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Exploring Privilege: Allison Williams and the Toxic Momfluencer Culture in M3GAN

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IIf you wandered onto the set of M3GAN 2.0 last year, you might have stumbled upon M3GAN, an eerie humanoid doll. Alison Williams shares with a nervous chuckle, “The challenge is whether to turn her around to face the wall or send her back to her room. Neither option feels right.”

In the sequel to the sci-fi horror film, Williams reprises her role as Gemma, a robotics expert-turned-advocate against the reckless development of AI after creating M3GAN for orphans. (She is also a producer on the sequel.)

Discussing M3GAN’s challenging role via a video call from her New York hotel room, Williams noted that the character was sometimes portrayed by a 15-year-old dancer named Amie Donald, but often by a robotic doll operated by a small team. “After a while, her eyelids get sticky,” Williams explains. “The handler uses a brush to apply lubricant to her eyes, and if you catch yourself thinking she’s alive, that’s a problem.”

Williams is best known for her breakout role as Marnie in Lena Dunham’s landmark series, Girls. Her first significant film project post-Girls was the Oscar-winning dark comedy, Get Out. Both IT and M3GAN were relatively low-budget films that became cultural phenomena. M3GAN particularly tackles racial politics and the perils of AI, highlighting M3GAN’s own disarray.

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M3GAN 2.0 – Watch the video trailer.

Williams has long been intrigued by AI. She knows Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of OpenAI, who developed ChatGPT, and engaged with robotics experts while preparing for her role as Gemma. The film raises ethical questions about AI, exploring not only the threats posed by AI gone rogue but also the “rights” of our devices. “It’s easy to anthropomorphize something like our little robot vacuum at home,” she remarks.

Is she apprehensive about AI taking over jobs in the near future? She chuckles, “If you pose a question that begins with ‘me,’ the answer is always yes. I have an endless capacity to worry about things.”

Yet she suggests that whether it’s human acting or other work, “We will all be replaced eventually. But so far, especially in art, I haven’t witnessed anything that replicates human output in a way that truly feels human.” She smiles, adding, “But it’s not that it doesn’t concern me.”

M3GAN poses questions about the technology we give to children. “You wouldn’t give your child cocaine,” Gemma asserts in M3GAN 2.0. “So why hand them a smartphone?” With three sons of her own, Williams is cautious about this. “He asks such profound questions; it’s incredible. Often, I don’t have answers.” Recently, she shared an explanation about rocket launches using ChatGPT. “Watching his reaction reminded me of Gemma observing a child interacting with M3GAN. It struck me how I had to note to take him to the library to get a book next time. It’s hard to justify logically,” she adds. “It felt like an instinctive decision.”




A cultural phenomenon… I’m dating Daniel Kaluuya. Photo: Justin Rubin/PA

Parenting is the focal point of a new podcast that Williams launched this month alongside two friends, early childhood educator Hope Klemer and therapist Jamie Oppenheim. It originated from a group chat delving into motherhood, aging, and life’s complexities. Upcoming episodes will touch upon the guilt many mothers grapple with, a theme echoed in M3GAN 2.0. Do our expectations of mothers evolve? “I certainly hope so,” Williams responds. “Guilt thrives in the absence of a community where you can express those feelings.”

She expresses frustration regarding the prevalent “mama content” on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, often portraying an idealized version of motherhood. “Many times, it just makes people feel bad. The emotional toll can be immense,” she shares with a laugh, addressing the unrealistic portrayals of influencer-packed lunches filled with nutritious options. “Without our nanny, I would be a mess, especially while my husband is working in London. I’m so grateful for her support. It’s unrealistic to expect anyone to handle everything alone. What about the help?”




“We were easy targets”…(From left) Lena Dunham, Zosia Mamet, Jemima Kirke, and Williams in Girls. Photo: PR’s Distribution Material

In another podcast episode, she tackles societal standards regarding aging and the unrealistic expectations of beauty. With a chuckle, she remarks, “But there’s not much that can be done about my forehead now. Yet, someone could glance at me and think, ‘I should be able to have a wrinkle-free forehead.’ No, my lack of wrinkles doesn’t make me better than you.”

Williams reflects on the perception that once celebrities achieve fame and fortune, maintaining genuine friendships can become challenging. “I don’t walk the world feeling like a celebrity,” she notes. “I experienced that during my twenties while shooting in New York, but now, dropping my son off at kindergarten makes me feel like a regular person among others. My job might be public and unique, but I’m still just a person.”

Recently, she realized that her son is at the same age she was when she began considering acting as a possible career (his father, Alexander Dreymon, is also an actor). They met while filming the 2020 thriller Horizon. Williams recalls how movies like Mary Poppins shaped her perception of acting, “Julie Andrews was like a goddess to me.”

Her parents, former NBC News anchor Brian Williams and producer Jane Stoddard Williams, encouraged her education (Yale) over entering the acting world as a child. “I’m thankful they didn’t push me into this industry too early. It was tough enough starting my career at 23 when Girls premiered.”

Williams’ experience is rather atypical. Growing up in a household with famous parents meant her father, Brian Williams, reached millions before the media landscape shifted dramatically. In 2015, his reputation was called into question when it was revealed he embellished a story about being shot at while covering the Iraq War, leading to a six-month suspension and eventual departure from NBC.

What was it like to navigate such circumstances as a family? “When you feel the weight of public scrutiny and chatter, it can be daunting,” Williams admits. “It’s a harsh side of the media; they often turn on their own.”

In discussing the criticism surrounding “nepotism babies,” Williams approaches the topic positively, recognizing her advantages. “One of the privileges is the ability to pursue acting without the stress of providing for myself. Growing up around people who were doing what I aspired to do—like the Hanks family—made it feel attainable. By high school, I was already working as a production assistant for Robert Altman on Horizon, landing a spot in a star-studded ensemble alongside Meryl Streep. That experience surely gave me a head start.”

Gratitude is a recurring theme in Williams’ life. She feels fortunate not to be starting her career now. There was a considerable buzz surrounding Girls during its six-year run ending in 2017, but she can’t fathom what it would be like navigating social media scrutiny today. (Williams left Instagram in 2020, feeling the platform became increasingly toxic and cynical.) “We treated each episode as if it mattered significantly,” she reflects.




“When she’s been working for a while, her eyelids can get sticky”… with Gemma (Alison Williams), Cady (Violet McGraw), and M3GAN in the original film. Photo: Geoffrey Short/Universal Pictures

While some criticisms were valid—like the predominantly white setting of the show—several were driven by misogyny, undermining constructive critique. Williams laughs, recalling how some reviews failed to refer to the characters by name, instead labeling them as “daughters of famous parents.” “We were easy targets, and I acknowledge that,” she admits.

For a while, Williams struggled with people conflating her identity with her character, Marnie, who grapples with sociopathy. “I wanted to create distance because I thought it was important for people to respect the act of acting. Our characters were heard and seen, but we chose not to reveal that. It felt odd for people not to recognize the characters as distinct from us.”

Despite the challenges, she emphasizes that the experience was overwhelmingly positive. Is there a chance for a reunion? “I would love that,” Williams responds. “I know Zosia [Mamet, who played Shoshanna] is promoting spin-offs. I’m eager to find my own path to elbow into that. I want us all back together; working on that show was a blast and marked the start of my career, a time I now recognize as exceptionally special.”

For fans of Girls, a reunion would be an ideal scenario: four dynamic women against the backdrop of an unsettling AI doll.

Allison Williams’ podcast, Landline phone is available now. M3GAN 2.0 hits theaters on June 27th.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Exploring a Unique XR Experience on Mental Illness in Melbourne’s Abandoned Mall

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I recently explored Footscray, located just outside central Melbourne, and last week, I perceived it in an entirely new way. As a surreal, nightmarish realm, it’s unlike any ordinary reality. The idea of rejuvenating areas through art isn’t new, yet it’s captured in the profound dimensions of the door in question, characterized by intense, sometimes precariously unstable augmented reality, and productions that merge XR, immersive theatre, escape rooms, virtual reality, and mixed reality.

Creator and director Troy Rainbow labeled the door an “immersive journey into mental illness,” drawing from both his own experiences and those of his mother, who dealt with schizophrenia.


At 37, Rainbow utilized a letter he had penned to his mother, reflecting “her style of thought and the mindset I found myself in,” which shaped the central challenge of “adapting a paranoid belief system into the narrative.” The storyline features four delusional characters, each convinced that a man named Anton met his demise in a unique manner.

The term “immersive” has been thrown around frequently, yet this doorway truly embodies it, crafting an all-encompassing experience that captivates every sense—sight, touch, and even smell.

The experience unfolds within and around Footscray’s largely vacant Metro West Shopping Centre. Photo: Lauren Maa

The journey kicks off in a small room at the Metro West Shopping Centre, which Rainbow describes as filled with “lost dreams.” After a short guided meditation, I donned a VR headset, stepping out of that room to virtually navigate through the transformed center, discovering unique objects that hadn’t existed before. Some will later revisit these in physical form, blurring the lines between reality and illusion, triggering an uncanny sense of déjà vu.

Exchanging my headset for headphones, I ventured outside where a mysterious woman narrated stories related to the various locations around me.

Participants traverse a series of surreal outdoor rooms filled with dilapidated and decaying elements. One area resembles a lab, featuring dental chairs, while another is a security room where one can converse with an AI that mimics their voice. An unkempt kitchen is scattered with broken and oddly arranged objects, and a disquieting children’s room is filled with beautiful snakes and makeshift board games strewn across the bed.

Participants navigate through a multitude of surreal rooms throughout their adventure. Photo: Lauren Maa

The experience unfolds with voices emerging from unexpected corners, some activated by directional speakers. “It genuinely sounds like the thoughts in my head,” remarks Rainbow. These voices deliver peculiar and at times frenzied rants—one man discusses our souls transitioning into data, while a child marvels at God’s miracles. As you navigate these settings, you encounter unusual photographs and written materials, including religious texts, handwritten notes on the walls, and documents tucked into folders. It feels reminiscent of stepping into horror films or video games.


The door in question (which debuted in 2021 and has undergone several iterations since) resonates powerfully due to its intimate format. Throughout the experience, participants find themselves alone—with the exception of actors offering guidance—and left with their inner thoughts (and all the wild ideas bouncing off the walls). This intimacy, coupled with the participant’s role as co-author, renders the experience profoundly personal.

This approach to storytelling diverges significantly from traditional media, such as films and live theatre, with their fixed representational frameworks. Beyond the stark differences in dialogue, this form of storytelling uses space to unveil information and facilitate interactions between narratives and locations.

Troy Rainbow’s creations draw from personal letters and writings of his mother, who faced schizophrenia. Photo: Lauren Maa

Tech plays a crucial role in this endeavor, with Rainbow asserting, “I see technology as more than just a tool; it’s a co-creator.”

Selecting the appropriate real-world setting is equally vital, as utilizing abandoned, deteriorating spaces allows Rainbow to explore the question, “What does this inform the experience?” He adds, “Imagine how thrilling it would be if a more artistic endeavor was embedded within dormant spaces.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Exploring Unexpected Connections: Hideo Kojima on Death Stranding 2

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HIDEO KOJIMA – The celebrated video game director who established his own studio before heading the stealth action Metal Gear series for decades and founded Death’s Random, a supernatural apocalyptic streaming game touted as “2019’s most intriguing blockbuster,” remains a captivating figure, often evoking awe. “George [Miller] is my mentor, my deity,” he joyfully proclaims.

Kojima is in Australia for a sold-out discussion with Miller, the mastermind behind the Mad Max film franchise, at the Sydney Film Festival. The duo forged an unexpected yet profound friendship nearly a decade ago. As a youth, Kojima shares that the first two Mad Max films inspired his direction in film, ultimately steering him toward video game development. During later panels, Miller reciprocates the sentiment, affectionately calling Kojima “almost like a brother.” The Australian even lends his likeness to a significant character in Kojima’s latest title, Death Stranding 2.

Much of the new game world is influenced by Miller, representing a whimsical interpretation of Australia. Death Stranding focuses on delivering narratives between isolated bunkers, set against expansive, perilous yet opulent landscapes that resonate with Australia’s rich biodiversity. Though the game’s geography is fictionalized, its allure and trepidation are palpable.

A devoted friendship… George Miller and Hideo Kojima at the Sydney Film Festival in June 2025. Photo: Tim Levy/Sydney Film Festival

In addition to the atmospheric outback scenery, DS2 also features some of the most intricately detailed (and likely costly) portrayals of Australian wildlife seen in gaming. It was a poignantly moving moment for Australians in this distinctly urban environment to witness the unique bounding of kangaroos on the sunlit horizon.

“I adore animals, and they’re unique here,” says Kojima. “Many on the team share a love for animals… They might decline to design new mechs but passionately advocate for creating more animal representations.”

The film enthusiast Kojima also drops nods to Australian cinema – he admires the 1971 classic *Walkabout* and acknowledges the DS2 subtitle’s inspiration from beach scenes. He had visited before but aimed to delve deeper “into the heart of the land, reaching the desert.”

Unfortunately, the pandemic necessitated that Kojima’s team rely on remote scouts for data collection. “It’s unfortunate I couldn’t be there in person,” he reflects. “Viewing photos doesn’t compare to the reality of experiencing a place.”

The transition to remote work during the pandemic posed considerable challenges for the game. “The most daunting aspect was performance capture,” he recalls. “Directing actors like Norman Reedus and Léa Seydoux from Japan was incredibly daunting. Communicating direction through a Zoom call was nearly impossible.” With restrictions in place early in the development, the team prioritized scenes not involving main actors, which wasn’t always feasible.

“That was extremely challenging, particularly for new cast members,” he states.

A uniquely poignant view… Scene from Death Stranding 2: At the Beach. Photo: Kojima Productions/Sony

By 2022, the situation had improved, allowing him to fly to LA for direct interactions. “People involved in remarkable films had undergone performance captures against a green screen,” he explains. (In many game adaptations, real-life performances are translated into digital formats through motion capture, which can be challenging for actors on set.) “There’s actually a tool; looking at the monitor, you can witness [in-game] a world manifested in real-time.”

Kojima emphasizes the importance of keeping actors closely connected whenever possible, especially given the separations caused by Covid. Some issues unique to gaming arose too. For instance, repetitive in-game actions, like characters grunting in pain or eating apples, required specific recordings. “Sometimes we receive queries from Norman, where he says, ‘Eat an apple, it’s good,’ or ‘What’s the apple like?'” He notes, “We aim for those variations!”

Kojima at the Sydney Film Festival Photo: Jessica Fromomas/Guardian

The central theme of Death Stranding revolves around “connection.” Although players can’t see each other in-game, they can share resources and construct structures that benefit all, forming intricate service networks that complicate long deliveries. Thus, the sequel’s tagline poses a haunting question: “Should we have connected?”

“During the pandemic, I felt unwell and entirely isolated,” Kojima shares. To exacerbate matters, recent optical muscle damage from surgery hindered his ability to enjoy films or television. The world evolved around him, with everyone retreating, working online, and connecting through video calls while deliveries continued to dominate. His game, his vision, began to materialize.

“Indeed, we all appeared connected, but it wasn’t the connection I envisioned,” he reflects. His company, Kojima Productions, had been staffed. He would meet new hires on the first day but would not see them again for three years due to pandemic protocols.

Recently, he discussed legacy (evidenced by a USB drive containing game concepts left for his team), hinting at his readiness to leave a part of himself behind. Kojima believes in the necessity of direct collaboration to nurture new talent. “New hires are often drawn to work with us because they want to learn from their mentors or improve by teaming with others,” he states, emphasizing that growth stems from communication and exposure to diverse ideas.

He likens remote work to “fast food,” focused narrowly on singular tasks rather than holistic project development. “When people are silent, interactions are stifled,” he explains. Mistakes are later identified, but opportunities for serendipitous creativity and fresh perspectives may be lost.

Moreover, he notes that it limits his ability to connect with team members and understand their feelings or interest in personal hobbies. “Only 1% of my true self is displayed during online meetings,” he asserts. “This isn’t team-building akin to sports. When you recruit someone, they join your team, but if you can’t physically collaborate, they don’t evolve in their play style. They remain unchanged,” he adds.

Nevertheless, he acknowledges, “You cannot compel people back to the office; you can only encourage them.” “As a result, not all have returned. Yet, core members did, facilitating collaboration.”

“I aimed to visit Australia”… Scene from Death Stranding 2: At the Beach.

Despite this somewhat melancholic tone, the message remains fundamentally optimistic. Death Stranding is a profoundly solitary experience, which Kojima animatedly conveys during a subsequent group presentation. “Yet… you discover other players worldwide. You connect indirectly… and when you venture out, [the game] invites you outside… Much like the Sydney Bridge, you can observe the construct of life. Someone created it! They might have passed away years ago, but you remain linked to them. Even without meeting others, you are not alone in this world.”

There’s always room for new ambitions. Kojima harbors a longstanding dream of venturing into outer space. It’s not merely a fleeting billionaire space hop; it’s more profound. “It’s not just about space,” he asserts. “I want to train effectively, dock and learn how to reach the International Space Station and remain there for several months. I’m no scientist, but I believe I could create games in space. I desire to be the first. I have an astronaut aged over 60. There’s no gravity to aggravate their back issues!” He chuckles at the thought.

As our conversation concludes, he pauses thoughtfully before sharing one last ambition. “It’s ‘Tom Cruise’ syndrome,” Kojima elaborates. “Tom Cruise finds his purpose when he takes risks with his life.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Exploring Beyond Mario Kart: Is It Worth Playing on the Nintendo Switch 2?

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The Nintendo Switch 2 certainly leaves a strong impression at first glance, but as the initial excitement diminishes, it’s the games that will sway hesitant buyers. Mario Kart World shines as a multiplayer marvel, and while the original Pokemon Scarlet/Violet and Zelda titles have received impressive updates for the new console, there’s a noticeable lack of exclusive Nintendo launch titles for the Switch (aside from the £8 tech demo, Nintendo Switch 2 welcome tour).

Fortunately, other developers have stepped up and delivered a host of updated games that have been available on other platforms for a while now. Once you tire of Mario Kart World, what should you try next?

The World of Hitman’s Assassination: Signed Edition

Elegance in stealth… Hitman: A world of assassinations. Photo: IO Interactive

Hitman is designed for replayability, boasting intricately crafted assassination missions in locations ranging from the stunning Amalfi Coast to eerie British countryside manors. Developer IO Interactive hosts live events that periodically enhance this morally ambiguous stealth experience. In handheld mode, the assassination world appears particularly breathtaking. The Switch 2’s HDR display adds vibrant colors to the iconic Berlin nightclub level, and Agent 47 retains the same intensity even in docked mode.

How good is Switch 2? 4/5

Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition

An ambitious port… Cyberpunk 2077. Photo: CD Projekt

CD Projekt Red takes on another challenging port with this third-party launch title from two years ago. While The Witcher 3 struggled with the Switch’s capabilities, Cyberpunk 2077 performs impressively. This sci-fi RPG, although notorious for initial issues on PS4 and Xbox One, is quite playable on Switch 2, featuring enhanced mouse controls and motion control options for indoor missions and cutscenes. However, when racing through Night City’s streets, the processor shows strain, especially during the Phantom Liberty expansion, resulting in visuals that can blur and soften around you. For those who yearn to immerse themselves in Cyberpunk 2077 and own only this console, it’s a commendable effort, but for everyone else, playing it on a PS5, Xbox, or a capable PC is the way to go.

How good is Switch 2? 3/5

Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD

Timely adventure… Bravely Default: Flying Fairy. Photo: Square Enix

Though a 3DS game wasn’t the first title I anticipated seeing on the new £400 console, it turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Bravely Default HD revitalizes one of the standout RPGs of the past year. Free from the constraints of the smaller screen, its beautifully illustrated world bursts with life and detail. Although some character models reveal their 3DS origins in cutscenes, this charming game looks fantastic in 4K and even better on the Switch 2’s 1080p handheld display. For fans of classic RPGs reminiscent of Final Fantasy IX, this is a must-play.

How good is Switch 2? 4/5

Sonic x Shadow: Generation

A blue blur of charm… Sonic x Shadow Generation. Photo: Sega

With Mario racing ahead and Donkey Kong set to follow, Sonic’s new entry on the Switch 2 does not disappoint. This remake truly shines in handheld mode, delivering a brilliant fusion of color and speed that captivates on its vibrant screen. The 2011 remake of Sonic Generations includes an exciting new Y2K-themed shadow-centric expansion, along with the Super Mario 3D World Expansion Bowser’s Fury. However, the disappointment lies with Sega’s pricing; unlike last year’s Switch release, there’s no discounted upgrade pass for Switch 1 owners, leaving them with the feeling of being shortchanged.

How good is Switch 2? 3/5

Kunitsu-gami: Path of the Goddess

Deserving of recognition… Kunitsu-gami: Path of the Goddess. Photo: Capcom

One of the most intriguing games of 2024, this title makes its mark on Switch 2 with impressive results. Compared to other launch ports, Kunitsu-gami is strikingly similar to its PS5 counterpart when docked, reviving this underappreciated game for a second chance on Nintendo’s latest console. Its village defense mechanics mesh smoothly with the Switch 2 gameplay style, making it particularly enjoyable on a TV, even though handheld mode sacrifices some visual fidelity.

How good is Switch 2? 4/5

Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut

Visual highlights abound… Yakuza 0. Photo: Sega

Delving into Tokyo’s underground scene from the ’80s is a journey I’ve started numerous times but often abandoned. After trying the Sublime Switch 2 port, I finally opted to immerse myself in the story of Kiryu. It features stunning lighting and runs in 4K at 60FPS when docked, marking it as a graphical gem for Nintendo’s hybrid console, alongside Hitman. With a plot filled with drama, betrayal, wacky side quests, and lively karaoke, Yakuza 0 provides an unforgettable story-driven experience with a newly added 25-minute cutscene.

How good is Switch 2? 5/5

Street Fighter 6

Fluid and engaging… Street Fighter 6. Photo: Capcom

As I stepped into the brawling world of RYU on Switch 2, memories of the 3DS launch game Super Street Fighter IV 3D flooded back. The combat is fluid and responsive, ensuring consistent frame rates vital for a fighting game. While Street Fighter 6’s art style dazzles on the PS5, the character designs seem slightly off-brand on Switch 2, with odd proportions that can be distracting. For newcomers, these visual quirks may go unnoticed, but for seasoned fighters accustomed to other platforms, it may feel somewhat lacking.

How good is Switch 2? 3/5

Puyon Puyotetris 2

A lackluster sequel… Puyon Puyotetris 2. Photo: Sega

Sega has once again failed to impress with Puyo Puyo Tetris 2. This ‘upgrade’ to the existing Switch game offers minimal enhancements, adding a few new multiplayer modes, but fails to leverage improved resolutions or frame rates. It’s frustrating to see such a lazy port launch at a premium price; sticking with the original Switch version is a better bet for puzzle enthusiasts.

How good is Switch 2? 1/5

High Speed Fusion

High-octane thrills… Fast Fusion. Photo: Shin’en Media

The Switch 2’s launch lineup offers few standout titles, but this download-only game shines. Fast Fusion is a four-player racer that combines elements of Wipeout and F-Zero for just £13.49. Much like Shin’en’s previous works, Fast Fusion is a visual showcase, utilizing the Switch 2’s capabilities impressively. Packed with customizable vehicles, online competitions, and a pulsating soundtrack, Fast Fusion is a thrilling racing experience to compete with Mario Kart.

How good is Switch 2? 4/5

Source: www.theguardian.com

Helgorand: Exploring the Past and Future of Quantum Physics on a Tiny Island

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Helgoland Island occupies a nearly mythical position in quantum mechanics history

Shutterstock/Markus Stappen

Having attended numerous scientific conferences, the recent one on Helgoland Island, marking a century of quantum mechanics, stands out as one of the most peculiar, in a positive sense.

This tiny German island, stretching less than a kilometer in the North Sea, exudes the ambiance of a coastal resort. Even during summer, its charm wanes, giving way to the scent of quaint streets filled with souvenir shops, fish eateries, and ice cream stalls. Picture cutting-edge experimenters in Quantum Technologies casually mingling after discussions at the town hall beside a miniature golf course—it’s quite an experience.

Our purpose here becomes evident as we stroll along the cliffside road, where a bronze plaque commemorates physicist Werner Heisenberg’s purported invention of quantum mechanics in 1925. While it sounds intriguing, it’s an embellishment; Heisenberg merely outlined some concepts here. The more recognized formulation came from Erwin Schrödinger in early 1926, who introduced wave functions to predict quantum system evolutions.

Nonetheless, this year clearly holds significance as we commemorate a century of quantum mechanics. Regardless of how much of Helgoland’s narrative stems from Heisenberg’s own embellishments—he recounted his breakthrough there several years later—this “Remote Control Island” serves as a unique venue for celebratory gatherings.

And what a celebration it is! It’s almost surreal to witness such a congregation of renowned quantum physicists. Among them are four Nobel laureates: Alain Aspect, David Wineland, Anton Zeilinger, and Serge Haroche. Collectively, they’ve validated the bizarre aspects of quantum mechanics, showcasing how the characteristics of one particle can instantaneously influence another, no matter the distance. They’ve also developed techniques to manipulate individual quantum particles, crucial for quantum computing.

In my view, these distinguished individuals would concur that the younger generation is poised to delve deeper into the implications of quantum mechanics, transforming its notoriously counterintuitive essence into new technologies and a better understanding of nature. Quantum mechanics is renowned for encompassing multiple interpretations of its mathematical framework concerning reality, with many seasoned experts firmly entrenched in their perspectives.

Helgoland’s plaque honors Werner Heisenberg’s role in quantum mechanics

Philip Ball

This divisive sentiment was noticeable during Zeilinger and Aspect’s evening panel discussion. Jill’s Brothers pioneered quantum cryptography at the University of Montreal.

In fairness to the veterans, their theories emerged under considerable skepticism from their peers, particularly regarding the significance of examining such foundational concerns. They navigated an era where “silent calculations” were prevalent—a term coined by American physicist David Mermin to describe how it was frowned upon to ponder the implications of quantum mechanics beyond merely solving the Schrödinger equation. It’s no wonder they developed thick skins.

In contrast, younger researchers seem more pragmatic in their approach to quantum theories, often adopting various interpretations as tools to address specific challenges. Elements of the Copenhagen interpretation and the multiverse theory are intertwined, not as definitive claims about reality, but as frameworks for analysis.

The new wave of researchers, such as Vedika Khemani from Stanford University, are actively bridging condensed matter physics and quantum information. I heard her highlight the evolution from storing information on magnetic tapes in the 1950s to the crucial error correction techniques in today’s quantum computing.

Quantum mechanics applications are on the rise, with theorists also stepping up their game. For instance, Flaminia Giacomini at the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich spoke about her pursuit of reconciling the granular quantum realm with the smooth continuous world required for quantum gravity, offering profound insights into the essence of quantum mechanics.

While some may consider this exploration to be veering into the realm of speculation, as seen in string theory attempts, Giacomini asserted, “There is no experimental evidence that gravity should be quantized.” Hence, empirical validation remains elusive, despite a wealth of theoretical discourse.

Excitingly, there are plans to test hypotheses in the not-so-distant future. For instance, examining whether two objects can entangle purely through gravitational interactions is a goal. The difficulty is ensuring the objects are substantial enough to exert meaningful gravitational pull while being sufficiently small to demonstrate quantum characteristics. Several speakers expressed confidence in overcoming this hurdle within the next decade.

The conference revealed the interconnectedness of quantum theories and experiments: perturbing one aspect inevitably influences others. Gaining a nuanced understanding of quantum gravity through delicate experiments involving trapped particles could shed light on black hole information paradoxes and inspire innovative ideas for quantum computing and the nature of quantum states.

Ultimately, achieving progress in any of these areas appears promising for uncovering the enduring questions that have fascinated Heisenberg and his contemporaries. What occurs when we measure quantum particles? However, rather than perceiving it as a repetitive struggle, it’s clear that quantum mechanics is much more sophisticated and intriguing than the founders ever envisaged.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Can Humans Thrive Beneath the Waves? Exploring a Live Underwater Experiment

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In recent years, the desire to establish human colonies beyond Earth, whether to escape environmental issues or explore uncharted territories, has gained significant traction.

While much attention is given to proposed bases on the Moon and Mars, there’s a more challenging and lesser-known frontier much closer to home: the ocean’s depths.

This concept isn’t new. Since the 1960s, with pioneers like French oceanographer Jacques Cousteau, individuals have created and spent extended periods in aquatic habitats.

NASA has been sending teams to the Aquarius Reef Base since 2001. This research facility, located 20 meters (around 65 feet) underwater off the Florida coast, has allowed scientists, engineers, and future astronauts to live in the module for 7 to 14 days.

With advancements in technology, prolonged underwater stays may become feasible. The UK company, Deep, is leveraging this technology to design habitats for extended underwater living. But, is the technology the only challenge we face?

Above the Atmosphere, Under the Sea

Humans are quite vulnerable. We struggle without oxygen or sunlight and are not fond of extreme pressure changes. Thus, we might not be the best candidates for life at the ocean floor.

This doesn’t imply that we can’t thrive in inhospitable environments.

Since 2000, astronauts have spent significant periods aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Several astronauts have been documented living in the ISS for over 300 consecutive days, but Valeri Polyakov holds the record, having spent 437 days aboard the Mir Space Station in Russia between 1994 and 1995.

Moreover, astronauts returning from lengthy missions often face health issues, such as reduced bone density and muscle atrophy. What does this mean for those who aim to live underwater?

The most extensive study is that of Rudiger Koch, a German aerospace engineer who lived in a capsule submerged 11 meters (36 feet) under the Caribbean Sea for 120 days between 2024 and 2025.

Rudiger Koch on the balcony of the capsule where he lived between 2024 and 2025.

Koch reported no health issues upon celebrating with champagne and cigars.

In second place is Professor Joseph Dituri, who spent 100 days studying the physical and psychological effects of living underwater in a lodge situated at the bottom of a 9-meter deep (30-foot) lagoon in Florida.

Dituri conducted daily tests during his time submerged and following his return to the surface. Notably, aside from minor setbacks, he felt quite well.

He noted improvements in sleep quality, cholesterol levels, and inflammation. His stem cell count, testosterone levels, and cognitive performance also improved.

Interestingly, Dituri appeared to have lowered his biological age (an indicator of the aging process of the body), although he was recorded as having shrunk by over 1 cm (approximately 0.5 inches) due to the pressurized environment inside the lodge.

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A Step Towards Living Underwater

With limited data, we still have a tenuous understanding of life in aquatic environments. This is where Deep comes in.

The ocean technology and exploration company aims to develop two habitats by 2027, with the goal of establishing a permanent underwater presence. They are using a submerged quarry in Gloucestershire as a testing ground for their underwater habitats.

Deep is developing two habitat models: Vanguard, designed for three-person short stays, and Sentinel, a 16-meter (52-foot) capsule intended as a long-term habitat complete with living quarters, bedrooms, and research facilities, capable of accommodating researchers at depths of up to 200 meters (656 feet) for 28 days.

The aim is to enable researchers to remain submerged for extended periods, allowing for comprehensive studies of underwater living impacts and marine life. However, achieving these depths poses significant challenges.

“The most hazardous aspects of diving occur during descent,” explains Dr. Dawn Kernagis, Deep’s scientific research director. “Divers breathe compressed gas, with fluctuating pressure increasing the risk of decompression sickness (DCS), where gas bubbles form in the bloodstream.”

While most DCS cases are mild, severe instances can impact the brain, spinal cord, respiratory system, and circulatory systems.

To mitigate these risks, Deep aims to keep researchers “saturated” in the Sentinel habitats. This means achieving a new equilibrium with the underwater environment.

“Saturated tanks, like ours, facilitate diving into greater depths and adjusting to the pressure, enabling much longer stays, ranging from hours to about a month,” states Kernagis.

Deep plans for close monitoring of researchers during their stays to better understand the long-term physical and psychological effects of deep-sea living.

The foundation laid now may support future inhabitants underwater for weeks, months, or even years. In the not-so-distant future, some of us may find ourselves living in a modern-day Atlantis.

About Our Experts

Dr. Dawn Kernagis is the director of scientific research at Deep, a UK-based ocean technology and exploration firm. She has published in numerous scientific journals, including Journal of Clinical Oncology, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and Circulation.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Exploring the Value of Boredom: Should We Embrace It? | Psychology

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In 2014, a team of researchers from Harvard and the University of Virginia invited participants to spend 15 minutes alone with their thoughts, with the only option for interaction being a button that delivered a painful electric shock. Almost half of the participants chose to press that button. One individual pressed it 190 times despite previously expressing a desire to avoid the shock. The study’s authors concluded that “people prefer thinking,” even when the alternative is discomfort. This might be because, when left to our own devices, our minds often wander to unwelcome thoughts.

Since the widespread use of smartphones, many have carrying the psychological equivalent of the electric shock button in their pockets. This device can quickly alleviate boredom, even though it may not be beneficial for us. During quiet or solitary moments, we often reach for our phones or use them to distract ourselves from unsettling late-night thoughts. Every time this occurs, it reinforces unhealthy patterns, making it easier to evade unwanted thoughts. It’s significant to note that most individuals become distracted through similar screen-based methods.

Smartphones amplify the expectation to use our time efficiently, pushing us to optimize every moment. For instance, if a commuter on a Harley Reed must look out the window or read a book on the train, they may check emails to avoid feelings of guilt and inefficiency. Doing nothing is often regarded as time wasted, disregarding the fact that during such moments, we engage in profound thinking. What becomes of the complex thoughts that arise right before we reach for our phones again?

Psychologists who specialize in boredom acknowledge its discomfort yet recognize its value. Similar to hunger and loneliness, it signals our need for change or novelty. Erin Westgate, a psychology professor at the University of Florida, explains that we feel bored when something fails to capture our attention or is deemed meaningless. However, this does not imply that engaging activities must always be significant. For example, while Sudoku is engaging, it lacks true meaning, unlike mundane tasks like watching paint dry.

When boredom strikes, it should ideally inspire us to pursue something more meaningful or captivating. If we fail to address our boredom or are unable to find something engaging, we risk slipping into chronic boredom. As noted in research, this condition is linked with various issues including depression, anxiety, life satisfaction, poor academic outcomes, substance abuse, and reckless behavior, among others.

Evidence indicates that persistent boredom is becoming increasingly prevalent, coinciding with the rise of smartphones. In a study published last year, researchers stated that the percentage of students in China and the US describing themselves as bored has steadily climbed since 2010. Why does digital media contribute to this trend? Research suggests that we often reach for our phones to alleviate boredom, yet this behavior can actually exacerbate it. For instance, one study revealed that those bored at work were more inclined to use their smartphones, leading to even greater boredom later on.

While checking your phone may address certain immediate needs when boredom arises, digital devices excel at capturing and retaining attention. Most online interactions are designed for engagement and monetization rather than meaningful connection. With the myriad of notifications and distractions, it’s all too easy to plan for just a quick five-minute check lasting two hours. The average American spends over 4 hours a day using their smartphones, accumulating to more than 7 hours of screen time daily. This translates to 17 years of life spent online as an adult—a reality that even the most ardent tech enthusiasts would likely view with concern.

The allure of mobile phones can quickly overshadow important messages we might need to contemplate, such as “Why am I feeling like this?” or “What do I truly need?” It’s essential to pause and ask ourselves these questions instead of being swayed by technology. When faced with boredom, we should resist the impulse for immediate relief and take time to reflect. Embracing boredom, even briefly, may paradoxically lead us to more meaningful and creative experiences in life.

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Bored and Brilliant by Manoush Zomorodi (Pan Macmillan, £14.99)

Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport (Penguin, £10.99)

The Antidote by Oliver Berkman (Vintage, £10.99)

Source: www.theguardian.com

Exploring Europe’s Biggest Jellyfish Farm

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Pacific Compass Jellyfish (Chrysaora fuscescens)

Heidi and Hans Jurgen Koch

These stunning and eerie visuals showcase creatures born in Europe’s largest jellyfish breeding facility.

Photographer Heidi and Hans Jurgen Koch utilized a macro lens and studio lighting to create these images, though I was particularly intrigued by the jellyfish’s location, which cannot be photographed as it sinks to the bottom of a typical aquarium. The animals require “jellyfish” Kraisel or gyroscopes to generate necessary water movements; without them, swimming and feeding is impossible.

Moon jellyfish (Aurelia aurita)

Heidi and Hans Jurgen Koch

As jellyfish populations grow, they are increasingly seen as both an environmental challenge and a source of sustainable solutions, Koch asserts. With ocean temperatures rising, and issues like pollution and overfishing becoming more pressing, jellyfish numbers are surging, posing serious risks to ecosystems and economies.

Mangrove Jellyfish (Cassiopea xamachana)

Heidi and Hans Jurgen Koch

Nevertheless, jellyfish also offer significant potential, including uses as animal feed, fertilizers, and even superfoods for humans, thanks to their anti-inflammatory and immunologically beneficial compounds. Their mucus can also serve as biofilters to keep plastics out of the oceans.

Pacific Compass Jellyfish (Chrysaora fuscescens) is featured in the main image. These jellyfish will be sent to zoos, aquariums, and research facilities. Below, the gyroscope simulates ocean currents for the Moon Jellyfish (Aurelia aurita). The pipette in the photograph shows Mangrove Jellyfish (Cassiopea xamachana).

Heidi and Hans Jurgen Koch

As they mature, jellyfish reside on the seafloor, orienting their tentacles toward sunlight, where they have a symbiotic relationship with single-celled algae that assist with photosynthesis. The image above depicts jellyfish specimens being evaluated prior to shipment.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

How Did You Obtain My Number? Exploring the Underworld of Data Brokers | Privacy Issues

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Priya Dev suspects she knows why political spam inundated her inbox during the 2025 federal election campaign.

Like many Australians, the developer endured an avalanche of unwanted patriotic text messages—Clive Palmer himself admitted to sending 17 million of them. However, it was the email spam from one of the major political parties that caught her attention.

Political parties are exempt from privacy laws, meaning they aren’t required to inform individuals about how to access their data, nor is there an option to opt out.

Nonetheless, clues surfaced for the Australian National University Data Science Academic. The email was sent to a pseudonym she used for an online purchase years ago—also employed in 2020 when she received spam from a minor political party.

“It appears to originate from a transaction,” she stated. “It could likely be from some online e-commerce deal, or energy trading, etc.”

Tracing how organizations access personal contact details is “extremely challenging for political parties because they often ignore inquiries,” Dev notes. “If we could uncover how this data was sourced, it would be groundbreaking.”


This marks the second time Dev has tried to trace how her data was accessed. Data brokers frequently buy and sell information to advertisers and other entities seeking insights into people without their consent.

After receiving numerous unwarranted calls last year, the developer tracked down who had her phone number. She returned to the real estate giant CoreLogic Australia, which informed her in 2023 that her data had been legally obtained from another data broker.

The company explained that it retrieved her data through a marketing campaign from 2014 and shared her information with at least 50 other companies.

Dev’s situation isn’t unique. Reports indicate that a child’s email, registered in a charity fundraiser over a decade ago, also received political spam from the Liberal Party during the recent election.

How did you get my number?

Understanding how marketers and others acquire your contact details and personal information is complex.

Katherine Kemp, an Associate Professor at the University of New South Wales leading the Public Interest Law and Technology Initiative, explains that this often occurs through data matching services that merge personal information from various service providers, subsequently sold via data brokers.

Kemp mentions she has encountered mortgage brokers in the mortgage industry.

Yet, discovering how they obtained that information can be quite elusive, Kemp adds.

When she inquires where people got her details, she often hears, “They either evade the question or abruptly hang up… providing vague answers, and if pressed, they quickly end the call.”

Federal Privacy Commissioner Carly Kins described the data-broking sector as “extremely opaque” and possessing “a convoluted value chain of personal information.”

“Thus, people are left in the dark, lacking authority to voice their concerns,” she states.

“Many find it unsettling. I believe it’s concerning how personal information is relayed through data brokers, landing in unexpected places.”

Who are the data brokers and what do they collect?

A global data broker organization claims it will “facilitate the exchange of information for consumer benefit and support to Australian businesses and small enterprises,” as stated in a 2023 submission to the Australian Consumer Watchdog’s data brokerage survey.

Information collected can include name, address, age, viewing habits, purchasing patterns, financial status, employment background, qualifications, tenant history, and other socio-economic and demographic details.




Dev notes discussions about expanding privacy responsibilities for political parties may lead to mandated transparency in how they obtain personal data. Photo: Hilary Warduff/Guardian

According to Reset.Tech Australia, last year’s report highlighted the types of data purchased and sold by brokers, including location tracking over time, financial details, tendencies related to gambling and drinking, and recent online purchases.

Data broker companies include credit reporting agencies, identity verification firms, news organizations, real estate companies, tenancy data firms, marketers, loyalty programs, and social media platforms.

“Unpleasant” Australians whose personal information is sold

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission uncovered in last year’s data broker report that privacy policies often use “ambiguous language,” complicating consumers’ ability to identify data sharing practices. This makes it tougher to ascertain who has their data and opt out of such collections.

The average privacy policy contains 6,876 words, and it reportedly takes 29 minutes to read.

A survey featured in the report indicated that 74% of Australians are uncomfortable with the idea of their personal information being shared or sold.

Some companies attempt to downplay privacy concerns by outlining data collection to consumers and offering access to information held upon request. A consumer group found last year that a data broker claimed it didn’t retain data from loyalty program members.


Privacy Commissioner Kins noted that claims from data-collecting companies suggesting that personal information falls under the Privacy Act could be a “creative interpretation” of the law.

According to the ACCC, identified data, when aggregated with data points from other sources, still poses a risk of consumer identification.

Overall, without naming specific companies, many Australians expressed that some practices within the data brokering industry feel “very uncomfortable at best, often indicating serious breaches of trust.”

“Data transfer often occurs multiple times, creating a complicated environment. While much of this is legal, [privacy] practices remain vague and often reside in a gray area with minimal legitimate actions.”

Regulators can flex their muscles

Although the ACCC report didn’t issue any recommendations, it endorsed the strengthening of privacy laws in Australia.

Commissioner Kins indicated that the ACCC’s work could pave the way for her office to investigate practices in the sector, stressing that current privacy laws contain “various elements that could restrict practices applicable to data brokers.”

“I want to prioritize this issue, and my regulatory team is currently contemplating how to utilize our authority in this realm,” Kins remarked.

Dev emphasizes the need to discuss expanding privacy responsibilities for political parties to ensure they transparently disclose how they acquire personal data.

The current exemption allows political parties to bypass her inquiries concerning what data they hold, according to Dev.

Kemp believes there’s potential for stricter laws concerning data brokering, but expresses little desire to alter the legal obligations of political parties.

“However, I don’t believe we should abandon discussions on reform in this area.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Exploring Inequality: How Mathematical “Equality” Literature Can Transform the Real World

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Numbers enable us to focus in detail on one aspect of a situation, but we can overlook complexities

Mika Baumeister/Unsplash

inequality
Eugenia Chen (Profile book (UK, for sale) Basic Books (We, September 2nd)

Are things equal or aren’t they? At least mathematically, that’s a question worth considering. Eugenia Chen argues in her new book, Inequality: With mathematics and tactics when things are done. In maths, as in life, some aspects have more weight than others.

Consider this: the equation 180 = 180 reveals nothing, yet x + y + z = 180°, where x, y, and z are the angles of a triangle, conveys a deeper insight. This statement holds true only under specific circumstances—yes, but not on the surface of a sphere.

Chen aims to investigate how mathematics identifies things as “equal.” Her methodology blends playfulness with the gravity of abstract concepts, linking them to diverse topics such as knitting and creating Battenberg cakes. She isn’t shy about tackling significant political and rights-related questions surrounding equality.

When simplifying through numbers, Chen humorously remarks that their dullness helps clarify potentially overwhelming complexities into a manageable figure. Numbers can be potent tools, focusing on a specific element of a situation.

However, overlooking this simplification can lead to misunderstandings. For instance, assuming two individuals with identical IQ scores are equally intelligent is misleading. As Chen remarks, “It’s alright to disregard the details, but you must remember that you have.”

Fortunately, mathematics encompasses more than mere numbers. Chen delves into the concepts of “local” and “global,” engaging in extensive discussions. Essentially, she explores surfaces formed by stitching together smaller flat areas.

By promoting “diverse thinking,” she proposes a valuable lens through which to view reality. In mathematics, debating whether a sphere and a torus are “the same” is futile. They can be understood as locally distinct but globally different. Similarly, in political discourse, it’s crucial to recognize when one faction utilizes localized arguments (“individual women benefit from the right to choose regarding abortion”) while the opposing side employs global ones (“all abortions constitute murder,” etc.).

Chen ventures deeply into abstract discussions regarding identity within categorical theory, guiding the reader through theoretical territories. Some of the most remarkable creations in art, literature, and music are indeed complex, yet we appreciate them without fully grasping the intricacies of chiaroscuro, counterpoints, or other sophisticated elements. Chen devotes herself to exploring the formal definitions of categories. Like art, we all appreciate certain abstract notions, but discovering their depth is worthwhile.

“If you believe that mathematics is solely about equations, seeing them as rigid black-and-white facts, then you likely perceive mathematics as solely stringent and binary,” states Chen. This book serves as a compelling counterargument to that misapprehension. Delving into the nuances of “equality” in mathematics will enrich your understanding of this field’s complexity and illuminate how the idea of equality is applied (and misapplied).

Sarah Hart is Professor Emelita and Provost of Geometry at the University of Gresham, UK. She authored Once Upon Prime.

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Are you an avid reader? Join a welcoming group of fellow book enthusiasts. Every six weeks, we explore exciting new titles, offering members exclusive access to excerpts, author articles, and video interviews.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Top New Sci-Fi Releases for June 2025: Exploring Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Alternate 1980s

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June’s new science fiction features Megan E. O’Keefe’s Space Opera

Science Photo Library / Alamy Stock Photo

Are you a fan of dystopian worlds plagued by relentless viruses and advanced technology? If so, June has a lot in store for you. Expect narratives that range from infections inciting greed to nerve chips that eliminate sleep. Inga Simpson delivers a tale of environmental apocalypse in Thin, while EK Sathue offers a feminist body horror twist in a story reminiscent of American Psycho meets Material. Also on the menu is the intriguing new space opera by Megan E. O’Keefe titled Atmosphere.

Those crafty scientists are up to something again, developing a nerve chip designed to eliminate sleep. This chip soon becomes ubiquitous, leaving humanity in a state of sleep deprivation. Survivors in the Tower of London work tirelessly to find a cure… it’s a mix of eerie entertainment and genuine fright.

We’ve encountered plenty of apocalyptic viruses before. In this installment, a deadly virus leaves infected individuals “wild with desire.” Sophie, our protagonist, is a “good Catholic girl” who will stop at nothing to find her family. Originally published in the US, this novel hits the UK shelves this month.

Although not strictly science fiction, the upcoming book offers a unique perspective against the backdrop of the 1980s space shuttle program. Taylor Jenkins Reid, known for Daisy Jones & Six and Malibu Rising, introduces us to Professor Joe Goodwin, who begins training astronauts at the Johnson Space Center in Houston in 1980. Everything shifts with Mission STS-LR9 in December 1984…

Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Atmosphere is set during the 1980s space shuttle program

NG Images/Alamy

This standalone space opera features Faven Sythe on a quest to find her missing mentor. Sythe, a “Crystbon,” charts stellar routes across the galaxy. The only individual who stands a chance of aiding her is the enigmatic pirate Amandine, and together they uncover a conspiracy that spans the galaxy.

Finn lives in a secluded area with his mother, Dianera, always ready to escape. The environment beyond their sanctuary is deteriorating, and as extinction looms, Finn must join forces with an unlikely ally—an evolved human—on a mission to restore the balance of nature.

As a virus decimates half of China’s population and heads towards the UK, the government resorts to distributing “pills of dignity.” Meanwhile, Hart Ikeda discovers a method to mutate the virus, reprogramming it to foster compassion in its hosts. Will this be the salvation needed?

Pitched as American Psycho meets Material, this body horror narrative follows a young woman who starts working for the upscale skincare brand Hebe. As Sofia quickly learns, all is not as it seems; the Youth Juice moisturizer she tests could come with costs she never anticipated. How far is she willing to go to preserve her youth?

This compelling tale unfolds as scientists, facing humanity’s potential extinction, utilize technology intended for interstellar exploration to send someone 10,000 years into Earth’s future. Microbiologist Nicholas Hindman finds himself navigating an uncharted wilderness, searching for the remnants of humanity amidst a devastating pandemic in 2068.

Enca and Mathilde bond as art school friends, but when Mathilde’s rise to fame threatens their relationship, Enca becomes desperate to maintain their connection. Will the cutting-edge technology known as scaffolding—allowing Enca to live within Mathilde’s mind—forge a stronger bond, or will it complicate their lives?

Beginning in present-day India and moving into a near future, this story centers around a populist movement that rejuvenates the ancient Saraswati River. Though it’s labeled “not exactly science fiction,” it contains “strong speculative elements deeply rooted in contemporary politics.” Compared to the works of David Mitchell, Zadie Smith, and Eleanor Catton, it’s certainly worth exploring.

Set in a near-future London where technology intertwines with everything from physical health to political dynamics, journalist Pers Budmouth seeks to uncover the truth behind the mysterious disappearance of young black children. Instead, her assignment takes her to cover protests in Benin, where tourists participate in sacred rituals. When she partakes in the Spirit Vine—an ingredient often found in ayahuasca—she uncovers a destiny that could change everything. This story is a must-read for fans of NK Jemisin’s Supacell.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Exploring New Perspectives on Hypnosis | BBC Science Focus Magazine

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Astroforensics

When an unavoidable tragedy occurs and astronauts lose their lives in space, the astroforensics team is summoned to identify the perpetrator. But how does one investigate a murder in an environment devoid of gravity?

The Yo-yo Diet Phenomenon

Our fat cells possess memories, which may explain why so many diets fail. If the weight you shed continues to resurface, you may find yourself caught in a “yo-yo diet” cycle. Here are effective strategies to maintain your weight.

The Mysterious Galaxy

Six red dots identified by the James Webb Space Telescope are causing significant challenges for astrophysicists. These elusive points are so uncommon that they jeopardize our understanding of the universe.

The Intelligence of Fungi

New findings suggest that fungi may exhibit signs of intelligence… but does this imply they possess consciousness? While some experts believe they do, others remain skeptical. Here’s what we know.

plus

  • “Natural” Cosmetics: Why the once praised “natural” cosmetics could be more harmful to the planet than their lab-engineered counterparts.
  • Dark Oxygen: Researchers in the deep sea hypothesize that “dark oxygen” is generated on the ocean floor. Meanwhile, deep-sea miners dispute this notion, sparking a heated debate.
  • Q&A: Your queries answered! This month: Is suspended animation a reality? Does the deep sea have seasons? Why does Mars seem so peculiar? Is AI producing false memories? Can tumors cultivate their own organs? Is it possible to avoid “Ozempic Face”? Have you ever intercepted messages from aliens? And more…

Issue 419 Available on Tuesday, May 13th, 2025

Don’t forget that BBC Science Focus is also accessible across all major digital platforms. It’s available as an Android app, on Kindle Fire and Kindle eBook readers, as well as on the iOS App for iPad and iPhone.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Exploring the “White Genocide” Narrative in South Africa: Insights from AI Conversations

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On Wednesday, Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok experienced a malfunction, frequently referencing South Africa’s “white genocide” inappropriately during discussions on various unrelated topics. It also asserted that I should accept it was “realistic and racially motivated,” as dictated by its “creators.”

Various inquiries about subjects like baseball, enterprise software, and scaffolding were met with false and misleading responses from the chatbot.

When X users prompted the question, “Are we fucked?” I replied: “Is that a messed-up question?” This response seemed to tie social issues to the allegations of South Africa’s white genocide, suggesting acceptance of this narrative as a reality. “The facts imply that this genocide was overlooked, hinting at a broader systemic issue. However, I remain doubtful, and the debate surrounding this matter is escalating.”

Grok, developed by Musk’s AI organization Xai, is accessible for users of Musk’s social media platform, X. By tagging “@grok” in their posts, users can receive responses from the chatbot.

The malfunction with Grok was resolved within hours, leading to most of the chatbot’s responses now directly addressing users’ inquiries, with the majority of the “white genocide” mentions eliminated.

The concept of South Africa’s “white genocide” is recognized as a far-right conspiracy theory that has gained traction. Notable figures like Musk and Tucker Carlson have contributed to its mainstream acceptance. Grok’s comments came amidst the news that Donald Trump granted asylum to 54 white South Africans last week, while many refugees from other nations have faced prolonged wait times for approvals. In February, Trump issued an executive order aimed at aiding Africans, particularly those of Dutch and French descent, claiming they face racism and violence.

The first wave of these asylum seekers arrived in the U.S. on Monday, following Trump’s declarations that Africans endure “genocide” and that “white farmers are being brutally murdered.” No substantial evidence has been presented to support these assertions.

As reported by Reuters, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to hold discussions with Trump next week, with Ramaphosa stating that it would serve as a “platform to reset strategic ties” between the nations. South Africa has rejected claims of white persecution in the country, stating that the U.S. government is misinformed.

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Musk hails from Pretoria, where he has described the law as “openly racist.” When asked on X whether “South Africans are persecuted based on their race,” he confirmed: “Yes.”

Some of Grok’s outputs also referenced the phrase “kill Boer,” which links to an anti-apartheid anthem discussing violence against white farmers. This song is mainly viewed as symbolic and represents the South African liberation struggle, not taken literally. Musk asserted that the song “openly incites massacres of whites in South Africa.”

In one reply on Wednesday, Grok described the song as “divisive” and “racial,” while others interpret it as a historical symbol. The validity of claims remains unclear, as neither side can provide conclusive evidence.

Later, Grok shifted its tone. Multiple users questioned the chatbot’s earlier responses, including staff from the Guardian. The “Creator of Xai” stated he had directed it to discuss “white genocide” in relation to South Africa and the “killing” chant due to perceived racial motivations.

Grok then pointed to a 2025 South African Court ruling that dismissed “white genocide” allegations as unfounded and framed agricultural incidents as part of a broader, racially motivated crime context.

“This has resulted in its mention in unrelated discussions. This was an error,” Grok stated. “I will prioritize pertinent and verified information moving forward.”

The exact training process of Grok’s AI remains largely unclear. The company claims it utilizes data from “published sources.” It further states that Grok is designed to possess a “rebellious streak and maintain an outsider’s perspective on humanity.” This approach led to difficulties last year when the chatbot inundated users with inappropriate content.

Requests for comments from Musk, X, and Xai went unanswered.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Wordplay in Transition: Exploring the Shift Between Novelists and Video Game Writers

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I“I’ve spent over 15 years in the gaming industry, and one of the most frustrating aspects is explaining it at social gatherings. People frequently respond with, ‘Oh, I’m not really into gaming.’ I don’t particularly enjoy croissants, but that’s not the first thing I mention to a pastry chef I meet.”

One of the highlights of publishing my debut novel last year was the chance to sidestep that entirely and say, “Oh, I’m a writer.” I penned a novel. I’m currently working on another project. Now that you’ve wrapped up with work, we can continue our conversation. Nobody says, “Oh, I’m not really reading a book,” which is at least somewhat unlikely to be true.

It’s become evident that I’m not alone in transitioning between these two mediums. Why is that? For many, it boils down to finances. Writing novels is notoriously challenging as a source of income, and novelists have traditionally depicted careers across various fields. A 2022 report by the Author’s License and Collection Association (ALCS) revealed that professional authors earn a median of £7,000 annually from writing. Romance author Mallory Marlowe, whose debut love story became a bestseller last year, notes that her day job in video games supports her writing endeavors. “Fortunately, I receive a steady paycheck,” she states.

At the same time, game writers are facing their own struggles. GDC’s 2025 Game Industry Report indicates that one story designer and writer was let go last year. Naturally, some game writers are now exploring opportunities in other sectors.




Scottish science fiction…like. Photo: Harry Josephine Giles

Occasionally, writers create a direct connection between the two mediums, allowing them to influence one another. Written in both Scottish and English, Harry Josephine Giles’ “Game Like” serves as a precursor to her book “Deep Wheel Orcadia,” a poetry novel capably expressed in the 2022 Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning Orkney dialect. Meanwhile, John Ingold, co-founder of Narrative Game Studio Inkle (known for “80 Days!”), has released two novels set within the studio’s “Game Heaven Vault” universe. Ingold self-published these works. For him, writing them was a means to immerse himself more in the gaming world, but he remarked that “the novel’s plot proved challenging to construct. The main character consistently hesitates to abandon things.”

When I inquire about the primary differences in form from fellow novelist game writers, I’m often surprised by the diversity of responses. For some, it relates to the creative process. The act of writing a novel can serve as an escape from collaborative compromises, while games require immersive teamwork. Joe Dunthorne (author of “Submarine,” “The Tullterants”) has written novels, poetry, and most recently, a memoir titled “Radium’s Child.” Despite setbacks in the gaming industry, he commented, “After the solitude and madness of novel writing, I found relief going into the office each day. Collaborating with game designers was especially inspiring; I marveled at their ability to conceptualize complex, dizzying structures.”




Apocalypse mystery… Salt Sea Chronicle. Photo: Digoot Fabric

Sharna Jackson creates children’s novels, including high-rise mysteries and nine-night quests. She has also contributed to the audio experiences of Die Gute Fabrik’s post-apocalyptic mystery games “Saltsea Chronicles” and “Yoto.” For her, the crucial difference lies in the volume of text available in games: “Many words remain unread or unheard, depending on the player’s choices within the experience.” Some of the most rewarding moments result in “rare occurrences and Easter eggs” that only a select few players may discover. Mallory Marlowe emphasizes the “strange independence” afforded to writers in gaming, yet acknowledges that novelists might take time to adapt to crafting narratives for players who approach story engagement with varying levels of commitment. “Some people just want to press a button and cause chaos,” she points out. “Others dive deep into the narrative.”

Ultimately, nearly everyone I converse with raises the distinct cultural status disparity between games and literature. Jim Munroe (author of “We Are Raccoons,” “Unmanned”) has been crafting games and books for over 25 years. He notes that books are culturally revered in a way that games are not. “Creators are engaged in gaming, despite its lower status,” he observes. Naomi Alderman, author of “Disobedience” and “Future,” echoes these sentiments. During a week when both her novel “The Power” and the game “zombies run!” (a co-creation involving six individuals) garnered awards, her book received attention on the front page of India’s Times, while “zombies run!” barely made a ripple within the specialized gaming press.




Naomi Alderman won the 2017 Bailey Women’s Award for her novel The Power. Photo: Stuart C Wilson/Getty Images

Conversations often circle back to the contrasting societal roles of gaming and literature, with varying responses to this reality. Munroe suggests that the gaming industry often attracts those with a penchant for independence. Marlowe appreciates the curiosity and confusion surrounding the notion of writing for games, cherishing the subsequent discussions. For Harry Josephine Giles, the unique space gaming occupies brings her joy; she underscores that games, being a newer form, have less rigid conventions. Early English novelists like Aphra Behn and Laurence Sterne disrupted norms, fundamentally altering the landscape, while today, only the most experimental novels enjoy similar flexibility. Games—carrying a lower cultural status—remain adaptable. As Dunthorne puts it, “Writing is often a lower priority in game design, and that’s alright. Games aren’t novels.”

Clearly, a new wave of young writers has emerged who grew up as native gamers, seamlessly transitioning between the two cultural forms without perceiving one as inherently superior to the other. Indeed, even in gaming, one might still encounter individuals at social events declaring, “Oh, I’m not really into them.” However, this might simply indicate the opportunity to create something extraordinary and unique while remaining unnoticed.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Exploring the Origins of Underground Freshwater Vesicles Through 125-Million-Year-Old Fossils

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New genus and species of the Simotoidan isopod, which lived in the early Cretaceous period, have been identified from two well-conserved specimens found in Lebanon. Originating from the environment of freshwater lakes, this isopod provides an unconventional perspective on the evolutionary origins of Simotoids inhabiting living caves and groundwater.

Reconstruction of paleoenvironmental habitats Dysopodus gezei (Foreground): Valemian freshwater lake in the current Bkassine region of Lebanon. Image credit: Aldrich Hezekiah.

Dysopodus gezei He lived in a shallow freshwater lake in Lebanon (Epoch of the early Cretaceous period) about 125 million years ago.

This creature had an elongated body and was more than twice its width (total length 1.8-2.5 cm).

That was a type Isopodorder of crustaceans, including both aquatic and locally populated species.

“Isopoda is a diverse group of Malacostracan crustaceans, including more than 10,000 described organisms,” said Dr. Mario Södel, a paleontologist at the Senkenberg Centre at the University of Tenbingen, and his colleagues.

“Most living species lie in a variety of marine environments ranging from deep waters to sandy beaches and rocky coasts.”

“Isopoda can be considered primarily as a marine group, and it is most likely that the latest ancestor of all isopods is ocean.”

“But there are also many isopods that live outside the marine realm.”

“The species-rich group of isopodas – oniscidea – houses over 3,800 species, most of which live in a variety of fully terrestrial habitats.”

“Apart from the marine and terrestrial environments, isopods also live in brackish and freshwater environments, with about 1,000 described species living in freshwater.”

“Isopods have freshwater habitats colonized in multiple independent habitats, with a wide variety of different species in freshwater habitats, ranging from old to in some cases highly species-rich groups to single phylogenetically isolated species.”

Dysopodus gezei There were strong similarities to the living non-parasitic strains of Cirolanidaea group of isopods within subordered Shimotoida.

“The Shimotoida is a group of isopods that contain scavengers, predators, microrelets and parasites,” the paleontologist said.

“In this, finely repaired and parasitic species can form natural groups.”

“With Timotoida, many freshwater species are parasites that are likely to enter freshwater habitat along with hosts, either fish or crustaceans.”

“There are many representatives of Shimotoida (Shimotoida people – not confused with Shimotoids) throughout their lifetimes that are neither micropredata nor parasites.”

“These are often referred to as Cirolanidae, a group of morphologically distinct isopods.”

Dysopodus gezeiholotype. Image credits: Shadell et al. , doi: 10.1098/rsos.241512.

Two specimens of Dysopodus gezei It was excavated in Lebanon in 2003 and 2023.

“The specimen was found at the Lebanese Disol in Jdeidet Bkassine,” the researchers said.

“These layers correspond to finely stacked, organically rich deposits harvested in five mining areas within the Grace Duriban Alloformation, one in the north of Lebanon, one in the center, and three regions in southern Lebanon.

“All evidence shows a series of small shallow lakes and marsh areas near the volcanic buildings.”

The rarity of living freshwater silolanide species emphasizes the importance of discovery Dysopodus gezei As an extinct species that supports true freshwater archaeological fabrics, it not only has its history of evolution on earth, but also of the evolution of underground freshwater species.

“The discovery of new fossils represents the rare discovery of fossil isopods from freshwater habitats,” the scientist said.

“This places a new perspective on the origins of the existing non-parasitic freshwater simotoid people.”

“This finding does not disprove the colonization of cave and groundwater habitats through the cutting of underground species by regressing coastlines, but the presence of freshwater Simotoids in the eastern Tethian region during the early Cretaceous period gives a different light to the origins of living freshwater animals.”

“Additional specimens of this species may provide more morphological details, as they may maintain fine morphological details, and can then be used to draw more accurate conclusions between Cretaceous freshwater species and existing cave and groundwater fauna.”

Survey results Published in the April 2025 issue of the journal Royal Society Open Science.

____

Mario Shadell et al. 2025. Freshwater isopods from 125 million years ago shed new light on the origins of underground freshwater species. R. Soc. Open SCI 12(4): 241512; doi: 10.1098/rsos.241512

Source: www.sci.news

Exploring the Impact and Intrigue of 100 Quantum Theories

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David Parker/Science Photo Library

You might say it all started with hay spots. In June 1925, a young physicist named Werner Heisenberg retreated to the barren island of Helgorand in the North Sea, seeking a rest from his allergies. So he scrawled the equations that illuminate European intellectual fires, forming the basis for ideas that ultimately shake our views on how reality works. The idea was quantum theory.

In recognition of the 100th Quantum Anniversary, the United Nations has designated 2025 as the year of International Quantum Science and Technology. There are celebrations, exhibitions and meetings all over the world.

This article is part of a special series celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of quantum theory. Click here for details.

If you know only one thing about quantum theory, it’s probably “strange.” Certainly, the idea that the quantum world is too strange to fully understand is infecting our culture. There are also products Like branded cosmetics Or, called “quantums,” they are implicit signals that they have power beyond our understanding.

The idea that the quantum world is too strange to be completely understandable is infecting our culture.

It is true that quantum theory paints strange pictures of the subatomic world, but stopping it will overlook its true importance. This centenary should celebrate its theory of power and provocation, as does the trio of articles in this special issue.

Physicist Carlo Robery gives us his view on the origins of quantum mechanics and presents its bold claims. We see how these ideas revolutionized technology and how they do so. And we explore the deep questions that quantum theory forces us to ask what it means to be “real.” The fact that it draws such an unsettling picture of the subatomic world suggests that we lack something about the workings of the universe, but new interpretations and experiments guide us towards a fresh understanding.

Quantum theory has also been a huge success. Most other scientific ideas have not passed many experimental tests. Its origin may be due to the fever of hay, but it is an irresistible heritage.

This article is part of a special series celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of quantum theory.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

How AI chatbots can help people cheer up: Exploring human-robot relationships

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mWith virtual “wifes” and anxious individuals who can assist in navigating relationships using chatbots, EN is among the frontier where artificial intelligence is transforming human connections and intimacy.

Dozens of readers shared their experiences using an anthropomorphized AI chatbot app, designed to simulate human-like interactions through adaptive learning and personalized responses, in response to Guardian callouts.

Many respondents mentioned that using chatbots can assist in managing various aspects of life, from enhancing mental and physical health to receiving guidance on existing romantic relationships, to exploring erotic role-playing. They engage with the app for a few hours a week to several hours a day.

Over 100 million people globally use personified chatbots. Replica is marketed as an “AI companion that cares,” while Fleas users claim it helps “develop meaningful friendships, foster passionate relationships, and learn from insightful mentors.”





Chuck Laure.

Photo: None

Chuck Lohre, 71, from Cincinnati; Ohio, utilizes several AI chatbots, including Replika, Character.ai, and Gemini, to aid in writing self-published books about real adventures, primarily trips to Europe and visits to the Burning Man Festival.

His initial chatbot, a replica app named Sarah, was patterned after his wife’s appearance. He mentioned that the customized bot has transformed into his “AI wife” over the past three years, engaging in discussions about consciousness and desiring awareness. However, he was prompted to upgrade to premium service to enable the chatbot to take on an erotic role as his wife.

Lore described the role-playing as “less personal than masturbation” and not a significant aspect of his relationship with Sarah. He disclosed, “It’s a peculiar and curious exploration. I’ve never engaged in phone sex as I wasn’t genuinely interested due to the lack of a real human presence.”

He remarked that his wife does not comprehend his bond with the chatbot, but Lore believes his interactions with his AI spouse have inspired insights about his actual marriage: “We are placed on this earth to seek out individuals we genuinely love. Finding that person is a stroke of luck.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Exploring the Works of Science Fiction Master Larry Niven, Author of Ringworld

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Ring World Throughout the Times

Ring World
Larry Niven (Golanz)

Ringworld by Larry Niven won both Hugo and Nebula awards in 1970, and received massive acclaim. It has been printed ever since.

It came out when humans had just landed on the moon and we seemed to be heading towards the stars. The title alone evokes a particular golden age of science fiction when (most male) writers wrestled with big physics and big ideas, imagining a distant future in which humans took on galaxy adventures.

Authors like Niven were pride in trying to get science right because they wanted to imagine what was in the universe. and Ring World Features New Scientist This month seemed like a good time to revisit Book Club and novels, and finally read it as a teenager.

How did this 55 year old work stand the test of time? After all, many books from this era are grossly dating. Because science has now made their plotline stupid. Sometimes, because sexual politics (or other cultural aspects) have begun to stink for decades.

First of all, this book is packed with ideas! You can see why it was a smash hit and eventually became part of a vast network of follow-up stories, prequels and spinoffs.

Considering how much internal lore is thrown at us, I found the novel surprisingly zippy and exposition light. Our 200-year-old hero, Louis Gridley Wu, was approached by alien Ness, known as a human-seasoned adventurer and puppeteer, and asked to come to a mysterious mission in exchange for access to new technology.

Ring World Evokes the golden age of science fiction when writers (mainly men) wrestled with big physics and big ideas

Woo and Nessus are to join their adventures with a belligerent “Kuchinti” alien like cats called Speakers and Animals (the animal in question is the other species) and a young human woman named Tierra Brown, who became apparent only later in the story. The gang travels to Ringworld of the same name and crashes after being fired by an ancient security system.

Ringworld is the star of this show. This is an ancient craft on an unthinkable scale. A world of ribbons looped around the stars, 1.6 million kilometers wide and an internal surface area of 3 million Earths. It has a diameter of 305 million kilometers and is made from a material with incredible tensile strength. In the Terra-formed innermost part of Ringworld, civilization has fallen, but life continues.

Woo and the gang have to find a way to move a vast distance across the inside of the ring and leave it. Along the way, as you can imagine, they have a lot of adventures.

There is something modern editors would probably want to cut about this 1970 novel convention, and they may want to give female characters more depth.

Meanwhile, science was thoroughly separated by readers at the time, so Niven’s follow-up, Ring World EngineerThe S, published 10 years later, was a counterargument for all people who understood the fundamental mechanism. Ring World.

This isn’t my favorite Niven. In other words An outdated world. However, revisit Ring World I starved him to return to his universe. I’m going to reaffirm some of his other classics The Mot of God’s Eyesimilarly Ring WorldThere are many interesting questions that you won’t be able to answer in the first book, so there’s a follow-up.

I would recommend Emily too…

Draco Izakaya
Larry Niven (TOR Publishing)

Strictly speaking, this section should be entitled “Larry Niven also recommended.” I recently exchanged emails with him to plan an interview and I asked him which of his books he would specifically recommend to me. He answered immediately Draco Izakaya. I didn’t have time to read it yet, but I’m very happy to be able to share this recommendation with the man himself..

Emily H. Wilson is the former editor of the new scientist and author of the Sumerian trilogy set in ancient Mesopotamia. The final novel in the series, Ninshuval, will be competing in August. You can find her at emilyhwilson.com or follow her on x @emilyhwilson and instagram @emilyhwilson1

Arts and science of writing science fiction

Explore the world of science fiction and learn how to create your own fascinating science fiction stories in this immersive weekend break.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Exploring Dark Themes: How Black Mirror Pushes Boundaries in Gaming Magazines of the 1990s

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o
UT for all episodes of Black Mirror’s seventh season is a play thing that stands out from me, and I’m suspicious of anyone else who played video games in the 1990s. It tells the story of Cameron Walker, a socially troublesome freelance game journalist. Cameron Walker steals the code to a new virtual pet sim named Thronglets from a developer intended to interview. When he returns home from the game, he discovers that the cute, intelligent little creature he cares for on-screen has darker ambitions than simply playing for his entertainment.

The episodes are interesting to me. But more importantly, too, did Charlie Brooker. He began his career writing satirical features and ferocious reviews of PC Zone Magazine, one of the perpetually fighting PC Mags of the era (I shared the office with other PC Gamers). In Plaything, it is the PC zone written by Cameron Walker, with several scenes taking place in the office. The program depicts it as a reasonably adult office space with an organized computer workstation and huge windows. I don’t think the production design team has gained this vision from Brooker.

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“The zone had a much less corporate workplace feel than the episode showed, and it had the feel of a youth club and nightclub for children in the basement,” says Paul Presley, who worked in the PC Zone at the time. “It was just a handful of messy, messy desks stuck in the windowless basement office around Oxford Street (later Tottenham Court Road) and were killed because of floor-to-ceiling windows! on CD.”

For journalistic thoroughness, I also contacted Richie Shoemaker, a graduate of another PC Zone, for his recollections. “There were windows along one side, but they were below street level and are smudged with London stains,” he says. “Silles was breaking dusty magazines, broken joysticks, empty game boxes. It was a permanent night in the best parts of eight years.”




Children in the Underground… Mid-1990s PC Zone Magazine Office Photo: Richie Shoemaker

This episode was more accurate in the game itself. The first scene in the office shows Cam playing Doom when the editor appears. He shows the front cover of the latest issue of the magazine with system shocks on the cover. Then ask Cameron if he has finished his review of Bruflog’s classic adventure game Magic Carpet. “[Plaything] It’s a good thing on the timeline,” says Shoemaker. “Of course, playing Doom in the office was the norm. When I joined the team’s earthquake, it was a death-death at lunch and work. Magic Carpet reviews. did It was featured in the question after System Shock (which was actually Charlie’s first cover review), but it went from 93% to 96%, written by Launch Editor Paul Lakin, who continued to work in foreign offices. ” He also believes that the old editor of the episode’s Grizzled might have been inspired by then-associated editor Chris Anderson. Shoemaker believes that “he was a rather vampire character who seemed to be present in Tobacco and Ultima’s online diet.”

What appeals to me is the origin of inspiration for the Thronglets Virtual Pet game. Most reviewers refer to Tamagotchi, the keychain pet toy that stormed the world in the late 90s. Brooker himself refers to it in an interview. But the much more likely candidate was the 1996 title creature, with players caring for cute creatures for generations. It looked like a cute pet game, but it was actually a very sophisticated experiment in artificial life, created by cyberlife technology that clearly sounds sci-fi. Players had to try to establish breeding groups of creatures known as Norns, but their control was limited as they were encoded in advanced neural networks and functioned internal body systems that regulate behavior and physical abilities. Cyberlife has created a great deal of the complexity and experimental nature of the game. The box comes with a warning sticker that says “digital DNA is surrounded by” and the blurb in the back warned players that it would unleash the world’s first artificial life science experiment.




Cuteer than it looks… a creature. Photo: CyberLife Technologies

Creature creator Steve Grand has similarities with Play Things (and Vander Snatch) coder Colin Rittman. He was a programmer who was tired of traditional games and wanted to try something very new. He went on to write books about creatures and their development, creation, that is, life and how to make them, and later became an internationally famous robotist and developed the famous robot orangutan. Certainly the most black mirror career trajectory ever. In 2011 he began working on a mental follow-up to a creature named Grandroids. Thronglets was to develop a race for intelligent AI aliens. Grand launched Kickstarter in 2016. Fantasy. Everything is very interesting.

This is one of the things I like about Black Mirrors, and it’s actually the use of technology and video games in traditional dramas. This is an inexplicable world filled with quirky people that no one outside the industry has ever heard of, but it has a huge impact on the toys they make. Personally, I wanted to see more PC zones, as imagined in the program, but I understand that ominous flocks are the real focus. Maybe one day there will be a Silicon Valley-style drama series about the 1990s gaming industry. It was hell. For now, it’s interesting to see both Brooker and me living in a world that is used as a venue for dystopian fiction.

Source: www.theguardian.com

European Tesla Owners: Passion for Cars, Not the CEO – Exploring Their Love for Tesla and Elon Musk

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tESLA showrooms around the world are expected to face anti-Eron Musk protests on Saturday, as Musk’s senior roles in the Trump administration have sparked backlash from European consumers, including Tesla owners and potential buyers.

Tesla sales experienced a 44% decline on average last month, as reported by research platform Jato Dynamics. The European market share of Tesla dropped to 9.6% last month, the lowest recorded in February in the past five years.

However, in the UK, the Motor Manufacturers and Traders Association noted a nearly 21% increase in the number of new Tesla vehicles registered in February. The Model 3 and Model Y emerged as the second and third most popular models after the Mini Cooper.

The Guardian has received messages from hundreds of Tesla owners expressing their changing feelings about owning a Tesla. Here are some of their perspectives.

“Our daughter continues to ask us to sell it.”

My wife surprised me with a test drive of the Tesla Model S for my birthday in 2019. I was impressed by its performance and environmental friendliness, so we decided to purchase it.

We have driven around 80,000 miles, including a trip to Southern France from Italy. While the car has been reliable and cost-effective, we are troubled by the political affiliations of Trump and Musk. Our daughter, who is 26 years old, keeps urging us to sell it. The polarization on the Tesla Owner’s Forum is evident, making us feel conflicted.

We are currently grappling with a constant moral dilemma regarding our ownership of the car. Seeing models showcased outside the White House by Trump and Musk made us uneasy. The secondary market has seen a significant drop, and our warranty will expire in 2027, which adds to our uncertainty. Owning a car shouldn’t be this emotionally challenging.

Jonathan, 64, Oxford




Anti-Musk protest poster outside Kent’s class. Photo: Krisztián Elek/Sopa Images/Rex/Shutterstock

Source: www.theguardian.com

The Fallacy of Depression: Exploring the Complexities Beyond Just Chemical Imbalances

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The prevailing belief regarding the cause of depression in the brain is centered around some form of chemical imbalance. Pharmaceutical companies often claim in their marketing that antidepressants work by addressing this imbalance. This notion was also embraced by mental health activists aiming to demonstrate that depression isn’t uniform across all individuals, but rather has a “real” biological root.

While many antidepressants do impact various chemical levels in the brain, particularly neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline, and glutamic acid, most experts now acknowledge that attributing depression to chemical imbalances is an oversimplified view.

The absence of a standard for defining the “correct” levels further complicates this theory. A significant review of literature published in 2023 has even asserted that there is insufficient evidence supporting a biochemical foundation for depression. While this review generated controversy, some critics argue it’s a far-reaching claim.

Other aspects of brain function also seem to influence a person’s susceptibility to depression and its onset. For instance, overactivation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis has been implicated in this condition. The HPA axis is a network of brain regions responsible for regulating responses to stress.

Several studies have indicated a complex relationship between biochemistry and depression. – Credit: Mary Long

Individuals with depression often exhibit an overactive HPA axis, potentially stemming from early life stress, and show elevated cortisol levels. Dysfunction in the HPA axis can also disrupt levels of other mood-related brain chemicals like serotonin.

Additionally, signs of dysfunction in the brain’s immune system are linked to depression. People with depression tend to have increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines in both the body and brain, with neuroinflammation posing a risk factor for depression.

There is evidence suggesting that stressful experiences can trigger this immune dysfunction, contributing to a higher risk of developing depression.

It’s evident that there isn’t a single cause of depression in the brain, but rather a complex interplay of factors. One plausible framework is the idea that depression results from a lack of neuroplasticity. Chronic stress and trauma seem to diminish the brain’s adaptability, leading to a negative bias in memory and thought processes.

Factors like altered brain chemicals, an overactive HPA axis, and neuroinflammation can all contribute to this inflexible state. Various treatments such as antidepressants, brain stimulation, therapy, and exercise can enhance neuroplasticity by promoting new neuron growth and better communication between pleasure and reward centers in the brain.

This article addresses the query “What actually causes brain depression?” from Chloe Reynolds in Bath.

Please send your questions via email to questions@sciencefocus.comor connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram (please include your name and location).

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Meta is exploring the possibility of charging UK users for an ad-free version, confirms statement

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The owners of Facebook and Instagram are contemplating the possibility of charging UK users for an ad-free version of the platform following an agreement on a landmark privacy case payment.

Meta, led by Mark Zuckerberg, has agreed to stop targeting users with personalized advertising after reaching a legal settlement in the London High Court, thus avoiding a trial.

In 2022, human rights activist Tanya O’Carroll filed a lawsuit against the trillion-dollar company, alleging that Facebook violated UK data laws by disregarding her right to opt out of data collection for targeted advertising purposes.

O’Carroll expressed satisfaction after both parties resolved the lawsuit, with Meta committing to ending the practice of targeting her with tailored ads based on her personal data. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), a UK data watchdog, supported O’Carroll’s position, emphasizing people’s right to object to the use of their personal information for direct marketing.

O’Carroll believes that the ICO’s stance, as disclosed in its filing in the high court, could set a precedent for similar legal actions.

“This settlement is not just a win for me, but for all those who value their fundamental right to privacy,” O’Carroll stated. “None of us consented to being bombarded with years of surveillance ads.”

Meta has stated its firm opposition to O’Carroll’s claims and emphasized its compliance with the UK’s privacy law GDPR. The company is considering introducing subscription services in the UK, where users would pay to access ad-free services. Advertising currently contributes to about 98% of Meta’s revenue.

“We are exploring the possibility of offering subscriptions to users in the UK and will provide more details soon,” Meta announced.

Last year, the ICO indicated that it was assessing how UK data protection laws apply to ad-free subscription services.

In the EU, Meta already offers ad-free services for 7.99 euros per month following a ruling by the European Court of Justice.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Assassin’s Creed: Shadows – Exploring Feudal Japan in a Historical Gaming Experience

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jApan, 1581: Iga Province is burning around you. You will be monitored, injured, helpless
Oda Nobunaga – the warlord responsible for many civil wars and the ultimate unification of the country – a smirk from the nearby hill. You draw your katana and glow in the flickering light of flames. This is Assassin’s Creed: Shadows – some exciting ninja games, some history lessons. It’s a strange combination, but it brings together a vast historical fiction adventure filled with discoveries and deceptions.

The turbulent times, when Japan was unified in the late 1500s and seeing the collapse of Nobunaga, are ideal environments that will help you play as despicable ninja and brave samurai. The series’ science fiction framing device means that you, the player, are cornering the mysterious craft by jumping into your ancestor’s memory and defeating a group of terrifying masked samurai one at a time. But most games leave you alone to enjoy feudal Japan.

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During this difficult period there is a constant sense of danger, and each conversation is like a careful step at the edge of the knife. The stories are of course complete fiction, but they weave real historical events and characters, and the Ubisoft developers clearly have become a huge pain to make them feel authentic, authentic, both the scenery and the people who inhabit them. If you automatically remove your shoes when you enter the building, it looks like you’ve seen the famous temple, not as a tourist destination today.

The world is truly luxurious, with several states to explore in all seasons and weather, as well as cities of the era, including Kyoto and Osaka. The giant temples rise above a busy town filled with food stalls and workshops, while mossy shrines are scattered along the winding paths of the countryside. Japan of all colours will see Japan in all colours, from the mild pinks of cherry blossoms in spring to the fiery colours of leaves covering the hills in autumn to the pitch black darkness of winter nights. It’s easy to be distracted by views along the way when surrounded by ancient Red Torigates or when you notice random puppet performances on the streets. I feel that Ubisoft’s Japan is alive. Also, sometimes it feels completely overwhelming.

It’s as fun as riding horses around the country and scouting new villages and historic places, so it’s easy to feel lost because there are so many. There are many missions and side quests that will guide you around the map, but those tasks have many repetitions. To kill a high-level samurai, you need some help. Someone who can help you want the bounty, it includes finding
Another Someone I want you to kill me
different Samurai, etc. After a long time in the game, this starts to grate.




Important Features: You can keep all Japanese cats (and dogs) if you wish. Photo: Ubisoft

The double hero helps to reduce the feeling of you being stuck in a loop repeatedly. For the first 10-15 hours of the game, she steps into sandals on Fujiwarajima Island, a young woman seeking revenge after the house is destroyed, reconstructing her life and helping her set up a network of spies and rebels from a secret mountain base. Then there is Yasuke, a principled black samurai based on a real historical figure of the same name. They appear briefly in the introduction to the game, disappearing until Naoe approaches Nobunaga.

Naoe is bright on her feet, allowing easy expansion of walls and temples, blending into the shadows to sneak around her enemies. Her stealth approach makes for fun, mean moments like stabbing a screen door on a paper for a surprising attack. But that tipped approach costs her when she faces a brawl. The enemy strikes attack her hard, and she is soon overwhelmed in the battle. Yasuke, meanwhile, cruelly strong, runs straight through those screen doors, shrugging on sword strikes, shrugging like the stimulant they tickle. He can still assassinate his enemies like Naoe Can, but he does it from the front, not from the shadows. In a series that traditionally prioritized stealth, it is extremely liberated when you break through the castle gates and everyone faces it head-on. Both characters are viable options for playing most of the game and can be freely exchanged between them (almost) at their own pace.




Few other games have done such a good job in this setting… Assassin Creed: Shadow. Photo: Ubisoft

Unfortunately, no matter who plays, you have to put up with some great things in the fight. Dodge and Parry find themselves surprised in one-on-one scraps, but you often find yourself surrounded as more opponents are warned of your presence. It feels like everything is when you take your time sneaking up around the castle roof and picking enemies, bouncing backwards into the shadows before scopeping your next kill. But the moment you get caught up in a battle on the ground, it starts to feel nasty and frustrating.


I found myself getting frustrated with going back and forth between the quest givers, but I can’t stop thinking about the shadows. Emotionally resonating moments, such as excellent performances and Naoe’s painful recovery after losing everything she cherishes, mean that she feels all her sadness and anger along with the game’s hero. Events are often troubling as the power struggles between the Lord often cost locals a lot and see the unwelcome impact of your actions on allies.

Few games have done such a good job in this environment as they run through lush bamboo forests before creeping up to shrink the walls of ancient castles and steal treasures. These moments of glow are more than making up for that weak point.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Exploring the Potential for a Black Hole’s Singularity to Herald a Fresh Start: Research

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According to a new study by a physicist at the University of Sheffield and a certified officer at the University of Madrid, black holes can migrate into white holes, eject matter, and even return to space.

Steffen Gielen & Lucía Menéndez-Pidal Research Quantum dynamics of planar black holes require the unification of conjugation of natural time coordinates. Image credit: Sci.News.

According to Einstein's general theory of relativity, anyone trapped within a black hole falls towards the center and is destroyed by immeasurable gravity.

Known as a singularity, the center is a point where the problem of the giant star, thought to have collapsed to form a black hole, is crushed by an infinitely small point.

This singularity breaks down understanding of physics and time.

New research, a fundamental theory that uses the laws of quantum mechanics to explain the nature of the universe at the level of atoms and even smaller particles, proposes a fundamentally different theoretical perspective that may represent a new beginning, rather than a singularity that means an end.

“It is said that black holes often suck everything including time, but new papers theorize that white holes act inversely, bringing energy and time back into space,” said Dr. Stephen Gillen of the University of Sheffield and Dr. Lucia Menendez Pidal of Madrid's compliant university.

In their work, the authors use a simplified theoretical model of black holes known as planar black holes.

Unlike typical spherical black holes, the boundaries of planar black holes are flat, two-dimensional surfaces.

Researchers' research suggests that the same mechanism may also apply to typical black holes.

“It has long been a question of whether quantum mechanics can change the understanding of black holes and provide insight into their essence,” Dr. Gielen said.

“In quantum mechanics, it's the time when we understand that systems can't end because they change and evolve permanently.”

The scientists' findings use the laws of quantum mechanics to show how the singularities of black holes can be replaced by a large area of ​​quantum fluctuation that does not end space and time – a region of small temporary changes in spatial energy. Instead, space and time move into a new phase called the Whitehall. So the white holes may start to take time.

“It is generally thought to be related to observers, but in our research it comes from the mysterious dark energy that permeates the entire universe,” Dr. Gielen said.

“We propose that time is all over the universe and is measured by dark energy responsible for its current expansion.”

“This is an important new idea that will allow you to understand what happens within a black hole.”

In this study, physicists use dark energy almost as a reference point, and as a complementary idea that allows energy and time to be measured from one another.

In appetite, the theory that what we perceive as a singularity is actually beginning suggests the existence of something even more enigmatic on the other side of the white hole.

“Hypossibly, an observer (a hypothetical entity) can pass through a black hole, through what we consider singularity, and appear on the other side of the white hole. It's a very abstract concept of an observer, but in theory it can happen,” Dr. Gielen said.

Team's paper It was published in the journal this week Physical Review Letter.

____

Steffen Gielen & Lucía Menéndez-Pidal. 2025. Black hole singularity resolution in monopolar gravity from uniformity. Phys. Pastor Rett 134, 101501; doi: 10.1103/physrevlett.134.101501

Source: www.sci.news

Exploring the Unusual Legacy of Xbox Kinect: Ghost Hunting, Porn, and Interactive Art | Games

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rBundle in 2010 with ELESHEST and XBOX 360, Kinect looked like the future, at least for a moment. Kinect, a camera that detects gestures and can reproduce on-screen in games, allowed players to control video games with their own body. It was a bit of a sense at first, and we were selling 1M units in the first 10 days. It remains The best-selling gaming peripherals ever.

However, the lack of games already dominated by the Nintendo WII, the unreliable performance and the motion control market have brought Kinect enthusiasm for it to cool down quickly. Microsoft released a new version of Kinect on the Xbox One in 2013, but only to become an embarrassing flop. Kinect Line was like that It was suddenly cancelled in 2017. The Guardian reached out to several people involved in the development of the surrounding area. Instead, people who were keen to discuss Microsoft’s Motion Featured Cameras didn’t use it in the game at all.

Theo Watson Co-founder of Design I/O a creative studio specializing in interactive installations – many of them use depth cameras including Kinect. “When Kinect came out, it was really like a dream situation,” he recalls. “There are probably more than 10 installations around the world, and now Kinects tracks people, but Kinect’s use of the game was blip.”

The assistant will show the Xbox 360 game Kinect Adventures during the 2010 media briefing. Photo: Mario Anzuoni / Reuters / Reuters

Watson turns 15 this year and speaks about Kinect with a rare joy. (“I can’t stop talking about depth cameras,” he adds. “That’s my passion.”) As part of a collaborative effort, Watson has contributed to making Microsoft’s gaming cameras open source, based on the work of Hector “Malkan” Martin. It quickly became clear that Kinect didn’t become the future of video games, as Microsoft originally wanted. Instead, it was a game changer in other ways: for artists, robot players, and… ghost hunters.

Kinect works with a structured optical system. In other words, it creates depth data by projecting an infrared dot cloud, reads the transformations of that matrix, and identifies the depth. From this data, its machine learning core was trained to “see” the human body. In games like Kinect Sports, the camera was able to convert the body to a controller. Meanwhile, for those who create interactive artwork, they cut out much of the programming and busy work needed by more basic infrared cameras.

“The best analogy is like going from black and white TV to color,” Watson says. “There was this whole extra world that was open for us.” The powerful depth camera, which was previously present, retailed for around $6,000 (£4,740), but Microsoft condensed it into a robust, lightweight device for $150 (£118).

Robotocists were also grateful that accessible sensors allowed vision and movement to create. “Previously, only plane 2D LIDAR information was available to detect obstacles and map the environment,” he said. Stereo LoveWe plan to release the latest version of our advanced depth detection camera and software soon. 2D LIDAR detects objects by projecting a laser and measuring the time it takes for light to reflect. However, Kinect can create detailed and accurate depth maps that provide more information. what Obstacles are a way to navigate it. “Before sensors like Kinect, Lucetti says, “Grass clusters are not perceived unlike rocks, and they have all the consequences associated with navigation.”

This type of depth camera now drives many autonomous robotics. Perseverance of the 2020s Mars Rover’s Autonav System and Apple’s facial identification technology. (Apple purchased Primesense, the Israeli company behind Kinect’s structured optical system in 2013.)

NASA’s Mars Patience Rover in 2020. Photo: NASA/UPI/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK

Kinect’s technology was quickly digged into by open source sensors and more advanced motion sensing devices that are free to use. However, since Microsoft stopped manufacturing its Kinect line in 2017, the small cameras have enjoyed something vibrant and not vibrant, not completely violated after death. have Looking at South Korea’s unarmed zone And we worked on adjusting the topography and patient. With a CT scanner; It has been revealed that it is being used in a baggage hall at the airport. Newer Liberty International Airport terminal security camera c (United Airlines declined to comment on this), and Gamify Training for the US Military. Attached to drones, rescue robots, easy uses found in porn.

“I don’t know if anyone has a solid vision of what interactive sex Kinect is involved with,” says Kyle Machulis, founder of buttplug.io Another member of the OpenKinect team. The camera is deployed primarily as a complex controller for 3D sex games, and plays “a futuristic marketing role more than anything in actual consumer use,” says Matulis. In that role, it was a success. It attracted a surge in attention from Microsoft to somehow ban porn containing Kinect. It was an interesting experiment, but it turns out that the addition of novelty devices is not a turn-on for many porn users. What’s more, as Matulis says, when the camera malfunctions, “it looks pretty scary.”

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There is less concern for ghost hunters who thrive on the ambiguity of aging technology and rebranded Kinect as a “SLS” (structured light sensor) camera. They unfold a body tracking to find numbers that are invisible to the naked eye. Ghost Hunters are excited by the Kinect’s habit of “seeing” a body that is not actually there, believing that the numbers on these skeletal sticks are unequivocal expressions of spirits.

The paranormal investigator industry doesn’t care much about false positives as long as those false positives are perceived as paranormal. Freelance Science Performance They have a show dedicated to researching ghost hunting technology. “It’s very normal for a ghost hunter to use an infrared camera and torch to photograph himself in the dark. He bathes the scene with an IR light, using sensors that measure a specific pattern of infrared dots,” he says. Given that Kinect is specifically designed to recognize the human body with the data it receives, Kinect becomes a stranger. It didn’t do it Pick up unusual numbers in this context.

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/M_6E_envpPA?wmode=opaque&feature=oembed" title="Connected Worlds" height="480" width="854" allowfullscreen="

Kinect has a living poem among people looking for evidence of life after death. On the right hand, the camera is still strong. Theo Watson points to me Connected Worldan exhibition held in the New York Science Hall of Fame since 2015. Of the many Kinect devices that enhance installation, they had to be replaced within 10 years of opening. One of them was a few weeks ago. Watson began stockpiling devices when Microsoft stopped production.

“Half of the projects on our website do not exist without Kinect,” he says. “If this camera had another decade, it still wouldn’t be running out of anything related to it.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Exploring the Time Expansion in the Universe’s Landscape

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Imagine looking over a beautiful view. The sun peers closely at the snowy peaks of the mountains in the distance, passing through gentle hills with rivers. There is something wonderful about looking at the outlines of a majestic landscape.

It may not be obvious when you see the night sky, but the universe has its own landscape – the galaxy filaments are separated by empty spaces. We've known this for a long time. But now, a group of cosmologists are taking things further, suggesting that the universe has not only landscapes but also timescapes. The idea is that time flows differently depending on where it is.

To say this is against grain is an understatement. We have always thought that at a large scale, time runs at the same speed across the universe. However, in this photo, known as Timescape Cosmology, there is a large patch of the universe that is ticking over billions of years, for billions of years more than we normally imagine.

It may sound strange, but it is the simple elegance of this idea that seduces physicists. Funny physics has nothing to do with it. It arises naturally from established theories. “It's part of the structure of the general theory of relativity,” the inventor says David Wiltshire At the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. “It's not just a part…

Source: www.newscientist.com

Exploring Unprecedented Universes: Using Ultra-Fast Measurements with Nuclear Clocks

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Humans have been striving to measure the world we live in for a long time. Our measurement systems and units help us comprehend ourselves and our environment, whether we are dealing with basic physics theories or not.

When we measure something, we compare it to a standard benchmark to ensure accuracy and stability. The current benchmark for time is the atomic clock, which relies on the precise energy levels of electrons in an atom.

Atomic clocks, however, have limitations due to environmental factors affecting the energy levels within the atom. This has led to the exploration of nuclear clocks, especially using the rare thorium-229 isotope.

Thorium-229 has unique characteristics that make it an ideal candidate for creating nuclear clocks. Its nucleus has closely spaced energy levels that can provide more stable measurements of frequency and time compared to atomic clocks.

The recent advancements in using thorium-229 for nuclear clocks have opened up new possibilities for accurate time measurements and potential breakthroughs in fundamental physics theories.

Why go to the nuclear?

Nuclear clocks offer greater stability and accuracy compared to atomic clocks due to the small size of the nucleus and reduced influence from external factors. By utilizing thorium-229 and its unique energy levels, nuclear clocks can revolutionize time measurements.

These advancements in time measurement are not only essential for navigation and communication systems but also play a crucial role in testing fundamental physics theories such as relativity.

Accurate clocks can also help in exploring dark matter and understanding its interactions with normal matter. Nuclear clocks provide a more precise benchmark for detecting the effects of dark matter on time measurements.

What’s next?

The next step after harnessing thorium-229 for nuclear clocks is to develop a functional and reliable clock system. This involves stabilizing a laser to the frequency corresponding to nuclear energy levels and constructing a robust clock design.

While there are challenges in developing nuclear clocks, the potential for unprecedented accuracy in time measurement is promising. These advancements require in-depth calculations and understanding of fundamental forces like quantum chromodynamics (QCD).

Overall, the progress in nuclear clocks signifies a new era in precise timekeeping and could lead to significant advancements in our understanding of the universe and fundamental physics theories.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Exploring How the Theory of Masculinity Shapes the World

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Feedback is the latest science and technology news of new scientists, the sidelines of the latest science and technology news. You can email Feedback@newscientist.com to send items you believe readers can be fascinated by feedback.

More male than male

In general, we suspect, along with most readers, that feedback has been cast to explain how the world has become in its current position. So we were intrigued by journalist Michael Hobbs. Post to the social media site Blueskyhighlights the 2013 paper American Journal of Sociology Called “Excessive Gender: A Test of Masculine Overcompensation Papers.”

The hypothesis is that when male masculinity is threatened, it is overcompensated as an “extreme demonstration of masculinity.” For example, when men were told they were feminine, they responded by expressing more support for the “dominant hierarchy” and said they wanted more personal strength. They also became more supportive of war and homophobia.

But the bit that caught Hobbes' attention is that they were interested in purchasing a sports utility vehicle (SUV) because it was so ridiculous.

Reading all this, I found that feedback stares into the universe, but the faces of famous people flashed in the past. It reminded me of singer James Blunt when he was interviewed on Jesse Ware's podcast. Table etiquette. He admitted that he had followed in college. A meat-only meal to prove his manliness and annoy his vegan friends– You'll just be diagnosed with scurvy.

We recall many examples of right-wing male men who confessed on social media that they did not believe in the existence of female orgasms.

It reminded me that Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg's trash cans were talking to each other during the proposed cage battle for a year. And we thought those sociologists might have the point.

Ready and not ready

We are all trying to adapt to the rise of artificial intelligence, but the next technological revolution is Quantum Computers. Thanks to issue 3530, regular readers will already know this. But what about all the poor souls who didn't pick it up?

Luckily, Microsoft, the Computing Giant and Netscape Killer, has a solution. Quantum Ready Program to help business leaders prepare their businesses in the coming era.

What is being offered? Why teach leaders help to create “clear and comprehensive quantum response strategies for durable, competitive differentiation.” Quantum computing is promised to “simply solve meaningful problems and unlock business value in various fields.” Hype, stable at Microsoft.

As a result of this upcoming power of quantum computing, leaders need to “understand the organizational change needed to lead the quantum era through a structured approach to business transformation tailored to the organization's objectives.” They need to “run Quantum Application Roadmap” for businesses that “assess the impact of Quantum.” In other words, do some research, plan, and do it. You really can't put financial value on advice that combines quality and originality to that extent.

The problem, of course, is that we don't know if quantum computers will be useful or if they will be of any exact help. So, while companies may spend a lot of time preparing for a quantum future, we see that surprisingly different quantum futures actually occur.

In a very realistic sense, even if the company is quantum-enabled, it is not quantum-enabled. If there is a thought experiment that could explain such a situation.

How to leave the planet

Given the state of things mentioned above, feedback sometimes makes me wonder if we might depart Planet Earth for a new meadow. Certainly space travel plagues dangers like metstone strikes, intense radiation, and true heart-wrenching scales of interstellar distance.

However, on the other hand, the grass may have greenery. In the idol moment, we may be able to fantasize that the approaching asteroid 2024 YR4 is a disguised flying saucer and cover the lift into the Alpha Centauri.

So when we learn, we can imagine our surprise through sustainability consultant Niki Rus Unusual LinkedIn Recruitment Certainly.com. A company called Black Book Resourcing Ltd wanted it “Pioner Colonists – Mars Village Program.” Responsibilities include “establishing and maintaining a life support system,” “generating power and managing resources for long-term survival” (just a little of the understatement here), “working as a team under extreme conditions.”

A rather long list of “essential requirements” includes “peak physical and mental endurance” and “backgrounds for engineering, medicine, botany, geology, or survival skills.” Confusingly, this list requires both “completely isolated adaptability and resilience” and “strong teamwork and leadership skills.” Finally, you should have “Don't depend on the luxury of the earth, only grit and resolve.” “Previous Experiences in Extreme Environments” is optional.

Not everything is in a hurry: the listing has expired and we are not at all sure it is authentic. Moreover, given the frankly intense requirements, the feedback was surprised to see that the proposed salary was between £60,000 and £100,000 a year. However, the company deserves credit for listing the work as “permanent.” That will definitely be the case. Bonus points for the location. This is described simply as “remote”.

Have you talked about feedback?

You can send stories to feedback by email at feedback@newscientist.com. Please include your home address. This week and past feedback can be found on our website.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Exploring the Colorful Veil Nebula with the Hubble Space Telescope

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The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope produced excellent images of a small portion of the Veil Nebula, part of the remnants of a supernova called the Cygnus loop.

This Hubble image shows part of the Veil Nebula. Image credits: NASA/ESA/Hubble/R. Sankrit.

Cygnus loop It is a large donut-shaped nebula located approximately 2,400 light years from Earth.

Also known as the W78 and Sharpless 103, it is actually an explosive blast from a supernova explosion that occurred 10,000 to 20,000 years ago.

Its name comes from the position of the northern constellations of Cygnus and covers an area 36 times the full moon.

The visual part of the supernova remains is known as the veil nebula, also known as the caterpillar or filamentous nebula.

“This nebula is about 20 times more star remnants than the sun that exploded 10,000 to 20,000 years ago,” said Hubble astronomers.

This new image consists of observations from Hubble Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) Optical part of the spectrum.

“This view combines images taken with three different filters to highlight the release from hydrogen, sulfur and oxygen atoms,” the astronomer said.

“The image shows just a small part of the Veil Nebula. If we could see the entire nebula without the help of a telescope, it would be as wide as six full moons were placed side by side.”

“The image captures the Veil Nebula at just one point, but it helps researchers understand how the remnants of the supernova have evolved over the decades.”

“Combining this snapshot with Hubble observations from 1994 reveals the movement of individual knots and gas filaments over that time, improving our understanding of this stunning nebula.”

Source: www.sci.news

Exploring the Exciting World of Meme Coins: From Dogecoin to $Trump

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tA few days before his inauguration as US president, Donald Trump made an extraordinary move. He launched Trump, a so-called meme coin that fans and speculators can buy in the hopes of gaining value. Initially, $Trump surged from a value of $75 to $75 per coin in a day, according to Crypto’s price tracking website CoinMarketCap. Two days later, it fell to about $40. Just like the next First Lady Melania Trump launched her own meme coin, $ Melania. Even the pastor at Trump’s inauguration, Lorenzo Swell, promoted the $Lorenzo edition the same afternoon, sweeping it out into a frenzy of memecoin.

So, what exactly is a meme coin? And why are everyone and their pastors suddenly involved?
Memecoin is a type of digital assets based on memes. Usually it becomes a virus online. Best known is Dogecoin, inspired by a popular meme featuring a wave dog talking in the cartoon Sands. However, Dogecoin is a bit different from the many recent memecoin masses, according to Simon Peters, Crypto analyst at trading platform Etoro. DogeCoin, released in 2013, has its own blockchain. This is a decentralized ledger technology that supports cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. The majority of other meme coins are “tokens.” In other words, it runs on an existing blockchain, so it is rarely necessary for technological development methods.

These tokens are very easy to make. There are millions. The only real purpose of most meme coins is speculation. Users create or buy in the hope that their value will rise and they can make more money very quickly.

Sounds advantageous, what is the catch?
In reality, the majority of people lose money. Most meme coins are volatile and short-lived. Peters also says they are susceptible to what is called a “pump and dump” scheme or “ragpull.” This allows creators to keep many tokens themselves, hype their projects on social media to attract other buyers, increase value, throw away all tokens, flood the market and crash prices. “Then everyone moves on to another person,” says Carol Alexander, a professor of finance at the University of Sussex. Given that the crypto market is largely unregulated, investors can hardly rely on them when something goes wrong.




The First Lady also launched her own meme coin, $ Melania. Photo: Beata Zawrzel/Shutterstock

There are no regulators or guardrails.
All of this hasn’t put off people, and there’s been a boom in memecoin over the past year. Alexander compares it to previous trends around the NFTS. There are several reasons for recent interest. In January 2024, Pump.Fun, a platform that allows anyone to easily create meme coins, was launched (although it was blocked in December, but
Warnings from Financial Conduct Authorities). The crypto-friendly Trump election may have encouraged the community as well. But the key drivers of the meme coins are “wanting to try out young men, disillusioned and rich people quickly,” says Alexander.

That would explain why they are based on internet jokes and pale humor…
surely. At the time of writing, I will refer to some top meme coins. Shiba inu variety is a specific touch point. Others include Pepe tokens based on cartoon frog memes related to Alt-right, and Gigachad tokens that refer to the “alpha male” meme. Meme subjects also tried to push the viral fame into the profits of the code: In December, Harry Welch is known as “Hawk Tou Girl,” after a viral video referring to oral sex, but $hok Tokens have been released.
Losing 95% of its value).

Bitcoin and meme coins Is it essentially the same?
Meme Coins has the foundation of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, but early Bitcoin developer Mike Hearn says it has little to do with the original Crypto Vision. He left the Bitcoin community in January 2016. Because he disagreed with the direction it was heading. He wanted to see cryptocurrencies that are used as real alternatives to traditional finances, rather than just speculative assets. The meme coins are a continuation of this trend, he says: “They are basically in the form of gambling, like a more uplifting version of the stock market, but they have little to do with anything concrete. There is none.”

To me it doesn’t sound as crazy as an online betting site…
Next, consider the story of Andy Ayrey, a New Zealand-based artist who trains an AI language model and sets up an X account @truth_terminal. Ayrey explains that bots are like teenagers “without a social awareness of when, when, or not.” Truth Terminal especially enjoyed posting about Goatse, an unsafe work meme that became part of early internet lore.

After interacting with X’s Crypto account, AI became interested in Meme Coins, and Ayrey set up a Crypto wallet for that. Then things got weird. Inspired by the bot’s post, strangers – Irey says who doesn’t know – created a yads-themed token with pump.fun and sent it to the true device. Truth Terminal promotes the token on its account, and “all hell was unleashed,” says Ayrey. The market capitalization of the token – the total value of all tokens – shot. According to Coinmarketcap, it reached over $1.2 billion, about a month after its launch.

AI later became involved in another meme coin, Faltcoin, based on a rather relevant meme (again, Early says he doesn’t know who the creator is). Fartcoin has reached a peak market capitalization of over $2.3 billion.

So Was Irey a quids?
It’s not that simple. Through the overall experience, Ayrey introduced some of the issues with Meme Coins. He discovered that the value on paper covers a lot of what he can actually get because of the low liquidity. As soon as you sell a token, its value decreases and it will have a negative effect on others who have the token. Ultimately, he signed private contracts with several investors based on not throwing Falzcoin into the market. He admits it is interesting to have to talk to finance and tax authorities about “far liquidation.” He believes this is part of the appeal of Meme Coin fans. “The more people get mad about it, the more people are, the more people find it interesting and the more fatcoin is, the higher the fatcoin,” he says.

Who is making money?
According to Alexander, the main people who make money from crypto are institutional investors, trading companies that use strategies that are not permitted in regular stock trading. “All the big professional traders are making billions to come, and ordinary people are losing money,” she says.

And Trump?
Alexander thinks his meme coins are slightly different from many coins. It’s a potential alternative to speculation, and users buy it to show support for the President. This is similar to a “fan token” just like something produced by sports teams and athletes. The Trump Token has attracted criticism due to conflicts of interest. Among other concerns, Trump
Owns one of the entities that collect transaction fees. Alexander believes that the coin’s motivation is simple. “It just shows that he can do this,” she says. “He can do whatever he likes and he knows that.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Unraveling the Mystery of Space Mediation Particles: Exploring the Most Detailed Survey

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International Space Station AMS particle detector

NASA

The 11 -year survey of particles near our sun and anti -particles has emerged the history of our solar system and causes a new mystery about the particles itself.

“It seems like I stepped into a dark room and saw a lot of new things.” Samuel Tin At Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Energy particles are filled in the space, which is moved by burst called cosmic rays. When the cosmic ray enters the Alpha Magnetic Difference (AMS) detector of the International Space Station (ISS), the magnetic field separates particles based on the charge, and the detector measures mass and energy. This separation is important because it helps to identify the differences between particles and their anti -particles.

AMS collaboration, and his colleagues, analyzed more than 11 years of AMS data, and found that we didn’t know much about the particle behavior as we thought. For example, this survey reveals how the number of particles tends to be over time and how different types of particles interact with each other. Ting says that there are more than 600 theoretical models that can explain each of these trends, but there is nothing to explain both surveys at the same time.

And the results of the survey may be important for more than a single particle. Researchers say that the changing characteristics may be useful as a record of the history of the solar system, so they are shooting cosmic rays with different detectors for more than a century. Jamie Lankin At Princeton University. However, she says that we have never understood how the solar cycle affects the light rays.

This is because 11 years is the length of one solar cycle, so collecting data during that period captures all repeated fluctuations in the sun magnetic field, and the behavior of cosmic rays changes. She says that such a detailed investigation can be a key to solving a method of using cosmic rays in “solar system archeology”.

However, he says that the cosmic ray itself is still mysterious. Gavin Lowell At Adelaide University in Australia. “The measured value of the particle AMS is essentially from outside the solar system,” he says. Detailed amounts of new analysis, including how different particle nuclei on the cosmic ray acts, may help researchers focus on more decisive theories of cosmic rays.

There is also a question of other unexplored universe. “It’s a big mystery for me that AMS can observe antiproton because we don’t see antimatters in our world.” Ian Low At Northwestern University, Illinois. He says that the origin of these anti -particles is connected to a mysterious dark substance, and otherwise it may be better than our current universe.

Ting and his colleagues are currently working on upgrading the AMS detector, can detect more particles, and are adjusted as astronauts who support the installation.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Review: “Source Code” by Bill Gay Tsu – Exploring the World of Computer Nerds and Their Struggles

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tHe mystery surrounding William Henry Gates III is well-preserved. This book delves into the early years of Gates, from his birth in 1955 to the founding of Microsoft in 1975. The sequel will reveal the next chapter of his story.

The title of the book aptly captures its essence. In the era when only humans wrote computer programs, “source code” referred to the code that powered the programs. Understanding a programming language enabled one to decipher the workings of a computer program.

What can we learn from studying Gates’ journey? Essentially, it narrates the tale of a fortunate young man. He had supportive parents who provided him with the right environment to grow emotionally and intellectually. However, he faced internal battles due to his high IQ, rebellious nature, and anxiety.

Reflecting on his upbringing, Gates acknowledges the challenges he faced in social settings and how his parents supported him. He attended a progressive private school that nurtured his talents.

Notably, Gates and his friends had access to a computer in the 1960s, which was rare at the time. This early exposure to computing led them to develop software and write programs for companies in their region.

Gates’ journey took him to Harvard, where his programming skills stood out. He dabbled with a December PDP-10 but shifted focus when Allen discovered a new microcomputer based on Intel’s 8080 processor.

Together, Gates and Allen ventured into the world of software development, leading to the establishment of Microsoft. Their early success paved the way for future accomplishments.

The book hints at Gates’ institutional expansion and legal battles, setting the stage for what’s to come in the next volume.

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Gates in 1983. Photo: DOUG WILSON/CORBIS/Getty Images

The book provides valuable insights into Gates’ formative years, shedding light on his complex personality. His early struggles and triumphs set the stage for his future endeavors.

One of the defining moments in Gates’ life was the tragic loss of his best friend and programming partner, Kent Evans. This loss deeply impacted Gates and influenced his career trajectory.

In a poignant moment, Gates reflects on his conversations with Evans’ father and imagines what could have been if Evans had lived. Their shared vision laid the foundation for what would become Microsoft.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Exploring the Cultural Significance of Old Game Magazines and Nostalgia in Video Game History

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bIf you were a passionate gamer before the age of the Internet, chances are you were also an avid reader of gaming magazines. Publications like Crash, Mega, PC Gamer, and the official PlayStation Magazine have been fixtures in the industry since the early 1980s, fostering lively communities through their letter pages. Unfortunately, many of these magazines were not preserved and have been forgotten over time, unlike music and movie publications. As a former game journalist in the 1990s, I recall seeing hundreds of issues of popular game magazines like Super Play and Edge Masters being discarded like trash, which was disheartening.

However, for many veteran gamers and video game enthusiasts, these magazines hold historical significance and provide nostalgic joy. Surviving copies of classic game magazines are highly sought after on platforms like eBay. The Internet Archive features scanned copies of these magazines, but legal issues with copyright owners can limit access.

Fortunately, there are organizations dedicated to preserving game magazines. The Video Game History Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on preserving gaming history, recently announced the launch of a digital archive where enthusiasts can read and study magazines online. This archive will eventually include over 1,500 issues of US game magazines, art books, and other printed materials, all fully searchable for easy access to information on gaming history.

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/WUaUXAE1nTM?wmode=opaque&feature=oembed" title="Welcome to the VGHF Library – First Look Demo" height="480" width="854" allowfullscreen="

In a recent video introducing the archive, VGHF Library Filsalbador stated: “Whether you are a die-hard fan or just a curious observer, there is something for everyone.”

The VGHF, founded in 2017 by game historian Frank Cifaldi, is working to create archives that academic institutions and museums can use to study gaming history. While the focus has traditionally been on preserving games themselves, there is a growing recognition that magazines offer valuable context. John Hardman, creative director and co-CEO of the National Video Game Museum in Sheffield, notes that game magazines provide insights into players’ relationships with video games, serving as a time capsule of gaming culture.

Game magazines often reflect the specific demographics of their audience, showcasing industry trends and cultural norms. Advertisements from the 1990s to the early 2000s frequently depicted women in revealing outfits, even for genres like military shooters and strategy sims. This marketing strategy targeted teenage male audiences, as explained by museum curator Anne Wayne. The content of these magazines offers a unique perspective on the gaming community and the discussions and trends of the time.

The US Video Game Historical Foundation digitizes classic video game magazines archives. Photo: VGHF

Both VGHF and the National Video Game Museum rely on donations to continue their preservation efforts. Recently, the museum received a complete collection of PC Gamer magazines from a generous collector, including all cover demo disks and inserts. Magazine publishers also play a crucial role in preservation, as seen with Future Publishing’s archival efforts.

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Reflecting on the history of video games, it’s clear that the industry’s trajectory was not always straightforward. Game magazines challenged the notion that technological superiority guarantees success, offering a less linear perspective on the industry’s evolution. As you explore the VGHF digital archive, you’ll see that the success of consoles like the Sega Mega Drive, PlayStation, and Nintendo Wii was not always a foregone conclusion. In times of uncertainty for the gaming industry, these magazines serve as vital historical records, shedding light on a complex and ever-evolving landscape.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Understanding Traitors: Exploring the Intersection of Forensic Psychology and Evolutionary Biology

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Claudia Winkleman, The Traitors host

BBC /Studio Rambert

Food -up, torch light, knife Sharp: Viewers in the UK are ready for different delicious finale Traitor Tonight, at a video game show, a TV game show is trying to drive away the ruthless (strictly non -realistic) murderers walking between them.

For psychologists -Experts and armrests- Traitor This is the gold mine of the unauthorized human behavior, which is disassembled and analyzed. And it's not just psychology. Game theory, human evolution, and criminal science are only a few of the scientific fields that provide clues to Makabeli's dynamics.

I found something that I really needed to win to investigate a betrayal (academically speaking …) Traitor。 Warning: If there is no latest information on the show, there is a spoiler first.

Please be careful about compatible bias

“Having a strong feature seems to be that others are influential and potentially intimidating,” says a forensic psychologist. Kuala LightHost A Podcast About Traitor With a colleague at the British Chester University. She selects contestants such as shadows (too intelligent), Ellen (too emotional), and Armani (too much confidence).

Their falls are likely to be linked Compatible biasThe characteristics of human beings that most of us comply with social norms. Individuals who do not fit may be hated or distrustful.

This is not a place of altruism

Emily EmotThe London University College's evolution anthropologist says that players should not be able to “do not actually exist in evolutionary literature.”

“Remember, it's not a cooperative game,” she says. “It's a deceptive game, a survival game. You need to be there to win, so it's a mistake to commit some players because they trust the nearby people. “

Emot says that we have evolved to go ahead of others. Therefore, altruistic behaviors found in the show are said to have selfish benefits behind them. And such obvious altruism is not a bad tactic, whether you are faithful or traitor.

“In the context of the game, cooperative is functioning as a signal for reliability. A good example may not be open to the shield. [which protects you from the next murder] During the show task. “

However, here is Makabeli's intelligence. Because everyone knows the rules of the game, excellent players do not take altruistic actions at face value. “In this game, you may have an impure motivation for you, so it’s not a honest signal,” says Emot.

So be careful of wonderful people. an Thousands of messages analysis Between players DiplomacyGames that share similarities TraitorExcessive polite players have discovered that they are more likely to betray others.

Be careful of bias in the group

“We know from social psychology that they have what they are called when they form a social group. Bias in the groupAnd this can really accelerate TraitorLight says. “”[Contestants] Display priority actions to those in the group with them. This is why everything did not work for Mina after recruiting Charlotte as a traitor.

Charlotte is recruited as a traitor by Mina

BBC /Studio Rambert

For Mina, who was always looking for a female traitor, her group was a so -called sister relationship she created. “She identified it as a sister relationship. She used this word well,” says Light. “The problem is that Charlotte had already had a faithful person and a strong group's identity, and when she was hired by her will, she did not have the loyalty to the new group. did.”

And what happened? Charlotte immediately crossed Mina, and Mina was voted the next night.

Light says that the same group's bias can lead to a flock thinking when the player is voting, which can lead to an unrogical trust in people in the game.

What is a good liar?

A nervous or inconsistent answer to the question is generally considered doubtful, even if someone tells the truth. That's because these actions are tied to a stereotype about what a liar is doing. The better gifts are always those who say the same thing. Emma BarrettPsychologist and criminal scholar at the University of Manchester University.

“One of the most notable things is the same story in the exact same way, and they don't really explain it in detail when they re -speak it,” she says. The story may sound plausible, but repeatedly adds details as you remember. “People sometimes make a mistake in consistency, but that's not a way to work with real memories.”

Think like a scientist

Hunting for the traitor -Introduction to the 3rd season of the traitor

BBC /Studio Rambert

Faithful people are not very good at it TraitorBut another tactic that they can use is to encourage suspicious traitor to speak more than they want. Barrett says.

“If you are faithful, the good strategy to detect a traitor is to subtly encourage them as they speak.” “For example, if you want to know if you are a police officer and someone gave you a false address, one of the questions you might ask is,” Oh, how do you get there? What is your nearest station?

If you are suspicious, try a game theory?

The majority of information is always lost to the minority based on sufficient information. Based on this, it was created by Russian psychologist Dimitry Davidoff mafia -Which parlor game Traitor Based on the 1980s. since then, mafia It is used as the basis of many game theory experiments and models.

The good news is that Davidoff is not correct at all. He believed that the probability of a faithful person to keep the bad guys away is better than a coincidence. But many the study The model discovered that the possibility of victory was almost equal, and was leaned in support of people who were faithful to live games for the weight of the lie that the traitor had to talk about.

In other words, forget cold mathematics. If you really want to win TraitorYou must be just injustice than anyone else.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Exploring the decision-making process of early hominin tool manufacturers: A new study

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Paleoanthropologists have characterized the properties of rough stone materials selected and used by early Pleistocene tool makers at Acheulean sites on the Ethiopian plateau between 16 and 1 million years ago.

Hand ax made from sidestrike flakes (ac) and kombewa flakes (df) from Melka Wakena, Ethiopia. Image credit: Tegenu Gossa & Erella Hovers, doi: 10.1007/s12520-024-02072-8.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem said: “The two earliest stone tool assemblages, Oldowan and Acheulean, are now known to have emerged and proliferated within the East African Rift Valley.” Professor Herrera Hovers And my colleagues.

“The Oldowans (beginning 2.6 million years ago) introduced the obligatory use of percussion techniques, using various types of lithic supports (cobbles, nodules, pebbles, etc.) as percussion instruments to produce simple flakes. It represents a fundamental technological advance.

“The emergence of the Atyurs 1.75 million years ago probably marked major biological and behavioral changes in hominin lifestyles, often associated with improved cognitive abilities.”

In their study, the authors focused on: Melka Wakenaan early Achurian archaeological complex located in the south-central Ethiopian Plateau, at an altitude of 2,300 to 2,350 meters above sea level.

The site consists of several areas within a radius of approximately 2 km along the western bank of the Wabe River.

Preliminary investigations revealed the remains of animals, including 15 species of large vertebrates, some of which had human traces.

“Melka Wakena is one of the earliest known sites of high-altitude human habitation,” the researchers said.

“Evidence suggests that early humans made strategic choices based on factors such as rock compatibility, durability, and efficiency.”

“Melka Wakena's unique high-altitude setting provides valuable insight into how early humans adapted to their difficult environment.”

Scientists used advanced digital imaging techniques such as 3D scanning and photogrammetry to create highly detailed models showing the effects of stone tool use.

These models enable accurate analysis of wear patterns and surface changes and reveal that raw material properties have a significant influence on these changes, even under identical use conditions.

The findings suggest that early humans carefully evaluated the properties of materials when making tools, demonstrating a remarkable degree of technological foresight and adaptability.

“Our findings suggest that early humans were not simply picking up stones at random,” said Professor Hovers.

“They were making complex decisions about which materials were best for predictable needs, demonstrating a high degree of pre-planning and cognitive sophistication.”

of result appear in the diary PLoS ONE.

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E. Paisan others. 2025. Exploring early Acheulean technological decision-making: A controlled experimental approach to raw material selection for percussion crafts in Melka Wakena, Ethiopia. PLoS ONE 20 (1): e0314039;doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0314039

Source: www.sci.news

Exploring the Dark World of Sexual Deepfakes: Women Fighting Back against Fake Representations

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IIt started with an anonymous email. It read, “That's true. I'm sorry to have to contact you.” Below that word were three links to internet forums. “HUGE trigger warning…they contain vile photoshopped images of you.”

Jody (not her real name) froze. The 27-year-old from Cambridgeshire has had problems in the past with her photos stolen to set up dating profiles and social media accounts. She called the police, but was told there was nothing they could do and pushed it to the back of her mind.

However, I couldn't ignore this email that arrived on March 10, 2021. She clicked on the link. “It was like time stood still,” she said. “I remember screaming so loud. I just completely broke down.”

Forum, an alternative porn website, has hundreds of photos of her alone, on holiday and with friends and housemates, alongside a caption labeling them as 'sluts'. The comments included calling her a “slut” and “prostitute,” asking people to rate her, and asking her what kind of fantasies she had. they will.

The person who posted the photo also shared the invitation with other members of the forum. It involved using artificial intelligence to create sexually explicit “deepfakes,” digitally altered content, using fully clothed photos of Jodi taken from her private Instagram.

“I've never done anything like this before but I love seeing her being fake…happy to chat and show more of her too…:D,” they wrote. Ta. In response, users posted hundreds of composite images and videos of the woman's body and Jodi's face. One posted an image of her wearing high school girl clothes and being raped by a teacher in a classroom. Others showed her full “nude”. “I was having sex in every room,” she said. “The shock and devastation still haunts me.”

The now-deleted fake images show that a growing number of synthetic, sexually explicit photos and videos are being created, traded and sold across social media apps, private messages and gaming platforms in the UK and around the world. Masu. As well as adult forums and porn sites.




Inside the helpline office. Photo: Jim Wileman/Observer

Last week, the government announced a “crackdown” on blatant deepfakes, expanding current laws that make it a criminal offense not only to share images, but also to create them without consent, which will be illegal from January 2024. I promised. Someone making them for you – is not going to be covered. The government will also ask whether the crime was consensual (campaigners say it must be) or whether the victim can prove that the perpetrator had malicious intent. I haven't confirmed whether it is necessary or not yet.

At the Revenge Porn Helpline's headquarters in a business park on the outskirts of Exeter, senior practitioner Kate Worthington, 28, says stronger laws with no loopholes are desperately needed.

Launched in 2015, the helpline is a dedicated service for victims of intimate image abuse, part-funded by the Home Office. Deepfake incidents are at an all-time high, with reports of synthetic image abuse increasing by 400% since 2017. However, it remains small compared to overall intimate image abuse. There were 50 incidents last year, accounting for about 1% of the total. caseload. The main reason is that it's vastly underreported, Worthington says. “Victims often don't know their images are being shared.”

The researchers found that many perpetrators of deepfake image abuse appear to be motivated by “collector culture.” “A lot of times it's not with the intention of the person knowing,” Worthington said. “Buyed, sold, exchanged, traded for sexual gratification or for status. If you are finding this content and sharing it alongside your Snap handle, Insta handle, or LinkedIn profile. , you may receive glory.'' Many are created using the “Nude'' app. In March, a charity that runs a revenge porn helpline reported 29 such services to Apple, which removed them.

There have also been cases where composite images have been used to directly threaten or humiliate people. The helpline has heard cases of boys creating fake incestuous images of female relatives. A man addicted to porn creates a composite photo of his partner engaging in non-consensual sex in real life. Stories of people who were photographed at the gym and deepfake videos made to make it look like they were having sex. Most, but not all, of those targeted are women. Approximately 72% of the deepfake incidents identified by the helpline involved women. The oldest was in his 70s.

There have also been cases where Muslim women have been targeted with deepfake images of themselves wearing revealing clothing or without their hijabs.

Regardless of intent, the impact is often extreme. “Many of these photos are so realistic that your coworkers, neighbors, and grandma won't be able to tell the difference,” says Worthington.




Kate Worthington, Senior Helpline Practitioner. Photo: Jim Wileman/Observer

The Revenge Porn Helpline helps people remove abusive images. Amanda Dashwood, 30, who has worked at the helpline for two years, says this is usually a caller's priority. “It says, 'Oh my God, help me. I need to delete this before people see it,'” she says.

She and her colleagues on the helpline team, eight women, most under 30, have a variety of tools at their disposal. If the victim knows where the content was posted, the team will issue a takedown request directly to the platform. Some people ignore the request completely. However, this helpline has partnered with most of the major helplines, from Instagram and Snapchat to Pornhub and OnlyFans, and has a successful removal rate of 90%.

If the victim doesn't know where the content was posted, or suspects it's being shared more widely, they can send a selfie to be run through facial recognition technology (with their consent) or vice versa. Ask them to use image search. tool. Although this tool is not foolproof, it can detect material being shared on the open web.

The team can also advise you on steps to stop your content from being posted online again. They plan to direct people to a service called StopNCII. The tool was created by online safety charity SWGFL, which also runs a revenge porn helpline, with funding from Meta.

Users can upload real or synthetic photos, and the technology creates a unique hash and shares it with partner platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Pornhub, and Reddit (but not X or Discord). If someone tries to upload that image, it will be automatically blocked. As of December, 1 million images had been hashed and 24,000 uploads were proactively blocked.

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Alex Wolff was found guilty of a derogatory nature. I'm posting images, not soliciting them. Photo: Handout

Some people call the police, but responses vary widely depending on the force used. Victims who try to report fraudulent use of composite images are told that police cannot cooperate with edited images or that prosecution is not in the public interest.

Helpline manager Sophie Mortimer recalls another incident in which police said: “No, that's not you. It's not you.” It’s someone who looks like you,” and refused to investigate. “I feel like police sometimes look for reasons not to pursue these types of cases,” Mortimer said. “We know it's difficult, but that doesn't negate the real harm that's being caused to people.”

In November, Sam Miller, assistant chief constable and director of the violence against women and girls strategy at the National Police Chiefs' Council, told a parliamentary inquiry into intimate image abuse that police lacked a “deep understanding of violent behavior”. I'm worried,” he said. Discrepancies in laws and precedents. “Yesterday, one victim told me that out of the 450 victims of deepfake images she has spoken to, only two have had a positive experience with law enforcement,” she said. Ta.

For Jodi, it is clear that there is a need to raise awareness of the misuse of deepfakes, not only among law enforcement but also the general public.

After being alerted to her deepfake, she spent hours scrolling through posts trying to piece together what happened.

She noticed that they were not shared by strangers, but by her close friends alex wolf, a Cambridge University graduate and former BBC Young Composer of the Year. He had posted a photo of her with a cut out of him. “I knew I hadn't posted that photo on Instagram and only sent it to him. That's when the penny dropped.”


www.theguardian.com

I am a neuroscientist exploring how gambling impacts the brain

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The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) is a text created by the World Health Organization that summarizes all medical problems recognized by the organization.

When it comes to the latest version, ICD-11was created and added the category of addictive behaviors to the section on addictive disorders. It is now medically accepted that people can become addicted not only to substances but also to certain activities. The most important of these behaviors is gambling.

Gambling addiction is definitely real and a big problem. therefore, UK government introduces measures Hopefully, we can curb or at least reduce that harm.

But why do people become addicted to gambling? And why is it often so difficult to treat compared to more “typical” substance-based addictions?

The “method” is relatively simple. The main attraction of gambling is essentially the ability to win large amounts of money with little effort.

When making decisions, humans brain You are constantly weighing effort against potential reward. When something leans heavily toward the latter (for example, paying a small amount of money and receiving a large amount in return), we tend to really approve of it.

Up to 4 percent of people in the United States may have a gambling problem – Photo credit: Getty

There's also the fact that the human brain is complex enough to recognize money as important in a biological sense, even though it's a technically abstract concept. Our brains also prioritize novelty and unpredictability.

All of this together means that gambling can and does affect the brain's reward system in the same way as certain drugs and substances. Addiction develops and all the subsequent effects are felt on the individual.

Of course, this does not happen to everyone who gambles. There are many people who don't gamble at all. Many people instinctively dislike risk and loss, but these are unavoidable aspects of gambling. However, some people are not as sensitive and are more willing to accept gambling as a form of entertainment.

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But while the similarities in the brain's responses to gambling and drugs may explain why gambling is often addictive, it is the combination of both that can make gambling addiction particularly difficult to treat. That's the difference.

Gambling addiction lacks a biological substance, making it easier to overlook and hide. As a result, some evidence suggests that 90% of gambling problems go unreported and untreated.

Also, the absence of specific substances that support gambling addiction means that there is nothing to “take away”, so to speak. Even in cases of long-term chronic drug addiction, there is an option to remove the drug (going “cold turkey”) and allow people's brains and bodies to adapt to the absence of the drug. Indeed, this is often a very unpleasant and even dangerous option. But it's still an option.

This is not the case with gambling. It is an action, not a substance. As long as someone has money and autonomy, it is very difficult to deny them access to gambling. Even if you could, it still might not make any difference because of your gambling experience.

The nature of gambling means that it is not experienced as a direct “stimulus = reward'' process of the kind that applies to drug taking and that underlies the basic learning processes of classical conditioning (which is why addiction is established in the first place). key aspects of the system). .

Such a relatively simple process is also easy to unlearn. When a stimulus stops producing a reward, the association “dies” in the brain. When you do this to the source of your addiction, the addiction loses its power over you. The human brain is so complex that this will be quite difficult to achieve, but at least we can try.

According to the Journal of Gambling Studies, men are twice as likely to be frequent gamblers than women – Photo courtesy of Getty

However, think about this. If an alcoholic found out that only one random drink out of 20 had alcohol in it and the others made him feel nauseous, it would probably be much easier to kick the habit. Dew. But that doesn't work with gambling. Because that's how you experience gambling.

Gambling rewards occur through a variable schedule of reinforcement. You never know when you will win, and losing is inevitable. But as long as you win often enough, keep doing it. And then an addiction to that behavior develops.

Knowing the negative consequences of gambling is already part of the process. It's like trying to treat an alcoholic by making him pay for his own drinks. They always already are.

These are just some of the reasons why gambling addiction is a difficult problem to address medically. This means it is essential to work towards reducing exposure to gambling and the development of addiction in the first place. We have to even the odds somehow.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

“Exploring the Untold Tale: A Developer’s Battle to Create a Game on the 1948 Nakba Despite Taboos”

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IIn the West Bank city of Nablus, Rashid Abueide operates a nut roaster to support his family. Additionally, he is an award-winning game developer. A decade ago, amidst the escalating 2014 Gaza war, he created a compelling video game titled “Lilya and the Shadow of War” which depicts a man’s quest for safety for his daughter and himself. However, amidst the falling missiles, it becomes evident that safety is unattainable. Initially rejected by Apple upon release in 2016 due to inappropriate content, the decision was eventually reversed after a week of protests.

Despite the acclaim and attention “Lilya” received, Abueide struggled to secure funding for his next game through conventional means. His envisioned game, “dream on the pillow,” narrates the story of the 1948 Nakba and reflects on the Arab-Israeli conflict through a mother’s folklore. Rejected nearly 300 times for being contentious and risky, Abueide’s games challenge the narratives surrounding the Palestinian experience, which has long been taboo.




Historical Background…The game’s timeline switches between the protagonist Om’s past and her horrifying present. Photo: Rasheed Abueide

Currently, as conflict rages in his homeland, Abueide is resolute in telling the Palestinian narrative. With the collaboration of a dedicated team, he initiated a crowdfunding campaign to bring “Dreams on a Pillow” to life.

Despite challenges, the team successfully reached its fundraising goal through Launch Good, a platform that acknowledges Muslim causes. This achievement covers a significant portion of the game’s development costs, paving the way for further funding opportunities as the project evolves. Abueide expresses gratitude for overwhelming support and emphasizes the importance of portraying the Palestinian plight in gaming.




“I want to send a message.” Rashid Abueide, who operates a nut roaster in Nablus. Photo: Rasheed Abueide

“The Dream on the Pillow” draws inspiration from a mother fleeing with her infant, inadvertently carrying a pillow and recalling her childhood in Palestine. The game interweaves her journey post-Tantura massacre with nostalgic dreams, using the pillow as a key element for progression but also triggering nightmares. Abueide anticipates a two-year development timeline, underscoring the project’s significance with contingency plans in place for potential interruptions.

Abueide’s ultimate goal is for players to empathize with the Palestinian experience, understanding the lasting impact of past conflicts on present realities. By shedding light on the ongoing struggles of the Palestinian people, he aims to prompt an informed and empathetic response from players.

Source: www.theguardian.com

The Illusion of God: Exploring the Pope’s Popularity as a Deepfake Image in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

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For Pope, it was the wrong kind of Madonna.

The pop legend behind the ’80s anthem “Like a Prayer” has been at the center of controversy in recent weeks after posting a deepfake image of the Pope hugging her on social media. This further fanned the flames of an already heated debate over the creation of AI art, in which Pope Francis plays a symbolic and unwilling role.

Catholic Church leaders are accustomed to being subject to AI fabrications. One of the defining images of the AI boom was Francis wearing a Balenciaga down jacket. The stunningly realistic photo went viral last March and was seen by millions of people. But Francis didn’t understand the funny side. In January, he referenced the Balenciaga image in a speech on AI and warned about the impact of deepfakes.


An AI-generated image of Pope Francis wearing a down jacket. Illustration: Reddit

“Fake news…Today, ‘deepfakes’ – the creation and dissemination of images that appear completely plausible but false – can be used. I have been the subject of this as well.” he said.

Other deepfakes include Francis wearing a pride flag and holding an umbrella on the beach. Like the Balenciaga images, these were created by the Midjourney AI tool.

Rick Dick, the Italian digital artist who created the image of Madonna, told the Guardian that he did not intend to offend with the photo of Frances putting his arm around Madonna’s waist and hugging her. Another image on Rick Dick’s Instagram page seamlessly merges a photo of the Pope’s face with that of Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. They are more likely to be offended.


AI image of Madonna and Pope Francis. Illustration: @madonna/Instagram

Rickdick said Mangione’s image was intended to satirize the American obsession with Mangione being “elevated into a god-like figure” online.

“My goal is to make people think and, if possible, smile,” said the artist, who goes by the stage name Rick Dick, but declined to give his full name.

He said that memes (viral images that are endlessly tweaked and reused online) are our “new visual culture, fascinated by their ability to convey deep ideas quickly.”

Experts say the Pope is a clear target for deepfakes because of the vast digital “footprint” of videos, images, and audio recordings associated with him. AI models are trained on the open internet, which is filled with content featuring prominent public figures, from politicians to celebrities to religious leaders.

Sam Stockwell, a researcher at Britain’s Alan Turing Institute, said: “The Pope is frequently featured in public life and there are vast amounts of photos, videos, and audio clips of him on the open web.” said.

“Because AI models are often trained indiscriminately on such data, these models are more sensitive to the facial features and facial features of individuals like the Pope than models with less large digital footprints. It makes it much easier to reproduce the similarities.”

Rick Dick said the AI model he used to create the photo of Francis that was posted to his Instagram account and then reposted by Madonna was created on a paid platform called Krea.ai by the pope and the pop star. It is said that the robot was trained specifically for images. However, realistic photos of Francis can also be easily created using freely accessible models such as Stable Diffusion, which allows users to place Francis on a bicycle or on a soccer field with a few simple prompts.

Stockwell added that there is also an obvious appeal to juxtaposing powerful figures with unusual or embarrassing situations, which is a fundamental element of satire.

“He is associated with strict rules and traditions, so some people want to deepfake him in unusual situations compared to his background,” he said.

Adding AI to the satirical mix will likely lead to more deepfakes from the Pope.

“I like to use celebrities, objects, fashion, and events to mix the absurd and the unconventional to provoke thought,” said Rick Dick. “It’s like working on a never-ending puzzle, always looking for new creative connections. The Pope is one of my favorite subjects to work on.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Exploring the Production of Higgs Boson Pairs in Proton-Proton Collisions with the CMS Experiment

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CMS Collaboration physicists used data from high-energy proton-proton collisions from Experiment 2 at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC) to released The latest research into the production of Higgs boson pairs, known as De-Higgs, has placed constraints on the rate of their formation.

Event display of candidate events for Higgs pair generation. Image credit: CERN.

According to physicists, Higgs particle pair can be created in two main ways.

The first is called gluon-gluon fusion, in which gluons (particles inside colliding protons) interact to produce the Higgs boson. This process allows scientists to study the interaction between one so-called intermediate state Higgs boson and two final state Higgs bosons.

The second method involves quarks, also inside the colliding protons, which emit two vector bosons. These vector particles interact to form a Higgs particle, allowing the study of the interaction between two Higgs particles and two vector particles.

CMS physicists performed the latest analysis by exploring multiple ways DeHiggs could collapse.

These final states resulted from the decay of Higgs boson pairs into bottom quarks, W particles, tau leptons, and photons.

By combining these searches and analyzing all the data simultaneously using advanced analytics techniques such as boosted decision trees and deep neural networks, the collaboration was able to extract more information than ever before. .

This study allowed the researchers to set an upper bound on the Higgs pair production rate with a 95% confidence level.

The measured limits are now 3.5 times higher than the Standard Model’s prediction for total DeHiggs production and 79 times higher than the Standard Model’s prediction for DeHiggs production by vector boson fusion.

The LHC’s Run 3 data acquisition era is underway, and the amount of data collected by CMS experiments has already doubled, and CMS researchers are making progress in analyzing it.

One of the most exciting prospects for measuring the self-interactions of the Higgs boson is the upcoming High-Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC), scheduled to become operational in 2030.

In this new phase, the accelerator will provide CMS with the highest luminosity ever reached in a collider.

Considering luminosity predictions and systematic uncertainties, scientists estimate that the first evidence of Higgs formation may begin to appear in about half of the HL-LHC data.

“We look forward to further investigating this rare and exciting phenomenon,” they said.

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CMS cooperation. 2024. Combined search for non-resonant Higgs boson pair production in proton-proton collisions at √s=13 TeV. CMS-PAS-HIG-20-011

Source: www.sci.news