thenextweb.com

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Geeky international news on technology, business and culture.

EU’s JEDI supercomputer most energy efficient HPC system in the world

13 May 2024 @ 3:57 pm

The EU talks a big game when it comes to the green transition. While there has been significant political backlash in several sectors for decarbonisation, one area seems to be proving undoubtedly successful — the energy efficiency of its EuroHPC supercomputers. The European joint venture’s first exascale supercomputer, JUPITER, is currently being built at the Forschungszentrum Jülich in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Its first precursor module is named JEDI (this news should obviously have been released on May 4th, if you ask us) and was installed in April. Beyond offering some nerds the ultimate abbreviation opportunity, the Jupiter Exascale Development Instrument…

Semiconductor giant Arm to launch AI chips next year, report says

13 May 2024 @ 3:38 pm

UK-based Arm, one of the world’s key players in the chip market, is reportedly planning to expand into the development of AI chips. Arm designs the building architecture for chips (mainly) in consumer electronics, which it licenses to semiconductor giants such as Qualcomm and Nvidia. The company claims that its technology is powering 99% of premium smartphones on the market. Japanese SoftBank Group holds a 90% stake in the chip designer.The move towards AI chips is part of SoftBank’s ambition to become a force in artificial intelligence, Nikkei Asia reports. According to the paper, Arm will set up a dedicated AI…

UK completes world’s first flights for quantum navigation that could replace GPS

13 May 2024 @ 1:21 pm

A British consortium with funding from the UK government has successfully tested what it calls “un-jammable” quantum navigation tech in flight.  Geopolitical tensions and warfare have introduced GPS jamming as a means of messing with enemy communication and navigation. This can cause disturbances for both military and civilian transportation and location services.  The quantum-based navigation system is called Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT). Its developers are quantum technology firm Infleqtion’s UK subsidiary in collaboration with aerospace company BAE Systems and defence tech contractor QinetiQ, among others.  The tech in question consists of Infleqtion’s Tiqker optical atomic clock, as well as a…

France rides AI wave to secure €15B in foreign investment

13 May 2024 @ 12:12 pm

France has secured €15bn in foreign investment from the likes of Microsoft and Amazon as part of this year’s Choose France summit, an annual event that aims to promote the country’s economic and business attractiveness. The €15bn mark represents a record amount since the summit’s first edition in 2018, with commitments coming from 56 different initiatives. “This is the fruit of the reforms carried out since 2017,” such as changes in taxation and investments in innovation, President Emmanuel Macron posted on X. Lorsqu’un investisseur choisit la France, c’est bon pour l’emploi et pour la vie de nos régions. Voilà pourquoi…

Inside the fight to ban — and destroy — PFAS ‘forever chemicals’

13 May 2024 @ 6:00 am

For over 40 years, Ted Van der Vlies and his wife Marga grew fruits and vegetables in their backyard on the outskirts of Dordrecht, the Netherlands. Onions, potatoes, lettuce, carrots, rhubarb, cherries, you name it.  Little did they know that their homegrown produce was likely poisoning them.  Just a kilometre away from their garden sits the tangled mesh of steel pipes, giant vats, and smokestacks of the Chemours chemical plant. A recent court case found that the American conglomerate knowingly dumped PFAS chemicals into the environment around Dordrecht for decades. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS for short, are a…

British Navy taps VR to train sailors in warship navigation

10 May 2024 @ 2:30 pm

The Royal Navy has installed VR simulators at three military training sites in the UK.  The simulators, built by Portsmouth-based Metaverse VR, recreate the bridge of a warship. A bridge, or wheelhouse, is like an aeroplane cockpit for ships. The Navy hopes that the new simulators will make training sailors faster and more lifelike. “You feel like you are stepping onto the bridge of a warship,” said Stephen Smallman, 28, a trainee warfare officer. “It is very easy to become immersed in the situation – it makes everything feel much more real.” The Royal Navy hopes the new simulators will…

Pussy Riot lawyer launches blockchain-based poll to challenge legitimacy of Russian elections

10 May 2024 @ 1:06 pm

Russian voters who do not believe the 2024 presidential election was a just affair can now raise their voices via a blockchain-secured and encrypted referendum through the app Russia2024.  This year’s presidential elections in March saw tens of thousands of Russian nationals queue up to cast their ballot at embassies around the world. Outside of the embassy in The Hague, Netherlands, voters — many of whom carried protest banners — waited for hours in order to make their voices heard. In theory. No one was surprised when Vladimir Putin again was announced the winner with 88% of the votes. Not…

This week in Dutch tech

10 May 2024 @ 11:58 am

Friday is here, the sun is shining and it’s time for your weekly round-up of news from the Dutch tech ecosystem.  This week saw advances in hydrogen fuel cells, a big sale for chip-equipment maker ASML, and concerns over how right-wing politics will disrupt Dutch companies’ access to tech talent.  Our highlights have you covered, but we’d also love to hear your thoughts on the local ecosystem. Drop us a line if you want to showcase your startup, share a digital tip, or just tell us your deepest, darkest secrets. In the meantime, let’s get to the news. What we’re…This story continues a

‘Deadbots’ and the ‘digital afterlife industry’ risk haunting the living, researchers warn

9 May 2024 @ 5:32 pm

AI ethicists have called for urgent safeguards against an emerging “digital afterlife” industry. The concerns centre on chatbots that mimic the appearances, speech, and personalities of dead people. Known as “deadbots” or “griefbots,” these AI clones are trained on data about the deceased. They then provide simulated interactions with virtual recreations of the departed. This “postmortem presence” can social and psychological harm, according to researchers from Cambridge University. Their new study highlights several risks. One involves the use of deadbots for advertising. By mimicking lost loved ones, deadbots could manipulate their vulnerable survivors into buying products. Another concern addresses therapeutic application

LLMs have become a weapon of information warfare

9 May 2024 @ 3:25 pm

A propaganda network linked to Russia has sparked alarm about a new weapon of information warfare: large language models (LLMs). The operation was unearthed by Recorded Future, a threat intelligence firm founded by two Swedish computer scientists. In early March, the company spotted a network known as CopyCop using LLMs to manipulate news from mainstream media outlets. Using prompt engineering, CopyCop tailored the content to specific audiences and political biases. Delivered via inauthentic US, UK, and French news sites, the articles covered divisive domestic and international issues. Topics ranged from tensions among British Muslims to Russia’s war against Ukraine. The articles…

TheOnion.com

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America's Finest most unfunniest News Source

Bob Menendez Repeatedly Tries To Jam Gold Bar Into Courthouse Vending Machine

13 May 2024 @ 7:20 pm

NEW YORK—Mumbling “Oh, come on” as his ingot was rejected again, Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) was repeatedly trying to jam a gold bar into a vending machine at a federal courthouse in Manhattan, sources confirmed Monday. “Stupid slot, why won’t you take my money?” said the 70-year-old disgraced lawmaker, who kicked the…Read more...

Trump Reflexively Asks Michael Cohen To Silence Michael Cohen

13 May 2024 @ 5:40 pm

NEW YORK—During a brief recess from his ex-attorney’s testimony regarding hush money payments made shortly before the 2016 election, former President Donald Trump reflexively cornered Michael Cohen and asked him for help silencing Michael Cohen, courtroom sources confirmed Monday. “Listen, Michael, this guy Cohen…Read more...

Fingers Too Greasy From Salami To Open Pepperoni

13 May 2024 @ 3:38 pm

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Teetotalitarianism

13 May 2024 @ 3:32 pm

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Crying Man Refuses To Take Boner Pills Unless They Strawberry Flavored

13 May 2024 @ 10:45 am

CLEARWATER, FL—Spitting out his medication and sticking out his tongue in apparent disgust, local man Rick Walton reportedly refused to take his boner pills Monday unless they were strawberry flavored. “No, no, no, I hate the blue pills—I want pink ones instead!” the red-faced 47-year-old said as he hid behind his…Read more...

Dead Whale Found On Bow Of Cruise Ship Entering New York

13 May 2024 @ 10:30 am

A 44-foot-long endangered sei whale was found dead on the bow of a cruise ship entering New York, with authorities finding that the whale was likely healthy when it was struck dead by the ship. What do you think?Read more...

Waterfront Sand Castle

13 May 2024 @ 10:15 am

With 4 turrets, a dozen windows, and a saltwater moat, this massive home boasts a fantastic 360-degree view of both the ocean and hairy sunbathers. Hurry up and book a showing before it’s washed away for good.Read more...

Nation’s Weeping Spouses Announce They Don’t Recognize The Person You’ve Become

13 May 2024 @ 10:00 am

BOSTON—Revealing they felt blindsided by the person they trusted most, the nation’s weeping spouses held a press conference Tuesday to announce they don’t recognize the person you’ve become. “If you had told me all those years ago on our wedding day that this is who you would turn into, I never would have believed…Read more...

Barron Trump To Serve As Florida Delegate At RNC

10 May 2024 @ 8:02 pm

Eighteen-year-old Barron Trump, Donald Trump’s youngest son, is making his political debut as a Florida delegate to the Republican National Convention in July. What do you think?Read more...

theplaidzebra.com

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A mindful blog for mindful people.

How Local Pallet Companies Streamline Operation

16 April 2024 @ 6:14 pm

Are you looking to make your logistics operations more efficient by collaborating with local pallet companies? Whether you’re seeking pallet management insights or considering partnering with a nearby supplier, this article serves as your complete guide. You will learn about the important role of pallets in transportation and warehousing, as well as the benefits of… The post How Local Pallet Companies Streamline Operation appeared first on The Plaid Zebra.

3 Dynamic Strategies to Engage Students in the Classroom

26 March 2024 @ 12:10 am

Fostering student engagement is paramount to creating a vibrant and effective learning environment in today’s educational landscape. As educators, we constantly seek innovative strategies to captivate students’ attention, inspire curiosity, and promote active participation.  In this article, we’ll explore three approaches to engage students in the classroom, each offering unique opportunities for learning and growth.… The post 3 Dynamic Strategies to Engage Students in the Classroom appeared first on The Plaid Zebra.

The 5 Best Ableton Masterclasses [2024]

6 February 2024 @ 5:18 pm

As music production techniques have advanced, software programs like Ableton Live have grown in popularity among musicians and producers. Ableton Live is known for its user-friendly interface and powerful features; however, mastering the software can still be challenging. To assist producers at every level, Ableton Masterclasses have been created. These courses aim to improve skills… The post The 5 Best Ableton Masterclasses [2024] appeared first on The Plaid Zebra.

The Importance of IGCSE Academic Tutoring

27 January 2024 @ 6:30 pm

For students navigating the demanding landscape of IGCSE examinations, academic success often hinges on effective preparation and support. With rigorous coursework and high stakes assessments, the need for expert guidance becomes paramount. Likewise, for parents seeking to provide the best opportunities for their children, securing quality tutoring support can make all the difference. Here, we… The post The Importance of IGCSE Academic Tutoring appeared first on The Plaid Zebra.

What Is Reformer Pilates? (Everything You Need To Know)

25 January 2024 @ 8:33 pm

Reformer Pilates, an innovative form of exercise, has transformed the fitness landscape. It elevates traditional Pilates principles through a unique machine-based approach, offering a more dynamic and comprehensive workout. But what is reformer pilates, & why has it become so popular in recent years? This article will explore the essence of Reformer Pilates, detailing its… The post What Is Reformer Pilates? (Everything You Need To Know) appeared first on The Plaid Zebra.

What Is The Difference Between Honors And AP Classes?

17 January 2024 @ 1:47 pm

Students often face the choice between Honors and AP courses. In this guide, we’ll explore the differences between these two paths, from curriculum to their impact on college admissions. Let’s ensure you’re on track to achieve your academic goals. Key Takeaways Honors courses offer a more challenging curriculum than standard courses and are open to… The post What Is The Difference Between Honors And AP Classes? appeared first on The Plaid Zebra.

A Glimpse into Everyday Life in Essex County, Ontario

5 January 2024 @ 4:23 pm

Essex County, located in the southwestern part of Ontario, Canada, is not only known for its diverse landscapes and thriving real estate market but also for the vibrant everyday life that its residents experience. From the bustling urban centers to the tranquil rural communities, Essex County offers a unique blend of opportunities and experiences that… The post A Glimpse into Everyday Life in Essex County, Ontario appeared first on The Plaid Zebra.

The Art and Science of Hair Removal

2 January 2024 @ 2:58 pm

Hair removal has been a part of human grooming practices for centuries, with various methods evolving over time. From ancient civilizations to modern societies, the desire for smooth, hair-free skin transcends cultural and historical boundaries. In this article, we will explore the different methods of hair removal, their advantages, disadvantages, and the science behind each… The post The Art and Science of Hair Removal appeared first on The Plaid Zebra.

Understanding the Importance of Fire Risk Assessment in Promoting Safety

15 December 2023 @ 3:31 pm

Fire risk assessment is a critical process aimed at identifying and evaluating potential fire hazards in a given environment to ensure the safety of individuals and the protection of property. It is a proactive approach that helps organizations and individuals to develop effective fire safety measures and emergency plans. This article explores the significance of… The post Understanding the Importance of Fire Risk Assessment in Promoting Safety appeared first on The Plaid Zebra.

What Is Nursing School Like: A Professional’s Perspective

10 December 2023 @ 4:08 pm

What Is Nursing School Like: A Professional’s Perspective Nursing school is a rigorous program that trains students to become licensed nurses. It requires dedication, hard work, and a passion for helping others. The journey can be exciting and fulfilling, but also overwhelming, especially for newcomers. What to Expect in Your First Year of Nursing School… The post What Is Nursing School Like: A Professional’s Perspective appeared first on The Plaid Zebra.

thepoke.co.uk

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The Pokes are the first and only awards celebrating British comic talent on the internet.

Hands up if you think this Eurovision sign language interpreter was the real winner

13 May 2024 @ 10:24 am

You may remember British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter Clare Edwards – Purple_Terp – from the King‘s Coronation Concert, when she upstaged Lionel Richie with her very expressive signing. Here’s a reminder. The sign language interpreter is stealing the show! #CoronationConcert pic.twitter.com/lovyMI5YPK — Miguel Noite (@miguelnoite) May 7, 2023 For some watching Eurovision on Saturday, she […] The post Hands up if you think this Eurovision sign language interpreter was the real winner appeared first on The Poke.

Mark Hamill showed his star quality with the best response to being called a C-lister by Fox News

13 May 2024 @ 9:59 am

Joe Biden pulled off quite the coup on this year’s Star Wars Day – May the 4th, obviously – by having none other than Luke Skywalker himself, Mark Hamill, as a guest in the White House. Here’s how that was revealed. We had a very good feeling about this. May the 4th be with you, […] The post Mark Hamill showed his star quality with the best response to being called a C-lister by Fox News appeared first on The Poke.

‘Trying a Simple Recipe’ serves up the most relatable comedy sketch you’ll see today

13 May 2024 @ 9:26 am

Comedians Stevie Martin and Lola-Rose Maxwell know their way around a funny sketch. You probably spotted them plotting the pitfalls of trying to book an Airbnb, which went viral last year. booking an airbnb pic.twitter.com/QCCjOWF0XI — Stevie Martin (@5tevieM) November 1, 2023 Anyone who has ever bought something online – so, everybody – will relate […] The post ‘Trying a Simple Recipe’ serves up the most relatable comedy sketch you’ll see today appeared first on The Poke.

Trump praised ‘the late great Hannibal Lecter’ and the internet ate him up – 14 best reactions

13 May 2024 @ 7:27 am

On Saturday, Donald Trump took time out of his busy schedule of falling asleep during his criminal fraud trial and defaming the legal team running that trial to hold a campaign rally at Wildwood, New Jersey. In keeping with MAGA tradition, Trump and his friendly press vastly overstated attendance numbers. Trump: Is there anything better […] The post Trump praised ‘the late great Hannibal Lecter’ and the internet ate him up – 14 best reactions appeared first on The Poke.

This little lad handled an emergency creepy-crawly situation in the best way possible

12 May 2024 @ 8:39 am

It must be tough having to be the man of the house when you’re only a kid and the situation involves a hefty-looking creepy-crawly – possibly a big spider. In fact, it can be tough dealing with that at any age. Watch what he did. It’s Okay, He Got This byu/bladerunnerism infunny We would have […] The post This little lad handled an emergency creepy-crawly situation in the best way possible appeared first on The Poke.

‘The Guy Who Decides’ reveals the thinking behind Eurovision – in case you want someone to blame

12 May 2024 @ 7:46 am

Eurovision is over for another year, although this one is going to be a hot topic for a while yet. We won’t share spoilers, because if you don’t know the result by now, it’s probably because you don’t want to. The fabulous Jimmy Rees let his frankly psychopathic Guy Who Decides give an explanation for […] The post ‘The Guy Who Decides’ reveals the thinking behind Eurovision – in case you want someone to blame appeared first on The Poke.

The Aurora Borealis was visible in more areas than usual, and these 29 reactions were an internet highlight

11 May 2024 @ 5:07 pm

Solar flares from the surface of the Sun caused an increase in magnetically charged magma in the atmosphere, resulting in the Aurora Borealis being visible in far more areas than usual. Cheers, Wikipedia. Most of the UK, as well as areas of Europe and North America, saw the lights on Friday night – and the […] The post The Aurora Borealis was visible in more areas than usual, and these 29 reactions were an internet highlight appeared first on The Poke.

Eurovision is upon us once again and what would the song contest be without Eurovision bingo?

10 May 2024 @ 1:44 pm

The eyes of the world – well, Europe plus Australia and anyone else who is interested – will be focussed on Malmo tonight where the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest will take place on Saturday night. THEY DID NOT #Eurovision2024 pic.twitter.com/OtxnABRwjm — nicola (@NicolaArisi) May 9, 2024 And what would the longest night […] The post Eurovision is upon us once again and what would the song contest be without Eurovision bingo? appeared first on The Poke.

This TV news reporter wasn’t expecting this hair-raising interruption and it’s a fabulously funny watch

10 May 2024 @ 12:57 pm

Readers of a certain age will remember Denis Norden presenting It’ll Be Alright on the Night (it staggered on with lightweight successors for a year or two) and this would have been right up his alley. It’s an American TV news reporter who got the shock of her life when she looked stage right and […] The post This TV news reporter wasn’t expecting this hair-raising interruption and it’s a fabulously funny watch appeared first on The Poke.

This American science guru’s schoolboy pregnancy error is this week’s funniest facepalm

10 May 2024 @ 12:41 pm

We have to confess we hadn’t come across Andrew Huberman before but by all accounts he’s an American neuroscientist and podcaster and an associate professor of neurobiology and ophthalmology at the Stanford University School of Medicine. So he knows his stuff then! Except, well, might we suggest you watch this particular clip, of Huberman talking […] The post This American science guru’s schoolboy pregnancy error is this week’s funniest facepalm appeared first on The Poke.

TheRegister.co.uk

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Sci/Tech News for the World

Uncle Sam urges action after Black Basta ransomware infects Ascension

13 May 2024 @ 6:30 pm

Emergency ambulances diverted while experts restore systems Multiple US security agencies have published advisories on Black Basta after the ransomware gang claimed responsibility for the recent attack on US healthcare provider Ascension.…

Oracle CEO says more tech can help offset tech's worst effects

13 May 2024 @ 5:44 pm

Catz talks up company's feel-good efforts... Just don’t mention the margins Oracle CEO Safra Catz has opened up about the motives driving the world-dominating enterprise software, database and cloud company forward.…

US tariffs on Chinese EVs may grow from around 25% to 100%

13 May 2024 @ 5:01 pm

Pundit tells The Reg Intel could suffer the effects of retaliation The Biden administration is reportedly set to quadruple Chinese electric vehicle tariffs as part of an onslaught of increased taxes on imports from the country.…

Intel reportedly seeking $11B to finance facility in Ireland

13 May 2024 @ 4:14 pm

Another huge investment for chip giant despite losses Intel is holding negotiations with private equity investor Apollo Global Management to secure $11 billion in funding for a manufacturing facility in Ireland.…

The end is nigh for Windows 10 21H2

13 May 2024 @ 3:26 pm

Time for 22H2, the LTSC version, or perhaps something completely different? Microsoft is warning customers still clinging to Windows 10 21H2 that mere weeks of servicing remain for enterprise and education users.…

You OK, Apple? Seriously, your silicon lineup is … a mess

13 May 2024 @ 3:02 pm

M4? The M3 is barely six months old, and what about all those Macs still stuck on the M2? When will they get some love? Comment  Apple seems to have skipped a few steps in its silicon roadmap.…

Starlink suffers 'degraded service' from solar storm but emerges intact

13 May 2024 @ 2:31 pm

Unusually high activity from Sun may have also hastened Hubble's demise The geomagnetic storm that led to nighttime light shows over the weekend also caused problems for the Starlink satellite broadband service, disrupted GPS signals, and affected the orbit of the Hubble Space Telescope.…

AI red-teaming tools helped X-Force break into a major tech manufacturer 'in 8 hours'

13 May 2024 @ 2:00 pm

Hint: It's the 'the largest' maker of a key computer component RSAC  An unnamed tech business hired IBM's X-Force penetration-testing team to break in and search for security vulnerabilities in their networks. …

Arm to launch AI division with new chips by 2025

13 May 2024 @ 1:30 pm

Plus Foxconn defends Wisconsin efforts, Korea to spend on chips, and more Asia in brief  SoftBank-owned Arm is reportedly preparing to add AI chips to its product portfolio starting in 2025.…

Is the long awaited Raspberry Pi flotation about to happen?

13 May 2024 @ 1:00 pm

Reports suggest an end of May IPO and a valuation of up to half a billion A flotation of the company behind the Raspberry Pi computer could come sooner rather than later, according to reports.…

thevirus.wtf

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The primary purpose of thevirus.wtf is to inform. Collecting solid scientific information and or news articles that provide information mainly neglected by the “main stream media”.

Excess mortality

1 February 2021 @ 8:49 am

Excess Deaths” is: Excess to what, exactly….?" 

The Currency of Control is Fear

7 July 2020 @ 3:35 pm

April 2020 – COVID19 Uncensored –A collection of Scientific Publications, Articles and Interviews. “It is as though mankind had divided itself between those who believe in human omnipotence (who think that everything is possible if one knows how to organize masses for it) and those for whom powerlessness has become the major experience of theirContinue reading "The Currency of Control is Fear"

theyworkforyou.com

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Keeping tabs on the UK’s parliaments & assemblies

TICTeC schedule now online!

13 May 2024 @ 12:26 pm

Yes, it’s that marvellous time for the Civic Tech community: the full TICTeC schedule is now online and you can browse it to your heart’s content, picking which sessions you’ll attend — not always an easy decision when there’s so much to choose from! As usual, TICTeC promises access to civic tech around the world…

And we’re off: gathering information on financial interests and APPGs

13 May 2024 @ 8:38 am

We’ve kickstarted the WhoFundsThem project, and now we have a (tight!) timeline of work WhoFundsThem is our new project looking to uncover the influence of money in politics. You can donate or volunteer to support this project.   On Friday, we sent our first batch of requests for information to 25 All Party Parliamentary Groups…

TICTeC keynote speaker announcement: Nick Mabey OBE

25 April 2024 @ 10:11 am

Hot on the heels of our last big announcement, we’re very happy to confirm our second keynote for TICTeC, The Impacts of Civic Technology conference 2024: Nick Mabey OBE. If you’d like to hear from one of the big players, really making a difference to the UK’s climate change response, you’ll want to make sure…

We’re putting more ‘local’ into the Local Intelligence Hub

25 April 2024 @ 7:51 am

Tl;dr: We’ve added lots of local council data to the Local Intelligence Hub. In February, we launched the Local Intelligence Hub, and today we’ve released a huge new update.  We designed the Local Intelligence Hub — in collaboration with The Climate Coalition and supported by Green Alliance — to provide all the data you need,…

Improving TheyWorkForYou’s voting summaries

23 April 2024 @ 10:58 am

If you value the work mySociety and TheyWorkForYou do, please consider whether you can make a donation. We have a good track record of making Parliament more open, provide essential tools to civil society and small charities, and with our platform a little support can go a long way.  If you would like to make…

The Council Climate Scorecards project is having international impact

23 April 2024 @ 8:12 am

Canada differs from the UK in many ways: obviously it’s vastly bigger, extending across many more latitudes; its climate, nature and terrains vary hugely; its cities are more dispersed and diverse — and accordingly, the challenges the two countries face around tackling the climate emergency are different, too.  But there are some significant ways in…

What happened to all the APPGs?

9 April 2024 @ 11:20 am

Over Easter, some groups went missing in Parliament. No, not lost tourists: of the 722 All Party Parliamentary Groups registered in March, only 444 are left – a 39% decrease in the space of a month. What caused this, which groups have been removed, and what happens next? Tl;dr: we’ve published the changes as a…

Council Climate Action scorecards support climate officers

8 April 2024 @ 8:08 am

Lucie Bolton took the position of Climate Strategy Officer at Rother District Council in 2022. Since then, she’s found the Council Climate Action Scorecards project an invaluable support for her work.  Hearing this, we were of course keen to find out more — so we asked Lucie to share her journey, from brand new climate…

Access to Information network: data visualisation Show and Tell

3 April 2024 @ 10:24 am

Organisations all around the world run Freedom of Information sites based on our Alaveteli platform. There are also sites running on other codebases. Either way, we’re all working to the same goals, and we believe that each site can learn from the others: for that reason, we’ve set up the Access To Information (ATI) network,…

TICTeC keynote speaker announcement: María Baron

25 March 2024 @ 9:03 am

We’re excited to announce the first keynote speaker for our 2024 Impacts of Civic Technology Conference (TICTeC)! Join us on 12 and 13 June  — in London or online — and you’ll hear from María Baron, founder and now Global Executive Director of Directorio Legislativo. This year, one of the major themes at TICTeC will…

thisiscolossal.com

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Art, design, photography and more!

Tara Donovan Layers 200,000 CDs into Twisting Totems of Physical Data

10 May 2024 @ 6:00 pm

Despite claims that CDs are raring back into the zeitgeist, only a small number of people today consume media through the slim, shiny discs. In an exhibition at Pace, artist Tara Donovan presents an ode to the outmoded, if not beloved objects through 11 towering works. The artist is known for her large-scale sculptures and installations of common, mass-produced objects like pencils, styrofoam cups, and Slinkys that consider accumulation and aggregation. More Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become

Uncanny Phenomena Derail Domestic Bliss in Marisa Adesman’s Luminous Paintings

10 May 2024 @ 2:59 pm

Marisa Adesman unsettles domestic stability by twisting common sights into the surreal. From her studio in St. Louis, the artist infuses still lifes evocative of the Dutch Golden Age with a strange animism: forks coil around lit taper candles, an upside-down terracotta pot appears to levitate, and an illustrated kitchen tile seamlessly morphs into the feathered flesh of a duck. The luminous oil paintings use food and dining to explore issues of gender, culture, and politics, including the invisible labor women historically have undertaken. More Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts

Anja Brunt’s Clever Collages Give Ephemeral Articles a Second Life

10 May 2024 @ 1:06 pm

Inspired by Dada and Surrealism, Anja Brunt’s instinctive paper medleys evoke a sense of whimsy, spontaneity, and randomness. The Amsterdam-based graphic designer has been creating assemblages for six years as a way to relax. After falling in love with the many possibilities of the medium, she began to work intuitively, cutting and arranging vintage ephemera into iterations of bodies, buildings, and bold text. Brunt collects materials from every place imaginable. From papers she finds in chocolate boxes and antique playing cards to instruction leaflets and train tickets, the artist sources both aged pieces and contemporary media gathered from her daily life. More Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support

Open Call: The 6th VH AWARD for Emerging Asian Media Artists

9 May 2024 @ 6:18 pm

Since its establishment in 2016, the VH AWARD, hosted by Hyundai Motor Group, has offered a platform for emerging media artists to showcase their artistic expression and discuss diverse cultural and socio-political issues. Artists interested in applying for the 6th VH AWARD can submit proposals to produce audiovisual screen-based artworks that may include but aren’t limited to video art, moving images, film, motion graphics, computer animation, gaming, and more. Individuals or collectives whose work engages with the context of Asia may now submit applications through the VH AWARD website. More Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article

Frenzied Symbols and Vibrant Vignettes Overlay Sam Rodriguez’s Figurative Illustrations

9 May 2024 @ 4:16 pm

Sam Rodriguez sorts his works into three categories: nouns, verbs, and typography. Nouns comprises his portraits that zero in on a singular person and their expressions, while verbs takes a step back to portray figures in action. Typography is more abstract and centers on letterforms and graphics informed by Rodriguez’s early forays into graffiti. These classifications help the San José-based illustrator “bring order to the chaos of making art,” freeing him to focus on the stories he wants to tell. More Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article

Using the Building Blocks of Myers-Briggs, Jason Boyd Kinsella Puzzles Together an Expressive Cast

9 May 2024 @ 12:46 pm

“For me, the studio is a place of discovery,” says Jason Boyd Kinsella (previously). “It maybe sounds silly, but it’s a little bit like a Christmas morning when you get a gift, and you’re excited to open it because you don’t know what’s inside… Something is going to be revealed, and I am excited to see what it is.” The unexpected encounters Kinsella describes arise naturally in his Oslo studio as he conjures enigmatic characters. More Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article

Artist and Activist Zanele Muholi Grapples with Exposure in a New Monograph

8 May 2024 @ 7:10 pm

Following their lauded 2018 monograph, South African artist and activist Zanele Muholi has released a second book collecting the most recent additions to their series, Somnyama Ngonyama, Hail the Dark Lioness. Volume II features 80 self-portraits shot in Muholi’s signature saturated black and white along with writings by ten contributors and a long-form interview. Often adorned in objects like cameras or aluminum can tops that are common to the locations they visit, the artist centers themself in each image and returns the gaze to the viewer, a radical act as a Black queer person. More Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a

Verdant Landscapes and Burgeoning Plants Crawl Across Walls in ONIRO’s Vibrant Anatomical Murals

8 May 2024 @ 5:37 pm

Greenery abounds in the large-scale murals of Italian artist ONIRO, who often focuses on themes of interconnectedness and balance, especially between humans and the natural world. In “Coltivazione del Sé,” or “self-cultivation,” a human form emerges from the leaves and shadows of a burgeoning plant, while an opening of sky between branches reveals a facial silhouette in an untitled mural on an olive oil processing workshop. In 2022, ONIRO completed an ambitious series that links three neighboring communities along the Via Aurelia, an ancient Roman artery in Italy constructed around 241 B.C.E. More Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as litt

IED Firenze Launches a New Master Course in Future Store Design

8 May 2024 @ 2:23 pm

When you decide to buy something, there are many key factors involved. Customer experience has become one of the most relevant aspects to consider when designing a retail journey, whether physical, digital, or both. It’s time to define how retail spaces will evolve in the next years and to do so, Istituto Europeo di Design (IED) Firenze just launched a brand-new Master Course in Future Store Design.  In an era marked by rapid change, the course imparts essential knowledge and the skills required to design effective retail spaces, recognizing the profound shifts in this domain. More Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article

In ‘Zoophites,’ Les Lalanne Hybridize Beasts and Botany into Functional Sculptures

8 May 2024 @ 12:36 pm

Now obsolete, the term zoophytes once referred to organisms that exhibited both animal and plant characteristics. It’s also an apt title for a poetic exhibition of sculptures blending beastly and botanical forms by the late Claude (1925-2019) and François-Xavier Lalanne (1927-2008). On view at Kasmin in New York, Zoophites brings together dozens of surrealist works from the French artists, known together as Les Lalanne, that bridge the divide between kingdoms. More Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article

timesonline.co.uk

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The Times – A Murdock inspired UK newspaper – Subscription only.

One of the most untrusted news sources in existence.

Bafta TV Awards winners: Sarah Lancashire and Timothy Spall triumph - The Times

13 May 2024 @ 4:41 am

Bafta TV Awards winners: Sarah Lancashire and Timothy Spall triumph  The Times

The best albums of 2024 so far - Music - The Times

13 May 2024 @ 2:34 am

The best albums of 2024 so far - Music  The Times

Rory McIlroy storms to victory before return to scene of last major win - The Times

12 May 2024 @ 11:03 pm

Rory McIlroy storms to victory before return to scene of last major win  The Times

What Russian defence minister's sacking means for the war effort - The Times

12 May 2024 @ 11:01 pm

What Russian defence minister's sacking means for the war effort  The Times

Insulting, sensible or self-defeating? Gloucester's 90-0 loss debated - The Times

12 May 2024 @ 11:01 pm

Insulting, sensible or self-defeating? Gloucester's 90-0 loss debated  The Times

Morten Morland Times cartoon: May 13, 2024 - The Times

12 May 2024 @ 11:01 pm

Morten Morland Times cartoon: May 13, 2024  The Times

Times letters: Bureaucratic barriers to building houses - The Times

12 May 2024 @ 11:01 pm

Times letters: Bureaucratic barriers to building houses  The Times

How to choose a portrait painter - The Times

12 May 2024 @ 11:01 pm

How to choose a portrait painter  The Times

Arrival of Rumanian Royals in London - The Times

12 May 2024 @ 11:01 pm

Arrival of Rumanian Royals in London  The Times

Susan Backlinie, stuntwoman who was first victim in Jaws, dies aged 77 - The Times

12 May 2024 @ 10:15 pm

Susan Backlinie, stuntwoman who was first victim in Jaws, dies aged 77  The Times

Tom Stanton Engineering

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Engineering at home.

Super Capacitor Plane

21 December 2023 @ 6:40 pm

Flying a Plane Powered by AIR

12 October 2023 @ 6:11 pm

4,500RPM Air Engine

21 August 2023 @ 5:00 pm

Optimising an Air Engine

29 June 2023 @ 5:59 pm

Gearless Magnet Bike

24 March 2023 @ 5:00 pm

Building a V22 Osprey - Part 2

8 December 2022 @ 6:35 pm

Building a V22 Osprey - Part 1

7 October 2022 @ 5:59 pm

Optimising a VTOL

18 August 2022 @ 6:30 pm