Welcome to Sue's List, where we're diving into unexpected topics that are sure to surprise and delight. Get ready to expand your horizons and discover new passions with Sue's List this week.
S For Statistics
Going Green Pays Off: Beautiful Lawns Boost Property Sales
When it comes to outdoor projects, it's easy to get carried away with big-ticket items like pools and elaborate fire features. But according to a recent report from the National Association of Realtors and the National Association of Landscape Professionals, it's actually the simpler landscaping and lawn care projects that offer the highest return on investment (ROI).
Investing in standard lawn care services, such as mowing and seeding, can result in a 217% ROI for homeowners. And it's not just about increasing the value of your home when it's time to sell – having a well-manicured yard can also make a big impression on potential buyers and even keep your neighbors happy.
In fact, the report found that upgrading overall landscaping resulted in a 100% ROI, while installing a pool only netted homeowners a 56% return.
As real estate agents we also emphasize the importance of curb appeal when selling a home, with landscape maintenance, lawn care, and tree care being top recommendations before listing a property.
But it's not just about resale value – outdoor projects can also improve your quality of life. During the pandemic, many homeowners turned to their outdoor spaces as an extension of their homes, with 92% of landscaping professionals reporting increased demand for outdoor features.
So while it's tempting to go all out with fancy outdoor features, sometimes the simplest projects can offer the biggest bang for your buck – and bring you the most joy in the process.
U For Unique
Smart? Yes, but memory of a goldfish
Meet ChatGPT, the AI language system with a memory like a goldfish. Despite being able to code websites, plan vacations, and write company emails in the style of William Faulkner, ChatGPT can only remember contextual clues for a short time, roughly 4,000 words' worth.
While this may seem impressive, it means that the AI can't remember important details, like your name after a mere 5,000 words of nonsense. The newly released GPT-4 can handle more context, around 8,000 words, but still falls short of a human's memory capabilities.
Engineers are working to improve AI's long-term memory problem, but it's not just about remembering more things. They're also trying to teach machines what they should remember and what they can forget.
Perhaps one day, AI will have a memory as sharp as a human's, but until then, ChatGPT and other language systems will have to rely on their impressive ability to use context clues in real-time to answer our questions. And who knows, maybe someday we'll even be able to use AI to help us improve our own memories.
E For Explore
Party Anywhere with Inflatable Fun: The Hottest Trend in Event Structures!
Move over traditional nightclubs, there's a new player in town - inflatable nightclubs! These portable and inflatable versions of nightclubs are taking the world by storm. With built-in sound and lighting systems, they offer the same clubbing experience as brick-and-mortar clubs, but with added flexibility.
Thanks to TikTok, interest in inflatable nightclubs has skyrocketed, generating over 93 million views on the platform. Millennials and Gen Zers are especially drawn to these inflatable clubs, as they offer a fun and unique way to simulate the clubbing experience from the comfort of their own homes.
But the trend doesn't stop there - inflatable party structures are becoming increasingly popular for events. They offer customization, portability, and affordability compared to traditional event structures. Social media is abuzz with videos showcasing the latest inflatable party inflatables, with a total of 537 million video views on TikTok alone.
Inflatable screen projectors are also gaining popularity, with one popular inflatable projector bringing in a whopping $21K per month on Amazon.
Who needs to go out to a club or event when you can bring the party to your own backyard with these inflatable wonders? The future of entertainment may just be in the inflatable world!
‘S For the small peeps
Last weekend to enjoy “Jack and the Beanstalk”
Here’s a synopsis for anyone not familiar with the story: Meet Jack, a dreamer with a knack for trading things for a quick buck. One day, he encountered a mysterious old man who offered to trade him some magic beans for his cow. Despite his mother's anger at the trade, Jack decided to take the deal and see where it led him.
To his amazement, a gigantic beanstalk sprouted in their garden overnight, reaching up to the clouds. Being the adventurous type, Jack climbed the beanstalk and discovered a magical land filled with wonders and riches.
After stumbling upon a giant's castle, Jack decided to take some treasure for himself. However, the giant woke up and chased him down the beanstalk. In a daring move, Jack chopped down the beanstalk and sent the giant tumbling to his doom.
Returning to his village with his newfound wealth, Jack lived happily ever after, learning a valuable lesson to never again trade magic beans for cows.
Location: Downtown Cabaret Theater in Bridgeport, CT; Sat. 3/25 & Sun 3/26 at 12p and 2:30p
Thanks for reading the entire list.
See you next Tuesday-
Sue
