Modern-day smartphones come with a whole host of proactive security features built right in. Scammers and hackers will often try to trick you into disabling or bypassing these safety measureswhich is exactly what a newly discovered text phishing con tries to get you to do.As reported by BleepingComputer, the SMS-based ruse can be recognized by the way it tries to get you to reply with a "Y" to enable a link embedded in the text. The message might also get you to copy and paste the link into Safari.Replying to the message or moving the link elsewhere gets around a key security measure in iOS: Links from senders who are not in your contacts list are disabled by default. The feature is so critical to iPhone security that you can't toggle it on or offit's a built-in part of the Messages app you can't change.Replying with a "Y" (or any other response) makes iOS think you know the sender, and once you restart the Messages app (as the scam text will tell you to do), the link will be tappableand take you to some kind of fraudulent, credential-stealing website.According to the fine folks at BleepingComputer, there has been a surge in these types of messages since the middle of last year. Texts purporting to come from courier companies and demands for road toll payments are a couple of the scam messages that have been spotted in that time.How to keep yourself safeOne member of the Lifehacker team has recently seen a message fitting this description, demanding payment for an outstanding toll bill. The familiar trick of pushing the message recipient to act quicklyin this case to avoid paying even moreis used.It's worth bearing in mind (and reminding family and friends) that even in the best-case scenarios, you should be very wary of following links that arrive over messaging apps and email. Ideally, you only want to respond to links you're expecting: To track a delivery you've ordered, for example, or to confirm your email address for a new account.Even messages that appear to come from trusted contacts can be fakedmaybe an account impersonating them has been created, or maybe hackers have managed to get access to their accounts, for example. If you get a link from someone you know, double-check with them that it's genuine before following it.Note that there are two parts to scams like this: The first is getting you to follow the link, and the second is getting you to enter sensitive information (like credit card details or an account password) on a fraudulent website. Even if you are tricked into following a dodgy link, as long as you're able to spot a spoofed webpage, you're okay: Look for weird formatting, a URL that doesn't make sense, and other inconsistencies.Today's operating systems and web browsers have plenty of built-in protection against phishing sites, soas alwaysmake sure all of your software is kept up-to-date to minimize the risk of getting caught out. And always avoid responding to any message from an unknown and unverified sender, whether it's with "Y" or with "STOP" to supposedly stop future messages. That just identifies you as a potential future target.

If you're a cinephile who misses the old Apple TV app for movie trailers, MoviePass CEO Stacy Spikes knows your pain. So he decided to build a trailer app of his own, one that could easily help viewers keep track of upcoming films. But the MoviePass Screening Room isn't heading to Apple TV devices and set-top boxes instead, Spikes quietly launched it in VR for the Meta Quest and Apple Vision Pro."I'm in VR all the time," Spikes told Engadget in an interview. "And when I saw how beautiful the imagery was in the Vision Pro, and I know Meta is going to catch up pretty quick on optics, I just said 'This is a great way to watch movie trailers.'"When he tried to actually watch trailers in VR, though, it involved searching through YouTube and hoping he actually landed on a high quality version of what he was looking for. So why not launch a trailer app of his own? One that could help everyone keep tabs on upcoming films, as well as eventually make it easier for MoviePass subscribers to book tickets. "We wanted to be top of mind," Spikes said, as people determined which films to watch.MoviePassIn its current form on the Vision Pro, the MoviePass Screening Room is fairly straightforward. Once you launch the app, you're presented with a list of trailers for recent and upcoming films like Sonic 3 and Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning. Select a title, and it begins playing almost instantly. Spikes says he acquires trailers from Nielsen, directly from studios and from the marketing agency PaperAirplane. The goal is to get the highest quality possible in many cases that's just 1080p, but some studios offer 4K options.After perusing several trailers, I noticed that the bitrate and encoding quality looked better than most YouTube offerings (it's particularly easy to see when you're blowing screens up to the size of cinemas in VR). Mostly, though, I just appreciated having a single place to go to find high quality trailers. Exploring YouTube on the Vision Pro is still a clunky browser-based affair, and it's also filled with tons of low-quality videos and fan edits.MoviePassWhen I asked if there's some sort of data collection play with this app, especially since Nielsen is a source, Spikes replied, "We do not intend to go down that path. We see it much more as expanding our own ecosystem. And, you know, when you get into the data world, you're really getting into the advertising world. And that's not the space that we're headed into."Watching trailers has always been a way for me to wind down after a long day. The best of them are more than just ads, they give us a brief glimpse of cinematic magic coming on the horizon. Spikes himself admits that he used to check the Apple TV trailer app "religiously," so it's not a huge surprise he essentially wants to replicate that experience. While the MoviePass Screening Room is only available on the Vision Pro and Meta Quest at the moment, Spikes says he intends to retool it for the Apple TV, Roku and other platforms eventually, as well as add trailers directly into the MoviePass app.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/moviepass-made-a-film-trailer-app-for-the-oculus-quest-and-apple-vision-pro-190822710.html?src=rss

British citizens arent really sure what data centers do more education could increase our trust.

Angie, an HR director colleague of mine, oversees project managers spread across many divisions at a utility company. Needing someone for a large data project, she realized that none of the project managers she knew had relevant expertise, and she began the time-consuming process of recruiting someone new. During a chance discussion with a colleague, she learned there was someone working in another division who had deep expertise in large data projects. Angie was able to connect with him, bring him in to advise on the new project, and knew she could call on him as a resource in the future.This disconnect is surprisingly common across companies. Your organization may be full of talented employees, but Its impossible to harness valuable knowledge, talent, and expertise if you dont know they exist. As a leader, the more you understand what your employees can do, the better you can achieve your organizations mission. Often, the benefits are immediate and significant and include:reducing employees time spent searching for informationminimizing ad hoc efforts tracking down coworkers needed for specific taskseliminating reliance on outside experts to address perceived skill gapsWhile the benefits of making organizational knowledge accessible are clear, illuminating existing expertise can be surprisingly difficultfor several stubborn reasons.Valuable knowledge associated with deep expertise often is tacit. This makes it more nuanced and less tangible, difficult to document and share, for instance, on a LinkedIn profile. Further complicating matters, your organizations structure may have so many silos that you are familiar only with your close coworkers and know little about those in other departments. This issue can be exacerbated at larger organizations, as the person who could provide valuable help may be hidden in another division or another location. For you, its as if they dont exist.As a learning strategy consultant, Ive found that one effective strategy for tapping into hidden knowledge relies on creating an organizational knowledge map. This is an easy-to-access resource that identifies where organizational strengths (and limitations) lie. With this map, employees are able to plan and accomplish their work more efficiently. The knowledge map also can facilitate internal networking among new employees, building strategic connections that will accelerate and contextualize their learning.A knowledge map is not a replacement for concrete, well-documented processes and standard operating procedures. Nor does it replace job descriptions or role expectation sheets. Rather, it augments these, making the valuable, intuitive, unspoken expert knowledge visible and accessible to all. It allows employees to learn from others experiences, while reducing time spent searching for information, doing things that dont work, or reinventing the wheel.Here are five steps that you, as a manager, can follow to create a knowledge map for your organization:1. Assign Clear ResponsibilitiesAllocate someone, or a small team, to be in charge of the effort. Clear ownership ensures that the initiative stays on track. For example, at one company I consulted with, Holly, an HR manager, paired up with her colleague in HR, Sarah, and divided up the initial tasks. They each worked on gathering information from distinct divisionsfield employees went to Sarah, people working behind the scenes in the office were Hollys responsibility. Tasks were tracked on a simple spreadsheet to document their progress.2. Select a pilot groupIf you have a large company, consider beginning with one department. For example, HR director Angie (whose story I shared above) began the mapping exercise with a group of six project managers. This group also happened to be the companys top revenue-generating division. This approach was more manageable, and also addressed a pressing need of Angies: ensuring that she and her team knew which project managers had the requisite know-how to lead which new initiatives.Once you have identified your pilot group, let your organizational chart guide your efforts. Initially, this can be low-tech. For example, L&D director George created a replica of his organizational chart on a large empty wall in his office and added index cards with questions about employees knowledge, experience, skills, and expertise. To get started with populating the map, employees filled out their cards. For bonus credit they could indicate a particular skill or talent of a coworker, as well.Another approach is to mine data from employees self-assessments, rsums, interviews, performance reviews, 360-degree feedback, and skills assessments; this can generate a wealth of information highlighting areas of expertise, achievements, skills, and talents. As you progress, you may benefit from using company-approved AI tools to help organize these data within your map.3. Overcome knowledge hoardingOnce you have mapped the knowledge of one group, the next step is to expand to other areas. Some organizations are more open, with an established culture of sharing knowledge. If thats your organization, youre ahead of the game. Often, though, companies harbor knowledge hoarders. They consider their tacit knowledge as a source of power and may hesitate to share and risk reducing their competitive advantage. Such situationsespecially those outside of your immediate teamrequire careful encouragement, as you cultivate their trust.As a leader you can model and normalize knowledge sharing, which helps employees recognize the benefits of doing so. Encourage your employees to connect with others by showcasing others expertise. For example, you might say, If you want to learn more about how to turn a no into a yes on your next sales call, you really need to talk to Terry. He has tons of experience, and some innovative strategies for knowing the exact moment a customer is ready to hear your sales pitch.Regularly and publicly acknowledge peoples skills and expertise and align knowledge sharing to your organizational mission. Internal Slack channels, lunch-and-learn gatherings, communities of practice, and team presentations are all useful venues for highlighting and celebrating diverse knowledge and skills. At one tech company, the L&D team introduced monthly expert spotlights, featuring employees sharing their expertise in informal sessions; these fostered a culture of openness and trust.4. Collect FAQsHaving navigated the complexities of organizational silos and the potential perils of knowledge hoarding, you will have a working draft of your map. The next step is to gather more data, as you expand your map to include more areas of your organization. At this point, it is effective to collect frequently asked questions. These can help people envision ways they might operationalize the data in the map and also allow people to foster strategic connections with the people best positioned to help.HR director Roxanne was frequently asked who could help employees write proposals for new business. Roxannes knowledge that Melanie in marketing was the go-to person for proposal help was information she could include on a knowledge map, enabling people in need to possibly connect with Melanie.Collaboration tools such as Slack can streamline tracking employee questions and categorizing them by topics. PairUp, for instance, is a tool that helps with analyzing common questions and connecting people to those who know the answer. Imagine that Lily has been asked to create a pivot table in Excel, for example, but doesnt know how to do it. She could ask a question in Slack and see who responds or who is suggested. If someone else has previously asked this question, the response will be easily accessible in the database. Another company used Confluence to compile and categorize their FAQs, making it easier for employees to find answers and identify experts. These messages become a searchable record of knowledge that can reduce the time employees spend searching for information.5. Focus on Usability and Maintain the Map as a Living DocumentOnce you have created your knowledge map, keep in mind that the process is an iterative one. For maximum value, a knowledge map must be a living document that evolves with your organization. Schedule regular reviews to keep your map accurate and accessible. Solicit employee feedback to refine usability and address any obstacles that arise. Check in with employees regularly to assess how easy it is to access the information, and monitor the extent to which they are doing so.

Design studio OMI Collective has created an archive documenting tropical modernist architecture in Lagos, Nigeria. Here, its founder Olorufemi Adewuyi spotlights seven stand-out buildings featured in it.The archive has been created by OMI Collective to help raise awareness of and preserve buildings of this style in the city, with many having been abandoned or demolished.Lagos-based OMI Collective believes that architects have much to learn from tropical modernism and by doing so can "build better"."We think that by learning from these buildings people are going to be able to build better in this context," Adewuyi told Dezeen."I think that from just continuously engaging with the buildings, there's a lot of intelligence to unpack."The archive will also document murals found on tropical modernist buildingsTropical modernist architecture became a common feature in Lagos's urban landscape from the 1940s, as the architectural style spread across colonial West Africa and India. It was funded by the British government amid growing calls for independence in the region.The style saw the fusing of European modernism with details that respond to these regions' tropical, humid climates, including brise soleils and louvres for shading and ventilation.When Nigeria gained independence from British rule in 1960, the use of the style continued, becoming a symbol of modernity, independence and growth well into the 1970s.The collective has created the digital, open-source archive of the buildings with partial funding from the Goethe-Institut in Nigeria. It hopes it can counteract the gradual erasure of these buildings and make education on the movement as accessible as possible.Among the featured buildings are the Trade Fair Complex completed in 1977 and Necom House completed in 1979, currently documented through photographs.Read: V&A's Tropical Modernism exhibition explores "the politics behind the concrete""If architecture in Nigeria is going to really be in a significant place, more people have to be engaged, and we also have to recognise that a lot of people cannot be engaged currently because of the economic barrier," Adewuyi said."Also because a lot of these buildings are now abandoned, and at the same time locked down, people can't necessarily get into them," he continued."By doing the archive, we're basically breaking down that barrier to entry that already exists," he added. "And in that process, maybe we get more people to think really critically about architecture and about maybe even newer modes of presentation."The archive will soon also include building surveys and maps made with photogrammetry, alongside other interactive elements that allow users to "engage with them more closely".Alongside the buildings, OMI Collective has also begun to document decolonial murals often found on the city's tropical modernist buildings.Read on for a look at seven tropical modernist buildings in Lagos:The Western House, 1958, byNickson, Borys & Partners "This is one of the earliest high-rise buildings to change Lagos' skyline."Its vast blue, yellow, and white mosaic facade, designed by Jeanne Mount, is hard to miss and leaves quite an impression."Trade Fair Complex, 1977, by Zoran Bojovic"Commissioned during Nigeria's oil boom, this complex may have lost some of its shine, but its bronze facade still catches the eye."It was designed by Zoran Bojovic and Energoprojekt and is one of the country's most ambitious modernist projects."Independence House, 1960, by Federal Ministry of Works"This 25-storey building, commissioned by the British government to celebrate Nigeria's independence, was built by the Federal Ministry of Works.""Outside, you'll find two bas-relief sculptures by Felix Idubor and a breathtaking mural by Yusuf Grillo in the reception area."Tafawa Balewa Square, c. 1960s, by Isaac Fola-Alade"Once known as Race Course, this 14.5-hectare space sits in the heart of Lagos' Central Business District."Its large sculpted metal gates designed by Paul Mount, now demolished, were a true standout feature."Itiku House, c. 1960s, by John Godwin and Gillian Hopwood and Eric Morgan"Tucked away on a small plot at McCarthy Street, Lagos, is this clunky yet striking building.""With five- to seven-metre-long cantilevered floors on both sides of its service core, it stands out for its bold structural design."Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, c. 1970s, by John Godwin and Gillian Hopwood"This modernist gem at the University of Lagos mediates the undulating terrain it sits on gracefully."It is one of the masterworks of the duo of John Godwin and Gillian Hopwood that continues to inspire."Necom House, 1979, byNickson Borys & Partners "Standing tall at the corner of Marina and Broad Street, Lagos, this 32-storey tower is hard to miss with its steel-on-concrete spire."Inside, there are also two large murals, though their creators remain unknown."The photography is by Olajide Ayeni.The post Seven tropical modernist buildings in Lagos with "a lot of intelligence to unpack" appeared first on Dezeen.

After stealth, combat, and movement, Ubisoft outlined another essential aspect of Assassins Creed Shadows in a new blog post: Exploration. Game director Charles Benoit confirmed that the world map would only contain the names of regions and sketches hinting at locations. As you explore, more details and undiscovered points of interest will be revealed, not unlike Ghost of Tsushima.The overall goal is to encourage more organic exploration. We didnt want to hold the players hand too much with icons and markers. We wanted to craft an open world where information was key and would become a form of reward. This made sense in the context of playing a shinobi and fighting for information, said Benoit.In Shadows, information is something you need to look for and earn, whether through your spies, NPC encounters, or your own eyes. In short, we want players to discover all our cool secrets on their own terms through investigation, their spy network, or by observing the world.This manifests via Viewpoints, a new name for synchronization points. Rather than a large portion of the map, they now highlight points of interest nearby. With Observe, players will hover over said points and tag them accordingly (with familiar locations seeing their names appear). Theres no eagle companion like in previous action RPG entries instead, you must physically move about and Observe things yourself.Viewpoints allow for fast travel, though you need to be mindful some places, like tenshu, could be right dab smack in the middle of enemies. Of course, Naoe and Yasuke have different methods to access each Viewpoint (the former has it easier, thanks to her mobility).There are also kakurega or safehouses, which are small extensions of your shinobi Hideout where you can access the gear stash, view and accept contracts, refill tools and ammo, manage summoned allies, and more. No enemies appear, making them a safer option when fast traveling.Assassins Creed Shadows launches on March 20th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC after facing another delay. Stay tuned for more details on the exploration shortly.

Marvel Snap and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang unavailable in US following TikTok banMarvel Snap developer Second Dinner is "actively working on getting the game up as soon as possible"Image credit: Second Dinner News by Sophie McEvoy Staff Writer Published on Jan. 20, 2025 Marvel Snap and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang were made "temporarily" unavailable in the United States following the TikTok ban over the weekend.Marvel Snap's developer Second Dinner said on social media it and its publisher Nuverse, a subsidiary of TikTok owner ByteDance, were "surprise[d]" to discover that Marvel Snap was affected by the ban."Unfortunately, Marvel Snap is temporarily unavailable in US app stores and is unavailable to play in the US," the developer said. "Marvel Snap isn't going anywhere. We're actively working on getting the game up as soon as possible."Second Dinner has since updated players saying it "hope[s] to have Marvel Snap back online within 24 hours" while "global players should be able to continue to play with no issues."The California-based studio also assured users that it is "committed to ensuring that all players are compensated" for missing out on "time-based content, rewards, and missions."As for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, which is developed by ByteDance subsidiary Moonton, users have reported that the app is also "not currently available" in the US according to Pocket Gamer.TikTok was shut down in the US on Saturday (January 18) following a decision by the US Supreme Court to ban the app due to security concerns.Service was later restored after TikTok claimed it received "the necessary clarity and assurance" from president elect Donald Trump that its service providers "will face no penalties" for reinstating the app.

The university plans to close its RIBA Part 2-accredited Masters in Architecture and Landscape Architecture (MALA) course with effect from the start of the next academic year (September 2025), in a move that the course leader says would leave a big hole in [the schools] unique position in architectural education.Staff members who lead the MALA course were unaware it was being scrapped until November, the AJ understands.Sheffield University cited low uptake as its main reason for shutting the course, which has been running for 10 years, adding that the decision was made amid a wider backdrop of financial challenges facing the UK higher education sector.AdvertisementThe AJ understands course numbers have averaged less than six students a year following the Covid-19 pandemic, but that this number was expected to increase significantly following expansion of the universitys Architecture and Landscape undergraduate course (BA) this year.The MALA course is one of multiple postgraduate courses being scrapped across Sheffield Universitys Architecture and Landscape Architecture departments. Critics of the move complain at the lack of consultation which preceded the faculty-level decision.HLM Architects completed refurbishment of the Grade II*-listed Arts Tower in Sheffield, home to Sheffield Universitys School of ArchitectureA Change.org petition declaring an urgent appeal to prevent closure of the MALA course has been signed by more than 750 people, including existing students, alumni, and architecture and landscape professionals from LDA Design and Levitt Bernstein.Set up by Sheffield University Architecture and Landscape Architecture BA graduate Sam Penrose, the appeal accuses the university of going behind the backs of students in its decision on the courses future which it describes as disrespectful to the courses success and damaging for BA students who wished to continue onto the Masters.Penrose told the AJ the decision was a move made directly against my future. Calling for a proper and fair consultation about the future of the course with those it will affect, he added: Current students and alumni of the dual course couldnt be more clear in our unanimous and passionate stance against this decision.AdvertisementLevitt Bernstein director Jo McCafferty, who has been an external examiner for the MALA course and other Sheffield architecture courses since 2020, said the unique combined course is woven so closely together with the architectural undergraduate degree and its students, [that] it is a genuine strength of the school.Praising the quality of MALAs teaching and its focus on climate and sustainability, McCafferty added: This course should be expanded, valued, promoted and celebrated not cut.And Sophie Thompson, a director at landscape architecture firm LDA design, said she had personally recruited many excellent graduates from the MALA and Sheffields other dual courses.Thompson argued: These graduates stand out because of the interdisciplinary nature of their thinking and ability to work well in multidisciplinary environments. In this context I would strongly oppose this decision.MALA course leader Howard Evans told the AJ that the support for MALA from students, alumni and practices was fantastic to witness.Evans, who set up the course in 2015 to be a continuation of Sheffields then 15-year-old dual Architecture and Landscape undergraduate course, told the AJ: We were hoping to have a nice big celebration of 10 years of the dual Masters, and 25 years of the dual undergraduate. So this has rather come out of the blue.The course lead said he hoped the university would reverse the decision to close the course which has no pedagogical rationale and which will leave the School of Architecture and Landscape with a big hole in its unique position in architectural education.According to Sheffield Universitys website, the MALA course is still taking online applications for 2025 entry.But a spokesperson for Sheffield University said: Unfortunately we have seen a very low number of students register their interest in some of our postgraduate Landscape and Architecture courses, so we have decided to suspend recruitment to those particular programmes for 2025.We are very proud of our School of Architecture and Landscape, which is highly respected and has strong connections with the professions. We are still offering postgraduate courses in these fields.The spokesperson said Sheffield University regularly reviews its courses to ensure they meet the needs of students, industry and professions, and we often make changes to reflect this.They added that, in light of financial challenges facing the UK higher education sector, it was more important than ever to ensure we are offering courses that meet the needs of prospective students and employers.It is understood students currently undertaking the two-year MALA course will be able to complete it.Sheffield University told local newspaper The Sheffield Star in November that it was offering a voluntary severance scheme to staff across as part of plans to address a looming 50 million financial shortfall over the next two years.Architecture was among the top-performing courses and departments targeted by the redundancies, which also included Civil Engineering, Journalism, East Asian Studies, Materials Engineering and Information Management, the Sheffield Star reported.Comment: This decision has no pedagogical rationaleHoward Evans, director, Architecture and Landscape Architecture BA & MArch, Sheffield UniversityWhile there has been no official announcement confirming the courses closure, the students, alumni and practice support for MALA is fantastic to witness. When the course was set up in 2015, it was as a continuation of the dual degree programme which by that time had been running for 15 years.The dual programmes at the University of Sheffield have pioneered integrated learning in two of the most significant industries in the built environment sector.The programmes have professional validation from the RIBA, ARB and LI, making them globally unique. The programmes make the most of the close connections between two of the UK's most prestigious departments the School of Architecture and Department of Landscape to develop graduates that understand the specific language of both disciplines. MALA is now lauded by leading practices, the RIBA, the Landscape Institute and external examiners as being one of the most important courses in the country, due to its graduates ability to understand the built environment in a truly holistic manner.The course has positively impacted the single-honours peers who are increasingly understanding the place of landscape at the heart of climate resilient futures. It is hoped that we can reverse the decision to close the course, which has no pedagogical rationale and will leave the School of Architecture and Landscape with a big hole in its unique position in architectural education.

It's a new year, which means new health and fitness habits and goals. However, if your New Year's resolution is to reach your protein goals, you might want to rethink it. According to experts, you may already get all (or more than enough) of the protein you need in your daily diet. This contradicts what everyone says on social media, where "protein goals" has become a trending topic.Similar to counting calories, the protein goals trend is over-inflated, causing people to buy expensive protein bars, shakes and slabs of meat all in the name of more protein. According to Dr. Andrew Freeman, a cardiologist at National Jewish Health in Denver, it's actually "extremely uncommon" if not "nearly impossible" to be deficient in protein, at least in the United States, where there'san abundance of food.You're likely getting enough protein without even trying Upgrade your inbox Get cnet insider From talking fridges to iPhones, our experts are here to help make the world a little less complicated. As long as you're not heavily restricting yourself and getting enough calories to fuel your body, you're probably hitting your protein goals just by eating a typical American diet. While some people may need more to feel satisfied and strong or to maximize their muscle gains in the gym, the reality for many Americans might be that they meet their protein requirements through their daily diet. For some, that requirement may be well below 100 grams, which is one elusiveprotein goaloften touted, including by the wellness team here at CNET."People are absolutely obsessed with protein," Freeman said, pointing to the fact it's also likely you'll hit your "protein goals" even if you're eating a plant-based diet, so long as it's varied and full. One potentially influencing factor toward the protein goal trend is the rise in interest in the carnivore diet, which prioritizes meat consumption."What most people forget is some of earth's biggest and strongest mammals, they're all plant-based," Freeman said. "When was the last time you saw a protein-deficient gorilla or elephant?"Americans, in particular, have a complicated and sometimes disordered relationship with food when we're not obsessing over getting enough of something (#proteingoals), we're restricting something else (think the villainization of fats and carbs). Examples of some diets that oscillate between these extremes include the ketogenic diet, the carnivore diet, calorie-counting apps and taking extra time to make complicated drinks in the name of weight loss.This would be more defensible if we were reaping the health benefits of sticking to these diets, but instead, Americans are leaders in chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes (preventable and often reversible through diet). Many people also suffer a reduced quality of life from restricting themselves or following diets that may or may not meaningfully improve their health down the line, and may also inspire shame or eating disorders.Not to mention, most of us are actually deficient in fiber, and a good chunk of us are low in other very important nutrients, such as iron, vitamin D and more.Of course, this is absolutely not to say that protein isn't important, or that some people need more than others based on their activity level or the muscle build they're going for. Here, we merely take a minute to plead the case that, when it comes to protein, you may be able to cool it a bit. InstagramHow much protein should you actually be eating?Look, the intro to this topic came on a little strong, so it is important to take a moment and stress how protein is an absolutely vital nutrient: protein containsamino acids, which build our bodies and help them function. If we didn't eat protein, we'd be dead.To get a baseline of how much we need to support our needs, there's fortunately a recommended daily amount, or RDA, of protein. This is 0.8-gram of protein per kilogram of body weight. (There are about 2.2 pounds in one kg.) This means a person who weighs 200 pounds needs about 73 grams of protein to meet their needs and not be deficient.Where it gets tricky is deciphering exactly how much protein you need not only to stay alive, but to thrive. Like every health "thing," what's best for you will depend on your body and your activity level, for example. But even taking this into account, you may not have to work as hard as you think to get adequate protein, even if you're hitting the gym regularly.In a 2023podcast hosted by Zoe, a nutrition science company and maker of at-home gut microbiome test kits, Stanford University professor and nutrition researcher Christopher Gardner explained why fears of falling short in the protein department are often overblown."When the US comes up with recommended daily allowances for protein, vitamins and minerals, the standard approach is to take two standard deviations above the average," Gardner explained in the podcast. For the 0.8-gram of protein per kilogram of weight, he said, "You've picked a number that should be adequate for 97.5% of the population."But what if you're above average? Chances are, you're not."To me, it's the American idea of 'that's what the RDA is, but I know I'm above average, so let me make sure I get some extra here,'" Gardner explained."It was built in to recognize that some people need more [protein]," he continued, going on to explain that when you're working out heavily, you're naturally going to feel hungrier, which will prompt you to eat more -- which means (for most people), naturally eating more protein.But what if you want to really gain muscle? To its credit, and in a refreshing turn of American-diet events, the protein goal trend is focused on adding rather than restricting. And if you're into intense weightlifting, or if you want to gain muscle, you will need more. But chances are that "more" is not as much more as you might think -- at least if you're considering consciously adding protein through shakes and other supplements.If you really want to build muscle or are seriously into weight lifting, estimates on how much "extra" protein you need varies, and the best (and safest) advice is always to talk to your doctor or nutritionist to take your whole health and lifestyle into account. But some estimatesland around 1.2 to 1.7 grams per kilogram of weight. Others areeven higher, at up to 2 grams per kilogram.This discussion assumes you enjoy counting your macros, though. If you eat when you're hungry, fuel up after a hard workout and choose foods that are rich in proteinand also part of a well-balanced diet, you should be good to go.In addition to weightlifting, Freeman said that people with medical concerns, such as undergoing surgery or recovering from burns, need more protein. Pregnancyand older adulthood are other instances when people's protein requirement goes up a bit in relation to their calorie intake. Yaorusheng/Moment via Getty ImagesCan you get too much protein? What about protein's benefits?High protein consumption makes the kidneys work harder, which may be a concern for some and is one reason parents should be wary of giving kids extra protein supplements, according to the Cleveland Clinic.However, hitting your high protein goals or even exceeding them shouldn't be harmful for most people, though keep in mind that after they're broken down into those vital amino acids and the energy is expended, excess protein is stored as fat if not used for energy.Now for a benefit: In addition to overall body function and muscle building, protein is very filling and satiating. This means a protein-rich meal may aid in weight loss (if that's your goal) because it keeps you full for longer when compared, for example, to a meal that's more carb-heavy and lacking in protein.Craving protein? You could be low in ironAbout 95% of Americans aren't eating enough fiber, according to research from 2016. Fiber is found in plant-based foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, seeds and more.Nearly one in three of us are also low in iron, which is where things get interesting in the protein discussion, because excellent sources of protein are often excellent sources of iron. (Steak and other red meat, for example.) However, there are plant-based foods like dark greens that are high in iron and also in fiber.Vitamin D, a nutrient we can get from the sun as well as from our food, is also one Americans tend to be lower in. This is especially notable during the cooler months.Unfortunately, the advice for how to best meet your nutritional needs isn't flashy and mimics previous guidance: Eat a full diet full of variety and color, prioritizing foods like vegetables, healthy fats and, yes, protein.You just don't need to obsess about it.

Will GTA 6 cost 80? Report says there's industry "hope" Rockstar will usher in another game price riseAs much as $100 in US.Image credit: Rockstar Games News by Tom Phillips Editor-in-Chief Published on Jan. 20, 2025 An annual report into the state of video games has raised eyebrows for suggesting Rockstar will sell the long-awaited behemoth that is GTA 6 for $100 - around 80.The amount could be justified by the game's enormous budget and would fit with a similar move by GTA publisher Take-Two back at the start of the current console generation, when it helped lead the charge in raising game prices previously.Indeed, the report - published by Matthew Ball of Epyllion - suggests there is "hope" within the wider video game industry that prices do rise closer to an average 80/$100 price point to reflect rising development costs.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart 9 have been revealed - but questions remain.Watch on YouTubeIn 2020, the launch of PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S saw the average boxed game release shift upwards to around 70 here in the UK. Numerous big budget releases also offer premium editions priced even higher, with added in-game content, or early access dangled as an incentive.But will it happen? Niko Partners analyst Daniel Ahmad has offered another view, which is that GTA 5 has - and continues to - earn so much recurring revenue through GTA Online that a higher price to play the game upfront isn't necessary."I'd be surprised if this happens," Ahmad wrote on X. "If anything Take-Two could afford to lower the price (they won't) to get more people in given how much they earn via GTA Online."Besides, you don't need to raise prices when a good chunk of pre-orders will be for a $100 SKU with bonuses anyway."Last month, Eurogamer spoke with Shawn Layden, former chairman of PlayStation Worldwide Studios, on the issue of ballooning game costs and what he believes should be done to bring prices down. "I'm afraid we've built AAA gaming into a kind of cathedral business, and it just can't grow any further," Layden said. "In fact, it's probably grown too far already."