Dear Reader,
Welcome to Between Calls, your weekly dose of hand-picked stories from the worlds of digital marketing, wellness and science. Blending commerce, consciousness and curiosity Between Calls brings you insights to make you think and think again.
In this week’s edition, we’re diving into the rise and fall of Koo, the ambitious Indian Twitter alternative that faced its share of ups and downs. Then, we’ll explore how virtual reality is making waves in mental health treatment, offering a new, engaging way to combat depression. Finally, we’re gazing at the world’s largest 3D printer which is setting new standards for sustainable construction. So, we have social media drama, virtual reality therapy, and 3D printing this week. Happy reading!
Kabir says : A once-promising startup founder, a VR therapist, and a 3D printing wizard walk into a tech expo bar. The founder sighs, “My startup was a rocket that crashed back to Earth.” The VR therapist smiles, “Why not reboot your mood in virtual reality? It’s going to take a lot less effort than getting another round of funding!” And the 3D printing expert adds, “Or just 3D print your next venture. If it collapses, you can always say it was just a prototype”
DIGITAL MARKETING
The Rise & Fall of Koo
Remember when Koo was hailed as India’s answer to Twitter? During Covid it was promised as a multi lingual platform Twitter alternative backed by celebrities and politicians. Launched in 2020 Koo quickly captured the attention of many with nearly 60 million downloads. However, the rapid growth masked deeper issues. Koo struggled to stand out in the crowded social media space. They did not have a clear differentiator in their niche and to make matters worse for them Twitter or X made a comeback. Its unique multilingual approach wasn’t enough to sustain engagement. As global funding for startups dwindled, Koo was forced to lay off 30% of its workforce by mid-2023. Today Koo stands as a lesson in the volatile nature of startups, funding and how sustainable growth is the only way forward. Read the full story below.
WELLNESS
VR Treating Depression
Did you know that depression affects over 300 Million people worldwide and in India it’s growing at a never before seen pace. It’s also ranked as the number one contributor to disability globally. Although there are various treatments available, less than 50% people ever get any due to a variety of factors. Now imagine if treating depression could be as easy as playing a game of table tennis or touring Paris, virtually. Enter VR or virtual reality, where researchers at Stanford ran a study on depression with VR and traditional therapy. The results ? Both groups saw significant reductions in their depression scores. VR therapy works by immersing patients in enjoyable activities, a method rooted in the well-established concept of behavioral activation. As VR technology becomes more accessible, it could change the face of mental health treatment.
SCIENCE
3D Printing Records
In the 3D printing world, innovation is reaching new heights—literally. The recently unveiled “Factory of the Future” has the world’s largest 3D printer which is capable of creating massive structures. This colossal machine uses sustainable, biobased polymers and can produce 500 pounds of thermoplastic polymers per hour. This advancement is a game-changer for the construction industry, which is responsible for a significant portion of global greenhouse gas emissions. By using eco-friendly materials, new 3D printing methods could reduce the carbon footprint of new buildings. In fact these advanced 3D printers can produce entire homes in a matter of days, and they just set a new world record. The future of construction is here, and it’s bigger, faster and greener than ever. Now only if it could design the kitchen how mom wants it :)
PROMPTITUDE
Ignite Ideas, One Prompt At A Time: Plug in this prompt to any LLM to learn about 3D printing in depth.
As a renowned 3D printing expert, create a comprehensive, beginner-friendly guide to 3D printing. Explain what 3D printing is and why it’s important. Use simple language and easy-to-understand examples. Cover the basics of how 3D printers work, different types of printers, and materials used. Describe the steps from creating a 3D model to printing the final object. Give examples of how 3D printing is used in different areas like medicine, manufacturing, and at home. Discuss advantages of 3D printing and highlight any challenges. Include helpful tips for people who want to start 3D printing and talk about what the future might hold for 3D printing. Use clear headings, detailed explanations with bullet points to make the guide easy to follow. Create a detailed an thorough guide for beginners to understand 3D printing as a topic.
FROM THE BOOKSHELF
To do this week : From last week’s interesting responses to “What happens when you do not drink water?” we thought of bringing to you “What would happen if you didn’t sleep?”. Dive into this intriguing video by Claudia Aguirre and yes, please don’t ignore sleep.
Watch Video.
Stay Informed, Stay Ahead!
About the author: abhinavchetan.com
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