At University of Texas at Austins Mebane Gallery, a group show organized by Kyriakos Kyriakou and Sofia Krimizi compiles drawings which meditate on the micro-urban archipelago, a condition which makes up much of the American hinterland, curators said. The exhibition, Micropolitan American, opened today, January 9.The project builds upon years of research and teaching by Kyriakou and Krimizi, both Greek architects. Kyriakou teaches at UT Austin, and Krimizi at Londons Architectural Association. Micropolitan Americas conceptual point of departure is a famous 1976 cartoon by Saul Steinberg. The drawing, View of the World from 9th Avenue, which featured on the cover of The New Yorker, showed what middle America looks like from the lush, perhaps distorted view of Manhattan and its people.In Steinbergs drawing, vast terrain is compressed: Beyond the Hudson River, everywhere between Chicago, the U.S.-Mexico border, and Los Angeles is shown as one homogenous landmass. This was meant as a commentary on the elitist gaze and sheer apathy many New Yorkers seemingly have in what happens in the so-called fly over states.(Saul Steinberg/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain)At Mebane Gallery, with Micropolitan America, Kyriakou and Krimizi were interested in flipping this paradigm on its head. Micropolitan America offers an alternative construction of this perspective, shifting the lens away from the vast, formless megalopolis, and positioning it on the archipelago of micro-urban clusters rendered invisible in the hyper-context of the urbanized American countryside, curators said. Turning our gaze on the miniature cities of the American hinterland, the curators continued, we see the social, political, economic and environmental fissures produced by the deployment of planetary networks of capitalist urbanization.Toward that end, Kyriakou and Krimizi collected student drawings in line with this mission by Zeke Jones, Lexi Blanton, and others, as well as works by UT Austin grads including AN contributor Davis Richardson.Projection Drawing by Zeke Jones and Lexi Benton (Courtesy UT Austin)Students from Texas Tech University and University of Houston also contributed drawings. These works reflect on the current reality in the hinterland and project, distort, or accelerate it into absurd yet familiar fantasies found within abstract futures, the curatorial statement adds.To make their drawings, students set off on many road trips; they were encouraged to document their journeys, and the fears, paranoia, and paradoxes they encountered, but also the things which gave them hope; not unlike what Bob Venturi and Denise Scott Brown did a few decades back in Vegas.An opening talk for Micropolitan Americawill take place on January 17, and the show will stay open through February 14.

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Deleting Facebook suddenly goes viralAFP via Getty ImagesAnother interesting week for Meta, as the response to its sudden decision to abandon the use of independent fact checkers on Facebook raises hackles worldwide. Starting in the US, we are ending our third party fact-checking program and moving to a Community Notes model, CEO Mark Zuckerberg posted on Tuesday, with his new plan to adopt the same form of audience monitoring that Elon Musk has introduced to X (formerly Twitter).But less than 48-hours later, as first noticed by TechCrunch, the move prompted a viral surge in Google searches for how to cancel and delete Facebook, Instagram, and Threads accounts. The website described the data pulled from Google Trends as explosive, noting that the consequences of Metas new policies could have serious implications for the types of posts, hateful and violent speech, and misinformation that can spread even faster than they already do.Commenting on the surge, Gizmodo noted that apparently not everyone is ready to live in a post-truth world... Fittingly, Facebook competitors are also seeing a spike in interest. Bluesky saw a nearly 1,000% increase in searches during the same period that saw people looking to exit the Meta-verse of social apps.According to TechCrunch, the backlash has been swift. Interest in searches related to getting off Meta platforms soared this week, particularly in the last two days. Google searches for terms like how to permanently delete facebook hit a maximum score of 100 the highest level of interest possible on Google Trends.MORE FOR YOUDeleting Facebook or not has been a recurring theme over the years, as the company has built a social media empire that touches more than half the worlds population. But it has survived backlash after backlash,. as various parts of its algorithmic-driven data harvesting have come under increasing scrutiny. But ultimately users need their fix and there are not really any alternatives and there will be even less if TikTok is actually banned in the U.S.Its time to get back to our roots around free expression, Zuckerberg explained, adding that he started building social media to give people a voice. Moving forward, Facebook will see the same community notes weve seen work on X where they empower their community to decide when posts are potentially misleading and need more context, and people across a diverse range of perspectives decide what sort of context is helpful for other users to see.Quite what happens next is anybodys guess but pushing responsibility for censoring and correcting content back onto the audience and away from the company does resolve challenges around company bias. And with the Trump administration just days from office, there may be some necessary thinking behind all this.I have reached out to Meta for any comments on this sudden surge in appetite for deletion.So, should you delete Facebook? Probably not. Theres little point. It knows who you are, where you live, what you do and who you know. Its trackers underpin much of your internet use, and it has apps for every occasion. But you should definitely check the privacy settings on your devices and be mindful of what you post, search and transact when using its apps or sites. As for community notes versus fact checkers thats probably a case of no right answers and least worst alternatives. The reality is there has always been too much of the wrong content and no-one has yet solved the problem.

Photo illustration of post-it notes with New Year's resolutions in San Francisco, Calif., on ... [+] Wednesday, December 23, 2015. (Photo By Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)San Francisco Chronicle via Getty ImagesAs the new year begins, many of us reflect on the past year and prioritize our goals to reach optimum health and well-being. For some, this means focusing on living longer lives; for others, it means achieving a healthier life.The distinction between lifespanthe number of years we liveand health spanthe years we live free from disease or disabilityis a critical conversation for public health, especially for disadvantaged communities that face systemic inequities.Disadvantaged communities, including rural populations, Indigenous peoples, sexual and gender minority groups, and communities of color, often face disproportionate barriers to health and well-being. These barriers may include limited access to quality healthcare, systemic discrimination, higher rates of chronic diseases, and the stress of navigating structural inequities. The differential risks these communities face shape their likelihood of living longer, let alone achieving a healthier life. Addressing the root causes of these health disparities is essential to creating equitable opportunities for all individuals to thrive.As a public health researcher and higher education leader with three decades of experience addressing social determinants of health, I believe focusing on health span goes beyond semanticsit's about prioritizing quality of life over simply extending years. Achieving this shift requires not only changes at the institutional level but also active engagement from individuals (and people in decision-making roles) who can drive demand for healthier practices and policies.As we envision a new year filled with resolutions, what would it look like to focus on improving health spansnot just for ourselves but for our communities? Here are three strategies we can take, as individuals and as a society, to prioritize healthier lives for everyone.MORE FOR YOU1. Advocate for Preventive CarePreventive care is one of the most effective ways to extend health span. This means each of us scheduling our annual check-ups, receiving recommended vaccinations, screenings for chronic diseases, and health education courses so we can make informed decisions about our health. But access to preventive care is not equitable. Expanding Medicaid, advocating for increased funding in your states legislation for community health clinics, fighting against vaccine misinformation and addressing the shortage of culturally competent providers can help bridge the gap for underserved communities.2. Tackle Social Determinants of HealthThe conditions in which people live, work, and play have an outsized impact on their health. Health should be incorporated into all policies, especially ones that address social determinantssuch as affordable housing, access to quality education, and workplace equity because they can create environments that foster longer, healthier lives. For example, ensuring access to nutritious food through initiatives like nutritious food pantries, subsidized farmers' markets or urban gardening programs, we can reduce diet-related chronic illnesses in low-income neighborhoods.3. Invest in Our Collective HealthBuilding a healthier future requires empowering individuals in every sector with the tools and knowledge to prioritize well-being. For example: human resources managers can invite speakers to educate employees about menopause, breaking stigmas and fostering workplace support. Nurses and medical professionals can benefit from continued medical education on healthier living habits, improving both their own health and their ability to guide patients. Librarians can hold training courses on dispelling misinformation and effectively communicating science, equipping communities to navigate an increasingly complex information landscape. By investing in collective health education, we create ripple effects that benefit everyone.A Call to Action As we navigate this new year, lets resolve to think beyond individual health resolutions and embrace collective ones. For policymakers and for those whose decisions affect many, this means advancing health equity by bolstering budgets for programs that dismantle the systems perpetuating disparities. For healthcare providers, it means delivering care that respects and reflects the diverse identities and experiences of their patients. For voters, we can advocate at local, state, and federal levels for investments in preventative health, ensuring that resources are allocated to promote well-being before illness occurs.Improving health span is not solely the responsibility of policymakers or public health leadersits a collective effort. By taking personal steps to maintain our own health while holding organizations and leaders accountable to support long, healthy lives for everyone, we can ensure that health span becomes a priority at every level of society.Health span is not just about the years we add to our lives but the life we add to our years. For disadvantaged communities that have long borne the burden of health inequities, extending health span is an act of justice, a promise of possibility, and a commitment to equity.This new year offers a chance to reimagine what it means to live well. Lets take this opportunity to ensure that wellness is not a privilege but a rightfor everyone.

Tails helps you to use the Internet anonymously and circumvent censorship almost anywhere you go and on any computer but leaving no trace unless you ask it to explicitly.Tails is a complete OS designed to be used from a DVD, USB stick, or SD card independently of the computer's original operating system. Start on your Tails USB stick instead of starting on Windows, macOS, or Linux. Tails leaves no trace on the computer when shut down.Tails helps you to:Use the Internet anonymously and circumvent censorshipAll connections to the Internet are forced to go through the Tor networkLeave no trace on the computer you are using unless you ask it explicitlyUse state-of-the-art cryptographic tools to encrypt your files, emails and instant messagingTails includes a selection of applications to work on sensitive documents and communicate securely. It comes with several built-in applications pre-configured with security in mind: web browser, instant messaging client, email client, office suite, image and sound editor, etc.If you are interested in giving Tails a try on your current computer without running any risk, please check out our Guide: Running Linux From a USB Drive As a Virtual Machine or Bootable Disk.What is Tails?Tails is a portable Linux distribution based on Debian that combines the Tor network, the GNOME desktop and several other tools to offer a secure and anonymous computer experience.How safe is Tails?Tails is very safe as long as you do not run it on an infected machine. Tails is designed to run from a USB stick on any computer as a completely independent OS. However, if the host computer is infected with malware such as a keylogger your privacy would be at risk.How does Tails ensure privacy?Tails is set up out of the box to run from your computer's memory and never stores information locally unless you configure it to. This means that every time you shut down Tails, the memory is wiped clean, deleting all traces of your work and every new session starts as a blank slate.Can I use Tails to circumvent censorship?Yes, you can use Tails to circumvent internet censorship and browse the web anonymously. All the applications that come with Tails (email, browser, messaging client, office suite) use the Tor network to connect to the internet, so all your activity can be hidden.Online anonymity and censorship circumvention with TorTails relies on the Tor anonymity network to protect your privacy online:all software is configured to connect to the Internet through Torif an application tries to connect to the Internet directly, the connection is automatically blocked for security.Tor is free software and an open network that helps you defend against a form of network surveillance that threatens personal freedom and privacy, confidential business activities and relationships, and state security known as traffic analysis.Tor protects you by bouncing your communications around a distributed network of relays run by volunteers all around the world: it prevents somebody watching your Internet connection from learning what sites you visit, and it prevents the sites you visit from learning your physical location.Using Tor you can:be anonymous online by hiding your locationconnect to services that would be censored otherwiseresist attacks that block the usage of Tor using circumvention tools such as bridgesWhat's NewCritical security fixesThe vulnerabilities described below were identified during an external security audit by Radically Open Security and disclosed responsibly to our team. We are not aware of these attacks being used against Tails users until now.These vulnerabilities can only be exploited by a powerful attacker who has already exploited another vulnerability to take control of an application in Tails.If you want to be extra careful and used Tails a lot since January 9 without upgrading, we recommend that you do a manual upgrade instead of an automatic upgrade.Prevent an attacker from installing malicious software permanently. (#20701)In Tails 6.10 or earlier, an attacker who has already taken control of an application in Tails could then exploit a vulnerability in Tails Upgrader to install a malicious upgrade and permanently take control of your Tails.Doing a manual upgrade would erase such malicious software.Prevent an attacker from monitoring online activity. (#20709 and #20702)In Tails 6.10 or earlier, an attacker who has already taken control of an application in Tails could then exploit vulnerabilities in other applications that might lead to deanonymization or the monitoring of browsing activity:In Onion Circuits, to get information about Tor circuits and close them.In Unsafe Browser, to connect to the Internet without going through Tor.In Tor Browser, to monitor your browsing activity.In Tor Connection, to reconfigure or block your connection to the Tor network.Prevent an attacker from changing the Persistent Storage settings. (#20710)New featuresDetection of partitioning errorsSometimes, the partitions on a Tails USB stick get corrupted. This creates errors with the Persistent Storage or during upgrades. Partitions can get corrupted because of broken or counterfeit hardware, software errors, or physically removing the USB stick while Tails is running.Tails now warns about such partitioning errors earlier. For example, if partitioning errors are detected when there is no Persistent Storage, Tails recommends that you reinstall or use a new USB stick.Changes and updatesUpdate Tor Browser to 14.0.4.Update Thunderbird to 128.5.0esr.Remove support for hardware wallets in Electrum. Trezor wallets stopped working in Debian 12 (Bookworm), and so in Tails 6.0 or later.Disable GNOME Text Editor from reopening on the last file. (#20704)Add a link to the Tor Connection assistant from the menu of the Tor status icon on the desktop.Make it easier for our team to find useful information in WhisperBack reports.For more details, read our changelog.Tails 6.8.1 Release notesNew featuresFile system repair when unlocking the Persistent StorageWhen the file system of the Persistent Storage has errors, Tails now offers you to repair the file system when unlocking from the Welcome Screen.Because not all file system errors can be safely recovered this way, we wrote comprehensive documentation on how to recover data from the Persistent Storage using complementary techniques.Changes and updatesUpdate Tor Browser to 13.5.6.Improve the notification when a network interface is disabled because MAC address anonymization failed.Fixed problemsIncrease the maximum waiting time to 8 minutes when unlocking the Persistent Storage before returning an error. (#20475)Hide shown password while unlocking Persistent Storage. (#20498)Better handle failures in when sending WhisperBack error messages:Fix input fields when Tails is not connected to Tor. (#19731)Fix accessibility of input fields with screen reader. (#19903)For more details, read our changelog.

html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd" Table of ContentsTable of ContentsTech-savvy design remains unchangedInterior is still just a screen and a steering wheelUX is TBDDriver assist could make the differenceWhat does this add up to?The Sony car is almost here. After its creation via a joint venture with Honda in 2022 and two years worth of prototypes, the electronics giants Afeela brand is finally taking reservations for its first electric vehicle, with deliveries scheduled to start in 2026.But will it be worth the wait? Coinciding with the opening of reservations, Sony Honda Mobility brought updated prototypes of the Afeela 1 (as its now officially known) to CES 2025, representing what California customers (Afeela is only taking reservations in that state) who put down a $200 refundable deposit can expect when they take delivery.Recommended VideosThis gave me the opportunity to finally sit behind the wheel of the Afeela 1, and while I wasnt able to drive it out of Afeelas booth in the cavernous Las Vegas Convention Center, I did get to experience some of the tech features that are really supposed to set this car apart from other EVs. But that still left a lot of questions.RelatedSony Honda MobilityIn contrast to the many startups that have cannonballed into the EV pool in the wake of Tesla, Sony has taken a slow and methodical approach to launching its first car. It announced that intention at CES 2020 with the Vision S concept, an electric sedan much like the Afeela 1. It followed that up with the Vision S-02, an SUV, before teaming up with Honda and then announcing the Afeela brand at CES 2023.That makes this the third time Afeela has shown the car it plans to sell at CES, although 2023s version was more like a concept car, with a broad-strokes indication of the design direction and planned features. Afeela brought a more refined version to CES 2024, and made few apparent changes to the version shown at CES this year.The near-production-ready version maintains a rounded, computer-mouse shape.The near-production-ready version sitting under spotlights and behind ropes at CES 2025 maintains the rounded, computer-mouse shape Afeela has used all along. It also retains the media bar, a projection surface where the grille would normally be that lets drivers display cutesy messages like Have a nice day or PlayStation video-game wallpaper, as well as a bump in the center of the roof for a lidar unit. However, its now flanked by two cameras angled to either side for maximum field of view. Theyre among 40 sensors for the Afeelas driver-assist features.Inside, its hard to spot any differences from last years prototype. The screen spans the dashboard and spills onto the doors. Its mounted high to keep it closer to the drivers line of sight, and Afeela employed a yoke-shaped steering wheel to further maximize visibility.Sony Honda MobilityIts now safe to say that this really is the setup Afeela plans to go to production with, and at first glance it has some good points. I found it easy to glance at even the far-right parts of the screen without tilting my head down or to the side, which explains why this design is being adopted not just by Afeela but by traditional automakers. Fords version debuted on the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus luxury SUV, and BMW announced its Panoramic iDrive display for future EVs at this years CES.Like Ford and BMW, Afeela plans to offer in-vehicle video streaming and gaming but with Sony content. You can even bring along your PlayStation controller and play Ghost of Tsushima or Gran Turismo while you wait for your car to charge.The screen is the only premium-feeling thing in this nearly $90,000 car.The Afeela 1 cabin also feels like it was designed around the screen. Its the only premium-feeling thing in this nearly $90,000 car, with impressive graphics and a bezel-less design that minimizes the split between the different segments of the display. That contrasts a cabin that otherwise has no points of interest.The dashboard display also has small winglets that project video from exterior cameras. Automakers like Audi have been trying to bring this tech to the U.S. for years, mainly for the aerodynamic benefit of replacing drag-inducing side mirrors with small camera pods, but have faced regulatory roadblocks. But Afeela just kept the conventional mirrors, sidestepping those issues, but also making the cameras unnecessary.Sony Honda MobilityThe interior really comes alive once you start engaging with some of the features on the screen. Changing the background also changes the ambient lighting, and an audio system utilizing Sony 360 Spatial Sound Technologies produces an impressive 3D effect whether youre listening to streaming audio or watching anime on Crunchyroll. I did a bit of both with in-car apps that didnt require connecting a phone.What I couldnt do was get a good sense of how well the cars voice assistant worked because it, well, didnt. That, along with a navigation system that refused to load, were reminders that the cars Afeela brought to CES 2025 are still prototypes.This was particularly inopportune, because without any demonstration of different features or better comprehension, Afeelas voice assistant appears similar to whats already available from Audi, BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes-Benz. Like those features, its designed to help drivers access basic vehicle functions, while responding to commands in a conversant manner. Unless it proves vastly superior in production cars, this wont be much of a distinguisher from established brands.Sony Honda MobilityIts a similar story with the advanced driver-assistance system Sony designed for this car. This will be one of the Afeela 1s marquee features, if for no other reason than that the screen-dominated interior could be a distracting hazard otherwise.The cars 40 sensors should at least offer good reliability. The number of sensors creates redundancy, and the mix of sensor types (radar, lidar, camera, and ultrasonic) follows the industry-standard protocol of overlapping capability to ensure there are no weak spots. It will also be interesting to see if Afeela has truly integrated its lidar, unlike Volvo, which started selling EX90 electric SUVs without activating their roof-mounted lidar units.The cars 40 sensors should at least offer good reliability, creating redundancy.Initially, though, Afeela only plans to offer Level 2 automation, meaning drivers can take their hands off the wheel but must keep their eyes on the road. A monitoring sensor mounted above the screen in the center of the dashboard checks for this, just as it does in the Level 2 General Motors Super Cruise and Ford Blue Cruise systems already deployed in the U.S. The goal is to move up to Level 3 allowing for eyes-off driving in some situations in the future.Even Level 3 isnt unprecedented. Mercedes-Benz brought its Drive Pilot system to market in 2023 (albeit on a limited basis) and Honda announced its own system at CES 2025, which will go into cars built at the same factory as the Afeela. Honda developed its system independently, though, so it will be interesting to see how it compares to Sony/Afeelas.Sony Honda MobilityThat Afeela is preparing to bring the sensor-studded, screen-filled EV that first appeared at CES 2023 to production is impressive. Its just too bad that the rest of the auto industry has already caught up.Nearly every feature of the Afeela 1 from its screen layout, to its ability to stream videos, to its voice recognition and driver assist is already offered or slated to be offered by existing automakers. And as a car, the Afeela 1 looks pretty ho-hum. It should be decently quick, but its estimated 300-mile range is merely adequate and its 150-kilowatt DC fast-charging power rate just isnt good enough for a car this expensive. Its $89,900 base price is higher than that of a Lucid Air or Tesla Model S.A road test could prove that the Afeela 1 is more than it seems. It could handle nicer, provide more seamless connectivity, and more capable driver-assist features than the competition. Otherwise, it may not have much to offer that customers cant already get from other brands. The Sony name only counts for so much.Editors Recommendations

If youve just grabbed one of the affordable gaming PC deals going on, dont forget to grab a monitor deal too. Right now at Walmart, you can buy an LG 27-inch UltraGear full HD gaming monitor for $126. Thats a fantastic price for such a large monitor even this screen normally costs $159. If youve just bought a mid-range or budget gaming PC and you want a good looking full HD screen to pair with it, youll be delighted with this option. Lets take a look at what it has to offer for this great low price.The best gaming monitors are a little different from the regular best monitors, focusing more on high refresh rates and low response times. The LG 27-inch UltraGear full HD gaming monitor has all of that. It has a high refresh rate of 180Hz so it can handle fast-moving action from all your favorite games, from the latest Call of Duty to some fun sessions on Fortnite. Theres no risk of motion blur here. The LG 27-inch UltraGear full HD gaming monitor also has support for AMD FreeSync, which further helps matters.For color, youll appreciate the Black Stabilizer mode. It also has HDR10 support, which provides dramatic color and contrast. Its response time is 5ms, which is fairly respectable for this price range. Theres also a 3,000:1 contrast ratio, Dynamic Action Sync, a crosshair, and motion blur reduction technology. The latter improves the response time to 1ms when in effect.RelatedFor looks, theres a virtually borderless design on three of its sides, and ports-wise you get two HDMI ports, one DisplayPort, and H/P out. It also has on-screen controls to help you change anything up. That allows you to pick between gamer, FPS, or RTS modes so you can enjoy optimized settings with minimal hassle.Overall, the LG 27-inch UltraGear full HD gaming monitor is a great gaming monitor for this price. It normally costs $159, which is still a pretty good value, but its even more affordable right now at Walmart. You can pay just $126 for a limited time only, making it super tempting for anyone seeking an inexpensive upgrade. Check it out before the deal ends soon.Editors Recommendations

If youve been thinking about finally upgrading your outdated monitor, the good news is that you dont have to spend a lot if you want a great display. The KTC H32T13 is a perfect example of a budget-friendly option, especially now that its on sale from Amazon with a 20% discount that lowers its price further to $160 from $200. This bargain will only be online for a limited time though, and since most monitor deals as affordable as this one sell out quickly, you should think about hurrying with your purchase if you dont want to miss out on the $40 in savings.The KTC H32T13 isnt made by one of the brands youll see in our list of the best monitors, but its a nice purchase, as you can see from its high rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from more than 500 customers. Its a pretty affordable display considering its 32 inches, which is the upper end of our computer monitor buying guides recommended size, and with Wide QHD resolution of 2560 x 1440, youll enjoy stunning visuals with sharp details and bright colors.The narrow bezels of the KTC H32T13 monitor makes working on projects and watching streaming shows very immersive, and its flicker-free technology and blue light filter will keep your eyes comfortable. The monitor also comes with an HDMI port, a DisplayPort, and a Mini DisplayPort for connectivity with a variety of devices, and it can also serve as a decent gaming monitor with its support for AMDs FreeSync and Nvidias G-Sync that eliminates stuttering and screen tearing.RelatedWhether you want to replace your old display or you want a screen to pair with your purchase from desktop computer deals, the KTC H32T13 is a budget-friendly option thats even lighter on the wallet with its 20% discount at Amazon. From its original price of $200, its down to only $160 following a $40 discount. Its not going to stay this affordable for long as the offer is only up for a limited time, so if you want the KTC H32T13 monitor for your PC, we highly recommend finishing your transaction for it as soon as you can.Editors Recommendations

The AI startup launched its first stand-alone consumer app, as the company tries to catch up with more established players such as OpenAI and Google in the generative AI race.

Written by and starring Nick Frost, this film on Shudder follows a familys island vacation amid increasingly grim local rituals.