You have seen game award name.
you have seen British Academy Awards longlist.
We’re still a little ways off from announcing our own Guardian Games of the Year list, but while you wait with bated breath, we’re sure to give you an appetizer. It is an alternative prize to Pushing Buttons. Right away…
Make the most of your bed as a gameplay device
Need to restore your mind while adventuring through the eerie rifts tearing Hyrule apart? All you have to do is conjure a bed out of thin air, stay out of reach of your enemies, and take a quick nap. Need to overcome a bridgeable gap? Now it’s time to conjure some bed. Need stairs? Barricades? Something decorative? Bed, bed, bed. in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom the bed is the real hero.
The perfect game to survive a long-haul flight
Hours of fun…Balatoro.
Photo: LocalThunk/Playstack
On my way to this year’s Summer Game Fest in LA, I pre-downloaded Steam Deck and Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree to board the plane and prepare for my first uninterrupted 10-hour gaming session in my 30s. Ta. But when I loaded it, I had to authorize the purchase. And the Wi-Fi on the plane didn’t work. So, after getting really grumpy, I said, “I don’t know. baratolo (Photo above) And the 5 hour flight felt like a blink of an eye. Thank you, Mr. Baratolo, for not only taking up most of my free time in February, but for getting me through that awful flight.
impudence award
It led to a ton of plagiarism accusations and eventually a lawsuit from Nintendo, but it still has to be turned over to the game’s developer. pal world (Top photo) For his true face, he simply imitates a Pokemon and makes him hold a gun. (Palworld’s lead developer claims that the game does not infringe any copyright.)
Problematic Favorites Award
For years, I’ve been disgusted by the glorification of military forces in first-person shooters, as first-person shooters have become more realistic-looking. The connections between these games and real-world weapons manufacturers are also disturbing. These are frequently used as a recruiting tool in the military. And at the same time, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 The single-player campaign of “90s Special Operations Thriller…
Best First Date Award
The perfect date…Life is Strange: Double Exposure.
Photo: Square Enix
One of the first scenes of Life is Strange: Double Exposure (Above) During a student dive, we see 20-something Max Caulfield trying to flirt with a cute girl behind the bar…
aArchitectural surrealism is a defining characteristic of Monument Valley. The rigid and beautiful structures in the game transform and rotate with the player’s touch, creating new paths and stairs for the minimalist character to explore. Doorways can lead anywhere, and hitting a switch can cause pillars to rise from the ground, revealing hidden paths. Since 2014, these games have been popular on smartphones and are considered some of the best examples for touch screen puzzle enthusiasts. However, the latest entry in the series, released recently, offers a unique twist.
The iconic Moroccan-inspired architecture that made the game famous is still present, but this time, the geometric character Noor is accompanied by blooming flowers and winding vines. Noor is shown steering a small boat and getting lost in a bright yellow wheat field. The game also introduces more people, with Noor depicted as an apprentice lighthouse keeper responsible for a community devastated by a flood in various scenes. Throughout the game, she is accompanied or assisted by different characters, highlighting the theme of rebuilding together.
Monument Valley is now available as a game on Netflix, allowing subscribers to download all three entries for free. The game is developed by Ustwo Games, a small studio based in London. While some creators from the first game remain, the team has evolved over the past decade. Director Jennifer Estaris, who joined Ustwo Games in 2020, brings her experience as a climate change activist and game designer to the project. The game’s development is influenced by the play for the earth Initiative, with Monument Valley 2’s additional chapter, The Lost Forest, created as part of the Green Game Jam.
Calmly satisfied…Monument Valley 3. Photo: Ustwo/Netflix
“I believe that green nudging is crucial and that system change can be reflected in games,” says Estaris. “For Monument Valley 3, my main idea was to explore sustainable and resilient community building for a hopeful future. We focused on living in harmony with nature to provide the solutions we need.” The game offers a satisfying and visually stunning puzzle experience while subtly addressing themes of climate change through its natural shapes and architecture.
Lead Designer Emily Brown explains the team’s approach to Monument Valley 3, stating, “We wanted to explore a different perspective from the towering monuments and isolated characters of the previous games.” The game incorporates more natural elements and allows for a mix of styles and ideas, reflecting a shift towards a more hopeful and interconnected narrative.
“It was impossible for us as a team.” do not have To bring a part of myself to it”…Monument Valley 3. Photo: Ustwo/Netflix
Monument Valley’s minimalist design allows players to bring their own emotions and narratives to the game, creating a unique and personal experience. Despite the game’s focus on conveying messages about climate change and hope, the team aimed to retain the space for interpretation and personal connection. Lead Designer Brown expresses the team’s ambition for the game, stating, “We believe that things can improve when players bring a part of themselves to the experience.”
The development of Monument Valley 3 during the Covid-19 pandemic prompted the team to explore themes of community, unity, and recovery from disaster. The game embodies the concept of Hopepunk, offering a message of hope and resilience in the face of challenges. Estaris emphasizes the importance of unity in overcoming difficulties, stating, “We want people to feel that we can overcome challenges by working together.”
a While there has been widespread panic over drones and other unknown low-flying objects in New Jersey in recent days, many other parts of the country are still concerned about the very American nature of the skies, which has been resurgent in modern times. A mysterious person is happily captured by a UFO.
At the newly opened National UFO Historical Records Center – A cluster of beige buildings on the grounds of Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School in Rio Rancho, New Mexico – Literally dozens of files detailing the unexplained flying object and the terror of those around it. It fills the cabinet.
For director David Marler, this first-of-its-kind public archive of UFO historical records is the culmination of a lifelong interest and investigation into UFOs, or UAPs, as the military now prefers to designate them, or unidentified anomalous phenomena.
It came at the perfect time. In recent years, Congressional and Senate hearings have brought the topic, which often rises and falls in public attention during times of national or political unrest, back into the spotlight.
Images taken last week showed what appeared to be several drones over New Jersey. Composite: TMX over AP
Mahler's collection of UFO books, magazines, magazines, newspapers, microfilms, audio recordings, and case files from the past 75 years is impressive, as well as files from early U.S. Air Force research (Project Sign, Project Grudge, and Project Blue Book). Included. by the National Commission on the Study of Aeronautical Phenomena, the Institute for the Study of Aeronautical Phenomena (formerly based in Alamogordo, three and a half hours away), and the UFO Research Committee of the United States. Akron, Ohio.
A September 13, 1959 military report details an object rotating seven times, marking four military radar stations in New Mexico traveling much faster than the Convair 106, the fastest fighter plane of the time. tracked by.
“The Air Force was interested in national defense in the same way it is today, not from a quote-unquote 'alien perspective,'” Mahler says. “For practical reasons, especially because qualified military and civilian pilots report these things.”
At a Congressional hearing last monthwitnesses claimed that the government was sitting on a trove of information about the UAP dating back decades. Two former Navy pilots said they witnessed first-hand unexplained objects that regularly violate U.S. airspace.
Retired Major David Gruesch, a former member of the Pentagon's UAP Task Force, said the U.S. government has been running a secret program for years to reverse engineer inhuman material taken from crash sites.
However, the United States Old Main Anomaly Resolution Officeor AARO, founded in 2022, said there is no single explanation that addresses the majority of UAP reports, namely “anomalous detections,” and that no evidence of extraterrestrial technology has been found.
David Gruesch stands at the Capitol building in Washington, DC, on July 26, 2023. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images
AARO Director John Koslosky at Senate hearing said “Reports of unidentified anomalous phenomena, especially near national security locations, must be treated seriously by the U.S. government and investigated with scientific rigor.”
Marler, who has been following the issue relentlessly since he went looking for UFOs with his father when sightings were on the rise in Missouri, says he is neutral on the phenomenon.
“One has to be skeptical, look at the evidence objectively, and suspend conclusions and beliefs,” he says. “What I believe doesn't really matter unless there's data to support it.”
Earlier this year, the New York software company released Enigma, an app that collects sightings by uploading videos and photos with descriptions…
TThree hundred and twenty-four. That was the score Mary Louie was given by an AI-powered tenant screening tool. In its 11-page report, the software SafeRent does not explain how the score was calculated or how various factors were taken into account. There is no mention of what the score actually means. They just saw Louis’ numbers and decided it was too low. In the box next to the result, the report said “Score Recommended: DECLINE.”
Louis, who works as a security guard, had applied for an apartment in a suburban area in eastern Massachusetts. When she toured the room, the management company said there was no problem for her application to be accepted. Although she had bad credit and credit card debt, she had an excellent recommendation from her landlord of 17 years, who paid her rent on time. She also plans to use vouchers for low-income renters and ensure that management companies receive at least a portion of their monthly rent payments from the government. Her son, whose name was also on the voucher, also had a high credit score, indicating it could act as a backstop in case of missed payments.
But in May 2021, more than two months after she applied for the apartment, the management company sent Louis an email informing her that the computer program had rejected her application. Applications needed a score of at least 443 to be accepted. There was no further explanation and no way to appeal the decision.
“Mary, we regret to inform you that your housing offer has been denied due to a third-party service we use to screen all prospective housing applicants,” the email said. I did. “Unfortunately, the SafeRent tenant score for this service was lower than what our tenant standards would allow.”
tenant files suit
Louis ended up renting a more expensive apartment. Management there did not grade her based on an algorithm. But she learned that her experience at Saferent was not unique. She is one of more than 400 Black and Hispanic tenants on Housing Vouchers in Massachusetts who said their rental applications were rejected because of their safe rent scores.
In 2022, they banded together to sue SafeRent under the Fair Housing Act, alleging that it discriminated against them. Lewis and another named plaintiff, Monica Douglas, said the company’s algorithm unfairly scores Black and Hispanic renters using Housing Vouchers over white applicants. he claimed. They found that the software inaccurately assessed irrelevant account information (credit score, non-housing-related debt) on whether a tenant was a good tenant, but did not take into account whether they would use a housing voucher. he claimed. Research shows that black and Hispanic rent-seekers have lower credit scores and are more likely to use housing vouchers than white applicants.
“It was a waste of time waiting to be turned down,” Lewis said. “I knew my credit was bad, but AI doesn’t know what I do. It knew I was late on my credit card payments, I didn’t know I was paying.”
Two years have passed since the group first sued for safe rent. Lewis, who was one of two named plaintiffs, said she has moved on with her life and has largely forgotten about the lawsuit. But her action could protect other renters in a similar housing program, known as Section 8 vouchers, from losing their homes because of scores determined by algorithms.
Saferent settled with Mr. Lewis and Mr. Douglas. In addition to paying $2.3 million, the company agreed to stop using the scoring system or make some sort of recommendation to prospective tenants who used housing vouchers for five years. Although Saferent legally does not admit wrongdoing, it is unusual for a tech company to accept changes to its core product as part of a settlement. A more common outcome of such agreements is financial agreements.
“While SafeRent continues to believe that SRS scores comply with all applicable laws, litigation is time-consuming and costly,” company spokeswoman Yazmin Lopez said in a statement. “Defending SRS scores in this case would be a waste of time and resources that could be better used by SafeRent to fulfill its core mission of providing housing providers with the tools they need to screen applicants. It has become increasingly clear.”
New AI landlord
Tenant screening systems like SafeRent are often used as a way to “avoid” direct interaction with prospective tenants and shift responsibility for refusals to computer systems, said Louie and the plaintiffs in the lawsuit. said Todd Kaplan, one of the attorneys representing the company. company.
The property management company told Louis that it decided to deny her based solely on the software, but the SafeRent report says it did not set the criteria for what the score needed to be for an application to be accepted. was a management company.
Still, even for those involved in the application process, how the algorithm works is opaque. The property manager who showed Louis the apartment said he didn’t know why Louis was having trouble renting the apartment.
“They’re inputting a lot of information, and SafeRent is coming up with its own scoring system,” Kaplan said. “It becomes difficult to predict how people will see themselves on Safe Rent. Not only applying tenants, but even landlords, don’t know the details of Safe Rent scores.”
As part of Louie’s settlement with SafeRent, approved Nov. 20, the company will not use a scoring system or recommend accepting or rejecting tenants if they are using housing vouchers. I can no longer do that. If the company devises a new scoring system, it is required to have it independently verified by a third-party fair housing organization.
“By removing the thumbs up and down, tenants can really say, ‘I’m a great tenant,'” Kaplan said. “It allows for more personal decisions.”
One study found that nearly all of the 92 million people in the U.S. who are considered low-income are exposed to AI decisions in basic areas of their lives such as employment, housing, health care, education, and government assistance. It is said that there is New report on the harms of AI
By Kevin de Liban, a lawyer who represented low-income people as a member of the Legal Aid Society. Founder of a new AI justice organization called tectonic justice
Derivan began researching these systems in 2016, when he discovered that automated decision-making that reduced human input suddenly left state-funded home care out of reach for extended periods of time. This happened when I received a consultation from some patients. In one case, the state’s Medicaid payments depended on the program determining that the patient’s leg was intact because of the amputation.
“When we saw this, we realized we shouldn’t postpone.” [AI systems] As a kind of very rational decision-making method,” Derivan said. He said these systems make assumptions based on “junk statistical science” that create what he called “absurdity.”
In 2018, after Derivan sued the Arkansas Department of Human Services on behalf of these patients over its decision-making process, the state Legislature ruled that the department could not automate home care assignment decisions for patients. was lowered. While Derivan’s system was an early victory in the fight against harm caused by algorithmic decision-making, its use continues across the country in other areas such as employment.
Despite flaws, there are few regulations to curb AI adoption.
There are few laws restricting the use of AI, especially in making critical decisions that can impact a person’s quality of life, and liability for those harmed by automated decisions. I have very few means.
Research conducted by consumer report
A study released in July found that a majority of Americans are “uncomfortable with the use of AI and algorithmic decision-making technologies in key life moments related to housing, employment, and health care.” “I’m there.” Respondents said they are concerned about not knowing what information AI systems use to make assessments.
Unlike in Louis’ case, people are often not informed when algorithms make decisions about their lives, making it difficult to challenge or challenge those decisions.
“The existing laws we have in place may be helpful, but they can only provide so much,” Derivan said. “Market forces don’t work when it comes to poor people. All the incentives are basically to create worse technology, and there’s no incentive for companies to create better options for low-income people.”
Federal regulators under President Joe Biden’s administration have made several attempts to keep up with the rapidly evolving AI industry. The President issued an executive order containing a framework aimed at partially addressing discrimination-related risks in national security and AI systems. But Donald Trump has vowed to roll back those efforts and cut regulations, including Biden’s executive order on AI.
So lawsuits like Louis’ may become an even more important tool in holding AI accountable. Already in litigation attracted interest
It is an agency of the U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, both of which deal with discriminatory housing policies that affect protected classes.
“To the extent that this is a landmark case, it has the potential to provide a roadmap for how to consider these cases and encourage other agendas,” Kaplan said.
Still, without regulation, Derivan said it would be difficult to hold these companies accountable. Because litigation is time-consuming and expensive, companies may find workarounds or ways to build similar products for people who are not subject to class action lawsuits. “You can’t bring in these types of cases every day,” he said.
Amazon is the latest tech giant to donate to Donald Trump’s inaugural fund.
Reports indicate that the company plans to donate $1 million to the fund, as first reported by the Wall Street Journal. Following in Meta’s footsteps, Facebook’s parent company, which also donated $1 million to President Trump’s inaugural committee, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced that he would make a personal donation of $1 million. This was reported by Fox News.
As President Trump prepares for his second term, several major tech companies are showing support in hopes of gaining favor for their businesses. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is scheduled to meet with President Trump next week, and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently dined with him at his Mar-a-Lago mansion. Google CEO Sundar Pichai is also expected to meet the president soon, according to reports. Time magazine, owned by Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, even named Trump its “Person of the Year.”
Altman of OpenAI expressed his belief that Trump will lead the country in technological advancement. In a statement to the Guardian, Altman said, “President Trump will lead our country into the age of AI, and I look forward to supporting his efforts to ensure the United States stays ahead.”
Donating to inaugural committees is a common practice for large companies seeking to establish rapport with the incoming administration. Amazon, for example, donated $57,746 to President Trump’s first inaugural fund in 2017, according to Open Secrets. Google and Microsoft also made donations, while Mehta confirmed to the Guardian that he did not donate that year.
Amazon stated that during Joe Biden’s 2021 inauguration, the administration declined donations from technology companies, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.
Allegedly, Trump plans to offer additional perks to donors who contribute at least $1 million to his inaugural committee, including access to various events around the inauguration, dinners with Trump, Cabinet nominations, and a dinner with J.D. Vance, according to the New York Times.
Bezos, who owns the Washington Post, has been a target of Trump’s criticism. However, before the election, the Washington Post decided not to endorse a presidential candidate, likely in an attempt to avoid provoking Trump, as reported by The Washington Post.
After Trump’s victory, Bezos and Amazon CEO Andy Jassy expressed their support for the new administration. Bezos praised Trump for the opportunities ahead, while Jassy celebrated the victory and expressed eagerness to collaborate with the administration. Amazon’s stock price reportedly rose by 14% after the election.
Scottie Pippen is once again leveraging his NBA legacy to venture into the world of cryptocurrencies with hopes of becoming a world champion in this space.
Back in his prime, Pippen was content playing the role of Robin to Michael Jordan’s Batman. However, recent events such as the Netflix documentary “Last Dance” and the publicized issues with his ex-girlfriend and the play of Jordan’s son have left him bitter about playing second fiddle and questioning the significance of the 1990s NBA dynasty. This has led him to contemplate whether there was room for another hero.
Pippen’s recent social media post pondered how many championships Elon Musk would have won, accompanied by an image of Musk in a Bulls jersey in a basketball setting. This post garnered significant attention and was a strategic move to draw attention to his latest project – a new virtual currency aimed at tokenizing the basketball used in the Bulls’ victory over the Lakers in one of their six championships.
Cryptocurrencies have made a significant impact in the US sports world, with stadiums, jerseys, and equipment adorned with various coin logos. Athletes are also jumping on the crypto bandwagon, endorsing and promoting the industry. However, caution is advised, as seen in cases like Spencer Dinwiddie who tried to tokenize his contract but faced setbacks when the NBA intervened.
The rise and fall of certain cryptocurrency platforms like FTX caution against blindly endorsing such ventures. Athletes like Stephen Curry, who promoted FTX, ended up embroiled in legal issues post the platform’s collapse due to alleged financial malpractice. This highlights the risks involved in associating with cryptocurrencies without proper understanding.
Despite the risks, Pippen remains undeterred in his crypto endeavors and aims to create a community around his new project. While some criticize his enthusiasm, others believe in his vision. As the crypto sports campaign gains momentum, Pippen’s involvement adds a touch of nostalgia and excitement to the evolving landscape.
CChinese hackers have breached dozens of telecommunications companies around the world. The breach, dubbed “Salt Typhoon” by Microsoft cybersecurity researchers, allows cybercriminals to access information about who texted or called whom, as well as some messages. This provides unprecedented access to content, which is a much higher technical hurdle to clear. Cyber attack.
This cyber attack hit three of the largest telecommunications networks in the United States. Communications of government officials in Washington, D.C., have been intercepted, as have Internet browsing records kept by the same telecommunications companies. Hackers attempted to crack the cell phones of Donald Trump and J.D. Vance, as well as Kamala Harris’ campaign staff, and may have succeeded. Even the US eavesdropping program was compromised. The call records stored there were stolen. A U.S. senator called it “the worst communications hack in our nation’s history.” In the same week, British telecommunications giant BT announced The company had withstood and avoided “attempts to compromise” its conferencing services.
The hacker group, also known as FamousSparrow, has been active since 2020 and has previously targeted government agencies in Israel, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Canada, Guatemala and Burkina Faso, according to cybersecurity firm Eset. China has another favorite target, and it has targeted it even more aggressively than previous governments. Hotel. In all of these countries, as well as the UK, France, Lithuania, and Taiwan, the group has compromised hotels’ digital systems and stolen data.
According to U.S. intelligence agencies, salt typhoons have been occurring for one to two years and are still ongoing. U.S. analysts, as well as independent cybersecurity researchers, blamed the cyberattack on the Chinese government. China denies involvement.
The US National Security Adviser has urged employees to avoid using regular texting apps and instead save all communications to encrypted messaging apps such as Signal, WhatsApp, and FaceTime. That’s good advice. Security authorities in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada have issued similar warnings.
Is this hack part of an elaborate and coordinated response to the escalating chip trade war between the U.S. and China? On Monday, the Chinese government launched an antitrust investigation into Nvidia. . Last week, Chinese regulators banned exports of minerals essential to semiconductor manufacturing, such as gallium and germanium, to the United States. Earlier this year, the United States banned the sale of cutting-edge semiconductor chips to China. Washington, which has regulatory power over Nvidia, TSMC, and others, seeks geopolitical advantage through AI, and without powerful chips it cannot create useful AI models. China is at a disadvantage because it cannot imitate or dethrone NVIDIA. So did China hack in response? It’s possible, but hacking telecommunications networks is not as closely related to the semiconductor industry as the “give me the chip or else” argument. If the Chinese government had hacked Jensen Huang’s phone…it would have ended in a trade war retaliation.
I call Salt Typhoon old-fashioned espionage.
Justices admit TikTok ban disenfranchises Americans, but upholds it anyway
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How much money did the tech industry spend on the US presidential election?
Legacy: Charles Dickens Wondery, weekly episodes This week, we recommend listening to the fascinating stories of Charles Dickens, the Godfather of Christmas. Afua Hirsch’s latest podcast subject and Peter Frankopan’s biographical series shed light on both the successes and struggles of this Victorian novelist. Despite his literary achievements and social impact, Dickens faced financial difficulties, rumored scandals, and publisher disputes. Holly Richardson
Dateline: Deadly Mirage 2 episodes per week, widely available Discover the chilling tale of how a supposed “happiest place” in California turned into a crime scene. With thorough investigative reporting, Dateline uncovers the shocking events leading up to the tragic murders in this gripping six-part series. Hannah Verdier
Afua Hirsch, one half of the Legacy Podcast. Photo: Cheese Scientist/Alamy
promenade Wide range of weekly episodes available Step into the world of short, evocative audio pieces with Promenade. Explore diverse narratives, from encounters with Paul McCartney’s barber to intimate reflections by Louise O’Neill, in this third season of captivating storytelling. HV
Watch Dogs: The Truth Audible, all episodes now available Immerse yourself in a thrilling audio drama featuring AI, government surveillance, and audience interaction. Join the stellar cast, including Russell Tovey and Freema Agyemang, as you navigate a world of fake news and civil liberties at stake. HV
President Trump’s conditions Wide range of weekly episodes available Stay informed about the latest political developments with this NPR podcast, delving into the intricacies of power dynamics and pressing issues in the new administration. From abortion rights to campaign strategies, get a comprehensive look at the issues shaping our world today. HV
There’s a podcast for that
Pod Poetry…George Mpanga, better known as Poet George. Photo: Suki Dhanda/Observer
Rachel Aroesti select the top five experimental podcastsfrom personal poetry to unconventional interview formats.
internal organs Explore a unique audio zine format with “Offal,” a podcast that challenges traditional podcast delivery. Dive into a mix of eerie apocalypse dramas, cultural satire, and haunting soundscapes created by feeding AI scripts. Expect a captivating blend of horror, sketch comedy, and immersive storytelling.
Have you listened to George’s podcast? Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of poetry with George the Poet’s thought-provoking series. Through rhyming couplets and evocative soundscapes, George delves into profound topics like black trauma in pop culture and personal reflections on identity and ambition. HV
11th Experience a dynamic podcast series that surprises you with each new episode. From anthologies to unique audio experiences, “11th” offers a diverse range of content, including personal stories, audio dramas, and intriguing explorations that keep listeners engaged.
everything is alive Delve into the world of inanimate objects with “Everything is Alive,” a heartwarming and humorous podcast that brings everyday items to life. Through quirky interviews and imaginative storytelling, this podcast offers a fresh perspective on the world around us.
80,000 steps Embark on a unique listening experience with “80,000 Steps,” an immersive podcast that can only be accessed through a specialized pedometer app. This series unfolds compelling immigrant and refugee narratives against the backdrop of a walking journey, inspired by personal stories of resilience and exploration.
Challengers is one of the films that the podcast Ordinary Unhappiness studies using psychoanalytic theory. Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Photo
Explore thought-provoking podcasts that delve into psychoanalytic studies, lost music, cultural influences, and personal stories. Ammar Kalia presents the top picks to stimulate your mind and spark new insights.
name drop Dive into the impact of names with engaging storytelling that highlights the significance of personal names and their societal implications. Discover the power and complexities behind names in a captivating series that explores identity and self-expression.
Have you heard of this? Uncover hidden music gems and untold stories in the vast landscape of the music industry. Delve into the rich history of music with immersive storytelling and investigative journalism that reveals overlooked artists and musical legacies.
complete english Reimagine British cuisine and its sociocultural significance with Chef Louis Bassett’s illuminating podcast. Explore the evolution of British culinary traditions, from historical influences to contemporary food trends, in a series that invites you to savor the complexities of British gastronomy.
What on earth is my job? Embark on a journey through diverse career experiences with candid narratives of everyday work life. From quirky job roles to personal anecdotes, this podcast offers a light-hearted look at the joys and challenges of different professions.
ordinary misfortune Explore the depths of pop culture and politics through a psychoanalytic lens with “Ordinary Unhappiness.” Delve into the subconscious influences that shape media consumption and societal trends in this compelling podcast that analyzes cultural phenomena with depth and insight.
Why not try it…
intersectionExperience the intersection of men’s and women’s soccer in a captivating podcast by former England captain Steph Houghton and Arsenal hero Ian Wright.
best idea everUncover the fascinating stories behind game-changing innovations, from Happy Meals to Jacuzzis, in this intriguing podcast series.
The Australian Federal Police stated that due to the large amount of data being analyzed in their investigation, they have no choice but to rely on artificial intelligence to search through seized mobile phones and other devices, as its use is increasing.
Benjamin Lamont, AFP’s technical strategy and data manager, mentioned that the agency’s surveys contain an average of 40 terabytes worth of data. This includes material from 58,000 referrals per year to the company’s Child Exploitation Center, with a cyber incident reported every six minutes.
“Therefore, we have no choice but to rely on AI,” he stated at the Microsoft AI conference in Sydney.
In addition to participating in the federal trial of Copilot AI assistant technology, AFP is utilizing Microsoft tools to develop its own custom AI for use within government agencies. This involves translating 6 million emails and analyzing 7,000 hours of video footage.
One of the datasets AFP is currently working on is 10 petabytes (10,240TB), with each seized mobile phone potentially containing 1TB of data. Lamont explained that much of the work AFP is looking to use AI for is to structure the files obtained to make it easier for officers to process.
AFP is also developing AI to detect deepfake images and exploring ways to isolate, clean, and analyze data obtained during investigations in a secure and fully disconnected environment. The agency is considering using generative AI to create text summaries of images and videos to prevent officers from being unexpectedly exposed to graphic content.
Lamont acknowledged that AFP has faced criticism over its use of technology, particularly in regards to using Clearview AI, a facial recognition service built on internet photos.
He emphasized the importance of discussing the ethical and responsible use of AI within the AFP, ensuring that humans are always involved in decision-making processes arising from its use. AFP has established an internal Responsible Technology Committee for this purpose.
The attention economy can be likened to a phenomenon involving a social media-created celebrity named “hawk tua girl” Hayley Welch. She played a pivotal role in the launch of a cryptocurrency asset named Hawk Memecoin, which quickly gained enormous traction before facing backlash.
Initially valued at $490 million (£385 million) on December 4, the Hawk Memecoin has now exceeded its market capitalization and is valued at $17 million. Welch, a Tennessee native, rose to fame after responding to provocative interview questions but faced criticism for allegedly deceiving her social media followers.
Critics like cryptocurrency commentator Steven Findeisen, also known as Coffeezilla, labeled Hawk’s launch as a “rug pull,” which involves hyping a crypto project for short-term gains and then abandoning it. Despite the controversy, Hawk Memecoin is still being traded, with Welch stating that her team has not sold any tokens.
The rise of meme coins like Hawk reflects the growing trend within the cryptocurrency market, with meme coins collectively valued at $118 billion compared to $20 billion at the start of the year. These coins flood the market, with platforms issuing thousands of tokens daily.
Experts argue that meme coins lack fundamental value and are merely tied to digital trends. Memecoins blend the essence of memes and cryptocurrencies, leveraging social media attention to drive speculation and investment.
Meme coin trading often revolves around internet trends and influencer endorsements, creating a speculative environment with unpredictable outcomes. Participants acknowledge the speculative nature of memecoins, likening their trading to gambling but with the potential for significant returns.
Bitcoin’s value surpassed $100,000 for the first time a month after President Trump’s victory. Photo: Kevin Wurm/Reuters
a
Elon Musk’s departure from X resulted in the loss of around 2.7 million active Apple and Android users in the U.S. in a span of two months. In comparison, Bluesky, a competing social media platform, also saw a decline, losing nearly 2.5 million users during the same time frame.
This leak coincided with the exit of several prominent figures, including directors Guillermo del Toro and Mike Flanagan, and actors Quinta Brunson and Mark Hamill. Some, like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, still have an X account but are now using Bluesky more frequently.
According to digital market intelligence firm Similarweb, the number of daily active users on X in the U.S. has dropped by 8.4% since early October, from 32.3 million to 29.6 million.
On the other hand, Bluesky has experienced a significant increase of 1,064% since October 6, growing from 254,500 to approximately 2.7 million users. This surge began when Musk started using the @america X handle to promote his pro-Donald Trump super pack and began posting in support of the former president.
Following Trump’s election victory, this trend accelerated further. Within a week of November 5th, Bluesky’s total user count doubled from 743,900 to 1.4 million. A week later, the number doubled again to 2.8 million. Since Musk’s super pack formation on X, the platform’s U.S. active users have increased significantly compared to Bluesky.
Bruce Daisley, a former vice president at Twitter, attributed the shift away from X to Musk’s concept of a “digital town square” and the platform’s evolving nature. He expressed concerns about the rise of extreme views on X under Musk’s leadership.
French journalist Salome Sake, who had a significant following on X, deactivated her account due to harassment and misinformation on the platform. She found Bluesky to be a healthier space and shifted her focus there.
Despite finding a new platform for journalism, Salome believes that the exodus of users from X enables those who spread hate, propaganda, and misinformation online. She emphasized the importance of diverse opinions and critical thinking.
Notable exits from X also include a German football club, St. Pauli, and Werder Bremen, citing the platform’s radicalization and departure from their values. Werder Bremen chose to leave X due to its stance against hate speech and discrimination.
Christoph Pieper, the director of communications at Werder Bremen, highlighted the club’s moral values and commitment to fighting against discrimination. Despite the potential economic impact, the club prioritized its principles over online visibility on X.
Pieper expressed uncertainty about the club’s future on Bluesky but firmly stated that any platform allowing hate speech is not suitable for Werder Bremen. Many other clubs are also considering a transition to Bluesky, signaling a shift away from X.
TThe history of video games is, in some ways, a history of subtle iterations of other people’s ideas. The interstellar success of Taito’s Space Invaders spawned an entire shooter genre, with titles like Galaxian, Phoenix, and Golf taking the basic idea and adding new features. Then in 1984, Karate Champ started the fighting game craze, and Tetris gave us the falling object puzzle game. This is how things have always worked. Adapt, expand, and pass the baton. However, there is a subtle but deep gulf between imitation and inspiration, and not every title can cross it.
Chinese mega-publisher NetEase’s latest live service game, Marvel Rivals, is an Overwatch featuring Marvel characters. It’s more than just an elevator pitch. that’s right What is it? Colorful cartoon characters with varying skills gather in a series of sci-fi arenas for team-based combat in a handful of play modes. The Punisher, a vanilla guy with a machine gun, is Soldier 76 from Overwatch with a Bastion flavor. God-like healer Adam Warlock is a male Mercy. And the Hulk, as a fist-thumping tank, is just rampaging through Winston, the hairless gorilla. Also provides gaming site GamesRadar handy guide Show players which Marvel cast members most resemble their Overwatch favorites.
Marvel’s rival. Photo: Game Press
Many of the genre’s well-worn tropes and abilities have at least been remixed to suit the Marvel universe, and playing as these familiar legends adds an undeniable charm. From bludgeoning enemies with Thor’s hammer to sending exploding acorns flying as Squirrel Girl to slamming Captain America’s shield into Black Panther’s body armor, Rivals captures the comic dynamics of this famous cast perfectly. so much so that the large-scale skirmish seems like the most exciting scene in the movie. X-Men ’97 cartoon. It’s also great that all 33 heroes are available for free from the beginning. Of course, there’s also the Store and Battle Pass, but for now these only give you alternative costumes, emotes, and other accessories. And completing daily missions and seasonal story objectives will give you currency to buy this kind of stuff without paying a penny.
Additionally, the game has a big new feature, Team-Ups, which unlock additional hero abilities when at least two players on the same side select complementary characters. There’s a symbiote bond between Venom, Spider-Man, and Peni Parker that allows the latter two to channel the former’s alien powers, and allows Hela to heal and resurrect Thor and Loki in Ragnarok: Rebirth. I can do that. Kinship can greatly facilitate tactical play.
Marvel’s rival. Photo: NetEase Games
But Rivals in many ways reflects key tenets of the bible of hero shooter design. In other words, for every positive there is always a negative. The sheer number of Marvel’s super freaks and their team-up powers make the game feel very unbalanced at times. Characters like Storm and Iron Man are difficult to counter when they can stay in the air for the entire match, picking off enemies from a distance and avoiding most of the incoming gunfire. Big guys like Venom and Moon Knight tend to completely dominate the area they’re fighting, often at the expense of melee-based combatants who need to get close to deal significant damage. I never expected Wolverine to become one of the most nuanced and sophisticated characters in Marvel’s cast, but here we are.
This game is definitely luxurious in both look and feel. The user interface design regarding the menu system and information screens is excellent. Destructible locations shine in detail. And the characters are also beautifully reproduced. However, here too there are drawbacks. Amidst the chaos of a superhero riot, with explosions, magical attacks, and “hilarious” banter all at the same time, figure out what you’re hurting and what you’re hurting instead. It’s difficult. you Until it’s too late.
These characters will definitely receive buffs and nerfs in time to even out the balance, and players will begin to learn how to combine team members more strategically. But even if the balance issue were resolved, what we’re left with is the equivalent of a changeling in video game folklore, designed to trap those who loved the original. A supernaturally accurate replacement. The question is, can you really blame Rivals for getting too close to Overwatch and potentially getting a restraining order? As the failed hero shooters Hyena, Concord, and xDefiant recently demonstrated, the brutal economics of the live service market demand absolute loyalty to established norms. It’s also fine to tag large global licenses.
Rivals, like many other highly polished and highly focused franchise expansions, is entertaining, gorgeous, and well-made. However, its presence bodes ill for the mainstream gaming industry and the people who work in it. To be successful, especially in the live services sector (where there is a lot of investment), he says, there is no need to expand or challenge other genres. All you have to do is flip a few low denomination coins based on your innovation concept, replicate it and refranchise it. On the other hand, studios that launch new ideas and original characters are doomed to failure. Millions of dollars are lost, jobs are lost, and the game is over.
Rivals is packed with Stan Lee superheroes, but its message about the game’s all-out Funko Pop-ification is as dark as a Charles Burns graphic novel.
Virtual assistants have become a common feature in many UK households, providing information on weather forecasts, time, and sports results.
The most popular virtual assistant is Alexa, and Amazon, its parent company, has released the top questions and requests received for the software in 2024. Some questions were expected, such as queries about Bitcoin, Earth’s population, and the meaning of AI.
However, some of the more surprising questions included inquiries about cooking sausages, Henry VIII’s marriages, and Tom Cruise’s height.
Many people used Alexa in the kitchen as a virtual sous chef, asking for help with recipes for pancakes, Yorkshire pudding, and banana bread.
Celebrities like David Attenborough, Paul McCartney, and Tom Cruise were frequently asked personal questions by users of Alexa.
Monarchs and world leaders were also popular topics of search, with questions about King Charles III’s age, Rishi Sunak’s height, and Donald Trump’s net worth being among the top queries.
Taylor Swift was one of the most searched names, particularly for questions about her height, age, and net worth, only behind Elon Musk.
Additionally, Swift was the most played music artist on Alexa, with three of her albums in the top five most played albums of the year.
Football was the dominant sport in the searches, with questions mainly focused on England’s national team and Premier League clubs.
Players like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Kane, and Erling Haaland were popular searches throughout the year, especially during England’s European Championship campaign.
One of the most popular questions asked to Alexa was: “Alexa, are you coming to my house?”
Tesla has urged the UK government to tighten regulations on carbon emissions from cars and trucks according to documents. The electric car maker also pushed for higher taxes on fossil fuel vehicles.
In a letter to Labor’s Lilian Greenwood, Tesla, led by Elon Musk, proposed strengthening zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) requirements for cars and imposing restrictions on heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). The company called for the introduction of similar rules by the UK government’s Minister of Roads.
Despite a public feud with the Labor Party, Tesla’s vice president praised Labor’s commitment to decarbonizing the energy system and achieving net zero by 2030 in a letter published under the Freedom of Information Act and shared with the Guardian through the fast charging newsletter.
Tesla’s stance contrasts with other automakers lobbying for deregulation. The company believes that advancing and enhancing ZEV mandates is crucial as sales of new electric vehicles increase, prompting growth in the used electric vehicle market.
For trucks, Tesla’s proposed mandate could boost the market for heavy-duty electric vehicles, coinciding with the company’s plans to launch the Tesla Semi. The company called for immediate action to address truck emissions and highlighted the UK lagging behind the EU in regulating such emissions.
A ZEV truck mandate could benefit Tesla by creating a new market for selling credits to rival manufacturers. The company has long advocated for stricter rules on clean transportation and higher taxes on gasoline and diesel cars.
Elon Musk waves near a Tesla semi-electric truck during a 2022 livestream event. Photo: TESLA/Reuters
Despite disagreements with environmentally conscious buyers over his support for Donald Trump, Tesla continues to profit from selling credits to competitors. The company’s revenue from credits reached $2.1bn (£1.65bn) in the first nine months of 2024.
Tesla faces challenges in the US as subsidies for electric cars are cut, potentially impacting sales. However, the company may benefit indirectly if Chinese automakers face tariffs preventing sales in the US without similar assistance to rivals.
Elon Musk is expected to leverage his relationship with Trump to advocate for deregulation in the self-driving car industry. Tesla’s upcoming self-driving taxi, the CyberCab, is key to the company’s future earnings growth. The company also sees an opportunity for the UK to lead in self-driving technology development.
Tesla declined to provide further comments on the matter.
Measuring just 4cm square, Google has developed a computing chip with unprecedented speed. In just five minutes, this chip can complete tasks that would take conventional computers 10 billion years to finish – a mind-boggling number surpassing the age of our universe.
The chip, named Willow, is the size of an After Eight Mint and could revolutionize drug development by accelerating the experimental phase. Recent advancements suggest that within five years, quantum computing will transform research and development across various industries.
Willow boasts fewer errors, enhancing the potential of artificial intelligence. Quantum computing leverages matter existing in multiple states simultaneously to make vast calculations beyond previous capabilities, expediting advancements in medicine and technology.
However, concerns remain about security vulnerabilities posed by quantum computing – the ability to breach even the most robust encryption systems.
Google Quantum AI, alongside other entities like Microsoft, Harvard University, and Quantinum, is working on harnessing quantum mechanics for computing. Overcoming challenges in error correction has paved the way for significant speed enhancements and groundbreaking developments.
Quantum processors are evolving rapidly, surpassing traditional computers and unlocking new possibilities for quantum computations. The potential for quantum computers to exist in multiple states simultaneously promises remarkable capabilities across various fields.
Dr Peter Leake, Research Fellow at the University of Oxford’s Quantum Institute and founder of Oxford Quantum Circuits, acknowledges the rapid advancements in quantum computing technology. While applauding Google’s progress in error correction, he highlights the need for practical applicability in real-world scenarios.
As quantum computing approaches practical implementation, collaboration across various fields becomes crucial to navigate challenges and harness the full potential of this groundbreaking technology.
MToday, creating an Indiana Jones game may appear straightforward. Just take Uncharted’s Nathan Drake, transport him back in time about 80 years, give him a fedora and a whip, and witness the emergence of the golden idol. Dog mastered the formula for indie-inspired, globe-trotting action games over a decade ago. It would be understandable if Swedish studio MachineGames followed this same template.
However, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle chooses a different path. They intentionally avoid inviting such comparisons. This unconventional blockbuster shares more similarities with games like Dishonored and Hitman rather than Uncharted. While there are action and spectacle moments, along with some platforming, the focus lies more on puzzles, free-form stealth, and battling fascist enemies while disguised as a priest.
Set in 1937 between Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade, The Great Circle follows Indy as he investigates a cult infiltrating Marshall College and stealing valuable artifacts. Pursued by giants from this cult after stealing a cat, Indy embarks on a journey to various historical sites globally.
The environment is filled with items ideal for testing Nazi intelligence. Photo: Bethesda
His first destination is Vatican City, setting the tone for the subsequent adventures. Vatican City serves as a vast, maze-like sandbox where players can freely explore at their own pace, carefully navigating around fascist threats. With various puzzle-solving elements and exciting discoveries, players get to immerse themselves in the thrill of uncovering ancient secrets while outsmarting enemy patrols.
Vatican City offers a diverse range of challenges and hidden areas to explore, setting a high standard that makes subsequent locations like the Pyramids of Giza seem more traditional in comparison. The transition to open-world exploration in later parts of the game allows for more experimentation with Indy’s abilities.
With encounters against various foes like Blackshirts and the Wehrmacht, The Great Circle captures the spontaneous action reminiscent of a Spielberg film. While combat is an option, stealth remains a preferred method, with a variety of tools at your disposal for defeating enemies. The game’s combat and stealth mechanics offer a dynamic and engaging experience amidst tomb raids and cinematic storytelling.
Despite its strong points, The Great Circle occasionally lacks the urgency expected in an Indiana Jones adventure, with pacing inconsistencies in certain acts. Nevertheless, the game picks up momentum later on, leading to a satisfying conclusion that encapsulates the essence of Spielberg’s filmography.
Grave robbing is a recurring theme. Photo: Bethesda
Overall, Indiana Jones: The Great Circle is a rich and affectionate tribute to Spielberg’s work, with a deep respect for the historical context that underlies the quest for the circular MacGuffin. It blends entertainment with poignant explorations of anti-fascist themes, shedding light on the dangers of far-right ideologies and manipulation.
aAt some point, most mobile games will die. Apple’s iOS software updates have removed thousands of App Store games over the years. Old games simply disappear unless developers make them compatible with all new devices and software. (Most games can’t or won’t devote such resources to it.) Also, in the case of live mobile games that encourage users to log in every day, the popularity of the game will inevitably decline and the developer will stop updating it, leaving the game sluggish and unplayable. Sometimes there is no warning. Games exist one day and disappear the next. A truly dark fate.
Mobile gaming has a high mortality rate. 83% of them Research shows that most games fail within the first three years. But maybe there’s another way. In 2017, Nintendo released a mobile version of its best-selling relaxing life simulation game, Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The service, called Pocket Camp, ran for seven years before Nintendo ended support for it last month. But instead of ending the game, the company released a complete version for £8.99 that packages years of content and allows players to transfer data to keep their memories or start anew. The game lives on.
Pocket Camp is an excellent replica of the console Animal Crossing games, closer to a Happy Home Designer spin-off with a lighter touch than the DS and Switch versions. Your super cute character will be in charge of the campsite and decorate it with furniture and cuteobjects. If your campsite is set up to their liking, the animals will come hang out and talk trash with you. You can gift them anything you find lying around, such as fruit, fish you catch, or, better yet, live insects. Guitar-playing dog KK Slider (who, interestingly, is a caricature of Kazumi Todaka, one of Nintendo’s composers) performs at a campfire concert.
The main difference between Pocket Camp and, say, Animal Crossing on Switch is that there’s no cold in Pocket Camp. Performing insignificant missions, collecting more materials, and crafting more things will always bother you. As is tradition in mobile games, you get some kind of reward every few minutes, and every action in the game is tracked in some kind of progression tree to encourage you to keep playing. Twelve currencies, tasks, locations, and seasonal events are possible at any given time. However, it is nevertheless surprisingly feature-rich. There are thousands of things to make and buy, and hundreds of animal villagers to befriend. It feels luxurious for £8.99.
Ironically, Pocket Camp would be significantly better without the insidious monetization that was used to power it. I’ve dipped in and out of this game over the years, especially when I was waiting for 2020’s New Horizons to come out, and I’ve always loved the ubiquitous countdown timer and the daily (or several) I always shied away from it because of the manufactured urgency of logging in. 1 day) Achieve your goals. Hurry up, it’s time to harvest the fruits! Look, this special event is almost over! Don’t you want limited edition items? Don’t you want to buy some leaf tokens to speed up the creation of all this? This is a standard issue in live mobile games, but even if the game itself has value, it can also be very annoying.
All of these monetization system traps still exist in Pocket Camp Complete. They are built into the game design. However, we now give away all leaf tokens, bells, and items that you previously had to wait for or pay for for free. This changes the pace of the game and allows you to play as many times as you like at once without any restrictions. Now, without warning, I can recommend the affordable Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
More developers should do this. Once you’re done with your live games, simply package everything up and sell it for a single price. This happens in the console world, where the “Game of the Year” edition delivers the old game and all its bonuses and extra content. In this way, those who were there for the first life of the game can somehow preserve it. And such games may find new players even in the afterlife.
what to play
Fashion forward…Infinity Nikki. Photo: Epic Games
dress up fairy tale adventure infinity nikki This game, released this week, is one I’ve had my eye on for a long time because there doesn’t seem to be anything else out there. There’s no combat here, but instead there’s music, fishing, balloon rides, and conversations with cats and frogs. Pink-haired Nikki is very fashion conscious and almost everything she does in her world earns her new components for various amazing outfits. It’s an interesting combination of saccharine sweetness and downright weird, and is actually similar to Animal Crossing.
Please note: This is a free-to-play game, so if you have teenagers who want to play, make sure their settings are locked, as you could actually drop hundreds of pounds on a virtual dress. Please check.
Available: PC, PS5, smartphone Estimated play time: 10 hours or more
what to read
Mobile games in particular have been accused of violating rules regarding the use of loot boxes. Photo: Blizzard Entertainment
The BBC estimates that 43 of the top 45 best-selling mobile games are break the rules Regarding disclosure of randomized information loot box in their advertising. Regulators have been slow to take action on these gambling-related features.
devolver digital has belatedly postponed some games to next year (including Baby Steps, which I’m really looking forward to). I exhaustedly applaud Devolver for the way they presented their presentation through a mock awards ceremony. 15th Annual Devolver Delay Awards 2024.
to celebrate PlayStation 30th anniversarySony has released a set of past PlayStation launch animations, including the PS1’s iconic and incredibly 90s theme. Kotaku has more.
Astro Bot is an upcoming platform game for PlayStation 5 by Team Asobi. Photo: Sony/Team Asobi
Now it’s my turn to ask a question instead of the reader’s. you.
We’re still looking for Pushing Buttons readers to submit their favorite games of 2024. That game will be featured in the final newsletter of the year. From Baldur’s Gate 3 to Astro Bot, send us a few sentences about what they mean to you. You will see results within a few weeks.
Please reply to this email or email pushbuttons@theguardian.com.
a Great idea, brilliantly executed. Hilarious, surreal, and, yes, really exciting in a weird way. This could be the Marat/Sade of the 21st century. During lockdown, two out-of-work actors, Sam Crane and Marc Oosterveen, played Grand Theft Auto (GTA) online (remotely to each other), and the entire movie It is shown as an in-game action feature in GTA. Their avatars navigate the vast, intricately detailed cityscape of Los Santos, similar to Los Angeles, where the action takes place, while avoiding being shot, mutilated, and mauled in the usual GTA fashion. While running through the area, they happened to come across a deserted group of people. Vinewood Bowl Amphitheater. So they staged an in-game production of Hamlet there, recruiting other gamers to play the roles, donning various bizarre costumes, handles, and personas, and using virtual reality in a zero-gravity, near-realistic way. I thought it might be possible to move around the space., the avatar’s lips move almost in sync as they speak their lines into a microphone.
They audition for all comers. In this noisy business, strange people appear who tend to use flamethrowers and rocket launchers to destroy others for no reason during the explanation of their works. But they also meet people who have fascinating or inspiring stories to tell. Finally, the finished performance is shown, with an atmospheric musical soundtrack that was probably added later for the film.
Coincidentally, they don’t stick to the Vinewood Bowl stage, instead boldly expanding their reach throughout the city. As one of the leads says, this is Shakespeare on a billion dollar budget, or the Shakespeare Elon Musk can afford to make. Crane and Oosterveen, along with Pinny Grylls (who co-directed with Crane), explore the game’s never-ending, dark violence, how close it is to the violence of Shakespeare’s world, and how depressed they are by the stagnation of lockdown. I look back in fascination. It provides a new dreamlike insight into Hamlet’s melancholy.
The result is something like Baz Luhrmann’s gangbanger Romeo + Juliet or Tom Stoppard’s play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, in which actors roam the land performing a show. It’s so wild that you wonder if anyone is watching it. It’s really funny and sweet when Crane, Oosterveen, and Grylls start arguing among themselves in the quirky GTA setting. (Maybe they were just making a little fuss about these “real” crises, but that doesn’t matter.)
To me, Oosterveen’s bemused voice sounds a lot like Simon Jones as Arthur Dent in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and it’s no surprise that Douglas Adams would have loved this movie. I say this as a compliment. It certainly was.
Approximately 1.4 million individuals in the UK have exited the online dating realm within the last year. But does this signify that the apps are ineffective, or are people simply moving away from dating altogether?
According to Ofcom’s 2024 Online Nation report, there is projected to be a notable decrease in the use of dating apps from 2023 to 2024, with a nearly 16% decline in usage of the top 10 most popular dating apps this year.
Tinder experienced the most substantial decrease, with over 500,000 users abandoning the platform since May 2023. Bumble and Hinge also suffered losses, losing 368,000 and 131,000 users, respectively, during the same period.
Experts at the Center for Love, Sex, and Relationships (CLSR) at the University of Leeds suggest that the decline in online dating could be attributed to a feeling of disconnection from reality and exhaustion with the process.
Natasha McKeever, a lecturer in applied ethics at the university and co-director of CLSR, believes that individuals perceive virtual dating as a task rather than a social activity.
McKeever points out that this detachment has led individuals to feel more at ease sending offensive messages, as they do not fear immediate consequences.
Despite the waning interest in virtual dating, data reveals that the usage of queer-focused apps and sites has remained consistent or increased.
Apart from Badoo, the app seeing growth among users is Scruff, designed for men seeking men. Apps like Grindr and Squirt, catering to the LGBTQ+ community, have experienced fewer user declines compared to platforms with a more heteronormative focus.
Sophie Goddard, a tutor in applied ethics at the University of Leeds, suggests that the gay community continues to use these platforms for a sense of safety and self-exploration.
Another reason for the dwindling interest in online dating is the dominance of a few companies in the UK market, with Match Group operating a majority of the top apps.
Luke Branning, co-director of CLSR, highlights that modern digital dating may provide the illusion of variety, but ultimately, there is little differentiation between platforms.
Branning argues that the lack of transparency in business practices and algorithms by these major companies reflects the larger issue with online dating today.
IIf you want to witness the last vestiges of human intelligence swirling down the drain, just hold your nose and type these words:Skibidi toilet” to YouTube. The 11-second video features an animated human head sticking out of a toilet bowl while singing the gibberish lyrics, “Skibbidi dop dop yes yes.” The clip has been viewed more than 215 million times and generated hundreds of millions of references on TikTok and other social media.
It's only fitting, then, that the Oxford English Dictionary has announced “brain rot” as the word of the year. As an abstract concept, brain rot is something we are all vaguely aware of. The dictionary defines it as “an assumed mental or intellectual state of a person, especially seen as a result of overconsumption of material (now especially online content) considered trivial or unchallenging” is defined as “deterioration''. But few people realize how much technology is literally rotting our brains, and how compulsive internet use is destroying our gray matter.
Brain rot was foreshadowed about 20 years ago when scientists studied the effects of a new invention called “email,” specifically the effects of a relentless barrage of information on the brains of its participants. result? Continuous cognitive overload was more harmful than cannabis consumption, with participants' IQs dropping by an average of 10 points.
and this is before The advent of smartphones has made the internet so readily available that the average adult in the UK now spends at least 4 hours a day online (Gen Z men spend 5.5 hours online per day; Gen Z women spend 6.5 hours online).
In recent years, there has been a wealth of academic research from institutions such as Harvard Medical School, Oxford University, and King's College London. found the evidence What is the Internet? shrink our gray matter, shorten attention spanweakens memory and distorts cognitive processes. The areas of the brain found to be affected include “attentional capacity,” “memory processes,” and “social cognition” is included.
Paper after paper tells us how vulnerable we are to internet-induced brain rot. “High levels of internet use and heavy media multitasking are associated with decreased gray matter in the prefrontal cortex.” find one. People who are addicted to the Internetstructural changes in the brain” and “reduced gray [sic] Case” Some scholars even refer to the use of too much technology during the developing brain as “dangerous.”digital dementia”.
2018, 10 years of data Analyzed by a leading memory psychologist Researchers at Stanford University found that people who frequently use multiple online platforms have shorter memory and attention spans.
Yet we seem to be doing little to stem the tide. Earl Miller, a neuroscientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a world expert on divided attention, predicts that by 2022 we are currently living in a “perfect storm of cognitive decline.” I warned you. Dr. Gloria Mark, Professor of Information Studies, University of California, Author attention spanwe found evidence of how dramatically our ability to concentrate has declined. In 2004, her research team found that the average attention span on any screen is two and a half minutes. In 2012 it was 75 seconds. Six years ago, it was down to 47 seconds. “I think this is something that we should be very concerned about as a society,” she says. talked about it on the podcast In 2023.
But if technology is making us less intelligent, we are not entirely to blame. After all, it is designed to completely captivate us. Silicon Valley's dirtiest design feature, and once you find it, it's everywhere: infinite scroll. Likened to “”fartbottomless soup bowl” In an experiment, participants continued to eat from the soup bowl without thinking if they kept refilling it. Online feeds that are constantly “replenished” manipulate the brain’s dopaminergic reward system in a similar way. These powerful dopamine-driven endless “exploration” loops become addicted.
What happens if we fail to address cognitive decline? Tristan Harris, former Google design ethicist told the US Congress In 2019, billions of people, with a “psychological footprint roughly the size of Christianity,” now receive information from the platform, but the business model is such that “revenue is tied to attention.” “This creates a “race to the bottom of the brainstem.'' Hack our lizard brains to get attention, trigger dopamine, fear, anger, and win. ”
His warning is the most severe yet. “Persuasion technology is a hugely undervalued but powerful force shaping the world,” he said. “It controls the pen of human history, and if we don't take it back, it will destroy us.”
The term brain rot has been popularized online by young people most at risk of its effects. The fact that those most at risk are the most aware of the problem is encouraging news. The first step to change is understanding the problem. And there is reason to be hopeful. In recent years, teenagers have turned their attention to Danphones. Childhood without smartphones;Green is budding towards a future where we can reclaim our hearts. After all, perhaps Skibidi Toilet has a more poignant meaning, a recognition of where human intelligence currently stands. You can now proceed in one of two directions: upwards or through a U-bend.
WWhen the baby parrots were delivered to Alice Soares de Oliveira’s desk, they had no wings and could barely open their eyes. The pair, housed in a dirty cardboard box, were just a month old and showed signs of not feeding well.
The parrot, along with two young toucans who arrived just under a month later, were victims of wildlife traffickers. They were all put up for sale on social media, probably snatched from their mother’s nest by poachers.
They were taken to Soares de Oliveira, a veterinarian. CeMaCAS, Wildlife Conservation Center in a forest on the outskirts of Brazil’s largest city, São Paulo, after being rescued by police surveillance networks on platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp.
Illegal advertising of snakes for sale online in Brazil. Photo: Provided by RENCTAS
Social media has become an important tool for wildlife traffickers, experts say. For example, more people are using Facebook to promote the sale of endangered animals and their byproducts, often switching to messaging apps like WhatsApp to complete the sale.
Report published in October The Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime flagged 477 advertisements for 18 protected animals in Brazil and South Africa alone in three months this year. 78% of this was on social media.
The illegally traded parrot arrives at the CeMaCAS conservation center in poor condition after being rescued by the police. Photo: undefined/provided by CeMaCAS
Simone Haytham, director of environmental crime at the Global Initiative, said traders moved online after authorities cracked down on street markets. “The online space now provides a means for many of the world’s most endangered and most highly protected species to find consumers,” she says. “There’s a huge treasure trove of endangered species available for purchase online, but it’s no easy feat.”
Crawford Allan, vice president of nature crime at the World Wildlife Fund, said the pandemic has “systemized” wildlife crime online. “A lot of the public markets were closing down,” he says. “People couldn’t move, a lot of things went online, and it became the norm.”
Laws regarding the sale of wild animals vary by jurisdiction and species, so social media companies face a difficult situation in determining whether such ads are illegal. Nevertheless, experts say tech companies need to do more to determine when posts are risky.
Global Initiative combines AI technology and human analysis to detect suspicious ads online. The company’s reporting system, part of a project called Eco-Solve, covers Brazil, South Africa and Thailand, and will soon be expanded to India, Indonesia and the UAE.
Richard Scobie, executive director of TRAFFIC, an organization focused on wildlife trafficking, said advertising on social media allows sellers to “circumvent” the law and sell goods without telling buyers where they come from. He says it happens often.
“Companies need to allocate far more resources to regulating how users illegally trade wildlife parts and derivatives on their platforms,” he says. “Social media companies are working to combat illegal transactions on their platforms…but there is much more they can do.”
Some tech companies are taking steps to combat this problem. In 2020, Facebook introduced tags for some search terms to warn users of the dangers of wildlife trafficking, and meta was removed. 7.6 million posts in 2023according to the Coalition Against Online Wildlife Trafficking.
The coalition is a voluntary association that includes most of the major social media companies in the United States and China.
It announced that in 2021, 11.6 million posts were blocked or deleted by members.
Parrots illegally traded after being recovered at CeMaCAS. Photo: undefined/provided by CeMaCAS
WWF’s Alan was a founding member of the federation and continues to oversee its activities. He said tech companies have been receptive to activists’ attempts to clamp down on their activities, but job cuts in the industry are hurting progress.
“As a conservation organization, we always feel that people need to do more, but we also understand that they are dealing with terrorism, child safety and all the evil in the world that flows through social media channels. They have bigger and scarier problems to deal with,” he added.
“I feel that some companies have found a balance. Others haven’t. They’re not working hard enough or they’re inactive for some reason, so they step up and do more. You need to make an effort.”
A spokesperson for Meta, which owns Facebook and WhatsApp, said: “We do not allow activities related to the purchase, sale, lottery, gifting, transfer or trading of endangered or protected species on our services.
“We use a combination of technology, team reviews, and user reports to identify behavior that violates our Terms of Service and respond to valid requests from law enforcement.”
Wildlife trafficking threatens biodiversity and can lead to the extinction of certain species. According to 2023 Forensic Science International articlesapproximately 5,209 animal species are endangered or nearly endangered due to “use and trade.”
Illegal online advertising of macaws for sale in Brazil. Photo: Undefined/Courtesy of RENCTAS
Mr Haytham said: [being advertised for sale online] It is protected as it is on the verge of extinction. They are protected because trade poses a major threat to their survival. ”
Soares de Oliveira of São Paulo believes the birds in his care have a bright future. Veterinarians at CeMaCAS care for hundreds of birds and animals at a time. She is confident that the parrot and toucan will make a full recovery and be released back into the wild.
“They are in the middle of rehabilitation. They are still young so we are monitoring them, but I think they will be able to live a free life in three months,” she says.
Find more coverage of extinction ages here and follow biodiversity reporters Phoebe Weston and Patrick Greenfield on the Guardian app for more nature coverage.
“Everyone remembers the first Nokia,” says Mark Mason, who joined the carrier’s design team during its heyday in the 1990s. “When you say that name, it brings back memories.”
This is not as far-fetched as it sounds. In 1998, the Finnish consumer electronics manufacturer was the world’s best-selling mobile phone brand, accounting for 40% of the global market and 70% of the UK market.
Nokia’s cultural influence will be properly recognized for the first time in January, when the company’s design archive will be on display. Finland’s Aalto University has acquired the archive and will make it available through selected portals online as well as displaying it on its campus in Espoo.
Nokia’s influence on Finland is indisputable, but the Finnish Institute for Economic Research (Etla) reports that Nokia has contributed A quarter of Finland’s economic growth from 1998 to 2007 – The brand’s international pop culture value is also undeniable.
“Nokia was one of the first telcos to truly emphasize design and difference, offering everything from very affordable phones to the latest cutting-edge phones.” says technical editor Jonathan Bell. wallpaper* magazine. “In the world before Apple, Google, and even Samsung, they stood above all the other players.”
Nokia’s factory ringtone – Gran Valse from 1902 by Francisco Tarrega – became very popular in the 1990s and 2000s. the bird learned to sing it. In 2009, it was reported that the song was listened to an estimated 1.8 billion times a day worldwide. This equates to 20,000 times per second.
Keanu Reeves uses the famous “banana” cell phone, the Nokia 8110, in 1999’s The Matrix. Photo: Landmark Media/Alamy
The Nokia 8110 handset (better known as Banana) starred in the 1999 film. matrix. The brand quickly became endowed with cultural prestige.
Style journalist Murray Healy face He was a magazine editor during Nokia’s heyday in the 1990s, and currently serves as the editorial director of a fashion magazine. perfection. “In the late ’90s, when cell phones were boring, serious, precious, expensive mini-monoliths associated with yuppies, here came this cheap, curvaceous, happy-looking, slightly toy-like device,” he says. says. “It’s pocket-sized, the battery lasts forever, and it doesn’t seem to break down.”
Healy says the Nokia 3210, launched in 1999, was key in ushering in a culture of complete customization with its colorful, changeable chassis. “You can also print the name of your favorite band on it.”
Nokia was also the first mobile phone manufacturer to support SMS texting, and its mobile keypads were perfectly designed for it.
“All of these factors made the product immediately appealing to a youth market that was already adept at avoiding exorbitant call charges with text messages,” Healy says.
Mason, who spent 20 years at Nokia and is now a design expert at the British Design Council, says it was a great time for creativity. “We created a design language early on that put humans at the center. Our slogan was ‘Human Technology’ and Nokia’s slogan was ‘Connecting People.’ Everything we did was centered around that. The keyboard was also curved like the Mona Lisa’s smiling face. When you looked at it, it smiled back at you. “
Aalto University’s archives contain marketing images, sketches, market profiling and presentations that provide new insights into what was once one of the world’s most innovative companies.
Anna Valtonen is the lead researcher at the Nokia Design Archive and a former designer at the company. Her favorite piece on the record is an audiotape in which the designer explains what she’s been working on. “Combined with visual material, it creates a more human story. It not only gives color to the document, but also outlines what the designer was trying to achieve.”
By 1999, Nokia’s operating profits reached $4 billion, but the good times didn’t last long.
Ben Wood, Chief Analyst and Head of Marketing at CCS Insights, said: “This is the sad story of a once-great company that not only defined but dominated an industry for more than a decade, but was forgotten sooner than anyone imagined.”
Nokia’s decline was due to a combination of factors. Complacency played a big role. The company could not accept the competitive threat posed by new approaches, especially more powerful touchscreen smartphones such as the iPhone.
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel holds a Nokia slide-out phone in Berlin in 2013. Photo: Fabrizio Bensch/Reuters
Since 2007, Nokia’s market value has fallen by about 90% and it was acquired by Microsoft in 2013.
Nokia’s design archive is a window into an optimistic era, when personal devices and technology were seen as purely positive additions to family life and well-being. But the clunky, bulky phones are finding a new audience among young people whose parents grew up with the brand and now want their children to have less access to social media.
Nokia devices are manufactured by Finnish independent mobile phone manufacturer Human Mobile Devices (HMD), which has been in production since 2016 and whose staff is mostly made up of former Nokia employees.
Valtonen said working with the archives gave him a sense of more than nostalgia. “It gave me a feeling of optimism and forward-looking thinking more than anything else. There are so many changes happening in technology at such a fast pace that it’s important to take a moment to pause and take a look behind the scenes. It’s great to get a glimpse of all the work being done, and I hope this material inspires people and makes them realize the potential for innovation.”
Mason’s hope is unashamedly nostalgic. “I can’t be too excited about my time at Nokia. It’s like a family and I’ve created a design icon. I hope people dig their old phones out of their drawers. – You’ll probably still be able to use it. If you cut me, you’ll have bright blue Nokia blood.”
Elon Musk seems to have many preferences. The world’s richest man is evangelical about electric cars, space travel, and Donald Trump. Another of his interests could have a significant impact on British politics.
The billionaire is reportedly considering paying a rumored £80m to Nigel Farage’s British Reform Party, becoming its biggest donor in history.
Musk watchers say that, like many who supported Trump’s militant brand of right-wing populism, he became radicalized by frustration with the lockdowns.
Frustrated by the damage to manufacturing at Tesla car factories, he began spending more time online and testing the limits of the misinformation rules set by Twitter, as it was then known. Ta.
Now that he helped propel Trump to the White House, he is reportedly turning his attention to Britain.
Reform officials say they have no knowledge of Mr. Musk’s spending plans, which Mr. Musk also denies. But if the Tesla and X owners back up their online criticism of Keir Starmer’s government with huge donations to the Labor opposition, it could be one of the most significant political moves of this parliament.
Within two years of acquiring Company X (formerly Twitter) in October 2022, Mr. Musk has already become a darling of the international far-right, and under the banner of free speech has previously suspended his account. Thank you for reviving it. But Musk went further, using his account to amplify the messages of far-right activist and convicted criminal Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson.
By the time riots erupted in British cities this year, Mr Musk had engaged in a full-scale onslaught against the Labor government, claiming “a civil war is inevitable” and echoing that position, calling the prime minister “two-tiered”. Police reportedly treated white far-right “protesters” more harshly than minorities.
But over the weekend there were hints that Mr Musk might trade words and actions regarding the UK when the Sunday Times reported: He may be about to donate £80m He was a supporter of Nigel Farage’s British Reform Party and believed that the MP would be the next British Prime Minister.
Mr Musk denied the claims on Thursday, but Reform UK has remained noticeably silent on the matter, while Mr Farage boasted last month that he was counting on the support of his “new friend Elon” in the next general election. I was doing it. A major donor to his party even said quite bullishly to the Guardian this week: “Keep an eye on this area.”
Mr Musk’s wealth has increased by $133bn (£104.4bn) so far this year, reaching $362bn from his roughly 13% stake in Tesla and ownership in a number of companies.
The reasons behind Mr Musk’s apparent hostility towards Starmer and interest in Britain may be more complex.
Various theories about why the UK has been targeted by Mr Musk include the idea that he has come to view the UK as the epicenter of what he calls the ‘waking mind virus’. , blames Musk for his estranged daughter’s gender change. .
An even more outlandish theory, based partly on Musk’s time with X, is that Musk’s tweets in response to breaking news in the UK are a result of his tendency to stay up late in the US is.
“I don’t think you should tweet after 3am,” Musk told the BBC last year.
But one of the most obvious explanations is Musk’s own liberal, ultra-free speech vision that X is the true “town square” of the internet, and Labor’s mission to crack down on online hate speech. It is related to a clear conflict between
Mr Musk is “not accountable to anyone”, Peter Kyle, the UK science and technology secretary who is directly responsible for the government’s engagement with social media companies, complained in August. Also irritating Mr. Musk, Mr. Starmer’s current chief of staff has been involved in the creation of the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), which criticizes Mr. Musk for stripping away guardrails against hate speech on Twitter. This is likely a role played by Labor Party officials, including Morgan McSweeney, who is the head of the party. . In October, Musk issued a “declaration of war” on CCDH, calling it a “criminal organization” and saying he would “go after” it.
But there is no sign that holding Mr Musk to account will stop Britain’s move into right-wing politics. Beyond the near-relentless torrent of tweets, it’s even more uncertain how Mr Musk will expand his footprint in British public life.
Mr. Musk could avoid strict regulations on overseas donations by providing the funds through Company X’s British arm or by securing British citizenship. Her father, Errol, claims he is eligible because his grandmother is British.
Mr Musk may also be tempted to take further discussions with British industry and engage further with Starmer’s government.
Mr Musk was last in the spotlight in the UK last November when he attended the first AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park, home of the Enigma codebreakers. People who encountered him at the Bletchley summit said he was polite, talkative, surrounded by a surprisingly minimal entourage, and appeared to handle much of the official email about the event himself.
This convinced one former government adviser that discussing AI policy was probably the best way for Labor to forge a beneficial relationship with Mr Musk. The tech mogul, who founded his own AI company xAI, has consistently warned about the dangers of unchecked technology development. Speaking at the summit, he said, “There is a greater than zero chance that AI will kill us all.”
The former adviser said the creation of the UK AI Safety Institute by Rishi Sunak’s government, then the world’s first, could carry some weight for Mr Musk.
“He cares about the safety of AI, and has done so for years. A grown-up conversation with him about the UK’s world-leading work on national security risks from AI is a good place to start.” “I think Rishi Sunak will be a good ambassador even if Starmer finds out next,” the former adviser said. Politically undesirable. “Musk doesn’t suffer fools and Sunak really knows what he knows about AI.”
Another option would be to send Mr. Kyle and National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell, who were impressed with their understanding of the brief. “It would show seriousness,” the former adviser said.
TThe first time I played with a ZX Spectrum was at the Stockport branch of Debenhams. Back in 1983, it had a great home computer section, which quickly turned into a kind of free daycare center for bored 13-year-old boys. You can be there for hours typing rude Basic programs into the machine’s array while hasty staff members scramble around trying to stop it from running. However, some computers were running games for customers to try. There I encountered Manic Miner, a legendary platformer with bizarre flashing visuals and surreal enemies. The Speccy game looked completely unique thanks to the machine’s unusual way of limiting its 8×8 sprite map to two colors. This meant that objects moving on the screen were typically patchwork collections of colored pixels, creating an effect called attribute collision. Somehow it was ugly and beautiful – and it still is.
Unboxing Spectrum, Retro Games Ltd’s latest offering of modern vintage hardware, is a surprisingly nostalgic experience. It looks exactly like the original machine I remember. It’s a black board with rubber keys, each of which displays basic programming commands as well as numbers and letters. “Rem,” “Rand,” and “Gosub” are mystical words from the era of home programming. There’s a USB cable to connect (but you’ll need your own USB plug) and an HDMI lead, but no joystick. This machine is compatible with most USB gamepads. You just need to configure the button yourself. It’s a little time consuming, but worth it if you can’t stand using rubber buttons to control games.
Classic… Head Over Heels by Spectrum. Photo: Retro Games Ltd
Once you load it, you’ll be presented with a modern home screen displaying a carousel of built-in games. There are 48 to choose from, from classic titles like The Lords of Midnight, Head Over Heels, Manic Miner, and The Hobbit to the latest titles created by modern programmers in the Speccy fan scene. These are fascinating projects, including the top-down sci-fi blaster Alien Girl: Skirmish Edition and the tomb raiding romp Shovel Adventure. If you run out of internal power, you can also download Spectrum Game Roms from your PC to a USB stick, plug it in, and run it here. However, if you’re not a modern open source fan and are looking for a classic Speccy title – a game made with – then you’re in questionable legal territory.
As before, there are a number of screen settings so you can add CRT effects to give you a more authentic 1980s TV experience, but honestly, you can’t watch “Horace Goes Skiing” on a 55-inch LED display. There’s nothing to reduce the intense confusion when playing. What surprised me is that these games still have a lot of visual appeal. The students and teachers wandering the halls of School Days are full of personality, from a hulking bully to an aging history teacher. Sandy White’s Ant Attack maintains its rugged beauty, with geometric walls and giant, scurrying ants giving it an old-fashioned sense of alienation and fear. Ocean’s relatively sophisticated isometric adventures The Great Escape and Where Time Stood Still pack an incredible amount of detail into their largely black-and-white worlds. It’s nice to see them again.
The legendary… Spectrum Manic Minor. Photo: Retro Games Ltd
As with most other retro game consoles, modern game features like save points (which are a bit difficult to navigate but work) and the ability to rewind to the seconds before you got hit by a car in Trashman has been added. . But I also like the fact that every time I select a game, the original illustrated loading screen appears for a few seconds. These pictorial delights were an important part of the initial experience, as the tape would be watched for up to five minutes before it was finally loaded. What matters is whether they are preserved or not.
The original computing power of the ZX Spectrum is also retained. Selecting classic mode switches the console to the old boot screen and allows you to actually program. This is a feature that I fully utilize.
Classic Spectrum Basic program. Photo: Retro Games Ltd
Who is this for? Obviously the target audience is people like me who were there in the beginning and remember playing a lot of these games 40 years ago. Indeed, there are free Spectrum emulators available online if you know where to look. You don’t mind risking malware infection every time you search a ROM site. But part of the nostalgic gaming experience is sitting in front of the TV and watching recreations of machines you remember. And in “The Spectrum,” you also get the legendary rubber button, which presses under your finger when you hammer the leg sweep button in “The Way of the Exploding Fist.” I feel it.
Bitcoin has surpassed $100,000 for the first time, reaching a new high amid a euphoric surge triggered by President Donald Trump’s election win.
The largest and most valuable cryptocurrency in the world, known for its market volatility, has been on the rise in recent weeks due to expectations of a new era of deregulation and supportive policies under the incoming administration.
On Wednesday, it hit a record high of $103,619, marking a 45% increase since Election Day. Other cryptocurrencies are also experiencing similar gains.
“We are witnessing a paradigm shift. After four years of political purgatory, Bitcoin and the entire digital asset ecosystem are about to enter the financial mainstream,” said Mike Novogratz, founder and CEO of Galaxy Digital, a US cryptocurrency company.
“This momentum is driven by institutional adoption, advancements in tokenization and payments, and a clearer regulatory path,” he added.
President Trump has nominated crypto lobbyist Paul Atkins to lead the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), signaling a more favorable stance towards cryptocurrencies.
“Congratulations Bitcoiners!!! $100,000!!! You’re welcome!!! Together we will make America great again!” President Trump tweeted on his social media platform, Truth Social.
Reaching a six-digit price is a significant milestone for Bitcoin, which was created in 2008 and remains shrouded in mystery surrounding its creator Satoshi Nakamoto.
Supporters see Bitcoin and the broader crypto space as the future of finance, although its volatile valuation and slow adoption for everyday transactions raise concerns.
“Bitcoin surpassing $100,000 signifies changing trends in finance, technology, and geopolitics,” said crypto analyst Justin Danesan based in Hong Kong.
“People who were once considered fantasy now exist in reality,” he added.
Trump, who once called Bitcoin a “scam,” has shifted his stance to a more supportive position, touting it as a symbol of free trade and innovation.
Atkins, the former SEC commissioner and crypto advocate, is seen as bringing a fresh perspective to digital asset regulation in the US.
“Atkins’ familiarity with the digital asset ecosystem can lead to new opportunities for US cryptocurrency innovation,” said Kristin Smith, CEO of the Blockchain Association.
Cryptocurrency stocks are on the rise alongside Bitcoin prices, with companies like MicroStrategy heavily investing in Bitcoin.
Trump has also announced his own virtual currency venture, World Liberty Financial, showing growing support for cryptocurrencies.
The Guardian has uncovered that artificial intelligence systems utilized by the UK government to identify welfare fraud exhibit bias based on individuals’ age, disability, marital status, and nationality.
A review of a machine learning program used to analyze numerous Universal Credit payment claims across the UK revealed that certain groups were mistakenly targeted more frequently than others.
This revelation came from documents published under the Freedom of Information Act by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). A “fairness analysis” conducted in February of this year uncovered a significant discrepancy in outcomes within the Universal Credit Advance automated system.
Despite previous claims by the DWP that the AI system had no discrimination concerns, the emergence of this bias raises important questions about its impact on customers.
Concerns have been raised by activists regarding the potential harm caused by the government’s policies and the need for transparency in the use of AI systems.
The DWP has been urged to adopt a more cautious approach and cease the deployment of tools that pose a risk of harm to marginalized groups.
The discovery of disparities in fraud risk assessment by automated systems may lead to increased scrutiny of the government’s use of AI, emphasizing the need for greater transparency.
The UK public sector employs a significant number of automated tools, with only a fraction being officially registered.
The lack of transparency in the use of AI systems by government departments has raised concerns about potential misuse and manipulation by malicious actors.
The DWP has stated that their AI tools do not replace human judgment and that caseworkers evaluate all available information when making decisions related to benefits fraud.
WEllen Kafamtengo felt a sharp pain in her lower abdomen and thought she might be going into labor. It was the ninth month of her first pregnancy, but she wasn’t taking any chances. With the help of her mother, the 18-year-old took a motorbike taxi and raced to a hospital in Malawi’s capital Lilongwe, a 20-minute drive away.
At Area 25 Health Center, she was told it was a false alarm and taken to the maternity ward. But when a routine ultrasound reveals that the baby is much smaller than expected at this stage of pregnancy, things quickly escalate, leading to suffocation, a condition that limits blood flow and oxygen to the baby may cause.
In Malawi, approx. 19 out of 1,000 babies Death occurs during childbirth or within the first month of birth. Childbirth asphyxia is the leading cause of neonatal death in this country and can result in brain damage to newborns with long-term effects such as developmental delays and cerebral palsy.
Doctors reclassified Ms Kafamtengo, who was expected to have a normal delivery, as a high-risk patient. Further tests using AI-powered fetal monitoring software revealed that the baby’s heart rate was slow. Stress tests revealed that the baby would not survive delivery.
Chikondi Chiweza, head of maternal and child care at Area 25 Health Center in Lilongwe, said: Photo: Provided by Halma plc
Chikondi Chiweza, the hospital’s head of maternal and child care, knew she had less than 30 minutes to deliver Kafamtengo’s baby by caesarean section. Having delivered thousands of babies in some of the city’s busiest public hospitals, she was well aware of how quickly a baby’s chances of survival can change during delivery.
Chiweza, who gave birth to Kafamtengo’s baby healthy, says the fetal monitoring program has made a huge difference to hospital births.
“[In Kaphamtengo’s case]we wouldn’t have realized what we did until later or as a stillborn baby,” she says.
Software donated by a birth safety technology company Perigen Through a partnership with the Malawi Ministry of Health, Texas Children’s Hospitaltracks your baby’s vital signs during delivery, giving clinicians early warning of abnormalities.
Since it began using the system three years ago, the number of stillbirths and neonatal deaths at the center has fallen by 82%. It is the only hospital in the country that has introduced this technology.
“The period around birth is the most dangerous for mothers and babies,” says Jeffrey Wilkinson, an obstetrician at Texas Children’s Hospital who leads the program. “Most deaths can be prevented by ensuring the baby’s safety during the birth process.”
AI monitoring systems require less time, equipment, and skilled staff than traditional fetal monitoring methods, making them essential for hospitals in low-income countries such as Malawi, which face severe health worker shortages. Routine fetal monitoring often relies on a doctor performing routine tests. This means that while the AI-assisted program provides continuous, real-time monitoring, important information may be missed during the interval. Traditional tests also require doctors to interpret raw data from various devices, which can be time-consuming and error-prone.
Area 25’s maternity ward handles approximately 8,000 births annually with a staff of 80 physicians. While only about 10% are trained to perform traditional electronic monitoring, most can detect abnormalities using AI software, helping doctors recognize higher-risk or more complicated births. Masu. Hospital staff also say that the use of AI has standardized key aspects of obstetric care in the clinic, such as interpreting fetal health status and deciding when to intervene.
Kafamutengo, who is excited to become a new mother, believes that doctors’ intervention may have saved her baby’s life. “They realized early enough that my baby was suffering and were able to take action,” she said as she held her son, Justice.
Doctors at the hospital hope the technology will be introduced to other hospitals in Malawi and across Africa.
“AI technology is being used in many fields, and saving the lives of babies is no exception,” Chiweza said. “We can really close the gap in the quality of care available to underserved populations.”
Over the past weekend, the internet was buzzing with the name of David Mayer, sparking intrigue and speculation online.
David Mayer gained temporary fame on social media when ChatGPT, a popular chatbot, seemed reluctant to acknowledge his name.
Despite numerous attempts from chatbot enthusiasts, ChatGPT consistently failed to produce the words “David Mayer” in its responses. This led to theories that Mayer himself may have requested the omission of his name from ChatGPT’s output.
OpenAI, the developer behind ChatGPT, clarified that the issue was a software glitch. An OpenAI spokesperson mentioned, “One of our tools mistakenly flagged the name, preventing it from appearing in responses. We are working on a fix.”
While some speculated that David Mayer de Rothschild could be involved, he denied any connection to the incident, dismissing it as a conspiracy theory surrounding his family’s name.
The glitch was not related to the late Professor David Mayer, who was mistakenly linked to a Chechen militant. It is speculated that the glitch may have been influenced by the GDPR privacy regulations in the UK and EU.
OpenAI has since resolved the “David Mayer” issue, but other names mentioned on social media still trigger error responses on ChatGPT.
Helena Brown, a data protection expert, highlighted the implications of the “right to be forgotten” in AI tools. While removing a name may be feasible, erasing all traces of an individual’s data could pose challenges due to the extensive data collection and complexity of AI models.
Given the vast amount of personal data used to train AI models, achieving complete data erasure for individual privacy may prove challenging, as data is sourced from various public platforms.
Meta has disclosed that it intervened this year to stop around 20 covert influence operations globally. However, the company mentioned that concerns regarding AI-based election distortions may not be realized until 2024.
Nick Clegg, the president of international affairs at Meta, which oversees Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, stated that Russia continues to be the main source of hostile online activity. He expressed surprise that AI has not been utilized to deceive voters during recent busy election periods globally.
The former British deputy prime minister mentioned that Meta, with over 3 billion users, utilized AI tools to create images of political figures like Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, J.D. Vance, and Joe Biden last month. Over 500,000 requests for such images had to be removed before the American election day.
Security experts at the company have been dealing with new operations using fake accounts to manipulate public debate toward strategic goals every three weeks. These operations include Russian networks targeting countries like Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.
Another operation based in Russia uses AI to create fake news sites resembling well-known brands to weaken support for Ukraine and promote Russia’s role in Africa while criticizing African countries and France.
Mr. Clegg highlighted that Russia remains the most frequent source of covert influence operations disrupted, followed by Iran and China. He noted that the impact of AI-generated deceptive content from disinformation campaigns appears to be limited so far.
While the impact of AI manipulation on video, audio, and photos has been modest, Mr. Clegg warned that these tools are likely to become more pervasive in the future, potentially changing the landscape of online content.
In a recent evaluation, the Center for Emerging Technology and Security suggested that AI-generated deceptive content influenced the US election discourse, but evidence of its impact on the election outcome is lacking. The report warns that AI-based threats could negatively affect democratic systems by 2024.
Sam Stockwell, a researcher at the Alan Turing Institute, highlighted how AI tools may have shaped election discourse and spread harmful content subtly, such as misleading claims and rumors that gained traction during recent elections.
HHello. Welcome to TechScape. Happy belated Thanksgiving to all my American readers. I hope you all enjoy a fun holiday party this weekend. I’m looking forward to baking gritty bunts for the Feast of St. Nicholas. This week in tech: Australia causes panic, Bluesky raises the issue of custom feeds, and we cover the online things that brought me joy over the holidays.
Australia on Thursday passed a law banning children under 16 from using social networks.
My colleague Helen Sullivan reports from Sydney: The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) would prohibit social media platforms from allowing users under the age of 16 to access their services, with penalties of up to A$50 million (A$3,200) for failure to comply. He is threatening to impose a fine of US$ 1,000,000. However, it does not contain any details about how it will work, only that companies are expected to take reasonable steps to ensure that users are over 16 years of age. Further details will be available by the time the Age Assurance Technology trials are completed in mid-2025. The bill will not take effect for another 12 months.
The bill also does not specify which companies would be subject to the ban, but Communications Minister Michel Rolland has said that Snapchat, TikTok, X, Instagram, Reddit, and Facebook are likely to be subject to the ban. YouTube is not included because it is for “important” educational purposes, she said.
The new law was drafted in response to Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese saying there was “a clear causal link between the rise of social media and the harm it causes to Australian youth mental health.”
TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, and X are angry. Following the bill’s passage, Mehta said the process was “fast-tracked” and that it would take a long time to hear from young people, the steps the tech industry has already taken to protect them, and existing research on the impact of their social media use. He said he did not consider the evidence.
Australian children are not a significant user base for these companies. According to UNICEF, in 2023, there were 5.7 million people under the age of 18 living in Australia. Facebook reported 3 billion monthly users in 2023. May 2023. There are approximately 370 million Facebook users in India. Even if all Australian children were to leave social media, which is unlikely, the number of users would not decline significantly.
If countries around the world turn their young people away from social media, social media companies will face an uncertain future.
Of concern to tech companies is the precedent set by the new law. Tech companies also fiercely opposed measures in both Australia and Canada that would require them to pay for news content. The issue was not the amount requested, but what happened next. If countries around the world required people to pay for news, the financial burden it would place on Facebook and others would be enormous, as would the responsibility of determining what is news. As countries around the world turn their young people away from social media, social media companies will face an uncertain future. The pipeline of incoming users will dry up.
What tech companies want in Australia is a measure that would require parental consent, but this would be a more vague standard and one that would divide responsibility between companies and users. Mehta and others opposed a 2023 law passed in France requiring parents to approve accounts for children under 15 with far less vigor than Australia’s new law. However, in an ominous sign for Australia’s measures, local French media reports that technical challenges mean the under-15 rule has not yet been implemented. Also, does the parental consent feature work? Data from several European countries shows that it doesn’t. Nick Clegg from Meta said the company’s data shows that parents are not using parental control measures on social networks.
Australian law shows that this is indeed possible in any country. We have seen the laws of one country tilt the global governance of social networks before. In the United States, a law governing children’s privacy passed in 2000 imposed a minimum age of 13 for social media users. Social network privacy policy.
Click here for a comparison of Australia’s social media ban laws with those of other countries.
Britain is being warned by its cybersecurity chief about the seriousness of online threats from hostile states and criminal organizations. Richard Horne, director of the GCHQ National Cyber Security Center, highlighted a threefold increase in “serious” incidents due to Russia’s “aggression and recklessness” and China’s “highly sophisticated” digital operations.
In his recent speech, Mr. Horne emphasized the growing hostile activity in UK cyberspace, driven by adversaries aiming to cause disruption and destruction. He mentioned Russia’s aggressiveness and recklessness and China’s continued sophistication as cyber attackers.
Despite the increasing risks, Horne expressed concern that the severity of the threats facing the UK has been underestimated. This serves as a wake-up call for businesses and public sector organizations.
The NCSC reported a significant increase in serious cyber incidents over the past year, with 430 incidents requiring assistance compared to 371 in the previous year. Horne stressed the need to enhance protection and resilience against cyber threats across critical infrastructure, supply chains, and the economy.
The NCSC’s investigation does not differentiate between nation-state attacks and criminal incidents, but ransomware attacks remain a significant concern in the UK. Recent incidents targeting high-profile organizations like the British Library and Synnovis highlight the reliance on technology and the potential human cost of cyberattacks.
With various cyber threats emanating from Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, the NCSC is urging organizations to ramp up their cybersecurity measures and stay vigilant. The warning signals the need for a collective effort to safeguard against cyber dangers.
Alan Woodward, a cybersecurity expert, reiterated the importance of staying alert to cyber threats. The government’s warning serves as a reminder for both public and private sectors to prioritize cybersecurity measures.
The United States announced new export restrictions targeting China’s advanced semiconductor manufacturing capabilities, drawing immediate criticism from the Chinese government.
The U.S. government is expanding efforts to curb exports to China of cutting-edge chips that can be used in advanced weapons systems and artificial intelligence.
Monday’s announcement comes weeks before Donald Trump returns as president, where he is expected to strengthen Washington’s hawkish stance on China. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said Monday that President Joe Biden’s term has been particularly challenging in “strategically addressing China’s military modernization through export controls.”
Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said: “The United States has taken significant steps to ensure that our technology is not used by adversaries in ways that threaten our national security.” . The U.S. government continues to work with allies and partners to “actively and aggressively protect our world-leading technology and know-how from being used to undermine our national security.”
The Chinese government pledged on Monday to protect its interests, with a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce saying the United States was “abusing export control measures” and “impeding normal economic and trade exchanges.”
The latest U.S. rules include restrictions on sales to 140 companies, including Chinese semiconductor companies Pyotek and SiCarrier, without additional permits. The Commerce Department said they also affect Nowra Technology Group, which makes chip manufacturing equipment. Others include entities in Japan, South Korea and Singapore.
The new U.S. rules also include regulations for 20 types of chip manufacturing equipment and three types of software tools for semiconductor development or production. “We are in constant dialogue with our allies and partners to reevaluate and update our controls,” said Alan Estevez, Undersecretary of Commerce for Industry and Security.
Netherlands-based computer chip equipment maker ASML, the only manufacturer of cutting-edge chip-making machinery, said it does not expect new U.S. regulations to impact its latest financial metrics. Ta.
ASML said the latest U.S. regulations, if implemented by the Dutch government, will impact exports of deep ultraviolet lithography (DUV) systems to some chip manufacturing plants in China. ASML is the only manufacturer of extreme ultraviolet lithography equipment (EUV) that produces cutting-edge chips. The company already cannot sell EUV equipment to China because of existing government restrictions on the use of US technology.
Separately, the Dutch government said on Monday that it shares the United States’ security concerns regarding exports of advanced semiconductor manufacturing tools and is considering the latest U.S. rules.
The US Department of Commerce said the new regulations are aimed at slowing China’s development of advanced AI that could “change the future of warfare” and undermining the development of China’s own semiconductor ecosystem.
The agency said this was in line with Washington’s “small garden, high fence” policy of strategic restrictions, an approach that Chinese President Xi Jinping criticized last month.
Since the launch of ChatGPT raised global awareness of the power of AI, calls for further shutdowns of the semiconductor supply chain have been growing.
Thibault Denamiel, a fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told AFP that the move confirms “the trajectory of U.S. policy rather than a significant increase in regulatory efforts.”
“The additions become less important in light of the incoming Trump administration’s proposals,” he added, noting that the president-elect has vowed drastic action to trivialize these latest restrictions on chip technology.
IIf you were an avid video game fan in the summer of 1994, you probably remember where you were when the August issue of Edge magazine went on sale. By that time, Sony had already announced its intention to develop a PlayStation console (in October of the previous year). But it was the cover of the world’s most advanced gaming publication that really opened up this machine’s potential. Edge not only listed the specs in full, but also attached glowing endorsements from Capcom, Namco, and Konami. One developer breathlessly told the magazine: “This will revolutionize the way computers work today.” Suddenly, the entire structure of the console gaming business was under threat. All I needed was a boost.
Sony’s entry into the video game industry has become the stuff of legend (and will probably be fodder for a regular Netflix movie one day). In the late 1980s, the company was keen to gain a foothold in an increasingly lucrative business after the failure of its MSX gaming computers. So when the opportunity arose to build a CD-ROM drive for the soon-to-be-released supercomputer, Nintendo (SNES) console, Sony jumped at it. But behind the scenes, Sony’s engineering genius Ken Kutaragi was also designing a standalone system. playstationit can play not only SNES games, but also the new CD format controlled by Sony itself.
Nintendo felt a threat to its supremacy. As a result, when Sony announced the PlayStation at the big Consumer Electronics Show in Chicago in 1991, Nintendo actually canceled the deal and instead partnered with Philips to create a SNES-based CD add-on. It was immediately announced that it would be produced. Sonny was shocked and humiliated. Jilt Bride in the Cathedral of the Tech Industry. Various theories have been proposed about Nintendo’s motives, but the most obvious was that it was a highly protective company wresting control back from an ambitious consumer electronics rival. Whatever actually happened, the PlayStation was over. Or was it?
Some of PlayStation’s first games. Photo: Lou Benoist/AFP/Getty Images
No, no. It wasn’t. Instead, an enraged Sony scrapped the Nintendo-based technology, and Kutaragi began work on a new console codenamed PS-X. This game console is designed around a powerful 32-bit Risc processor and includes a co-processor named Geometry Transformation Engine. Fast and detailed real-time 3D visual mathematics. At this stage in the early 1990s, the company made two important decisions. One was a development deal with arcade legend Namco to create new PS-X exclusive titles. The other was to send engineers on a worldwide developer tour to recruit developers. Support your console with exciting 3D graphics demos. Sony successfully capitalized on widespread dissatisfaction with Sega and Nintendo, which had bound publishers to restrictive and complex licensing agreements for years, while also captivating programmers and artists with its thrilling technology. By early 1994, 250 companies had signed up to create games for the machine, beating out the meager support gained by rival multimedia consoles such as the Philips CDi and 3DO. I could feel the momentum building.
When the PlayStation launched in Japan in December 1994, it launched Sega’s long-awaited 32-bit CD-ROM machine, ostensibly a similar 32-bit CD-ROM machine that supported the company’s biggest arcade titles, Daytona USA and Virtua Fighter. I played against Saturn. At first, Sony seemed to balk, and the launch of this machine didn’t draw the same chaotic lines that greeted the Saturn a few weeks earlier. But as the US and European release dates approached, both the hype and the software library grew. Titles like 3D fighting game Toh Shin Den, platformer Jumping Flash!, and racer Motor Toon GP exploit the visual potential of machines with rich, detailed 3D environments and smooth vehicle and character animation. I showed off. By the end of that year, Wipeout and Tekken had joined that list. These beautiful and thrilling games pack attitude and perfectly embody Sony’s philosophy that if it’s not real-time, it’s not a game.
Starting in 1996, Sony began seriously promoting the PlayStation as a lifestyle accessory rather than just a children’s toy. Geoff Glendening, head of marketing at Sony London, famously introduced the console to nightclubs and music festivals. Advertising giant TBWA was hired to develop a fresh image of the machine as cool and desirable, culminating in an award-winning production in 1999. double life commercial. But more importantly, the console’s friendly development environment and Sony’s excellent support for third-party studios ushered in an era of enthusiastic experimentation.
Now, when we look back at titles like Resident Evil, Tomb Raider, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, and Driver, we see open, explorable worlds, genre-defying design, and cinematic storytelling. Discover the origins of modern 3D game design. We’ve seen Namco ease its role as a semi-first-party creator and push the Ridge Racer and Tekken franchises to new heights both technically and design-wise. We’ve seen Japanese publishers break away from restrictive relationships with Nintendo and Sega and bring out gorgeous blockbusters like Final Fantasy VII and Metal Gear Solid.
But importantly, PlayStation also brought with it an undercurrent of whimsy and playfulness. From PaRappa the Rapper to BibliBong to LSD: Dream Emulator, music and imagery were explored, sometimes to disconcerting effect. And while people in their 20s loved Tony Hawk and Tekken, kids weren’t left behind. This era was also the era of beloved comic book platformers like Jumping Flash, Spyro, Croc, and Crash Bandicoot. When Nintendo finally released the N64 in 1996, it found that PlayStation had already captured the majority of its potential users. Another layer of Sony’s long revenge.
Something for kids… Crash Bandicoot. Photo: Universal Interactive
The original PlayStation went on to sell 100 million units over its 10-year lifespan. This broke the monopoly enjoyed by Sega and Nintendo and cemented a series of huge game franchises that still thrive today. At launch, there was uncertainty about the CD-ROM format, which provides slower access to data than cartridges, but Sony leveraged its music and film technology expertise to overcome obstacles and establish the format as the future. I did. Its industrial design was stunning, a sleek gray machine that fit next to my TV and video recorder in my living room. An innovative joypad. Those cute little memory cards. Start-up animation with music swells. The TV advert made me want it, and the launch price (£299 compared to the Saturn’s £399) made it more accessible.
However, looking back at the feature in Edge magazine that was published a few months before the game’s release in Japan, and which has since been followed by many similar reviews in the gaming press, it feels like something important is already happening. I did. Quotes, specs, and screenshots of demos seem to pop off the page. Even if PlayStation’s success wasn’t inevitable at that point, in the notoriously unpredictable video game business, it was as close as it gets.
JAguar finally revealed its highly anticipated Type 00 electric car at its Miami Art Week launch event. The marketing campaign teaser video released on social media two weeks ago generated mixed opinions. Here, industry experts share their thoughts on the car, its launch, and marketing.
Jeff Dodds
Former Honda Marketing Manager, currentChief Executive of Formula E, where Jaguar competes
I recently owned a Jaguar iPace. It’s a nice car, but it didn’t bring a smile to my face. That’s what I look for in a car. Jag knows this too.
If Jaguar’s goal was to grab attention at the launch, they definitely achieved it. There was a lot of anticipation leading up to the release, and some guests were eager to see the beastly monster unveiled. It wasn’t terrible, but it was quite unique. It’s larger, bolder, and more disruptive than I expected. It will definitely turn heads. Not everyone will love it, but that’s a good thing. Inspector Morse may not go for it, but his grandson might if he just started a cybersecurity startup.
The event itself was completely different, industrial, and edgy. British grime MC and rapper Skepta may not be the typical Jaguar brand ambassador, but there he was, performing a DJ set surrounded by influencers and cultural tastemakers in downtown Miami. That’s a significant departure from the past. Maybe too much deviation? Possibly. Jaguar has quickly become a brand of conversation in the past tense, so I commend them. I believe you’ll find joy in riding the Type 0.
Ginny Buckley
Founder of UK EV buying website Electrifying.com
In Jaguar’s 90-year history, no event has created more global buzz than a controversial rebrand. Now that the dramatic Type 00 cover has been unveiled, the new logo and flashy advertising may fade from memory.
I first saw this car at a briefing session at Jaguar Land Rover’s Midland Design Studio. In my over 25 years as a motoring journalist, no car has impressed me as much as this £100,000+ all-electric GT.
Mr Buckley says the new Jaguar Type 00 concept car is “much bigger, bolder and more disruptive than we ever imagined”. Photo: Electricifying.com
Yes, it’s pink. Very pink. Presented in Miami Pink and London Blue, the car’s colors reflect the city it was revealed in and Jaguar’s British heritage.
The color is inevitably a point of focus for many critics. According to Jaguar’s design team, this color is “production ready” and could stir things up among traditional Jaguar fans if it becomes part of the final color palette.
Beyond the color, the Type 00’s design is striking with a long hood, massive grille, and front-hinged butterfly doors. Jaguar has also eliminated the rear window.
I find the Type 0 to be fresh and bold. My 15-year-old son described it as “the best,” and I take that as a compliment.
Buckley said the Miami pink color “could cause a stir among traditional Jaguar fans.” Photo: Jason Koerner/Getty Images for Jaguar
“It’s going to challenge people and be polarizing,” said Jerry McGovern, Jaguar’s Chief Creative Officer. And it will. If their aim was to spark discourse, they have succeeded.
The question now is whether Jaguar can evolve the brand rapidly enough to attract the new generation of young, affluent buyers they hope will purchase the car.
Manfredi Ricca
Global Chief Strategy Officer at brand consulting firm Interbrand. He has collaborated with Bugatti and was instrumental in the relaunch of Mini and BMW.
Flashback to two weeks ago. Jaguars weren’t particularly interesting to many. Then, a 30-second video was released. Millions of heads turned instantly. In just 24 hours, Jaguar became a global talking point without unveiling any products.
Consequently, anticipation for the new lineup, with leaks surfacing on the eve of the release, has reached the intensity and reach of a World Cup final.
Campaigns designed for brand activation don’t get much better than this. Many overlook the fact that Jaguar Land Rover wasn’t attempting to evolve a successful brand; instead, it was reinventing a struggling one.
The reality today is that there are more people who appreciate Jaguar’s history than those who actually desire a Jaguar car.
Museums can subsist solely on the past, but commercial entities can’t. Companies must transform their legacy into something that attracts enough customers willing to pay a premium.
Ricca says the Jaguar Type 00 will “tempt” potential customers. Photo: Jason Koerner/Getty Images for Jaguar
Once a trailblazing manufacturer of some of the world’s most innovative cars, Jaguar is once again adored by a few rather than ignored by many.
The concept introduced in Miami will captivate those few, but the true test lies in turning them into enthusiasts in 2025 when the car hits the market, and customers in 2026.
Richard Exon
Co-founder of advertising agency Joint, previously collaborated with Audi and Range Rover.
Jaguar deserves praise for its ambitious rebranding efforts. Making a clean break from the past is the best approach. The company aims to attract an entirely new customer base with its latest car range, and a more modern, inclusive, and daring brand strategy could prove successful.
However, good intentions aren’t enough when the execution is as lackluster as Jaguar’s pre-launch promotional video content.
Exxon said Jaguar’s rebranding video was “derivative and disappointing.” Photo: Jaguar/PA
Fortunately, the concept car images feature a bold new aesthetic that demands a fresh evaluation.
The critical next step is how well the innovative design of the concept translates into the final manufactured product available for purchase.
Jaguar’s troubled car brands seldom get second chances, so let’s hope Jaguar rises to the occasion, rebounds from the video mishap, and dares to be as unique as it aspires to be.
When it comes to buying something you love, planning ahead is key. Take the time to carefully consider and prepare before making a purchase, especially when buying something second-hand. Monica Marriott Mills, a TikTok user who shares insights on vintage clothing styles, suggests starting by creating a detailed list for each person you need to buy gifts for.
“I create a profile for each person, noting their preferences, favorite colors, and any items they have mentioned wanting, like a photo frame for their wedding anniversary,” she explains. “By jotting down this information on your phone, you can stay focused while shopping at thrift stores or antique shops.”
Marriott Mills, like many others her age, buys 50% of her Christmas presents second-hand. According to a report from the resale app Vinted, more than half of people under 45 buy used items at least once a month, compared to 43% of all consumers.
If you’re short on time, online second-hand marketplaces like eBay, Vinted, and Vestiaire Collective are convenient options to explore. You can browse and shop from the comfort of your own home.
Shopping for second-hand items can potentially allow you to purchase gifts that may have been out of reach if bought new. For example, a beginner in sewing might appreciate a sewing machine. While John Lewis sewing machines start from £135 when new, you can find similar working models on eBay starting at just £10 through bidding or £45.99 for an instant purchase, complete with a box.
Please Wake Up Early
Shoppers at the Red Brick Market in Liverpool, England. Keep an eye out for bargains in charity shops and markets. Photo: Chris Hellier/Alamy
If you know someone is selling household items or electronics, consider checking charity shops, flea markets, antique stores, car boot sales, and online marketplaces for hidden gems.
Marriott Mills suggests researching the delivery schedules of used furniture stores as a strategy to score great deals. “The second-hand furniture store from British Heart Foundation in my area opens on Tuesdays, so I try to visit on that day,” she shares.
“Being one of the first shoppers can be advantageous, but consider going early on Saturdays or during your lunch break.” If you can’t shop in person, many of these stores have online platforms as well.
Also Look for Children’s Gifts
eBay, Vinted, and Facebook Marketplace are excellent sources for finding gently used toys that make perfect gifts for children. Some items are even new and still in their packaging.
For example, LOL dolls typically cost around £25 each when new, but you can find bundles of dolls in good condition on eBay for as low as £4. If you’re looking for larger items like playhouses or kitchens, check out Facebook Marketplace where prices range from £10 for brand new items that normally cost between £60 and £200.
However, be mindful of the seller’s location when purchasing larger items, as they may only be available for local pickup. Shipping costs could offset any savings you make.
Designer Goods Search Filter
“You’ll find a plethora of designer items on Vinted and Depop,” Marriott Mills suggests. “Sometimes, it’s hard to tell if a gift is brand new or gently used.”
You can refine your search by specifying “New with Tags” in the search bar to find brand new items. For instance, Ralph Lauren beanies typically cost between £80 and £110 when new, but you can snag one in like-new condition on Vinted for as low as £25.
Check for Safety
When purchasing a used toy, it’s important to check for loose parts or signs of damage. Photo: PhotoAlto/Alamy
For electronics and lighting products, try to test them out before purchasing to ensure they are safe and functional. Luke Osborne, Deputy Technical Director at Electrical Safety First, recommends performing checks like verifying the presence of a genuine safety certification label on the product.
“Also, check if the product comes with a 3-pin UK plug containing a fuse. Foreign plugs and adapters may not offer the same level of protection as a 3-pin plug,” he adds.
When buying a used toy, inspect for loose or damaged parts, wear and tear, and signs of damage. While many charity shops sell battery-operated and electric toys, they may not always be tested for safety. Watch out for obvious signs of damage, such as battery leakage, that could pose a safety hazard. If you’re satisfied with the item, check the return policy before making a purchase and test it out once you get home. Keep your receipt handy, as returns are typically allowed within 28 days.
Shopping online from platforms like Vinted or eBay requires sellers to disclose the working condition of the toy. If the item arrives and doesn’t function as described, buyers are usually protected by a warranty that offers a refund.
Parents can refer to a used toy buying guide to ensure the safety of toys, as some older toys may contain traces of harmful chemicals like chromium, selenium, and lead. Look out for recalled toys, which can often be identified through a quick online search. Safety and quality marks like the Lion Mark and CE Mark indicate compliance with safety standards.
It’s crucial to sanitize toys before gifting them. Soft toys can be washed in the washing machine, while plastic and wooden toys can be cleaned with soap and water.
Beware of Scams
Shopping online comes with risks of potential scams, but there are precautions you can take to avoid falling victim. “Before making a purchase, always check reviews,” recommends Marriott Mills. Be cautious if a seller has few reviews or if the reviews are negative. Positive reviews can provide assurance of a legitimate transaction. For designer items, consider using authentication websites like Legit Grail.
Look out for sellers who include the original receipt with the item, as this can help verify authenticity. Familiarize yourself with hallmarks and engravings to authenticate jewelry or tableware. “I gave my mom a silver bracelet stamped with 925. I knew it was genuine,” says Marriott Mills. “Don’t hesitate to double-check. You can even Google it right there in the store or at an antique shop.” Depop, eBay, and Vinted offer buyer protection guarantees, ensuring a refund if the item significantly differs from the description.
Present Them Well
Cardboard gift boxes make any gift look great. Photo: Purestock/Alamy
While many second-hand gifts may not come in their original packaging, you can present them beautifully with some extra care and thoughtful wrapping. Cardboard gift boxes are a versatile option to elevate the presentation of your gifts. Additionally, consider repurposing items you have at home, such as a shoebox for a makeshift basket or an old perfume box for stocking stuffers.
TThe Swedish government’s survival checklist for war would have seemed strange a few decades ago: a sleeping bag, spare battery, one week’s worth of cash, and preserved foods like rice and cereals.
While not explicitly named, Russia looms in the background, evoking memories of the Cold War. The pamphlet “In Case of Crisis or War” has been updated to address the current threat.
The guide now considers the possibility of an “armed attack against Sweden” along with “cyber attacks” and “disinformation campaigns.”
In addition to the traditional threats of nuclear conflict and armed invasion, Europe now faces the 21st-century enemy of cyberwar.
Richard Horne, from the National Cyber Security Center, warns of underestimated risks from countries like Russia and China.
Recent incidents have shown an increase in serious cyber attacks, prompting British ministers to highlight the potential impact of Russia’s cyber operations.
Various European countries, including Sweden, Norway, and Finland, are advising citizens to prepare for power outages caused by cyber attacks.
Experts stress the seriousness of Russia’s cyber threat and the need for organizations to plan for cyberattacks on key infrastructure.
Recent evidence points to Russian cyber interference in UK institutions, prompting calls for preparedness against cyber threats.
Amid rising cyber tensions, countries are emphasizing the importance of stockpiling essentials and strengthening cybersecurity measures.
As governments ramp up cybersecurity efforts, individuals are advised to use strong passwords and verify information sources.
The UK government recommends emergency preparedness and offers guidance on dealing with potential cyber threats.
Experts emphasize the resilience of Baltic and Scandinavian countries in the face of potential cyber and armed conflicts.
As the world faces various threats, the importance of preparedness, including stockpiling essential supplies, is underscored.
I I'm at a stage in my life where my options are limited when it comes to the job I dreamed of as a child. I'm too old to play football for Scotland, and I have no intention of owning a brewery or becoming an astronaut. (In hindsight, it was a bit ambitious to aspire to a job that combined all three.) Also, in this economy, many people are willing to take a job without knowing if the new job will work out. It is dangerous to abandon it. Luckily, video games allow you to try it out before you take the plunge. Besides, you're never too old to be a gangster, right? That's why I started playing Mafia: Definitive Edition.
I played a little bit of the original version from 70 billion years ago. But it didn't last long. Because there were driving sections that were as unintuitive and poorly controlled as the buggy on Mars.
For me, the dream of becoming a gangster was less about murder and extortion, and more about the social aspect of just hanging out with guys and yelling abuse. This is more than fully expressed in this game. Guys tell me “always soft when it comes to broads” as soon as I start taking an interest in the bar owner's daughter. Hey, does that Jabroni really have my number!
The story of the main character Tommy is how I imagine his path into the mafia. I was born on the east coast of Scotland of Polish descent, so I couldn't trace my family back to Sicily and had no blood ties to any of my five families. Like Tommy, I started out as a taxi driver, and one night I picked up some injured people from a rival gang and did a job of such high quality that I was invited to do more work for them. I imagined it would be. This is the mob equivalent of a 5-star review on Uber.
It's not Goodfellas or The Godfather, but it's solid… Mafia: Definitive Edition. Photo: Hangar 13
With the updated version, you don't actually have to do much driving. You can skip between destinations with the press of a button, but this means you'll miss out on the chat throughout the journey that helps explain the story in more detail. And that's a good story. It's not Goodfellas or The Godfather, but I thought it was solid and the voice actors did a pretty good job.
The script is full of clichés, but they remind me of the mafia movies I grew up loving, so they put me at ease. Politicians are always “taking action.” Gangs always want to “legalize” eventually. It's not about saving lives, it's about saving “donkeys.” you don't thing“Do what needs to be done.'' You are not brave, you have a “real set of balls”. That's not all Any It's a set of balls, but it's a set that frequently requires commentary and praise. My boss, Don Salieri, kept saying to his co-workers, “Look at this kid's set of balls.” Isn't it strange that the mafia doesn't have a human resources department? After one meeting, everyone leaves the room, leaving not one but two cigars burning in the ashtray. Therefore, I don't think much about safety and health in this workplace either.
Some things are a little silly. My character is still called “The Kid” even though he's 30 years old. Maybe they're bootlegging an elixir of life with bourbon. To get the weapon, you have to go see a man named Vincenzo. I am often told that he has just what I need. Most often it will be a baseball bat. I could have bought it at Toys R Us.
However, I find this game very comfortable to play in a predictable and undemanding way. Most of the time it's like settling down with a cozy crime thriller or potato-based soup, but there are some very difficult levels. Completely unforgiving races, bike chases with no room for error, and a level where you have to shoot down a plane, not only did you have to dial down the difficulty to make it easier, but you turned down the controller sensitivity so much that the sights It moved like an ocean tanker. (Thanks to Reddit for the last tip. Also, thanks for the comments from other people who suffered at that level. It was like a video game PTSD group.)
But as I feel comfortable in this nice mafia job with prohibitions and big money, one character gets bored and tired of this life. “I get rusty because we sit there and crush balls for six months. Then I'm fighting to stay awake while Don tells me stories.” he says.
I think mafia, like any other job, gets boring after a while.
Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger has resigned, leading to David Zinsner and Michelle Johnston Holthaus being named interim co-CEOs. Despite an increased demand for semiconductor chips and improved profitability, Intel has struggled to keep up with its competitors.
Mr. Gelsinger, with a career spanning over 40 years, also stepped down from the board of directors. He joined Intel in 1979, serving as the first chief technology officer, and returned as CEO in 2021. Intel announced plans on Monday to search for a new CEO.
Recently, it was revealed that the Biden administration intends to reduce some of Intel’s $8.5 billion federal funding for computer chip factories nationwide. Sources familiar with the situation disclosed this information anonymously.
The reduction is partly due to the $3 billion Intel receives for supplying computer chips to the military. In March, Joe Biden announced a deal to provide Intel with up to $8.5 billion in direct funding and $11 billion in loans.
The changes in Intel’s funding are not linked to its financial performance or milestones, according to sources familiar with the grant. In August, the company announced a workforce reduction of 15%, affecting around 15,000 employees, as part of its efforts to enhance competitiveness against leading competitors like Nvidia and AMD. Unlike some rivals, Intel both designs and manufactures chips.
Mr. Zinsner is Intel’s executive vice president and CFO, while Mr. Holthaus has been assigned the new CEO position overseeing Intel Products, including the Client Computing Group, Data Center and AI Group, and Network and Edge Group.
Frank Yeary, the independent chairman of Intel’s board of directors, will serve as interim executive chairman.
“Pat’s tenure at Intel began crucially and his return in 2021 came at a pivotal time for the company,” Yeary stated. “As a leader, Pat has driven innovation throughout the company, particularly in cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturing.”
WWhen contemporary Chinese artist Cao Fei was negotiating a solo show at Nara Badu, the contemporary art department of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, she said it would be a traditional “white rectangular box illuminated.” He firmly insisted that there would be no such attempt.
The Guangzhou-born artist has strong ties to Sydney (the vast Chinese port city’s sister city) and wanted to capture the sass and hustle and bustle of bustling malls and markets in her show.
As a result, in “Cao Fei: My City is Yours”, gallery walls are abandoned for scaffolding, and music and sound effects from her various installations, including theaters, restaurants, and factories, play into each other. They blend together and compete for the viewer’s charm. Note.
Cao Fei’s My City is Yours includes key works from her 20-year career. Photo: Diana Panuccio
“This is not a criticism of European countries.” [style]But usually I watch a lot of video shows. [installed] Inside the white cube…you’ll see the curator turn down the volume. Quieter or cleaner,” Mr Cao told Guardian Australia.
“But I want my exhibition to reflect my personality and experience. There is always a lot of construction, demolition and reconstruction going on in my city. This is my material.”
‘My City is Yours’ is the Beijing-based artist’s first major solo exhibition in Australia, featuring major works from his 20-year career including film, photography, metaverse experiments and large-scale interactive installations at AGNSW and Sydney It is on display at the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Much of Cao’s career has been spent investigating the incredible technological and social transformations that have taken place in China over the past quarter century. She has held solo exhibitions in Beijing, London, Paris, and New York, and last year was in the world’s top 10. ArtReview’s Power 100 listwhere she was described as “a key figure in envisioning our metaverse-colored future.”
“Konatsu Foyer” is a reproduction of the foyer of the currently demolished Hong Summer Theater, which was used by artists as a studio space for six years before it was demolished. Photo: Cao Fei
This push for electric cars isn’t about a culture war. It’s a simple choice. Can we prepare British industry to take advantage of the changes that are coming? Or will we leave it alone to let our competitors run laps until we decide whether to change our tires? Or?
The previous government, including the current opposition leader, may have been content to play politics with people’s jobs at stake by delaying the end of sales of new gasoline and diesel cars. But this government is not like that.
Prior to that, we were on track to meet the 2030 deadline and the electric vehicle mandate had wide support from industry. More than two-thirds of UK car manufacturers had already committed to a full transition to electric cars by 2030, and investment was starting to pour into building electric cars here at home.
However, the decision to delay the transition has resulted in significant costs for companies that were already gearing up to meet the 2030 deadline, dealing a major blow to our credibility and putting investment, jobs, and growth at risk.
This Government has clearly recognized the fact that if we want the car industry to survive in the UK, we need to provide certainty and confidence to investors, not change our targets.
Having grown up in Sunderland, home to the Nissan factory, I know first-hand how important the car industry is to local communities in delivering growth, jobs, and wealth creation. The UK car industry employs over 150,000 people, and its continued success plays a major role in our mission to grow the economy.
If we get this transition right and support the growth of the UK electric vehicle market, we have a huge opportunity to tap into a multi-billion pound industry that can create well-paid jobs for decades to come.
That’s why in our manifesto we committed to moving back the transition to electric cars to 2030 and phasing out the sale of new cars with internal combustion engines.
But we want to work with industry and make sure that their voice is heard on how to get there. That’s why we’re fast-tracking a consultation to see how the government can support manufacturers, investors, and the industry as a whole to achieve our goals. To be clear, the content of this consultation is how do not have if We will achieve this ambition.
Working families also benefit from this transition. EVs are becoming more affordable and practical, prices are starting to fall, they are cheaper to run and maintain, range is improving, charging infrastructure is expanding rapidly, and demand in the UK is increasing. It is increasing.
And of course, with road traffic contributing up to 30% of air pollution, a shift to electric vehicles means cleaner, healthier air for our children and future generations.
Delaying the transition will only make it harder and more expensive for the industry and families in the long run. That’s why we want to do everything possible to ensure that the next generation of zero-emissions vehicles are designed and manufactured here in the UK, are affordable and accessible to workers, and encourage the uptake of electric vehicles. That’s what I think.
That’s why the Chancellor announced more than £2 billion will be spent on producing zero-emission cars. This funding will support the latest research and development of these technologies, accelerate commercial scale-up, and enable capital investment.
On the demand side, people involved in promoting electric vehicles are concerned about the availability of charging points. That’s why we’re investing over £200m to accelerate the rollout of charging points, building on the 71,000 public charging points already available.
We are currently taking proactive steps to foster stability in this sector, but we are also developing long-term plans to ensure UK motor manufacturing can grow and thrive.
We are already seeing manufacturers embrace zero-emission vehicles and the transition to a greener economy, with governments fully supporting manufacturers. Jaguar Land Rover will move to a 100% fully electric vehicle range over the next five years, investing billions of dollars into the UK economy. At the same time, we can see Toyota investing heavily to make its UK manufacturing operations 100% carbon neutral by 2030.
When governments say decarbonization must not mean deindustrialization, we mean it. There is no path to net zero without the support of British industry and workers.
With Ford recently announcing job cuts across Europe and Stellantis proposing to close Vauxhall’s Luton factory, we’ve learned more about the global challenges facing the industry and how we’re working to help. We have no doubts about the need to play a role.
That’s exactly why I’ve been sitting around the table talking directly with industry leaders about how best to make this transition happen, and my message has always been loud and clear. The Government is listening and we will work closely with you to deliver our plans.
The bottom line is: Either we look ahead and leverage the clean energy transition to deliver growth, creating new jobs and a greener future, or we fall behind. is. This government will not make the same mistakes as the past and will not tolerate it.
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