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.
In a victory for dog lovers, Judge Lynne Quimby-Pennock has ruled in favor of two dog-friendly bars in Tampa and Orlando. These establishments can now keep welcoming four-legged patrons after the Florida Department of Health's attempt to block dogs was overruled. The judge's 29-page order highlighted that the Department had failed to properly revise a rule to enforce the ban.
The case revolved around sanitation certificates issued by county health departments, overseen by the state Department of Health. Pups Pub Tampa and Pups Pub Orlando had received sanitation certificates with the condition that they wouldn't serve food. The bars had also implemented measures, like installing gates, to keep dogs away from drink-service areas.
Despite complying with the guidelines, Pups Pub Tampa received a violation citation in June 2022 for allowing dogs on the premises. Similarly, Pups Pub Orlando, which got its sanitation certificate in July 2022, faced a violation citation less than a month later.
Judge Quimby-Pennock noted that the Department had allowed dog bars to operate in other counties previously, such as Duval and Palm Beach. She underscored that the Department didn't properly follow the process to adopt a rule prohibiting dogs in bars.
The judge's order stated that the Department must stop relying on the revised interpretation of the rule. It revealed that evidence clearly showed the Department had previously interpreted the rule to allow dogs in bars, with specific restrictions. However, in mid-2022, the Department changed its stance to ban dogs in bars.
The Department of Health, in a document dated May 22, argued it hadn't altered its interpretation, claiming actions against the bars were based on the existing rule's plain language, not on a new rule.
The ruling is a significant win for the dog-friendly bars and their customers who enjoy spending time with their furry companions while sipping on a drink. With Judge Quimby-Pennock's decision, these bars can continue operating with their dog-friendly policies intact.
In today's era of disposability and constant upgrades, finding a cherished relic from the past is a rarity. For Robert McGee, that cherished possession is a blocky, black radio manufactured in 1941, the same year his father turned 12. Robert stumbled upon this unexpected gem when he salvaged it from a landfill at the tender age of 13 back in 1978.
The person who tossed it away likely deemed it irreparable, but Robert's father, an electronics repairman, saw its potential. With some expertise and a straightforward tube replacement, the radio roared back to life. It took its place on a shelf above his father's workbench, serenading them with country tunes about lonesome truckers. The radio became a symbol of their bond.
After his father's passing in 1994, Robert carried the radio across thousands of miles, from the Appalachian farm of his upbringing to Los Angeles and back home. In California, he tuned in to horse races and famous radio personalities like Paul Harvey and Casey Kasem. The radio evolved from an object into a conduit to his father and a wellspring of solace.
Now resting on a shelf above Robert's workspace, the radio sees sporadic use due to its age and scarcity of repair parts. But every year, on the anniversary of his father's death, Robert switches it on to check if it still hums to life. Each time, he senses his father's presence, reminiscing about the day they salvaged the radio and the unique bond they shared.
Robert's father embodied practical skills and authenticity. He could fix anything, from a broken-down Fiat to any challenge Robert faced. Memories of his father's fearlessness and resistance to societal norms are precious to Robert.
The radio stands as a time capsule, transporting Robert to those cherished moments with his father. As he tunes into its AM spectrum, he recalls the day they found the radio and his father's gentle acceptance. The radio becomes a vessel for their shared experiences, a reminder that their bond transcends time and space.
This year, as Robert listens to the radio again, he marvels at its endurance and the connection it sustains. Amidst the booming voice of an evangelist preaching the same message, he finds solace in the radio's unwavering signal. With each listen, Robert and his father draw closer, drowning out the static of the modern world.
In a world where possessions come and go, the radio's tale reminds us of the potency of sentimentality and the enduring connection between a father and his son.
Chris Matthews, a former overseas professional basketball player, has found his niche as a highly sought-after shooting coach for some of the biggest names in the NBA, WNBA, and NCAA. Matthews' journey to success began a few years ago when he received a late-night text from none other than the rapper 21 Savage, asking for shooting practice. This unexpected encounter marked a turning point in his career, and since then, Matthews has become a go-to coach for basketball's elite.
His roster of clients includes NBA players like Domantas Sabonis, Skylar Diggins-Smith, and Anthony Davis, as well as celebrities from different fields, such as musicians Travis Barker and Drake and the cast of the Peacock TV show "Bel-Air." The private coaching industry has been booming, and Matthews has positioned himself as a leader in the exclusive world of helping people improve their shooting skills.
The demand for his services is not limited to professional athletes alone. The rise of long-range shooting in the NBA, WNBA, and NCAA has led many players to seek out specialized coaching to improve their shooting efficiency. Matthews has capitalized on this trend, offering personalized training plans tailored to each client's needs.
Matthews' success can also be attributed to his active presence on social media. Sharing videos of his shooting workouts on Instagram has allowed him to connect with a broader audience beyond the basketball community. This visibility led to collaborations with celebrities who wanted to enhance their basketball skills.
Apart from his work with athletes and celebrities, Matthews emphasizes the joy of shooting a basketball and encourages everyone to find solace and relaxation in the sport. Whether it's basketball enthusiasts like Mark Cuban or artists like Kevin Gates and Future, Matthews believes that shooting hoops can provide a sense of release from the pressures of everyday life.
From a talented college player to an accomplished shooting coach, Chris Matthews has come a long way in the basketball world. His dedication to helping others improve their game and find enjoyment in shooting has made him a respected figure in the sport.