Aaryn Flynn, known for his influential work on RPGs like Mass Effect and Dragon Age, is now ready to launch his new survival game, Nightingale. This launch comes at a time of increased interest in the survival genre, with several successful releases in 2024. Nightingale stands out with its unique 'gaslamp fantasy' setting, blending Victorian aesthetics with fantastical elements. Players are guided by Puck, the fairy from A Midsummer Night's Dream, through a world populated by characters from classic literature and history.
Nightingale's gameplay is shaped by its realm system, allowing players to manipulate different realms with 'Realm Cards,' creating diverse environments and challenges. The game's development was transformed by the adoption of Unreal Engine 5, enabling the team to create a more visually stunning and immersive experience. While Nightingale begins with familiar survival mechanics, such as gathering resources and building a base, Flynn emphasizes the game's departure from the traditional 'sticks and stones' approach, offering more magical and aesthetic elements to differentiate it from other games in the genre.
Flynn acknowledges the influence of recent games like Valheim, which showcased a different approach to survival gameplay, inspiring confidence in Nightingale's unique direction. Despite competition from other survival games, each offering its own distinct style and mechanics, Flynn remains optimistic about Nightingale's place in the evolving genre landscape. He sees the diversity in the genre as a positive development, creating a vibrant and dynamic environment for developers and players alike.
In conclusion, Aaryn Flynn's Nightingale represents a bold step forward for the survival genre, offering a unique and immersive experience that builds on the success of his previous work while embracing new creative possibilities. As Nightingale prepares for launch, it stands as a testament to the innovation and creativity driving the evolution of the survival genre.
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Michigan State University students, along with activists and speakers, gathered at the state Capitol to rally against gun violence, marking the one-year anniversary of a campus shooting that claimed three lives and injured five others.
Speaker Maya Manuel, once a student and now active in student activism groups, including Sit Down MSU, Students Demand Action at MSU, and End Gun Violence Now, delivered an emotional address, urging legislators to prioritize safer gun laws. She criticized those who opposed recent gun sense legislation, stating they "do not deserve a seat."
Saylor Reinders, a junior at MSU and co-leader of the campus chapter of Students Demand Action, praised Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and supportive legislators for enacting four gun violence prevention laws last year. However, she emphasized the ongoing need for more action, citing the daily toll of approximately 120 Americans dying from gun violence.
Reinders called for continued advocacy to prevent future tragedies, highlighting the pervasive nature of gun violence and its impact on daily life. She urged Michigan legislators to push for further regulation, emphasizing the need to address the root causes of violence in communities.
Former MSU student body President Jo Kovach, joined by current President Emily Hoyumpa, emphasized the work that remains to be done, noting that an average of 1,382 Michiganders are killed by firearms each year. Kovach highlighted the need for stricter laws and increased funding for social services to prevent violence.
Throughout the rally, speakers reflected on the lives lost in the campus shooting and expressed their determination to push for change. Despite the ongoing grief, there were moments of hope for the future and gratitude for those supporting the cause.
In closing, Manuel expressed gratitude for the support and emphasized the importance of continuing the fight against gun violence. She noted that while progress has been made, there is still much work to be done to ensure a safer future for all.
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An appeals court in Chile has ruled that the investigation into the death of Nobel laureate Pablo Neruda, days after the country's 1973 military coup, should be reopened. The court stated that new steps could help clarify what killed the poet, who was best known for his love poems and accumulated dozens of prizes, including the 1971 Nobel Prize for Literature.
The ruling comes after a request by Neruda's nephew, Rodolfo Reyes, to reopen the case and investigate causes other than cancer, which was listed on his death certificate. Reyes cited forensic experts from Canada, Denmark, and Chile who found evidence suggesting Neruda was poisoned. According to Reyes, forensic tests indicated a presence of "a great quantity of Cloristridium botulinum, which is incompatible with human life," a toxin that can cause nervous system paralysis and death.
The official position has long been that Neruda died of complications from prostate cancer, but his driver has argued for decades that he was poisoned. Previous international forensic experts rejected the official cause of death as cachexia, or weakness and wasting of the body due to chronic illness, but they did not determine what did kill Neruda.
The appeals court in Santiago unanimously revoked a judge's resolution from December that rejected the request to reopen the case. The new procedures include a calligraphic analysis of the death certificate, a meta-analysis of test results from foreign agencies, and subpoenas for statements from Chile's documentation project and an expert on Clostridium botulinum.
Neruda, a Communist Party member and friend of Chile's President Salvador Allende, planned to go into exile in Mexico, where he would have been an influential voice against the dictatorship of Gen. Augusto Pinochet. However, he died a day before his planned departure, on September 23, 1973, in a clinic in Santiago. Suspicions that the dictatorship had a hand in his death have persisted, and Neruda's body was exhumed in 2013 for further investigation.
Chile's government stated in 2015 that it was "highly probable that a third party" was responsible for Neruda's death. In 2017, authorities reported the discovery of fragments of Clostridium botulinum bacteria in his skeletal remains and teeth. Neruda was reburied in his favorite home overlooking the Pacific Coast, but questions surrounding his death continue to linger, prompting the recent ruling to reopen the investigation.
A recent study challenges the notion that large language models (LLMs) acquire emergent abilities suddenly and unpredictably. The study, conducted by researchers at Stanford University, suggests that these abilities actually develop gradually and predictably, depending on how they are measured.
LLMs, like the ones powering chatbots such as ChatGPT, learn by analyzing vast amounts of text data. As the size of these models increases, so does their ability to complete tasks, including ones for which they were not explicitly trained. This growth in performance has led to the perception of emergent abilities in LLMs, which are collective behaviors that appear once a system reaches a high level of complexity.
However, the Stanford researchers argue that the perception of emergence is influenced by how LLMs are measured. They conducted experiments with addition tasks, showing that the ability to add did not emerge suddenly at a certain threshold, as previously thought. Instead, they found that as the size of the LLM increased, its ability to predict the correct sequence of digits in addition problems improved gradually and predictably when measured using a different metric that awarded partial credit.
While this study challenges the idea of emergence in LLMs, other researchers point out that it does not fully dispel the notion. Some argue that the unpredictability of emergent abilities lies in the difficulty of predicting which metrics will show abrupt improvement in an LLM. Nevertheless, this research highlights the importance of considering how we measure the abilities of LLMs and raises questions about how these models will continue to evolve in the future.
As LLMs grow larger and more complex, they are likely to exhibit new and unexpected behaviors. Understanding how these behaviors emerge and how they can be predicted is crucial for the development of AI technologies.
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Caitlin Clark and Sabrina Ionescu are leading a new era in women's basketball, where the 3-pointer has become a game-changer. Clark recently broke the NCAA women’s career scoring record with her trademark long-range shots, while Ionescu impressed in a 3-point shooting contest against NBA star Stephen Curry.
The 3-point shot has transformed women's basketball, offering players of all sizes an opportunity to shine. Previously, the dunk was seen as the pinnacle of the game, but now the 3-pointer has taken its place, making the sport more inclusive and exciting.
Clark, known for her audacious 3-point attempts, has not only amassed impressive statistics but has also captured the attention of fans with her daring shots. Similarly, Ionescu's decision to compete in a 3-point contest with the NBA's smaller ball and a farther shooting distance exemplifies the changing landscape of women's basketball.
The rise of the 3-pointer in women's basketball can be attributed to the influence of analytics and the success of players like Diana Taurasi and Curry. Teams like the New York Liberty and the Aces have embraced the long ball, recognizing that three points are better than two.
The shift towards prioritizing the 3-pointer in women's basketball began in 2010 when FIBA moved back the 3-point line and introduced World Cup competitions for U17 players. This change challenged young players to develop their long-range shooting skills, leading to the emergence of players like Clark, Ionescu, and JuJu Watkins.
Overall, Clark and Ionescu are paving the way for a new generation of women's basketball players who are redefining the game with their skill and ambition. Their impact is just beginning, and we can expect to see more players follow in their footsteps, making the 3-pointer a fundamental part of women's basketball.
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Evergrande Group, established in 1996, rose swiftly to become a Fortune Global 500 company by 2016, expanding into various industries beyond real estate. However, its aggressive borrowing practices led to significant debt, exceeding $335 billion in 2022. The company's financial troubles escalated when it missed bond payments and filed for Chapter 15 bankruptcy protection in 2023.
China's property boom, driven by housing reforms and financial policies, saw housing prices surge, especially in major cities like Beijing and Shanghai. Evergrande's bankruptcy, while not expected to trigger a financial crisis like Lehman Brothers did in 2008, could affect consumer confidence and the broader property sector, which contributes nearly 30 percent to China's economy.
The fallout from Evergrande's collapse extends beyond financial markets. It could impact local governments and households, leading to higher leverage and reduced consumption. This, coupled with China's geopolitical tensions and regulatory uncertainties, adds to the challenges facing global investors considering investments in China.
While China's central bank has taken steps to support the property sector, including encouraging banks to provide liquidity to developers, structural issues within the Chinese economy remain unresolved. Foreign investors must navigate these challenges, which could impact global commodities prices and trade dynamics.
Evergrande's downfall serves as a reminder of the complexities and risks associated with investing in China, highlighting the need for a cautious approach amid ongoing economic uncertainties.
The Lycurgus Cup, a 4th-century Roman glass cage cup, stands as a unique testament to the craftsmanship of its time. Crafted from a rare dichroic glass, the cup reveals a remarkable color transformation, shifting from red when illuminated from behind to green when lit from the front.
Notably, the Lycurgus Cup is the sole surviving complete Roman glass object of its kind, distinguished by its intricate cage-cup design featuring a composition with mythological figures. Depicting the tale of King Lycurgus, who sought to harm a follower of Dionysus, the cup captures a moment of transformation and divine intervention.
The dichroic effect is achieved through the inclusion of nanoparticles of gold and silver in colloidal form within the glass. The exact process remains unclear, likely discovered inadvertently through the presence of minutely ground gold and silver dust. The Lycurgus Cup's dichroic quality sets it apart from the few other surviving fragments of Roman dichroic glass.
Corning Glass Works successfully reproduced the Lycurgus effect in a material with similar composition, furthering our understanding of this ancient glassmaking technique. Recent advancements include the replication of the dichroic effect in a 3D printable nanocomposite material by researchers from The Netherlands, utilizing silver and gold nanoparticles.
Believed to originate from Alexandria or Rome around 290–325 AD, the cup measures 16.5 cm × 13.2 cm. Its superb condition suggests a history of preservation, potentially within a church treasury or recovered from a sarcophagus. The present gilt-bronze rim and foot, added circa 1800, enhance the cup's visual appeal.
The cup's early history remains shrouded in mystery, with its first known mention in 1845. Acquired by the Rothschild family, it found its way to the British Museum in 1958. The Lycurgus Cup, now a part of the museum's Department of Prehistory and Europe, has been displayed in various exhibitions worldwide, showcasing its captivating color-changing properties.
The intricate scenes on the cup depict King Lycurgus, bound by a vine, surrounded by mythological figures like Ambrosia and Dionysus. The interpretation of this scene varies, with suggestions linking it to historical events or associating it with the ripening of red grapes, aligning with Bacchic celebrations.
The Lycurgus Cup's significance extends beyond its aesthetic appeal. It provides a glimpse into the esoteric religious practices of its time, reflecting a deeper and more complex understanding than contemporary Christianity. Whether used for feasts or Bacchic rituals, the cup's lack of a foot hints at its communal use, possibly passed around during medieval cultures.
The Lycurgus Cup remains a captivating artifact, a masterpiece of ancient glasswork, and a subject of ongoing scientific exploration. Its ability to bridge the past and present, coupled with advancements in nanocomposite replication, ensures its enduring legacy in both historical and scientific contexts.
Michał Kalecki, a Polish Marxian economist born in 1899, made substantial contributions to economic theory and policy during the 20th century. Working across prestigious institutions like the London School of Economics, University of Cambridge, and University of Oxford, he also served as an economic advisor to several governments, including Poland, France, Cuba, Israel, Mexico, and India.
Kalecki's influence on economic thought is often compared to that of John Maynard Keynes, although he remains less known in English-speaking circles. He integrated Marxist class analysis with oligopoly theory, impacting both neo-Marxian and post-Keynesian schools of thought. Utilizing mathematical models and statistical data, he was among the early macroeconomists to apply these tools to economic questions.
Central to Kalecki's theories was the circular flow of income, building on the Physiocrat François Quesnay's principles. He asserted that in a capitalist economy, production and employment are primarily determined by business investment, challenging traditional economic models.
Kalecki's economic views emphasized the role of government intervention and the interaction between the state and private sectors. He argued that prevailing economic growth models overlooked the government sector's significance and the empirical role it played. Kalecki's skepticism extended to the idea that higher wages could lead to fuller employment, challenging conventional economic wisdom.
In his notable 1943 statement, Kalecki highlighted the preference of business leaders for "discipline in the factories" and "political stability" over profits, recognizing unemployment as an integral part of the capitalist system. He contended that capitalists sought to limit government intervention that disrupted laissez-faire conditions, except in the case of armament spending.
Kalecki's monetary theory was rooted in Knut Wicksell's business cycle theory, emphasizing credit as a fundamental component of the capitalist economy. Unlike Keynes, Kalecki saw monetary policy as endogenous to the business cycle, influenced by business investment rather than interest rates.
One of Kalecki's most famous contributions was his profit equation, derived concisely and intuitively. He asserted that profits were equal to the sum of investment and capitalists' consumption, with investment and consumption decisions determining profits.
Kalecki's interest extended to income distribution, where he explored imperfectly competitive markets and oligopolistic conditions. His model suggested that the wage share in national income remained roughly constant over the business cycle, influenced by factors such as the degree of monopoly and the relationship between raw material costs and wages.
In analyzing the business cycle, Kalecki's investment function played a crucial role. He formulated an equation where investment decisions depended on factors like savings, the rate of change of profits, and the stock of fixed capital. The cyclical nature of investment decisions, leading to economic fluctuations, formed a central aspect of Kalecki's economic insights.
Despite Kalecki's considerable theoretical and practical contributions, he remained more practically oriented than academically inclined. His work, rooted in practical experiences including engineering, journalism, and credit investigation, provided a distinctive perspective that challenged established economic doctrines.
In 1970, Michał Kalecki was nominated for the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics, a testament to the impact of his theories on the field. His legacy endures as a significant figure in economic thought, challenging conventional wisdom and providing valuable insights into the dynamics of capitalist economies.
The Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), once a pinnacle in the gaming industry, has officially met its end. The Entertainment Software Association (ESA), responsible for overseeing the event, announced the closure, citing a combination of factors that led to its demise. The challenges included emerging competitors, the withdrawal of key partners, shifting audience habits, and the disruptive impacts of the ongoing pandemic.
E3, born in 1995, had been a central showcase for the U.S. and global video game industry. Over the years, it evolved into a multimedia extravaganza where major players like Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft unveiled groundbreaking consoles and games. However, the landscape shifted when Sony PlayStation decided to exit E3 in 2018, triggering a chain reaction of other vendors and companies withdrawing from subsequent events. The departure of Geoff Keighley, a former E3 collaborator, further signaled a decline in the event's influence.
The pandemic exacerbated E3's troubles, forcing game publishers to adopt online news conferences as an alternative. The ESA President and CEO, Stanley Pierre-Louis, acknowledged the challenges, emphasizing the industry's shift towards direct communication with consumers through online platforms.
E3's closure opens the door to new opportunities in the form of online video conferences. Companies can now share information directly with their audiences, eliminating the costs associated with traditional trade shows. Nintendo's introduction of the "Direct" format in 2011 set the precedent for this approach, allowing for more flexibility and cost-effectiveness.
The history of E3 reflects its origins as a trade show created by the ESA to bring retailers, game publishers, and creators together. Over time, it grew into a massive event that showcased major console releases and introduced gaming personalities to the public. However, the industry's changing dynamics and the rise of alternative formats have rendered E3 obsolete.
The effort to replace E3 is ongoing, with events like The Game Awards attempting to capture its cultural significance. Despite criticisms for a focus on ads and marketing, these endeavors signify the industry's adaptability and desire to engage audiences in different ways.
E3's organizers expressed uncertainty about the event's return, and industry insiders remain skeptical. The gaming industry has demonstrated resilience in the absence of E3, finding alternative ways to make impactful announcements. Nintendo's success with the Nintendo Direct format since 2011 has set a precedent, allowing companies to reveal games and products without the need for a physical event.
In conclusion, E3's closure marks the end of an era in the gaming industry. The shift to online communication, coupled with the challenges posed by the pandemic, has reshaped how the industry connects with its audience. While in-person conventions are not obsolete, E3's demise signals a broader shift in the industry's needs and preferences, and the gaming world appears to have moved on from this once-iconic event.
Moscovium, also identified as Element 115, emerged on the periodic table in 2016, marking its presence with a blend of mystique and scientific intrigue. Its connection to extraterrestrial technology and potential alien lifeforms has fueled fascination for years. Let's unravel the story of this superheavy element, exploring its origins and remarkable characteristics.
As described by Jacklyn Gates, a scientist in California's Berkeley Lab, moscovium is a synthetic element featuring 115 protons in its nucleus. Remarkably rare, it outpaces uranium, Earth's heaviest naturally occurring element, by 23 protons. Produced atom by atom in particle accelerators, Element 115 exists fleetingly, transforming into another element within seconds. However, its promise lies in potentially being part of the theorized "island of stability," where superheavy nuclei may have significantly longer lifetimes, opening doors to practical applications.
The quest for moscovium traces back to 2003 at Russia's Flerov Laboratory for Nuclear Reactions. Here, a team led by nuclear physicist Yuri Oganessian fused calcium-48 ions with americium-243 nuclei, crafting the new element with 115 protons. Its structure averted spontaneous fission, leading to alpha decay, a form of radioactive decay.
Beyond its scientific allure, Element 115 gained notoriety through Robert "Bob" Lazar's 1989 claims. Lazar disclosed classified information, asserting his involvement with the element at Nevada's Area 51, where he purportedly reverse-engineered crashed alien spacecraft. Lazar suggested that Element 115 powered these saucers with anti-gravity propulsion technology. While the government remains mum on Area 51 employment, and Lazar's claims lack full disproof, experts like Jacklyn Gates dismiss the link between the element and UFOs. Element 115 atoms decay too rapidly for any practical use in extraterrestrial technology.
Yet, the scientific significance of Element 115 is striking. Unlike the norm where creating heavier elements becomes more challenging, moscovium bucks the trend, enabling scientists to produce over 100 atoms for scrutinizing nuclear and chemical properties. This breakthrough expands our comprehension of the universe.
While the allure of alien connections intrigues, the reality of scientific strides presents an equally captivating narrative. Moscovium stands testament to human ingenuity and our relentless quest to fathom the universe's enigmas. As we delve further into Element 115 and other elements, the realm of science continues to astonish.