A Reddit user MagicStones23 shared an update on their Unity game, showcasing ABZU-inspired fish created with a GPU-based boids algorithm and vertex animation.More demos: https://80.lv/articles/stylized-interactive-water-simulation-with-fish-made-in-unity/

Think back to a time when you needed a quick answer, maybe for a recipe or a DIY project. A few years ago, most peoples first instinct was to Google it. Today, however, many people are more likely to reach for ChatGPT, OpenAIs conversational artificial intelligence tool, which is changing the way people look for information.Rather than simply providing lists of websites, ChatGPT gives more direct, conversational responses. But can ChatGPT do more than just answer straightforward questions? Can it actually help people be more creative?I study new technologies and consumer interaction with social media. My colleague Byung Lee and I set out to explore this question: Can ChatGPT genuinely assist people in creatively solving problems, and does it perform better at this than traditional search engines like Google?Across a series of experiments in a study published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, we found that ChatGPT does boost creativity, especially in everyday, practical tasks. Heres what we learned about how this technology is changing the way people solve problems, brainstorm ideas and think creatively.ChatGPT and creative tasksImagine youre searching for a creative gift idea for a teenage niece. Previously, you might have googled creative gifts for teens and then browsed articles until something clicked. Now, if you ask ChatGPT, it generates a direct response based on its analysis of patterns across the web. It might suggest a custom DIY project or a unique experience, crafting the idea in real time.To explore whether ChatGPT surpasses Google in creative thinking tasks, we conducted five experiments where participants tackled various creative tasks. For example, we randomly assigned participants to either use ChatGPT for assistance, use Google search, or generate ideas on their own. Once the ideas were collected, external judges, unaware of the participants assigned conditions, rated each idea for creativity. We averaged the judges scores to provide an overall creativity rating.One task involved brainstorming ways to repurpose everyday items, such as turning an old tennis racket and a garden hose into something new. Another asked participants to design an innovative dining table. The goal was to test whether ChatGPT could help people come up with more creative solutions compared with using a web search engine or just their own imagination.The results were clear: Judges rated ideas generated with ChatGPTs assistance as more creative than those generated with Google searches or without any assistance. Interestingly, ideas generated with ChatGPTeven without any human modificationscored higher in creativity than those generated with Google.One notable finding was ChatGPTs ability to generate incrementally creative ideas: those that improve or build on what already exists. While truly radical ideas might still be challenging for AI, ChatGPT excelled at suggesting practical yet innovative approaches. In the toy-design experiment, for example, participants using ChatGPT came up with imaginative designs, such as turning a leftover fan and a paper bag into a wind-powered craft.Limits of AI creativityChatGPTs strength lies in its ability to combine unrelated concepts into a cohesive response. Unlike Google, which requires users to sift through links and piece together information, ChatGPT offers an integrated answer that helps users articulate and refine ideas in a polished format. This makes ChatGPT promising as a creativity tool, especially for tasks that connect disparate ideas or generate new concepts.Its important to note, however, that ChatGPT doesnt generate truly novel ideas. It recognizes and combines linguistic patterns from its training data, subsequently generating outputs with the most probable sequences based on its training. If youre looking for a way to make an existing idea better or adapt it in a new way, ChatGPT can be a helpful resource. For something groundbreaking, though, human ingenuity and imagination are still essential.Additionally, while ChatGPT can generate creative suggestions, these arent always practical or scalable without expert input. Steps such as screening, feasibility checks, fact-checking and market validation require human expertise. Given that ChatGPTs responses may reflect biases in its training data, people should exercise caution in sensitive contexts such as those involving race or gender.We also tested whether ChatGPT could assist with tasks often seen as requiring empathy, such as repurposing items cherished by a loved one. Surprisingly, ChatGPT enhanced creativity even in these scenarios, generating ideas that users found relevant and thoughtful. This result challenges the belief that AI cannot assist with emotionally driven tasks.Future of AI and creativityAs ChatGPT and similar AI tools become more accessible, they open up new possibilities for creative tasks. Whether in the workplace or at home, AI could assist in brainstorming, problem-solving and enhancing creative projects. However, our research also points to the need for caution: While ChatGPT can augment human creativity, it doesnt replace the unique human capacity for truly radical, out-of-the-box thinking.This shift from Googling to asking ChatGPT represents more than just a new way to access information. It marks a transformation in how people collaborate with technology to think, create and innovate.Jaeyeon Chung is an assistant professor of business at Rice University.This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

On Tuesday, President-elect Donald Trump named Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy as cochairs of a new Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. This appointment allows Musk the opportunity to simultaneously do two things that are very important to him: publicly complain about government policies that cost him money, and tweet deeply unfunny jokes about the fact that the acronym is also the name of a meme cryptocurrency.DOGE, Trump announced, will take an entrepreneurial approach to government, aiding his administrations efforts to slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies. A hastily created account on X, the scam-ridden disinformation machine Musk owns, promised that DOGE would be working overtime to ensure your tax dollars will be spent wisely. (The tweet sported the special silver verification badge that Musk invented for official government organizations.) Trump gave DOGE until July 4, 2026, to complete its work, and expressed hope that it will be The Manhattan Project of our time. Perhaps the only thing funnier than creating a government efficiency office with two heads that is favorably comparing it to a secret research initiative that, in todays dollars, cost the government north of $30 billion.Decrying the evils of bloated bureaucracy has long been applause-line fodder for conservative types, whose passions for reducing the national debt and curtailing out-of-control spending last until the moment it is time to enact another round of tax cuts for billionaires. You can trace the rights enduring obsession with these subjects to the legacy of the Grace Commission, which President Ronald Reagan convened in 1982 to study cost control in the Federal Governmentor, as he put it in a speech that same year, to drain the swamp.On the other hand, DOGEdepending on how few key details shake outcould be a far more malevolent manifestation of standard-issue fiscal-conservative dogma: an opportunity for an erratic Silicon Valley ghoul megalomaniac with a history of egregious mismanagement to exercise vaguely defined authority to make important decisions about things he doesnt understand. After acquiring Twitter in 2022, Musk famously set about laying off employees he deemed inessential, eventually cutting roughly 80% of its workforce. As anyone who has tried to drink from Xs broken fire hydrant of vile conspiracy theories, sketchy ads, crypto bots, and engagement-bait slop can attest, the most obvious consequence of this shift has been delivering a product from which people are fleeing en masse.This time, however, instead of making harebrained decisions that merely ruin a social media network, Musk would be gutting government agencies that are responsible for enforcing the law against him. Through his super PAC, Musk donated more than $100 million to Trumps 2024 reelection campaign. Part of his reward is the right to cosplay as a good-government crusader while looking for opportunities to line his pockets.As was true of the first Trump administrations worst ideas, any discussion of DOGE requires several caveats up top. Although it isnt yet clear how much power Musk and Ramaswamy will actually have, a safe partial answer is probably not as much as they want. Congress is in charge of appropriations, which means that a recommendation from Musk and Ramaswamy to, for example, close the federal Department of Education would require congressional approval first. As happy as Republican lawmakers typically are to give Trump whatever he wants, I am not sure theyll be as cavalier about surrendering their constitutionally prescribed spending power to a pair of outsiders who have never held elected office.Second, the sorts of mass layoffs that Ramaswamy has previously floatedup to 75% of some 2.2 million federal employeeswould, at the very least, be subject to immediate and robust legal challenge. As you might expect, Trump aides are reportedly workshopping fringe legal theories that would allow the White House to bypass Congress and implement cuts unilaterally. That said, given that DOGE is operating on a two-year ticking clock, the glacial pace of litigation might do more to protect the possibility of a functioning government than anything else.Finally, although DOGE has department in its name, only Congress can create the familiar executive departments whose Cabinet-level heads are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. (The head of one of several existing government entities that already does this sort of work, the Office of Management and Budget, is a Cabinet-level position already.) And over the last few days, there are reports that Musk, who was useful to Trump before the election but not necessarily now that it is over, is wearing out his welcome at Mar-a-Lago: According to NBC News, Musk has been taking lots of credit for Trumps win and behaving as if hes a co-president, which has generally been a bad idea in the orbit of a notoriously paranoid narcissist who despises insubordination and loves firing people.Thus, there exists a very real possibility that for Trump, a position as the head of a made-up department is less a serious job than an officious-sounding vanity title designed to keep Musk both busy and quiet. If and when Musk and Ramaswamy come up with recommendations, nothing prevents the White House from thanking them for their hard work and then putting the binder directly into the nearest recycle bin. In context, DOGE might simply be the politics equivalent of shopping carts equipped with plastic toy steering wheels, which keep my kids occupied at Home Depot for a few minutes while I try to find the right hex head drill bit.If, however, the White House intends to take any aspect of Musk and Ramaswamys work seriously, DOGE could be as disastrous for the country as it is beneficial for Elon Musks net worth. If you thought that mass firings at Twitter made the platform an incoherent mess, just wait until whats getting plunged into chaos is, say, the agency responsible for designating maximum contaminant levels in drinking water.DOGE could, for example, put Musk in a position of authority over employees at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which recently opened an investigation into Tesla after a series of serious autopilot-related accidents. It could empower him to meddle with the work of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which is in the midst of a contentious probe of Musks compliance with disclosure rules related to his takeover of Twitter. He could throw sand in the gears at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which has fined several of his businesses for violations of air- and water-pollution regulations; at the Fish and Wildlife Service, which is trying to get SpaceX to stop incinerating the habitats of threatened birds in Texas; and at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which has proposed to fine SpaceX for failing to comply with basic safety-permitting requirements. Perhaps most importantly for Musk, DOGE could allow him to ensure that the roughly $3 billion in business the federal government does with Musk-owned companies each year is both safe, and going forward, just a starting point.Already, Musk is involved in ambitious legal challenges to the very existence of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which protects the right of workers to unionize. Tesla is the only major U.S. automaker without a union, and the NLRB has previously accused the company of illegally interfering with its employees organizing efforts. Depending on how much power Musk gets at DOGE, he might be able to neutralize this ongoing threat to his bottom line all by himself.Earlier this week, Musk floated the prospect of DOGE operating as a sort of quasi-game show, which would post insanely dumb expenditures of taxpayer dollars for the world to see; the projects findings, he promised, would be extremely tragic and extremely entertaining. But Musk does not care about building a better or more efficient government. Nor does he care about the environment, as he reportedly supports the Trump administrations proposal to kill electric vehicle tax credits because it would hurt Teslas competitors more than Tesla. He cares only about building a state that he can exploit, plunder, or ignore as he sees fit. A position of power in an administration he feels he paid for is a fine place to start.

From a 15th-century thatched house in England to a ski cabin in Canada, our latest lookbook collects eight cottages with panoramic windows that offer views of their dramatic surroundings.Although perhaps more commonly associated with cosy, sheltered interiors, cottages can also be designed with expansive glazing to connect them with the world outside and maximise the potential of their scenic settings.Read on for eight examples from Canada, Australia and the UK.This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen's archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring plywood panelling, colourful kitchens and moody bedrooms.Photo is by Ben PipeWatercress Cottage, UK, by Greenaway ArchitectureBritish studio Greenaway Architecture added a minimalist glass extension to this medieval thatched cottage near Bath, which features floor-to-ceiling glazing informed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's modernist Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin.The studio chose simple interiors for the open-plan living room, creating a gallery-like space focused on the surrounding views of the garden.Find out more about Watercress Cottage Photo is by Jack LovelShadow House, Australia, by Grotto StudioShadow House is the charred-timber extension of a 20th-century cottage in Perth, Australia, designed by local firm Grotto Studio.The new addition features a guest suite lined in dark timber that which opens onto a private garden connected to the interior via sliding wood-and-glass doors.Find out more about Shadow House Photo by Clinton WeaverCottage, Australia, by Zuzana & NicholasElsewhere in Australia, the Zuzana & Nicholas studio transformed a former workers' cottage in Brisbane into a light-filled home and studio.The upper level features a sliding wall that reveals a covered dining area overlooking the garden. A combination of hardwood panelling, exposed concrete and metal delineate different areas throughout the property.Find out more about this cottage Photo is by Jim StephensonCottage, UK, by Invisible StudioArchitecture practice Invisible Studio reconfigured the cramped interior of this "poky cottage" on the borders of Hampshire and Surrey byadding a contemporary concrete and timber extension.The living space features sliding glass doors that, according to the studio, allow the occupants to "live in the view". An interior palette of concrete, plaster and steel was chosen as a utilitarian backdrop for the owners' extensive art collection.Find out more about this cottage Photo is by Ronan MzireLa Brche, Canada, by NaturehumaineFloor-to-ceiling corner windows illuminate the living space at La Brche a ski cottage in Qubec by Montreal studioNaturehumaine.While the exterior was informed by the area's vernacular architecture, the interior includes more contemporary details. Polished concrete flooring runs throughout the home, accented by pops of colour and texture.Find out more about La BrchePhoto is by Trevor MeinCaptain Kelly's Cottage, Tasmania, John Wardle ArchitectsAustralian studioJohn Wardle Architects repaired this weatherboard cottage on Bruny Island off the coast of Tasmania, which dates back to the 1840s.The home includes furniture created from materials left over at the end of the project's renovation and a full-length window seat with flat cushions that frames views of the surrounding bay.Find out more about Captain Kelly's Cottage Photo is by Jim StephensonMade of Sand, UK, by Studio WeaveArchitecture office Studio Weave added a geometric, timber-clad extension to this stone cottage in rural Devon.The new volume incorporates large glazed apertures that provide views of the Blackdown Hills, which can be observed from built-in window seats finished in Douglas fir.Find out more about Made of Sand Photo courtesy of Ian MacDonald ArchitectGo Home Bay Cabin, Canada, by Ian MacDonald ArchitectGo Home Bay Cabin is an island cottage that cantilevers over a rocky hillside in Georgian Bay, Ontario.Canadian studio Ian MacDonald Architect added a wood-burning stove to the living area, which is illuminated by panoramic glazing. Iconic furniture pieces including a cow-print Le Corbusier chaise longue and Eames rocking chairs feature in the light-filled living space.Find out more about Go Home Bay Cabin This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen's archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuringplywood panelling, colourful kitchens and moody bedrooms.The post Eight light-filled cottage interiors defined by generous windows appeared first on Dezeen.

Dezeen Showroom: Italian brand Mara has created atable made from metal that features a hinged top and collapsible legs.The 100 per cent recyclable Argo Libro Metal is made entirely of metal and forms part of the brand's Argo collection.The Argo Libro Metal table is made from metalDesigned to suit a variety of styles, the table features a ultra-thin steel top and a monochrome finish available in a range of colours.To provide flexibility, the product comes in various sizes for use in conferences, meetings, and co-working and training spaces.The table has a central hinge in its topIts mechanical folding system allows the table to be opened by one person, while its wheels ensure ease of movement between spaces.The table also features an anti-shock system designed and patented by Mara. This keeps users' hands safe when unfolding the table.Product details:Product:Argo Libro MetalDesigner:Mara R&DBrand:MaraContact:marketing@marasrl.itMaterial: metalDezeen ShowroomDezeen Showroom offers an affordable space for brands to launch new products and showcase their designers and projects to Dezeen's huge global audience. For more details email showroom@dezeen.com.Dezeen Showroom is an example of partnership content on Dezeen. Find out more about partnership content here.The post Argo Libro Metal by Mara appeared first on Dezeen.

Box cutters, or simply cutters, are a common sight in any office or workshop. The basic design hasnt changed much over the years, with the most common style using a long segmented blade where you can snap off a section when it has become dull. This simple design, almost like a stackable push-point pencil, offers an efficient mode of operation, but not without its drawbacks.One big problem is that the actual section of the blade you can actively use might be too small since you cant push it out too much or it will snap and break if you apply too much pressure. A single, unbroken blade might still be the most stable design, but its also the most wasteful. This concept tries to find a middle ground by employing a rather unorthodox design for a box cutter.Designer: ZOZ WorksGiven how you need to have a secure and firm hold on a cutting tool, you might presume that you need a large unibody handle design. As small EDC knives and cutters have proven, however, thats necessarily the case. And just because something comes in parts that can be separated doesnt mean that it will be structurally unsound and unreliable.Split is a concept that uses these ideas to design a cutter that can split into two halves. It isnt just a gimmick, though, as the upper half houses the currently active blade while the other half holds spare blades or blades you have removed but have yet to throw away. It suggests a box cutter thats still self-sufficient yet more efficient than current designs, at least in theory.The cutter still uses a retractable mechanism to deploy the blade, but you will have a larger blade to work with. This means you can push it out further without worrying that the blade will break along its segment when applying force. At the same time, you still just have a short blade, so you dont need to throw a long blade should it become dull.The Split box cutter concept houses those replacement or used blades in the lower half. The concept doesnt exactly mention it, but you might be able to store more than one blade there. The blades seem to be clamped down to keep them from moving inside, and a simple screw loosens or tightens the cover. The one disadvantage to this design is that you might need some other object or your fingernail to turn that screw.The cutter concept has a rather asymmetrical design when the two halves are connected, with one part extending a bit further than the other. This imbalance almost creates a jimping part or at least a finger rest, allowing you to hold the cutter with a firmer and more confident grip.The post Split box cutter concept has a neat trick for keeping spare or dull blades first appeared on Yanko Design.

Tech and lifestyle brand Satechi has just announced new gadgets for content creators and power users who need something more than a USB drive. These include the Mini NVMe SSD and a couple of Mobile XR Hubs to solve your portable storage and power requirements.The Mobile XR Hub with Audio and the Mobile XR Hub with microSD are compatible with iPhone, laptop and Switch. This saves the user from straining about battery drain. These gadgets come with the option of choosing between 3.5mm audio support or a microSD port for importing files.Designer: SatechiOur main focus is the Mini NVMe SSD which is no bigger than a matchbox. The compact little gadget makes use of Gen 2 USB-C technology for a seamless data transfer speed compared to a SATA SSD. Theres an option to choose your preferred storage with the swappable SSD design that accepts 2TB of storage capacity. The enclosure comes with a write lock to prevent any accidental deletion of data. This maintains the data integrity during transfers and also protects against malware. For iPhone users, it has an interesting feature of capturing Apple ProRes Log files straight onto your iPhone 15 or higher version.The essential accessory for content creators and geeky nerds comes in an aluminum frame which is lightweight, scratch-resistant courtesy tempered glass plus protection and has chamfered edges. It has a braided USB-C lanyard cable to hook onto your backpack or keychain. Another added feature important for power users is the built-in cooling fan.This utilitarian pocket-friendly storage tool has excellent build quality and is very convenient to use. Perhaps a very nice gift for your geeky pal this holiday season coming in at $60. The Mobile XR Hub with Audio and the Mobile XR Hub with microSD priced at $50 each are also good options if your budget is a little strained.The post Satechi Mini NVMe SSD Enclosure is a pocket-friendly storage solution for power users first appeared on Yanko Design.

"We wanted to make a beer game," says Michael Austin, creative director and co-founder of Hidden Path Entertainment. "That's a game you can play with one hand while holding a beer."With its minimalist plot and freeform difficulty, Defense Grid: The Awakening became a tower defense classic.

Do we have anything left to learn from the likes of Modern Warfares Soap MacTavish?We talk to the designer behind the series' greatest moments.

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