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I joined a secret society and loved it, but now it's just another failed startup

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latitude society handoff

For the last year or so, I've been a member of a secret society.

I never took full advantage of my membership the way I should have. And now, I never will, because the Latitude Society officially closed its doors forever this month. 

The Latitude Society was, when you really get down to it, a game — a game that was the main product of a startup called Nonchalance. It was Nonchalance's follow-up to The Jejune Institute, a similar kind of city-crossing, weird-adventure game that's become a part of local San Francisco legend.

"The vision was to create an immersive narrative experience that rivaled a theme park ride in production value, but was embedded into the urban landscape of San Francisco," writes Nonchalance founder Jeff Hull in a postmortem blog post.

But like so many startups, Nonchalance couldn't turn what was so special about it into a sustainable business. 

A weird adventure

I was invited to The Latitude Society by a friend and former coworker who ended up working for Nonchalance. He handed me what looked like a blank credit card in a sleeve with a weird symbol. On the back of the card was a web address and an invitation code. 

Once I entered the code and selected a time for my "appointment," I was told to show up to an otherwise nondescript address in San Francisco's hip Mission neighborhood.

latitude society cardI walked through the door and entered a really fantastically strange and surprising adventure that took me through a dark maze, into a unique, low-ceilinged library with a single book with blank pages — and all around the neighborhood.

It was freaky, especially since you're unlikely to run into another human during the whole experience. I only consoled myself by remembering that if my friend had wanted to drug me and steal my organs, he already had ample opportunity.

This was all with the point of inducting you into The Latitude Society, a secretive order dedicated to expanding human consciousness (or something), locked in conflict with the forces of darkness who are trying to prevent the Soeiety from growing.

Membership has its perks

Once I passed through this first, fascinating adventure, I was inducted as a full member, meaning I got access to the Society's "Nightbook," a social network/blogging platform where people could work together to decipher the group's mysteries.

They also held regular "Praxis" and town hall events at spots around the San Francisco Bay Area, where employees of Nonchalance and active members of the community could mingle and talk about the future of the society. I never participated in any of this, but the friends I brought with me got very involved.

latitude societyThe Society's motto was "Absolute Discretion," meaning that it was not recommended to talk about Latitude in front of a non-member. If nothing else, it was bad form to ruin a potential member's surprise.

Everybody involved knew it was a game. But it was more fun if you took it seriously, and so many did.

It certainly didn't hurt that Nonchalance was staffed by some amazing artists, actors, and technical wizards who made it easy to get immersed in the story.

From a dimly lit arcade guarded by a digital ghost, to a website packed with secrets, that "theme park" production value was everywhere. Hull says it took three years to put it all together. 

A secret society's business plan

In case you were ever wondering what a secret society's pitch deck looks like, here's the Latitude's:

"As whimsical and unlikely as it sounds; it was plainly presented to stakeholders as a growth oriented business model with an identifiable product and service," Hull writes.

The Latitude Society actually had a pretty straightforward monetization strategy. 

Once you finished that first adventure, called "Book One" of a planned ten "Books," you were informed that you could shell out approximately $30 for an invitation to bring someone else into the society. 

I gladly did, handing out Latitude invitations as Christmas and birthday gifts. This stuff is more fun with friends, and the Latitude Society was such a cool idea that I didn't mind spending the money. And many of the people I invited ended up being way more active in the Society than I ever was, which is kind of funny.

Eventually, the Latitude Society introduced a monthly subscription fee, promising more frequent events and first access to the next "Books" and other events. 

What went wrong

The problem, as identified by Hull, is that a lot of people weren't sure what to make of the society.

"The Latitude may have served multiple purposes, but ultimately it could not be all things to all people," Hull writes. 

Some people treated it as a game, some people as a social club and networking opportunity, and some as a religion — a Reddit thread from someone who thought they had accidentally joined a cult and wanted guidance made its way around Latitude circles as both a joke and as a threat, since it spoiled a whole bunch of the surprises. 

den arcadia latitudeAnd so, like a lot of startups without a crystal-clear focus, Nonchalance simply ran out of money for the Latitude Society before it could finish the story it was telling. Hull pegs the costs of the Society at $3,000 a day, for a monthly burn rate that would make even Y Combinator's Sam Altman raise an eyebrow.

Hull's post also hints at internal strife within Nonchalance, as is not uncommon at struggling companies.

" A very ceremonious undertaking was ended very unceremoniously.  I am sorry for that," Hull writes.

Still, plenty of members, still very much into the concept, plan on keeping it going by hosting Latitude events of their own going forward. 

Nothing about this story is unusual for a startup, tech or otherwise, in the San Francisco Bay Area circa 2015. But it's a tremendous shame, because the Latitude society was really special.

SEE ALSO: This Google-backed startup wants to scare you like Facebook never could

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These 17 apps will help you travel around the world while working to pay your way — or even build up your savings

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mobile van office

Imagine this: You're traveling around the world, staying a month at a time in new and exciting cities, all without watching your bank account dwindle down to nothing.

That dream might seem too good to be true years ago, but with the growing popularity of working remotely and advances in budget travel options, it has never been easier.

Australian app developer David McKinney, for example, converted his van into a mobile office complete with electricity and internet.

With a certain set of apps and services, and a little imagination, more people are finding ways to live out their traveling fantasies without breaking the bank.

These 17 apps can help you find work while on a beach in Thailand, and get you a room for the night for free. They can help you find the cheapest travel between two locations and connect you with locals who will show you around the city.

Remote OK helps you find lucrative remote jobs anywhere in the world.

Remote OK is a daily aggregator of remote jobs that is especially useful for those in the tech industry. You can find jobs in web development, design, and also non-tech jobs — though these are admittedly not the focus.

Tech jobs are becoming one of the most easily-outsourced sectors, and Remote OK can be a goldmine for a tech worker looking to tour the world while staying afloat financially.

Price: Free (Web)



Couchsurfing lets you pay absolutely nothing to find a place to sleep.

Couchsurfing is the ultimate lodging tool for anyone on a shoestring budget. The app connects people who want to crash on someone’s couch — or spare room — with someone willing to host them for free.

Gifts are appreciated, but no money ever changes hands. The worldwide community has over 10 million members and functions on the goodwill of its users. If you've never tried it, it is a remarkable feat that this type of community is possible.

Price: Free (iOS, Android, Web)



Airbnb can find you affordable housing — even up in the trees.

Airbnb has become an international phenomenon and is swiftly replacing hotels for many travelers. The company has 600,000 listings in over 34,000 cities and is often more affordable than hotels of similar quality — though without the room service.

Depending on your luck, your host might also be willing to share tips like the best places to get public Wi-Fi. And you can even stay in creative abodes like tree houses or yurts.

Price: Free (iOS, Android, Web)



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Why you should toss your aftershave in the trash

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grooming

Many men are doing more harm than good with their post-shaving routine — and one seemingly innocuous product is the culprit.

It turns out aftershave, the alcohol-based astringent hiding in medicine cabinets the world over, can actually be harmful to your skin, according to Dr. Terrence Keaney, a dermatologist working with Dove's Men+ Care line.

The old-world style of aftershave contains two major ingredients: alcohol and a heavy fragrance.

The alcohol is used as an astringent, and was marketed as a way to reduce the chance of infection on any cuts that may have occurred while shaving. 

The alcohol also produces a cooling, light burning sensation, leaving the skin taut. There is also a fragrance component, with many men using aftershave as a replacement for cologne.

Why you should NEVER put alcohol-based aftershave on your face

In actuality, the alcohol is a major irritant and will dry your skin out. Additionally, the heavy fragrance isn't something you want to put on your skin after it has been stripped of its oils after shaving. 

"You’re putting it on skin that’s just been shaved, so you’re removing all those barriers and slapping a very heavy alcohol solution so that could really irritate [your skin]," said Dr. Keaney.

What to use instead

Dr. Keaney recommends a soothing, moisturizing aftershave. While this won't produce the familiar burning sensation, it will replace some of that moisture that you lost while shaving. Some are even scented, so you'll still smell great — without the burn.

Most of the dominant companies making skincare products for men have a product specially formulated to relieve the burn of shaving and provide moisture, including Neutrogena, Dove, Baxter of California, Bulldog, and American Crew. But as long as the product doesn't have alcohol and has some moisturizing component, you're golden.

So, if you have an alcohol-based aftershave in your routine, it's time to ditch that pronto.

SEE ALSO: 10 things the modern gentleman always has in his medicine cabinet

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Famous last words of 18 famous people

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bob marley

People have always been fascinated by the last words of others.

Perhaps they hold a touch of wisdom, a final joke, or even confirmation of who's getting what in the will.

In light of that, Business Insider put together a list of the reported last words of 18 famous historical figures.

Check them out below.

Karl Marx, philosopher.

"Last words are for fools who haven't said enough." 

Source: International Business Times



Richard Feynman, theoretical physicist.

"I'd hate to die twice. It's so boring."

Source: "The Power of Personality" by Sylvia Loehken



Archimedes, mathematician.

"Stand away, fellow, from my diagram!"

Archimedes was killed during the Second Punic War. According to the historian Plutarch, a soldier reportedly came up to the mathematician and told him to go with him to Marcellus.

Archimedes, however, refused to do so until he finished the problem he was working on. Enraged, the soldier killed him.

Sources: "The Parallel Lives" by Plutarch, "Famous Last Words" by Laura Ward



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21 highly successful people with bizarre eating habits

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novak djokovic eating rass

The most successful people follow daily rituals that keep them aligned and consistent, and free their minds to think about more important things.

But some of their habits, particularly eating habits, are downright strange.

Actor Nicholas Cage only eats animals that he considers to have "dignified sex." Apple's Steve Jobs ate only carrots for so long that his skin took on a bright orange hue. Business magnate Howard Hughes used spoons with a protective covering that included two layers of tissue paper and cellophane tape.

We pored through years of biographies and interviews, as well as "What the Great Ate" by Matthew Jacob and Mark Jacob, to find out what the super-accomplished subsist on. 

Here's a look at the most bizarre eating habits of highly successful people.

This is an update of an article originally written by Vivian Giang.

SEE ALSO: 11 things successful people do right before bed

Nicholas Cage won't eat pork because he doesn't think the animals have 'dignified sex.'

In a 2010 interview with The Sun, Cage said that he chooses which animals to eat based on their mating habits.

"I think fish are very dignified with sex. So are birds. But pigs, not so much. So I don’t eat pig meat or things like that. I eat fish and fowl," said Cage.



Renee Zellweger snacks on ice cubes throughout the day.

Zellweger has been quoted as saying she snacks on ice cubes to feel full. "As long as I get that 'constant feed' feeling, it’s semi-tolerable," said Zellweger.



Angelina Jolie ate cockroaches in Cambodia.

When Jolie travels abroad, she prefers to eat as the natives do, and encourages her family to do the same, Matthew and Mark Jacob write.

In Cambodia, she called the cockroach a "meaty ... high-protein snack food," but admitted that "there's this very pointy bit on their stomach you just can't eat. You have to kind of pop that off."



See the rest of the story at Business Insider









Couples must avoid this one thing if they want to stay happy

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It's been ten years since the release of Neil Strauss' bestselling book "The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists." Now the author has a new book called "The Truth: An Uncomfortable Book About Relationships." 

Strauss stopped by Business Insider to talk about what he's learned since the success of "The Game," and in the process he revealed a fascinating perspective on the reason people cheat on their significant others.

Produced by Graham Flanagan

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Science says couples in lasting relationships typically wait this long to start having sex

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couple, relationship

Research has given us the answers to several of our biggest sex questions, from how often couples should have sex in a relationship (it depends on your sex drive) to whether having more sex will make you happier. (It usually won't.)

But when is the optimal time to start being sexually intimate in a relationship?

Like many relationships, the answer is a little complicated.

One of the reasons it’s so hard to determine the best time in a relationship to have sex is because there haven’t been a ton of studies that address that specific question. Plus, the studies have been conducted on very specific samples: married heterosexual couples and college-aged men and women.

Few studies have taken a look at the health of a relationship as it relates to when the couple first had sex. And what's out there is somewhat conflicting.

Here's what we know:

Back in the early 2000s, Illinois State University communications professor Sandra Metts did a study to find out if having an emotional connection — in particular saying “I love you” before having sex — could have a positive impact on the trajectory of the relationship.

Her study of almost 300 college-aged men and women found that it did.

In fact, Metts found, couples that had sex first and said “I love you” after had a negative experience: The introduction of that conversation was often awkward and apologetic.

Though not a clear indicator of the exact timing to have sex, Mett’s study did provide a checklist of potential steps partners should take before they get physical. That emotional connection is one of the key elements of any relationship, Toni Coleman, a psychotherapist from the Washington, DC, area, told Business Insider. Having a good level of communication and an understanding of where the relationship is also helps make sure the experience is positive, she said, referring to her professional experience working with single men and women working toward successful relationships.

Barton Goldsmith, a psychotherapist from California, agreed that being on the same page emotionally is helpful for finding the best time to start having sex.

“The most important thing is you both agree not to push,” he said. “Be clear that the person is comfortable.”

In other words, it's best to wait at least a little bit, at least until you're comfortable with one another and have a better picture of what each of you want in the relationship. But when it comes to how long you wait, that depends.

Option No. 1: Wait as long as possible

In 2010, Dean Busby, the director of the school of family life at Brigham Young University, did a study which suggested that the longer you delay sex — especially if you wait until marriage — the more stable and satisfying your relationship will be.

To be fair, Brigham Young University, which funded Busby's research, is owned by the Church of Latter-day Saints, and they have some thoughts when it comes to sex and marriage.

Of course, all social-science studies are somewhat subjective: Many are taken with surveys and interviews, and participants may respond based on what they think the researcher wants to hear. 

Option No. 2: Give it a few months

In Coleman’s experience, and based off the findings of studies, she suggests at least three months — or when it’s clear the honeymoon phase of the relationship is over — is the best time to start having sex. The honeymoon phase is the first few months of a relationship, when everything is new, feelings of attraction are intense, and it seems like the person you're with is perfect.

“You move past that, and your feet are more on the ground,” she said. “I think that's probably the point at which [Mett's study] said, the couples who waited until that level fared a lot better than people who had sex on the first, second, or third date.”

Option No. 3: Give it a few weeks

Goldsmith disagrees. He thinks the time after the honeymoon period, or the time before a couple has children, is too late. By then, he says, the strong desire to have sex may have already subsided. A 2012 study on sexual desire found that after the beginning phase of a relationship, sexual desire drops, particularly in women.

In his experience, 36 hours spent together is all it takes. And that 36 hours doesn’t have to be consecutive, says Goldsmith. It would probably take a few weeks to add up.

RELATED: How much sex you should be having in a healthy relationship

CHECK OUT: Scientists discovered that having more sex won't make you happier, but that's not the most surprising part

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4 steps for the perfect shaving routine, according to a dermatologist

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Shaving

Forget everything your father taught you about shaving. It's probably wrong anyway.

We asked dermatologist and Dove Men+ Care expert Dr. Terrence Keaney for the ideal shaving routine.

He shared his 4 steps to perfect skin.

  1. Always shower first. Dr. Keaney recommends men always shower before they shave. The water and steam can soften the beard hairs and release trapped dirt and dead skin cells.
  2. Pat dry and prep the hairs. Though showering has helped with this somewhat, Dr. Keaney still recommends men prepare the beard hairs with a pre-shave oil before applying a hydrating shaving cream. This will work to further release trapped hair and debris and make the hairs stand up straight.
  3. Shave within 5 minutes WITH the grain. You'll want to shave quickly before the skin has a chance to dry, and only in the direction the hair is growing. Sure, you may get a closer shave by going against the grain, but Dr. Keaney says that can lead to irritation and in-grown hairs.
  4. Apply a post-shave lotion or balm. After you're done, apply a soothing alcohol-free post-shave balm that will both soothe your freshly torn-up skin and replace some of the moisture the shaving process naturally strips away. 

SEE ALSO: This is the biggest mistake men make when they shave, according to an expert

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The 20 most generous people in the world

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2x1 Most Generous People 2015 (1)

Pioneering American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie once set the standard for giving back: "No man can become rich without himself enriching others," he said. "The man who dies rich dies disgraced."

Scores of the world's wealthiest people have taken to his philosophy, donating their riches to hundreds of causes.

We worked with our friends at Wealth-X, a firm that does research and valuations on ultra-high net worth individuals, to compile a list of the 20 most generous people in the world, ranked by total charitable giving to date.

Since you need to have a lot to give a lot, Wealth-X also determined each person's Generosity Index, which is the ratio of theirlifetime donations to their current net worth. Some people, like retail magnate Chuck Feeney, known as the "James Bond of philanthropy," have indices over 100% because they have given away more money than they currently have.

With a total combined donation amount of $106.8 billion, these 20 individuals are the top philanthropists in the world.

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20. Dietmar Hopp

Lifetime donations: $1 billion

Net worth: $6.3 billion

Generosity Index: 16%

German IT entrepreneur Dietmar Hopp is the cofounder and former chairman and CEO of SAP, a multinational company that provides application and analytics software and software-related services for enterprises worldwide.

Twenty years ago, Hopp established Dietmar Hopp Stiftung, a foundation that supports local education, sports, and health causes in his hometown in Germany, including the Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM), University Hospital Heidelberg, and the Nathalie Todenhofer Foundation.

Source:Wealth-X



19. Pierre Omidyar

Lifetime donations: $1 billion

Net worth: $6.2 billion

Generosity Index: 16%

Paris-born, Iranian-American Pierre Omidyar is cofounder and current chairman of eBay.

In 1998, he and his wife, Pamela, established the Omidyar Foundation, an organization that now includes Omidyar Network, HopeLab, Humanity United, and Ulupono Initiative. The organization donates to a diverse range of causes, including entrepreneurship, human rights, food and energy, and games and technology. In 2012, Omidyar and his wife joined the Giving Pledge initiative started by Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, promising to donate most of their wealth to charities. 

In August 2015, Omidyar reportedly sold 10% of his shares in eBay to undisclosed charities — a stock gift valued at nearly $270 million.

Source: Wealth-X



18. Michael Dell

Lifetime donations: $1.1 billion

Net worth: $18.9 billion

Generosity Index: 6%

Michael Dell is the chairman and CEO of Dell computer company. Since 1999, he's been the director of the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, which gives primarily to education, social and human services, arts and culture, and community-development causes.

Earlier this year, the foundation pledged to donate $25 million to fund the construction of a new teaching hospital in Austin, Texas.

Source: Wealth-X



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