Tag Archives: destruction

Overconsumption and Destruction: Visualizing Technology’s Impact on Our Planet Through Before and After Images

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In a project that emphasizes the environmental consequences of technological consumption, artists have created pieces that illustrate the effects of the climate crisis on some of the world’s most renowned landscapes.

Locations such as Venice in Italy, the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, Iguazu Falls at the border of Argentina and Brazil, and the River Seine in Paris serve as study points for potential impacts from the climate crisis anticipated by the end of the century. An exhibition in London will showcase the findings.

Giant’s Causeway Present and Visualization



Current status and visualization of the Giant’s Causeway. Written by Alex Griffiths

Mark Maslin, a professor of earth system science at University College London, employed climate modeling to evaluate the minimum and maximum damage at each site. A group of artists interpreted his findings for a display at Back Market’s Last Shot Gallery. The aim of the artwork is not to forecast exact conditions in these locations, but to elevate consciousness regarding the threats posed by climate change.

Maslin addressed the environmental repercussions of technological consumption. Estimations suggest that human actions account for 6% of the climate crisis, which is double that of the airline sector.

“There is an unawareness regarding how much the devices people constantly use and replace are contributing to overconsumption, vast pollution, and climate change,” he states. “We aim to raise that awareness. Many who utilize their phones daily are oblivious to the impact on the planet.”

Current status and visualization of Moraine Lake in Canada



Current status and visualization of Moraine Lake in Canada. Written by Hugh Jardine

The environmental damage from rapid technological advancement stems from the extraction of materials such as tantalum, cobalt, and tin—a process notoriously damaging socially and environmentally—and the disposal of e-waste, which emits harmful greenhouse gases like methane and carbon dioxide when burned or pollutes soil and water with toxins when irresponsibly discarded in landfills.

He mentioned that the EU is implementing legislation aimed at curbing built-in obsolescence, which includes regulations on universal chargers to reduce the chaos of myriad wires and plugs piling up in homes.

Tech companies are resisting accusations from Bullock and other lawmakers of disrupting the free market. In June 2024, the EU passed a directive that requires a broader selection of product repairs, extends legal guarantees, and forbids manufacturers from obstructing third-party components.

Current status and visualization of Iguazu Falls



Iguazu Falls, present day and visualization by Osman G.

In the UK, regulations have been active since 2021 concerning certain household appliances. However, there are ongoing concerns about their overall effectiveness.

“Our studies indicate that while individuals are aware of the shifts occurring around them, many still lack an understanding of how their daily choices, particularly regarding technology, relate to the broader context,” stated Luke Forshaw, head of brand and marketing at Back Market, a global marketplace focusing on regenerative technology, which collaborated with Maslin to organize the exhibition.

Venice – now and visualized



Venice – present and visualization. Written by Archie McGrath and Josiah Naggar

A record was set in 2022 with 62 million tons of e-waste produced, marking it as one of the world’s fastest-growing waste streams. Forshaw points out that it’s crucial now more than ever to reevaluate our relationship with technology, opting for sustainability over contributing to landfills. “Making sustainable choices more affordable, accessible, and transparent is essential to bridging that gap,” he remarked.

5 Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint




Your phone contains valuable materials that can be reused. Photo: Maxim Emelyanov/Alamy

  1. Choose the technology that suits you and stick with it.

  2. Remember that mobile phones hold valuable materials that should be reused, not discarded.

  3. Sell your old device either to a reputable reuse shop or privately.

  4. Maintain your phone’s battery between 20% and 80% for optimal longevity.

  5. Keep your device clean, removing dust from charging ports.

  • The exhibition is at the Last Shot Gallery on October 17th in Fitzrovia, central London.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Donkey Kong Bonanza Review: A Chaotic Destruction Derby That Shatters Platforming Norms

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A The game revolves around Donkey Kong Bananza. As Nintendo’s first significant single-player title for the Switch 2, it raises the standard for quality akin to what was achieved with Breath of the Wild during the original Switch’s debut. Yet, it has also emerged as a delightful diversion for Nintendo enthusiasts, especially considering it comes from the team behind the remarkable 3D Mario series. So, what makes a gorilla in a tie so thrilling, particularly with Bananza preceding another Super Mario Odyssey?

Donkey Kong obliterates those doubts. He takes down many obstacles in Bananza. While it may initially appear as a Mario 64-inspired 3D platformer—complete with thematic worlds where players hunt for giant bananas—DK’s powerful fists reveal that it completely disregards the ordinary terrain. Every landscape is destructible. Smash buttons, pummel his mighty arms through hills, turn pristine fields into muddy craters, and break down stone walls—all while using his strength as a tool for landscaping. He serves not just as a platform mascot but as a level designer fueled by potassium.

The thrill of repeating it… Donkey Kong Bananza. Photo: Nintendo

On a fundamental level, it’s nearly enough to grab your interest. The satisfaction of delivering a well-timed punch is both simple and gratifying. When DK’s fist collides with rock, the Joy-Con 2 Rumble enhances the impact, making every hit resonate as wall debris scatters. You can envision Bananza serving as a digital stress relief, allowing players to hurl rocks at cliffs until they disintegrate into pockmarked lunacy. You can also choose to unleash projectiles from DK’s back to ramp up the hysteria—or act as a mischievous tagger against players trying to escape the chaos.

Beneath the chaos lies a storyline. The existing Kong Clan (featuring cameos that harken back to the playful spirit of classic Donkey Kong Country games) faces off against the villain Mining Kong, who aims to seize the Earth’s nuclear treasure. Amid this, they invite Pauline, the young singer who was once abducted by Donkey Kong in his arcade debut. However, in this iteration, she and DK have developed a stronger connection. She inspires the animal’s extraordinary powers by implanting a catchy earworm in his mind. If the plot details appear hazy, it’s likely because my heart has been replaced by her Latin pop earworm celebrating the joy of being a zebra.

An unusual realm… Donkey Kong Bananza. Photo: Nintendo

This is indeed an unusual world, suggesting a unique approach to platform design. How does one create challenges for a hero who can burrow through laser fences and hammer down barriers that would stop Mario in his tracks? Honestly, it requires a touch of creativity to find the answer. There’s initial chaotic clutter in a setting that can be excavated from all angles. Sometimes, you mine blindly for rewards tied to undisclosed tasks. This serendipity echoes the game’s bold freedom, resonating in the cavernous space you navigate.

Yet, as you traverse from the rolling plains to the treacherous Jounty Lagoon, the stakes elevate. Solid ground serves as protection against toxic swamps, icy lakes, and bubbling lava. Here, as the environment dictates your actions, your approach becomes more deliberate and calculated. As metal caterpillars threaten to devour the potential dangers lurking behind wooden rafts, it becomes evident that Nintendo excels at crafting surprising gameplay dynamics. Boss fights challenge DK to navigate precarious terrains, transforming arenas as combat progresses.

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/SMY3BAz2ENI?wmode=opaque&feature=oembed" title="Donkey Kong Bananza – Official ‘Unleash Your Inner Kong’ Trailer" height="480" width="854" allowfullscreen="

The only shortcoming in these later stages is the sometimes overwhelming nature of Bananza itself. Transformations granting speed, flight, and strength, if integrated into the various challenges or levels designed around them, are a blast. They evoke the memorable elements of Mario’s Odyssey and how seamlessly they were executed. However, when these abilities are pulled from context—acting merely as instant win buttons—they dilute the platform’s ingenuity.

I’m uncertain if Bananza possesses the longevity of Mario Odyssey. While that game thrives with rich content and post-credits adventures, DK will experience more fleeting moments. Forge ahead, explore new ideas, and continue breaking boundaries. The game’s climactic finale features DK demolishing concrete, rubber, watermelon, ostrich eggs, and a treasure trove of Donkey Kong Country references, all while twinkling with glimmering balls. If the weight of Switch 2 lies heavy on its shoulders, it serves as yet another tool to carve out a mark in the gaming universe. His insatiable thirst for destruction is utterly contagious.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Strategies in the Iran-Israel Conflict: Internet Blackouts, Cryptocurrency Destruction, and Home Surveillance

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The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran is not only a confrontation involving combatants, drones, and explosive devices but is also intensifying in the digital domain. Both nations have a rich history of engaging in cyber warfare. A significant point of contention is Iran’s nuclear initiative, which was famously attacked by the sophisticated Stuxnet worm—one of the early forms of cyber sabotage aimed at causing real-world damage.

In response to perceived threats, Iran recently enacted a near-total internet blackout. My colleague Johanna Bouyan provides insights:

According to CloudFlare, a cybersecurity firm, Iranian internet traffic is “currently averaging around 97% or lower compared to levels from a week ago.”

The reduction in internet speeds follows claims from an anti-Iranian hacking group, possibly linked to Israel, stating they had breached Iran’s state-owned bank, Sepa. A government spokesperson from Iran, Fateme Mohajelani, indicated on Twitter/X that officials were limiting internet access to thwart further cyber intrusion.

On Wednesday, concerns in Iran were validated. My colleague Dan Mirmo reports:

Hacking groups associated with Israel are purportedly behind a $900 million (£67 million) heist at Iran’s cryptocurrency exchange.

The group calling itself Gonjeshke Dalande, known for its predatory tactics, announced it had successfully hacked the Novitex exchange, mere days after asserting it had destroyed data at Iran’s state-owned bank.

Elliptic, a consultancy specializing in cryptocurrency crime, reported identifying over $900 million in cryptocurrency transfers to hacker wallets from Nobitex. The hackers effectively “burn” these assets, storing them in “vanity addresses” that lack encryption keys, thereby rendering them inaccessible, according to Elliptic.

Iran has attempted to retaliate; however, much like the broader conflict, Israel’s strikes appear to be more effective and disruptive. Israeli authorities have warned citizens that Iran is seizing internet-connected home security cameras to gather real-time intelligence. Bloomberg reports. Cybersecurity experts assert that Hamas and Russian hackers have employed similar tactics. While home security cameras may represent a new front in the cyber conflict, they lack the capability to interfere with central banking systems, as Israel has done.

By the end of Friday, Iran seemed to have lifted internet restrictions for some users, as reported by The New York Times. However, even those with limited access felt their connections were precarious.

City of Love? PornHub Takes a Stand Against Paris Over Children’s Age Verification Online

Photo: Nikolas Kokovlis/Nurphoto/Rex/Shutterstock

PornHub, widely regarded as the most visited adult content site globally, resumed operations in France after a three-week blackout.

The platform’s owner, Iro, suspended access in protest against a new French regulation requiring adult websites to verify user ages using credit cards or identification. Instead of implementing the age restriction, Pornhub opted to withdraw access for approximately 70 million users.

Following this, Pornhub returned online after French courts temporarily put the law on hold while reviewing its compliance with the European Union’s constitution. However, the dispute between Paris and Pornhub signifies a growing global dialogue around online age verification.

This debate occupies a challenging intersection of differing online regulations aimed at protecting children and upholding privacy and freedom of expression—an area fraught with complexity, even in the U.S., where digital regulations often aim for practicality.

As of now, over 20 states have enacted age verification laws affecting adult content websites. Pornhub has been forced to block access in 17 of these states. Texas, which boasts a population of 31 million, serves as a prime example. The state legislature passed a law in September 2023 mandating ID verification for accessing adult sites, causing Pornhub to go dark in Texas by March—greeting users with a message calling the law “invalid, accidental, dangerous.” Meanwhile, while access is still allowed in Louisiana under similar laws, site traffic has plummeted by 80%. This serves as a barrier to ID requirements. The U.S. Supreme Court is considering whether such laws infringe on constitutional rights to free speech.

Research on U.S. law indicates that these laws are ineffective in achieving their stated goals. Online search data suggests that individuals in states with age verification laws are searching for non-compliant adult sites to bypass age restrictions and using VPNs to disguise their locations from internet service providers.

Other battlegrounds extending beyond age verification include restrictions on social media for underage users. Australia, which has enacted a ban on minors accessing social media, is currently testing various enforcement technologies but has found them lacking.

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The UK is emerging as the next battleground. New online safety legislation mandating age verification for adult content will take effect in July. Will London mirror Paris, or follow Texas?

Dissecting the Trump Phone

Composite: Guardian/Getty Images/Trump Mobile/Trump Watch/eBay

Last week, Donald Trump introduced a mobile phone brand named “T1,” elegantly designed with his name and emblazoned with an American flag. It is especially marketed in Alabama, California, and Florida, with a monthly service plan priced at $47.45.

However, the T1 phones face significant challenges in delivering on their promises. The manufacturer will be subject to similar market pressures as other manufacturers, where both inexpensive labor and specialized electronics expertise are largely based in China, not the U.S. This partly explains why Apple products are labeled “Designed in California.”

Looking forward, analysts predict that Trump’s proposed tariffs could cause smartphone prices to soar by double or even triple digits. Currently, the U.S. lacks a developed electronics supply chain capable of fully assembling mobile phones domestically. In April, analysts at UBS cautioned that the cost of an iPhone 16 Pro Max with 256GB might potentially rise by 79%, from $1,199 to approximately $2,150, if a total tariff of 145% were implemented. Apple seemed to acknowledge this forecast by expediting the shipment of nearly $2 billion worth of iPhones to the U.S. before tariffs on China were instituted.

An example of a mobile phone that has been assembled in the U.S., known as the Liberty Phone, is operational but not entirely manufactured there. Trump’s offerings could potentially cost around four times more than $2,000. The Liberty Phones source certain components domestically, but still require screens, batteries, and cameras that are manufactured overseas. According to the Wall Street Journal, the CEO of Purism, the company that manufactures these devices, stated that its operating system can run only basic applications like calculators and web browsers.

Although the specs for the Liberty Phone are inferior compared to the Trump T1, its price will be steeper, and the likelihood of the T1 reaching the market as promised appears slim. Many of the anticipated technical features of the T1 come at a price point nearly double that of what Trump has claimed. A comprehensive list compiled by The Verge suggests that Chinese firms might manufacture phones under Trump’s brand label.

Eric Trump, who co-manages this venture alongside his brother Donald Jr., admitted that the initial batch of T1 phones was not made in the U.S. “Eventually, every phone will be produced in the United States,” Eric Trump reassured. He added last week. I understand.

Read more: Why can’t mobile phones be repaired in the U.S. to avoid Trump’s tariffs?

Wider Technology

Source: www.theguardian.com

Italian Police Enhance Security Measures at Tesla Dealerships Following Destruction of 17 Cars in Rome Fire

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The Italian Ministry of Interior has instructed police across the country to step up security at Tesla dealerships following a fire in Rome that destroyed 17 electric vehicles manufactured by Elon Musk’s company.

The Digos, an anti-terrorism force within the Italian state police, is investigating whether anarchists were behind the fire at a Tesla dealership in Torre Angela, a suburb of Rome.

Firefighters spent hours extinguishing the flames early Monday. Drone footage showed a line of charred vehicles in the dealership’s parking lot. Musk referred to the incident as “terrorism” on his social media platforms.

Italy is home to 13 Tesla dealerships managed by the parent company, with most located in cities like Rome, Florence, and Milan.

A source within the interior ministry indicated that they are alerting authorities to the possibility of anti-Tesla protests amidst a global trend of vandalism in response to Musk’s political involvement in the US. Surveillance at dealerships will be increased as needed.

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Since Donald Trump’s presidency began, Musk has reduced government employees as part of his “government efficiency” initiative, leading to the establishment of the “Tesla Takedown” boycott movement that started in the US and spread to Europe.

While most protests have been peaceful so far, Tesla dealerships and vehicles are increasingly becoming targets of vandalism. In Germany, seven vehicles were vandalized at dealerships in Ottersburg, and in Sweden, two Tesla stores—one in Stockholm and another in Malmö—were destroyed with orange paint.

Musk has fostered ties with far-right leaders in Europe, such as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who praised him as “a great man.” Matteo Salvini, leader of the far-right league in Italy, expressed solidarity with Musk following the incident in Rome.

“There is unwarranted animosity towards Tesla,” Salvini stated.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Genetic technology capable of eradicating superweeds through targeted plant destruction

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Herbicide-resistant pigweed is a serious problem for farmers

Design Pics Inc / Alamy Stock Photo

Gene drives – bits of DNA that trick evolution and can spread even if they are harmful – have been successfully tested in plants for the first time. This approach can be used to clear out invasive plants and superweeds without harming other species, potentially reducing herbicide use. It could also help save species by spreading genes that make them more resistant to disease and better able to cope with global warming.

Genes work by distorting the probability that an organism will inherit a piece of DNA. Most plants and animals have two copies of each gene. This usually means that there is a 50% chance that a particular copy will be passed on to offspring. With a gene drive, the chance increases to, say, 80 percent, allowing genes to spread even if they are harmful.

There are many natural gene drives that function through different mechanisms. In 2013, the first artificial gene drive was created using CRISPR gene editing technology.

It copies itself from one chromosome to another. That is, all descendants inherit it. This approach is called a homing gene drive because the drive itself is copied to a specific site.

bruce hay The researchers at the California Institute of Technology used a different approach called cleave-and-rescue. The gene drive consists of CRISPR elements that target and destroy copies of both key genes needed for pollen and egg formation. However, the drive also contains a version of this gene that functions without being destroyed.

This means that pollen and eggs that do not inherit the gene drive will lack important genes and will not develop. Only pollen and eggs with the gene drive will develop normally, so all offspring will inherit it.

Hay says the cleave-and-rescue approach is more robust than homing drives because it's much easier to destroy genes than to copy and paste them. He says it works on all animals, not just plants, and could be used to rid islands of rats and mice that are wiping out native species.

Hay's team tested a working version of this drive – one designed only to spread, not kill – on Thale cress. Arabidopsis.Another team led by Yang Liu Chinese Academy of Sciences Even in Beijing I have submitted a paper describing a similar gene drive But that approach isn't as powerful, Hay says.

He and his team are currently planning driving tests in Pigweed (amaranth palmeri), a herbicide-resistant superweed and a major problem for farmers in many parts of the world. “This is the poster child for developing broad-based resistance to all existing herbicides,” Hay says.

Additionally, this technology could be adapted to control weeds without spreading indefinitely. For example, pollen could be used to create male plants that kill all female offspring. Planting these male plants annually around the farm will prevent seed production and eradicate the weed species from the field after a few years.

“If you just exclude women, you end up collapsing the entire local population, but not the global population,” Hay says. However, this female-killing trait will disappear if no male plants with it are planted.

Hay said this approach is much more likely to be approved by regulators than gene drives, which continue to spread until resistance emerges. In fact, a similar approach is already being used in several countries by a company called Oxitec to control malaria-carrying mosquitoes.

but, paul nave Researchers at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark doubt whether regulators will approve the use of gene drives to control weeds. “I think the chances of getting approval to release gene drives for agricultural use are low at this point. Healthcare and biodiversity conservation may be an easier sell,” he says.

Another big problem, Neve says, is that plants typically produce only one generation per year, and it takes 10 to 30 generations for drives to become widespread. “How can we spread gene drives fast enough to achieve meaningful weed control in a realistic time frame?”

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Five asteroids narrowly miss Earth today, including one with the potential to cause widespread destruction

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Today, not one, but five asteroids are hurtling past Earth, all at their closest approach.

The largest one was discovered just a few weeks ago. Potentially Dangerous 2024 BR4. Measuring between 140 and 300 meters in length, it is a sizable chunk of space rock. At its highest estimate, it would be about the size of an oil tanker, six Olympic-sized swimming pools, or as tall as New York City's Chrysler Building.

And just like the box of chocolates you might stuff your cheeks with, we have a few more surprises in store for you on the day. Dr. Darren Baskillan astronomer at the University of Sussex, said:

“On Wednesday, February 14, 2024, a total of five asteroids will pass Earth, all within 5 million kilometers.”

It may seem like a long way, but from an astronomical perspective, it's just a stone's throw away.

“The closest of these five is asteroid 2024 CU1, which is scheduled to pass about 52 percent further away than the Moon and is about 20 meters in diameter.”

In 2024, CU1 will be closest at 1:31 PM GMT (+/- 1 minute). However, it is only 20 meters in diameter, much smaller than the much talked about “city killer” called 2024 BR4.

How close will asteroid 2024 BR4 get?

Asteroid 2024 BR4, one of a group of asteroids that will fly past Earth today, will make its closest approach at a distance of 4.6 million km (2.86 million miles). In terms of AU, this is approximately 0.03 AU, well within the criteria for designation as a potentially hazardous object (see Meaning of a “Potentially Hazardous” Asteroid below).

(To convert kilometers per mile to AU, divide the distance in kilometers per mile by the distance in 1 AU of the same unit.)

Closest approach is expected to occur at 11:03 GMT today (±1 minute).

Will asteroid 2024 BR4 collide with Earth?

The Valentine's Day asteroid is hurtling through space at about 44,880 kilometers per hour (27,887 miles per hour), only slightly faster than the average speed recorded by Galileo during his six-year mission to Jupiter, but we… No need to worry. About influencing our heavenly oasis.

It passes us safely and poses no immediate threat to Earth.

“Asteroid 2024 BR4 will pass close to Earth 12 times further away than the Moon,” Baskill explains.

What do we know about Asteroid 2024 BR4?

Unfortunately, there are very few. In general, the larger the object, the brighter it is (the brighter the object, the lower the magnitude). NASA assigned asteroid 2024 BR4 a magnitude of 21.457.. It's not very bright.

However, we also need to know the object's albedo (surface reflectance), which is currently unknown. Current best estimates place the asteroid's size between 140 and 300 meters in diameter. But we know its trajectory with relative certainty. And today's visit will bring us the closest in 120 years to realizing BR4 in 2024.

…

The Formation and Potential Destruction of the Himalayas by Earth’s Tectonic Plates

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Deep underground in the heart of Asia, two giant plates are colliding with each other. Violent, slow-motion collisions between the geological plates are continuously shaping the towering Himalayas. However, newly discovered research suggests that this ongoing tectonic collision is also dividing Tibet in half.

A group of Chinese and American scientists conducted a study of underground seismic waves from earthquakes in and around Tibet and analyzed the geochemical composition of gases in surface hot springs. They found evidence that the Indian plate may be behaving unexpectedly as it collides with the Eurasian plate.

This research, which has not yet undergone peer review, was presented at the American Geophysical Union’s annual meeting in December. The scientists theorize that as the Indian plate continues its thrust beneath the Eurasian plate, it may be splitting apart beneath Tibet, separating the eastern and western halves of the slab. This fissure could have significant implications for the stability of the region, increasing the risk of earthquakes and other hazards.

The findings of the study provide an interesting and plausible explanation for the dynamic activity in this region, according to Barbara Romanowitz, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley. She also suggests that this potential split in the Indian plate may create a zone of weakness that could lead to large earthquakes.

The study proposes that the lithospheric mantle, one of the hard parts of the Earth’s crust, are sloughing off, leaving the crust behind, causing controversy within the scientific community as to how the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates would occur or what it would mean for the Earth.

The region where this collision is occurring is unique and serves as a natural laboratory for scientists to understand the process of continental collision in real time. It is compared to a game of hide-and-seek, providing a brief snapshot of a particular process of continental collision.

Source: www.nbcnews.com