There are many vices that humanity has picked up over its existence. And the more addictive an activity is, the more we are drawn towards it. As a culture we soon realized how dangerous these vices can be if left unchecked. It is why a lot of harmful drugs are illegal. And there are massive restrictions placed on activities such as gambling.

But, in a lot of nations, there is one highly addictive activity that is still legal and massively advertised by the companies that produce it. That is, of course, smoking. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance found in the Nightshade family of plants. The most common plant associated with nicotine is Tobacco. The scientific name of the tobacco plant is actually Nicotiana. For obvious reasons.

The World of Smoking

Smoking has been a part of human culture for nearly 2000 years. Many tribal cultures used to smoke various plants in ritual ceremonies. And this tradition has carried on to this day. Tobacco was primarily a plant that was chewed. The cigarette, as we know it, didn’t appear until the early 19th century in America. Cigars and pipes were around long before this, but these were more natural.

Cigarettes changed the game. They made smoking more accessible, stylish, and addictive. Primarily because cigarettes had a whole host of other ingredients in them. Until we fully understood the dangers of smoking it was advertised massively. Tobacco companies made millions getting people hooked on cigarettes.

Modern Attitudes To Smoking

Smoking used to be seen as the height of coolness. Adverts would depict models and celebrities enjoying a smoke. But, as our understanding of biology has improved, we know now that smoking is extremely harmful. And alongside that many nations have put heavy restrictions on smoking advertisements and sales. Take the UK for example. No tobacco companies can advertise their products anywhere. And their packaging has to be black with a basic font for the brand.

But, sadly, many people are still addicted. But more people than ever before want to quit. Which is where vaping has come into play.

Vaping

Vaporisers are a modern invention that first appeared as a tool to help people quit smoking. But they have since evolved into their own industry. Vapes use various e-liquids that can contain nicotine, but they don’t always have to. The big selling point of vapes is that they can be almost any flavor. As opposed to cigarettes which come in normal or menthol. You can find vapes that are everything from cotton candy flavored to pineapple and rhubarb.

When it first appeared, vaping was seen as a force for good. Something to help people quit smoking forever. But attitudes towards it are starting to shift. And a lot of people are saying this is because the media is encouraging people to use disposable vapes. But how true is this statement?

Disposable Vapes

Firstly, what is a disposable vape? Well there are primarily two types of vapes on the market. The first is the type where you can refill its canister with various e-liquids. These vapes were the first proper form to exist. The liquids with nicotine can come in various strengths. Or can come with no nicotine at all.

Disposable vapes are, as the name suggests, disposable. You buy them and they are ready to use right out of the box. Instead of buying the liquid separately, they are a sealed product with the liquid already inside.

Disposable vapes are a great tool for helping people quit. When you buy them they say how many puffs you can get out of a single unit. And a blinking disposable vape often indicates that it has run out of liquid. The limited nature of them makes them a great quitting tool. A person can limit how much nicotine they have in a day.

The Media and Disposable Vapes

But one issue that has arisen is that the media has started showing disposable vapes as trendy and cool. And what was once a tool designed to help people quit smoking, is getting a whole new generation addicted to nicotine. And what’s worse is that disposable vapes are far easier for young people to get ahold of than cigarettes.

Experts are saying that there is potentially an epidemic of young people becoming addicted to nicotine in high-school, thanks to disposable vapes. And one of the primary influences of this is TikTok. The social media app that has taken the world by storm. With thousands of young influencers showing off their stylish life, with a disposable vape in hand, it is no wonder young people are getting hooked.

And it isn’t just TikTok getting young people hooked on disposable vapes. A lot of modern TV shows, such as Euphoria or Riverdale, have been glamorizing bad habits for the younger generations. By having teenagers played by attractive adults, and putting them in skimpy outfits and over-sexualized situations, these companies are unwittingly steering a generation towards awful habits at an early age.

Of course we aren’t saying there is anything inherently wrong with using disposable vapes. But it should be done when you are at least 18 years old. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance, and even the act of vaping itself is quite addictive. So it is important to be weary of everything you see portrayed in the media.

If you are someone that is really into Minecraft, then you may have been tempted to set you your very own Minecraft server. Having your own Minecraft server can really improve your gameplay experience. When you join random servers, you may not know the people that are playing on them and so you may feel entirely disconnected from everyone else on the server.

When you are part of your very own server, you feel like a real community and you get to know everyone in it very personally. However, when you initially start your own server it can be very hard for you to get people to join to start with. To ensure that you have as many people as possible join your server, you should first market it. Marketing a Minecraft server is not the same as marketing a business, but you will still want to promote your Minecraft server to get more players, and here are just some of the ways that you can.

1. Make A Social Media Page

A really great way that you can market your server is by creating a social media page for it. Social media is a fantastic way to market your server and the best part about it is that it is completely free.

You can make a social media page that heavily describes what your server has to offer and promote it on some of the Minecraft based pages that you can find on social media. People will notice what you are advertising and they will give your server a try and you may meet some good friends.

2. Sponsor a Different Server

If you have ever been on a Minecraft server, you will know that you have the option to sponsor the server. When you sponsor the server, you donate a small amount of money that allows the people operating the server to be able to continue to do so. You are essentially paying the wage of the server runner.

When you donate, you can usually put a message that will be shown on the server. In this message, you can advertise your own server and ask that people come and check it out. People will likely show interest and they will check out your server because of the help you have given them with their server.

3. Post on Minecraft Forums

As a Minecraft user, you are probably familiar with Minecraft forums. On these forums, people often ask each other questions and share anything that they have discovered while playing the game.

This is a place where the community can talk and discover more about the game. If you post that you have a brand new server on the forum, then someone is bound to come across it and want to give it a try. On the forum, you can also receive feedback on your server, which will allow you to improve it.

4. Ask Server Players to Talk About

If you managed to get some people to play on your server, you can always ask them to share your server with their friends. It is important that you communicate with the people that play on your server as they are responsible for the success of your server.

If you develop a relationship with them, then they will want to support your server and ensure that it does well. It is important that you make sure that they feel comfortable with you, as this will make them feel more inclined to advertise your server.

5. Send Out Emails

There are companies that allow you to buy emails from Minecraft players from them and you can use these emails to advertise your server. There are some players that opt in to receiving emails about never servers that they can use.

In these emails, you should include a direct link to your server, as this will make it much easier for people to actually access your server. Some people can be annoyed when you spam them with emails, so give the people that are receiving the emails an opportunity to opt-out of receiving all of the emails.

6. Design an Eye-Catching Banner For Your Server

When you have a server, it usually gets added to a Minecraft server list. On these lists, you can find thousands of different Minecraft servers and so it can be easy for your server to become lost. Thankfully, you have the option to add a banner to your advertisement and so you should take advantage of this.

You should design a banner that catches everyone’s attention, as this will make it much more likely that people are going to actually join your server. If you are not very artistic, then you can hire someone to make you one professionally so that you get the best quality results.

7. Go to Discord

As you probably know, a lot of gamers use Discord to communicate. This is especially the case for Minecraft, as many servers do not have a voice chat option.

Take a look online and see if you can find some Minecraft discords. There are thousands of discords that you can join and all that you need to do is drop the link to your server in the discords. These discords are full of people that are looking for a new server to play and so you are definitely going to find someone that is willing to try out your server.

If you are someone that is incredibly artistic, you may have been given the honor of supporting a local veteran. There are many veterans throughout the US, all with different stories and some towns want to pay tribute to the sacrifices made by vets. If you have been given the honor of helping to create a mural, it can be a lot of pressure. Here is a guide to creating a perfect mural piece for a veteran.

Pick a Perfect Spot For The Mural

When selecting the perfect spot for a mural piece dedicated to a veteran guide, consideration should be given to the size and shape of the wall, the amount of natural light that will be available, the visibility of the mural from different angles, and the potential for pedestrian traffic. The wall should be large enough to accommodate the design of the mural, while still providing enough space to be visible and enjoyed. Additionally, the amount of natural light should be sufficient to ensure that the mural will look its best. Furthermore, the mural should be visible from various angles, so that it can be appreciated by more people. Lastly, the location should have high pedestrian traffic, to ensure that the mural has maximum impact with the greatest number of viewers.

If you are going to put the mural on a building, you want to ensure that the building isn’t run down. You may even be doing the mural on a part of the veteran’s house, like the garage, which could have a run-down roof. Calculate a new garage roof cost, and you could be doing the vet a huge favor.

Get to Know The Veteran You’re Creating it For

When creating a mural piece for a veteran, it is important to get to know the veteran you are creating it for. Make sure to find out their interests, hobbies, and any symbols they may associate with their service. Learning about their story and experiences can help you to create a meaningful piece of art that the veteran will appreciate. Additionally, it is important to get their input during the design process to make sure you are creating something they will be proud of.

Pick a Vibrant Color Story

When creating a mural piece for a veteran guide, it is important to choose a vibrant color story that is both meaningful and visually interesting. Colors can be chosen to represent the veteran’s experience or to evoke the emotion of the story being told. Additionally, a color palette can be chosen to represent the veteran’s service branch or to highlight the guide’s achievements. The color story should be vibrant and inviting to draw the viewer’s eye and create a visually appealing piece.

Choose a Veteran’s Experience to Depict

When creating a mural piece for a veteran guide, it is important to consider the experience of the veteran that is being depicted. Carefully research the veteran’s background, such as their branch of service, rank, and any awards or recognition they may have achieved. Further research into their personal stories, such as their deployment and homecoming experiences, can provide invaluable insight into the veteran’s experience that can be used to create a meaningful and accurate mural. Additionally, it can be a good idea to consult with the veteran or their family members to understand their story and the impact of their service even further.

Carefully Select Which Mural Materials You Will Use

When creating a mural piece for a veteran guide, it is important to carefully select which materials you will use. Consider the following: the mural will be exposed to the elements, so you will need to use weather-proof materials that can withstand the climate of the area. Additionally, the mural must be durable, as it will be in a heavily trafficked area. Finally, consider the colors you choose to use and how they will interact with the colors of the existing surroundings.

Gain Funding For it

One way to gain funding for creating a mural piece for a veteran guide is to seek donations from local businesses and organizations. These donations can be used to cover the cost of supplies, as well as the cost of hiring an artist to create the mural. Additionally, one could look into grants that are specifically designed to support veterans who are making a positive impact in their communities.

Make Sure You Put Your Veteran on The Forefront of Your Work

When creating a mural piece for a veteran guide, it is important to make sure the veteran is the primary focus of the mural. Design the piece around what the veteran would like to see, and make sure that the veteran is the central figure in the piece. Include elements that are meaningful to the veteran, such as symbols of their service, to emphasize the importance of their story. Additionally, be sure to incorporate colors, shapes, and designs that the veteran enjoys, as this will create a more personal connection to the mural.

Garner Media Attention

Creating a mural piece for a veteran guide is a great way to garner media attention. This can be done by creating a press release and/or posting about the project on social media. Local newspapers, radio stations, and television news channels may be interested in covering the story and interviewing the artist. Other promotional elements may include inviting media outlets to the unveiling of the mural, having a press conference, or engaging the public by creating a hashtag to generate further awareness.