I almost started this by saying, “well, this is it—things can’t get any dumber,” but then I remembered how many times that statement has turned out to be wrong. What triggered it this time was learning about Montana Senate Bill 235, because if that bill became law, schools in that state would be forbidden to teach science.

Ah. I see that, even after all this time, some of you are still reluctant to believe me when I report things like this. “I’ve trusted you so far, Kevin, to the point that I was about to start writing you a series of large checks on a monthly basis. But now I’m not so sure, because this cannot be real.” But it is. Here’s the Montana state legislature admitting it, and here’s the text of the bill:

“WHEREAS, the purpose of K-12 education is to educate children in the facts of our world to better prepare them for their future …, and to that end children must know the difference between scientific fact and scientific theory; and

WHEREAS, a scientific fact is observable and repeatable, and if it does not meet these criteria, it is a theory that is defined as speculation and is for higher education to explore, debate, and test to ultimately reach a scientific conclusion of fact or fiction.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

NEW SECTION. Section 1. Requirements for science instruction in schools.

(1) Science instruction may not include subject matter that is not scientific fact.

(2) The board of public education may not include in content area standards any standard requiring curriculum or instruction in a scientific topic that is not scientific fact.

(3) The superintendent of public instruction shall ensure that any science curriculum guides developed by the office of public instruction include only scientific fact.

(4)(a) The trustees of a school district shall ensure that science curriculum and instructional materials, including textbooks, used in the district include only scientific fact.

(b) Beginning July 1, 2025, a parent may appeal the trustees’ lack of compliance … to the county superintendent and, subsequently, to the superintendent of public instruction….

(5) The legislature intends for this section to be strictly enforced and narrowly interpreted.

(6) As used in this section, “scientific fact” means an indisputable and repeatable observation of a natural phenomenon.”

Emphasis added. So if this were to become law, kids in grades K-12 could be instructed only about “scientific facts,” and anything that isn’t a “scientific fact” would be purged from their textbooks. Just the facts—what could be wrong with that, the sponsor of this bill would probably say if you asked him? But of course the kicker is section six, which limits the definition of “scientific fact” to “an indisputable and repeatable observation of a natural phenomenon.” Indisputable. Under this bill, anything that can be disputed would fail to qualify as a “scientific fact,” and could not be taught to the children of Montana.

Taken literally, that would be pretty much everything short of a purely objective measurement. The sponsor probably doesn’t intend it to be taken that literally, and even if he did, stuff like basic chemistry and physics might survive. So kids would still learn to do more than, like, count things. But the word “indisputable” would dramatically limit what can be taught as “science.” (I realize I probably don’t need to explain this to you, but allow me to vent for a couple of paragraphs.) In fact, you could argue this would eliminate the scientific method itself, which is fundamentally about disputing things and trying to disprove hypotheses.

Well, it wouldn’t eliminate it, you just couldn’t teach kids in Montana about it.

The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Daniel Emrich, isn’t wrong to say that scientific facts should be “observable” and “repeatable,” but he’s plainly unclear on the concept of “theories,” as the preface to the bill shows. Theories are not “defined as speculation.” A particular “theory” might be speculative if it hasn’t been tested, but I think scientists would call that a “hypothesis.” A hypothesis that stands up to testing might get promoted to a “theory,” but that doesn’t mean it becomes “indisputable.” My understanding is that people are still disputing some of what Newton and Einstein thought about gravity, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t tell kids about it. Studies have repeatedly shown it works, even in Montana.

My guess would be that what Emrich is really after here is stuff like the “theory of evolution” or the “theory of climate change,” without actually saying so. He is free to dispute those, but he’s got First Amendment problems with trying to ban teaching them. And I agree that as the preface says, children “must know the difference between scientific fact and scientific theory,” but legislators should too.

To give credit where credit is due, Emrich has also sponsored a bill that would eliminate jail penalties for littering, and I’m completely on board with that one.

As Mehta notes, Emrich doesn’t have even an elementary understanding of theory in science.  He doesn’t know that there’s a difference between the everyday notion of theory, a guess or speculation, and the scientific idea, which concerns a body of explanatory principles based on observation.

It’s alarming that this gutter-level ignorance holds power anywhere, but it does across the country, and Christian conservatives are leading the charge.

What we should be doing is improving science education, adopting critical thinking standards, and better educating our educators in these.  (Among many other needed reforms.)

Instead, at least in Montana, Emrich “refuses to educate himself and now he’s eager to make sure students remain at his level.”

tl;dr:

"Section 1. Requirements for science instruction in schools.

"(1) Science instruction may not include subject matter that is not scientific fact."

So, no "theories" of gravity, evolution, cells, quantum...

At the bill's first public hearing, objectors pointed out that this was likely to be interpreted to ban introduction of any scientific concept commonly referred to with the word "theory." The theory of gravity and the theory of evolution are the two most commonly known examples. It would be extremely weird, to say the least, to scrub Newtonian physics from the curriculum because the equations represent a theory of how objects move that, as it turns out, is just a mostly-accurate-enough approximation of what's going on in the quantum realm.

I wonder if they want us stupid for corporations or religions to take over...

Montana bill would ban teaching of scientific theories in schools Montana freshman Senator Daniel Emrich (R) thinks children shouldn't be taught scientific theories. He introduced Senate Bill 235, which says, "The trustees of a school district shall ensure that science curriculum and instructional materials, including textbooks, used in the district include only scientific fact." — Read the rest https://boingboing.net/2023/02/08/montana-bill-would-ban-teaching-of-scientific-theories-in-schools.html

Forza 6 Legacy from a52 on Vimeo.

Film Title: “What We’ve Been Racing Toward” Game Title/Product: Forza 6 Motorsport Client: Microsoft Xbox

Agency: twofifteenmccann Chief Creative Officer: Scott Duchon ACD/Art Director: Ezra Paulekas Copywriter: Mat Bunnell Director of Integrated Production: Alex Spahr Senior Producer: Brandon Romer Producer: Sarah Sweeney Business Director: Peter Goldstein Account Management Supervisor: Bryant Marcia Assistant Account Executive: EmmaLee Branch Director of Strategy: Gabrielle Tenaglia VP Planning Director: Brian Wakabayashi Brand Strategist: Daniele Dominguez

Production Company: Arts & Sciences Director: Michael Spiccia Executive Producer: Mal Ward, Marc Marrie Line Producer: Ben Scandrett-Smith Director of Photography: Claudio Miranda Editorial: Rock Paper Scissors Editor: Louis-Philippe Charette Assistant Editor: Lauren Dellara Producer: Ashley Bartell Executive Producer: Angela Dorian

VFX Studio: a52 VFX Supervisor: Andy McKenna CG Supervisor: John Cherniack 2D VFX Artist(s): Andy Rafael Barrios, Matt Sousa, Miles Essmiller, Hugh Seville, Chris Moore, Michael Plescia, Michael Vagilenty, Brendan Crockett, Steve Wolff, Christel Hazard Finishing: Dan Ellis, Gabe Sanchez, Kevin Stokes 3D Artists: Aaron Baker, Jon Balcome, Mike Bettinardi, Michael Cardenas, Joe Chiechi, Erin Clark, Alyssa Diaz, Tim Kadowaki, Wendy Klein, Lily Morgan, Nathaniel Morgan, Sam Ortiz, Joe Paniagua, Andrew Romatz, Joao Rosa, Ian Ruhfass, Abel Salazar, Kirk Shintani, Andy Wilkoff, Katie Yoon Concept Design: Ram Bhat, Heidi Berg Roto Artists: Tiffany Germann Producer: Stacy Kessler-Aungst Head of Production: Kim Christensen Executive Producer: Patrick Nugent End Titles: a52

Music: “Danger High Voltage” by Electric Six. Remix by Human Worldwide.

Sound Design: Brian Emrich

Mix: Lime Studios Mixers: Rohan Young, Jeff Malen

Neo-sun worshiper Martin prepares to appease the solar Gods with ritual human sacrifice. But first he needs a spray tan. Executive produced by David Gordon Green and Dal Wolf, "Bronzed" is a dark comedy starring Linas Phillips and Johnny Pemberton. The film is produced by Chris Capretto and written and directed by Mike Egan. It is their first film. WORLD PREMIERE 2019 SXSW Film Festival ONLINE PREMIERE Short of the Week OFFICIAL SELECTION Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival RiverRun International Film Festival Athens International Film + Video Festival CREDITS Writer and Director: Mike Egan Starring: Linas Phillips and Johnny Pemberton Producer: Chris Capretto Executive Producers: David Gordon Green and Dal Wolf Co-Producer: Amy Berriochoa Director of Photography: Bobby Bukowski Editor: Matthew Hilber Production Designer: Schuyler Telleen Original Music: Seth Olinsky Assistant Director: Dennis Brenhaug Gaffer: Justin Ward Best Boy Electric: Mike Weiss Key Grip: Oliver Schaal Best Boy Grip: Adam Lutz Dolly Grip: Travis Buffington Assistant Camera: Eric Macy Set Decorator: Jade Harris Lead Person: Gwen Hopman Damon Prop Master: Emily Weck Swing: Dave Koenig Lead Makeup / Hair / Wardrobe: Eve White Assistant Makeup / Hair / Wardrobe: Sara Dickman Spray Tan Technician: Diane Page DIT: Chris Hackett Sound Mixer: Zach Kahl Stunt Coordinator: Mindy Kelly Jennifer: Colleen Socha Mr. Phillips's Body Double: William Wiesner Production Assistant: Daniel Rawson Craft Service: Stephanie Capretto Catering: People's Pig, Elephants Delicatessen, and Tamale Boy Casting Director: Simon Max Hill Casting Associate: Rachel Mossey Offline Executive Producer: Leslie Carthy Online Executive Producer: Alex Thiesen Colorist / VFX Artist: David Jahns Title Design: John Dwight Sound Designer: Brian Emrich Cello / Viola / Violin: Paul Wiancko Re-Recording Mixer: Noah Woodburn Audio Assistant: Natalie Huizenga Music Licensing: Marmoset Music and Rough Trade

Interesting Papers for Week 20, 2017

Developmental metaplasticity in neural circuit codes of firing and structure. Baram, Y. (2017). Neural Networks, 85, 182–196.

Optical magnetic detection of single-neuron action potentials using quantum defects in diamond. Barry, J. F., Turner, M. J., Schloss, J. M., Glenn, D. R., Song, Y., Lukin, M. D., … Walsworth, R. L. (2016). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 113(49), 14133–14138.

Orientation Selectivity from Very Sparse LGN Inputs in a Comprehensive Model of Macaque V1 Cortex. Chariker, L., Shapley, R., & Young, L.-S. (2016). Journal of Neuroscience, 36(49), 12368–12384.

Rapid recovery from the effects of early monocular deprivation is enabled by temporary inactivation of the retinas. Fong, M.-F., Mitchell, D. E., Duffy, K. R., & Bear, M. F. (2016). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 113(49), 14139–14144.

Dopamine neurons encode performance error in singing birds. Gadagkar, V., Puzerey, P. A., Chen, R., Baird-Daniel, E., Farhang, A. R., & Goldberg, J. H. (2016). Science, 354(6317), 1278–1282.

Neural Architecture of Hunger-Dependent Multisensory Decision Making in C. elegans. Ghosh, D. D., Sanders, T., Hong, S., McCurdy, L. Y., Chase, D. L., Cohen, N., … Nitabach, M. N. (2016). Neuron, 92(5), 1049–1062.

Direct Electrical Stimulation of the Human Entorhinal Region and Hippocampus Impairs Memory. Jacobs, J., Miller, J., Lee, S. A., Coffey, T., Watrous, A. J., Sperling, M. R., … Rizzuto, D. S. (2016). Neuron, 92(5), 983–990.

Extinction Generates Outcome-Specific Conditioned Inhibition. Laurent, V., Chieng, B., & Balleine, B. W. (2016). Current Biology, 26(23), 3169–3175.

Interplay between Hippocampal Sharp-Wave-Ripple Events and Vicarious Trial and Error Behaviors in Decision Making. Papale, A. E., Zielinski, M. C., Frank, L. M., Jadhav, S. P., & Redish, A. D. (2016). Neuron, 92(5), 975–982.

Tuning perception: Visual working memory biases the quality of visual awareness. Salahub, C. M., & Emrich, S. M. (2016). Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 23(6), 1854–1859.

An Integrative Tinnitus Model Based on Sensory Precision. Sedley, W., Friston, K. J., Gander, P. E., Kumar, S., & Griffiths, T. D. (2016). Trends in Neurosciences, 39(12), 799–812.

Role of α4-containing GABAA receptors in limiting synaptic plasticity and spatial learning of female mice during the pubertal period. Shen, H., Sabaliauskas, N., Yang, L., & Smith, S. S. (2017). Brain Research, 1654(B), 116–122.

Midbrain dopamine neurons control judgment of time. Soares, S., Atallah, B. V., & Paton, J. J. (2016). Science, 354(6317), 1273–1277. 

Comodulation Enhances Signal Detection via Priming of Auditory Cortical Circuits. Sollini, J., & Chadderton, P. (2016). Journal of Neuroscience, 36(49), 12299–12311.

Timing Rules for Synaptic Plasticity Matched to Behavioral Function. Suvrathan, A., Payne, H. L., & Raymond, J. L. (2016). Neuron, 92(5), 959–967.

Hippocampal Offline Reactivation Consolidates Recently Formed Cell Assembly Patterns during Sharp Wave-Ripples. van de Ven, G. M., Trouche, S., McNamara, C. G., Allen, K., & Dupret, D. (2016). Neuron, 92(5), 968–974.

Confidence Is the Bridge between Multi-stage Decisions. van den Berg, R., Zylberberg, A., Kiani, R., Shadlen, M. N., & Wolpert, D. M. (2016). Current Biology, 26(23), 3157–3168.

Coding and Plasticity in the Mammalian Thermosensory System. Yarmolinsky, D. A., Peng, Y., Pogorzala, L. A., Rutlin, M., Hoon, M. A., & Zuker, C. S. (2016). Neuron, 92(5), 1079–1092.

Predictive Ensemble Decoding of Acoustical Features Explains Context-Dependent Receptive Fields. Yildiz, I. B., Mesgarani, N., & Deneve, S. (2016). Journal of Neuroscience, 36(49), 12338–12350.

Perceptual Learning of Contrast Detection in the Human Lateral Geniculate Nucleus. Yu, Q., Zhang, P., Qiu, J., & Fang, F. (2016). Current Biology, 26(23), 3176–3182.

BRONZED from Mike Egan on Vimeo.

Neo-sun worshiper Martin prepares to appease the solar Gods with ritual human sacrifice. But first he needs a spray tan.

Executive produced by David Gordon Green and Dal Wolf, "Bronzed" is a dark comedy starring Linas Phillips and Johnny Pemberton. The film is produced by Chris Capretto and written and directed by Mike Egan. It is their first film.

WORLD PREMIERE 2019 SXSW Film Festival

ONLINE PREMIERE Short of the Week

OFFICIAL SELECTION Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival RiverRun International Film Festival Athens International Film + Video Festival

CREDITS

Writer and Director: Mike Egan

Starring: Linas Phillips and Johnny Pemberton

Producer: Chris Capretto

Executive Producers: David Gordon Green and Dal Wolf

Co-Producer: Amy Berriochoa

Director of Photography: Bobby Bukowski

Editor: Matthew Hilber

Production Designer: Schuyler Telleen

Original Music: Seth Olinsky

Assistant Director: Dennis Brenhaug Gaffer: Justin Ward Best Boy Electric: Mike Weiss Key Grip: Oliver Schaal Best Boy Grip: Adam Lutz Dolly Grip: Travis Buffington Assistant Camera: Eric Macy Set Decorator: Jade Harris Lead Person: Gwen Hopman Damon Prop Master: Emily Weck Swing: Dave Koenig Lead Makeup / Hair / Wardrobe: Eve White Assistant Makeup / Hair / Wardrobe: Sara Dickman Spray Tan Technician: Diane Page DIT: Chris Hackett Sound Mixer: Zach Kahl Stunt Coordinator: Mindy Kelly Jennifer: Colleen Socha Mr. Phillips's Body Double: William Wiesner Production Assistant: Daniel Rawson Craft Service: Stephanie Capretto Catering: People's Pig, Elephants Delicatessen, and Tamale Boy Casting Director: Simon Max Hill Casting Associate: Rachel Mossey Offline Executive Producer: Leslie Carthy Online Executive Producer: Alex Thiesen Colorist / VFX Artist: David Jahns Title Design: John Dwight Sound Designer: Brian Emrich Cello / Viola / Violin: Paul Wiancko Re-Recording Mixer: Noah Woodburn Audio Assistant: Natalie Huizenga Music Licensing: Marmoset Music and Rough Trade

Neo-sun worshiper Martin prepares to appease the solar Gods with ritual human sacrifice. But first he needs a spray tan. Executive produced by David Gordon Green and Dal Wolf, "Bronzed" is a dark comedy starring Linas Phillips and Johnny Pemberton. The film is produced by Chris Capretto and written and directed by Mike Egan. It is their first film. WORLD PREMIERE 2019 SXSW Film Festival ONLINE PREMIERE Short of the Week OFFICIAL SELECTION Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival RiverRun International Film Festival Athens International Film + Video Festival CREDITS Writer and Director: Mike Egan Starring: Linas Phillips and Johnny Pemberton Producer: Chris Capretto Executive Producers: David Gordon Green and Dal Wolf Co-Producer: Amy Berriochoa Director of Photography: Bobby Bukowski Editor: Matthew Hilber Production Designer: Schuyler Telleen Original Music: Seth Olinsky Assistant Director: Dennis Brenhaug Gaffer: Justin Ward Best Boy Electric: Mike Weiss Key Grip: Oliver Schaal Best Boy Grip: Adam Lutz Dolly Grip: Travis Buffington Assistant Camera: Eric Macy Set Decorator: Jade Harris Lead Person: Gwen Hopman Damon Prop Master: Emily Weck Swing: Dave Koenig Lead Makeup / Hair / Wardrobe: Eve White Assistant Makeup / Hair / Wardrobe: Sara Dickman Spray Tan Technician: Diane Page DIT: Chris Hackett Sound Mixer: Zach Kahl Stunt Coordinator: Mindy Kelly Jennifer: Colleen Socha Mr. Phillips's Body Double: William Wiesner Production Assistant: Daniel Rawson Craft Service: Stephanie Capretto Catering: People's Pig, Elephants Delicatessen, and Tamale Boy Casting Director: Simon Max Hill Casting Associate: Rachel Mossey Offline Executive Producer: Leslie Carthy Online Executive Producer: Alex Thiesen Colorist / VFX Artist: David Jahns Title Design: John Dwight Sound Designer: Brian Emrich Cello / Viola / Violin: Paul Wiancko Re-Recording Mixer: Noah Woodburn Audio Assistant: Natalie Huizenga Music Licensing: Marmoset Music and Rough Trade

Forza 6 Legacy from a52 on Vimeo.

Film Title: “What We’ve Been Racing Toward” Game Title/Product: Forza 6 Motorsport Client: Microsoft Xbox

Agency: twofifteenmccann Chief Creative Officer: Scott Duchon ACD/Art Director: Ezra Paulekas Copywriter: Mat Bunnell Director of Integrated Production: Alex Spahr Senior Producer: Brandon Romer Producer: Sarah Sweeney Business Director: Peter Goldstein Account Management Supervisor: Bryant Marcia Assistant Account Executive: EmmaLee Branch Director of Strategy: Gabrielle Tenaglia VP Planning Director: Brian Wakabayashi Brand Strategist: Daniele Dominguez

Production Company: Arts & Sciences Director: Michael Spiccia Executive Producer: Mal Ward, Marc Marrie Line Producer: Ben Scandrett-Smith Director of Photography: Claudio Miranda Editorial: Rock Paper Scissors Editor: Louis-Philippe Charette Assistant Editor: Lauren Dellara Producer: Ashley Bartell Executive Producer: Angela Dorian

VFX Studio: a52 VFX Supervisor: Andy McKenna CG Supervisor: John Cherniack 2D VFX Artist(s): Andy Rafael Barrios, Matt Sousa, Miles Essmiller, Hugh Seville, Chris Moore, Michael Plescia, Michael Vagilenty, Brendan Crockett, Steve Wolff, Christel Hazard Finishing: Dan Ellis, Gabe Sanchez, Kevin Stokes 3D Artists: Aaron Baker, Jon Balcome, Mike Bettinardi, Michael Cardenas, Joe Chiechi, Erin Clark, Alyssa Diaz, Tim Kadowaki, Wendy Klein, Lily Morgan, Nathaniel Morgan, Sam Ortiz, Joe Paniagua, Andrew Romatz, Joao Rosa, Ian Ruhfass, Abel Salazar, Kirk Shintani, Andy Wilkoff, Katie Yoon Concept Design: Ram Bhat, Heidi Berg Roto Artists: Tiffany Germann Producer: Stacy Kessler-Aungst Head of Production: Kim Christensen Executive Producer: Patrick Nugent End Titles: a52

Music: “Danger High Voltage” by Electric Six. Remix by Human Worldwide.

Sound Design: Brian Emrich

Mix: Lime Studios Mixers: Rohan Young, Jeff Malen

Brooks fights to stay relevant in Alabama

With Kevin Robillard, Daniel Strauss, Zach Montellaro and Scott Bland

The following newsletter is an abridged version of Campaign Pro’s Morning Score. For an earlier morning read on exponentially more races — and for a more comprehensive aggregation of the day’s most important campaign news — sign up for Campaign Pro today. (http://www.politicopro.com/proinfo)

Story Continued Below

ONE WEEK ‘TIL ALABAMA — “Brooks fights to stay relevant in Alabama primary,” by Campaign Pro’s Daniel Strauss: “Rep. Mo Brooks has been fighting for weeks to shake attack ads by allies of Sen. Luther Strange. But now, with a week until Alabama’s special Senate primary, comes the worst sign of all for Brooks: Those attacks are slowing down. Strange and Senate Leadership Fund, the super PAC run by allies of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, have turned the bulk of their negative advertising against former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore ahead of the Aug. 15 primary, in a sign that Brooks’ outspent, insurgent campaign may have fizzled against better-known opponents. ‘I’ve seen a number of polls and every poll I’ve seen has Luther leading Roy Moore by between 3 and 5 points. Mo at one time was up to about 20 [percent],’ said Perry Hooper, a Strange supporter and the former co-chairman of the Trump campaign in Alabama. “The last I’ve seen has him at 15, 16 [percent]. I guess anything can happen but the trend looks like people like what Luther has been doing.’” Full story.

— FINANCIAL TIMES — “Luther Strange’s fundraising momentum grows in July, outraises Mo Brooks by 6-to-1; Roy Moore third,” by AL.com’s Howard Koplowitz: “Strange is also sitting on the most cash on hand of the major candidates in the race with about $934,000 in his campaign account, according to the most recent filings submitted to the Federal Election Commission. … In July, Strange raised about $387,000 – or more than $150,000 than the roughly $226,000 raised by Rep. Mo Brooks, who was second in fundraising for the month among the major contenders in the election. For the entire election cycle, Strange has outraised Brooks by a more than 6-to-1 margin. … Former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore was in third with $152,000 raised in July and about $456,000 for the cycle. Brooks was the biggest spender last month among the top three contenders in Tuesday’s special election, with his campaign spending about $827,000 in July.” Full story.

— CHUCK NORRIS ENDORSEMENT — Actor endorses former Moore for Senate. In a press release, the “Walker, Texas Ranger” star says “Alabama needs Judge Moore there doing what he’s always done: fighting to protect our constitutional rights to life, religious liberty, and the freedom to protect ourselves and our families. And he will always put principle over politics.”

EARLY POLLING DATA — FIRST IN SCORE — PPP survey shows Collins in trouble in Maine GOP primary: If Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins makes a bid for governor in 2018, she might have trouble making it through a Republican primary. A survey from the Democratic firm Public Policy Polling, obtained by Campaign Pro, shows Collins’ approval rating among likely GOP primary voters at just 33 percent, with 62 percent disapproval. Seventy-seven percent of the Republican primary electorate approves of President Donald Trump’s performance, while 79 percent approve of Gov. Paul LePage’s performance. The highest-profile Republican in the race now, former LePage health commissioner Mary Mayhew, would lead Collins in a hypothetical matchup, 44 percent to 33 percent. Given the choice between Collins and “someone else,” just 28 percent of voters chose Collins. It’s unclear who commissioned the survey, which polled 672 likely GOP primary voters on Aug. 1 and 2. Full poll results here.

— “Poll Shows Nevada’s Dean Heller Vulnerable In GOP Primary,” by the Daily Caller News Foundation’s Ted Goodman: “The poll, conducted by Strategic National, a Republican-leaning consulting firm, revealed that Heller would face stiff competition from Nevada Republican Rep. Mark Amodei and businessman Danny Tarkanian should either man choose to take on Heller. In a three-way primary between Heller, Amodei and Tarkanian, Amodei received 27 percent to Heller’s 26 percent, well within the margin of error of 4.4 percent. Tarkanian, the son of the legendary University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian, received 21 percent. Head to head versus Tarkanian, Heller received 38 percent to Tarkanian’s 34 percent, within the margin of error. [Twenty-seven] percent said they were undecided between the two. … The poll, which surveyed 500 registered Nevada Republicans on Aug. 1 and 2, revealed that Heller holds a 31 percent approval rating, with a 43 percent disapproval rating.” Full story.

— The polling picture is pretty clear: The Republican base is mad, and willing to turn on previously popular incumbents. A Public Policy Polling survey last week had Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake’s approval at just 22 percent among Republicans, with 57 percent disapproval. Republicans will scoff at the PPP results, but on-the-ground reporting (and polling from Alabama’s Senate contest) backs up the idea that Republicans who are breaking from Trump or his agenda risk alienating the party’s base. A Bangor Daily News story from this weekend featured a former party chairman saying Collins, long the most popular politician in the state, wouldn’t be able to clear the GOP primary field. Another activist, Christian Civic League of Maine board member Bob Emrich, was blunt: “I do not believe she can win the Republican primary.”

— But wait, there’s more! AAN’s new polling on tax reform: The House leadership-aligned American Action Network is out with a poll today that tests voters’ moods and messages about tax reform. The poll found more than half of Americans believe the personal income tax should be overhauled. AAN found that 70 percent of Democrats would like to see their lawmakers working in a bipartisan manner. The poll was conducted between August 1st and August 3rd by GS Strategy Group. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.1 percent. Full results here.

Days until the 2017 election: 91.

Days until the 2018 election: 455.

Thanks for joining us! You can email tips to the Campaign Pro team at [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] and [email protected]

You can also follow us on Twitter: @politicoscott, @ec_schneider, @politicokevin, @danielstrauss4 and @maggieseverns.

BADGER STATE ACTION — NRSC attacks Baldwin over Tomah VA scandal in radio ads: The National Republican Senatorial Committee is running a radio ad this week in the Wausau and La Crosse markets attacking Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin, alleging Baldwin swept a scandal, in which doctors overprescribed opioids to veterans, “under the rug.” “The Inspector General report uncovered the scandal — Tammy Baldwin buried the report,” the ad’s narrator says. “Whistleblowers tried to tell Tammy the truth. But Tammy Baldwin’s office told them not to talk to the press. Tammy Baldwin looked out for her own political health — instead of the health of our veterans.” Full ad here.

— Wisconsin GOP attacks Wachs: Democratic state Rep. Dana Wachs launched a bid for governor on Monday, and the Republican Party of Wisconsin immediately launched a digital ad campaign attacking him as a “liberal trial attorney” who “has a history of filing frivolous lawsuits to try to pad his own pockets.”

THE LEFT’S NEW ‘LITMUS TEST’ — Bernie Sanders throws his weight behind Medicare-for-all: POLITICO’s Gabriel Debenedetti reports: “The Vermont senator himself has not explicitly said he’ll support primary challenges to those who won’t support his push for a so-called Medicare-for-all health care plan. But there are plenty of signs that Sanders and his allies view the issue as a defining moment for Democratic lawmakers. ‘Our view is that within the Democratic Party, this is fast-emerging as a litmus test,’ said Ben Tulchin, the pollster for Sanders’ White House run.

“The fears are acute enough that when the Nevada chapter of Our Revolution — the political group spawned from the Sanders presidential campaign — endorsed long-shot candidate Jesse Sbaih in the state’s Democratic Senate primary over party favorite Rep. Jacky Rosen, retired former Sen. Harry Reid felt the need to call Sanders directly. Don’t endorse Sbaih, and don’t let the national Our Revolution group accept its Nevada chapter’s recommendation to back him either, the former minority leader implored his friend. Sanders agreed, said a Democrat familiar with the interaction.” Full story.

Q&A — Missouri Republican Austin Petersen goes on the record about his Senate run, via Campaign Pro’s Kevin Robillard: “Austin Petersen started his run for the Libertarian Party’s presidential nomination last year while he was living behind a convenience store in Kansas City. … Now, he’s running in the GOP primary for Missouri Senate, hoping his small-government views and small-dollar donations can fuel a Rand Paul-style primary upset.

Why are you running for Senate? I think Claire McCaskill’s got to go. I’m mostly focused on her. I’m frustrated with a lot of the progress on health care, and I’m a little nervous about the prospects for tax reform now. Government spending is really the big target for me. I think we spend too much, and we tax too much. I’m an across-the-line fiscal conservative.

Are you nervous about tax reform? I’m an optimist in my personal life, but I’m a pessimist about government. Now that this health care has failed so spectacularly, I wonder if they’re going to be able to get anything done substantively on taxes. …

How will you separate yourself from Attorney General Josh Hawley and other Republicans in the primary? What’s your path to victory? I’ll be talking, not just about the basic red meat you get from conservatives, but about criminal justice reform, about eliminating mandatory minimums. I’ll probably be the only candidate in the race ending the federal war on drugs. … I have to raise money. I think I need to raise about $1.5 million by next August; $3 million would be great. With $1.5 million, I’ll get one good shot.” Full story.

CODA — QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I don’t give a s–t, you understand? I just don’t give a s–t.” — Democratic West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin , explaining his reaction to GOP opponent Patrick Morrisey’s attacks on tax reform to the Charleston Gazette-Mail.

Original Source link

from CapitalistHQ.com https://capitalisthq.com/brooks-fights-to-stay-relevant-in-alabama/

Giá trị của nút “like” trên mạng xã hội

Trong danh sách 500 công ty lớn nhất nước Mỹ tính theo doanh thu của tờ Fortune (Fortune 500), có tới hơn 80% trong số này có trang Facebook đang hoạt động. Và theo thống kê của Facebook, mỗi ngày, khoảng 1,6 tỉ người dùng Facebook đã click vào nút “like” (thích) hơn 4,6 tỉ lần, bất kể gần đây hãng có thêm năm biểu tượng cảm xúc mới bên cạnh biểu tượng “like”.

Mạnh mẽ và giàu tiềm năng phát triển như vậy, tuy nhiên, có một thực tế mà đa số doanh nghiệp khi phát triển chiến lược tiếp thị thông qua Facebook nói riêng và mạng xã hội nói chung đều nhận ra là số lượng lượt “like” hay tương tác của khách hàng trên Facebook không đồng nghĩa với việc doanh thu, lợi nhuận, thậm chí là danh tiếng của doanh nghiệp tăng lên.

Leslie K. John, Daniel Mochon, Oliver Emrich và Janet Schwartz là những chuyên gia về tiếp thị và quản trị nhân sự hiện giảng dạy và làm việc tại Trường Harvard Business School. Họ đã tiến hành 23 cuộc thử nghiệm trong suốt bốn năm trên 18.000 người, sử dụng các mạng xã hội khác nhau (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram…), để nhận ra sự nhầm lẫn tai hại giữa nguyên nhân hành động và kết quả nhận được khi thương hiệu làm tiếp thị qua mạng xã hội.

Và kết luận đưa ra là: “Khi ai đó thích một thương hiệu trên mạng xã hội, không có nghĩa là họ sẽ thay đổi hành vi, suy nghĩ hay mua nhiều hơn những sản phẩm từ thương hiệu đó. Ngoài ra, hành động “like” hay “follow” (theo dõi), “comment” (bình luận), “share” (chia sẻ)… của một người bạn của bạn với một thương hiệu cũng không thực sự ảnh hưởng đến hành vi của bạn với thương hiệu đó”.

Không có quy tắc nào khi khách hàng chọn “like”

“Những nhà tâm lý gọi đây là hiện tượng không đồng nhất giữa hành động và nhận thức của con người. Bởi vì trên mạng xã hội, đa số hành động của chúng ta là theo thói quen hoặc theo cảm tính chứ ít khi phản ánh niềm tin của mình”, nhóm nghiên cứu cho biết.

Cụ thể, nhóm nghiên cứu đã tiến hành một loạt thí nghiệm. Đầu tiên, họ mời nhóm người thứ nhất xem một thương hiệu mỹ phẩm mới trên Facebook. Đa số sau đó đều “like” và “follow” thương hiệu đó. Tiếp theo, nhóm nghiên cứu tập hợp nhóm thứ hai, là những người trước đây không có bất cứ tương tác nào trên trang Facebook của thương hiệu mỹ phẩm này.

Hai nhóm tham gia sau đó được cung cấp phiếu giảm giá để mua một loạt sản phẩm của thương hiệu mỹ phẩm nói trên. Tiếp theo, với nhóm người thứ nhất, các nhà nghiên cứu thay đổi khoảng thời gian kể từ lúc họ “like” thương hiệu trên Facebook cho tới khi nhận được phiếu mua hàng giảm giá của thương hiệu. Vậy nhưng, sau 16 lần thử nghiệm, nhóm nghiên cứu không tìm được bằng chứng nào cho thấy có sự thay đổi trong nhận thức của người dùng ở hai nhóm người, khi tỷ lệ sử dụng phiếu giảm giá ở nhóm thứ nhất (có “like”) và nhóm thứ hai không cố định và không theo quy tắc nào cả.

Khi ai đó thích một thương hiệu trên mạng xã hội, không có nghĩa là họ sẽ thay đổi hành vi, suy nghĩ hay mua nhiều hơn những sản phẩm từ thương hiệu đó.

“Một người có thể tương tác với 1.500 bài viết mỗi ngày trên mạng xã hội. Một con số đủ khiến não bộ của chúng ta chẳng biết chúng ta đang làm cái gì trên đó. Và mặc cho chúng ta hay bạn bè, người thân của chúng ta có thích một sản phẩm, bài viết, nhãn hiệu nào đi nữa, chúng ta cũng sẽ sớm chẳng có ấn tượng gì về nó chỉ năm phút sau. Đây cũng là lý do vì sao 87% CMO (giám đốc marketing) trên tổng số 427 CMO ở Mỹ được chúng tôi phỏng vấn trực tiếp đã thừa nhận rằng, họ không thể chứng minh có sự tác động cụ thể nào của các phương tiện truyền thông mạng xã hội đối với việc tạo ra khách hàng mới hay khiến khách hàng gắn kết hơn với thương hiệu” – nhóm nghiên cứu kết luận.

Vậy, làm sao để thương hiệu có thể phát huy tối đa nhất lợi thế từ việc có nhiều người “like”, “follow” trên Facebook?

Nên dung hòa truyền thống và hiện đại

“Một thí nghiệm khác của nhóm, thực hiện cùng giám đốc điều hành của Discovery Vitality, một công ty chuyên cung cấp các chương trình chăm sóc sức khỏe. Chúng tôi cũng chia những người thí nghiệm thành hai nhóm, một nhóm đã “like” trang Discovery Vitality. Nhóm còn lại chưa từng tương tác với trang này.

Điểm khác biệt so với thí nghiệm trước là chúng tôi trả tiền cho Facebook để hiển thị hai bài viết một tuần, liên tục trong hai tháng cho các thành viên của nhóm “like” trang Discovery Vitality. Kết quả, sau khi được phát phiếu giảm giá, những người thường xuyên tương tác (nhóm thứ nhất) có tỷ lệ sử dụng phiếu cao hơn, trung bình là hơn 8%”.

Từ đây, nhóm nghiên cứu nhận thấy rằng, tiếp thị kỹ thuật số trên mạng xã hội dù giúp doanh nghiệp tiếp cận với khách hàng nhanh hơn, mạnh hơn, nhưng không thể thay thế hoàn toàn tiếp thị truyền thống trong việc tác động đến hành vi và nhận thức của khách hàng.

Tiếp thị qua mạng xã hội chỉ giúp bạn kéo khách hàng tới nhanh hơn và nhiều hơn; còn nếu muốn giữ được họ, bạn vẫn cần sự hỗ trợ từ tiếp thị truyền thống.

“Phải thấy rằng 8% là một con số khá khiêm tốn so với số tiền và công sức mà chúng tôi đã bỏ ra. Vì thế, theo chúng tôi ghi nhận, tiếp thị qua mạng xã hội chỉ giúp bạn kéo khách hàng tới nhanh hơn và nhiều hơn; còn nếu muốn giữ được họ, bạn vẫn cần sự hỗ trợ từ tiếp thị truyền thống”.

Chức năng tốt nhất của mạng xã hội là lắng nghe và tương tác

Theo nhóm nghiên cứu, nếu doanh nghiệp nhắm đúng đối tượng khách hàng, xây dựng hệ thống thông tin, bài đăng tốt, phù hợp nhu cầu, có khoản tiền và thời gian đầu tư bài bản, kết hợp tốt với tiếp thị truyền thống, thì doanh nghiệp vẫn có thể thu được lợi ích từ việc khai thác mạng xã hội. Tuy nhiên, có một điều khá thú vị là một thương hiệu không chi tiền quảng cáo trên mạng xã hội vẫn có thể thành công nếu biết cách lắng nghe và tương tác với người dùng.

“Chúng tôi nhận thấy, hầu hết những người gặp rắc rối và phải tìm thông tin, giải pháp trên các phương tiện truyền thông xã hội, nếu được thương hiệu tư vấn trực tiếp và giải đáp kịp thời, sẽ là những khách hàng thân thiết nhất và giá trị nhất mà thương hiệu có được. Bởi ai trong chúng ta cũng muốn được lắng nghe. Vì vậy, lắng nghe và phản hồi khách hàng của mình trên mạng xã hội là cách tốt nhất và rẻ nhất để thương hiệu gây thiện cảm với khách hàng, thậm chí có thể biến họ dần trở thành những sứ giả miễn phí cho thương hiệu sau này”.

Phạm Tú * Nguồn: Doanh nhân Cuối tuần

http://ift.tt/2r71s5F

Coi bài nguyên văn tại : Giá trị của nút “like” trên mạng xã hội

“Boosting Productivity: XTech for Industry”

“Boosting Productivity: XTech for Industry”

“Boosting Productivity: XTech for Industry” @2:35pm Date: Wednesday, March 15, 2017 Location: City View Metreon; San Francisco, CA Event: XTech   Moderator Tom Emrich: Partner at Super Ventures (VC firm)   Panel Shauna Heller: Founder of Clay Park VR Suman Kanuganti: CEO of Aira Michael Leyva: Product Manager and AR for Epson Danielle Dy Buncio: President of VIATechnik Nabil Chehade: VP of…

View On WordPress