Things are a little tough for Alex Rodriguez, a.k.a. A-Rod, right now.

The 45-year-old baseball legend, entrepreneur and newscaster has been in the news lately, having recently called off his engagement with pop star Jennifer Lopez – who, to rub salt into the wound, has very quickly (reportedly) bounced back into the arms of her former fiancé Ben Affleck.

So when A-Rod was spotted earlier this week eating dinner alone at Bar Pitti, a New York restaurant popular among celebrities like David and Victoria Beckham or Justin and Hailey Bieber, people were quick to label it as a depressing scene. A pitti party, if you will.

Yet dining out alone isn’t something to pity or to be ashamed of – it’s actually an exercise in discipline, self-care and mindfulness that more men should be brave enough to try themselves.

Men often treat dining as a means to an end, whether that’s simply to refuel, as an excuse to socialise, or even as a way to flaunt one’s wealth. But enjoying eating for the sake of eating is a gift and a true pleasure – as is enjoying one’s own company.

Of course, there’s no better example of ‘self-care’ than treating oneself to a fine meal or contemplative drink, but it’s also an exercise in taking stock of one’s priorities; slowing down and enjoying life; living a more meaningful existence. It’s something the French do particularly well: defying life’s demands tastes damn good – and can help steady you to face them.

As Parisian photographer Patrick Colpron once said: “café life is when you just take the time to love a little instead of rushing from place to place. It is when you can afford to wait 15-20 minutes to have your order taken for a simple coffee and another 15-20 minutes to have it brought to you… The time it takes to fully enjoy… a fresh newspaper or a good book.”

RELATED: Paris Local Reveals The Secret To Drinking Your Coffee The True French Way

Dining alone isn’t always plain sailing – as DMARGE discovered last year on an oyster-sampling odyssey – but if you can get over your anxiety, it can be a simple yet effective way to practice mindfulness during your daily routine.

Acclaimed writer Nell Frizzell put it best in her 2014 Munchies article, Why Having the Balls to Dine Alone Makes You a Better Human: “one of life’s greatest pleasures is a solitary meal. But in the age of the iPhone, we don’t really know how it feels to truly eat alone anymore.”

“People eating on their own do not deserve pity… Why? Because to concentrate on what you’re consuming, to be able to take in your eating environment alone, is one of the cornerstones of self-sufficiency. You are free from bullshit food shame, from other people’s boring diet restrictions, from small talk, from having to meet someone so late you’ve eaten the napkins before the starters arrive and, most importantly, from compromise. You are an island.”

Our only real criticism of A-Rod is how much water he’s ordered for the table. We’re all about self-care, but how much sparkling water does one man need?

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The post ‘Brave’ A-Rod Photo Shows Underrated Mental Health Hack Every Man Can Learn From appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

What do you get when you cross a farmer, a hipster and a road biker? Wonder no more; the answer just fell from heaven.

Well, ‘heaven.’ More like a Sydney road bikers’ sell and exchange group on Facebook. But rather than the usual sweaty shammies and ill-sized derailleurs, the group was recently met with an even more indecent proposition.

That’s right: one ambitious Facebook user has uploaded an offer that has got thumbs furiously typing, and fingers carefully sliding across the ‘like’ and ‘angry face’ emojis straight over to that ‘lmao’ icon.

That offer? Some truly one of a kind R.M. Williams.

These R.M Williams are not designed for walking all over you. Nor are they designed for walking anywhere, really. They’re made for clomping from the espresso bar to your road bike, and nothing else.

“A truely unique offering for the concrete cowboys who wanted to clip in in style,” the photo is captioned. “If a 15k bike isn’t enough of a status symbol, you’ll [sic] can stand out from the crowd with these custom RM WIllian comfort craftsman with a carbon reinforced sole, hidden boa dial and competitive 550g weight for the set…”

All for the cool price of $499, of course.

The post has received 159 ‘reactions’ and 128 comments at the time of writing, with users debating both the stylistic and practical merits of this remarkable piece of customised footwear.

The post does have a tinge of irony about it, and DMARGE has contacted the poster for more information. But in the meantime, given some of the crazy food and fashion trends coming out of Australia, for now we’re letting our imaginations run wild with possibilities.

And there you were thinking road bike fashion couldn’t get any worse…

On the other hand: much like this trailblazing Australian weatherman’s inspirational take on ‘R.M. Williams and a suit,’ which made headlines last year, in a sense you have to admire the sheer ingenuity of it (if it’s real).

In other news, the man bun for the foot appears to be going from strength to strength in 2021, too.

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The post ‘One Of A Kind’ R.M. Williams Send Australia’s Concrete Cowboys Into A Spin appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The only thing worse than a Steve Jobs fanboy is an Elon Musk fanboy.

That’s what I would have told you in 2018.

Fast forward to June 2021 and – though rolling up to a date in a Tesla Model 3 (while chatting to your Reddit bros through your AirPods) is still probably the world’s most effective contraceptive for men – more and more people are becoming crypto-curious.

Internet punters are proudly identifying as “idiots” (and making crazy amounts of cash) and institutional investors, seeing the insane gains being made out this mass delusion, are being tempted into the waters, in a move that has provided the sector with long-awaited legitimacy, as part of a grand scheme to overhaul the entire financial system, rewarding the heroes brave enough to get in first…

That’s what hardcore cryptocurrency advocates want you to believe, anyway.

Though many experts see it more as a glorified Ponzi scheme with some potential to do good (even the founder of Ethereum, Vitalik Buterin, recently played down cryptocurrency’s ability to radically solve the world’s problems on the Lex Fridman podcast), what’s not up for debate is that the sector has been trending hard in the news.

Why? Everyone wants to get rich quick.

Alongside the work from home revolution (and loneliness crisis) of 2020, Bitcoin quadrupled in value. Meme-coins like Dogecoin have blown up too.

This has happened as online communities straddle murky waters, where genuine friendships appear to be built between users with a common goal of getting rich quick. The problem? One never knows how much of this is real friendship, and how much of it is purely designed to manipulate vulnerable, lonely people into trading their money for hot air.

The cynics would say it’s all cupboard love, the proponents would say there is a real sense of community – a real bonding over a common disenfranchisement with the traditional finance system – even if everyone involved is aware there is no true value to the coin they are buying, beyond the hype.

In any case, the sector is booming in the public imagination, fuelled by success stories, and the fact that no one hears about the other thousands of people who lost money.

As CNBC reported in May, “A $1,000 dogecoin purchase on Jan. 1, 2021 – at a price of less than a cent per coin – would be worth $121,052 at Wednesday’s high of 69 cents, a gain of more than 12,000%.”

“That’s significantly more than other cryptocurrencies like bitcoin and ether, which grew 95% and 369% over the same time period, respectively. A $1,000 bitcoin purchase would be worth $1,953.88 as of Wednesday, while ether would be worth $4,686.58.”

It was in this environment that I decided to cash in on the hype. After all: if there are two things you can count on in life, it’s human greed and stupidity. Right? So on May the 11th, I bought $1,000 worth of various cryptocurrencies, for the sake of journalism…

Though many in the world of traditional finance are giving the crypto sector a wide berth for fear of giving it legitimacy, I thought I would dip a toe into the waters and attempt to provide a non-judgemental, non-patronising (but also, hopefully, a non-shill) take on what it’s like to invest in crypto currency in 2021 as a complete rookie.

RELATED: Australia’s Liberal Stance On Crypto Currency Puts America To Shame

To do this, I split my money between stalwarts Bitcoin and Ethereum, as well as a bunch of highly speculative joke coins, group-think schemes and newcomers like Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, Safemoon, Revain, Astro Pup and AC Milan Fan Token.

Before you throw your Australian Financial Review at my head and accuse me of giving scammers the hype they crave… hear me out. If I’m dumb enough to get sucked in; I’m probably not the only one. So consider this a public service announcement.

Anyway: with the disclaimer that this is not financial advice, and that if you want to actually keep your money you are much better off intelligently investing in property, ETFs or a well-rounded stock portfolio… here’s the story of how I spent $1,000 trying to take on the world of cryptocurrency degenerates – and your guide in what NOT to do with your hard-earned cash.

I don’t advise you to take on the world of shit coins (as part of my experiment comprised), but if you do, at least learn from my errors.

The experiment was simple: I took $1,000 and put it into a mix of random speculative cryptocurrencies, as well as a couple of well-known ones, and observed the impacts (on both my bank balance and emotional state) of joining these new online cults.

In the interests of sociological accuracy, I did not keep my experiment scientific. Much like the rest of the world, I allowed greed to overtake me.

Though I intended to put $100 into each coin I soon found myself believing I could pick the eyes out of the market, and began throwing a little more at some, and a little less at others.

Here’s what went down.

Results

Bitcoin

I bought $500 of Bitcoin on CoinSpot on the 11th of May thinking “here’s a safe bet.” It turned out to be one of my worst performers. Shortly after I bought in, Elon Musk announced Tesla would no longer accept Bitcoin as payment (citing the environmental impact of mining), cracked some quips on a talk show (and China cracked down on Bitcoin mining), and now my investment is worth less than half what I put in ($180).

Dogecoin

My $100 Dogecoin investment also tanked alongside Bitcoin after derogatory comments from Elon Musk on SNL went viral. It has recovered better than Bitcoin (alongside some reconciliatory comments from Musk), but I am still down overall. I’m also ashamed to say I don’t know exactly what my $100 is worth now because I threw a bit more money in after it went down, as the “degenerate” mindset, unfortunately, rubbed off on me. If this isn’t the equivalent of going back to the ATM after losing all your money at a Casino then I don’t know what is. And the doors never close…

Shiba Inu

I also bought $100 of Shiba Inu at the latest big peak. It has likewise gone down, and I can’t tell you how much it is now worth because I have desperately thrown more bits and pieces (think, $30, $50) at it since the various dips. For those wondering what Shiba Inu is, it hopes to be the next Dogecoin and its anonymous founder (without asking) earlier this year sent 50% of Shiba Inu coins to Russian-Canadian Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin (presumably in an attempt to garner publicity).

Buterin didn’t want the responsibility so burnt much of the wallet and donated the rest to charity. This caused a widespread sell-off. As Buterin said on the Lex Fridman podcast recently, though many users were angry they lost money, many others were glad to have been part of something that did good in the world. My reasoning for buying Shiba Inu was simple: I liked the sound of it maybe being the next Dogecoin (though I have no facts to back this up, and haven’t read any of its White Paper). That prophecy has yet to come true.

SafeMoon

In true cult-like fashion, the only reason I bought SafeMoon (and the original impetus for this whole experiment) is because one of my housemates is obsessed with it, claiming to have made $2,000 overnight (and then pulling out before the major spike even happened).

On reflection, I doubt it has any real value whatsoever and I suspect its “charity project” in Africa, which came to my attention after I had already bought it, is just hot air to encourage gullible people to join the group. It’s probably just a Ponzi scheme/shit coin with a somewhat more sophisticated veneer than many of the others (though I could be wrong).

I also completely fell for the buzzword concept of “tokenomics” in which this coin (like many others) claims to reward long term holders by taxing sellers and redistributing that money among holders. However, after having negative experiences with other coins which mimick SafeMoon’s model (see: Astro Pup) I have learned in any of these things you are utterly at the mercy of the developers.

Though the value of my SafeMoon hasn’t completely bottomed out like some of the other “shit coins” I bought, my other bad experiences have rattled my faith. Still, I’m holding out hope for one more big spike before cashing out.

Astro Pup

I’ll be honest: even though I hyped myself up and told myself (“I’m not gambling anything I’m not happy to lose”) this one broke my heart. I scanned through the BscScan token transfer list (a list of all the coins currently being bought and sold), picked a random coin so new it didn’t even have an icon yet (as I was taught in the depths of Reddit), and congratulated myself on getting in early on a sure-fire winner…

I made sure it had a high market cap and that it wasn’t being held by one huge whale holder, and that it had a high turnover of transfers, and put about $50 in. As this coin, like SafeMoon, was quite new, I had to use an application called TrustWallet and then use another app called Pancake Swap to make the purchase. I went to bed that night and woke up to find my money had tripled! Greed and a lack of technological prowess (my housemate did the whole Pancake Palaver for me) meant I decided to wait a little longer before cashing out. Wouldn’t you know: in the time it took for me to decide I should get him to help me cash out the entire value of the coin went basically to zero.

It was claimed on the coin’s Reddit page that one developer went rogue. Then, even in the wake of this scam, another scam – Astro Kitty – was promoted in this group’s ashes. It was also promised – as the price of Astro Pup was about halfway through plummeting – that users’ coins would be automatically re-instated, as part of the ‘good’ developers’ next project, to make up for the massive rug pull that had occurred by the ‘bad’ rogue developer, “Bobo.” This has yet to happen, and I assume it was simply a ploy to stop people from selling off so fast. It’s now pointless for me to sell as the transaction fee involved in selling (about $1.25) is higher than what my $50 is now worth.

AC Milan Fan Token

I bought $10 of AC Milan Fan Token on May the 11th, for the sheer hell of it. That $10 got up to about $14 at its highest, then started dropping. I sold when it dropped back down to $9. Not my worst loss, but a loss nonetheless.

Revain

Like AC Milan Fan Token, Revain taught me never to buy something just because it is a top ‘gainer’ on any given day…

… or at least – don’t think you’re Warren Buffet for doing so. Sure: the price might keep going up for a bit, but it’s most likely not going to last…

I thought I was a genius on day two for making a tidy $3 profit on my $100 Revain investment, before watching it crumble over the next two weeks. My $100 investment is now worth $38.89.

Ethereum

Ethereum tanked along with Bitcoin (and most of the crypto currency world) a couple of days after I put money in. I also put a bit more money in after it crashed in hope of making some of my losses back. It has now recovered a little.

CumRocket

This is the most ridiculous sounding of my gambles. It also came recommended by another housemate. It is yet another “shit coin” but one which claims to actually have a use case – CumRocket Crypto claims to present “a revolutionary take on the multi-billion pornography industry, aiming to decentralize it and make it rewarding for both creators and fans.”

It is the only one of my coins that has spiked significantly since I purchased it (due to Elon Musk tweeting about it). I was too greedy to cash out at the time though (as my ‘investment’ of $14 odd dollars spiked to $40) and when it started going down again I decided I had so little in there I may as well write this cycle off and hold out hope for another spike.

I attribute this (minor) win to dumb luck.

Biggest Learnings

Though their use cases are truly dodgy (or proudly non existant), there is a real sense of community in the “shit coin” world

Sneer at it all you want, question its motivations, (in most cases rightly) deride the projects as all smoke and mirrors – but wanting to get rich quick really does bring people together. The only problem is, one would expect, as soon as they do get rich quick, it then becomes every user for themself – for most.

That being said, as The New York Times recently discussed on The Daily Podcast, there is a small portion of people who are so disenfranchised with the traditional financial system, and have such faith in these projects, that they are in crypto for the long haul (or give every indication of being). One man, who The New York Times interviewed, made millions out of Dogecoin this year yet still refuses to cash out.

You’d have to assume (I do, anyway) that people like this are in the vast minority.

Don’t cut your losses if you haven’t put that much in anyway…

This is highly subjective… But, in my view, if you put a small amount of money into a speculative “shit coin”, with full knowledge that you may lose it all (which, given how volatile crypto is, should always be the case); maybe think twice before pulling it out at the first hint of a dip. Especially given the number of transaction fees and hassle involved with buying and selling and transferring with these little known coins. All you need is one of them to spike one more time to (hopefully) get your money back.

But also… don’t be too greedy

Treat every coin like it’s a scam. If you make money, cash out. Or someone else will first.

Always make sure you have enough BNB to cash out if you need to

I learnt this the hard way… BNB is a cryptocurrency that can be used to trade and pay fees on the Binance cryptocurrency exchange. If all your coins can be bought and traded on CoinSpot (or another similar app) then you don’t need to worry about this. However, if you are buying new or obscure coins on the likes of Trust Wallet (with Pancake Swap), as I did with some of mine, you will need to ensure you have enough BNB to cash out, so you can do so quickly if you need too.

Take notes of how much money you put into each coin at the beginning

When you wake up each morning the plus or minus percentage sign which tells you how each currency is tracking relates to the last 24 hours only – not to when you first bought the coin. This is less important if you invest on the likes of CoinSpot, where you can easily check how much you paid in the first place at any time, but crucial if you are buying super speculative coins (as I did) on TrustWallet, where all you see is the current value of your coin. If you’re buying a lot, like I did, it’s easy to lose track and not even know if you’ve made a profit or loss at any given moment, thus missing opportunities to sell.

Triple check the coin address before buying anything

There are often imitations of popular shit coins (scams running off the back of scams) with very similar names and acronyms. If you fall for one of these you are never getting your money back.

Not every new coin is destined to make it from the depths of TrustWallet and Pancake Swap to official exchanges like CoinSpot

When asked, “What metrics does CoinSpot evaluate a crypto currency against when deciding whether to add it (or not) to the Coinspot platform?”, founder and CEO of CoinSpot, Russell Wilson, told DMARGE: “We will always look for projects that have gathered interest from the community and that also meet the requirements of our internal and external due diligence processes.”

Notifications on your phone are a blessing and a curse

They are essential to having any hope of cashing out during a peak, given how volatile the market is, however they will destroy your productivity during the day as they constantly distract you.

They will also stress you out until you come to terms with losing your money, and you will inevitably find yourself on your phone at strange hours of the night and dissecting Elon Musk’s Tweets asking: “What am I doing with my life” and “How have I stooped so low as to become a cult figure worshipping fanboy?”

No one will ever be happy for you

If you lose money people will think you’re an idiot. If you make money no one will want to hear about it.

Searching for ‘winners’ on the BscScan page (or worse: the Reddit Crypto Moon Shoots page) is like panning for fools gold… on a deserted island full of clown heads ready to pop up and smack you in the face

A subjective opinion, but one I stand by…

Tokenomics may be the ‘scammiest’ buzz word of the 21st century

It got me hook, line and sinker, though.

It’s almost like a sport

I see how people get into it: despite the stress, everyone enjoys the dopamine rush of facing a challenge and becoming more competent. Even though there is a huge element of luck involved, and putting money into speculative coins is essentially gambling (arguably worse), there is a certain thrill involved in learning the ropes of something new.

It’s addictive… & can lead you down other risky roads

I now feel much more liable to act on impulse: when the news broke last week that GameStop 2.0 could be happening with AMC (over on the traditional stock market), I downloaded a stock investing app and was on the brink of chucking $500 in (and would have done so) were it not for my failing the financial literacy quiz (and not having my passport number on hand). When I saw it had plummeted by the time I got home I breathed a sigh of relief and decided to take a step back…

I’m still unsure about how I feel about the crypto currency market

I sympathise with elements of feeling like you’re part of something. I also see how people being bored, lonely and greedy can lead to the formation of these online communities. I also enjoyed – and experienced first hand – the thrill of feeling like you are part of some Robin Hood type venture. But deep down I know it’s more of a manipulative cult where everyone is essentially out for themselves, and it’s worrying the degree to which some of these communities prey on people’s vulnerabilities. There is quite the grey area.

On top of that, even though I have lost a lot of money, the few instances where I did make a small profit were thrilling, being someone who has never really gambled much before on the horses or the pokies. The feeling of being rewarded for doing nothing hits harder than a fried chicken vape…

The most thrilling (and low key terrifying) thing about it? This casino never closes. I can only hope I am not now addicted for life.

What the experts have to say

eToro

When asked about the most common mistakes rookie traders make, Josh Gilbert, market analyst at eToro, told DMARGE: “Rookie mistakes are common in any market that aims to empower the everyday investor.” Judging by his list, I fell into many of the common traps – especially the “emotional investing” one.

Some mistakes to avoid, he told DMARGE, include:

• Lack of understanding: Investors should ensure they’ve done their research and understand the asset they’re investing in, before deploying any capital.
• Emotional investing: While the crypto market is one that invokes a lot of passion, it’s important that rookie investors keep their emotions at bay and take a calculated approach when investing. Crypto markets can be volatile, so it’s important to maintain a level head, regardless of whether the market is experiencing a bull or bear run. Neither overconfidence nor FUD (fear, uncertainty, doubt) should motivate your investments.
• Hype-investing: The fear of missing out (FOMO) has led many investors down the road to disaster. Investors might seem tempted to jump into a cryptoasset that’s skyrocketing, but it’s important to understand the function of the asset. I highly recommend reading whitepapers associated with projects before investing.
• Putting your eggs in one basket: Diversification is the aim of the game. Instead of putting all their money into one cryptoasset, investors can hedge against risks by investing in multiple assets, lessening the blow if a coin unexpectedly drops in value. Smart investors instead diversify their crypto portfolios with a range of different assets and products.

Josh also busted a few quick myths about the sector, telling DMARGE this notion that crypto is a get-rich-quick scheme is flawed.

“Yes, investors can make some significant cash from crypto, but all in all, it should not be used as a main income. Like traditional stocks, crypto is very volatile, which means that smart investors should adopt responsible investing principles when dipping their toes into the crypto pool, and only invest what they can afford to lose.”

He also told us it is false that crypto is just for illegal dealings – another common myth.

“This argument stems from the association between crypto and shady operations, such as the now defunct Silk Road or dark-web services. With regulation and mass adoption, crypto has transitioned away from some of its original use cases. To a certain extent, cryptoassets can be used for illicit activities, but no more than traditional fiat currencies (like the US or AU dollar) can.”

Josh also said that contrary to popular belief, crypto is not completely unregulated: “Cryptoassets are legal and treated as an asset class in Australia. This means they’re subject to capital gains tax. Institutional investors and SMSFs are eligible to invest in cryptocurrency as permitted by their fund’s investment strategy.”

Vanguard Australia

When DMARGE sought comment from Vanguard Australia we were provided with the following quote:

“We do urge caution against speculating in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, which are largely unregulated and accompanied by a number of considerable risks including the potential loss of investment entirely in some instances.”

We were also provided with the following segment of the Australian Financial review, in which the AFR interview’s Vanguard Australia’s Balaji Gopal.

“A long-term portfolio should be comprised of stocks, bonds and cash,” Balaji Gopal, head of Vanguard Australia’s Personal Investor platform, told The Australian Financial Review. “We are quite happy to sit this one [cryptocurrency ETF] out, and we urge investors to be very wary of the risks of cryptocurrencies.”

Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies fall short of Vanguard’s house definition for an asset class, commodity or even currency, Mr Gopal said, because they do not generate income or cash flow. Nor are they a store of wealth, unit of account or medium of exchange, he added, rejecting popular conceptions.

“Cryptocurrencies defy any kind of categorisation,” he said. “Their characteristics are more similar to collectables like fine art, exotic cars or baseball cards.”

Do ‘meme coins’ delegitimize crypto currency as a whole?

DMARGE also asked Josh from eToro about the impact of light-hearted coins on the market.

“The mass adoption of the coin of late,” he said, “demonstrates the potential for crypto to gain real-world mass adoption, rather than delegitimise crypto.”

“It’s likely that Dogecoin is here to stay. As for other memecoins, some will stick, others will come and go. It really depends on the adoption, tokenomics, market capitalisation and the development teams behind them.”

The ideological argument…

We also quizzed Josh about the philosophical motivations behind crypto currency. He told us the following.

“Some people are starting to look beyond their banks and opt to invest in crypto as a way to make their money work for them, instead of gathering dust in their savings accounts.”

“There is a growing population that has become disenfranchised from financial institutions and is looking for trustless solutions to manage their assets. Others have become wary of the impact inflation will have after global economic stimulus packages and are turning to crypto to hedge against it.”

“However, this isn’t the only reason why crypto is booming right now. Thanks to popular assets like Bitcoin, which has rallied over 100 per cent this year alone, as well as hype from ‘technoking’ Elon Musk, the market has doubled since February 2021, as retail and institutional investors pile into the space.”

“Is it also out of FOMO? For some investors, probably. With the built up chatter around cryptoassets, there are definitely Aussies who are new to the space and are making investments for the first time based on what they’re seeing in the news and social media, or hearing from their friends.”

“For those new investors, eToro encourages them to be smart about their investments and do their research and homework. Cryptoassets remain a relatively new asset class, and like other investments, they are volatile. As such, investors should ensure they are diversified and hold a range of assets across their portfolios.”

Does Elon Musk’s influence prove the market is immature?

“It’s probably a mix of both,” Josh told us. “Elon Musk’s influence on markets demonstrates how many investors purchase based on hype, rather than doing their own research. In saying this, the market is still yet to fully mature and will continue to be volatile. The swings and roundabouts, particularly those driven by Musk, demonstrate how impactful communications can drive the uptake and mass adoption of crypto as a viable asset.”

“eToro supports regulatory measures and we hope that any guidance put in place will balance the need to protect investors with a desire to support their participation in the crypto markets.”

“Increased regulation will also help to facilitate greater use of a technology that can not only deliver real benefits to the financial services sector, but also support greater financial inclusion globally.”

The cybersecurity perspective

Aaron Bugal, Global Solutions Engineer and APJ at Sophos, told DMARGE the following:

“There’s always an element of risk involved with investing, but it’s important to decipher between ‘investment risk’ and something that’s just an outright scam. Due to its unregulated nature, the world of crypto trading attracts some dodgy dealers as well as cybercriminals looking to steal your personal data and your money. Its therefore even more important to approach every trade with caution.”

“Firstly, be wary of any online scheme that makes promises a properly regulated investment wouldn’t be allowed to do. These regulations are put in place to stop people making promises they can’t keep, so be sceptical of any promise that sounds too good to be true, as it most likely is.”

“Secondly, don’t let yourself become overwhelmed by crypto-jargon and a sleek looking website or app. Anyone can build a website and fill it with crypto terminology and acronyms. Don’t be fooled into making decisions you don’t understand or don’t trust. Take a step back and look for reasons the ‘investment’ could be a scam, rather than trying to prove it isn’t.”

“You should also seek guidance from people you know and trust, especially if cybersecurity is their area of expertise. They’ll be able to assist in navigating these processes and help you avoid falling for crypto scams.”

“Remember; if it sounds good to be true, it probably is. No one can ever promise they’ll turn a dollar into a million dollars—if that were possible, everyone would have done it already. When the offer is that good, be suspicious. Never let yourself be too emotive or be pressured by ‘act now or miss out’ calls to action.”

Phishing warnings rookie investors need to be aware of

Bugal also gave us the following insights regarding scams:

“There has been a huge increase in fraudulent applications aimed at exploiting the increased interest in trading apps, driven by the recent volatility of cryptocurrencies and interest in low-cost or free stock trading driven by stories like the recent GameStop stock speculation.”

“Sophos recently uncovered hundreds of counterfeit Android and iOS apps disguised as trading and cryptocurrency apps. Cybercriminals are leveraging social engineering through dating sites and social media platforms to gain the trust of inexperienced investors and steal their money and personal data.”

“Scammers do this by first gaining your trust, then directing you to a fake trading website or having you download an app disguised to look like the official trading app of a trusted financial organisation.”

“Some of these fake trading apps and sites will include an interface with trading updates, wallets, funds and cryptocurrency deposit and withdrawal features that appear to function just like their legitimate counterparts. The main difference is that any transaction you make goes into the pockets of the scammer instead.”

“Innocent people tend to put trust in things that are presented by someone they think they know. By impersonating well-known apps, these frauds are more believable. Remember, if something seems too good to be true – promised high returns on investments, or professional-looking dating profiles asking to transfer money or crypto assets – it’s likely a scam.”

“To avoid falling prey to these scams, only download crypto apps directly from trusted sources such as Apple’s App Store or Google Play. Developers of popular apps often have a website, which directs users to the genuine app. Before you click on a link, verify that the website and app are genuine, as scammers can build fake websites, apps and even app stores (complete with user reviews) to trick you into believing their validity. We also advise users to consider installing an antivirus app on their mobile device, such as Sophos Intercept X for Mobile, which help protect their device and data from such threats.”

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The post Let My Cryptocurrency Investment Experience Be A Lesson For You appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

We might like to think we’re more evolved men than we were last century, but there’s still plenty of archaic dating clichés that continue to haunt us in 2021.Wait three days before you text. Love means never having to say you’re sorry. Whoever cares less, wins. But the most enduring one might be ‘nice guys finish last’. It’s one of those hackneyed pieces of conventional wisdom that’s continued to endure well into the 21st century, even though there’s a mountain of evidence to suggest that it’s not the case, as The Conversation relates.But maybe 2021 is the tipping point, if one Australian relationship expert’s recent revelation is anything to go by.Dating advice columnist and podcaster Jana Hocking, who describes herself as being “cursed with an attraction to bad boys and bad boys only,” relates how a recent scary medical episode – which saw her pay a visit to the emergency ward, where she was looked after by a rather compassionate doctor – opened her eyes up to the virtue of good guys.“When a bloke helps you in a vulnerable moment, it’s a pretty big turn on. Who needs oysters as an aphrodisiac? Just offer us help with our taxes when we’re freaked out during the month of July, or offer to fix our car when we are stuck on the side of the road. Seriously, is there anything sexier than a bloke coming to your rescue?”

“…As someone who has always been the ‘fixer’ as opposed to the one that needs fixing, I took away from this scary hospital moment a new outlook on the ‘good guy.’ Turns out he can be actually pretty darn sexy.”

And if there’s something that we need more of in 2021, it’s nice guys.RELATED: Relationship Expert Exposes Unspoken Truth Of Why People Ghost

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“Many women [are] attracted to the bad boy because they feel as if they can ‘change’ him. We have often seen this play out in many rom coms where the right girl is all that guy needs,” Dr Nikki Goldstein, sexologist, relationship expert and host of the podcast Sex & Life shared with DMARGE.“Inherently, many of us do want what we can’t or shouldn’t have. It’s a challenge of authority and we all started doing it when we were small children. This is a version of that except no one might actually be saying ‘you can’t have him’ or ‘you shouldn’t be with him’, but that person knows they shouldn’t due to the internal disproval of others.”

“[But] COVID has changed how we date. We have gone from the hookup era to the relationship era. People are wondering when they can get out and travel again and if lockdowns will be the new norm. So, they are also assessing who they want to be locked down with. People don’t necessarily want a bad guy but a guy that will be with them through the hard times and support them through a pandemic… The good guy.”

“COVID has shown us that life is unpredictable… There is enough so-called ‘bad’ in our lives right now that people don’t want to make it more complicated with the ups and downs of dating the bad boy.”

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Judging by the ever-increasing popularity of toxic behaviour exposing accounts on Instagram like @lalalaletmeexplain and @violetclair (not to mention classics like @beam_me_up_softboi and @dudesinthedm), it appears both men and women are finally ditching many of the cultural hangups we have been all been brought up believing and instead embracing a zero bullshit policy.RELATED: ‘I’m Not Like Other Guys’: The Arrogant Mistake Men Need To Stop Making On Tinder

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A post shared by we r all indie softbois here (@beam_me_up_softboi)

Our take? It’s about time.

Read Next

• Hollywood Actress Sydney Sweeney Gives Men Useful Insight Into What Makes A Woman Truly Happy
• Study Reveals Unlikely Activity Bringing Australian Couples Together

The post '2021 Has Changed How We Date': The New Type Of Man Australian Women Now Want appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

This feature has been produced in partnership with Rado.

Rado’s Captain Cook has always been a groundbreaking timepiece. First introduced in 1962, it was one of the first modern dive watches on the market: masculine, capable and distinct thanks to its inwards-sloping bezel and ultra-legible design, the Captain Cook is an underrated horological icon.

Rado as a brand, too, has always been rather forward-thinking. Known as the ‘Master of Materials’, Rado specialises in high-tech material innovations, particularly ceramics. Scratch-resistant, durable and beautiful whilst also being comfortable and lightweight, Rado’s focus on ceramics makes them stand out amongst the pack when it comes to high-end timepieces.

Now, for the first time, these two innovations come together on the same timepiece. New in 2021, the Rado Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic is the ultimate distillation of Rado as a brand, and a genuinely exciting new timepiece that elevates the hardy tool watch both on a technical as well as an aesthetic level.

Let’s start with the obvious: the case. Since the Captain Cook was revived back in 2017, virtually all models have featured a ceramic bezel. The Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic goes even further, with the timepiece’s case now also crafted out of an innovative high-tech ceramic monobloc.

Another first for the timepiece is its case size, weighing in at an eminently wearable 43mm. Previous models have been 42mm or smaller, with the upsize a result of the ceramic construction of the case. Despite its larger size, it actually weighs less than its steel or bronze siblings – whilst also being warmer to the touch and more comfortable to wear thanks to that brilliant ceramic.

But the coolest aspect of the timepiece is actually its dial, which is made from a smoked sapphire crystal, a design choice carried over to its transparent caseback, too. It’s a truly distinct look that maintains the Captain Cook’s legendary legibility whilst also giving you a sneak peak at the immaculate Rado calibre R734 that powers the beast.

Speaking of the movement, it blesses this timepiece with a rather impressive 80hr power reserve and is water-resistant to 300m. It’s also the first Rado movement to utilise a Nivachron balance spring: a titanium-based alloy that not only has remarkable anti-magnetic properties, but is also extremely resistant to fluctuations in temperature as well as impacts – perfect for a tool watch like this one.

Rado’s cooked up (pun intended) four varieties of the Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic: two black on black models with stainless steel highlights, either with a matching ceramic bracelet or rubber strap; another black on black model, this time with contrasting rose gold coloured PVD highlights; and a highly distinct ‘plasma’ ceramic model with a blue bezel.

Regardless of which model you opt for, you’ll no doubt be impressed by the Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic’s lightness, wearer comfort, stunning looks and impressive capability – both now and well into the future. A truly exciting model, the Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic is Rado’s DNA at its fullest: a tough yet beautiful timepiece for a man of taste.

Discover the Rado Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic online here.

The post Rado’s Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Is The Perfect Watch For The Outdoors appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

One upshot of the border closures The Spicy Cough has imposed on us is that it’s forced Australians to look within our own backyard for memorable travel experiences. This has sparked somewhat of a tourism renaissance for some regions – none more so than Tasmania, Australia’s smallest and most isolated state.Actually, Tasmania’s not that isolated, really. It’s only a 90min flight from Sydney (even less from Melbourne), so you could quite feasibly do a Tasmanian day trip if you were so inclined.One destination you should seriously consider adding to any Tasmanian trip – whether that’s a day trip or months-long ‘digital nomad’ escape – is the Floating Sauna Lake Derby, perhaps the most luxurious and picturesque sauna experience in the country.Derby, about 100km east of Launceston, has become one of Tasmania’s hottest tourist destinations in recent years. Originally the home of one of the world’s largest tin mines, the tiny town has since been rejuvenated thanks to a huge investment by the Tasmanian government in 2015, which redeveloped the old mining precinct into one of the best mountain biking areas in Australia.The Blue Derby network features 125km of purpose-built mountain bike trails, as well as luxurious experiences like the Blue Derby Pods Ride, where you combine your biking adventures with dinner and accommodation in exclusive architecturally designed ‘pods’ nestled amongst the trails.But what’s this got to do with sauna? Lake Derby, one of the most scenic parts of the network, is home to, as you may have guessed, a floating wood-fired sauna. Not only is it a perfect way to unwind after a long day’s biking, but it’s also easily one of the most Instagrammable places on the planet. Indeed, it’s quickly become a favourite of influencers and celebrities alike.

 

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The sauna really comes into its own during the cooler times of the year, too, when you can engage in a bit of hot and cold therapy. Soak up the heat in the sauna, then plunge in the freezing depths of the lake, rinse and repeat (quite literally).Now, I’m a sucker for a good sauna. My best mate from high school went on exchange to Finland and therefore developed an addiction and appreciation for a blisteringly hot sauna, which he also got me hooked on. For years, we’ve conducted an informal yet serious review of Sydney’s best public saunas (tip: Willoughby Leisure Centre’s is great and the Olympic Park Aquatic Centre’s is dogshit) but none really quite hit the spot.The Floating Sauna Lake Derby, however, is the real deal: not only is it a cracking sauna, but the ability to do hot and cold therapy as well as the stunning views make it easily one of the best in the country. It’d even give some of Finland’s finest a run for their money, I reckon.Last week, I was in Derby for the launch of the Rado Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic, putting the watch through its paces with a spot of golfing and mountain biking. Tired after a long day of biking, the sauna was a welcome respite. Admittedly, I’d actually been looking forward to the sauna more than the mountain biking.

Of course, if you’re doing sauna properly, you’re supposed to have a cold shower or rinse before you get in the sauna. With the air temperature sitting at a nippy 10°C (and the water temperature closer to 3°C) jumping in the lake was a daunting prospect – but when in Rome…The water hits you like a slap across the face. Refreshing, but painful. Having swum in glacial rivers before in Europe, I thought I was prepared for the cold, but I really wasn’t. I could feel it in my teeth, it was so brisk. Scrambling for the ladder, I couldn’t wait to get into the sauna.We hastily threw a few ladles of water on the rocks to get the heat going. Once we’d composed ourselves, we were then able to take in the beautiful surroundings of Lake Derby: the wall of the sauna overlooking the lake is ceiling-to-floor glass, a dramatic and unique feature that adds to the serenity of the experience.With the sauna now at a good 95°C, we did a bit of Wim Hof style breathing exercises to maximise the curative effects of the sauna. Then, we ran back outside and jumped into the freezing water once more. As I said, rinse and repeat.RELATED: Bondi Rescue Star’s Sage Advice To Help Improve Physical & Mental Strength

By the end of the session, I felt restored in a way that I’d never felt before. Not only was it one of the best saunas I’ve ever tried, but the total experience – the lake plunge, the unparalleled views – was easily one of the most luxurious and memorable things I’ve ever done in my life. High praise, I know.The problem is that the natural high was so unbelievably good that I now feel like an addict in withdrawal. I went to a local sauna back in Sydney after the Derby trip, and it paled in comparison. Not to mention that staring at a wooden wall doesn’t hold a candle to taking in the beauty of the Tasmanian wilderness…You can discover more about the Blue Derby network as well as its floating sauna experience online here.

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The post This Floating Sauna In Tasmania Ruined Me For Life appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The Land Rover Defender is easily one of the most iconic cars of all time. First introduced in 1983, the boxy British 4×4 enjoyed a 33-year-long production run, during which the car saw very few substantial changes.

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When production finally wrapped up in 2016, it devastated many automotive enthusiasts, despite the fact the Defender was by that point a rather ancient car from a technical perspective.

While Land Rover has continued the Defender name, the ‘New Defender’ shares little in common with its predecessor: like the rest of the modern Land Rover / Range Rover range, luxury is its first priority. It simply doesn’t have the same rugged aesthetic as the original, even if it’s (arguably) a more capable, nicer-to-live-with vehicle.

Thankfully, one firm has risen to the occasion to fill the Defender-shaped void in our hearts, coming up with a car that shares the utilitarian, form-follows-function spirit of the classic Defender (and vehicles like the Mercedes-Benz G-Class or Jeep Wrangler) – but it’s a rather unexpected one.

INEOS, a British multinational chemicals company that’s mostly in the business of making plastics or natural gas production, is currently developing a vehicle called the INEOS Grenadier: a spiritual successor to the classic Land Rover Defender that might even be better looking and more capable than the car that’s inspired it.

Like the classic Defender, the Grenadier features boxy bodywork, a steel ladder chassis, solid axles and will be available as either an ‘estate’ or with a ute tray. Unlike the classic Defender (or at least early versions of it), it will feature multi-link coil spring suspension as well as modern safety aids like airbags and LED/xenon lights.

RELATED: Australia’s Best New Family SUV Comes From The Most Unlikely Brand

Set to be powered by either a petrol or diesel 3.0L BMW turbocharged inline-six, INEOS is also working closely with Hyundai to develop hydrogen fuel cell technology (a savvy move, considering INEOS produces 300,000 tonnes of hydrogen a year).

Earlier this month, INEOS finally unveiled the interior of the Grenadier, which features a rugged look and feel similar to the Defender but with a few key safety and functionality differences.

Unlike the Defender, the Grenadier actually has airbags (even well into the 90s and 00s, the Defender was never updated to feature airbags, unlike many other cars) as well as a modern infotainment system. Fans of militaria will appreciate the rugged design of the cockpit’s buttons and switchgear, which features plenty of exposed bolts and metal switch guards.

 

 

 

 

 

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The Grenadier uses more than a few off-the-shelf and third-party parts, which is not necessarily a bad thing. The eagle-eyed among you will spot that the gear selector is straight out of the BMW parts bin, and the seats are half-leather half-fabric Recaro numbers, for instance.

RELATED: The Simple Solution To BMW’s Big Grille Problem

While the Grenadier was officially unveiled almost twelve months ago, it’s been the last six months that have seen the most significant developments for the Grenadier. December saw INEOS purchase Daimler AG’s production facilities in Hambach, France, previously the main production site for the Smart ForTwo.

Recent months have seen the Grenadier put through serious off-road and inclement weather testing in Austria, Italy and Sweden, and if the testing footage is anything to go by, the INEOS Grenadier is one serious beast.

The concept of a chemicals company branching out into a completely unrelated field of manufacturing might seem strange, but it’s not without precedent. Take ZERO Halliburton, the briefcase manufacturer. Halliburton, one of the world’s largest oil field service companies, began making their own aluminium cases because other luggage could not endure the rough travel working on oil fields demands. These days, the briefcase brand is arguably more well-known than the petrochemical firm it owes its genesis to (and is certainly better respected…)

Production of the Grenadier is slated to start next year, with no news yet as to how the car will be distributed or in which markets it will be sold. Being that INEOS is a British firm, right-hand-drive production isn’t just an afterthought – indeed, INEOS has called Australia a “key market” and will soon start accepting deposits ahead of a March 2022 Australian release, CarAdvice relates.

If Suzuki Jimny sales are anything to go by, there’s plenty of demand Down Under for boxy, capable 4x4s… Considering INEOS have stated their intentions to market the Grenadier to “agriculture and forestry workers, explorers and adventurers as well as traditional Defender fans”, they’d be silly not to sell it here.

Watch the INEOS Grenadier reveal at their design studio below.

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The post This Tough 4×4 Is The Land Rover Defender Revival We’ve All Been Waiting For appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Wine talk can be about as pretentious as it comes. Nonetheless, over the centuries grape-juice has fermented itself into ~culture~ as something you should know about. So now your wine expertise can either improve your European jaunt (or impress a hot date) as much as your lack of said knowledge can embarrass you in front of an important client at a business lunch.And Sydney, the unofficial capital of Australia, is the perfect place to show off this savoir vino-faire. Whether it’s your first time meeting the in-laws, you’re hosting an extravagant dinner party, or you’d just like to know your stuff when a waiter hands you the wine list, these are the best wine stores in Sydney.

Kent Street Cellars

 1/168 Kent St, Sydney NSW 2000Sydney may have stunning beaches and more work opportunities than a white collar dude could throw his shirt at, but when it comes to wine it’s painfully evident that we don’t live in Europe. The lack of a siesta economy or local mafias (and our physical distance from places like Italy’s Piedmont) keeps prices high and choice low. Until you discover somewhere like Kent Street Cellars. Whether you’re gifting for a corporate or personal occasion: you’ll find what you need here.

Five Way Cellars

4 Heeley St, Paddington NSW 2021If you like ‘confidential’ wines (like Bordeaux’s Vins des Gardes) normally available only to connoisseurs and local growers then put Five Way Cellars in Paddington at the top of your bucket (and shopping) list. A slew of satisfied customers on their Facebook page are a testament to the experience you’ll have at this epic Sydney vintage wine cellar.

Jim’s Cellars Woollahra

41 Ocean st, Woollahra, NSW 2025Woollahra is no Tuscany. However, step inside Jim’s humbly-named Cellars—the suburb’s premiere wine cellar—and you’ll be more spoilt for choice than you would be in any Bordeaux supermarché. Established in 1994, the family business has grown into one of the largest independent liquor retailers in Sydney, serving both Sydney and the rest of Australia.Jim’s Cellars aim to search the world for the best wine and spirits and provide it to you at a fair price. Although they carry all the mainstream lines, they are moving away from mass produced vintages (which they reckon are too linear in taste profile), embracing alternative ways of attacking your fine motor skills (and worshipping your taste buds) by showcasing Prosecco, Cava, Sparkling, Aperol, Champagne with flavour (such as Gosset, Laurent – Perrier, and Alfred Gratien).

Darlinghurst Fine Wines

407 Bourke St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010Darlinghurst Fine Wines, located in the beating heart of one of Sydney’s most vibrant and diverse inner city ‘burbs, is one of the most informative, well stocked wine stores in Australia. They are passionate, have abundant retail knowledge and will provide animated discussion about each and every product: all to help you make good decisions.

“Finally someone with good taste in Sydney.”

They source and sell outstanding products in wine, spirits, beer and cider, all in between hosting ‘educational’ wine experiences. Known for a rich, colourful and fun clientele, they have been trading since 1957, and welcome aspiring connoisseurs to drop by.

The Oak Barrel

152 Elizabeth St, Sydney NSW 2000Sitting in pride of place on Surrey Hills’ Elizabeth St, The Oak Barrel is one of Australia’s oldest family owned bottle shops (founded in 1956), and is your go-to for natural wine, single malt whisky and craft beer.Specialists in boutique wine—particularly organic and natural styles—The Oak Barrel is an institution of the Sydney CBD, and boasts one of the best ranges of products in the country. Like its Darlinghurst equivalent, The Oak Barrel provides education classes for wine, whisky and beer throughout the year. Nationally celebrated events such as the Sydney Whisky Fair, Sydney Craft Beer & Cider Fair and the Sydney Craft Spirits Fair also call The Oak Barrel home.

The Wine Society

66 Bay St, Ultimo NSW 2007The Wine Society is one of the foremost wine shops in Sydney, based in Ultimo, always on the look out for the best independent producers, hard-to-find labels and outstanding wines of now and tomorrow.

“Life’s too short to drink bad wine.”

A veritable team of passionate people who can’t stop reading, writing, talking and of course, drinking—The Wine Society is committed to making sure you are not only learning, exploring and drinking the best wines: but also having a darn good experience while you do it.

Vine Wine

Shop 1/780 Bourke St, Redfern NSW 2016Redfern’s secret elixir, Vine Wine is not just another bottle shop—it’s a providore of fine wines. They stock a diverse range of brews; from everyday quaffing wines to old and rare vintages, as well as an impressive portfolio of exotic spirits and liqueurs and a huge range of both local and imported beers. The staff are friendly, brimming with expertise in the wine and hospitality industries, and are ready to help with any question or purchase decisions you may have.

Cellar Door – Handpicked Wines

50 Kensington St, Chippendale NSW 2008Chippendale’s Cellar Door isn’t Narnia: it’s better. Where else in the #healthfood capital of the world will you find an escape that actively encourages the consumption of cheese and alcohol? Located in the heart of Sydney CBD, Cellar Door is nestled within a beautiful warehouse next to Central Park and within the same laneway as Koi, Automata, Old Clare Hotel and Spice Alley. They invite you to drop in for a wine tasting, nibbles, or simply to pick up a bottle to go.

Bellevue Hill Bottle Shop

100A Bellevue Rd, Bellevue Hill NSW 2023With a mixed range and super passionate staff, the Bellevue Hill Bottle Shop is Eastern Sydney’s local cellar door. They take it upon themselves to taste over 100 wines per week—and put the best of these drops on their shelves for you to take home.

Porters Pyrmont

119 Harris St, Pyrmont NSW 2009

Porters Pyrmont has a wide variety of brands and up and coming unknown (or, lesser known) labels. Bonus: they also have an education centre attached, so you’ll receive super knowledgeable and personal service.

Porter’s Liquor Balgowlah

404 Sydney Rd, Balgowlah NSW 2093

Porter’s Liquor Balgowlah are the down-to-earth real deal: the managers are across it all. We once saw them spend 15 minutes on a customer and then recommend them a $12 bottle of wine. Honest, friendly, informative. All big ticks from us. 

Read Next

• Best Australian Red Wines
• Best Australian White Wines
• Best Bottle Shops In Sydney

The post Sydney Wine Stores That Will Level-Up Your Vino Game appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

A man has taken to Twitter with the hope of “getting Sydney Sweeney to notice me” and while it is sycophantic and weird it is also, maybe, a lesson in confidence.The man, whose Twitter username is @mattmazzamaro, began posting daily photos of himself in May in an attempt to gain the attention of actress Sydney Sweeney.Like this week’s business class controversy, in which a French woman was caught posing at the pointy end of the plane for a photo for her followers, without really flying there, the man’s actions will likely divide readers into two camps.Some will call it a ~cringe~ watermark of where our society has come to – a world where emojis have replaced complex thought, celebrities are put on pedestals, and grovelling fans engage in grasping social media actions to define their self-worth.Others will champion his “hustle” and remark on his inspirational ability to wear his heart on his sleeve. They will also call the haters old and out of touch.We’ll let you decide for yourself. Check out the Twitter thread below.

Day 2 of getting @sydney_sweeney to notice me. There’s a dog this time. pic.twitter.com/mgIQKSorH0

— matt (@mattmazzamaro) May 10, 2021

Day 4. I missed a day. @sydney_sweeney pic.twitter.com/LyICVEcark

— matt (@mattmazzamaro) May 13, 2021

Cdc this…cdc that…….when you gonna c deez pictures and notice me…@sydney_sweeney pic.twitter.com/vzB1p79lRE

— matt (@mattmazzamaro) May 15, 2021

One user, @sherryyjcv (perhaps a friend), chimed in, writing: “I support it,” and also tagging the Hollywood actress.Sydney Sweeney, who has acted in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Sharp Objects and Nocturne, is yet to directly respond. Indeed, Mazzamaro appears to have given up his quest on day five (on the 15th of May).Sweeney, however, on the 20th of May, posted a Tweet of her own, which could (emphasis on could) have been inspired by Mazzamaro’s post.“What truly makes me happy… food.. (& cookies/icecream not pictured),” Sweeney wrote, posting a picture of herself eating popcorn.

Please ruin me

— LJ (@el_baby_daddie) May 19, 2021

Would you like some freshly popped popcorn queen pic.twitter.com/bZq32uEkRX

— Dylan (@DylanFlo78) May 19, 2021

Though some men appeared to have learned nothing from the post (see the mass of: “I love you” comments) others seem to have drunk the cool-aid, asking Sweeney if she would like some “freshly popped popcorn.”A good lesson for every lovestruck individual out there – if you’re trying to impress someone, stop making it about yourself.Food for thought.This is not the first time men’s flirting skills (and online behaviour) have come under the microscope in the last 12 months.Katie Wilson, Director of Communications at HUD, a “sex positive app,” told DMARGE earlier this year, “When we see someone online – whether it’s a tennis professional [like Eugenie Bouchard] or a Kardashian – we don’t think of them as being real people, with real lives and feelings and emotions beyond what’s projected on social media.”

“Combine that with the ‘anonymous factor’ of being physically far removed from them, behind a screen and keyboard, and convinced that you’re in the Wild West of the internet where there are few rules and minimal risk of getting caught for being a creep – well, this does open up the opportunity for anyone to say anything, particularly things they would never say in person.”

It should be noted Wilson was talking about gross comments being left under celebrities’ Instagram photos, not guys on Twitter (like @mattmazzamaro) taking photos of themselves as part of a playful ploy to get attention. But still: her comments speak to our twisted culture of celebrity worship.“People feel more comfortable to speak up when the consequences are either minimal or so far removed as to feel nonexistent. This is a double-edged sword – on one hand, feeling safe can encourage people to speak up against injustice and stand up to bad behaviour, but on the other hand, it can also encourage inappropriateness,” Wilson told DMARGE.RELATED: American Instagram Model On A Mission To ‘Rehabilitate’ Men’s DM Sliding Game On how to approach someone on Instagram in a positive manner, Wilson told DMARGE, “You know, we women don’t have a handbook on how to approach men without making them feel harassed or sexualized, so it’s an infuriating double standard that women – who by and large face the biggest proportion of sexual harassment and violence – are being expected to do the work to educate men on how to approach them without coming across as a creep.”

“Men need to do the work to figure this stuff out, and listen to women instead of expecting to be coddled through the process of learning how to act authentic and genuine. Just use your common sense, don’t be pushy, don’t harass her, and accept no without being a jerk about it.”

“Men who approach women thinking they’re owed attention, a date, or sex, or that women wouldn’t post pictures of themselves in bikinis unless they were ‘asking for it’ do need to learn real human interaction skills, but it’s not women’s jobs to teach them. Men caused this problem, and men need to recognise this about themselves, unpack this, and rehabilitate their own behavior.”“I think guys hold back on approaching women [in real life] because they are uncomfortable about being themselves, and they feel like they need to put on a show or act impressive in order to get a woman’s attention. But I think women are more impressed by authenticity and kindness and openness.”

Read Next

• American Actress’ Controversial Selfie Reveals The Woeful State Of Men’s Pick Up Game 
• Simone Holtznagel Reveals How To Slide Into A Woman’s DMs Without Being A Creep 

The post Man’s Hilarious Attempt To Win Sydney Sweeny’s Heart appeared first on DMARGE Australia.