Mind Electric Review: Purianand’s Enchanting Debut Unveils the Marvels of the Human Brain

Pria Anand sees “a vast marginal space” between health and illness

David Degner

Electric of the Heart
Pria Anand (Virago) (UK); Washington Square Press (US)

As articulated in Gray’s Anatomy, it’s no surprise that healthcare professionals have inspired numerous popular narratives. The journey of a patient through the healthcare system mirrors the structure of classic storytelling, featuring beginnings, conflicts, and resolutions, often accompanied by various tensions.

Although medicine is often perceived as grounded in hard science (blood tests, medical imaging, treatment protocols), it fundamentally involves storytelling, a theme that Pria Anand explores in her debut book, Electric of the Mind: A Tale of the Strangeness and Wonders of Our Brains.

During her time at medical school in California, Anand was concerned that her aversion to storytelling might hinder her. Yet, she found that how individuals narrate their experiences could convey as much insight as any clinical test.

Anand pays homage to her predecessor, neurologist Oliver Sacks, drawing from his personal anecdotes while diagnosing and empathizing with patients. In Electric of the Heart, she acknowledges the influence of Sacks’s iconic work, The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat.

While it’s unrealistic to expect anyone to reach Sacks’s level of ingenuity, Anand embodies his empathy, curiosity, and intellectual breadth. Her writing is both polished and insightful as she navigates complex neurological concepts, addressing the narratives of individual patients with similar finesse.

However, Electric of the Heart transcends mere “clinical anecdotes.” Anand’s core message emphasizes the vital role of storytelling in medical practice. The human craving for narratives is ancient, universal, and remarkably resilient, often thriving even in the aftermath of severe brain injuries, as she notes.

Regardless of health status, how individuals articulate their condition may diverge significantly from a physician’s evaluation or observable metrics. Anand recounts the story of a patient who entered a coma following a cerebral hemorrhage but appeared to recover fully, often mistaking Anand and her colleagues for her former medical team as she made her rounds among fellow patients.

No one can match the brilliance of Sacks, but Anand embodies the writer’s humanity and broad intellect.

Anand delves into the way our brains can mislead us, highlighting both the hurdles and the character of medical practice. However, it’s not just the patients’ misconceptions that warrant attention; doctors can exhibit similar biases and errors.

The evolution of her own health conditions has profoundly informed Anand’s work ethic—from sleep deprivation during her training to the “phantom noises” she began experiencing that prompted her concern. It was later discovered that these sounds stemmed from a vascular malformation connecting her brain to her heart.

The inherent “imbalance of power” in medicine signifies an ongoing struggle between empirical evidence and narrative, as well as between objective truths and subjective experiences—this dynamic exists not only in the realm of physicians but also among the false dichotomies pervasive in healthcare. Historically, many confidently given diagnoses have been based solely on “scientific” definitions. One can reflect on the notion of a “wandering uterus.”

Although comparisons between Anand and early reviewers might not be misleading, Electric of the Heart invites parallels with Glass Body, a personal narrative by Caroline Crampton that also explores hypochondria. Like Crampton’s insightful account, Anand elucidates “a vast liminal spread between health and illness” from her perspective as a physician.

Both works suggest a growing openness in mainstream media to not only drama but the complexities of medical intricacies, challenging the traditional notion that the divides between “healthy brains and failing brains” or illnesses and wellness are as clear-cut as they seem.

In Electric of the Heart, Anand exhibits empathy, humility, and a profound interest in humanity—qualities that define outstanding doctors and ideally should be prevalent throughout the medical profession.

Elle Hunt is an author based in Norwich, UK

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Shakespeare Reimagined for Modern Gaming: Cannes’ Debut Game ‘Lili’ Voices Macbeth

While the Cannes Film Festival is typically not linked to video games, this year it hosts a unique collaboration. “Lili” is a joint project created by the New York-based game studio Ink Story, known for 1979 Revolution: Black Friday, which explores the narrative of Iranian photojournalists as well as a modern adaptation of Macbeth presented by the Royal Shakespeare Company.

“It’s an incredible opportunity to have my first video game experience showcased at Cannes,” shares Vasiliki Honsari, co-founder of Ink Story. “People often say they aren’t familiar with gaming and may only give it a quick try. However, once they engage, you can sense their growth in empowerment within the film industry.”

Although the Cannes Festival’s immersive competition launched in 2024, the lineup rarely features traditional video games. “VR films and projection mapping are central to this initiative,” explains Navid Khonsari, Vassiliki’s husband and another co-founder of Ink Story. Nonetheless, “Lili” integrates live-action sequences with gaming mechanics, similar to titles like *Lies* and *Immortality*. The lead, Zar Amir Ebrahimi, previously won the Best Actress award at Cannes three years ago.

Centered around the character of Mrs. Macbeth, Lili portrays her as the determined wife of a Basij officer (a paramilitary volunteer group within Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard). Much like the original play, she plots a murder to elevate her husband’s position. “What fascinates us is Lady Macbeth’s manipulative nature,” Navid explains.

“Her societal limitations based on gender compelled her to strive for a leadership role,” he adds. “Had she been a man, she could have become one of the greatest kings, but as a woman, she had to navigate a restrictive system. Our character Lili shares this experience.”

Players take on the role of a member of Hecateb, a group of hackers allied with Macbeth’s witches. You access Lili’s cellphone and computer while keeping an eye on her via a CCTV camera in her home. Key themes include surveillance and censorship. At one point, Lili attempts to view a YouTube Makeup Tutorial but is thwarted by the state firewall. This unpleasant voyeuristic dynamic is intentional. “We all participate in the problem of surveillance, looking and spying on one another,” comments Navid.

“She’s suffocating beneath the various masks she wears”… Zal Amir Ebrahimi from Lili. Photo: Ellie Smith

You can help her bypass these barriers, leading to a memorable scene where she wraps her head in cling film before applying eyeliner and lipstick. “This makeup ritual symbolizes her attempts to adapt to a world where she cannot express her identity,” Vassiliki points out. “We’ve highlighted the multiple layers of masks she bears, portraying the choking nature of her existence.”

Set for release in late 2026, Lili may eventually transform into a theatrical production, according to RSC’s Saraelis. Navid mentions plans for a film adaptation, utilizing some of the same footage from the game. This indicates an increasingly blurred line between gaming, cinema, and theatre, and it’s unlikely that this will be the last project the RSC takes on with gaming.

“I’ve always been intrigued by the intersection of games and theatre,” remarks Ellis, who initially proposed the collaboration to Ink Story. “We collaborated with top Shakespeare scholars. Professor Emma Smith from Oxford was instrumental in the dramaturgy of this project,” notes Ellis. Smith believes that if Shakespeare were alive today, he would be writing for games; Ellis concurs, emphasizing, “He was an innovator.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Light-based computers are nearing their commercial debut

Lightweight based computer chip made by Pace, LightElligence

Light Ergens

Computers that use light rather than data to represent and manipulate data can reduce data center power requirements and at the same time speed up calculations. Two studies published today describe breakthroughs in performing real problems on light-based computers, creating techniques that are on the verge of commercial applications, the researchers say.

Electronic computers have historically followed Moore’s law, as we all use today. The power of the machine doubled every two years. However, in recent years, progress has slowed down as transistor miniaturization reaches its fundamental physical limits.

Researchers are working on many potential solutions, including quantum and photonic computing. However, Quantum Computing still struggles to achieve true utility, but Photonic Computing has reached the point where chip designs like those set in two new research are performing authentic calculations. In addition, these photonic chips can be manufactured using the same factory that manufactures silicon chips for electronic computers.

Photonic computers offer greater potential benefits than electronic computers. One is that photons travel faster than electrons do in the circuit, allowing for faster calculations and less pauses between each step of the calculation. Second, photons move without resistance and are rarely absorbed by the material on which the chip is made, allowing the same job to be performed using less energy than an electric computer that requires energy-intensive cooling.

In its research, Lightelligence, a Singapore-based company, shows that a device called a Photonic Arithmetic Computing Engine (PACE), which combines photonic and microelectronic chips, can successfully execute ISING problems that apply directly to the logistics industry and many other areas.

Meanwhile, US startup LightMatter claims that its own chip can run AI model BERT to create text in Shakespeare’s style. New Scientist Could not reach Lightmatter due to comments.

Bo Peng At LightElligence, the sector is increasingly busy with start-ups and technology is rapidly maturing. “We’re more or less pre-production,” says Peng. “It’s more like a real product than just a lab demonstration.”

Just as the world of quantum computers is trying to demonstrate the benefits of quantum, quantum machines are the point where classical computers can provide useful things. He won’t draw when this will happen, but says that this technology is closer to being ready for commercial applications – perhaps it works as a photonic chip that works with the electric chip, rather than completely replacing them to handle the specific tasks that it can provide boost.

Needless to say, hardware based on the research and Lightelligence PCI Express format. This is a standard motherboard add-on format for desktop computers that allow you to add graphics cards and other devices. Company devices can already be added to any commercial desktop, but require the appropriate software to communicate.

Robert Hadfield At the University of Glasgow in the UK, two studies show that “it’s a kind of boiling area.” “This is close to the point where the industry may consider photonic processors a viable alternative,” he says. “It’s really interesting to see how mature this architecture has become. These are photonic chips manufactured in one of the world’s leading foundries, so they can be expanded for mass production.”

Stephen SweeneyThe University of Glasgow also says that they have already seen optical data transmissions roll out around the world, with optical optical computing approaching too. “With Photonics, you can do things at a lower loss than electronics can,” says Sweeney. “And if you need to be able to do a huge amount of calculations, you need to start looking at it.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Nvidia’s First Revenue after Chinese Deepseek’s Debut Shock

Nvidia is set to release its revenue report for the fourth quarter of 2024 on Wednesday evening. Investors will be closely watching for any signs of slowing demand for semiconductor chips. The company’s financials have come under scrutiny amid concerns that the AI market boom may be coming to an end, leading to a stratospheric 3.1TN rating.

Analysts are hopeful that Nvidia will maintain its position as a leading chip manufacturer in the AI industry. However, recent developments pose new challenges to the company’s market dominance. For example, a report from TD Cowen revealed that Microsoft, one of Nvidia’s major customers, was canceling leases with private data center operators, raising concerns about the sustainability of AI infrastructure investments.

This earnings call will also provide insight into the company’s financials and demand following the introduction of the Chinese AI model, Deepseek ai, which has surpassed many US models while requiring less training and investment. The introduction of Deepseek has boosted Nvidia’s valuation significantly, signaling a shift in the AI landscape.

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Despite Nvidia’s strong performance in the past, analysts are now looking for indicators that the company can sustain its position in the AI chip market amidst evolving demands for AI models.

Jacob Bourne, a technology analyst at Emarketer, commented, “The key question regarding Nvidia’s fourth-quarter revenues is whether they can continue to lead the evolution of AI, not just in terms of numbers. Even if Nvidia shows another quarter of stellar growth, the market’s response will depend on its ability to address these challenges.”

While some analysts believe that the impact of Deepseek’s launch may not be immediate for Nvidia, they predict that competitors like AMD and Intel could gain a foothold in the AI infrastructure market.

“DeepSeek has opened up new possibilities for low-performance AI applications, particularly for inference models, allowing more organizations to experiment with AI,” noted Nguyen.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket successfully achieves orbit during debut launch

new glen explodes

blue origin

Blue Origin's reusable New Glenn rocket successfully launched and reached orbit, but engineers were unable to safely land the first stage rocket booster on Earth as they had hoped. There wasn't. Still, the company's first launch into orbit shows that Jeff Bezos' space company can challenge Elon Musk's SpaceX's current dominance in the commercial space launch business.

“We are extremely proud that New Glenn reached orbit on its first attempt,” said Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp. in a statement.

New Glenn, as tall as a 30-story building, launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida around 2 a.m. local time (7 a.m. Japan time). The rocket has experienced numerous delays and setbacks, with its last launch being canceled due to unwanted ice forming in some of the rocket engine pipes.

About 13 minutes after liftoff, the rocket's second stage reached orbit. This has been Blue Origin's goal since its founding more than 20 years ago. It carried a test payload called the Blue Ring Pathfinder, which included communications equipment, power systems, and a flight computer.

Another goal of this mission was to land the rocket booster on a floating landing platform in the Atlantic Ocean so it could be reused on future missions to reduce overall costs. However, engineers stopped receiving data from the booster shortly after launch. “We knew it was an ambitious goal to land the booster on the first try. We learned a lot from today and plan to try again at our next launch this spring,” Limp said.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

BYD: Chinese electric car powerhouse makes European debut in automotive industry

GGermany started Euro 2024 in Munich, known for football legend and BMW, a major German car exporter.

Unlike BMW, Volkswagen, or Mercedes-Benz, China’s BYD is the only car manufacturer sponsoring the tournament.

This move led to a 69% increase in views of BYD models on Auto Trader’s website during the tournament’s first weekend compared to the previous week.

BYD is a major competitor to Tesla, the world’s largest electric car maker, focusing on the European market where it faces threats of EU tariffs.

An electric vehicle for export waits to be loaded onto a BYD Explorer 1 at Yantai port in eastern China’s Shandong province. Photo: –/AFP/Getty Images

Despite possible tariffs, many experts believe that BYD’s expansion into the European auto market will continue.

Subsidies and tariffs

BYD may face tariffs, but its lower reliance on subsidies compared to rivals like Geely and SAIC gives it a competitive edge.

China Subsidy Graph

BYD’s innovative electric cars and advantageous pricing strategy hint at its potential for growth in the European auto market.

The company’s success as a major player in the electric vehicle market is contributing significantly to the global shift away from traditional gasoline and diesel vehicles.

Battery Advantage

BYD’s expertise in battery manufacturing, particularly its use of low-cost lithium iron phosphate chemistry, positions it as a key player in the clean energy vehicle market.

Some analysts argue that BYD’s low-cost electric cars are helping to drive a greener future. Photo: Toya Sarno Jordan/Reuters

By focusing on clean energy technologies, BYD is making significant contributions to the global transition towards sustainable mobility.

Source: www.theguardian.com

99Bitcoins launches pre-sale for Learn-To-Ear, raises $150,000 in debut day

New York, USA, April 12, 2024, Chainwire

99 bitcoinwas founded in 2013 and recently launched a pre-sale of its tokens to capitalize on the upward trend in Bitcoin’s value. The 99BTC team is seizing this opportunity to bring you the Earn While You Learn platform, a long-standing resource in crypto education.

What is 99 Bitcoin?

99Bitcoins has been disrupting technology concepts and welcoming new entrants to the world of cryptocurrencies for over a decade, as evidenced by the numbers on its team’s social media accounts. 700,000 YouTube followers, 16,000 Twitter followers 2 million registered users have found our 80+ hours of resources to be a great entry point for anyone wanting to learn more about cryptocurrencies.

The 99BTC token is its latest venture. The team accelerates education initiatives by bringing ‘gamification of learning’ to the platform, including exclusive access to premium content, discounts on partner products and services, a VIP community, trading signals and more when completing a course. We will reward those who do so with $99BTC and token holder events.

The 99Bitcoins team aims to attract all potential new users who are expected to enter the cryptocurrency space and explore Bitcoin in light of the upcoming halving. The event, which takes place this month, is expected to increase the number of first-time crypto enthusiasts, as confirmed by multiple surveys and leading sources. cointelegraph and coin desk.

Pioneering BRC-20: Pushing earning while you learn in a new direction

99Bitcoins is also positioning itself as a pioneer in the BRC-20 movement, a new token standard that allows developers to deploy smart contracts on top of the Bitcoin blockchain. Security and transparency are also key to this project. solid proof audit Verify that there are no potential issues or caveats in the 99Bitcoins contract.

It is worth noting that 99BTC was originally deployed as an ERC-20 token and will only be bridged to BRC-20 in Q4 2024, transferring the project’s security to the Bitcoin network.

When it comes to tokenomics (renamed Token Metrics by the team), 99Bitcoins is distributing 99BTC with a total supply of $99 billion, with the aim of remaining competitive and providing lasting sustainability.

  • 15% is allocated to presale, currently selling 99BTC for $0.001.
  • 14% on staking rewards, 2 years of rewards for stakers of $99BTC
  • 23% will be allocated to project funds
  • 17% community rewards
  • 8% to provide liquidity to exchanges
  • 23% for marketing

This tokenomics structure is coupled with an ambitious roadmap to release a beta version of the platform by the fourth quarter of this year, followed by a full version next year.

About 99 Bitcoin

99 bitcoin is an important educational resource about Bitcoin. We focus on providing information about cryptocurrencies and bringing new users into the industry. The website was founded by him in 2013 and has since expanded its knowledge base to popular blockchains and cryptocurrencies such as Litecoin, Ethereum, Cardano, and Solana.

The platform is currently introducing gamification elements into its products, allowing students to receive rewards of $99BTC in the L2E economy. The 99BTC token is also a forerunner of the BRC-20 movement, a new token standard that enables the deployment of smart contracts on the Bitcoin network.

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99 bitcoin
contact@99bitcoins.com

Source: www.the-blockchain.com

Certi AI celebrates the successful debut of their groundbreaking decentralized AI infrastructure token

Portland, Oregon, March 13, 2024, Chainwire

ceτi AI, a pioneering decentralized artificial intelligence infrastructure provider, is pleased to announce the successful launch of the CETI token. Founded by a visionary team led by Dennis Jarvis (ex-Bitcoin.com and Apple), ceτi AI builds a globally distributed, high-performance, intelligent, and scalable infrastructure network that supports innovative technologies. Our mission is to democratize access to AI. Decentralized AI network. Through these efforts, ceτi AI fosters innovation and developer engagement around the world.

Launched on Uniswap on March 11, 2024, the CETI token contributes to the development of AI infrastructure and introduces a unique way to benefit from the value created by the ceτi AI network. The launch received widespread attention, achieving an initial market capitalization of $33 million and a significant trading volume of $5.6 million in the first 24 hours of trading, demonstrating strong market confidence in ceτi AI's vision. Ta. Early adopters can expect to be the first to realize the benefits of holding CETI tokens.

The token launch not only showed impressive early market performance, but also saw over 1,000 early adopters join the project's Discord and Telegram groups, engage with tens of thousands of users on X.com, and trend #1 It marked an important milestone in the growth of the community, including winning the. It will be added to the DEX tool's hot pair list. ceτi AI's commitment to responsible tokenomics, stable and secure token markets, and revenue-generating AI infrastructure capabilities has received enthusiastic support from both the cryptocurrency and AI communities.

Dennis Jarvis, CEO of ceτi AI, said: “Reflecting on the successful launch of the CETI token, our sights are set on the decentralized AI horizon.” “Soon, advanced machine intelligence will impact every aspect of our lives. This power should not be blindly given to centralized so-called “trust and safety” teams. We must build a decentralized and democratized future for AI. ceτi AI is deploying the infrastructure to make it possible for anyone, anywhere. ceτi AI remains dedicated to ensuring that token holders and community members are integral to our journey, receive continued value, and have a say in the evolution of the ecosystem. I'll go. By fostering an environment of open innovation and collaboration, we are paving the way to a future where the benefits of AI are available to everyone, ensuring that technology serves the greater good and empowers individuals around the world. To do.

Join us on our journey to accelerate progress in decentralized AI. To learn more about ceτi AI and how to get involved, please visit: http://taoceti.ai Follow us on X (https://x.com/ceti_ai),telegram(https://t.me/ceti_ai),discord (https://discord.gg/SvauY42HdT), and DEX tools (https://t.ly/sj5eB). Contact our team. https://calendly.com/ceti_ai/ To arrange a meeting at the NVIDIA GTC Conference on March 18, 2024 in San Jose, California.

contact

CEO
Dennis Jarvis
Chey Eye
press@taoceti.ai

Source: the-blockchain.com

Reddit Prepares for Initial Public Offering and Stock Market Debut

Reddit is on the cusp of its highly-anticipated stock market debut, which is expected to be the largest IPO by a major social network in four years. The company’s financial performance was revealed in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday, which also disclosed that OpenAI founder and CEO Sam Altman holds an 8.7% stake in the social media group, making him the largest shareholder.

Trading under the ticker symbol “RDDT” on the New York Stock Exchange, Reddit’s long-awaited listing (scheduled for March) is set to be the largest social media IPO since Pinterest went public in 2019.


The company has not yet determined the number of shares to be offered or the price range for the proposed offering, as stated in a statement by Reddit.

The IPO filing also revealed that Reddit experienced a loss of $90.8 million in 2023, despite a roughly 21% increase in revenue. The platform boasts 267.5 million weekly active users, over 100,000 active communities, and 1 billion total posts.

Advance Magazine Publishers holds the largest stake in the company at 30.1%, while Chinese multinational Tencent owns 11%.

The planned IPO comes nearly 20 years after Reddit’s launch and will be a significant event for the platform, which still lags behind other social media giants such as Facebook and Twitter. The filing also outlined Reddit’s unique plan to allow its most active users to buy stock at the IPO. Additionally, Reddit plans to reward certain users with shares through a tiered system based on their contributions to the platform.

Reddit was valued at $10 billion in a 2021 funding round, and it is anticipated that the company will aim for a similar valuation with its upcoming stock sale. It’s expected to ask to sell nearly 10% of its stock, as reported by Reuters.

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Reddit also cited data licensing agreements as a source of revenue in its filing, disclosing a recent deal with Google worth $203 million. This deal, announced on Wednesday, will allow Reddit’s content to be used to train Google’s artificial intelligence (AI) models, generating approximately $60 million annually, as reported by Reuters.

The filing outlined Reddit’s belief that its growing platform data will become a key element in training large-scale language models and will also serve as an additional monetization channel for the company.

Reddit initially filed for an IPO in 2021 but postponed its public offering due to challenging economic conditions and poor performance among listed technology stocks. Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs have been named lead underwriters for the IPO, along with more than a dozen other banks.

Source: www.theguardian.com

AI Stability makes its debut in the world of video generation

AI startup it’s not Despite reports of disruption at OpenAI dominating the airwaves, OpenAI appears to be on track to stick to its product roadmap this week.

See also: Stability AI announced this afternoon announced Stable Video Diffusion is an AI model that animates existing images to generate videos. Based on Stability’s existing Stable Diffusion text-to-image model, Stable Video Diffusion is one of the few open source and even commercially available video generation models.

But not for everyone.

Stable Video Diffusion is currently in what Stability describes as a “research preview.” Those wishing to run the model may be interested in Stable Video Diffusion’s intended applications (e.g., “educational or creative tools,” “design or other artistic processes,” etc.) and unintended applications (e.g., “representation of people or events,” etc.). (a representation of fact or truth).

how Other such AI research previews – include Unique stability — Historically, I wouldn’t be surprised if this model started circulating on the dark web in a short period of time. If this were to happen, I would be concerned that Stable Video could be exploited, as it does not appear to have a built-in content filter. Once Stable Diffusion was released, it didn’t take long for actors with questionable intentions to use it to create non-consensual deepfake porn of themselves.

But I digress.

Stable Video Diffusion actually comes in two model formats: SVD and SVD-XT. The first SVD converts a still image into 14 frames of 576 × 1024 video. SVD-XT uses the same architecture but increases the number of frames to 24. Both can produce video at 3 to 30 frames per second.

according to white paper Released at the same time as Stable Video Diffusion, SVD and SVD-XT are first trained on a data set of millions of videos and then “fine-tuned” on a much smaller set of hundreds of thousands to about 1 million clips. it was done. It’s not immediately clear where these videos come from, and the paper suggests that many come from public research datasets, so determining if any are under copyright It’s impossible to do. If so, users of Stability and Stable Video Diffusion could be exposed to legal and ethical challenges over usage rights. Time will tell.

Image credits: Stability AI

Whatever the source of the training data, the models (both SVD and SVD-XT) produce fairly high-quality 4-second clips. My guess is that the selected samples on Stability’s blog perfectly match the output from Meta’s recent video generation model, as well as the AI ​​generation examples we’ve seen from Google and AI startups Runway and AI. There is likely to be. pika research institute.

However, there are limits to the spread of stable videos. Stability has been transparent about this, writing on the model’s “Hug Face” page — of page From where researchers can apply for access to stable video dissemination, models can generate video without movement or slow camera pans, control it with text, render text (at least not readable), It is not possible to consistently generate faces or people “properly.”

Although still in its early stages, Stability says the model is highly extensible and can be adapted to use cases such as generating 360-degree views of objects.

So how does Stable Video Diffusion evolve? Stability offers a variety of models that “build and extend” SVD and SVD-XT, and a “text-” model that “builds and extends” SVD and SVD-XT, as well as a “text- to-video” tool. The ultimate goal appears to be commercialization. Stability rightly points out that Stable Video Diffusion has potential applications in “advertising, education, entertainment, and more.”

Indeed, Stability is poised to be a hit as startup investors ramp up the pressure.

April, Semaphor report Stability AI has run out of cash and spurred an executive hunt to boost sales. According to Forbes, the company repeatedly delayed paying wages and payroll taxes or didn’t pay them at all, and his AWS, which Stability uses for calculations to train its models, gave up access to Stability’s GPU instances. He is threatening to cancel it.

Image credits: Stability AI

Recent stability AI raised The company raised $25 million through convertible debt (i.e., debt that converts into equity), bringing total funding to more than $125 million. However, it has not completed new financing at a higher valuation. The startup was last valued at $1 billion. Stability is said to quadruple in the coming months, even though revenues remain low and burn rates are high.

Recently, stability has taken a new hit. departure Ed Newton-Rex served as VP of audio at the startup for just over a year, and played a key role in launching Stable Audio, Stability’s music generation tool. In his open letter, Newton-Rex cited disagreements over copyright and how copyrighted data should and should not be used to train AI models. He said he retired from Stability.

Source: techcrunch.com

Debut of 440-mile range All-electric Lucid Gravity SUV

EV maker Lucid has completed the long-awaited Gravity. It’s an all-electric three-row SUV with the range to leave your Tesla Model X, Fisker Ocean, or Rivian R1S behind at a charging station.

The importance of Lucid Gravity, and more appropriately the recognition it receives, is essential for EV manufacturers. The company’s first EV, the Lucid Air sedan, has been well received. But demand has been weak this year, forcing automakers to cut prices and lower production estimates for this year.

Gravity could help Lucid regain its footing in the increasingly competitive EV industry. Of course, Lucid has to actually start the vehicle.clear delay In this respect, sedans and SUVs are no different. The company originally aimed to start manufacturing the Gravity SUV at the end of 2023, but in August the production date was changed to the end of 2024.

Lucid Gravity Basics

Image credits: clear

Lucid boasts that this EV “heralds the dawn of a new era for electric SUVs.” This tone has an explanation. As the sale of Lucid’s first vehicle (a luxury sedan called the Air) Not as good as that, its future now depends on whether Gravity can actually become a force in the EV market. But this is a new era for Lucid. And the all-electric SUV designed by the company has some notable attributes, including a rugged, low-slung design with a sport tail at the rear, all of which contribute to a drag coefficient of 0.24. I am. Its aerodynamic design is one element of his that contributes to battery life. Lucid also claims the vehicle accelerates from his 0 to 60 in less than 3.5 seconds. one more second longer than what Tesla claims for the Model X plaid.

Lucid Gravity features a compact powertrain with an EV motor and 900-volt electrical architecture. Payload capacity exceeds 1,500 lbs, plus 6,000 lbs. The company claims that the towing capacity is not sufficient. Lucid estimates Gravity’s range to be over 440 miles. Lucid boss Peter Rawlinson said in a statement that the expected range would be possible “with just over half the battery packs of our battery-hungry competitors.” If Lucid performs as suggested in real-world conditions, it will be the longest-range electric SUV on the market.

The vehicle appears to be able to charge like a Tesla, giving it 200 miles of range in about 15 minutes on a fast charger. The company says the seven-seat SUV will have a starting price of less than $80,000. If history is any guide, there will be plenty of add-ons and trim levels that far exceed that price point.

Inside the clear gravity

Image credits: clear

Inside, the SUV features a 34-inch curved OLED screen that floats above a redesigned steering wheel. Like the Air, the Lucid enhances the interior touches.

Of note is the seven-seater configuration and console that slides open for additional storage. Lucid said these sliding second-row seats, combined with an integrated convenient table, provide an “enhanced backseat experience.”

The company says the second- and third-row rear seats both fold flat for a total of more than 112 cubic feet of usable cargo space.

Source: techcrunch.com

Elon Musk’s Debut Year on Twitter: Reflecting on a Year of Turmoil

Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter for $44 billion raised questions about his plans for the social media platform. Musk envisioned transforming Twitter into an “everything app” called X, similar to China’s WeChat, offering a variety of services like online discussions, video calls, podcasts, and even banking. While the idea of creating a platform where free speech is valued might seem noble, the execution has been plagued by poor planning and decision-making.

Musk’s tenure as the owner of Twitter has been turbulent, mirroring his own controversial presence on the platform. He made immediate changes, firing executives and laying off thousands of employees. Advertisers became concerned about Musk’s lax stance on content moderation, leading to a decline in revenue and potential bankruptcy. Musk’s attempt to bolster revenue by offering paid perks like verification ticks and edit buttons backfired when several fake accounts gained verification status, causing confusion among users. Reinstating banned accounts and changing the brand name to X further eroded Twitter’s reputation.

Critics argue that Musk’s plans for Twitter lacked focus and clear vision. While he may have grand ideas, the reality is that Twitter’s purpose was muddled and lost in the process. The company’s value plummeted, and its reputation suffered. The future of X remains uncertain, and if the current state of affairs continues, more users may abandon the platform. Musk’s ambitions for an all-encompassing “super app” like WeChat may be too ambitious and detrimental to the core purpose of Twitter.

Despite the challenges and skepticism surrounding Musk’s ownership of Twitter, for many users, X remains a popular social media platform where real-time updates are crucial. Some experts believe that X could potentially rival other platforms like Mastodon and Meta, offering a more streamlined experience. However, it’s uncertain whether Musk can truly accomplish his vision for X, considering the current state of the platform. While Musk may take credit for the “death of Twitter” and the rise of X, it remains to be seen how far the platform can soar before losing its purpose and losing more users.

Source: news.sky.com