Mint Fantme is a virtual influencer who streams for hours a day on YouTube. Maid Mint Fantome/YouTube 2025-04-03T08:34:02Z SaveSaved Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? Mint Fantme is a virtual, anime-style influencer, with 347,000 YouTube subscribers.The virtual YouTuber, or VTuber for short, appears as a digital avatar online.The creator behind Mint took an untraditional pathway into the entertainment industry.This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with the creator behind YouTuber Mint Fantme, a virtual influencer who appears as an anime character. Like other virtual YouTubers, the creator is anonymous online, but their identity is known to Business Insider. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.I play a 19-year-old ghost online.My anime-style digital avatar goes by many names: Mint, Maid Mint, or Mint Fantme. I have 347,000 subscribers on YouTube where I livestream my avatar chatting, singing, and playing video games.This is my full-time career, and it has become all that I do. I'm part of a growing trend of virtual influencers, called VTubers. Like many others, my identity is anonymous.I recently joked with a friend that our jobs are like the TV show "Severance." The virtual characters we play online are like our "innies," which are the separate workplace identities of the show's characters.This character I created allows me to have a public persona online without fully sharing my personal self.I discovered virtual YouTubers several years ago. Many of those I followed were from a Japanese company called Cover Corporation, which owns one of the top VTuber agencies, Hololive.I found their content really fun to consume. Living in the US, it wasn't until Hololive put out auditions for English-speaking creatorsI auditioned, but I didn't get the role. However, through the audition process, I met some independent VTubers who inspired me. I realized you don't have to work with a huge corporation to do this work.When I started in 2020, I wanted my avatar to be completely separate from my normal self. I told no one, not even friends or family.Then, as I started to become more popular, some of my friends came across my videos and recognized my voice.I later told my mom. She still doesn't quite understand it. But she knows I've always loved Japanese culture and anime. She can't believe what she thought was a phase has evolved into my career.How I make money as a virtual influencerMost of my income comes from donations on YouTube. That's just out of people's generosity, and it's how I've been able to maintain this as a career. I also sell merchandise and promote brands through sponsorships.More and more, VTubers are infiltrating Western culture. For example, Hololive's VTubers collaborated with the Los Angeles Dodgers. I've seen other independent VTubers work with hockey teams and at other events where you maybe wouldn't expect to see an anime girl.I've performed at a couple oflive concerts, and I want to do more. At these shows, I'll dance and sing with other VTubers. Online, everybody is just a number and a username in the chat box. But with live events, I can feel a true connection.What an average day looks likeI typically try to stream for two to four hours a day on YouTube.Filming is simpler than people think. I use a phone, and there are programs like VTube Studio and VSeeFace that VTubers use to generate their avatars.I went to school for filmography, so I have some experience. But I also watch a lot of YouTube tutorials.When I first started, I streamed in my closet. It was a small walk-in closet with good sound insulation. Now, I have my own dedicated streaming room.When I'm not streaming, I create my own graphics and thumbnails. I scroll through X, where I'll post and check hashtags. I also take notes on my phone on ideas for livestreams or merchandise.It's hard for me to turn the switch off. Some creators can say they don't go online or on social media at certain times. I don't have strict boundaries like that.Instead, I log off from my job by browsing my personal Instagram and TikTok accounts, which are centered on my hobbies and interests, such as anime and Japanese culture.An alternative pathway to entertainmentThis passion for anime helped me break into the entertainment industry, which I consider virtual YouTubers part of. As in any aspect of entertainment, so much success is the luck of the draw.When I'm streaming, I'll see a number on the screen of how many people are watching. Maybe the number says 3,000, but I can't fully comprehend that 3,000 people are watching me. I know that they are people, and I know that their usernames represent a person. But even after all these years, I feel so ordinary. I don't feel like an influencer.The anonymity that comes with being a VTuber has been really great for me.I'm not a very public person. I'm very shy, and I have a lot of social anxieties. But chatting for hours a day online has really helped me come out of my comfort zone. I'm so grateful I get to do this job.Recommended video

They plan sentences far in advance. They also bullshit themselves when reasoning out loud

This annual time shift has long-lasting effects on health

From Hospital to Medical Research Hub: How the Montreal Chest Institute Adapts to Modern NeedsPresented by:Save this picture!Terrace Garden between both phases. Image Courtesy of NEUF architect(e)sWith modern medicine, it may be difficult for many people today to imagine the devastation caused by Tuberculosis (TB) just about 100 years ago. Initially associated with insalubrious, overcrowded conditions, just in Canada it caused the death of approximately 8000 people annually in the late 19th century. During this time, before more advanced treatments were discovered, prescriptions from doctors involved sunlight, fresh air, and rest. As a response, sanatoria were established. These were places where patients could be separated from the community to manage their disease. One testament to that legacy stands in the heart of Montreal: the former Royal Edward Laurentian Institute, later known as the Montreal Chest Institute. Born from crisis, it has since become a symbol of resilience, transformation, and innovation, shifting from a space of isolation to a thriving hub for research and entrepreneurship in the life sciences.Tuberculosis was a leading cause of death in Canada in 1867 and killed over 30,000 people in the province of Quebec alone. By 1909, the Royal Edward Institute opened its doors in Belmont Park in Montreal. It was originally established in a residential structure and afterward adapted to serve a vital purpose: study, treat, and prevent the spread of Tuberculosis. As germ theory became better understood, people realized that recovery not only relied on medicine but also on the surrounding environment. Seeking a more restorative environment, in 1933 the Institute relocated to Saint-Urbain Street, next to Mont-Royal, an iconic urban park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.Save this picture!The new building was a purpose-built hospital, designed by architect John S. Archibald in the neo-Georgian style. Its modest architectural elements relied on a careful composition of symmetrical, arched windows, and brick masonry. At the same time, its ideal location allowed the hospital to provide patients with the prescribed light, air, and tranquility. However, as medicine advanced, so did the hospital. In 1952, a modernist tower connected by an overhead bridge was added to accommodate surgical interventions. This expansion reflected both the hospital's cutting-edge status and its expanding role in public health. Related Article Healing Through Design: The Story Behind Alvar Aaltos Paimio Sanatorium By the 1990s, as Montreal restructured its healthcare system, the Chest Institute merged with the Royal Victoria Hospital under the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) umbrella. Eventually, these institutions moved to the new MUHC Glen site in 2015. This move reflected a broader trend toward the development of super-hospitals in the city, which would later continue with the creation of the Centre Hospitalier de l'Universit de Montral (CHUM). As a result, the original building on St. Urbain Street remained unoccupied for nearly a decade.Save this picture!Today, the structure is undergoing a transformation that reflects not just a new use, but a new mindset towards the preservation of this building typology. It is being carried out by a partnership between the clinical research lab CellCarta, NEUF architect(e)s, and Quebec-based Inspire Bio-Innovations. The former hospital is being repurposed into a medical research facility and startup incubator. The project is being done in alignment with Quebec's 20222025 Life Sciences Strategy: an initiative aiming to attract $4 billion in private investment and place the province among the world's top five life-sciences markets by 2027.Save this picture!Aligned with provincial strategic goals, the transformation of the Institute contributes to Montreal's position as a leader in North America's biotech and health technology landscape. The Greater Montreal Area has 5.6 million sq. ft. of lab space, half of which is distributed across five hubs: Technoparc Montreal, Nexus 40-13, Royalmount, the Laval Biotech City, and the emerging Downtown hub. The latter will be home to this new life sciences complex, providing an example of how adaptive reuse of heritage healthcare infrastructure can deliver long-term value, both culturally and economically. This project is also hopping on a trend where other developers such as HarveyCorp with NuChem Sciences-Sygnature are not building new facilities but rather converting existing ones into labs, in anticipation of future demand.Save this picture!Save this picture! Hopefully, the lesson here will be that when the building itself is cared for, it can continue to offer a space where the most innovative medical care can be practiced, and cutting-edge research performed. This adaptive re-use is just a shift that allows the urban hospital campus to continue its vocation as a place of science at the foot of the mountain. It still has so much life to offer, we just had to look at it differently. - Azad Chichmanian, architect and partner at NEUF architect(e)s. Save this picture!The Montreal Chest Institute project is divided into two phases: Phase one, currently under construction, is comprised of the readaptation of the 1950s surgical tower to house CellCarta's global headquarters. Phase two consists of the preservation of the 1930s original pavilion, above which five new stories are added taking advantage of views towards the mountain and the city. Both phases will be joined by a glazed atrium which will serve as an arrival, gathering, teaching, and conference space.Save this picture!Save this picture!The design has also achieved international acclaim. At the World Architecture Festival (WAF) in Singapore 2024, it was named Future Office: Project of the Year. It also received a WAFX Award for addressing the challenges of tomorrow. The jury recognized the project's innovative reuse of heritage infrastructure, its emphasis on community resilience, and its sustainability-driven design.Save this picture!The evolution of the Montreal Chest Institute reflects a broader shift in how architecture, health, and innovation intersect. Originally designed to support the treatment of tuberculosis, today its redevelopment into a research and innovation hub signals the growing importance of interdisciplinary approaches to health and urban renewal. By integrating heritage conservation with cutting-edge technology and infrastructure, the project supports both economic growth and scientific advancement in Quebec's expanding life sciences sector.This feature is part of an ArchDaily series titled AD Narratives, where we share the story behind a selected project, diving into its particularities. Every month, we explore new constructions from around the world, highlighting their story and how they came to be. We also talk to the architects, builders, and community, seeking to underline their personal experiences. As always, at ArchDaily, we highly appreciate the input of our readers. If you think we should feature a certain project, please submit your suggestions.This article is part of the ArchDaily Topics: Building Wellbeing: Designing Spaces for Healing, presented in collaboration with the Hushoffice. With its line of A-class pods Hushoffice helps create acoustically balanced workplaces that offer great environment for collaboration and focus, foster employee wellbeing, and accommodate the needs of neurodiverse staff, as well as employees with motor impairments.Every month we explore a topic in-depth through articles, interviews, news, and architecture projects. We invite you to learn more about our ArchDaily Topics. And, as always, at ArchDaily we welcome the contributions of our readers; if you want to submit an article or project, contact us.Image gallerySee allShow lessAbout this authorMoises CarrascoAuthorCite: Moises Carrasco. "From Hospital to Medical Research Hub: How the Montreal Chest Institute Adapts to Modern Needs" 03 Apr 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1028560/from-hospital-to-medical-research-hub-how-the-montreal-chest-institute-adapts-to-modern-needs&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

Nossa House / Studio AstolfiSave this picture! Francisco NogueiraHousesCampinho, Reguengos de Monsaraz, PortugalArchitects: Studio AstolfiAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:1500 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2023 Lead Architects: Joana Astolfi More SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. Studio Astolfi has once again produced a work of detail and quality in yet another project that pays tribute to the Alentejo. Owned by Jos Avillez and Sofia Ulrich, CASA NOSSA is a luxury rural hotel near Reguengos de Monsaraz, with unobstructed views of the Alqueva lake and the surrounding Alentejo landscape. The outdoor area dazzles with its natural beauty and the different nooks and crannies where you can rest and relax.Save this picture!However, it is inside that Studio Astolfi shines in all its essence, presenting a cohesive and cosy project that includes several custom-designed pieces in wood, straw, stone, ceramics and other materials of organic origin. CASA NOSSA was designed down to the last detail in the purest sense of the word, and practically every object, piece of furniture and other details were custom-designed and produced specifically for this project. There are, therefore, several signature pieces, including the large sofa in the Sala da Runa, the inlaid furniture in the Sala de Caa, the armchairs in the cinema room, and all the elements in the wine cellar, among others.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The colour palette reacts to the transversal mood of the project, such as terracotta, darker oranges and reds, which contrast with the lime-white of the walls. The objects chosen in the decoration complement the palette with other more complex shades, creating a chromatic picture of comfort and sophistication.Save this picture!Save this picture!The inspiration for this project was the Alentejo and the house's surroundings, respecting its location and the intimate contact with nature, both outside and inside. The idea was to create a haven of well-being and hospitality in the middle of the Alentejo landscape, in isolation, but with everything guests might need. It gives a feeling of an inhabited home, with life and sophistication, lots of detail, and care in the choice of materials and decorative objects. The result is a house worthy of its name, with 10 suites with patios, balconies or porches, a large living room connected to the dining room, a library and bar, a cinema room, a wine cellar and an outdoor area complete with a fire pit.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessAbout this officeStudio AstolfiOfficePublished on April 03, 2025Cite: "Nossa House / Studio Astolfi" [Casa Nossa / Studio Astolfi] 03 Apr 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1028527/nossa-house-studio-astolfi&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

Dropouts hit D&D actual play anthology series, Dimension 20, has covered a lot of ground over the course of its run. But with the premiere of its 25th season, Titan Takedown, the D20 crew has got something that may surprise even long-time fans: A post-credits segment.So if youre looking forward to the first episode of Titan Takedown this week, this is your warning: Dont close the player once the credits start rolling to watch Make Some Noise or Very Important People, stick around.And if youve already been there, done that, and watched the footage read on, because we asked Dimension 20 host Brennan Lee Mulligan how it all came together.[Ed. note: This piece contains spoilers for the post-credits scene of Titan Takedowns first episode.]When Polygon spoke to Mulligan, he said that the post-credits segment in which D20 veterans Brian Murphy and Ify Nwadiwe appear in costume and character as Greek mythology-themed wrestling commentators was all about giving Dropouts biggest wrestling buffs a chance to join in on this collaboration with the world of WWE.We had a ton of huge wrestling fans that are amongst the cast and crew, Mulligan told Polygon, and there were these ways to generate really fun additional content that would get fans excited, and also allow multiple hands to touch this project. I wanted [spoiler] involved, I wanted [spoiler] involved, I wanted [spoiler] involved. Were creating a bunch of really fun additional content for fans of the show. To celebrate the show and also ham up the world-building of these incredible Ancient Greek wrestler heroes, the world-building of the season. It was a joyful project that also got to expand the family of people working on the show.Mulligan understandably didnt want to spoil upcoming extras, so weve omitted the specifics of who all is involved, but suffice to say: Its not just Murphy and Nwadiwe whove gotten an invite to the party. Fans can expect more Dropout stars to drop in on Titan Takedown during the rest of its four-episode season.

On top of the improved graphical performance for the Switch 2 versions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, there will be a suite of new features in the Nintendo Switch phone app, including an achievement system and, strangely, a voice navigation assistant.The new service inside the Switch app is called Zelda Notes. It only works for the Switch 2 versions, and is designed to provide a more streamlined gameplay experience, according to the overview trailer.The app has achievement-like medals you can earn for doing things like traveling long distances, defeating enemies, collecting rupees, and other metrics. Medals are tracked globally and you can view what other players have earned compared to yourself in the app, too.All I can say is that its a very Nintendo move to add achievements to only two Switch 2 games that exist solely on a service inside of an app. You could speculate on whether this means Nintendo is gearing up to finally make its own version of achievements in the year 2025, but we all know within ourselves that this is probably a weird one-off thing well never see again.Another major feature of Zelda Notes is voice navigation, which looks a lot like a GPS assistant that can tell you where to find things like Koroks, Skyview Towers, Shrines, and more. In the short demo, a player selects a map icon on their phone and the voice calls out directions to a Korok hidden under a rock in Tears of the Kingdom.To me, its an odd feature to include for two open-world games about the joys of exploring and discovering things. Theres no shame in using guides when youre stumped, but Im not sure these games would be as much fun if you spent the entire time being told where to go. It makes more sense to use it for finding something in a pinch or cleaning up what you missed. Honestly, Im having trouble trying to think of who Nintendo thinks this is for.One of the things you can use the navigation assistant to find are a bunch of new voice memories from Zelda, King Rauru, and Master Kohga. These short audio diaries are scattered around the world and let you hear the characters thoughts on locations and moments in Hyrules history. All the Zelda lore heads out there will have a new reason to boot up their old save files.The app also lets you share blueprints for your Tears of the Kingdom builds a feature that wouldve been nice two years ago as well as gift items to other players, edit screenshots, roll for small daily in-game bonuses, and get rewards for scanning amiibo.The Zelda Notes service will go live inside the Nintendo Switch app on June 5, the same day the Switch 2 launches, along with the upgraded versions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.See More: