VIVID LUME - NEW YEAR EDITION
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“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.”
- Marie Curie
ISSA (Information Systems Security Association) provides a dynamic platform where students passionate about cybersecurity can collaborate, learn, and share insights. It functions as a supportive community, offering valuable resources and opportunities for students to develop their skills and engage with like-minded peers in the field of information security.
As we bid farewell to the old and usher in the new, it's our pleasure to extend a warm welcome to each one of you to the New Year Edition of the ISSA newsletter! As we step into another year filled with endless possibilities, we want to extend our heartfelt wishes to each one of you.
Whether you're a seasoned member or a new face, we're thrilled to have you on board for another year of fun, learning, and collaboration.
In this special edition of the newsletter we bring to you :
Strategies to help you power through Quitter's Day
New Year's resolutions - the promises we make in December and break in January?!
Not anymore !! Discover strategies to defy Quitter's Day and stay committed to your New Year's resolutions with our insightful article.
A look back at 2023 - THE YEAR THAT WAS
“2023 REWIND & 2024 FORECAST: TECH Edition”
From artificial intelligence to healthcare innovations and the latest developments in Wildfire technology, we bring you all the major Tech breakthroughs of 2023 in our exclusive “REWIND” feature. From triumphs to challenges, we'll revisit the year that was. But that's not all! Brace yourself for a sneak peek into the future of tech with our “2024 Forecast.” What trends, innovations, and surprises does the coming year hold? Prepare to rewind, reflect, and forecast ! #YearInReview
Food for thought
Share your take on the paradox of genuine expression in the digital era !!
4. What do you meme?
Test your knowledge about Machine Learning with a fun meme!
Follow Soham Sisodiya’s journey to Culinary Startup Triumph
Embark on a Journey with Soham Sisodiya: "From Accidental Confession to Culinary Conquest." This tale unfolds the vivid chapters of Soham's life, where college life fades into professional monotony, only to spark a culinary revolution. Join us in exploring the highs, lows, and the flavorful triumph of "Maa's Magic." 🍲✨
ISSA Event Report: December
A convergence of minds and technology, the December 4th extravaganza featured an orientation, followed by the gaming spectacle, SPHINX. Revisit the event with our event report!
📰 Engage with Us! Kickstart your reading experience by sharing your perspective. Take a moment to answer our quick poll !!
Strategies to help you power through Quitter’s Day
You're probably painfully familiar with New Year's resolution statistics: Whether it's a small, (seemingly) easily achievable goal or a huge, life-changing goal, people tend to fail at the same rate: Approximately 80 percent of people who make New Year's resolutions have dropped them by the second week of February.
Many don't make it nearly that long. Research conducted by Strava using over 800 million user-logged activities in 2019 predicts the day most people are likely to give up on their New Year's Resolution is January 19. (Strava calls it "Quitter's Day.")
While it's certainly harder to achieve a huge goal than a small one, the difficulty of the goal you set isn't nearly as important as whether or not you develop the kind of habits that allow you to achieve that goal.
Otherwise, you're just wishing and hoping. Your intentions are great, but unless you develop new habits... your chances for success are non-existent.
So, let's help you fix that. Here are some simple steps you can take that will not only help you stick to your New Year's resolutions but more importantly achieve any goal you set.
A look back at 2023 - the year that was…
Dictionaries have announced their words of the year.
On 27th November 2023 the US’s most esteemed lexicon, Merriam-Webster, revealed its choice: “authentic”.
In its announcement, the dictionary said the word had seen a big jump in searches this year, thanks to discussions “about AI, celebrity culture, identity, and social media”. It makes a lot of sense – the concept of authenticity does, to use another buzzy phrase, sit at the intersection of so much of what’s been on our collective minds.
Large language models like ChatGPT and image generators like DALL-E have left us uncertain about what’s genuine, from student essays to the pope’s fashion choices, while concerns over artificial intelligence’s version of creativity helped fuel a long-running Hollywood strike. When it comes to the news, online mis- and disinformation, along with armies of bots, have us operating under different sets of facts. And in a world in which we carefully craft digital selves, it’s increasingly difficult to distinguish personality from persona.
Sure enough, other leading dictionaries’ words of the year are remarkably similar.
Cambridge chose “hallucinate”, focusing its announcement on generative AI:
“It’s far from perfect as it’s capable of producing false information – hallucinations – and presenting this information as fact.”
Collins didn’t beat around the bush: its word of the year is “AI”.
It’s not typical for these dictionaries to be so aligned in their choices. Last year, Webster chose “gaslighting”, Cambridge picked “homer”, and Collins chose “permacrisis”. (Oxford, which incorporates public voting into its process, went with “goblin mode” last year ; this year it also stuck with slang, choosing “rizz”.)
In a polarized world, the dictionaries’ solidarity suggests there’s something we can all agree on: AI is the next big thing. Unlike gaslighting and goblin mode, AI is an obsession that seems to cross generations. Whether you’re a boomer or Gen-Z OpenAI feels like a sign of change far beyond NFTs, the metaverse, and all the other fads we were told would transform humanity.
2023 REWIND & 2024 FORECAST
“TECH Edition”
From AI to the latest developments in robotics and climate technology, we bring you all the major tech breakthroughs of 2023 in our exclusive “REWIND” feature. From triumphs to challenges, we'll revisit the year that was.
But that's not all! Brace yourself for a sneak peek into the future of tech with our “2024 Forecast.” What trends, innovations, and surprises does the coming year hold? Prepare to rewind, reflect, and forecast ! #YearInReview
Food for thought:
Meanwhile, back in the realm of actual humans, celebrities and wellness gurus are flexing their “authentic selves” – as Merriam-Webster points out, authenticity itself has become a performance. In other words, we’re getting very good at pretending to be real.
But what is real, is unfortunately often not that interesting. Maybe it’s time to take a different view of authenticity. What if we accept our social media feeds as not who we are but carefully curated extensions of ourselves – like little aspirational art projects? After all, who we want to be is an important part of our identity. Instead of seeing Instagram and TikTok as performed authenticity, maybe we can see them for what they are: authentic performances.
Have a different take on this subject?! Dive into the comments and share your unique perspective!
What do you Meme ??
How well do you understand this meme ?
Let us know in the comments below !!
“Soham Sisodiya: From Accidental Confession to Culinary Conquest”
Once upon a time in the world of Soham Sisodiya, a spirited IIIT Kanpur graduate, life seemed destined for excitement and adventure, both in college and beyond. His college escapades were like fireworks in the night sky, bursting with exhilaration. But as life nudged him into the professional realm, the once vibrant colors started to fade into hues of predictable monotony.
Like a misplaced confession in a crowded room, Soham accidentally spilled his dissatisfaction to his boss, thinking they were someone else. The fallout? An unexpected dismissal. Jobless and facing the prying eyes of a curious society, he was stranded in a sea of uncertainty for a good month or two. Interviews turned into déjà vu encounters, resembling the very environment he desperately sought to escape.
In this conundrum, a seed of an idea sprouted—a startup concept that danced in the realm of culinary magic. Enter "Maa’s Magic," where home-cooked meals were delivered to office desks, a symphony of flavors crafted by skilled mothers. Soham became the master persuader, convincing numerous mothers to pack five boxes of love every day. At first, critics scoffed, wondering why the erstwhile office-goer was now the delivery guy. But as more and more joined the culinary caravan, an app emerged, a digital gateway to this gastronomic marvel.
However, not all stood in applause. Soham’s determined venture met the roadblock of familial concern. His mother, scarred by his father's business misfortunes, vehemently opposed investing their savings. Yet, undeterred, Soham forged ahead. With his friend by his side, they plunged every penny into the venture, despite the maternal cautionary waves.
And behold! Against the odds and motherly apprehensions, Maas Magic burgeoned into India's most innovative startup. The once-dismissed notion of delivering homely meals to office desks blossomed into a revolution. Soham's conviction proved that even the doubting murmurs of familial worry couldn't dim the brilliance of a daring vision.
ISSA Event Report : December
The ISSA Club's event on December 4th, 2023, was monumental, attracting over 180 students and leaving an indelible mark on our community's history. It was a convergence of minds and technology, celebrated the collaborative spirit, and commenced with the much-anticipated ISSABELL orientation, offering a brief yet enlightening journey into command line interfaces.
Teams were carefully formed, emphasizing collaboration among 18 groups of eight individuals each. ISSABELL served not just as an introduction but as a teaser for the gaming spectacle, SPHINX, which unfolded across three challenging levels. The inclusion of terminators added unpredictability, intensifying the competition.
SPHINX centered on command line interface prowess, with teams decoding riddles to progress. It transformed the event into a fusion of technology and problem-solving, engaging participants in a dynamic learning experience. The heart of the event wasn't just competition; it was about collaboration, turning abstract concepts into tangible problem-solving tools.
Participants, regardless of their familiarity with the command line, found the event both entertaining and informative. It merged theoretical knowledge with practical application, fostering a dynamic interplay of technology, collaboration, and learning.
The crescendo of positive feedback highlighted the event's success. It wasn't solely about winning or losing but about the knowledge gained and the bonds forged in the competitive arena. Participants' responses testified to the event’s transformative nature and meticulous execution.
Overall, the event was more than just a gaming spectacle; it was an educational journey, blending theoretical concepts with practical application and fostering collaboration among participants, leaving a lasting impact on all involved.
And finally…
When the former Albanian dictator Enver Hoxha delivered his New Year message in 1967, he pulled the cord marked “truth bomb”.
“This year will be harder than last year,” he declared. “It will, however, be easier than next year.”
I mean … on the one hand: thanks for not sugar-coating it, Enver. On the other: way to kill the party buzz, you monster! With that, what remains for us is to wish you all a splendid new year. (Goodness knows you’ve earned it !!)
Curated by :
ISSA Editorial Team
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