One of the quintessential classics of 80s fantasy movies is The Dark Crystal. Now in 4K and looking better than ever, its time to return to the world of Thra.The Dark Crystal is a uniquely dense tale with some of the most obtuse and intricate lore before we even get to the story itself. This complexity was very much intentional, as it created a strange and alien world that is remarkably striking even today.Set on the world of Thra, the cruel Skeksis live in the Castle of the Crystal and draw their power from the titular and quite purple Dark Crystal. Their opposites are the kind Mystics, who shelter one of the last Gelfling, an elf-like race that the Skeksis had wiped out years prior.This was because the Gelfling were linked to a prophecy that challenged the Skeksis and their rule over Thra. What follows is a quest that unearths the true origins of both the Skeksis and the Mystics, as well as the untold mysteries of Thra itself.Even though this film is over four decades old by this point, I dont really want to spoil the story any further. Mainly because The Dark Crystal is somewhat of an experience the first time you view it.Much of this is down to the otherworldly setting of Thra and the fact that its all handled via puppets. You see, The Dark Crystal was the brainchild of Jim Henson, and while The Muppets were cute and cuddly, the puppets in The Dark Crystal were quite the opposite and actually rather terrifying.MORE FOR YOUAs a child, I was drawn to The Dark Crystal through my love of The Muppets and the strange world it brought forth. The latter was in part to do with the inclusion of Brian Froud for the movies concept art, which would be a continued collaboration with Henson on the subsequent puppet-filled film Labyrinth.'The Dark Crystal' is still a fantasy movie unlike any other.Shout! FactoryFrouds designs created a frightening world of rapaciously evil monsters, including the Skeksis and the chitinous Garthim, as well as the kind Mystics and the ethereal Gelfling. The real draw of The Dark Crystal was a world unlike any other, and while that was manifested through the technical and functional skill of Jim Henson and his team of puppeteers, it was Frouds art that made it all feel so strange.Frouds work also had a big effect on the world of anime, strongly influencing artists such as Yutaka Izubuchi, who would later work on anime such as Aura Battler Dunbine and The Record of Lodoss War. While it was Frouds earlier work on the book Faeries which had the strongest impact, films such as The Dark Crystal only cemented that influence further.This is the key point: The Dark Crystal was and is a movie with an immense artistic impact. Its depiction of all the characters and creatures in the world through puppetry. Not to mention its unique designwork makes everything seem so otherworldly, and unlike any other film before or since.The closest we get is Labyrinth, but even then, thats a far more human and relatable tale than The Dark Crystal. Which, by comparison, takes a quite abstract, alien, and spiritualistic approach.Thats why this remastered version in 4K is really quite special. Not only due to the increased and amazing visual fidelity on display, which makes a huge difference towards the end of the film, but also all the extras and trinkets this set comes with. The main prize though is the Crystal Shard, which plays a huge role in the films story. You also get some very nice art cards and a book about the film.If you, like me, grew up in awe and abject terror of the world of The Dark Crystal, returning to it later in life has been a revelatory experience. Not least because I can appreciate it more without having to hide behind the sofa, and at a higher level of fidelity than I had access to as a kid. All of this brings the world of Thra to life in a new and fresh way. That said, the whimpering Chamberlain still gives me the heebie-jeebies.The Dark Crystal 4K limited edition is currently available from Amazon for $78.99.Disclosure: Shout! Factory sent me this Blu-ray for the purposes of this review.Follow me on X, Facebook and YouTube. I also manage Mecha Damashii and am currently featured in the Giant Robots exhibition currently touring Japan.

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsIndianapolis Colts at New York Giants start time, channel, and live streamNew York Jets at Buffalo Bills start time, channel, and live streamTennesse Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars start time, channel, and live streamLas Vegas Raiders at New Orleans Saints start time, channel, and live streamCarolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers start time, channel, and live streamDallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles start time, channel, and live streamMiami Dolphins at Cleveland Browns start time, channel, and live streamGreen Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings start time, channel, and live streamAtlanta Falcons at Washington Commanders start time, channel, and live streamThe NFL is spoiling fans in Week 17. Things kicked off on Christmas Day with a doubleheader on Netflix, the streamers first foray into NFL games. After Thursday Night Football, the NFL followed it up with a special tripleheader on Saturday. Throw in Sundays slate and Monday Night Football, and the NFL dominated nearly every day this week.Nine NFL games will be played inWeek 17on December 29. The battle for the NFC North gets interesting in the late-afternoon window when the Packers face the Vikings. Stream NFL games during the regular season by signing up NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV. Below, check out the NFL Week 17 schedule, with times, channels, and streaming information.Recommended VideosIndianapolis Colts at New York Giants start time, channel, and live streamHandle our business, focus on what we can control. pic.twitter.com/odabBi501j Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 27, 2024Start Time: 1 p.m. ETChannel: FoxStream: NFL+, YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, , The Indianapolis Colts (7-8) are still alive but barely breathing in the AFC playoff race. The Colts must beat the Giants to stay alive. However, quarterback Anthony Richardson may not play due to foot and back soreness.RelatedEven though the New York Giants (2-13) lost in Week 16, they took one step closer to the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. If the Giants lose out, they will secure the top selection.New York Jets at Buffalo Bills start time, channel, and live streamStart Time: 1 p.m. ETChannel: CBSStream: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, The New York Jets (4-11) will do their best to play spoiler on Sunday. Their playoff chances are nonexistent, but the chances to beat a division rival could be enough motivation to play hard.With the Kansas City Chiefs win on Christmas, the Buffalo Bills (12-3) can no longer get the AFCs No. 1 seed. However, the Bills will secure the No. 2 seed with a win over the Jets.Tennesse Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars start time, channel, and live stream#TENvsJAX Status Report pic.twitter.com/kzJzfx2ATo Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) December 27, 2024Start Time: 1 p.m. ETChannel: CBSStream: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, The game between the Tennessee Titans (3-12) and Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12) is not for the faint of heart. Those expecting to watch good football should turn elsewhere. Frankly, both teams are better off losing to improve their position in the 2025 NFL Draft.Start Time: 1 p.m. ETChannel: FoxStream: NFL+, YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, , Even with nothing at stake, the Las Vegas Raiders (3-12) are still playing hard, as evidenced by their 19-14 win over the Jaguars in Week 16. Lets see if they can make it two straight on Sunday.The New Orleans Saints (5-10) never stood a chance in Monday nights 34-0 loss to the Packers. The Raiders, however, are more of the Saints speed, meaning this game should be close.VITA VEA IS BUILT DIFFERENT #CARvsTB 1 p.m. ET Sunday on CBS pic.twitter.com/FddwoZDHT2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) December 27, 2024Start Time: 1 p.m. ETChannel: CBSStream: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, The Carolina Panthers (4-11) eliminated the Cardinals from playoff contention with their 36-30 overtime victory in Week 17. Chuba Hubbard rushed for 152 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning score in extra time.After winning four consecutive games, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7) suffered a crushing 26-24 loss to the Cowboys. With the loss, the Bucs no longer control their own destiny. Tampa will miss the playoffs if the Falcons win out.Start Time: 1 p.m. ETChannel: FoxStream: NFL+, YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, , How bout them Cowboys (7-8)? Dallas has won four of its last five games, including last weeks 26-24 win over the Bucs. This week, the Cowboys will be without star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who is out for the season with a shoulder injury.The Philadelphia Eagles (12-3) lost more than just the game in Week 16. The Eagles lost their quarterback, Jalen Hurts, for the foreseeable future. Hurts suffered a concussion in the loss and will not play against the Cowboys..@WingfieldNFL's 3 keys to #MIAvsCLE pic.twitter.com/9DX4vSo14K Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) December 26, 2024Start Time: 4:05 p.m. ETChannel: CBSStream: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, With the win over the 49ers in Week 16, the Miami Dolphins (7-8) kept their playoff hopes alive. The Dolphins must beat the Browns to have any chance at the postseason.The Cleveland Browns (3-12) switched quarterbacks in Week 16, with Dorian Thompson-Robinson getting the start. However, it didnt make a difference as Thompson-Robinson threw two interceptions in a 24-6 loss to the Bengals.Start Time: 4:25p.m. ETChannel: FoxStream: NFL+, YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, , The Green Bay Packers (11-4) are getting hot at the right time. Green Bay has won four of its last five games, scoring at least 30 points in each contest. The Packers have clinched a playoff berth.The Minnesota Vikings (13-2) continue to be the surprise of 2024. If Minnesota beats Green Bay and Detroit beats San Francisco, then Week 18s game between the Vikings and Lions will be for the No. 1 seed.the Sunday Night captains#ATLvsWAS | #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/m1n3JtsFoI Washington Commanders (@Commanders) December 27, 2024Start Time: 8:20 p.m. ETChannel: NBCStream: NFL+, , YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, , The Atlanta Falcons (8-7) made a bold move in Week 17. The team benched starter Kirk Cousins for rookie Michael Penix Jr. If the Falcons win out, they win the NFC South and advance to the postseason.The Washington Commanders (10-5) pulled off a miraculous victory over the Eagles in Week 16. Washington has an outside chance of winning the NFC East, but it all starts with a victory over the Falcons.Editors Recommendations

Heres the best hands-on advice from Joanna Sterns Tech Things newsletter this past year.

A picture's worth 1,000 words After 60 years of spaceflight patches, here are some of our favorites It turns out the US spy satellite agency is the best of the best at patch design. Eric Berger Dec 29, 2024 7:00 am | 0 NROL-61 is the iconic "Spike" patch. Credit: NRO NROL-61 is the iconic "Spike" patch. Credit: NRO Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreThe art of space mission patches is now more than six decades old, dating to the Vostok 6 mission in 1963 that carried Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova into low-Earth orbit for nearly three days. The patch for the first female human spaceflight showcased a dove flying above the letters designating the Soviet Union, CCCP.That patch was not publicly revealed at the time, and the use of specially designed patches was employed only infrequently by subsequent Soviet missions. NASA's first mission patch would not follow for two years, but the practice would prove more sticky for missions in the United States and become a time-honored tradition.The first NASA flight to produce a mission-specific patch worn by crew members was Gemini 5. It flew in August 1965, carrying astronauts Gordon Cooper and Pete Conrad on an eight-day mission inside a small Gemini spacecraft. At the time, it was the longest spaceflight conducted by anyone.Robert Pearlman has the story behind the patch at Collect Space, which came about because of the wishes of the crew. During the initial Mercury missions, the pilots were able to name their spacecraftFreedom 7, Liberty Bell 7, and so on. Cooper had named his Mercury spacecraft 'Faith 7.' But an increasingly buttoned-up NASA ended this practice for the Gemini missions, and when Cooper and Conrad were assigned to the third Gemini flight they considered alternatives. Gemini 5 mission patch. Note the "8 days or bust" messaging on the wagon was covered up until after the mission was completed. Credit: NASA Gemini 5 mission patch. Note the "8 days or bust" messaging on the wagon was covered up until after the mission was completed. Credit: NASA "Several months before mission, I mentioned to Pete that I'd never been in a military organization that didn't have its own patch," Cooper recounted in Leap of Faith, his memoir. "We decided right then and there that we were at least going to have a patch for our flight."They chose a covered wagon design to indicate the pioneering nature of the mission and came up with the "8 days or bust" slogan to highlight the extended duration of the flight. Since then, virtually every NASA mission has included a patch design, typically with names of the crew members. The tradition has extended to non-human missions and has generally been adopted by space agencies around the world.As such, there is a rich tradition of space mission patches to draw on, and we thought it would be fun to share some of our favorites over the decades. Apollo 11 mission patch. NASA Apollo 11 mission patch. NASA The Apollo 13 mission patch is the only other Apollo Moon mission without names. The Apollo 13 mission patch is the only other Apollo Moon mission without names. The Apollo 17 mission patch had a lot going on. The Apollo 17 mission patch had a lot going on.The Apollo 13 mission patch is the only other Apollo Moon mission without names.The Apollo 17 mission patch had a lot going on.Apollo 11The first human mission to land on the Moon is one of the only NASA mission patches that does not include the names of the crew members, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins. This was a deliberate choice by the crew, who wanted the world to understand they were traveling to the Moon for all of humanity.Another NASA astronaut, Jim Lovell, suggested the bald eagle could be the focus of the patch. Collins traced the eagle from a National Geographic children's magazine, and an olive branch was added as a symbol of the mission's peaceful intent.The result is a clear symbol of the United States leading humanity to another world. It is simple and powerful. Skylab rescue mission patch. Credit: NASA Skylab rescue mission patch. Credit: NASA Skylab rescue missionSkylab was NASA's first space station, and it was launched into orbit after the final Apollo lunar landing in 1972. From May 1973 to February 1974, three different crews occupied the space station, which had been placed in orbit by a modified Saturn V rocket.Due to some problems with leaky thrusters on the Apollo spacecraft that carried the second crew to Skylab in 1973, NASA scrambled to put together a 'rescue' mission as a contingency. In this rescue scenario, astronauts Vance Brand and Don Lind would have flown to the station and brought Alan Bean, Jack Lousma, and Owen Garriott back inside an Apollo capsule especially configured for five people.Ultimately, NASA decided that the crew could return to Earth in the faulty Apollo spacecraft, with the use of just half of the vehicle's thrusters. So Brand and Lind never flew the rescue mission. But we got a pretty awesome patch out of the deal. STS-1 mission patch STS-1 mission patch STS-6 mission patch with a clean design. STS-6 mission patch with a clean design.STS-1 mission patchSTS-6 mission patch with a clean design. STS-7 showcases the robotic arm. STS-7 showcases the robotic arm. STS-8 nicely displays the power of the shuttle at launch. STS-8 nicely displays the power of the shuttle at launch.STS-7 showcases the robotic arm.STS-8 nicely displays the power of the shuttle at launch.Space shuttle programWith the space shuttle, astronauts and patch artists had to get more creative because the vehicle flew so frequentlyeventually launching 135 times. Some of my favorite patches from these flights came fairly early on in the program.As it turns out, designing shuttle mission patches was a bonding exercise for crews after their assignments. Often one of the less experienced crew members would be given leadership of the project."During the Shuttle era, designing a mission emblem was one of the first tasks assigned to a newly formed crew of astronauts," Flag Research Quarterly reports. "Within NASA, creation of the patch design was considered to be an important team-building exercise. The crew understood that they were not just designing a patch to wear on their flight suits, but that they were also creating a symbol for everyone who was working on the flight."In some cases the crews commissioned a well-known graphic designer or space artist to help them with their patch designs. More typically they worked with a graphic designer on staff at the Johnson Space Center to finalize the design. NROL-61 is the iconic "Spike" patch. NRO NROL-61 is the iconic "Spike" patch. NRO NROL-39 is mildly terrifying. NROL-39 is mildly terrifying. NROL-49 is downright apocalyptic. NROL-49 is downright apocalyptic.NROL-39 is mildly terrifying.NROL-49 is downright apocalyptic. This one is nice, except for the whole fire wielding thing. This guy doesn't look ominous at all. National Reconnaissance OfficeThe activities of the US National Reconnaissance Office, which is responsible for the design and launching of spy satellites, are very often shrouded in secret.However, the spy satellite agency cleverly uses its mission patches as an effective communications tool. The patches for the launch of its satellites never give away key details, but they are often humorous, ominous, and suggestive all at the same time. The immediate response I often have to these patches is one of appreciation for the design, followed by a nervous chuckle. I suspect that's intended by the spy agency.In any case, these are my choices for the best space patches ever, perhaps because they are developed with such abandon. The Soyuz TM-24 mission to Mir in 1996 carried ESA astronaut Reinhold Ewald. The Soyuz TM-24 mission to Mir in 1996 carried ESA astronaut Reinhold Ewald. The Soyuz T-6 mission to the Salyut 7 space station carried ESA astronaut Jean-Loup Chrtien in 1982. The Soyuz T-6 mission to the Salyut 7 space station carried ESA astronaut Jean-Loup Chrtien in 1982. Proxima was the name given to ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquets six-month mission on the International Space Station in 2016-2017. Proxima was the name given to ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquets six-month mission on the International Space Station in 2016-2017.The Soyuz T-6 mission to the Salyut 7 space station carried ESA astronaut Jean-Loup Chrtien in 1982.Proxima was the name given to ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquets six-month mission on the International Space Station in 2016-2017.European Space AgencyThe space agency that consists of a couple of dozen European nations has also created some banger patches over the years that both recognize the continent's long history of scientific discoverywith Newton, Kepler, Galileo, and Curie to name but a fewand the potential for future discovery in space.Attached are some of my personal favorites, which highlight the launch of European astronauts on the Russian Soyuz spacecraft to three different Russian space stations across three decades.What I like about the European mission designs is that they are unique and not afraid to break from the traditional mold of patch design. They're also beautiful! The Demo-2 mission patch is iconic in every way. The Demo-2 mission patch is iconic in every way. I love the way the Dragon's tail is shaped like an 8. I love the way the Dragon's tail is shaped like an 8. The "bunny" in this patch stands for BUtch and suNI. The "bunny" in this patch stands for BUtch and suNI. I love the way the Dragon's tail is shaped like an 8. The "bunny" in this patch stands for BUtch and suNI. This isn't a Dragon mission patch, but the SpaceX design for Starship's fifth flight test is too cool for school. SpaceX When you write a book that culminates with a single launch, you've got to buy the patch. SpaceX mission patchesIn recent years, some of the most creative patch designs have come from SpaceX and its crewed spaceflights aboard the Dragon vehicle. Because of the spacecraft's name, the missions have often played off the Dragon motif, making for some striking designs.There is a dedicated community of patch collectors out there, and some of them were disappointed that SpaceX stopped designing patches for each individual Starlink mission a few years ago. However, I would say that buying two or three patches a week would have gotten pretty expensive, pretty fastnot to mention the challenge designers would face in making unique patches for each flight.If you read this far and want to know my preference, I am not much of a patch collector, as much as I admire the effort and artistry that goes into each design. I have only ever bought one patch, the one designed for the Falcon 1 rocket's fourth flight. The patch isn't beautiful, but it's got some nice touches, including lights for both Kwajalein and Omelek islands, where the company launched its first rockets. Also, it was the first time the company included a shamrock on the patch, and that proved fortuitous, as the successful launch in 2008 saved the company. It has become a trademark of SpaceX patches ever since.Eric BergerSenior Space EditorEric BergerSenior Space Editor Eric Berger is the senior space editor at Ars Technica, covering everything from astronomy to private space to NASA policy, and author of two books: Liftoff, about the rise of SpaceX; and Reentry, on the development of the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon. A certified meteorologist, Eric lives in Houston. 0 Comments

2024-12-29T12:09:01Z Read in app Angle down iconAn icon in the shape of an angle pointing down. Slovenia is great for an adventurous, outdoorsy trip. DaLiu/Shutterstock This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? Business Insider asked travel planners what destinations they think will be popular next year.South Asian countries Sri Lanka and Bhutan are catching more people's eyes.If you want a more unique European vacation, plan a trip to Slovenia.Whether you travel frequently or once a year, it can be difficult to determine which places are worth visiting.To help you narrow down your list (or discover something new), Business Insider asked travel planners about the more under-the-radar destinations their clients are asking about for 2025.Here's what they said. Sri Lanka is a bucket-list-worthy destination.Sri Lanka has a stunning array of landscapes. trabantos/Shutterstock Kimberly Denison, a Virtuoso travel advisor and the founder of Denison Travel, said more people are setting their sights on Sri Lanka.The South Asian country is home to a plethora of beaches and rainforests, making it easy for travelers to explore the scenery through engaging activities like hikes or surfing sessions."Most people don't realize how Istria is making a name for itself with high-quality cuisine.The peninsula is known for olive oil and wine. xbrchx/Shutterstock Although the Dalmatian Coast is typically top of mind in Croatia, Molly Arena, a luxury travel advisor at Fora, said to keep an eye on Istria.The region, located on a northwest peninsula of Croatia which also shares land with Italy and Slovenia has everything from medieval towns to beautiful beaches to explore. However, it's perhaps best known for its offerings for foodies."Rising interest in culinary travel fits perfectly with Istria's offerings of truffles, olive oil, and wine," she told BI.It's also a nice alternative to the often crowded European regions of Tuscany in Italy and Provance in France. Bhutan's decreased tourism tax is enticing.Bhutan is a country in South Asia. Framalicious/Shutterstock Bhutan, a small country bordering India and Tibet, offers adventurous activities like river rafting excursions, hot-stone baths, and hiking trails. However, Rochelle Hathaway, a travel advisor at Fora, said the destination is also known for its tranquil atmosphere.One of the highlights of the country is its dzongs, which are fortified monasteries with intricate architecture.Some countries charge tourists a fee to visit and access local amenities, stores, restaurants, and accommodations. That's true for Bhutan, but in recent years, the country has decreased its tax rate from $200 a day to $100 a day.Hathaway predicts this will help to attract more tourists in the new year. Uruguay is a vibrant destination for tourists.Uruguay is a smaller South American country. Claudio Morini/Shutterstock Arena told BI that Uruguay is a hot spot for art and culture."There are many museums and galleries to choose from throughout the Punta del Este, Montevideo, and Colonia del Sacramento regions in Uruguay, in addition to renowned art and film festivals such as Este Arte, Montevideo Art Festival, and the Jos Ignacio International Film Festival," she said.The historic quarter in Colonia del Sacramento is even a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Beyond that, though, the country is also known for its beautiful beaches."Uruguay has one of the world's best beach resorts in Jos Ignacio, often likened to the Hamptons," she said. Slovenia seems likely to attract outdoorsy tourists.Zelenci is one of Slovenia's national parks. TilMaj84/Shutterstock Travelers are increasingly seeking destinations where they feel they can do and see it all. Because of that, Denison anticipates a boom in Slovenia tourism within the next year.Slovenia is fairly small but also geographically diverse, making it easier for visitors to see a lot of the country and its many different landscapes in a short period of time."Boasting mountains, lakes, vineyards, and the Adriatic Sea all in a compact and uncrowded setting, it offers the kind of exclusive, personalized experiences that today's travelers crave," she said. TravelDestinationsClose iconTwo crossed lines that form an 'X'. It indicates a way to close an interaction, or dismiss a notification.

One Georgia high school has gone all-in on artificial intelligence.Students at Seckinger High School learn math, science, English, and history through an AI lens.Teachers say students are more engaged and better prepared for the jobs of the future.Prior to joining the faculty at Seckinger High School, art teacher Megan Fowler's only experience with anything even resembling artificial intelligence was a single graphic design class in college.But as her teaching career progressed, "I just felt like what I was teaching was not necessarily applicable to students' future careers," she told Business Insider.Now, Fowler, who is in her 13th year of teaching, uses AI every day. Whether she's teaching students how to use large language models like ChatGPT as an artistic thought partner, introducing kids to the ethical considerations of generative art, or spearheading AI-centered professional development content for fellow teachers, Fowler has fully submitted to the power of machine learning.Seckinger High School, located in Gwinnett County, Georgia, opened its doors in August 2022, right as AI went big. The public school, with an enrollment of about 2,000 students, operates like any other public school in Georgia's largest school district, with one critical distinction: Students at Seckinger learn all the standard fare math, science, English, and social studies via an AI-embedded educational experience.With outside help from tech partners and community collaborators, including Google and Microsoft, as well as higher ed experts and school district leaders, Gwinnett County Public Schools created an "AI-ready" framework for Seckinger students, replete with six components ranging from technical proficiency to ethics, said Sallie Holloway, director of artificial intelligence and computer science at the district."Our students are making connections to their future that is not as common in other schools," Holloway said.Teachers and administrators at the school see it as their responsibility to prepare students for the jobs of the future, many of which will require advanced knowledge of AI, four Seckinger educators told BI.And it's an approach that is likely to pay off, according to education experts.Bree Dusseault, managing director at the Center for Reinventing Education, cited an Institute for the Future statistic that approximately 85% of the jobs that will be available in 2030 don't yet exist."So, how do we build a school system that is helping prepare our students for this new future?" Students at Seckinger have the option to dive into the AI pathway. Courtesy of Gwinnett County Public Schools How it worksSeckinger staff members explain the school's AI approach using a water-based metaphor. Students can choose to swim, snorkel, or scuba dive in the oceans of AI."We like to say that all of our kids are swimming in AI," said teacher Jason Hurd, who heads the AI career and technical education pathway at Seckinger. "They are exposed to it, have access to it, see it integrated into their lessons across all content areas at school."Next are the snorkelers, students who want to dive a bit deeper into the tech. They might take an AI elective class or join the robotics team.Scuba divers, meanwhile, are the students who opt to enroll in the school's AI pathway, which immerses students to the nuanced mechanics of AI via three advanced courses. These students finish high school prepared to go into a specific field involving AI, Hurd said.AI integration at Seckinger looks very different depending on the class, subject, and teacher.For example, Scott Gaffney, a social studies teacher, uses AI to teach students historical problem-solving. In one instance, Gaffney presented students with an outbreak of cholera in 1854 London and asked them to use AI to map the spread via dot distribution. The students then used AI to analyze the data and pinpoint the nexus of the outbreak to a specific street, he told BI."Gen Z processes information way faster than previous generations," Gaffney said. "It's fun to present them with a challenge and task them to use AI to get the solution."Hurd's AI pathway course covers everything from programming to applied reasoning to ethics."I tell students that some days it will feel like a math class, some days it will like a philosophy class, some days it will feel like a history class," Hurd said. Teachers at Seckinger say students seem more engaged. Courtesy of Gwinnett County Public Schools How it's working so farThe school, which is currently in its third year of operations, is still in pilot mode as the district waits to see what aspects of Seckinger's AI approach are ready to scale and share across the rest of the 142-school system, Holloway said.But the anecdotal results thus far have been overwhelmingly positive, educators said."Kids aren't skipping class as much and there's a genuine interest in how teachers are teaching this content," Holloway said. "It's not a magic bullet, but they really are seeing an increase in engagement."It helps that students at Seckinger generally feel like they knowwhythey're learning something and how it might help them down the line, teachers said.While there was some early community skepticism around Seckinger's AI concept, educators said that parent attitudes have done a 180 in the last three years."Parents want their kids to go here, and kids want to be here," Fowler said.Still in its infancy, the school has yet to graduate a cohort that spent a full four years at Seckinger. Hurd, who runs the AI pathway, said he's gotten great feedback from former students who have gone on to enroll at Georgia Tech. Similarly, Fowler said she's seen some students go on to study digital art or user experience after graduating from Seckinger.Looking to the futurePart of the fun and challenge for Seckinger teachers is staying up-to-date with the rapidly evolving technology. When the district first began discussing the idea behind Seckinger in 2019, ChatGPT had yet to be released. Today, it has over 180 million users."Algebra has always been algebra and will be forever," Hurd said. "But the field of AI is constantly changing.While some schools and districts are taking a hard-line approach to dealing with AI in education banning tools like ChatGPT or Gemini from school servers Seckinger staff are excited to see how their students can use AI to one day change the world."There were once things called Google and Wikipedia that people thought would ruin education," Gaffney said. "They haven't. They've actually sharpened our future leaders."

After 20 years, my husband blindsided me and said he wanted a divorce.Facing a future I never imagined, I booked a solo trip to Belgium, which ignited a new love of travel.Since then, I've traveled to 21 countries, embracing new adventures and discovering new joys."My soul is deeply unhappy. I want a divorce." He said abruptly, with no softening of the hammer he'd just dropped.My husband of nearly 20 years dumped me unceremoniously on an otherwise unremarkable Friday evening in January. We'd spent the day together, running errands and sharing fries at lunch. Sitting down to dinner in our dining room, I'd asked if he was okay. He'd been distant lately, but I hadn't seen this coming.The day after he left, I was on my friend's couch sobbing until I couldn't breathe, while she rubbed my back. "What do you want your next chapter to look like?" She asked.I didn't know what kind of music I liked, let alone how to rewrite a life whose chapters had long been written. For years, I'd let my daughter or husband choose the soundtrack while I rode along, abandoning myself to the roles of wife and mother. When we divorced, I didn't just lose my marriage, my co-parent, my "person," I lost the roadmap to the future we'd planned so diligently, together."I don't know," I told my friend. "I think I want to travel." But I'd never traveled alone, and I didn't know if I was brave enough to do it as a 50 year old single woman.The timing was actually rightThe divorce came at personal trifecta: I had no job, my daughter's enrollment in boarding school left barren the nest I'd feathered, and I was turning 50. Soon after, I returned to the workforce as a school administrator. My job anchored me.With Thanksgiving approaching, I faced five and a half days alone, as my soon-to-be ex-husband had our daughter for the holiday. Hands shaking, I booked a plane ticket. My destination criteria: flight time under eight hours and $700 and a country I hadn't visited. I flew to Belgium.In Brussels, I wandered cobblestone streets bedecked with hanging greens and Christmas lights, watching as workers erected a huge tree at La Grand-Place. I sampled buttery chocolate from artisanal shops and salty frites from stands whose windows opened to the street. I daytripped to Bruges and took a self-guided walking tour along the charming canals. As I wandered, a veil of contentment draped itself over the ache of this lonely holiday.A new year, a new adventureThe following Thanksgiving, alone again and with the same criteria, I traveled to Portugal. On a food tour, I sampled savory salt cod mixed with mashed potatoes; creamy, custardy, pasteis de nada tarts; and ginjinha, a sour cherry liqueur infused with cinnamon. I took trains to the Seussical-like Pena Palace in Sintra, and to Porto, where I learned how port wine was made. Navigating train schedules and solo dining slowly flexed a growing travel muscle.Traveling made me feel empoweredOver time, I grew braver, traveling further afield, eventually finding myself in Kathmandu, Nepal for a writing workshop. There, among marigold leis and prayer beads, I met a community of creatives who became close friends. As we walked in meditation around the watchful eyes of Boudhanath Stupa, in step with the Tibetan Buddhists who held it sacred, I felt at peace for the first time since the breakup.In the six years since my husband left me, I've traveled to 21 countries and my 50s look nothing like I'd imagined they would. I've bathed in thermal baths in Budapest, floated down the Mekong River in Laos, hot-air ballooned above the otherworldly landscape of Cappadocia and foraged for cloudberries in Finland. I've found my footing in the world, choosing adventures he wouldn't have favored. I'm grateful for my divorce. From the wreckage, arose a life more robust and fulfilling than I'd ever dreamed possible.

President-elect Donald Trump repeatedly clashed with Democratic cities and states that adopted policies offering sanctuary to undocumented immigrants during his first term. Now, both sides are gearing up for round two. During Trumps first term, sanctuary cities refused to allow local law enforcement to share information with federal immigration agents or hand over immigrants in their custody. This time around, many are planning to do the same, even if doing so draws them into a fight with the second Trump administration.Trumps so-called border czar Tom Homan, a fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation and a named contributor to its Project 2025 manifesto, has indicated the incoming administration plans to make sanctuary jurisdictions targets for mass deportations. Homan said recently he hopes that local law enforcement will cooperate with requests from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to hand over undocumented immigrants already in their custody, especially when they pose a public safety threat. What mayor or governor doesnt want public safety threats out of their communities? he told the Center Square. Their No. 1 responsibility is to protect their communities. Thats exactly what we are going to do.Most Democratic leaders, however, have made it clear that they will not accept federal government overreach on deportations and that they are preparing to challenge Trumps immigration policies in court. Were not looking for a fight from the Trump administration, but if he attacks our progress, well fight back, California Attorney General Rob Bonta told Vox. Immigrants are such a critical part of who we are who we will be.How Trump targeted sanctuary cities in his first termIn his first term, Trumps crackdown on sanctuary jurisdictions took two forms: attempting to withhold federal funding from them and challenging their policies in court.In 2017, the Trump administration sought to block sanctuary cities from receiving federal law enforcement grants. A number of Democratic state attorneys general sued, including on behalf of New York state and city, Connecticut, New Jersey, Washington, Massachusetts, and Virginia. Three appeals courts reached different conclusions on those legal challenges, setting up a US Supreme Court fight in 2020. After Trump lost the election that year, however, the Supreme Court dismissed the case at the request of the Biden administration.That left the underlying legal questions in the case unresolved. However, Muzaffar Chishti, a senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute and director of its office at New York University School of Law, said that the Constitutions 10th Amendment protecting states rights provides a strong defense for sanctuary cities and states going forward.I dont think the last word on this issue from the Supreme Court has been heard, he said. The 10th Amendment is the best defense that states and localities still have as to why they shouldnt be penalized because theyre not fully cooperating with the federal government.The Trump administration also challenged several California state laws in court, arguing the laws interfered with the administrations federal immigration enforcement agenda and were unconstitutional.One of those laws was the California Values Act, signed by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2017. The law prevents state and local police and sheriffs from cooperating with federal immigration authorities in a number of ways: They cannot ask about an individuals immigration status, arrest an individual on the basis of most immigration violations alone, share an individuals personal information with federal immigration agents unless otherwise publicly available, hand someone in local police custody over to federal immigration agents (with some exceptions), and more. Another California law challenged by the Trump administration was the Immigrant Worker Protection Act, which barred businesses from sharing employee records with immigration agents absent a court order or a subpoena. It also required employers to provide notice of upcoming inspections of workers employment authorization documents, given that undocumented immigrants do not have valid ones. An appeals court ultimately upheld the Values Act but struck down the parts of the Immigrant Worker Protection Act prohibiting record-sharing. The US Supreme Court refused to hear the Trump administrations appeal of that ruling at the time, meaning the ultimate constitutionality of the law remains unsettled. That means Trump could revive and expand the tactics he used to target sanctuary cities last time, and its not clear whether they would hold up in court, setting the stage for a new round of legal battles in the years to come. What Trump could do in his second termTrump is again preparing to punish sanctuary jurisdictions interfering with his immigration agenda. Homan suggested on a recent appearance on the talk show Dr. Phil that the incoming administration would go as far as to prosecute people who attempt to impede federal immigration enforcement. If you knowingly conceal or harbor an illegal alien from a police officer, it is a felony. To impede a federal law enforcement officer is a felony, so dont cross that line, he said. We will present these prosecutions, so you know, dont test us!Trumps advisers are also reportedly discussing reviving and expanding his previous attempt to condition federal funding to Democratic cities on cooperation with federal immigration agents. While his first administration focused on law enforcement grants, some in his circle are hoping to tackle other streams of funding, too. There is a potentially wide range to consider as cities and states get federal money for everything from infrastructure to education.Not an iota, not a cent of government spending, should go to subsidize this, Vivek Ramaswamy, Trumps pick to co-chair his new Department of Government Efficiency, told ABC last month. Not to sanctuary cities, not to federal aid to people who are in this country illegally.Trump would likely be limited in efforts to withhold funding by a 1974 law that restricts the presidents ability to cancel government spending unilaterally. If Trump were able to convince Congress to overturn that law or successfully challenges it in court, however, he would likely have more leeway to restrict funding to sanctuary cities without congressional approval. Trump is also reportedly looking to revoke agency policy preventing ICE arrests at sensitive locations, including schools and churches. He could do so unilaterally on his first day in office.How sanctuary cities and states are respondingMany mayors and attorneys general in blue states have lined up in support of sanctuary policies heading into Trumps second term. Bonta has already pledged to take the administration to court if it tries to withhold funding to sanctuary jurisdictions again.It was an unconstitutional attempt to coerce California against its states rights, he said. If they attempt to do that again, well bring them to court again, and we will argue that our 10th Amendment rights, our states rights, prevent such conditioning of grant funding to us.Bonta also said that any attempt Trump makes to deport US citizens together with their undocumented family members something the president-elect has floated would be unconstitutional and that his mass deportation plan is bound to violate individuals due process rights. Most Democratic leaders have echoed Bontas statements, but there is one notable exception: New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who has expressed willingness to work with the Trump administration on its deportation goals. Adams is reportedly considering working with the Trump administration to target violent individuals. He has insisted he would not go further than that, but immigrant rights groups have raised concerns that he might anyway, worried that the mayor will leave New York Citys half-a-million undocumented immigrants more vulnerable to deportation than they were last time Trump was president.Mayor Adams has repeatedly demonized undocumented immigrants, from implying that they can be stripped of their right to due process to using them as scapegoats for his mismanagement of the City budget, the group Make the Road NY said in a statement.Adams told Fox that his legal team will sit down with the president-elects to explore the possibility of an executive order that could override New York Citys sanctuary laws. Those laws currently place limits on information-sharing with federal immigration authorities and prevent the city from honoring requests from ICE to detain people. He also said that his administration is looking into exceptions to New York City law preventing any ICE officer from entering a city government building. That would potentially allow ICE to access the city jail on Rikers Island, as Homan has requested.Adamss posture is a reflection of the changing politics of immigration among Democrats in recent years after apprehensions at the southern border reached record highs and many blue cities strained to absorb immigrants arriving on buses from border states. Under Biden, Democrats embraced a right-wing border security bill that represented a sharp turn from their emphasis on immigrants rights and contributions to the country.This three and a half years of border arrivals left a long shadow on the immigration policy and politics of our country in a way not fully appreciated, Chishti said. To say that we should welcome every immigrant in our city is not where the center of gravity of the Democratic Party is today.While other Democrats arent as vocal as Adams in supporting cooperation with the incoming Trump administration, others havent been as full-throated in their support of sanctuary policies. Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, for instance, said last month that she did not know what would happen in the future to the citys sanctuary policies, even though a spokesperson for her office told Vox that those policies remain in place for now. That tepid commitment suggests the ground may be shifting even outside of New York City.Youve read 1 article in the last monthHere at Vox, we're unwavering in our commitment to covering the issues that matter most to you threats to democracy, immigration, reproductive rights, the environment, and the rising polarization across this country.Our mission is to provide clear, accessible journalism that empowers you to stay informed and engaged in shaping our world. By becoming a Vox Member, you directly strengthen our ability to deliver in-depth, independent reporting that drives meaningful change.We rely on readers like you join us.Swati SharmaVox Editor-in-ChiefSee More:

A new artificial intelligence (AI) model has just achieved human-level results on a test designed to measure general intelligence. On December 20, OpenAIs o3 system scored 85% on the ARC-AGI benchmark, well above the previous AI best score of 55% and on par with the average human score. It also scored well on a very difficult mathematics test.Creating artificial general intelligence, or AGI, is the stated goal of all the major AI research labs. At first glance, OpenAI appears to have at least made a significant step towards this goal. While scepticism remains, many AI researchers and developers feel something just changed. For many, the prospect of AGI now seems more real, urgent and closer than anticipated. Are they right?Generalisation and intelligence To understand what the o3 result means, you need to understand what the ARC-AGI test is all about. In technical terms, its a test of an AI systems sample efficiency in adapting to something new how many examples of a novel situation the system needs to see to figure out how it works. An AI system like ChatGPT (GPT-4) is not very sample efficient. It was trained on millions of examples of human text, constructing probabilistic rules about which combinations of words are most likely.The result is pretty good at common tasks. It is bad at uncommon tasks, because it has less data (fewer samples) about those tasks. Until AI systems can learn from small numbers of examples and adapt with more sample efficiency, they will only be used for very repetitive jobs and ones where the occasional failure is tolerable.The ability to accurately solve previously unknown or novel problems from limited samples of data is known as the capacity to generalise. It is widely considered a necessary, even fundamental, element of intelligence. Grids and patterns The ARC-AGI benchmark tests for sample efficient adaptation using little grid square problems like the one below. The AI needs to figure out the pattern that turns the grid on the left into the grid on the right.An example task from the ARC-AGI benchmark test. ARC Prize Each question gives three examples to learn from. The AI system then needs to figure out the rules that generalise from the three examples to the fourth. These are a lot like the IQ tests sometimes you might remember from school.Weak rules and adaptation We dont know exactly how OpenAI has done it, but the results suggest the o3 model is highly adaptable. From just a few examples, it finds rules that can be generalised. To figure out a pattern, we shouldnt make any unnecessary assumptions, or be more specific than we really have to be. In theory, if you can identify the weakest rules that do what you want, then you have maximised your ability to adapt to new situations. What do we mean by the weakest rules? The technical definition is complicated, but weaker rules are usually ones that can be described in simpler statements.In the example above, a plain English expression of the rule might be something like: Any shape with a protruding line will move to the end of that line and cover up any other shapes it overlaps with. Searching chains of thought? While we dont know how OpenAI achieved this result just yet, it seems unlikely they deliberately optimised the o3 system to find weak rules. However, to succeed at the ARC-AGI tasks it must be finding them. We do know that OpenAI started with a general-purpose version of the o3 model (which differs from most other models, because it can spend more time thinking about difficult questions) and then trained it specifically for the ARC-AGI test. French AI researcher Francois Chollet, who designed the benchmark, believes o3 searches through different chains of thought describing steps to solve the task. It would then choose the best according to some loosely defined rule, or heuristic.This would be not dissimilar to how Googles AlphaGo system searched through different possible sequences of moves to beat the world Go champion. You can think of these chains of thought like programs that fit the examples. Of course, if it is like the Go-playing AI, then it needs a heuristic, or loose rule, to decide which program is best.There could be thousands of different seemingly equally valid programs generated. That heuristic could be choose the weakest or choose the simplest. However, if it is like AlphaGo then they simply had an AI create a heuristic. This was the process for AlphaGo. Google trained a model to rate different sequences of moves as better or worse than others.What we still dont know The question then is, is this really closer to AGI? If that is how o3 works, then the underlying model might not be much better than previous models. The concepts the model learns from language might not be any more suitable for generalisation than before. Instead, we may just be seeing a more generalisable chain of thought found through the extra steps of training a heuristic specialised to this test. The proof, as always, will be in the pudding. Almost everything about o3 remains unknown. OpenAI has limited disclosure to a few media presentations and early testing to a handful of researchers, laboratories and AI safety institutions. Truly understanding the potential of o3 will require extensive work, including evaluations, an understanding of the distribution of its capacities, how often it fails and how often it succeeds.When o3 is finally released, well have a much better idea of whether it is approximately as adaptable as an average human. If so, it could have a huge, revolutionary, economic impact, ushering in a new era of self-improving accelerated intelligence. We will require new benchmarks for AGI itself and serious consideration of how it ought to be governed. If not, then this will still be an impressive result. However, everyday life will remain much the same. Michael Timothy Bennett, PhD Student, School of Computing, Australian National University and Elija Perrier, Research Fellow, Stanford Center for Responsible Quantum Technology, Stanford UniversityThis article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

ZAOZUO ARCHITECTURE Office / ZAOZUO ARCHITECTURE STUDIOSave this picture! Qingshan WuOffices InteriorsHangzhou , ChinaArchitects: ZAOZUO ARCHITECTURE STUDIOAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:139 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2024 PhotographsPhotographs:Qingshan Wu Lead Architects: Shen Yue, Dai Wenzhu More SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Ordinary Space:Our studio is a square box of around 100 square meters. It is located in an ordinary office building on an average street, connected by a typical corridor. The interior is square and orderly, with every corner clearly visible. The only exception is a small area with a lowered ceiling due to the overhead pipes, which is the only "special scale" in the entire office.Save this picture!Save this picture!Scenic Arrangement in the Tray:In the face of this ordinary, even somewhat "boring," office, we felt the need to do something to make it more interesting. "Scenic arrangement in the tray" is one method we considered. But to arrange the scene, we first needed to establish some rules, which begin with the order of the space: unified entry and exit, separation with partitions, and "two talks, one tea."Save this picture!Save this picture!Inside and Outside the Door Pavilion:"Unified entry and exit" refers to our door. Since the corridor opposite directly faces our neighbor, to avoid direct sight lines, we placed a "door pavilion" here. The reason it's called a "pavilion" is because it has a roof above, defined boundaries on all sides, and a turning point for entry and exit. To reduce the heavy ceremonial feeling of "going to work," we used a hidden framed glass door embedded in the wall to seal the boundary, and a non-locking semi-transparent wooden door as the actual entry point, which is usually kept open.Save this picture!Save this picture!Crossing, Mutual Gazing, and Separation:The concept of "separation" stems from two common office needs: "Am I looking for a colleague? Or am I heading outside?" The two flow paths are divided by a set of movable, low bookshelves, along with changes in the flooring. We call this arrangement the "Ridge Island." When this set of bookshelves is moved to the periphery, the ridge disappears, leaving only the island. The center becomes a spacious open area, ideal for organizing small sharing sessions.Save this picture!Save this picture!"Separation" leads to distinct work areas for team members and their managers. The "partition" between them is a corridor for placing various materials. Materials are a critical component in design work, influencing and shaping our thoughts about a space. Thus, we align this corridor opposite the "door pavilion," creating a cross axis with the "ridge," in order to achieve the highest sense of ritual. We call this "The Corridor of Wealth."Save this picture!Save this picture!The upper part of the corridor is transparent, minimizing its impact on the interior lighting. The waistline naturally becomes the vertical dividing line for the entire studio's facade: the lower part consists of a wooden surface wall made from marine boards and perforated panels, offering visual privacy for focused work, creating a sense of stability and convenience. The upper part is composed of white walls, transparent sunlight panels, and light wooden structures, forming a permeable yet cohesive facade, allowing sightlines to traverse the space. This way, the studio, though not large, doesn't feel cramped or narrow due to the spatial separation.Save this picture!Save this picture!"Stealing Light through the Wall":"Two talks and one tea" refers to the conference room, phone booth, and tea bar, which are subsidiary areas within the daily office layout. The two "talks" are spaces designated for complete communication, so we positioned them in the area with the "special scale." This space, marked by a lowered ceiling and movable wooden doors, is separated from the main office area. Due to privacy requirements, the phone booth is further isolated within this space, creating a "box within a box within a box" effect. The phone booth is the darkest spot in the entire office, but its exterior faces the equipment platform. To solve this, we created what we call an air conditioning duct hole, a literal version of "stealing light through the wall." Thus, this booth is named the "Light-Stealing Booth."Save this picture!Save this picture!As a public space, the office needs to find a balance between personal privacy and communication. Through this bonsai-style design, we hope to present the space in a way that both gains recognition and allows for freedom.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessProject locationAddress:Jiayuan Ginza, No.949 Moganshan Road, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, ChinaLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this officeMaterialsWoodGlassMaterials and TagsPublished on December 29, 2024Cite: "ZAOZUO ARCHITECTURE Office / ZAOZUO ARCHITECTURE STUDIO" 29 Dec 2024. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1024960/zaozuo-architecture-office-zaozuo-architecture-studio&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save? / 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