January 16, 20256 min readThis Supermassive Black Hole May Harbor a Bizarre Star That Refuses to DieStrange x-ray pulses hint at a surprisingly long-lived white dwarf orbiting precariously close to a supermassive black holeBy Gayoung Lee edited by Lee BillingsAn artists impression of a tidal disruption event, in which a star passes too close to a supermassive black hole and is ripped apart. Astronomers studying a mysterious system some 270 million light-years from Earth may have found a black hole-circling star that somehow escaped this fate. Mark Garlick/Science Photo Library/Getty ImagesAstronomers are grappling with a complex cosmic mystery lurking at the dark heart of a distant galaxy some 270 million light-years from Earth. And its resolution could revolutionize our understanding of how black holes feast on matter throughout the universe.Known as 1ES 1927+654 and located in the constellation Draco, this far-off island of stars harbors at its core a supermassive black hole weighing more than a million sunswhich, surprisingly, isnt very remarkable. Most large galaxies, including our own, host such hefty monstrosities at their center. But this black hole has proved extraordinarily strange: the object shocked observers with an abrupt outburst of radiation so intense that it apparently obliterated the black holes corona, an enveloping cloud of whirling, billion-degree plasma, for three months in 2018. The outburst, it was thought, couldve come from a tidal disruption event, which occurs when an unlucky star is torn apart and devoured after drifting too close to a black hole. Many research groups began closely monitoring the system, watching across the next few years as the corona reassembled itself and quiescent conditions returned, until the black hole unleashed more surprisesdramatically flaring in radio waves and flickering with rapid pulses of x-rays.Such a dizzying assortment of dynamic activity is unprecedented around a supermassive black hole and cant be readily explained by any typical tidal disruption event. Eileen Meyer, an astronomer at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, who led an international team in the investigation of the systems radio emissions with the use of multiple telescopes on the ground and in space, recalls her initial impression of 1ES 1927+654 as that of a very boring, faint radio blob. But as she and her colleagues saw more and more strange activity unfold, she realized this [black hole] was weird, very weird. In particular, her teams observations revealed that shortly after its radio wave flare-up, the black hole had belched out a pair of giant, oppositely directed plasma jets traveling at one third the speed of light. This was the first time the creation of such jets had been witnessed in real time, and it was a clear indicator of extreme activity closer in to the black hole. Meyer presented her teams findings last week at the 245th meeting of the American Astronomical Society in National Harbor, Md., and was lead author on an accompanying paper published January 13 in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.If a run-of-the-mill act of stellar destruction wasnt behind the black holes bizarre behavior, what was? A crucial clue could lie in the timing of the black holes flickering x-ray pulses, which were unveiled via work led by Megan Masterson, a doctoral candidate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Using data from the European Space Agencys XMM-Newton x-ray space telescope, Masterson and her colleagues found a telltale pattern in the pulses: an oscillation in their flickering that became faster and faster over two years. The period of this oscillation changed dramatically from 2022 to 2024, Masterson says. We started out in 2022 at an 18-minute period, and by 2024, we were at a seven-minute periodso the period has basically been cut in half. That has never been observed around a supermassive black hole before. A paper reporting the results, co-authored by Masterson, Meyer and others, was posted to the preprint server arXiv.org in January and has been accepted for publication in the February 13 edition of Nature.The most obvious explanation for these x-ray oscillations, the researchers say, is that theyre a clear but indirect signal of a substantial something orbiting very close to the black hole. Its so close, in fact, that it must be plowing through the black holes accretion diska maelstrom of infalling matter made incandescent from frictional heating as it piles up around the gravitational monsters maw. If that were the case, the researchers realized, each flickering eruption would correspond to the object completing one orbital cycle, upon which it would swoop through and agitate the accretion disk to kick out a burst of x-rays. And the curious quickening of the oscillations appeared to be a sign that this objects orbit was decaying, bleeding off energy and spiraling ever closer and faster toward a point of no returnthe black holes event horizonvia the emission of ripples in spacetime called gravitational waves.For Masterson, the next step was simple: I calculated how long its going to take that body to inspiral and be eaten, she says. The math told Masterson that the hypothetical objects final plunge would occur in January 2024. Then, at last, the mysterious x-ray oscillations would stop.But they didnt. XMM-Newton observations of 1ES 1927+654 from March 2024 clearly showed that the oscillations were still going strong; if caused by an orbiting object, their roughly seven-minute period meant the black holes companion was within a few million miles of the event horizon and moving at half the speed of light. No object has ever been observed so close to a black hole; why wasnt this one falling in? Gravity should have ensured its doomunless something other than gravity was at play here, Masterson remembers thinking. And she found one promising candidate in another unexpected area: the physics of white dwarfs, which are compact stellar corpses left behind by dying sunlike stars.If the putative object were a smaller black hole, it wouldve plunged headlong through the accretion disk to merge with its supermassive mateand if it were a normal star, it shouldve been shredded upon its close approach to produce a typical tidal disruption event. But, Masterson and her team realized, if it were a low-mass white dwarf, about the same size as Earth, it could be hardy enough to precariously perch for a time on the edge of destruction. Rather than succumbing to star-shredding tidal forces, such a white dwarf would instead trickle-feed a small fraction of its matter to the black hole. This could offset the orbital energy being lost through gravitational waves, halting or even reversing the inspiral. Essentially its something special that has to do with how a white dwarf responds to losing its mass and how accretion physics play in, Masterson says.This makes sense, says Chiara Mingarelli, an astrophysicist at Yale University, who was not involved in either study of 1ES 1927+654. If the hypothetical object orbiting the black hole were a white dwarf, the undead star would be in some sort of tidal limbo, where it would be starting to get ripped apart a little bit, she explains, emitting gravitational waves [while] slowly spiraling into the black hole instead of just being gobbled up whole.Nevertheless, this model remains at best an educated guess. Its validation could come relatively soon, however, via a space-based gravitational-wave detector set to launch in the 2030s: the European Space Agencys Laser Interferometer Space Antenna, or LISA, which should be able to detect the gravitational waves pouring off a white dwarf in a state of quasi-stasis around 1ES 1927+654. And even if LISA finds no such signature, that null result should help solve the mystery of whats really happening in this enigmatic systemperhaps, for instance, the radio flares, giant jets and x-ray pulses all instead trace back to poorly understood interactions between the black hole and its vanishing and reappearing cloud of coronal plasma.Either way, its an opportunity for us to study this one source right now, and hopefully LISA will find many, many more [cosmic systems that are similar], and then we can study all of them, Masterson says.I was surprised and delighted that theres so much left for us to understand about black hole dynamics, especially accretion-disk physics, Mingarelli says, adding that the potential of LISA to study these environments could unlock many more mysteries about supermassive black holes.Its not just about observing the static universe anymore, Meyer says. Now were at the point where we realize how much of the universe is very dynamicwe dont know whats coming up. There might be something new there that wasnt there last week.

Koei Tecmo's protective about its Dead or Alive IP because the characters are "like daughters"All for naught-y. News by Vikki Blake Contributor Published on Jan. 17, 2025 Koei Tecmo said it has taken "strict action" against thousands of provocative Dead or Alive fanart images because the characters are "like daughters" to their creators.As reported in GameWatch (thanks, Automaton), Koei Tecmo's legal affairs lead, Tomotoshi Nishimura, recently addressed a copyright conference in which he revealed that whilst the company was pragmatic and even supportive of "otaku" fan culture, it had no choice but to issue copyright strikes against amateur images that are created for, uh, "adult purposes".To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart 9 have been revealed - but questions remain.Watch on YouTubeAnd the scale is not to be sneezed at, either.Whilst it would be impractical for Koei Tecmo to pursue every inappropriate image, Nishimura said that the legal team takes action against 2000-3000 doujinshi - the sale of self-published works based on existing franchises and characters - every year. That's despite the fact the latest game in the series, Dead or Alive 6, was released six years ago in 2019.With an all-new instalment called Venus Vacation Prism: Dead or Alive Xtreme expected later this year, however, Nishimura is probably expecting a few more naughty images than usual.At the same copyright conference, an attorney for Nintendo discussed the company's stance on emulation and what it considers to be illegal, according to Japanese law.

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here Contents hide The Call of Duty franchise is synonymous with giving players plenty of cosmetics to personalise their favourite Operators with. Whether its Frank Woods or Maya from Black Ops 6 Zombies, the majority of characters have all kinds of skins that are available to unlock or purchase from the in-game store, some of which are obviously pay-to-lose.In late 2024, Treyarch doubled down on creating crazy skins that dont fit the aesthetic of the early 1990s. Instead of listening to fans who prefer more realistic designs, the developer is continuing to release all kinds of strange skins that look out of place on the virtual battlefield.Black Ops 6 adds chicken skinThe latest unusual skin making its way to Black Ops 6 and Warzone features as part of the Dead Ops Arcade store bundle. Rather than featuring an outfit inspired by the time period, players have the ability to load into matches as an 8-bit chicken.Along with the pixelated head, the outfit is inspired by a space suit complete with tubes, harnesses and a backpack containing a wooden spoon sticking out.Its as far from Call of Dutys default aesthetic as you can get. Well, outside of bright pink Nicki Minaj running through the game.With the bundle featuring the Dead Ops Arcade name, fans of the mode from previous Black Ops games are hoping the arrival of the bundle is a sign Treyarch is considering adding it back as part of the Black Ops 6 Zombies offering.Where is the realism?Other than the name, fans are far from happy with another unorthodox design appearing in the store. Many believe the designs are getting increasingly worse but despite the criticism, Treyarch is continuing to ignore the haters and launch cosmetics that are bound to divide opinion.As the Black Ops 6 developer continues to launch some of the most unusual skins ever seen in Call of Duty, fans of more realistic outfits will have to wait a little longer for them to arrive. Weve already seen dragon knights and glowing X-ray skins, what else does Treyarch have in store? Only time will tell.For more CoD intel, take a look at the best KSV loadout along with the best mouse and keyboard settings to keep your shots heading in the right direction.Subscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

Each year U.S. News & World Report releases a list of the best cities to live in the USA. These top-rated locales always include a few big players, like Boston and San Francisco, as well as some surprises, like Naples, Florida, landing the number one spot. To determine the best cities, U.S. News considers a multitude of factors, including quality of life, the local job market, value for your money, and the places desirability. And while we agree that all these factors are important in determining where to live in America, wed also throw access to art and design into the mix. Thats why we used the U.S. News list as a jumping off pointzeroing in on the best places for design lovers among them.Before you read on, a little more about the methodology:What is the most livable city in the USA?As mentioned above, Naples, Florida earned top honors in the U.S. News list thanks to its enviable climate and inviting vibes for retirees (it nabbed the number one spot for Best Places to Retire as well). While we can appreciate a city with pristine beaches and endless putting greens, the competition was steep when we factored in design-centric amenities, so we didnt include Naples in our list. However, fellow Florida cities Sarasota and Miami are in our top 18. Both places are only about a two-hour drive from Naples, giving residents good reason to take a weekend escape and see the celebrated Sarasota Ballet or 1920s architecture in Miami Beachs Art Deco Historic District.Cities with the best quality of lifeU.S. News determines quality of life based on factors that matter to Americans most, including crime rates, quality of education, and quality and availability of health care. Ann Arbor, Michigan, received the highest score for quality of life with a 7.7. The next highest score is a 7.4, which three cities earned: Boise, Idaho; Boulder, Colorado; and Honolulu, Hawaii (all of which are included in our design list below). Clearly access to outdoor adventure and first-class cultural institutions is a winning combo for quality of life.Where is the nicest place to live in the US with affordable housing?As part of its value assessment, U.S. News examined each citys median annual household compared to home prices in the area. As youll see in our list, good design and affordable real estate arent mutually exclusive. Housing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is lower than the national average, and as U.S. News points out, only Detroit ranked higher for the most affordable city in the US for homebuyers in large cities, according to a 2023 study. Grand Rapids, Michigan; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Savannah, Georgia, are three other places that landed on our design-centric list and also have housing costs below the national average.What is the number one place to live in the US for design lovers?We chose our top 18 from the U.S. News list based on access to museums, art, cultural institutions, and top-notch architecture. We also considered which cities best fuel creative energy and make the best places to live for designers, artists, and innovators.ADs top cities to live in the USA in 2025Boise, IdahoU.S. News & World Report ranking: #2

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Veilgone?Dragon Age: The Veilguard game director Corinne Busche is reportedly leaving BioWare, having spent 18 years at publisher EABusche, along with John Epler, was one of the main figures responsible for overseeing Veilguard's final push across the release finish line.Image credit: Bioware News by Mark Warren Senior Staff Writer Updated on Jan. 17, 2025 Dragon Age: The Veilguard game director Corinne Busche is reportedly leaving BioWare, having spent a total of 18 years at publisher EA working on various titles.This is according to Giant Bomb's Jeff Grubb, whose confirmation of Busche leaving has since been corroborated by Eurogamer. Rumours of Busche's departure had been coupled with speculation about the closure of BioWare's Edmonton studio, the latter of which Grubb has suggested he doesn't currently believe to be happening.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. "Corrine BuschE, director of Dragon Age, really is leaving BioWare," Grubb's tweet reads in full, "But I don't think EA is closing BioWare Edmonton. Was told there is nothing solid about that part of the rumour." Eurogamer reports that it's heard Veilguard's "commercial performance was not a direct factor in Busche's departure".VG247 has contacted both EA and Busche herself for comment. To see this content please enable targeting cookies.Prio to becoming game girector on Veilguard in 2022, Busche had racked up a total of 18 years at EA, both as part of BioWare in various postitions, as well as working on The Sims series. She and creative director John Epler were key figures on the latest Dragon Age game in the run up to and following its release in October last year."This is a proficient, polished game with certain mechanics and ideas that threaten to be best-in-class," our Alex Donaldson wrote in his review of Veilguard, "In a certain sense, this game has it all - but that all doesnt quite coalesce in the way Id hoped, which leaves features that are deep on paper feeling shallow. Its a head-scratching conundrum."As recently as December 2024, Busche was discussing ideas that could be potentially explored in future Dragon Age games in interviews conducted with her and Epler, saying that tackling the Elven and blighty stuff Veilguard's story revolves around had left her "curious about the other aspects that are less explored and equally as interesting: the nature of the qunari, what's across the seas, what's happening with the titans, the development of the dwarven people".How do you feel about Busche reportedly departing BioWare and did you like Veilguard? Let us know below.

Image: NintendoIn the leak-filled weeks prior to the Switch 2 reveal, we saw increasing incredulity from die-hard Nintendo fans on social media. We won't link specific examples, but you don't have to scroll far before seeing takes along these lines:All these leaks are ruining the reveal! Why isn't Nintendo getting ahead of this?!How have Nintendo f****d this up so badly?!?11We'll be studying this bungled reveal for years to come!Others put the blame squarely on the leakers for spoiling things. Developer Hideki Kamiya vented post-reveal, hoping that leakers "always have poop on the soles of their shoes." From all corners of the Nintendo fandom, there's been a lot of frustration.And we totally understand. As uberfans who have followed 'Switch 2' (hey, we can bin the quote marks now!) developments for years, it's been irritating to see clout-seeking, source-burying leaker wannabes 'forgetting' to highlight that, actually, the reveal trailer in their first tweet is fan-made and not the real "Switch 2 trailer!" And then gaslighting people who complain in the replies. The legitimate leaks are one thing, but mixed in with everything else, it gets exhausting.Being obliged to look at and evaluate every little thing and judge what's coverage-worthy makes things noisier for us than the average fan, perhaps, but anyone scrolling through video game feeds likely felt impatient for Nintendo to just announce the bloody thing. Deploy the trailer, damn it!Confusing frustration and impatience with the idea that Nintendo and Switch 2's official reveal has been 'damaged' somehow by this carnival of leaks is a mistake, though.Image: NintendoFirstly, as we've written before, the basic parameters of Nintendo's next console have been known for a very long time. Long before we saw renders of a slightly bigger Joy-Con or got reliable intel that magnets were being used to attach them, we knew this would be a hybrid console - a 'Switch 2', whatever they ended up naming it.Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa himself said that "Switch next model" would be the most appropriate way to describe the follow-up. It was never going to be some radical, Wii-like reinvention for the company; it was never going to be a big surprise.Anyone keeping an eye on things could have sketched the follow-up to the Switch on a napkin and produced something very close to the end product. It's... another Switch! Sure, it's got some fun new features - the optical sensors and the Joy-Con in general look pretty swish. But brass tacks, it's the same thing, upgraded.The sentiment that accessory makers have ruined the grand reveal ignores news dating back to the last decade discussing the nature of the Switch successor. A beautiful official render might have been preferable to a grainy screengrab of a CAD model, but if the idea of 'just another Switch' left you cold, you'd have reacted exactly the same to the real McCoy, however slick the trailer. The 'damage' was done long ago for fans tiring of the hybrid concept.Image: NintendoSecondly, and most significantly: the Switch 2 reveal trailer is not for you. The dedicated gaming fan reading these words has likely been keeping up to date with industry rumours for years. In the same way the first Switch introduction (ha ha, ha ha, yeah) was made for a larger audience, this trailer was primarily designed to inform casual gaming fans and potential fans exactly what this is.The trailer does that exceptionally well. The original Switch we know and love morphs, part-by-part, into a totally new model. Slap an enormous '2' on the end and there is absolutely zero confusion this time around. The huge, wider audience of people who get their gaming news from the BBC and other non-gaming outlets know precisely what this thing is.But the original Switch didn't leak like this! No, not quite like this, but Nintendo was in a very different spot. Coming off the back of the Wii U, the platform holder needed to change the conversation and make a splash and was quite chatty about the 'NX' by comparison.To briefly recap, Nintendo first mentioned NX in early 2015 during a joint media briefing with mobile company DeNA to assure everyone that the firm was still in the dedicated hardware business. The console was brought up several times between then and the October 2016 reveal, as the messaging sought to distance the new system from the old ("we're not building the next version of Wii or Wii U") and confirmed its March 2017 launch nearly a year ahead of time. NOA tweeted about it and everything.And let's not forget that the basic Switch concept did leak. July 2016 saw articles which nailed what the Switch turned out to be, with mock-up illustrations capturing the hybrid handheld's form fairly accurately. And we were having very similar conversations about Nintendo's tight-lipped approach back then, too.What's the difference, then? Eight years ago, Nintendo absolutely needed to take control of the narrative after the bungled miscommunication that introduced the previous system. Is Wii U a new console? Is it just a controller for the Wii? Can you use two GamePads at once? Those were all legitimate questions Nintendo failed to answer in the Wii U announcement trailer in 2011. The concept was unclear from the beginning to core and casual fans alike.Everyone already understands the concept of a Switch, though. After proving that there's a market for a hybrid handheld and struggling to meet demand with the original system, Nintendo's #1 priority is manufacturing enough units for launch. The messaging? That's easy this time - it's a new Switch, like the one you've been using for years! But better and with a new Mario Kart!But what's it called, though? Image: NintendoThere's no conversation to change this time; the goal was to clearly communicate that this is a totally new system and the slick trailer (and conventional name) achieves that. Are people behind the scenes at Nintendo irritated? Who wouldn't be?! But ultimately it's no skin off their nose if case firms start leaking the thing to people who already know it exists.It's worth noting the explosion of 'leaker' culture across social media over the last decade, too, blurring the lines more than ever between journalists, self-styled 'insiders', and intrepid internet detectives analysing shipping manifests. Mobile phone fans are used to leaks like this; if there's interest around a product that everyone knows is in production, the chances of getting to the reveal without images leaking from the factory are practically nil. That doesn't stop millions of people from buying the iPhone 47.Exciting as it is, even the Mario Kart tease is incidental in the context of an announcement targeting people who haven't been following the ins and outs of motherboard grabs from Chinese factories, people for whom this will be the first look at the new Switch.Image: NintendoIf anything, it's the uncharacteristic lack of 'surprise' with the reveal which has some fans perplexed; we thought there might be another game or two. Rest assured, there'll be plenty of off-the-wall software coming out for the now-conventional-looking console - something on the software and peripheral side to bring the patented WTF surprise and delight. That USB-C slot on the top and the optical sensor in the Joy-Con are crying out for some weird-ass, Nintendo-like experimentation.But anyone who thinks the platform holder's inaction allowed leaks to 'spoil' Switch 2's reveal or that the console's chances have somehow been damaged, ironically, hasn't been paying attention. Leaks didn't do Switch any harm whatsoever. The real question is if Nintendo can capture lightning in a very similar bottle a second time.Do you think the Switch 2 leaks 'damaged' Nintendo or the console's chances? (117 votes)Absolutely, it totally gutted the reveal19%To some extent, yeah20%*shrugs15%Probably not15%Er, no - lack of surprise aside, the leaks had zero effect32% The stop-gap generationThe wait is over!Official details, rumours, leak historyRelated GamesSee AlsoShare:00 Gavin first wrote for Nintendo Life in 2018 before joining the site full-time the following year, rising through the ranks to become Editor. He can currently be found squashed beneath a Switch backlog the size of Normandy. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesNintendo Breaks Silence On 'Switch 2' Image And Video LeaksThe "official" announcement will take place this fiscal yearRumour: 'Switch 2' Will Reportedly Be Officially Revealed This ThursdayThough software won't be the focusNintendo Is "Very Upset" About The Switch 2 Leaks, It's ClaimedFormer employees Kit and Krysta discuss company secretsIs This Our Best Look Yet At 'Switch 2'?Update: Genki had a visit from Nintendo's lawyers, it's claimed

Just ahead of todays Supreme Court ruling which saw the nations highest court uphold the law banning TikTok in the U.S. as of January 19 Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that he had a very good phone call with Chinas President Xi Jinping, which included discussion of TikTok.Though the U.S. president-elect earlier signaled that he is no longer in favor of the ban, after urging the Supreme Cout to block the law requiring the app to be shut down or sold by January 19, his message today did not indicate what he may now plan to do about TikTok when he comes into office.Instead, Trump wrote that he had a good call with Xi and that it was his expectation that they would solve many problems together, starting immediately. We discussed balancing trade, fentanyl, TikTok, and many other subjects, Trump wrote on his social platform. President Xi and I will do everything possible to make the world more peaceful and safe! Shortly after the call, the Supreme Court ruled that the ban will go through. This means the app will be shut down in the U.S. unless its soldsomething that TikTok argued it could not accomplish in the allotted time.Its unclear if TikTok will effectively go dark on January 19 or if it will continue to operate on users devices where its already installed, as there have been reports pointing to both scenarios. However, the Biden administration was said to be considering ways to keep TikTok available in the U.S., even if the ban was upheld.

With a U.S. ban on TikTok set to come into force on Sunday, what do some of the leading 3D printing influencers on the ByteDance-owned platform think?In March 2024, a House Committee voted 50-0 to advance a bill prohibiting app stores from providing users with TikTok, a social media app. The unanimous support for a defacto ban was signed into law in April, with US President Joe Biden inking the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PAFACA). Effectively, Chinas ByteDance received an ultimatum: sell TikTok within the next nine months or watch the app decay.ByteDance has resisted the forced divestiture and intends to shut down TikTok instead. With a U.S. leadership transition also taking place this weekend, the outgoing Biden has reportedly suggested that the returning President Trump administration will handle enforcement of the ban. PAFACA provides for a three-month grace period. The latest Supreme Court ruling states TikTok must be sold to a U.S. company, or it will be banned on Sunday as planned.Reasons for banning TikTok stem from concerns about Chinese government access to user data or using the platform to manipulate the 170 million U.S. citizens who use the video-sharing social network. In 2019, both the U.S. Army and Navy, on Pentagon guidance, banned TikTok on government devices. In the UK, a similar restriction for government ministers was created in 2023, joining some U.S. federal agencies.A ticking clockGeopolitical machinations may now be on the minds of the TikTok users who initially joined to share videos, form friendships, and establish communities. By demographics, the single largest age bracket on TikTok in the U.S. is teens (around 1019), making up roughly 2530% of the platforms user base.The ban of TikTok would restrict my reach, says Ben Pendergast; better known to his 4.1 million followers as itsboyinspace. He aims to ignite enthusiasm for STEM projects and introduce people to this engaging and creative hobby that can foster innovation. Pendergasts videos have over 80 million likes. Pendergast has a stern warning about the bans implications and believes the end of TikTok is just the beginning of what could result in limiting our reach and our capabilities communicating, our freedoms to engage in constructive discussions about both the positive and negative aspects of society is diminishing our opportunities for personal and societal growth.Elegoo is a 3D printer manufacturer that uses the video-sharing network. TikTok has been one of our fastest-growing platforms, with a nearly 60k increase in followers and over 20 million views last year, explains Coco Lee, Brand Director at Elegoo.The TikTok ban wasnt unexpected. However, we are a bit disappointed, as we had planned to invest more resources into the platform, says Lee. We plan to keep investing in our Elegoo account and focus on creating original content. While TikTok has played an important role, its not our only or most critical platform. We also actively create content on other platforms like YouTube. For us, TikTok is primarily a space to showcase our brand, and we havent relied heavily on influencer partnerships there. Our strategy is well-rounded, and were adaptable to any situation.Likewise, Pendergast is also prepared, Im already on every platform and plan to continue; the unfortunate truth though is every other platform seems to make things so much more difficult to find a connection; with TikTok, its super easy to quickly respond to someone with a video response to help solve problems in this hobby. I fear that limitation will distance me from the community I have built over the years.Mike Prior, aka PRIORity-3D agrees, TikTok is a completely different platform compared to other social media outlets. It creates communities with people and brings people together. Ive grinded so hard to get the following I have, and now to possibly have it stripped away, well, it sucks. I really dont want to start over, says Prior, Im going to miss the community for sure. No other app is like this, and without it, creating content [is] not as fun, in my opinion.Itsboyinspace, a 3D printing influencer, at the Anycubic booth in Shenzhen. Photo by Michael Petch.The heat is onProviding a fun user experience and fostering communities are noble goals and not necessarily incongruent with strategiesgrounded in technology and psychologyto keep people engaged, whether through social validation, FOMO, or fundamental human needs such as connection. The cost of leaving a platform must be balanced with the loss of the network. If this ban takes effect, it will be unfortunate as I have made some really good friends using this app. Yes, we will stay in contact, but this app has brought so many people together in the 3D printing community, says Prior.How do platforms encourage such communities? One possibility comes from TikTok confirming it unnaturally pushes content in a way that is not based on a users preference via a heating tool. Potentially, such a boosting tool could be used to build niche communities on the platform. For example, perhaps stamp collectors had a large volume of content creators on a rival video platform. Applying the heating tool to a fortunate philatelist can boost views and likes via inclusion in the widely viewed for you feed. In turn, this may lure new creators from the stamp community laboring under the misapprehension that they too will be showered with a bonanza of likes by replicating the chosen content of the anointed one.Critics have categorized the work done by a significant number of content creators who spend time and money making videos but reap little monetary benefit as playbor. Instead, the unpaid workforce provides a nearly endless supply of material for free, while the platform hordes the rewards.Algorithmeddon: recommendation engines reshape realitySocial Media is a mess, and by no means does ByteDance stand alone when it comes to egregious activities enabled by these platforms. On TikTok, mainstays of journalism sit alongside news influencers who sometimes take the work done by reporters, reformat, and share, often without attribution. I get most of my news from TikTok. From political news to world news, I find that TikTok makes it more accessible to get this information not only from individuals but from reputable sources like the BBC, says Jack Light, aka Twin Shepherd Printing.Recent statistics show 17% of all U.S. adults get news from TikTok. The appeal can be independent voices that report or otherwise illuminate under-represented perspectives. The concern is a lack of formalized safeguards and fact-checking and the potential for spreading misinformation and disinformation. Ive seen content reported on TikTok that U.S. news agencies havent. I believe a great deal of users are aware of the possibility of the algorithm skewing what content is being shown, but I see this as no different than content control on apps like Facebook, says Light.In my opinion, The United States government sees TikTok as a national security threat not because it is a spy app or malware, but because they cannot control its content, says Light. Mike Prior adds, Its ridiculous to say this is a national security thing because anything you purchase through or from China they have your info. The US would need to completely cut ties and not allow anything from China near the US. Its, in my opinion, a money grab from the government.A plurality of channels to freely exchange information and connect individuals is held as a central tenet of democracy. Defenders of interactive online networks may draw parallels between other older mass communication technologies, suggesting that radio, television, or even the printing press should not be held culpable for the perceived sins of its users. The counterpoint here is that radio, television, and print are not inherently subject to the algorithms of social media and the tendency to amplify certain forms of content via recommendation.Recommendation algorithms of social media are sometimes held up as justification for lighter regulation of platforms. Yet, these mathematical models can be subverted or bypassed entirely, for example, by TikToks heating tool. Algorithmically curated content, be it music, news, or social video, leads to an ever-narrowing experience, according to author Kyle Chayka in his book Filterworld: How Algorithms Flattened Culture.Another concern cited is a disparity between the content found on ByteDances Douyin app, sometimes called the Chinese TikTok, and the version available in the West. While Douyin serves wholesome content, TikTok is the ultra-processed, fluorescent, gas-station cheese puffs.Whether contested allegations that TikToks parent company promoted a biased perspective of China to U.S. users of its defunct news app or spying on reporters will change the opinion of ardent fans remains to be seen.ByteDance could pocket $50 billion should it choose to sell U.S. operations; leaving such a sum on the table has led some to speculate the value resides not in money but as an intelligence asset. The company has a more prosaic reason for declining: to protect its intellectual property. I do not blame them one bit for refusing to sell. No company should be forced to sell something to someone. This is a money grab for the government, says Mike Prior. This whole thing has nothing to do with a national security thing. Its all about money, he adds.Priors opinion is that Bytedance created an empire, and I feel the government thinks they have a right to it because US citizens are using it and thriving.The rationales for using TikTok are as varied and numerous as the reasons for staying off such platforms. The reality that weighs the heaviest on my heart and mental health is the feeling of impending isolation, says Jack Light. I dont just create content for a following. I make content with other creators I have grown relationships with and now consider some of my closest friends. The turbulence of the ban would displace these creators and cut off a vital channel of communication we all have with one another.Given the tendency of social media platforms to rise and fall, some content creators have wisely hedged their bets. This is not the case for everyone: As a content creator, the TikTok ban would basically mean I have to start over on a new platform, says White. I do not have the following on other platforms that I have on TikTok, the brand deals I have established are solely due to my TikTok followers, so I will most likely lose most if not all of my affiliated marketing partners.Who won the 2024 3D Printing Industry Awards?All the news from Formnext 2024.To stay up to date with the latest 3D printing news, dont forget to subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter or follow us on Twitter, or like our page on Facebook.While youre here, why not subscribe to our Youtube channel? Featuring discussion, debriefs, video shorts, and webinar replays.Michael PetchMichael Petch is the editor-in-chief at 3DPI and the author of several books on 3D printing. He is a regular keynote speaker at technology conferences where he has delivered presentations such as 3D printing with graphene and ceramics and the use of technology to enhance food security. Michael is most interested in the science behind emerging technology and the accompanying economic and social implications.

Brought to you by:Architect: KPFLocation: Hangzhou, ChinaCompletion Date: 2024Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) is leading the construction of Westlake 66, a massive development in Hangzhou, China, that will eventually deliver five office towers and a hotel. Seeking to rebuke the citys car-centric urbanism and connect two of its important landmarksWest Lake and the Grand Canal, both UNESCO World Heritage Sitesthe architects devised a pedestrian corridor at the center of the site. The space is defined by a 550-foot-long continuous facade system that wraps the podium of the projects various components, a feature that establishes visual continuity and guides pedestrians through the large site. The urban cell wall, as the architects refer to it, was constructed using modular metal panels that are lined with colorfully glazed terra-cotta, a reference to Hangzhous traditional architecture.Once complete, the Westlake 66 development will deliver 5 office towers and a hotel, rising above a public commercial avenue. (Courtesy KPF)As part of the masterplan, the project needed to create an unprecedented urban facade strategy that would transform pedestrian connectivity across multiple city blocks, respond to varying urban forces, said Jeff Kenoff, design principal at KPF. We realized that the facade needed to be sinuous, yet human in scale, and looked to the ancient walls of the West Lake as a historic precedent for effective urban circulatory infrastructure.The Urban Cell Wall spans across the podium of the developments multiple components. (Courtesy KPF)The composition of the facade modules references the architecture of two important cultural sites in Hangzhou. The proportions reflect the masonry bond patterns present at the Lingyin Temple, a Buddhist monastery located on the outskirts of the city, and the Duan Qin, or broken bridge, which spans the nearby West Lake in the citys center.KPF also connects the design of the urban cell wall to natural structures, such as the hexagonal prisms of a honeycomb or the cellular structure of xylem and phloem, the vascular tissue in plant life. The architects note that the cells within a honeycomb can be repurposed for a variety of uses, including the storage of honey, larva, and eggs. Similarly, the cells at the base of the Westlake 66 development are designed to accommodate a wide range of uses, allowing the architects to anticipate programmatic changes to the development that may occur during leasing. Over the course of the project, the biggest unknowns can often be leasing decisions as well as system changes, all calling for last-minute design updates to the facade, added Kenoff.The composition of the modules was inspired by historic masonry precedents. (Courtesy KPF)Natural metaphors also inspired the aesthetics and functionality of the urban cell wall. (Courtesy KPF)Terra-cotta was selected to line the inside of the metal modules, and was sourced from the nearby city of Yinxing, which posses large clay deposits and has a long history of pottery production dating back to the Song Dynasty. Working closely with the terra-cotta manufacturer, KPF created five glazes for the terra-cotta liner profiles, hues of red, orange, and yellow, that were derived from Hangzhous colorful architectural landmarks.The biggest challenge was matching the colors between extruded and straight segments and cast curved corners, in terms of color as well as dimension, since they are produced with different methods that use different clay substrates, Kenoff told AN. Using parametric and computational methods, the design team simplified the construction of the modules by prescribing 21 unique permutations that include seven exterior metal profiles, the aforementioned five terra-cotta glazes, and four infill panel types. These combinations allow the modules to be optimized according to use, site conditions, and shadingthe later improving the projects energy performance.Westlake 66 is currently pursuing LEED Platinum, China Green Building Label 3 Stars, and Well Platinum certifications.The modules are designed to be roughly human sized in scale. (Courtesy KPF)KPFs podium strategy for Westlake 66 demonstrates how successful advocacy on the part of the architect can improve the quality of public space, even within strictly commercial developments. This case also exemplifies the importance of facade design to such initiatives. The urban cell wall establishes spatial organization, human scale, color, and visual continuity within the larger project, working in tandem with the landscaping and circulation to enhance the urban experience within Hangzhous city center.Project SpecificationsArchitect: KPFExecutive Architect: Wong & OuyangLocal Design Institute: Zhejiang Province Institute of Architectural Design and ResearchLandscape Architect: Adrian L. NormanInterior Design (Retail): The Oval PartnershipInterior Design (Office): M Moser AssociatesStructural Engineer: ArupMEP Engineer: J. Roger PrestonElectrical Engineer: J. Roger PrestonCivil Engineer: ArupLighting Design: Inhabit GroupAV/Acoustics: Campbell Shillinglaw LauSignage/Wayfinding: Dutton Bray DesignTelecommunications: Campbell Shillinglaw LauFire & Life Safety Consultant: Arup Fire EngineeringFacade Consultant: ALT CladdingTraffic Design Consultant: MVA Hong KongGeneral Contractor: China Construction Eighth Engineering Division, Jiangsu Jianye Construction GroupClient: Hang Lung PropertiesFacade Contractor: Jangho Curtain Wall System EngineeringFacade System: Jangho Curtain Wall System EngineeringCladding: Huajian AluminumGlass: CSG, SYPInsulation: Owens Corning