietly captivating. When the drudgery of Jeanne’s day-to-day live begins to unravel, very slowly, the resulting breakdown is as fascinating, hypnotic, and as subtly horrifying as everything that came before. You can stream Jeanne Dielmann on Max and The Criterion Channel or rent it from Prime Video. Jeanne Dielman (1975) at Max Learn More Learn More at Max It Follows (2014) Run time: 100 minutes While its pacing might not be nearly as languid as others listed here, the premise of It Follows makes clear that we’re on an entirely different spectrum from other chase-based horror movies; even the slowest of slow zombies could outpace the threats in writer-director David Robert Mitchell’s breakout film. The plot involves something that could be described as a sexually transmitted curse, in which a victim is pursued by an entity that can look like anyone. It doesn’t chase you, nor is it even overtly threatening, but it will pursue you to the ends of the Earth, if need be, while taking its sweet-ass time. It’s probably the movie most responsible for the “elevated horror” discourse; some would argue the entire sub-genre is boring as hell. You can stream It Follows on Max or rent it from Prime Video. It Follows (2014) at Max Learn More Learn More at Max The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017) Run time: 121 minutes Greek writer-director Yorgos Lanthimos, who’d go on to get a pile of Oscar nominations for The Favourite the year after this one came out, is clearly never in a hurry, with each of his movies employing pacing best described as leisurely. In The Favourite, that style serves to heighten the satire; here, it helps to build a deeply unsettling atmosphere. Inspired by Greek tragedy (Euripides' Iphigenia in Aulis, specifically), the film introduces a seemingly perfect family (led by Colin Farrell and Nicole Kidman) who come into contact with a mysterious teenager (Barry Keoghan) who gradually insinuates himself into their lives. We know he’s up to something, and eventually, they do too—but it’s not until the final act that we fully grasp his motives, and his relentlessly planned revenge. You can stream Killing of a Sacred Deer on Max or rent it from Prime Video. The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017) at Max Learn More Learn More at Max The Seventh Seal (1957) Run time: 96 minutes There’s plenty of incident in Ingmar Bergman’s historical fantasy, but there’s also an awful lot of quiet. Many of the director’s films build waves of deep emotion that start as bubbles just under the surface, cresting only sporadically, but powerfully. Here, instead, we have the Black Plague-era story of people at various stages of acceptance amid the sure knowledge that God, if He’s not dead, is at least entirely silent and disinterested in them. Max von Sydow plays cynical knight Antonius Block, who memorably plays chess with Death even as he encounters a parade of peasants in his travels whose only hope for happiness lies in defying entropy and embracing life. You can stream The Seventh Seal on Max and The Criterion Channel or rent it from Prime Video. The Seventh Seal (1957) at Max Learn More Learn More at Max A Ghost Story (2017) Run time: 92 minutes Director David Lowery has a pretty stellar track record, at least outside a couple of perfectly fine Disney movies, and A Ghost Story is probably among the best contemplations of death ever put to film. A man dies unexpectedly, but instead of moving on, he haunts the wife he left behind, while wearing a traditional ghost sheet. That’s pretty much it as far as plot goes, but there’s poignant beauty in the man’s slow walk through the afterlife, and his growing realization that change is painful, but often hurts less than holding on. Never before or since have I wept at a scene in which a grief-stricken woman eats an entire pie. You can rent A Ghost Story from Prime Video. A Ghost Story (2017) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Drive My Car (2021) Run time: 179 minutes The story on which the movie is based, from Japanese writer Haruki Murakami (Kafka on the Shore, IQ84) only runs to around 45 pages, and yet this film adaptation stretches to three hours. It’s the story of a widowed theater director who forges a bond with the young woman assigned to drive him to Hiroshima for his latest project. It offers little in the way of incident, and relatively minimal dialogue, though the cinematography the sound design make those silent stretches captivating. Ultimately, it’s a story about the transcendent beauty of human connection, even through all of the pain that keeps us apart. It’s also a film about how, sometimes, it’s OK to chat with your Lyft driver. You can stream Drive My Car on Max or rent it from Prime Video. Drive My Car (2021) at Max Learn More Learn More at Max Barry Lyndon (1975) Run time: 185 minutes Kubrick, who never really hit the same genre twice, had a go at historical drama with astounding effect—even if it’s probably the least watched film of his peak era. It’s not hard to understand why, given the long running time and lack of sci-fi/horror trappings in the styles of a 2001 or a Shining, but it’s very much a Kubrick film, with all that entails. Emotions run deep but distant, and it’s a technical triumph, full of exquisite period detail. Though the pace is undeniably slow, sometimes to the point of languid, the story of a ruthless social climber (Ryan O’Neal) is also probably the director’s funniest (in a very dry way), and also his most deeply cynical. If his other films are reaching to find the goodness in humanity, this one makes the argues that some people are just shits. You can rent Barry Lyndon from Prime Video. Barry Lyndon (1975) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video The Thin Red Line (1998) Run time: 185 minutes It’s been said it’s nearly impossible to make a true anti-war film, given that movies are so often in the business of enthralling and thrilling us, and how do you have a war movie without action? Writer/director Terence Malick’s The Thin Red Line isn’t an anti-war film, precisely, but it’s far more focused on the philosophy of war and its effects on the lives and minds of the soldiers that fight in it. Instead of battle sequences, we’re most often watching the faces of the grunts witnessing them. The result might not be the greatest war film ever, but it is something unique in the history of that genre. You can stream The Thin Red Line on Prime Video. The Thin Red Line (1998) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Valhalla Rising (2009) Run time: 92 minutes As with Malick’s unconventional take on the war film, Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn does something wholly unexpected with the many Viking-adjacent movies and TV shows of the past decade. The mute One-Eye (Mads Mikkelsen) is a fighter, but only because he’s been made to be one. In thrall to a Norwegian chieftain in the Scottish highlands, his escape sees him befriended by a slightly more talkative boy as they set out toward the coast, beset by terrifying visions (mostly) and real threats (occasionally). The film is far more concerned with mood than violence, of which there’s only a bit; in the long interludes of walking and mysterious dreams lie the story’s heart. You can stream Valhalla Rising on Netflix and Shudder or buy it from Prime Video. Valhalla Rising (2009) at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix Paris, Texas (1984) Run time: 147 minutes Travis Henderson (the late, great Harry Dean Stanton) wanders out of the desert, bewildered, and seemingly with no knowledge of who he is. A doctor manages to find his brother Walt (the also late, also great Dean Stockwell), and Travis begins a journey back to himself, and his family, and the choices that defined his life up until that point. Wim Wenders is a brilliant director of desolation, and presents the modern American west as an alien landscape equally strange, mysterious, and healing. And you get to see a lot of that landscape over the film’s nearly three-hour runtime. You can stream Paris, Texas on Max and The Criterion Channel or rent it from Prime Video. Paris, Texas (1984) at Max Learn More Learn More at Max Solaris (1972) Run time: 166 minutes Solaris is ostensibly a sci-fi thriller about first contact with an unknowable alien entity. It also includes a five-minute uninterrupted scene of a car driving through a tunnel. (Nothing exciting happens in the tunnel.) Based on the Stanislaw Lem novel, this 1972 Soviet film from boring film artiste par excellence Andrei Tarkovsky takes you to another world that also doesn’t seem to have much going on, as astronaut psychologist Kris Kelvin is sent to the remote Solaris space station to figure out whether it’s worth continuing the mission to study the planet below, which appears to be nothing more than one vast ocean. But there’s something going on beneath those waves, and a beneath the endless, drawn out shots of the churning waves and the empty corridors of the station; both the movie and the alien world seek to lull you into a false sense of security. Tarkovsky’s goal was to move past what he saw as the cold materialism of Western science fiction into something more emotionally resonant, and damn if he didn’t succeed (while also being a little dull). You can stream Solaris on Max and The Criterion Channel or rent it from Prime Video. Solaris (1972) at Max Learn More Learn More at Max 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) Run time: 139 minutes One more from Mr. Kubrick, clearly a master of very deliberate pacing. 2001 is thrilling in its scope (from the dawn of humanity, to a future enhanced and endangered by artificial intelligence, to our ultimate(?) evolution—it's easy to forget how many graceful, elegant asides there are on the journey. A shuttle docks to a space station to the Blue Danube Waltz, and that's just the first of many sequences with minimal dialogue and maximum classical music scoring. Even the film's kaleidoscopic and consequential finale eschews traditional thrills in favor of something more cerebral. Ponderous to some, there's a reason that the movie's messages and meanings have been debated for decades. You can stream 2001 on Max or rent to from Prime Video. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) at Max Learn More Learn More at Max Stalker (1979) Run time: 161 minutes When the Soviet State Committee for Cinematography criticized the pace of Stalker upon its initial release, Andrei Tarkovsky allegedly retorted: "The film needs to be slower and duller at the start so that the viewers who walked into the wrong theatre have time to leave before the main action starts." Though the "main action" here is also fairly subdued, if we're being entirely honest. In a nebulous near-future, an event of some kind has created an area known only as "The Zone," a region in which the normal rules of physics don't apply, and that's equally full of wonders and terrors, even if the aesthetic is mostly dusty post-apocalypse. It's off-limits, but there's a market for Stalkers—individuals who know their way around enough to help others find what they're looking for. In this case, our Stalker (Alexander Kaidanovsky) is tasked by characters known only as "The Writer" and "The Professor" to help them find a room that can grant your deepest desire. It's easy to get lost in Tarkovsky's world if we're willing to give ourselves over to it, and the philosophical ideas at play—including the question as to whether getting your heart's desire would be anything other than a disaster—are genuinely compelling. You can stream Stalker on Max and The Criterion Channel or rent it from Prime Video. Stalker (1979) at Max Learn More Learn More at Max La Notte (1961) Run time: 122 minutes Like all of Michelangelo Antonioni's significant films, La Notte ditches the plot in favor of telling its story through atmosphere. In modern terms? It's all vibes. Marcello Mastroianni and Jeanne Moreau play a married couple—an embittered novelist and his increasingly detached wife—who carry on a day's worth of social engagements despite their growing understanding that the marriage isn't working. Antonioni can find beauty in the most prosaic settings, and his ennui is more interesting than the action of many others' movies. You can stream La Notte on Max and The Criterion Channel or rent it from Prime Video. La Notte (1961) at Max Learn More Learn More at Max View the full article