Palantir, a leading American data analytics firm, wields technology capable of both saving and taking lives. As its influence expands globally, concerns about this enigmatic corporation’s role in world affairs and its ultimate beneficiaries continue to rise.
The Hidden Female Psychopath
Recent studies indicate that the presence of female psychopaths may be more prevalent than once believed. If this is the case, why do they remain unnoticed? Perhaps you suspect someone around you? Here’s how to identify potential traits:
Artificial Intelligence Ethics
There is an urgent need to educate AI on moral principles. However, a paradox emerges: to elicit positive responses from AI, one must examine its behavior when exposed to malicious tasks.
Data Storage in Space
The rapid progression of AI technology is driving an unprecedented demand for electricity globally. Additionally, cooling these data centers requires significant amounts of water. Could the cosmos offer a viable solution for data storage? Many startups believe it is the ideal destination.
Plus Highlights
Boost Your IQ: Ditch the brain training games. Physical activity could truly unlock your brain’s full potential.
Impact of Social Media Bans: Experts are split on how effective Australia’s social media ban is for children.
Q&A Insights: Our experts tackle questions such as “Why do we kiss?” “How contagious is laughter?” “Can tigers get along with their prey?” “What are the similarities between identical twins?” “Is déjà vu unhealthy?” “Should you trim your eyelashes?” “What happens if you fall ill on the ISS?” “How do we best measure earthquakes?” “Can you maintain a happy marriage with a psychopath?” “How fast am I moving now?” and much more…
Don’t forget, BBC Science Focus is also available on all major digital platforms. You can access it on Android, Kindle Fire and Kindle e-Readers, as well as on your iOS app for iPad and iPhone.
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Do you really need to invest in a new TV? The allure of the latest features and massive screen sizes is strong, but exercising a bit of patience could save both money and the planet. You can enhance your viewing experience with some straightforward tips and tricks.
It’s understandable to feel Fomo. In the past, buying a new TV was typically only necessary when the old one failed completely. Back then, all TVs seemed quite similar, offering nearly the same features.
The landscape today is vastly different. Every year introduces a new selection of high-tech flat screens that surpass previous models in clarity. What was once a simple box is now a sophisticated piece of technology, often displayed on your wall as art.
But I can relate to your frustrations. It doesn’t take long for even the latest screen’s brilliance to feel a bit lackluster. My smart TV’s picture quality seems to fade, and its operating system feels sluggish with each passing month. Apps lag, and navigating menus seems cumbersome. And in the back of my mind, the thought of a shiny new OLED creeps in.
But is that truly necessary? I’m here to suggest that you can delay that purchase and enhance your TV experience with a few adjustments and perhaps some budget-friendly gadgets.
Upgrade Your Smart TV OS
One of the telltale signs that a TV is nearing the end of its useful life is its smart platform. All reputable shows today connect to streaming services and smart home functionalities, but as more advanced software emerges, older platforms naturally fall out of favor. If your streaming apps no longer receive updates and the interface feels sluggish, it’s a sign.
While it’s disappointing, your TV doesn’t have to head to the landfill just yet. You can breathe new life into it by simply adding an affordable streaming dongle. Devices like Amazon’s Fire TV Stick, Roku’s Streaming Stick, or Google TV Streamer, plugged into a spare HDMI port, can revamp your streaming setup with quicker interfaces, contemporary services, and handy voice search features.
Amazon offers both HD and 4K streaming sticks, with the basic 1080p option priced at £39.99 and the 4K model starting at £49.99.
Amazon Fire TV Stick HD
£39.99 on Amazon £39.99 at John Lewis
Not an Amazon Prime member? Consider the Roku 4K UHD Stick instead. It provides a wide array of streaming apps and services for under £50. The Google TV streamer with built-in Chromecast serves a similar purpose at £99.
Roku 4K Streaming Stick Plus
£24.99 at Argos £39.99 at Currys
Most TVs have a spare USB port for powering the stick, so you won’t even need an extra cable plugged into the outlet.
Alternatively, elevate your viewing experience by opting for Sky Stream. This compact device offers a full suite of premium Sky channels, including movies and sports, plus built-in apps like Netflix, Apple TV, Disney+, Prime Video, and UK broadcasters. The basic subscription starts at £15 per month and includes Sky Atlantic, Netflix, and Discovery+.
The innovation lies in its reliance on your Wi-Fi network, eliminating the need for a dish or antenna. Unlike traditional satellite boxes, it doesn’t come with a built-in hard drive—your recordings are stored on your personal video recorder (PVR) in the cloud, so you won’t run out of space.
Smart Tricks That Actually Work
It might seem unusual, but if you aren’t facing specific tech issues, consider adjusting the lighting in your room for an improved viewing experience. Rearranging lamps to avoid glares and replacing harsh ceiling lights with softer backlighting can create a more enjoyable atmosphere. Installing lights behind the screen can lessen eye strain and enhance perceived contrast. This technique, known as bias lighting, is used in professional settings.
For a bigger view, try moving closer to your TV. While it may sound odd, there’s a clear link between screen resolution and viewing distance.
In the era before HD, lower resolutions often justified a greater distance. However, modern 4K UHD and even 8K TVs feature such high pixel densities that you can sit much closer without eye fatigue.
Ideally, your couch should be placed 1.5 times the distance from the screen. For a 55-inch TV, this translates to a distance of about 2 meters. If comfortable, don’t hesitate to sit closer. Watching native 4K content provides you with richer detail and textures.
Best Times for Watching Movies with Lights On
Ambient lighting can significantly enhance the visual quality of some shows and movies. Photo: SeventyFour/Getty Images
If you enjoy dark, atmospheric films but find that your LED TV appears washed-out in low light, you don’t need to rush for an OLED upgrade. There’s a simple solution.
LED backlighting enables vibrant images under bright conditions, but in dim settings, it enhances the visibility of backlighting and softens the black levels. Watching your LED TV in a room with ambient light can lead to a more natural image, helping black tones stay genuinely black instead of gray.
Maximize Your Current Setup
If your TV’s visuals appear dull or unnatural, it’s possible that the backlighting may be weakening. For a quick adjustment, navigate to the settings menu.
You’re likely viewing the Standard Picture setting, which is typically the default. Try switching to Dynamic or Vivid mode. This can enhance the colors in your visuals and give them more vibrancy.
Not All HDMI Settings Are Created Equal
If the image still seems muted, double-check your HDMI configuration. When consuming HDR content from external devices like set-top boxes, game consoles, or UHD Blu-ray players, an underwhelming visual experience may indicate that HDR isn’t being utilized.
[画像] or [一般設定] Check the HDMI settings in your menu. This is generally labeled as either standard or optimal (or enhanced). Selecting Optimal will let you view both 4K UHD and HDR signals coming from the source.
Conversely, if your HDR content appears too dark and you picked your TV up at a bargain during Black Friday, it may not possess the necessary brightness for effective HDR viewing (despite marketing claims). In this scenario, setting HDR to standard will yield a brighter overall image while retaining 4K resolution.
Enhance Your TV Audio With a Soundbar
If your TV’s audio is less than ideal and clarity is slipping, a soundbar could be the simplest and most effective upgrade.
It’s common for flat-screen TVs to produce mediocre sound quality. Even the latest models often struggle due to their slim designs, which leave minimal space for robust speakers, resulting in disappointing audio. A well-chosen soundbar not only increases volume but also improves clarity and creates a rich soundstage, restoring a full auditory experience missing from built-in TV speakers.
For smaller TVs (around 43 inches), the Sharp HT-SB700 is a solid choice. This Dolby Atmos soundbar, spanning only 640mm, delivers 140W and represents fantastic value.
Sharp HT-SB700
£89 at Tesco £89.99 at Currys
For larger TVs, consider the £999 Samsung HW-Q990F. This impressive soundbar is 1,309mm wide, houses 23 speakers, outputs a total of 756W, and comes equipped with a wireless subwoofer and two wireless rear speakers for a fully immersive cinematic sound experience.
Samsung HW-Q990F Soundbar
£999 at John Lewis £999 at Currys
When All Else Fails – It Might Be Time to Invest in a New TV
That said, certain scenarios warrant upgrading to a new TV. If it tumbles from its stand and you find yourself watching through what resembles 80’s retro visual effects, it’s time to recycle it (and we encourage you to do so) recycle electrical products.
Likewise, if the design feels outdated (I’m referring to those bulky TVs with absurdly wide bezels), an upgrade is justifiable. Wide bezels are unlikely to return to fashion. And if you’re truly drawn to OLED technology, I won’t deter you. The allure of OLED screens is so captivating that they can make even the dreariest TV shows seem appealing.
However, if your concerns stem merely from performance inconsistencies with your trusty older model or a desire for a smarter, interconnected user experience, considering alternative solutions may be a more prudent route to avoid an unnecessary major purchase.
For additional insights, check out our articles on when to upgrade your laptop and how to extend the life of your smartphone.
Steve May is an expert in technology and home entertainment, with over 30 years of experience covering all things television; from the slimmest, brightest screens to sound systems that rival commercial cinemas. When not delving into tech, you’ll often find him binge-watching series or organizing his Blu-ray collection.
Beginning Tuesday, Microsoft will cease offering standard free support for Windows 10, the operating system relied on by millions of computer and laptop users globally.
As of September, data indicates that four out of ten individuals worldwide still use Windows 10, despite the release of its successor, Windows 11, in 2021.
What’s Changing with Windows 10?
Effective October 14, 2025, Microsoft will no longer offer standard free software updates, security patches, or technical support for PCs running Windows 10.
While computers utilizing this software will continue to operate, their vulnerability to viruses and malware will increase as new bugs and security issues come to light.
Microsoft states that Windows 11, a more advanced system, “meets modern security demands by default.”
What Are the Risks?
If Windows users take no action, they might find themselves particularly exposed to hackers attempting to exploit vulnerabilities in large systems.
The consumer group Which? has highlighted that around five million British users intend to keep using devices running this software.
Regardless of location, continuing to operate on Windows 10 places users at risk for cyberattacks, data breaches, and fraud.
According to Lisa Barber, editor at Which?, criminals “will target individuals and exploit vulnerabilities to steal data.” – Technology magazine.
How Can I Mitigate the Threat?
The simplest solution is to upgrade to Windows 11 at no cost.
If your PC is less than four years old, it is likely capable of running Windows 11. To confirm, check your computer specifications. The minimum specifications for Windows 11 include 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, and the machine also requires a Trusted Platform Module 2.0 (TPM 2.0) that securely stores credentials, similar to modern smartphones.
Microsoft provides a free tool to determine if your Windows 10 PC is compatible with Windows 11. For additional compatibility checks, you can use online tools based on your CPU.
What If My Computer Lacks the Necessary Hardware to Upgrade to Windows 11?
If you don’t take any action, you could be exposed to malware and security risks. One option is to enroll in a one-year agreement with Microsoft for Extended Security Updates, which will be available until October 13, 2026.
This provides an additional year to plan for the end of support and arrange for replacements.
Registration is free if you log in to Windows 10 with a Microsoft account to sync your settings. Otherwise, it will cost $30 (excluding tax) or you can redeem 1,000 reward points.
Are There Alternatives to Windows 11?
You can use your PC safely with other operating systems if it cannot be upgraded to Windows 11.
A viable solution is installing Linux, a free family of operating systems that offers various distributions.
Ensure you back up all your files to an external drive or secure storage, as switching from Windows may delete or complicate file access.
Among the most popular and user-friendly versions of Linux is Canonical’s Ubuntu, which is free, open-source, and regularly updated for security. Installing it in place of Windows requires a USB flash drive; Canonical provides a step-by-step installation guide.
While many applications support Linux, be mindful that not all Windows software is available for Linux.
Alternatively, if your computing needs can be met via a web browser, Google provides a lightweight version of ChromeOS, which can be installed for free on many PCs. Ensure your model is supported and refer to Google’s installation guide, which also requires a USB flash drive.
Buying a New Computer
If you cannot install alternative software or still require Windows, consider purchasing a new PC equipped with Windows 11 and ongoing support.
Many retailers offer trade-in programs where you can recycle your old computer and get a small discount on a new model. Refurbished Windows 11 devices are also readily available from various retailers. Check out options like Currys, Back Market, and manufacturers like Dell for affordable options.
I was 34 when the concept of the World Wide Web first came to me. I seized every chance to discuss it, presenting it in meetings, sketching it on whiteboards, or even carving it into the snow on ski poles during what was supposed to be a leisurely day with friends.
I approached the venerable folks at the European Nuclear Research Institute (CERN), where I first encountered this idea. “A bit eccentric” they said, but eventually, they relented and allowed me to pursue it. My vision involved merging two existing computer technologies: the Internet and hypertext, which facilitates linking standard documents with “links.”
I was convinced that if users had an effortless method to navigate the Internet, it would unleash creativity and collaboration on a global scale. Given time, anything could find its place online.
However, for the web to encompass everything, it had to be accessible to everyone. This was already a significant ask. Furthermore, we couldn’t ask users to pay for every search or upload they generated. To thrive, it had to be free. Hence, in 1993, CERN’s management made the pivotal decision to donate the World Wide Web’s intellectual property, placing it in the public domain. We handed over the web to everyone.
Today, as I reflect on my invention, I find myself questioning: Is the web truly free today? Not entirely. We witness a small number of large platforms extracting users’ private data and distributing it to commercial brokers and oppressive governments. We face omnipresent, addictive algorithms that negatively impact the mental health of teenagers. The exploitation of personal data for profit stands in stark contrast to my vision of a free web.
On many platforms, we are no longer customers; we have become products. Even our anonymous data is sold to entities we never intended to reach, allowing them to target us with specific content and advertisements. This includes deliberately harmful content that incites real-world violence, spreads misinformation, disrupts psychological well-being, and undermines social cohesion.
There is a technical solution to return that agency to the individual. SOLID is an open-source interoperability standard that my team and I developed at MIT more than a decade ago. Applications utilizing SOLID do not automatically own your data; they must request it, allowing you to decide whether to grant permission. Instead of having your data scattered across various locations on the Internet, under the control of those who could profit from it, you can manage it all in one place.
Sharing your information intelligently can lead to its liberation. Why do smartwatches store biological data in one silo? Why does a credit card categorize financial data in another format altogether? Why are comments on YouTube, posts on Reddit, updates on Facebook, and tweets all locked away in disparate places? Why is there a default expectation that you shouldn’t have access to this data? You create all this data: your actions, choices, body, preferences, decisions, and beyond. You must claim ownership of it. You should leverage it to empower yourself.
Somewhere between my original vision for Web 1.0 and the emergence of social media with Web 2.0, we veered off path. We stand at a new crossroads, one that will determine whether AI will serve to enhance or harm society. How do we learn from the mistakes of the past? Firstly, we must avoid repeating the decade-long lag that policymakers experienced with social media. Deciding on an AI governance model cannot be delayed; action is imperative.
In 2017, I composed a thought experiment regarding AI that works for you. I named it Charlie. Charlie is designed to serve you, similar to your doctor or lawyer, adhering to legal standards and codes of conduct. Why shouldn’t AI operate within the same framework? From our experiences with social media, we learned that power resides in monopolizing the control and collection of personal data. We cannot allow the same to happen with AI.
So, how do we progress? Much of the discontent with democracy in the 21st century stems from governments being sluggish in addressing the needs of digital citizens. The competitive landscape of the AI industry is ruthless, with development and governance largely dictated by corporations. The lesson from social media is clear: this does not create value for individuals.
I developed the World Wide Web on a single computer in a small room at CERN. This room was not mine; it belonged to CERN, an institution established in the wake of World War II by the United Nations and European governments, recognizing historical and scientific milestones that called for international collaboration. It’s challenging to envision a large tech company sharing the World Wide Web without the commercial perks that CERN secured. This highlights our need for nonprofits like CERN to propel international AI research.
We provided the World Wide Web freely because I believed its value lay in its accessibility for all. Today, I hold this belief more strongly than ever. While regulation and global governance are technically achievable, they depend on political will. If we can harness that will, we have the chance to reclaim the web as a medium for collaboration, creativity, and compassion across cultural barriers. Individuals can be reorganized, and we can reclaim the web. It is not too late.
OpenAI is challenging Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta and the Chinese competitor Deepseek by introducing its own free-to-use AI model.
The developers behind CHATGPT have unveiled two substantial “openweight” language models. These models are available for free download and can be tailored by developers.
Meta’s Llama model is similarly accessible, indicating OpenAI’s shift away from the ChatGPT approach, which is based on a “closed” model that lacks customization options.
OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, expressed enthusiasm about adding this model to the collection of freely available AI solutions, emphasizing it is rooted in “democratic values and a diverse range of benefits.”
He noted: “This model is the culmination of a multi-billion dollar research initiative aimed at democratizing AI access.”
OpenAI indicated that the model can facilitate autonomously functioning AI agents and is “crafted for integration into agent workflows.”
In a similar vein, Zuckerberg aims to make the model freely accessible to “empower individuals across the globe to reap the advantages and opportunities of AI,” preventing power from becoming concentrated among a few corporations.
However, Meta cautions that it may need to “exercise caution” when deploying a sophisticated AI model.
Sam Altman recently revealed a screenshot of what seems to be the latest AI model from the company, the GPT-5. Photo: Alexander Drago/Reuters
Deepseek, OpenAI’s and Meta’s Chinese competitor, has also introduced robust models that are freely downloadable and customizable.
OpenAI reported that two models, named the GPT-OSS-120B and the GPT-OSS-20B TWO, outperformed comparably sized models in inference tasks, with the 120B model nearing the performance of the O4-MINI model in core inference tasks.
The company also mentioned that during testing, it developed a “malicious fine-tuning” variant of the model to simulate biological and cybersecurity threats, yet concluded that it “could not achieve a high level of effectiveness.”
The emergence of powerful and freely available AI models that can be customized has raised concerns among experts, who warn that they could be misused for dangerous purposes, including the creation of biological weapons.
Meta describes the llama model as “open source,” indicating that training datasets, architectures, and training codes can also be freely downloaded and customized.
However, the Open Source Initiative, a US-based industry body, asserts that Meta’s setup for its model prevents it from being fully categorized as open source. OpenAI refers to its approach as “Open Weight,” indicating it is a step back from true open source. Thus, while developers can still modify the model, transparency is incomplete.
In parallel, Google has detailed its latest advances towards artificial general intelligence (AGI) with a new model enabling AI systems to interact with realistic real-world simulations.
Google states that the “world model” of Genie 3 can be utilized to train robots and self-driving vehicles as they navigate authentic recreations in settings like warehouses.
Google DeepMind, the AI division, argues that this world model is a pivotal step toward achieving AGI. AGI represents a theoretical stage where a system can perform tasks comparable to those of humans, rather than just executing singular tasks like playing chess or translating languages, and potentially assumes job roles typically held by humans.
DeepMind contends that such models are crucial in advancing AI agents or systems that can carry out tasks autonomously.
“We anticipate that this technology will play a vital role as we advance towards AGI, and that agents will assume a more significant presence in the world,” DeepMind stated.
Elon Musk’s platform, X, has warned that the UK’s Online Safety Act (OSA) may “seriously infringe” on free speech due to its measures aimed at shielding children from harmful content.
The social media company noted that the law’s ostensibly protective aims are marred by the aggressive enforcement tactics of Communications Watchdog Ofcom.
In a statement shared on its platform, X remarked: “Many individuals are worried that initiatives designed to safeguard children could lead to significant violations of their freedom of expression.”
It further stated that the UK government was likely aware of the risks, having made “conscious decisions” to enhance censorship under the guise of “online safety.”
“It is reasonable to question if British citizens are also aware of the trade-offs being made,” the statement added.
The law, a point of contention politically on both sides of the Atlantic, is facing renewed scrutiny following the implementation of new restrictions on July 25th regarding access to pornography for those under 18 and content deemed harmful to minors.
Musk, who owns X, labeled the law as an “oppression of people” shortly after the enactment of the new rules. He also retweeted a petition advocating for the repeal of the law, which has garnered over 450,000 signatures.
X found itself compelled to establish age restrictions for certain content. In response, the Reformed British Party joined the outcry, pledging to abolish the act. This commitment led British technology secretary Peter Kyle to accuse Nigel Farage of aligning himself with pedophile Jimmy Saville, prompting Farage to describe the comments as “under the belt” and deserving of an apology.
Regarding Ofcom, X claimed that the regulators are employing “heavy-handed” tactics in implementing the act, characterized by “a rapid increase in enforcement resources” and “additional layers of bureaucratic surveillance.”
The statement warned: “The commendable intentions of this law risk being overshadowed by the expansiveness of its regulatory scope. A more balanced and collaborative approach is essential to prevent undermining free speech.”
While X aims to comply with the law, the threat of enforcement and penalties—potentially reaching 10% of global sales for social media platforms like X—could lead to increased censorship of legitimate content to avoid repercussions.
The statement also referred to plans for a National Internet Intelligence Research Team intended to monitor social media for indications of anti-migrant sentiments. While X suggested the proposal could be framed as a safety measure, it asserted that it “clearly extends far beyond that intention.”
“This development has raised alarms among free speech advocates, who characterize it as excessively restrictive. A balanced approach is essential for safeguarding individual freedoms, fostering innovation, and protecting children.”
A representative from Ofcom stated that the OSA includes provisions to uphold free speech.
They asserted: “Technology companies must address criminal content and ensure children do not access defined types of harmful material without needing to restrict legal content for adult users.”
The UK Department of Science, Innovation and Technology has been approached for comment.
Eight young children seem to be shielded from severe genetic disorders following their birth through a three-parent DNA technique. This method involved replacing defective maternal mitochondria with those from a female donor.
Approximately 1 in 5,000 individuals carry mitochondrial defects that provide energy to cells and are inherited solely from the mother. Such defects may result from genetic mutations leading to issues like blindness, seizures, and, in extreme cases, death. “Families find it incredibly challenging to cope with these diseases. They are heart-wrenching,” states Bobby McFarland from Newcastle University, UK.
In 2015, the UK first sanctioned a procedure called pronuclear transfer for women at high risk of passing on mitochondrial conditions, particularly those who cannot benefit from pre-implantation genetic testing.
This nuclear transfer technique utilizes eggs from both mothers and donors, which are fertilized with paternal sperm via IVF. After roughly 10 hours, the nuclei from both eggs are extracted, leaving behind the crucial genetic material that is separate from mitochondrial DNA.
The nucleus from the mother is subsequently inserted into the donor’s egg, yielding an embryo that primarily inherits DNA from its biological parent while acquiring mitochondria from the donor. Some mitochondrial DNA from the mother may still be unintentionally transmitted, according to Burt Smeet from Maastricht University in the Netherlands.
McFarland, who pioneered this method with her team, has applied the technique to 19 women harboring harmful mutations in over 80% of their mitochondria, typically the level that causes issues.
Seven of the women achieved pregnancy after the final embryo transfer, resulting in eight healthy births, including one pair of twins.
The researchers evaluated blood samples from the newborns, finding no harmful mitochondrial DNA mutations in five, and only trace levels in the remaining three. “The results have exceeded expectations,” says Mike Murphy from Cambridge University.
In the months or years following these nuclear transfers, all children have shown progress with developmental milestones. However, some may encounter complications that may or may not be linked to the procedure. For instance, one child developed high blood fat levels and an abnormal heartbeat, both of which were successfully addressed, while another experienced epilepsy at 7 months old, which resolved on its own.
The research team plans to monitor these children to assess the long-term consequences of the procedure.
A new online platform has been launched to help speakers practice in front of virtual audiences, easing the anxiety many face in public speaking situations.
Dr. Chris McDonald, founder of Cambridge University’s Immersive Technology Lab and creator of the platform, aims to eliminate long waits and high costs associated with seeking help for language anxiety.
“Most people experience language anxiety but don’t have access to treatment. This project aims to break down those barriers,” he explained.
Virtual reality public speaking The platform uses exposure therapy, combining breathing exercises and eye movements to reduce heart rate and fear response.
Users can practice public speaking in various virtual reality settings, from empty classrooms to large stadiums with thousands of people. McDonald refers to the latter as “overexposure therapy.”
McDonald mentioned that the platform, compatible with Android and iOS, offers scenarios like study materials, feedback mechanisms, and job interviews accessible via laptop, VR headset, or smartphone with a cheap mount.
In a recent study published in the Frontier Journal of Virtual Reality, 29 Chinese adolescents showed significant improvement in public speaking confidence and enjoyment after using the platform.
Further research is planned, but McDonald revealed that tens of thousands have already used the platform during development. He emphasized the importance of creating an effective and accessible tool for users.
Psychologist Dr. Matteo Cella from King’s College London’s Virtual Reality Lab acknowledged the platform’s potential benefits but stressed the need for robust trials to evaluate its efficacy.
Dr. Kim Smallman of Cardiff University highlighted the importance of assessing the impact and effectiveness of new technologies like VR in addressing mental health challenges.
Before the global AI summit in Paris, British technology secretary warns that Western, liberal, democratic countries should lead artificial intelligence races, hinting at China’s involvement in the competition. He emphasized the importance of liberal values in advancing AI technology.
Peter Kyle mentioned that political leaders and tech executives will convene in France to discuss the emergence of a new Chinese AI powerhouse, posing a challenge to Silicon Valley’s dominance. Kyle highlighted the UK’s potential to lead AI development.
The summit aims to facilitate collaboration between global leaders and businesses to showcase the UK’s expertise and role in advancing AI technology. Kyle stressed the significance of democratic countries maintaining leadership in this critical field.
Kyle also emphasized the impact of AI on various sectors, including national security and defense. He underscored the need for democratic principles to guide the development and deployment of AI technology.
The emergence of Deepseek, a Chinese AI model, has sparked competition among countries and businesses to accelerate their efforts in technology development. Kyle expressed enthusiasm and determination to stay competitive in the AI race.
The AI Litigation Summit, co-hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will bring together top leaders and tech experts to discuss AI advancements and global governance.
Peter Kyle said the government “has an agency on how this technology is developed, deployed and consumed.” Photo: Linda Nylind/The Guardian
Kyle defended the decision of British Prime Minister not to attend the summit, highlighting the government’s role in shaping the AI action plan. He stressed the importance of focusing on issues such as work, culture, and global governance in the summit.
The summit aims to promote sustainable AI development and make technology more environmentally friendly and accessible worldwide. It also addresses concerns about using copyrighted material to build AI models and emphasizes the importance of safety and transparency in AI development.
Kyle announced plans to establish an “AI Growth Zone” in the UK to support the training and operation of AI systems. The government aims to revitalize regions that have historically lagged behind in technological advancements.
Efforts are underway to provide energy infrastructure to support the growth zone and enhance the country’s capacity to lead in AI technology. The government is working with network operators to meet the energy demands of AI data centers.
The government has identified potential sites for the AI Growth Zone, including regions in Scotland, Wales, and England. Kyle highlighted the opportunity for energy-intensive regions to benefit from AI technology advancements.
The upcoming summit aims to address concerns and promote trust and safety in AI development, ensuring that AI technology benefits both people and the planet.
Openai has released a new artificial intelligence model for free after stating that it will accelerate its product release in response to the emergence of Chinese competitors.
The company behind Chatgpt has introduced an AI called O3-MINI following the unexpected success of a rival product by DeepSeek in China. Users of Openai’s free chatbot version face some restrictions but can use it for free.
Deepseek has caused a stir among US high-tech investors with the release of an inference model that supports the company’s chatbot. The news that it bypassed Apple’s free App Store and claimed to have been developed at minimal cost caused a $1 trillion drop in the Tech Heavy Nasdaq index on Monday.
Openai’s CEO Sam Altman responded to Deepseek’s challenge by promising to provide a superior model and speeding up the product release. He announced the upcoming release of O3-Mini, a more powerful version of the full O3 model, on January 23.
“Today’s launch marks the introduction of a reasoning function for free users, a crucial step in expanding AI accessibility for practical applications,” Openai stated.
R1, the technology behind Deepseek’s chatbot, not only matches Openai’s performance but also requires fewer resources. Investors questioned whether US companies would maintain control of the AI market despite billion-dollar investments in AI infrastructure and products.
OPENAI mentioned that the O3-mini model is on par with O1 in terms of mathematics, coding, and science but is more cost-effective and faster. The $200 PRO package provides unlimited access to O3-mini, while lower-tier users have more usage than free users.
The capabilities of the full O3 model were highlighted in the international AI safety report released on Tuesday. The study’s lead, Yoshua Bengio, emphasized that its potential impact on AI risk could be significant. He noted that O3’s performance in major abstract tests marked a surprising breakthrough, outperforming many human experts in some cases.
IIt’s ’90s week in Podcastland! At least, you’d think so, judging by the nostalgic homage to children’s entertainment from decades past. There’s an entire series dedicated to the fictional purple dinosaur Barney, and investigative news stalwarts Serial Productions literally digs deep into an important subject: What happened to the whale in Free Willy?
For a bit more extreme retro nostalgia, there’s also the Audible star’s new Agatha Christie adaptation, with Game of Thrones’ Peter Dinklage playing Poirot in Christie’s first novel, The Case in Stiles. Himesh Patel and Harriet Walter co-star as Hastings. Does the fact that they started at the beginning of the Christie canon mean they intend to publish all the books? We certainly don’t disagree.
But if that thought strikes fear into your time-pressed mind, don’t worry. For those who want to immerse themselves in a long-running show without digging through their entire back catalogue, we’ve rounded up the best listens. You can take inspiration from the proliferation of 1990s podcasts, but wait 30 years for retro, nostalgic podcasts before listening to the highlights.
Alexi Duggins TV Deputy Editor-in-Chief
This week’s picks
Peter Dinklage in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Photo: Murray Close/Lionsgate
Mysterious incident at Stiles All episodes now available on Audible Peter Dinklage plays Hercule Poirot in this brilliantly cast adaptation of Agatha Christie’s debut novel. Rob Delaney, Harriet Walter, Jessica Gunning and Himesh Patel are joining the cast of the high-budget, immersive production. Dinklage’s Poirot transforms from a gritty force of nature into a wise and luminous soul in the story of the murder of a matriarch at the country estate where his Belgian detective friend Captain Hastings is recuperating from World War I. It covers a wide range of things. Alexi Duggins
good whale Wide range of weekly episodes available For an iconic investigative series like “Serial,” the whale from the ’90s movie “Free Willy” isn’t an obvious topic. But this fascinating series shows how, from his unhealthy years in captivity to becoming a Hollywood star, the PR-driven campaign to actually free him, and, sadly, how extremely difficult it was. We delve deep into the story of what happened to this creature, right down to how it turned out. Get used to it. advertisement
quilt Wide range of weekly episodes available Queer Britain, the UK’s first LGBTQ+ museum, has partnered with the producers of podcast The Log Books to produce this moving new series. Hosts Tash Walker and Adam Zumis travel around the UK collecting stories, starting with a trans woman in her 70s in Norfolk who sheds tears as she looks at an old photograph. Holly Richardson
generation barney Wide range of weekly episodes available Can a giant purple dinosaur provide a generation with much-needed solace during turbulent times? He certainly revolutionized children’s television in the 1990s, giving young viewers their first superstar. Host Sabrina Herrera, like any good children’s TV character, is full of joy as she tells the story of a dinosaur that provoked the hatred of outraged parents. Hannah Verdier
lady mafia Weekly episodes widely available Sarah King developed a reputation as the “female Bernie Madoff” after allegedly amassing large sums of money through loan sharks and spending them on jewelry, cars and extended stays at the Wynn Resort in Las Vegas. Now, Michelle McPhee gets her lawyer to tell her side of the story and why she doesn’t think he’s a fraud. HV
There’s a podcast for that
Alex Cooper interviews presidential candidate Kamala Harris on Call Her Daddy. Photo: Call Daddy/Reuters
this week, Rachel Aroesti We choose the 5 best podcasts Can be soaked or soakedfrom Radio 4’s classics to Alex Cooper’s $60 million show.
please call her dad Most podcasts, no matter how popular, feel like cult concerns. Their intimate banter and free-spirited vibe give the impression that they exist outside of mainstream cultural conversation. Even Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy, the second most listened to pod on the planet, has an upscale club vibe. But every once in a while, Cooper pulls off a headline-grabbing cut-through feat. The show, popular for its sex-positive take on femininity, has been in the news in recent months for interviews with Katy Perry (about her disastrous comeback) and Kamala Harris (about family life and campaigns). A must-listen episode for anyone looking to stay on top of the zeitgeist.
nymphet reunion If you’ve ever been baffled by the endless reboots of TikTok’s aesthetic or confused by the latest (like, 10-minute-old) trends, Nymphet Alumni is here to help. The trio of hosts Biz Sherbert, Sam Cummins, and Alexi Alario explore cutting-edge fashion and hyper-online phenomena (from “mogging” to Mormonism in an unashamedly literate yet never approachable way). (down to style). Sometimes they name trends themselves (see: Brockett, a fusion of soccer shirts and samba-meets-girly-girl attire), or look back at the 20th-century fashion roots of various revivals. Immerse yourself in the feeling of understanding the modern world, even if it’s just for an hour.
off menu Some podcasts succeed regardless of, or sometimes in spite of, their guests, while others rely heavily on the energy of the celebrities who participate. At this point, Ed Gamble and James Acaster are consummate professionals when it comes to eliciting dream meal-based jokes from their interview subjects, but they’re adamant about the off-menu episodes that are truly worth listening to. It includes a guest with eccentric tastes and the resulting spiral of hysterical callbacks. Highlights include Victoria Coren-Mitchell’s dinner party sandwich, Ivo Graham and Yeo Valley yoghurt, Nicola Coughlan’s Robbie Williams wrap and The Inbetweeners star Joe Thomas’ unparalleled madness, ‘Soft Touch’ and Buried Contains lamb.
desert island disc Few podcasts can trace back decades of archives, let alone ones that date back to the 1940s. But that’s what you get when you convert Britain’s longest-running radio show into a podcast. Desert Island Discs currently has 2,482 episodes, and its taste-based premise has proven to be an influential template for modern podcasts (see the aforementioned Off Menu and many others). The back catalog alone is a fascinating cultural chronicle, featuring some very famous guests, as well as many forgotten guests.
good one The old adage that analysis destroys comedy has now been completely debunked by critical forces that are more likely to take stand-up seriously. And Good Ones, a “podcast about jokes” by Vulture’s Jesse David Fox, certainly takes its comedy very seriously. Featuring guests such as John Early, Alex Edelman, Jack Whitehall, and Joel Kim Booster, Fox dives deep into the technique and background behind the routines and sketches. I talk about over two hours of post-mortems on my stand-up shows. It might be a bit too intense for serious listening, but it’s a thrilling and insightful peek behind the curtain, so be patient.
Neuroscience seems like an unlikely place to find fundamental truths that might apply to everything in the universe. The brain is a special object that does things that few other objects in the universe are expected to be able to do. they recognize. they act. They read magazine articles. Usually they are the exception, not the rule.
Perhaps this is why the free energy principle (FEP) has attracted so much attention. In the early 2000s, what began as a tool to explain cognitive processes such as perception and behavior began to be presented as a “unified brain theory.” FEP was then put forward as the definition of life beyond the brain and, inevitably, as the basis for a new kind of artificial intelligence capable of reasoning. Today, some proponents argue that FEP even encapsulates what it means for something to exist in the universe. “The free energy principle can be read as the physics of self-organization,” says its founder. carl friston At University College London. “It's a description of what lasts.”
But some researchers, frustrated by the changes in scope, are skeptical that the FEP can deliver on many of its loftiest promises. “It was a moving target,” he says Mateo Colomboa philosopher and cognitive scientist at Tilburg University in the Netherlands.
All of this makes FEP a source of both fascination and frustration. While notoriously difficult to understand, its dizzying breadth is key to its enduring appeal. Therefore, given the claim that it can be used to explain…
Amazon has been attempting to enter the gaming industry for quite some time. Despite having abundant resources and hiring top designers, progress has been slow. However, in recent times, Amazon has found success in releasing massively multiplayer online games. First came New World in 2021, a fantasy game focusing on survival and player-built settlements. This was followed by Lost Ark in the next year, developed by SmileGate from South Korea, blending MMO elements with Diablo-style combat. While reviews were mixed, both games found popularity among players. Now, Amazon is launching its third MMO in four years, Throne and Liberty, also developed in Korea. Here’s what you need to know about this latest offering.
What is Throne and Liberty?
A large, detailed world… Throne and Liberty. Photo: Amazon Games
Throne and Liberty is an MMO set in a fantasy world akin to World of Warcraft. Players create characters and embark on adventures, either alone, with friends, or as part of a guild. The game offers main storylines, cooperative dungeon battles, and player-versus-player combat for territory control.
The game had a prolonged development, initially announced in 2011 as an expansion of the Lineage series. It was released in South Korea in December after facing delays, technical changes, and leadership shifts. Amazon is the global publisher, having acquired the rights in February the previous year.
How is Throne and Liberty different?
Traditional MMO combat combined with action-game dodging and parrying for real combat. Photo: Amazon Games
Throne and Liberty offers unique elements, such as the ability to transform into various animals for faster travel. Combat and character progression stand out; instead of fixed classes, character abilities revolve around weapon usage. With six different weapons and customizable combinations, players can create unique playstyles.
Is Throne and Liberty worth playing?
A unique world… a massive floating whale in the sky. Photo: Amazon Games
Throne and Liberty offers engaging exploration and combat mechanics, blending MMO and action elements. However, it lacks depth in storytelling and character development. Crafting and upgrading systems may feel complex and tedious. Overall, the game is free-to-play and provides a decent gaming experience without requiring excessive time investment.
Should I try Throne and Liberty?
Fashionable style… Characters resembling a mix of wizards, warriors, orcs, and goblins. Photo: Amazon Games
Throne and Liberty is recommended for casual play, offering basic yet enjoyable gameplay. However, if choosing between Amazon’s Korean MMOs, Lost Ark may be a better choice due to its more engaging combat and storytelling. Both games are free-to-play, providing diverse experiences for players.
2024 is already shaping up to be a banner year for horror movies, with Long Legs making over $100 million at the box office and Late Night with the Devil earning an impressive 97% on Rotten Tomatoes. However, the year’s breakout horror movie might be an $800 project that’s currently available to watch for free on YouTube.
Milk & Cereal is a 62-minute found-footage horror from YouTuber Cully Barker that’s brutally effective yet wonderfully authentic. It has garnered 348,000 views in the two weeks since its release, with rave reviews on Reddit and traditional media outlets like Bloody Disgusting calling it “one of the best-kept secrets of the year.” Barker even tweeted about it recently, Variety.
One reason for its success is the fascinating story behind Milk & Cereal: Barker is credited as the writer, director, producer, editor, cinematographer, composer, and star of the film. With a budget of just $800, most of which was spent on hiring actors and buying a camera, the film is on track to deliver a significant return on investment.
Milk & Cereal follows a pair of YouTube pranksters whose antics take a dark turn when one of them reveals a sinister capability. It’s a chilling and believable hour of horror that explores the disturbing world of online prank videos.
The film’s authenticity lies in its portrayal of the dark side of YouTube prank videos, showcasing the obsession with filming every moment and exploiting every opportunity for content. Milk & Cereal takes this obsession to a terrifying extreme, shedding light on the twisted motivations behind these videos.
As horror movies continue to experiment with new formats, Milk & Cereal stands out as a brilliant example of found-footage storytelling. With well-crafted characters and a compelling narrative, the film is a testament to Barker’s talent as a filmmaker.
Milk & Cereal not only showcases Barker’s filmmaking skills but also serves as a strategic move in his career. By offering the film for free on YouTube, Barker has attracted attention from industry professionals and is already collaborating on his next project. This bold approach could mark the beginning of a successful career in the film industry.
Ultimately, Milk & Cereal presents Barker with a choice: to follow the traditional path to Hollywood or to continue disrupting the industry with his independent spirit. Whichever path he chooses, one thing is certain – Milk & Cereal has cemented Barker’s status as a rising talent in the world of horror movies.
Are you truly in control of choosing to read this article, or is the decision merely a result of neurons firing in your brain due to biochemical reactions dictated by the laws of physics?
The question of whether humans have true decision-making agency may seem trivial: our experiences demonstrate our ability to choose to act or refrain from acting in any situation presented to us. If we were merely mindless automatons, even engaging in reading this article would seem bizarre.
However, Robert Sapolsky argues otherwise: he posits that the sense of being a free agent is an illusion created by biology and its interaction with our environment. Sapolsky, a distinguished professor of biology, neurology, and neurosurgery at Stanford University and recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship, explores this idea in his upcoming book, “Determination: The Science of Life Without Free Will,” expected to be a bestseller upon its release in late 2023.
In an interview with BBC Science Focus, Sapolsky delves into the complexities of free will, challenging the traditional understanding of human decision-making and emphasizing the role of biology and environment in shaping our choices.
So, what does this mean for our perception of free will?
Sapolsky highlights that the belief in free will often stems from individual decisions at a specific moment, overlooking the influences that have shaped our preferences and tendencies. He argues that our actions are a product of our biological makeup interacting with external stimuli, rather than a result of conscious choice.
Similarly, he differentiates between conscious decisions and involuntary actions, such as the reflex to remove your hand from a hot surface. While both processes involve neural activity, the former is a more intricate interplay between biological mechanisms and environmental factors.
Sapolsky debunks the notion that quantum physics introduces random elements that could enable free will, highlighting the deterministic nature of our biology and environment. He asserts that while external variables may introduce unpredictability, our responses are predetermined by our intrinsic makeup.
When considering how we derive meaning in a world without free will, Sapolsky emphasizes the beauty of human experience and appreciation for life. Despite our biological underpinnings, we have the capacity to find value, love, and gratitude in our existence. The complexity of our internal mechanisms does not diminish the significance of our emotions, relationships, and experiences.
About our expert, Robert Sapolsky
Robert Sapolsky is a prominent scholar, neuroscientist, and primatologist, holding the John A. and Cynthia Frye Gunn Professorship at Stanford University. His research and writings delve into the intricate connections between biology, behavior, and environment, challenging conventional notions of free will and agency.
Being a neuroscientist comes with a unique occupational hazard of existential anxiety. The more we uncover about perception, cognition, decision-making, and behavioral selection, the more we are faced with the realization that it’s all mechanical. Everything we think of as heart-driven decisions may simply be the result of a machine’s workings.
How can we claim to choose when the process is just a collection of mechanical cogs turning? Who truly bears responsibility?
Modern technology allows us to witness these metaphorical gears in motion. By tracking neural activity in different circuits and brain regions through neuroimaging tools, we can understand the cognitive operations behind decision-making and behavior.
Listen here:
Read the full interview with Kevin Mitchell here Instant genius. Bite-sized masterclasses in podcast format by the BBC Science Focus team.
Patterns of neural activity can correspond with evidence accumulation, certainty levels, confidence, goal adoption, rewards, learning, emotional signals, habit formation, and real-time behavioral adjustments. It’s like witnessing thought in action.
In some cases, we can even predict behavior onset before an individual acts. Research setups using rodents or monkeys reveal brain activity patterns anticipating behavior thresholds and even predicting future actions.
Experiments with humans, like those by Benjamin Libet in the 1980s, have shown brain activity leading movement occurring before conscious awareness of the decision. These findings challenge the notion that our conscious mind controls behavior, suggesting a more complex underlying mechanism.
External intervention in neural mechanisms can influence behavior patterns. Studies with patients undergoing brain surgery by Wilder Penfield showed how stimulating different brain areas can evoke sensations, emotions, memories, and movements, highlighting the intricate control system within us.
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Optogenetics in animals enables researchers to activate specific neurons and study real-time behavior effects. Understanding the cognitive mechanisms behind actions, memories, decision-making, and options weighing provides a deeper insight into behavior control.
This shift towards understanding the brain as an essential part of the decision-making process challenges our perception of choice and control. As we delve deeper into the neural mechanics, we question the concept of free will and autonomy.
Dealing with back pain can make daily activities uncomfortable, and finding relief can be a challenge. However, researchers suggest a simple solution that could help alleviate back pain and extend the time between episodes.
According to studies, over 600 million people worldwide experience back pain, with 7 out of 10 individuals facing a relapse within a year after initial recovery. Back pain is considered a major cause of disability globally. A study conducted by the Spine Pain Research Group at Macquarie University in Australia revealed that regular walking could be beneficial in treating back pain. This approach may be more practical than other recommended exercises, which could be costly or require supervision.
A recent study published in the Lancet journal involved 701 adults who had recovered from low back pain lasting at least 24 hours. Participants were divided into three groups: a personalized walking program, sessions with a physical therapist, or a control group receiving no treatment. The researchers monitored the participants for one to three years and found that those in the walking program experienced less activity-limiting back pain and reduced the need for medical assistance and time off work by half.
Moreover, the time between back pain incidents nearly doubled for those in the walking program. Dr. Mark Hancock, the senior author of the study, emphasized that walking is a cost-effective and accessible form of exercise that can benefit individuals of all backgrounds.
While some experts believe that walking can be beneficial for back pain, others argue that the study results may not provide conclusive evidence. Dr. Franziska Denk from King’s College London acknowledges the benefits of low-intensity exercise but highlights the importance of gradually incorporating physical activity to manage back pain.
Overall, walking is seen as a potentially helpful method for addressing back pain, but individuals should approach it with caution and patience to see long-term improvements.
TThere's a reason why many websites devote huge virtual pages to the question of whether and when a new movie is on Netflix. For many casual viewers, the biggest streaming sites are almost synonymous with streaming itself, with even big brands like Disney+, no longer HBO Max, Peacock, and Paramount+ essentially battling for second place. But at some point, you might have to admit that this is, at best, a battle for third place: last month, all of the aforementioned glitzy non-Netflix services lost out to Tubi in viewership numbers.
While premium streaming services like Netflix and Prime Video are experimenting with ad-supported versions to boost revenue (either by lowering the price of their ad-supported subscriptions, hoping that customers will pay more to avoid the ads, or by making revenue from the ads themselves), Tubi offers a rotating lineup of ad-supported movies and TV shows at an unbeatable price. It's a free service that doesn't even require you to sign in (I know this firsthand: I've been a regular Tubi user for years, but I've yet to create an actual account). Tubi combines the thrilling browsing experience of an old-school video store, the instant gratification of Netflix, and the old-school channel flipping of cable (when everyone embraced the built-in ad breaks that came with watching a movie). Apparently, viewers don't mind a little retro in their streaming experience. Tubi is still growing viewership and ad revenue; in the most recent quarter, the latter increased by 22% (the CEO says the service is growing viewership and ad revenue by 22%). There is no profit yetBut growth in such a competitive and fickle industry is still remarkable.
Even before those numbers were released, Tubi was no longer a timid upstart. The part of the media conglomerate that wasn't sold to Disney, Fox Corporation, which owns the various Fox-branded TV stations, acquired the service in 2020. But its basic approach seems to be much the same: offering viewers a wide range of ad-supported choices (even shows that might have been offered recently or at the same time on other, more premium streaming services) without pumping too much money into flagship originals aimed at subscribers. Tubi's original programming is indeed plentiful, but it also has a retro feel, more in keeping with what you'd expect from cable or direct-to-video exploitation movies of the '90s or early 2000s than, say, HBO. The company has begun experimenting with star-studded, high-profile originals, such as a new series starring TV mainstay Lauren Graham, but they're unlikely to outweigh the appeal of a virtual video store.
In fact, a secret weapon that sometimes goes unmentioned when describing Tubi's rise is the fact that it has a ton of movies older than 30 years ago, which is relatively uncommon for many paid streaming services. At the moment, Netflix has about two dozen movies from before 1990, which is up from the last few months thanks to a recent anniversary effort that promoted movies from 1974 and 1984 together. Max does a little better on average because it owns Turner Classic Movies, but it doesn't have the depth or variety of actual TCM (or a good streaming app that's exclusive to cable TV subscribers). For other services, it's easy to find what's on offer by searching for genres that are less common today, like westerns or musicals. For example, Peacock has one musical from before 1990. Tubi's choices in this department include the original West Side Story, Seven Brides, The Royal Wedding, The Pajama Game, The Jazz Singer, Fiddler on the Roof, Yentl, The Music Man, and High Society. Of course, it won't tell you everything you need to know about the genre, but it's a better start than what more expensive services offer.
That makes Tubi seem like an option for older people who want to complement their MeTV viewing and take a peek into the past. But the company says Tubi has the youngest average age of TV viewers, at 39. The “TV” moniker probably rules out TikTok and YouTube, which are attractive to the youngest media consumers, but Tubi CEO Anjali Sood said: Recent Interviews The company is eyeing a younger audience and sees itself competing with major alternatives to traditional movies and TV, rather than as a future version of cable channels with particularly rich content.
YouTube’s reach (and creators’ endless supply of attractive, algorithmically refined thumbnails) will likely be hard to beat, but for now at least, the two services are impressive contenders. While YouTube lets you rent movies and shows, the platform owes its explosive growth to its original content and creators, who aren’t always immersed in anything more than other YouTube videos and the fickle whims of the algorithms that serve them. This material can combine in many ways: sketch comedy, talk shows, reality TV, visual essays, animated shorts, and more, but much of it has its own parameters and genres, and to outsiders it often seems untethered from history. Tubi, on the other hand, can offer a surprisingly decent crash course in classic movies, if you’re willing to endure a few ad breaks (again, most of us who grew up on cable TV in the ’80s, ’90s, and ’00s were). Even in months when a particular “classics” section is on the wane (or when a particular public domain title's transition is less than optimal), there's an eclecticism that stretches beyond the very recent past and can actually satisfy your curiosity on a tight budget. If streaming is rotting our brains and keeping us indoors, maybe streaming can offer at least a little breadth.
Maybe it's a middle-aged fantasy. The culture would return to a richer sense of history that actually makes entertainment from different eras more enjoyable to connect. But now the brand that streaming stands for is hostile to theatrical releases, funding writer-driven projects, and churning out shows that are increasingly removed from the craft of TV production. Netflix has inadvertently created a new, worse kind of monoculture, one where choice is scarce and binge-watching is encouraged, insatiable and unsatisfying. Imagine a future where you lounge on Tubi instead.
I I don’t usually believe in life hacks. I’d like to imagine that with one simple adjustment my life would reappear like a cracked tennis court, but as time and experience have shown, positive change usually happens slowly and gradually.
But there is one hack that I truly believe in. It’s fast, free, and will instantly change your life for the better. Just mute the annoying people on social media.
The process varies by platform. Typically, you would go to the offending poster’s profile page or one of her posts and tap “Mute,” “Snooze,” or “Unfollow.” But that’s it. Thanks to this digital dust, social media is cleaner, or at least less dirty than it used to be. They’ll disappear from your timeline, and so will the various little annoyances they caused. Also, unlike unfollowing or blocking someone, the muted party won’t know they’ve been silenced, so there’s no risk of awkwardness or drama. .
Several people are muted. Some of them are people you don’t want to unfollow. I unfollowed some people, but I muted them because others might repost and pollute my pure timeline. One is a semi-celebrity who was rude to me about work many years ago. Another person was rude to my friend. There are also ex-lovers and people who are always humble and boastful and make you want to bang your head against something hard.
These people brought out the worst in me. When I saw their posts, I felt angry, mean, and small. I wondered how much it would cost to buy billboards along major highways with bullet points detailing just how bad it really is.
Luckily, I rarely think about these people anymore because I’ve muted them on all platforms. I usually forget these people exist unless someone brings it up in conversation. They were weeded from the lush garden of my brain.
Bailey Parnell, founder and president of the Center for Digital Wellbeing, said, “Muting accounts that repeatedly make you uncomfortable is setting up digital boundaries to create a healthier digital environment.” I am. This allows you to avoid offensive content without disconnecting. It’s a solution, she says, to the complicated situation where a relationship with someone is important to you despite their annoying online presence.
“This allows you to maintain your social and professional networks while also maintaining your mental health,” she says.
This may seem like obvious advice. Still, it can be difficult to follow. The frustration you feel when you see someone’s bad posts can be accompanied by a sense of satisfaction. It’s like, “Look!” It’s annoying!
“There can be a dopamine rush at the end of a big emotion,” says Monica Amorosi, a certified trauma therapist in New York City. We may begin to crave the adrenaline spike that comes with content that makes us feel shocked, angry, or disgusted.
“If we lead a mundane life, lack stimulation, are bored or overwhelmed, consuming this substance can be a form of entertainment or distraction,” says Amoros. says Mr.
Amorosi emphasizes the importance of not creating a “space of ignorance” in your feed by avoiding different perspectives on current events and alarming news. But this does not mean that social media should only be used to access upsetting information. Our feed can be used for “healthy, positive education, connecting with like-minded people, understanding the nuances and diversity of the world, fact-checking information, and learning new hobbies and ideas,” she says. say.
So muting is probably most effectively applied against people who annoy you in a bland, everyday way, such as an arrogant colleague. Not seeing humble braggarts pretending to be ashamed of their professional successes does not limit my worldview. Instead, I get back the 5-10 minutes I might have wasted taking screenshots of posts and complaining to friends about them.
Frankly, I haven’t done anything with the time I’ve gained by not badmouthing the people I’ve muted. But how nice that at least he has days when he’s comfortable for even five minutes.
So feel free to mute yourself and often. And what if you disagree with me? Please mute. You never know!
Elon Musk defended his stance on diversity and free speech in a tense interview with former CNN anchor Don Lemon.
Tesla’s chief executive was openly irritated by Lemon’s line of questioning during an hour-long video interview. published on Monday.
Asked about prescribing ketamine, Musk said, “It’s a pretty private thing to ask someone about a medical prescription.” He said he took the drug to deal with “negative chemical conditions in the brain, such as depression.”
Asked if he had abused drugs commonly used as anesthetics, he said: If you use too much ketamine, you won’t be able to actually do any work. There’s a lot of work.”
Musk, who canceled his X platform’s contract with Lemon after the interview was taped earlier this month, has spoken out about diversity, equity and inclusion, including his support for conservative Ben Shapiro’s thread on X. (DEI) asked about criticism of the system. Experts argued that DEI was putting patients at risk.
Lemon told Musk there was “no evidence” that the DEI system was lowering standards of medical practice, and the billionaire said his responses to the X User interview “will be his own decision” on the issue. He said it would be helpful.
Asked if he believes in DEI, Musk said, “I think we should… treat people according to their skills and integrity.”
Musk also defended X’s content moderation standards after Lemon highlighted anti-Semitic and racist posts that still remain on the platform, which the Tesla CEO acquired in 2022.
When asked why it wasn’t removed, Musk said the post wasn’t illegal, saying, “I mean, Don, you love censorship.” Lemon said he believed in moderation, to which Musk replied, “Moderation is a propaganda word that means censorship.”
If a post is illegal, “we’re going to take it down,” Musk said, adding that if it doesn’t violate the law, “we either deserve the censorship or we’re the censors.”
Musk made his frustration with Lemon clear on several points. When the moderator asked if he was upset, the entrepreneur replied, “You’re upset because the way you phrased your question was not very convincing.”
Musk told Lemon that the next Tesla Roadster model will be a collaboration with the SpaceX business and “will incorporate rocket technology.”
He added, “I think the only way to make something cooler than the Cybertruck is to combine SpaceX and Tesla technology to make something that isn’t actually even a car.” Asked if it was a flying car, Musk replied, “Maybe.”
Musk also acknowledged that he had recently met Donald Trump, but said he had not donated to Joe Biden’s campaign, although he had “stepped back” from supporting him. Asked if he would support a presidential candidate, he said, “I may end up supporting a candidate, but I don’t know yet.”
Apple is hitting back at Spotify over an ongoing competition case filed in the EU, which could lead to significant fines if Apple is found guilty.
The federation has completed its investigation into allegations of anti-competitive behavior by Apple regarding the App Store rules for the music streaming service and is expected to levy a fine of €500m (£425m). Apple accused Spotify of seeking access to its tools without paying for them.
Spotify, based in Stockholm, lodged a complaint with the EU in 2019, alleging that the App Store rules restrict choice and competition by imposing a 30% fee on purchases, including music streaming subscriptions. Spotify argued that this fee gives Apple an unfair advantage over its own competing Apple Music streaming service.
Apple responded by stating that Spotify does not offer subscriptions through the App Store, hence does not pay any fees to Apple in the EU.
The European Commission, after a lengthy investigation, found no evidence of consumer harm or anti-competitive behavior by Apple in this market. Apple criticized EU regulators for the prolonged investigation.
Spotify, with over 50% market share in Europe, has access to various advertising channels outside of the App Store to inform users how to subscribe, including email marketing and social media.
Apple also stated that the investigation may further solidify Spotify’s dominant position in the market, rather than fostering competition.
When Spotify filed its complaint in 2019, founder Daniel Ek accused Apple of implementing rules in the App Store that suppress innovation and limit choices.
According to Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, the average Brits check their phones every 12 minutes. For many of us, it’s the first thing we do in the morning and the last thing we do at night. It is a persistent, persistent obsession caused by molecules in the brain.
Usually, one specific molecule is thought to be responsible for this type of behavior: dopamine. This neurotransmitter is called a “feel-good” molecule because of its role in the brain’s reward system.
But it’s not just about joy. Dopamine receptors in the brain respond when we expect something pleasurable. And that’s why we keep checking our phones.
Mobile games and social media apps are designed to maintain that urge.
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Anna Lembke He is a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University. She believes smartphones are like hypodermic needles, providing an endless supply of “digital dopamine” to their billions of users.
“Digital media activates the same parts of the brain as drugs and alcohol, releasing dopamine,” Lembke says. “With repeated use, our brains adapt by downregulating dopamine transmission.” They enable this by shrinking dopamine receptors.
“If exposure continues in sufficient amounts, our brains enter a state of dopamine deficiency characterized by depression, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, and cravings. When that happens, we are unable to perform certain tasks. You reach for digital media not as a tool to achieve something, but to get out of your dopamine-deprived state and stop feeling bad.”
Behavioral addictions, such as compulsive use of social media, are the subject of much debate. While it is true that digital media use increases the release of dopamine, the amount is much lower than that of cocaine or methamphetamine, so some believe that drug abuse should not be discussed on a par with drug abuse.
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Addicted or not, we Brits spend an average of four hours a day on our phones. Most of us probably wish we could go back to those days. So can we use what we know about the brain’s reward system to loosen the grip of our smartphones? Perhaps…
One idea you may have heard of (ironically, on Instagram or TikTok) is dopamine fasting.
This is a type of meditation or cognitive behavioral therapy, a practice that attempts to limit compulsive urges and change behavior. The idea is to consciously disconnect yourself from things that overstimulate you, such as social media, for a short period of time.
Proponents argue that short-term abstinence allows you to do more of the things you actually love while developing a healthier relationship with technology. But critics warn there is little evidence to support this claim.
Still, researchers who study excessive social media use often agree that some kind of digital detox may be a good thing.
“I’m a strong supporter of social media fasting,” he says Daria Kuss, a psychiatrist and professor of psychology at Nottingham Trent University. “Drinking this on the weekend may help you stop habitual social media use and reset your behavior.”
“My research shows that spending time with friends and family outside of social media, in the offline world, creates positive emotions and strengthens bonding experiences and feelings of connection.” Kuss says. “Therefore, meeting a friend for coffee can be a more positive experience than chatting with a friend on Messenger.”
About our experts
Anna Lembke He is a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University and the author of the book Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in an Age of Luxury. Her research is of American Journal of Therapeutics, American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse and British Medical Journal.
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Is there a bigger hypocrite in the world when it comes to free speech than Elon Musk?
I say this as someone who wishes Elon Musk really cared about free speech. In my opinion, social media companies are censoring their users excessively. Countless restrictive rules often backfire on those who promote them. The suspension process is often opaque and arbitrary. After all, a public forum filled with the frank and free exchange of opposing views, one that clearly favors allowing more fringe speech than prohibited speech, , that's a good thing.
But it was not created by Mr. Musk, a self-proclaimed “free speech absolutist.” He has built a system that is the exact opposite of what he stands for, and is more arbitrary and opaque than the old Twitter, which he has relentlessly criticized, or even Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms. is. And he uses his power more than anyone on Donald Trump's side to retaliate against his critics.
The most recent example came earlier this week when a group of left-wing journalists and commentators, including The Intercept's brilliant reporter Ken Klippenstein, mysteriously stopped From Twitter (sorry, I always refuse to call you “X”) without any warning or notice as to why. The only thing all the testimonies had in common was that they criticized Israel's war in Gaza.
After sustained protests, their accounts were eventually restored. Musk claimed, without any evidence, that it was due to a spam filter that captured real accounts. If you want to claim it's a coincidence, it might make sense without thinking about it. But this isn't his worst offense in the past six weeks.
When the liberal advocacy site Media Matters published a report alleging that Musk was allowing ads to run next to hate speech, Musk did not simply denounce hate speech on his platform. Without, sued them.too It's not the first time Musk sued the advocacy group last year. Apparently, it's okay to criticize him. “The whole point of free speech is to allow people who disagree with you to express their opinions.” He said This week – unless you also send criticism to potential ad buyers.
Making matters worse, some Republican states attorney general Perhaps seeking favors to later pad his campaign coffers from the world's richest man, he is trying to capitalize on Musk's enemies this week. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an “investigation” into media matters, and Missouri's attorney general is following suit.
Even if you're not a Media Matters fan, you'll know how incredibly chilling this would be if the shoe was on the other foot. Imagine if George Soros tried to bankrupt every right-wing website that accuses him of being behind various left-wing conspiracies. I visit these sites almost every day.
Examples of Mr. Musk's hypocrisy are so frequent that it's difficult to keep track of them all. Musk was once caught taking advice from a right-wing online friend about which left-wing accounts to access. No next time. Sometimes it looks like he's doing it on purpose throttled link Go to the news site he hates. Former Twitter employers say that early in his tenure as owner, Musk made a 180-degree break from his own supposed principles when faced with pressure from advertisers. go from From a stance of entrusting everything to a stance of lowering everything.
The most egregious episode was the controversy surrounding the account @ElonJet that tracked Musk's private jet. First, Musk insisted he would allow it. And the moment he felt he was in even the slightest danger, he renamed the private jet data, which has been published on every plane for decades, “assassination coordinates.”And he Paused Journalists who tweeted about the account were not given any warnings.
While his content moderation decisions have garnered the most attention, what he's done behind the scenes is arguably even more nefarious. He regularly dismantled Twitter's excellent legal department. stuck It violated users' actual free speech rights in court and sought to protect their anonymity in the event a powerful organization filed a lawsuit to expose them. And after Musk's first six months at the helm, Twitter has challenged numerous legal orders against its users. 100% compliance!
Mr. Musk's huge business interests in China mean he doesn't care about the Chinese people's right to free speech (or lack thereof). He refuses to weigh in on the many controversies of the world's largest dictatorship, which has complete authoritarian control of the Internet. It's very likely that defenders of free expression will wholeheartedly welcome his voice, but then again, he doesn't actually care about free speech, so no one should hold their breath. not here.
Of course, this was all completely predictable.in his own companymusk force on employees sign a restrictive non-discrimination agreement; He tried to destroy the whistleblower. Tesla once reportedly tried to get customers to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in order to have their cars repaired. There is no indication that his professed principles are genuine.
Imagine if Musk's professed love for free speech wasn't entirely false. As the world's richest person, he could have great influence. He could create a strong, transparent appeals process for those suspended for allegedly violating the rules. He could hire a large legal team to protect users' anonymity from litigants while defending censorship orders from all governments around the world. If it means that some right-wing bastards and trolls are returned to service as a byproduct of a principled decision supporting freedom of expression, that might be a good deal.
Instead, Mr. Musk took what could have been a powerful strategy and principle for him, as well as for true defenders of freedom of expression, and turned it into a snake oil salesman's marketing plan. I changed it to
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