Latest news with #Evam
Hindustan Times
03-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Beyond Likes & Shares: How Probo is Turning Opinions Into Valuable Predictions
In the rapidly evolving era of interactive social media, where virality can distort notions of truth and platforms are often driven by engagement over accuracy, a quiet revolution is unfolding in India. Opinion trading has begun to emerge as a powerful new tool in participatory technology, combining gamification, financial literacy, and civic engagement into a single, user-centric format. Rather than merely being a game of chance, recent research from IIT-Delhi and Evam Law & Policy affirms that opinion trading predominantly requires skill. Users are rewarded not for gut instincts, but for sharp judgment, real-time analysis, and their ability to stay informed. This, combined with the community-driven nature of these platforms, makes opinion trading a compelling case for being recognized as civic tech innovation. Gamification Meets Civic Participation Platforms like Probo are bringing in a new age of engagement, where users don't passively consume the news but participate in it. By predicting the outcomes of real-world events, from sports to the economic landscape, users interact with current affairs in a gamified environment, rewarding accuracy. Unlike social media, which amplifies virality, these platforms incentivize truth. Misinformation is naturally penalized, and incorrect predictions result in financial loss, creating a built-in deterrent against unverified speculation. This structure turns opinion trading into a 'truth market,' where civic participation is not only encouraged but also rewarded. It's no longer about likes or shares; it's about understanding, analyzing and predicting the real-world affairs based on knowledge. Skill vs. Speculation: A Question Answered Critics of opinion trading often conflate it with gambling, overlooking one key distinction: opinion trading is a peer-to-peer market, not a player-versus-house setup. There's no inherent conflict of interest, and no manipulation of outcomes by the platform. Users compete based on their ability to synthesize news, trends, and data, much like fantasy sports, rummy, or even day trading. Research from IIT-Delhi tracked user behavior over time and found that those who remained engaged and informed consistently outperformed others. These weren't lucky guesses. They were informed predictions backed by data consumption and strategic decision-making. The Evam study backed this up with evidence that active users employing strategies like early exits achieved up to a 70% win rate, compared to 42% for passive players. Voluntary Self-Regulation and Consumer Safety Leading platforms like Probo have proactively adopted safety features and guardrails. These include cool-off periods, limits on recharge amounts, prohibitions on credit-based trading, and transparent product design—all intended to promote responsible participation. Moreover, the very structure of opinion trading encourages moderation. Without credit or 'house' incentives, users have limited exposure, and the system naturally filters out unsustainable trading behavior. A Civic-Tech Innovation Waiting to Be Recognized Opinion trading platforms don't just reflect public sentiment—they shape it. As crowds aggregate and assess probabilities, they collectively produce insights that could aid researchers, policymakers, and even journalists. During the pandemic, such platforms often reflected real-time sentiment on vaccine approvals, lockdown extensions, and recovery timelines, frequently ahead of mainstream media. Given the demonstrated civic value and potential for public forecasting, India has an opportunity to lead the world in regulating and nurturing this emerging sector. In the U.S. and U.K., prediction markets are already used to anticipate election outcomes and policy shifts. For India, clear regulation could unlock economic potential, tax revenue, and democratic data tools, while ensuring user protection and platform accountability. Conclusion Opinion trading isn't a digital gamble. It's a modern arena where skill, awareness, and community-driven data converge. As platforms continue to innovate and self-regulate, and as academic research validates their utility, the question is no longer if opinion trading should be recognized as a civic-tech innovation, but how soon. Disclaimer: This article is sponsored content curated by HT Syndication. The inputs and details accounted for in the article do not necessarily reflect those of HT, and HT does not endorse or assume any responsibility for the information provided. Want to get your story featured as above? click here! First Published Date: 03 Jun, 16:34 IST
New Indian Express
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
When comedian Mervyn Rozz went from cubicles to comedy
No, he isn't a comedian — he's a storyteller who finds humour in the most unexpected places. Blending razor-sharp wit with real-life experiences, he seamlessly turns everyday observations into side-splitting comedy. Well, that is Mervyn Rozario, or simply Mervyn Rozz, for you. Since his deep dive into comedy nine years ago after quitting an unfulfilling corporate job, he has carved a unique path for himself in India's evolving comedy landscape. Today, he makes audiences laugh like there's no tomorrow. He is all set to perform in Hyderabad on April 27 at Aaromale - Cafe and Creative Community, Film Nagar. In a candid conversation, he tells CE about how he dived into comedy, what his show will encompass, and what his ultimate goal is. Excerpts What is your upcoming show about? My show will focus on observations from my travels to various countries, including Australia. I'll share experiences about performing abroad, audience reactions, and some general happenings in the stand-up comedy world. I have performed in Hyderabad a couple of times before and am looking forward to performing here again. And I can't wait to have some delicious mutton biryani ! When did you choose to tread the path of humour? As a child, I was always the funny one — the class clown — and enjoyed the validation I got for it. In fact, I always loved being on stage. During college presentations, I would add humour to serious topics, making people laugh. Initially working as a sales manager in the banking sector, I started doing small comedy performances in restaurants and bars in 2016. Other comedians and audience members began encouraging me, telling me I had potential in comedy. I realised that despite having a good job with incentives, I wasn't getting personal satisfaction. Before growing too old and accumulating more life commitments, I decided to take a calculated risk. I made sure my finances were sorted for the next six months and resigned. Coincidentally, I got an opportunity with Evam, a South Indian stand-up comedy movement, and did many shows. My motivation wasn't just about becoming famous, but about finding a career where I could genuinely enjoy what I was doing. The ability to be on stage, entertain people, and create observational humour became my primary passion. It has been nine years and I have no regrets. My first solo special, Mervyn Rozz Moving On , is now available on YouTube for audiences to enjoy. What challenges have you faced in comedy? Sometimes, performance setups can be an issue — the thing is, the audience needs to be seated without distractions. If the setup isn't fine, this affects their responses to an extent. Another challenge is that people might take offence at jokes, especially those unfamiliar with stand-up comedy. As of now, my priority is my safety and the safety of my loved ones, so I'm cautious about my content. How would you describe your comedic style? Observational comedy, close to reality. If I understand someone's profession or 9 to 5 daily routine, I can confidently create multiple jokes about it. I enjoy observing people and turning their experiences into humour. Memorable moments in your career? One touching moment was when an audience member from Bengaluru travelled to Chennai with her husband while seven months pregnant, just to watch my show. It made me realise how much people appreciate comedy and are willing to go the extra mile to support performers. What's your ultimate goal? Sustainability. I want to be consistently relevant, not just momentarily famous. My dream is to sell more and more tickets, and one day perform at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.
