Argentina's Javier Milei was pictured with people close to Donald Trump at events over the weekend.Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy, Kari Lake, and Roger Stone praised the Argentine president.His government has brought inflation down, but its approaches have also triggered a recession.Javier Milei was the talk of Trumpworld in the days leading up to Donald Trump's inauguration.Videos and pictures captured over the weekend showed Argentina's firebrand president rubbing shoulders with and receiving praise from some of those close to the president-elect, at events held in Washington, DC.Milei was welcomed with a standing ovation and a round of applause at the Official Hispanic Inaugural Ball on Saturday, which celebrates the achievements and impact of US Hispanics.Vivek Ramaswamy, the cohead of DOGE, who introduced him at the event, described Milei as "a man who knows how to DOGE & how to MAGA."The Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, is a new commission that aims to slash federal spending and cut regulations.On Sunday, Michael Milken, chairman of the non-partisan economic think tank Milken Institute, also welcomed Milei at the Center for Advancing the American Dream as the event's "very first" speaker and for "shining a light not just Argentina but the world today."Milken was pardoned by Trump in 2020. He had served 22 months in prison for insider trading in the 1990s and has become a prominent philanthropist.Later that same day, Milei was pictured with Kari Lake, the Voice of America director-designate who lost the Arizona Senate last year, at the 1775 Gala."So blessed to speak with Argentina's incredible President @JMilei at the 1775 Gala as we celebrate 250 years of faith and freedom!" she wrote.Since assuming office in December 2023, Milei has overseen a decline in inflation in Argentina, but his sweeping cost-cutting policies have also triggered a recession.Milei fired tens of thousands of public employees, shut down half the country's 18 ministries, and cut state spending by an estimated 31% in his first 10 months in office.Partly as a result, Argentina's headline inflation rate dropped from 25.5% in December 2023 to 2.4% in November 2024 the lowest it had been in over four years.However, Facundo Nejamkis, director of Opina Argentina, a political consultancy firm, told Reuters in December that the cuts had ignited a "major" recession.And Argentinians' purchasing power has eroded to record lows, with the real minimum wage falling by 30%, according to a December report by the Interdisciplinary Institute of Political Economy at the University of Buenos Aires' Economics Faculty.Even so, Milei's policies have received praise and attention from some in Republican circles, due to his sweeping cost-cutting measures.Elon Musk and Ramaswamy, the co-leaders of DOGE, have, in particular, praised Milei.In fact, Musk repeatedly praised Milei on X over the weekend, saying once in Spanish that, "I love @JMilei."As Business Insider previously reported, Ramaswamy and Musk have scaled back their goal of cutting $2 trillion from US federal spending by the time the commission disbands, no later than July 4, 2026, but have still floated a slate of reforms, from deleting agencies to firing federal employees.Milei was also photographed with former Trump advisor Roger Stone, who, in an X post on Sunday, said, "I worked for Ronald Reagan, I worked for Donald Trumpand now, I have met 'El Len,'" referring to Milei as "The Lion."

Support independent journalism that matters become a Vox Member today.On Monday, just hours before leaving office, President Joe Biden announced that he pardoned several individuals who may be the targets of political prosecutions in the incoming Trump administration. Incoming President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened retribution against perceived enemies. According to a statement from the White House, Bidens pardons went to former Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, former federal public health official Dr. Anthony Fauci, and the Members of Congress and staff who served on the Select Committee investigating the January 6, 2020, attack on the US Capitol, and the U.S. Capitol and D.C. Metropolitan police officers who testified before the Select Committee.For more than 150 years, the Supreme Court has understood the presidents power to issue pardons as entirely within his discretion; typically, neither Congress nor the courts may intervene. Yet, while the Constitution permits Biden to pardon whoever he wants, such a pardon wont necessarily protect its recipient from everything Trump or his allies in government might do to make life difficult for Trumps perceived enemies.Current law provides that people who are pardoned receive broad legal protections against federal criminal charges. Any pardons Biden issued should be virtually invulnerable to a court challenge. In Ex parte Garland (1866), the Supreme Court held that the presidents pardon power is unlimited, except that the president cannot pardon impeachments. Under Garland, the pardon power extends to every offence known to [federal] law, and may be exercised at any time after its commission, either before legal proceedings are taken or during their pendency, or after conviction and judgment. It also is not subject to legislative control.There is always some risk that the current Supreme Court, which has a 6-3 Republican supermajority, will ignore precedent. But the idea that presidents get to decide who is pardoned and that courts do not get to second-guess those decisions is well-established and stretches back to at least the post-Civil War period.Three limits on Bidens pardon powerThere actually are three very significant limits on the pardon power, however. A person pardoned by Biden might still be successfully targeted by Trump administration officials or Trumps allies in state government.One is that, as the head of the federal government, Biden can only pardon federal crimes. So someone who receives a pardon from Biden (or any other sitting president) might still be prosecuted by state officials for offenses under state law. The Trump administration, in other words, could potentially lean on MAGA-friendly state prosecutors to target individuals who receive a federal pardon from Biden.It should be noted that state prosecutors should not be allowed to target a former federal official for something that official did pursuant to their duties as a federal employee. The seminal Supreme Court case on this point, In re Neagle (1890), arose from a truly wild set of facts. Stephen Field, a justice of the US Supreme Court, had a longstanding feud with David Terry, a former chief justice of California. In 1889, while Field was eating breakfast at a train station in California, Terry approached and assaulted Field. Fields bodyguard, a deputy US marshal named David Neagle, then shot and killed Terry.After California charged Neagle with murder, the US Supreme Court ruled that this prosecution must be dismissed. Neagle, the Court explained, was acting under the authority of the law of the United States when he killed Terry, and thus was not liable to answer in the courts of California for carrying out his official federal duties.Assuming the current Supreme Court honors its precedent in Neagle, in other words, former federal officials should be safe from prosecution for state crimes they allegedly committed while acting under the authority of the United States. So if a state were to target, say, former federal public health official Anthony Fauci over federal policies he pushed during the Covid-19 pandemic, he should be immune from that prosecution.The second limit on the pardon power is that, while Garland states that presidents may issue a pardon at any time after the pardon recipient allegedly committed a criminal act, the president may not prospectively pardon future acts. This means that anyone Biden pardoned could still be targeted in the Trump administration for anything they do after Biden leaves office.The third limit is that the pardon power has traditionally been understood to extend only to criminal offenses and not to civil lawsuits or other non-criminal investigations (although at least one scholar has argued that it should be extended to civil offenses). Thus, while Biden could potentially shield Trumps perceived enemies from federal criminal prosecutions, the Trump administration might still sue a pardoned individual for allegedly violating a civil statute. It could also potentially use non-criminal investigations, such as an IRS income tax audit, to target people Trump views as foes.As a final point, its worth noting that lawyers are expensive. Anyone Biden might preemptively pardon, who is targeted by the federal government, could run up hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees even if the courts ultimately determine that this individual is both immune from prosecution and not liable for any civil offense.This is doubly true if the Trump administration manages to shunt any criminal proceeding or civil dispute against a pardoned individual into a MAGA-aligned judges courtroom, who might defy precedents like Garland or Neagle. While the Supreme Court may eventually intervene and declare the individual immune from prosecution or suit, that may not happen until after years of investigations and months of lower court proceedings.And, even if a federal investigation uncovers no illegal activity or even no activity that the Trump administration can characterize as illegal in order to bring meritless charges such an investigation might still uncover embarrassing or damaging information that could then be made public. Perhaps one of Trumps perceived enemies is engaged in an extramarital affair. Or maybe they simply said something hurtful about a family member or business partner in an email they thought would remain private.The bottom line is that, if the federal government is determined to make your life miserable, it can probably achieve that goal very easily, even if you never spend a day behind bars.Youve read 1 article in the last monthHere at Vox, we're unwavering in our commitment to covering the issues that matter most to you threats to democracy, immigration, reproductive rights, the environment, and the rising polarization across this country.Our mission is to provide clear, accessible journalism that empowers you to stay informed and engaged in shaping our world. By becoming a Vox Member, you directly strengthen our ability to deliver in-depth, independent reporting that drives meaningful change.We rely on readers like you join us.Swati SharmaVox Editor-in-ChiefSee More:

Last year on Joe Rogans podcast, Elon Musk claimed to be one of the worlds best Diablo IV players and surprisingly, the leaderboards backed him up. For those that havent had the pleasure, Diablo is one of the most mercilessly time-intensive video games out there; you build a character and carve through armies of demons, spending hundreds of hours refining skills and equipment for maximum hellspawn-cleansing efficiency. I played it for maybe five hours last year and immediately quit, for fear that it would consume my life. Most of the people who play it are young, often male, and have plenty of time to themselves to spend on the internet and playing games so, the exact demographic of many Musk stans.It suited these hardcore gamer guys to believe that someone who tweets all day and runs several businesses was also an elite player who poured hundreds of hours into Diablo. This made him relatable. It fed into his preferred image of being the hardest-working man alive. But then Elon made the mistake of actually playing a game live on X, and it became clear very quickly that something was amiss. It seems Elon Musk might be a fake gamer. On 7 January, Musk played Path of Exile 2, a very Diablo-like hack-and-slash game that came out towards the end of last year. His character was extremely well-equipped; suspiciously so. Viewers noted that he had better gear than some of the professional streamers who play this game all day every day, and he didnt seem to know what their stats meant. I have not played Path of Exile 2 and so I cant independently assess these claims unlike Musk, apparently, I am quite happy to admit when Im not an expert on a particular game but within a few hours the many inconsistencies in his play and commentary were laid out exactingly on Reddit and in YouTube videos. (He also posted a suspiciously rubbish Elden Ring build back in 2022, which was dredged up as further evidence.) Evidently Musk forgot that we nerds are known for our attention to detail.Getting a boost has Musk been paying for someone to play Diablo IV for him? Photograph: Blizzard EntertainmentThe implication is that Elon Musk is paying other people (most probably in China) to play these games for him, on his account, to make him look far more accomplished than he is. This practice is known as boosting, and its deeply embarrassing.This has enraged the exact people that Musk has been trying to court with his gamer shtick. Asmongold, a successful streamer and YouTuber who is himself very popular with right-leaning young men, called Musk out on it. He responded by accusing Asmongold of being not his own man, beholden to his bosses, posting a screenshot of their DMs as proof proving that Musk also doesnt understand how YouTube works, because in those DMs Asmongold talks about the video editors who chop up clips for him, and they are definitely not his bosses. The feud, hilariously, is ongoing.Over the weekend the musician Grimes, who has three children with Musk, tweeted in his defence. Just for my personal pride, I would like to state that the father of my children was the first american druid in diablo to clear abattoir of zir and ended that season as best in the USA, she wrote, definitely of her own free will. I did observe these things with my own eyes. There are other witnesses who can verify this. That is all. Her next tweet sounded rather more heartfelt: sigh. There is no shame in being bad at video games. I honestly believe that most people are, by the standards of the internet, bad at video games. The shame is in being bad at video games and pretending otherwise. You cannot claim to be an elite gamer without putting in the work. It amazes me that, at some point, appropriating nerd credibility became a thing. When I was growing up, there was absolutely zero value in being good at games (most unfortunately for me, a young Mario Kart and GoldenEye 007 prodigy). Not one of my university friends offered to buy me a pint when I completed Dark Souls. Now, though, theres respect and credibility on the table for people who are talented gamers. You can make a good living out of it, on YouTube or Twitch or the esports circuit. Apparently being good at games earns you so much respect now that the richest man in the world might believe its worth his while to fake it.Completed it mate Musk at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in 2019. Photograph: Adam S Davis/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockThe true irony here is that Musk stands accused of doing exactly what toxic nerds have been accusing women of doing for decades. Lets say youre playing a first-person shooter online and you get anywhere near the top of the leaderboard: an aggrieved man in the voice chat might accuse you of letting your boyfriend play for you. Women writing about video games in any capacity have to deal with comments threads asserting that, actually, you know nothing about them, and youre faking it. Women who play games on Twitch are constantly told that theyre doing it for attention (please, guys, nobody wants your attention).This very gendered condescension used to enrage me so much when I was a teenager that I made a point of becoming extremely good at the games I played, because I so deeply relished the looks on the faces of the boys who told me I didnt belong when I would hand them their asses at Halo. I am far too old for that now, and too time-poor, but happily there now exist entire TikTok and Twitch accounts dedicated to this: women who are excellent at male-dominated games such as Call of Duty, obliterating men who shit-talk them in the lobby. I would pay so much money to see one of these women in a live match against Elon Musk. In his endless X stream of bad jokes, grievances and cringe memes, Musk has tweeted a lot about DEI in games, a manufactured controversy that the left has infiltrated sacred gaming spaces in order to ruin them with woke. This rhetoric is designed to court the kind of people that were taken in by Gamergate many years ago, disaffected young men that former Trump strategist Steve Bannon cleverly recognised were invaluable to his cause back then.What delicious irony that it is not women and minorities pretending to be hardcore gamers in order to manipulate people to their own ends, but, it seems, Musk himself.

PlayStation 6 will launch in 2027 says insider as next gen specs leakAdam StarkeyPublished January 20, 2025 1:46pmUpdated January 20, 2025 1:46pm Spoiler alert: it will be powerful (YouTube)Sonys next console might be closer than expected, as a leaker claims to have details around the systems capabilities.With half of all PlayStation players still yet to buy a PlayStation 5, Sony has a real task on its hands convincing people to invest in the next generation.A new console in the next few years might seem premature but Sony has already talked about the PlayStation 6. Around the same time last year, a report emerged claiming Sony had already struck a deal with AMD to create the consoles technology.Now, shortly after the reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2, new insider information has emerged around Sonys next console, suggesting it is further along in development than previously anticipated.This new leak stems from insider Kepler, who previously leaked specs for the PS5 Pro console. In a post on NeoGaf, the leaker claimed the PlayStation 6 is design complete and in pre-si[licon] validation already.They also claim A0 tapeout the process of manufacturing the first iteration of the systems chip is scheduled for late this year. According to Kepler, Sonys usual cadence is two years from A0 tapeout to console release.If true, this means the PlayStation 6 could launch in late 2027. This would track with Sonys gaps between consoles since the PlayStation 3, with the PlayStation 4 arriving seven years later in 2013, and the PlayStation 5 launching after another seven years after that in 2020.Sony already described the PlayStation 5 as being in the latter half of the console cycle in February last year, although its unclear if this cycle could be extended if the number of active users on PlayStation 5 doesnt jump up significantly. With Xbox also cooking up a new console though, Sony will probably want to launch the PlayStation 6 within a similar window.The same leaker also claims to have details around the PlayStation 6s specifications. According to Kepler, the consoles GPU is a fork of [AMD] gfx13, which was formerly known as RDNA 5 and is now called UDNA. For comparison, the recently released PS5 Pro is mostly based on RDNA 2 architecture, but it uses features backported from RDNA 3 and upcoming RDNA 4 cards too, specifically in relation to ray-tracing upgrades. The PS5 launched in 2020 (Sony Interactive Entertainment)This isnt the only new rumour around the PlayStation 6 either. According to Chinese forum user zhangzhonghao, who is known for hardware leaks, Sonys next generation console will utilise AMDs 3D V-Cache technology, which is used to signicantly boost performance in its fastest gaming processors.In short, all this means it will be very powerful, which is what youd expect from Sonys next console. However, considering the graphical arms race has become a case of splitting hairs for most people, Sony might need something else if it wants to make the next PlayStation an appealing and meaningful upgrade.More TrendingAlong with the PlayStation 6, which might launch as two different consoles, several rumours have suggested Sony is working on a new handheld, which could be positioned as a Switch 2 competitor. Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet could it appear on PS6? (Sony Interactive Entertainment)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

A speaker doesnt have to be huge and heavy to deliver big, quality sound. Case in point the Google Nest Audio Bluetooth Speaker, a little under 7 inches tall and a hair shy of 4 pounds, bringer of powerful sound, and right now just $70 at Amazon thanks to a 30% off sale.See at AmazonThis tiny titan connects via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and responds to voice commands when its being used to play music or as a digital assistant. Your favorite music and podcasts are a voice command away, with access to SiriusXM, Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music, and other providers. With multiple speakers or other compatible devices you can have your content follow you from room to room via voice command, and with the right subscriptions, the Google Nest Audio Bluetooth Speaker can even serve as a home security tool.First, the SoundThe Google Nest Audio Bluetooth Speaker is a smart-home marvel and great digital assistant, but it is first and foremost a speaker, so the sound quality is a paramount concern. The Google Nest Audio delivers the small 3-inch woofer and 0.7-inch tweeter punch way above their weight class with deep, satisfying bass and crystal-clear high notes at a volume thats easy to hear while not knocking your ears off your head.The Google Nest Audio easily pairs with other Nest speakers and displays, and when they work together they can be used as an in-house intercom system for when you need to summon the gang for dinner and theyre all wearing headphones while gaming. And, also of paramount concern, the Google Nest Audio is designed to protect your privacy deleting your Assistant history is as easy as saying Hey Google, delete what I just said, and the microphone can be switched off entirely via the switch on the back.Smarter Than SmartThe Google Nest Audio brings all of the smart capabilities of a top-notch digital assistant to any room you need. It handles the standard voice-activated requests for the weather, sports scores, or what was the name of that TV series from the 90s with Bob Odenkirk and David Cross. (Answer: Mr. Show With Bob and David.)It works seamlessly with other Nest smart devices, so your thermostat, doorbell, timers, and more are a voice command away at all times. If you add a Nest Aware subscription, the speaker can even detect unusual sounds while youre away think glass breaking or a smoke alarm and send you an alert wherever you are.With this Amazon 30%-off deal taking the price of a Google Nest Audio Bluetooth Speaker down to just $70, and considering how well they play together, now might be a good time to pick up a couple or more and have your entire house covered by its great sound and smart-home capabilities.See at Amazon

How Do Architects Forecast Trends? In Conversation with Research and Inovation Co-Directors of Perkins&WillSave this picture!From new delivery methods for adaptive re-use and mass timber structures to digital fabrication, new research aims to provide guidance on emerging construction methods and technologies.. Image Courtesy of Perkins&WillInnovation comes in many shapes and forms. 2025 is poised to witness continued advancements in the areas of artificial intelligence, sustainability, and biotechnology. These breakthroughs often arise from experimentation in industries like technology and healthcare, where companies have strong research and development teams and significant budgets. This enables them to produce new products and services that address society's evolving needs.In a world confronting complex challenges, innovation in architecture plays a distinctive role. Unlike industries driven by rapid innovation cycles, architecture must balance creativity with practical solutions that are deeply rooted in human experience. What will it take for the architecture industry to fully harness its potential in shaping the future of our built environment?Interrogating this question, ArchDaily's editor Ankitha Gattupalli spoke to Leigh Christy and Yehia Madkour, architects and co-directors of Research and Innovation at Perkins&Will. Based in the Los Angeles studio, Leigh leads regional projects while also guiding firm-wide research efforts. Vancouver-based Yehia, whose work explores the intersection of design and technology, brings his expertise to the firm's research initiatives, driving innovation across 26 studios. Together, they shape the firm's research direction, advancing new approaches to design and technology. Related Article What are Innovation Districts? ArchDaily (Ankitha Gattupalli): How do you define innovation, and how do you believe it is understood when you discuss it?Leigh Christy (LC): The definition of innovation is not fixed; it evolves over time. Innovation is best understood as the combination of ideation and implementation. While ideation is central to many programs, the focus on research and application is critical for scaling and successful implementation. Yehia Madkour (YM): Innovation goes beyond just generating a novel idea; it is about the execution of that idea. The true value of innovation lies in the process that follows the initial concept. There are three key steps to innovation: The generation of a novel idea. The advancement of that idea in a meaningful direction. The creation of value, which may be societal, industrial, or personal, rather than strictly financial. Save this picture!AD: How do you see the architecture industry responding to the concept of innovation?YM: Architects are in a unique position to connect various elementsworking with clients to understand their evolving needs, collaborating with industry partners to adapt to changes, and considering economic, technological, and human factors. This central role allows us to generate innovative ideas. However, the industry, particularly in architecture and construction, tends to lag behind other sectors in terms of technological adoption.One reason for this is the bespoke nature of design in our field, which presents challenges when attempting to apply standardized innovations. Each project often requires tailored solutions, making it difficult to implement broad, systematic changes like automation. While architects are positioned to generate many ideas, the industry as a whole still faces barriers to embracing innovation at scale.LC: I believe the approach to problem-solving through design thinking positions architects well to propose innovative solutions. We address challenges at the scale of every project, but what is particularly interesting is how we extend innovation beyond individual projects. We learn from past projects to drive future innovation, developing new tools when needed and remaining open to change when approaches prove ineffective.While the industry generates novel ideas, implementing systematic change and sharing progress remains inconsistent. Addressing issues like housing and climate change requires a multidisciplinary approach, with architects playing a key collaborative role alongside clients and professionals.Save this picture!AD: How do you decide which research areas are worth exploring?YM: Our research areas emerge from a combination of factors, including our understanding of global shifts and client-driven inquiries. Some areas are more focused on immediate applications, while others are more strategic and long-term in nature.For instance, human experience remains central to our work and will continue to be a major research focus. Another key area is digital layering, as new technologies are continuously emerging, and understanding their integration is critical. We also prioritize urgent issues, such as environmental crises and climate change, which will remain pressing challenges for the foreseeable future.LC: An example of this approach can be seen in our mass timber research, which began over 10 years ago. It started with exploring its broader application after gaining attention in Vancouver. Initially, challenges like local availability, testing codes, and fire resistance were barriers. By partnering with structural engineers and fire consultants, we advanced the industry, and mass timber is now widely used across North America and Europe. We are now investigating its role in circularity and design for disassembly. While our mass timber research may eventually conclude, it will lead to new inquiries on alternative materials and structural systems.Save this picture!AD: How do you balance the potential of technology and research with the market's readiness for it?LC: This challenge ties into how we structure our research agenda. We focus on understanding both current industry needs and emerging questions from our client base. By recognizing patterns, we aim to create solutions that not only address immediate issues but also position us to address future challenges. It's about striking a balance between vision and practicality, ensuring we remain grounded in the current landscape while also preparing for the future.YM: While we concentrate on solving current needs, we also allocate time for strategic thinking. Some ideas may not be market-ready today, but they help us anticipate trends for the next 5 to 10 years. These long-term considerations may seem speculative now, but they are vital for positioning ourselves for future opportunities. Innovation involves accepting failure as part of the process, but it's essential to plan ahead, not just focus on immediate needs.Save this picture!AD: How do you integrate different disciplines to drive innovation and manage subject matter expertise on complex issues?LC: Collaboration is a two-way street. While our external partners bring valuable insights, we provide the projects necessary to test those ideas. This mutual exchange of expertise benefits both parties. Peer review is another critical aspect of our processbefore presenting our research as foundational, we seek feedback from others to refine our findings.Collaborating with specialists has been crucial in our research, such as when exploring toxins in materials or in our work on habitable materials where we learned about carbon footprint and human health. By identifying our specific questions, we can select the most suitable partners to help answer them. Innovation often requires human connection to move forward - Yehia Madkour Save this picture!AD: What do you see as the key barriers to innovation in architecture, and how can the industry overcome them?YM: The primary barrier to innovation in architecture is designing for one solution at a time. While this approach fuels creativity, each project's unique specifics often prevent the scalability necessary for widespread impact. In technology, scalability drives innovation by reaching millions, but in architecture, we often lack the scale to extend the impact of each idea.The industry would benefit from a systems-thinking approach, where solutions are designed to be scalable and adaptable across different contexts. Without this systemic approach, innovation in architecture struggles to progress at the same pace as other industries. While this may seem like an unsolvable problem, I believe shifting our mindset could unlock a great deal of innovation.Save this picture!LC: While architecture can certainly adopt more systematic approaches, I've come to realize the importance of having a visionary role as well. Innovation in architecture isn't just about technology; it's about envisioning improvements to the built environment. This involves understanding the process that leads to a successful project, not just the final product. While it's tempting to look to the tech industry as the benchmark for innovation, there are other equally impactful forms of innovation, such as community engagement. Simple tools, like administering surveys, can make a significant difference in the design process.While we may not be as advanced in innovation as the tech industry, I believe there is immense potential in architecture to lead in innovationespecially if we embrace a more comprehensive, systems-oriented mindset.Image gallerySee allShow lessAbout this authorAnkitha GattupalliAuthorCite: Ankitha Gattupalli. "How Do Architects Forecast Trends? In Conversation with Research and Inovation Co-Directors of Perkins&Will" 20 Jan 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1025918/how-do-architects-forecast-trends-in-conversation-with-research-and-inovation-co-directors-of-perkins-and-will&gt ISSN 0719-8884More interviews from ourYouTube ChannelSave!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

Large-scale weather events are becoming increasingly common, and the tendency to build back after a disaster without upgrading the buildings to prevent another one would be foolish. For decades, Los Angeles (L.A.) has had some of the strongest building codes for earthquakes and localized fires, but large-scale fire events are new to the region and appear to be a trend.Fortunately, there are a variety of technologies and approaches to rebuilding after the fires are put out. Still, aggressive action at the state, county, and city levels will be needed to ensure that policies and rules are updated to provide architects and builders with clear guidance as to what will be allowed for new structures so that this kind of disaster doesnt repeat itself in the future.This week, lets explore strategies like fire-resistant materials, advanced building technologies, and innovative housing solutions to rebuild and adapt for a safer future. Then, well close with my Product of the Week: the Google Pixel Watch 3, which my wife gave me last Christmas.Hardening Homes Against WildfiresI grew up in Orange County, Calif., and trained to fight fires. I now live in Bend, Ore., where we tend to have big fires every year.Last year, my wife asserted that we needed an SUV or trailer big enough to escape a fire should one approach our home. I argued that it would make more sense to harden our house against fire so we could shelter in place because, as we saw in prior fires, and with the L.A. fires, getting out can be problematic given the roads tend to become quickly clogged with evacuating residents and fire teams trying to get in.Like most homes in the area, our house is primarily constructed of wood and unlikely to survive a fire. We replaced the roof with a combination of insulation and metal. We installed solar panels and Tesla batteries in case of power outages and replaced our siding with fire-resistant Hardie Board, which will smoke if heated but wont combust.We are located near a river and have a swim spa, both of which could be used as water sources should the hydrant system become oversubscribed as it did in L.A. Weve also put in rolling shutters that can further insulate the house from a fire and protect the windows from breaking, which helps prevent fire from entering the home. Our next step is to install an external home anti-fire sprinkler system that will help keep the house from combusting, given the house is still wood-framed. The service we are looking at is Frontline, which specializes in home wildfire defense.The cost for this kind of retrofitting is steep. The roof was approximately $20,000, the siding cost around $40,000, the shutters (automatic) were between $2,000 to $5,000 per window, and the Frontline sprinkler system was between $20,000 and $40,000. However, the result is that the structure should now survive external fire events and allow us to shelter in place safely.As I was finishing this column, my wife shared a link to a story of one of the surviving homes.Apparently, the homeowner had paid between $100,000 and $150,000 to install his own fire hydrant and rigged a high-performance pump that took over when the pressure dropped in the hydrant system. He saved his house and two others. So, a little foresight resulted in three families not struggling with insurance companies and FEMA and trying to find a place to live in a saturated rental market.I think the Frontline solution will have the same benefit for me, but this is something to think about.Redesigning Los AngelesAs of this writing, the issue with the L.A. fires is that the homes were not designed to withstand wildfires. The hydrant system and this is the problem with most of them cant maintain pressure in a wildfire, access was problematic during evacuations, the ability to respond to a fire was too slow, and the winds were near hurricane levels, rendering aircraft mostly useless until the winds dropped.This last means that current firefighting technology is inadequate to address fires of this magnitude. Like earthquakes, homes need to be built to withstand the fire rather than relying on central firefighting resources to put the fires out.In addition, the government will have significant revenue problems coupled with substantial increases in spending as it recovers from this damage. Revenues from property taxes will be reduced, and a massive number of people are unlikely to be able to pay even the reduced amount, given that they are now homeless (and possibly jobless). Federal funds wont be enough to rebuild.Many of these now-homeless homeowners have lost their fire insurance, and getting insurance on a new, similar structure may be impossible.These cities need to rebuild fast. They need to build new structures that are far more fire resistant, and they need to rethink many of these areas so that they can be better defended should fires recur, as they likely will.Rebuilding Fast With Manufactured HomesOne way to rebuild fast is by using approved manufactured homes. Im not talking typical mobile homes, which are often considered unsafe in high winds and are not particularly fire resistant, but manufactured homes like Blu Homes that are designed like aircraft to withstand a variety of extreme weather events and can be put up on an existing foundation in a matter of hours. These homes are manufactured mainly with fire-resistant materials and tested to be wind-resistant. Depending on supply, they can be assembled very quickly by relatively small teams of people so that homeowners can get back into their homes rapidly.Blu Homes packages typically include all fixtures and major appliances installed before shipping, making them ideal for this kind of problem. Prices for a Blu Home range from $285,000 to $635,000 but can exceed this range depending on the number of modules and accessories.3D Printing Fire-Resistant HomesThis newer technology typically uses a special cement that can be applied through a nozzle to build a home quickly. 3D-printed homes are highly fire resistant if you dont put a flammable roof on them. They can be built in a few days with a small crew (generally around three to four people) and can be designed to order.A 3D-printed home typically costs in the range of $30,000 and $100,000, though larger homes can be more expensive than the $150,000 to $450,000 cost of a more traditionally built home.Often, building codes have to be altered to accept 3D-printed homes, and given how fast they go up, timely inspections in a disaster area can be problematic during the build. However, this technology is likely the fastest method to rebuild with fewer workers. Although the first 3D-printed homes did look pretty strange, later structures combined building methods. This video shows one of the newer designs that looks far more traditional.Saving money and getting back into a home quickly make this technology nearly ideal, except for one big problem: Few contractors have the needed equipment and training right now. This suggests that a government-funded effort to subsidize training and equipping builders would be timely in L.A. if they want to build back quickly and restore tax revenues.Wrapping Up: Modernizing Building Codes for Fire SafetyWe need to rethink building codes. For instance, this architect specialized in fire-resistant homes, but the citys requirements resulted in avoidable damage due to outdated building codes.This effort needs to start with regulatory agencies rethinking building codes to enable more fire-resistant and advanced building methods to address this need. Buildings need to be safe, but regulatory bodies tend to move very slowly when updating codes for fear of litigation should they get it wrong.Still, unless these governments step up and rethink their codes with regard to these extreme weather events, people are likely to flee their cities as unsafe and unaffordable.As I write this, utility companies are again being accused of starting some of these recent fires.Regardless of the cause, a more effective sensor and response network is essential to catch fires while they are still small and containable. This calls for advanced drone firefighting technologies and greater reliance on satellites for early fire detection. Current technology falls short, and we are not utilizing AI, drones, or sensors to their full potential.One final idea is Arcology, which is a very large structure that can be more easily protected and houses a town or city with living, working, and recreational facilities inside. These would be vastly easier to protect from the increasingly dangerous weather events we anticipate. As our weather degrades, this may be the only viable solution short of migrating to another planet that will reliably keep people safe.Google Pixel Watch 3I used to collect mechanical watches but moved to smartwatches some time ago. Normally, I prefer a watch like the TicWatch Pro 5 that has a more traditional look and will use a metal band. However, a metal band can be uncomfortable by either being a bit too big or too small, and it can scratch your ride when cleaning or working on it if you arent careful.Currently priced at $300 (discounted from $349), Google Pixel Watch 3 features a rubber casing and wristband, offering surprising comfort even when worn tightly for heart rate monitoring. It builds in Fitbit functionality for accurate exercise recording, and there is an LTE version for $100 more (which I didnt get, sadly).The watchs screen is up to 2000 nits, which makes it highly usable outside. However, it burns through the battery far faster (two days) than my old TicWatch. Charging is done through a magnetic charger rather than wireless inductive charging, similar to every smartwatch Ive owned, but not as well as the Apple Watch.The Google Pixel Watch 3 is particularly useful for competitive runners as it measures your time and distance and compares it to past efforts, pushing you to exceed them. It will integrate with other Google devices like the Nest Camera to see images on the watch or Google TV as the remote control, and it will work as an interface to your phone so you can chat with your watch (not all smartwatches do this).The watch also has several safety features, including a timer that will trigger an alert if the time you set expires (say youre on a questionable date or have a sketchy Uber driver) and fall detection that sends alerts if you have a hard fall. You can notify contacts from the watch of your location or let them know you cant answer because you are already on a call.You can buy replacement bands for the watch, including metal ones, but Im fine with the one it came with. The watch is water resistant down to 50 meters. Oh, and you can get up to $300 back if you trade in your old watch (which I didnt do).While the Pixel Watch 3 isnt as feature-rich or has as long battery life as my old TicWatch Pro 5, it is more comfortable, does a better job tracking my sleep and steps, and is easier to use, making it my Product of the Week.

"No News: Great News!" Animated Short Film is a dark comedy short film that explores what humanity might mean to Earthand the consequences that follow."The film, directed by Frank Guarini, was selected and awarded funding as part of Nouns Fest 2024 short films collection.Writer/Director - Francesco GuariniFrank's Website: https://www.frankguariniart.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frankguarini_art/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francescoguarini/ CG Supervisor - Javier Soler https://www.linkedin.com/in/javiersdc/ Music - Tom Chichester-Clark https://www.elshammusic.com Design/AD - Francesco GuariniCharacter Artist/Look Dev - Arianna Querin https://www.instagram.com/arique_art/ Production Consultant - Rebeca Castellanos - Ramn Girldez https://www.linkedin.com/in/rcastellanosrozalen/ Environment Artist - Ismael Mrquez https://www.linkedin.com/in/ismael-marquez-carrillo/ Arianna Querin https://www.linkedin.com/in/arianna-querin-5598b4145/ Environment Shading Artist - Pedro Fernndez Lpez https://www.linkedin.com/in/pedro-fern%C3%A1ndez-l%C3%B3pez-816a2614b/ VFX Artist - Pepe Buendia https://www.linkedin.com/in/pepebaze Rigging - Antonio Mndez https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonio-m%C3%A9ndez-lora-97b80925/ Animation - Abel Romero https://www.instagram.com/_abelromero_/ Lighting & Compositing - Javier SolerRoid - Vahid HakimzadehNews Anchors - Charlie Inman - Laura Podesta - Tom Fellows - Deanna Johnston

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Social media is brimming with different skincare trends. These social media posts promote different types of cleansers, balms, and serums, all with the promise that they will make your skin better. However, thats not always true. Some products may make certain skin conditions such as acne worse, and some may do absolutely nothing for your skin.The latest of these trends circulating social media is beef tallow, or rendered fat, from a cow. Some people use this product as a moisturizer and acne cure. But does it really work? And is it better for your skin?What Is Beef Tallow?Humans have used beef tallow for centuries in cooking, candle making, soap making, and as a skin moisturizer. So, its no surprise that it may be making a skincare comeback. Beef tallow is made from the fatty tissues around the cows organs. The fat is then melted down, and any solid impurities are strained out of it.Tallow becomes solid at room temperature, similar to butter. From there, people can use it to grease cookware or melt it down to deep fry certain foods.Benefits of Beef Tallow for SkincareAccording to a 2024 study published in Cureus, the benefits of beef tallow for our skin include moisturizing, clearing acne, anti-aging benefits, and it contains beneficial fatty acids and antioxidants. Its also marketed as an all-natural product.The study concludes that beef tallow is an excellent moisturizer and that certain soaps made with beef tallow can aid in wound healing.The study also claims that beef tallow contains essential vitamins such as vitamins A, D, K, E, and B12, almost all of which are beneficial for your skin, according to a 2023 study in the journal Medicina.Vitamin A contains retinol, a common product used in anti-aging skincare, which is why beef tallow could be viewed as having anti-aging properties. However, according to the University of Rochester Medical Center, tallow doesnt contain vitamin A. The USDA also backs up that claim. The sources that claim that it does have vitamin A also say that there isnt enough vitamin A to have any real anti-age impact, mostly because the retinol isnt concentrated enough.Beef Tallow for Skincare Isnt Right for EveryoneIf youre still on the fence about using beef tallow, here are some other things to consider. While some on social media may claim that beef tallow helped clear up their acne, take it from this journalist who saw the opposite. The journalist noticed a major acne flare-up after using beef tallow for about a week. They also mentioned that the smell was off-putting.Beef tallow is also an animal byproduct. Its not vegan or cruelty-free, which are also major trends for skin care. While tallow is marketed as a natural product, other skin oils, like coconut oil, are natural, too.The Cureus study authors said, Few articles that we were able to find on the direct uses of tallow emulsions on the skin showed promise of its use and benefits for the skin.This isnt to say that there are zero benefits to using beef tallow as skin care. There may be people out there who actually do reap the benefits of using this product, there just really isnt any sound evidence to back it up. Plus, there are other science-backed products out there that already provide the same benefits as tallow, only they are cruelty-free and probably smell better.As with all types of skincare, one product does not fit all. If it works for one person, thats great, but you may want to reconsider beef tallow as a miracle worker when it comes to skincare. And remember, always reach out to a medical professional if you have questions or concerns about this product or any skin product.This article is not offering medical advice and should be used for informational purposes only.Article SourcesOur writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this article:Journal of Drugs and Dermatology. One-year Topical Stabilized Retinol Treatment Improves Photodamaged Skin in a Double-blind, Vehicle-controlled Trial University of Rochester Medical Center. Fat, beef tallowUSDA. Fat, beef tallowEveryday Health. Beef Tallow for Skin: What Dermatologists Think About the TrendA graduate of UW-Whitewater, Monica Cull wrote for several organizations, including one that focused on bees and the natural world, before coming to Discover Magazine. Her current work also appears on her travel blog and Common State Magazine. Her love of science came from watching PBS shows as a kid with her mom and spending too much time binging Doctor Who.

Whether youre snow shredding on the mountain, working at the job site, or clearing snow from your driveway, cold hands are the worst. Luckily, these Ocoopa rechargeable hand warmers are just $17 right now on Amazon, which matches their Black Friday sale price. This model earned the title of best rechargeable in our buying guide for the best hand warmers. If youre still using those disposable hand warmers, its time to upgrade.OCOOPA 7800mAh Hand Warmers, Electric USB Hand Warmers $14.99 (was $27.99)OCOOPAThese rechargeable warmers offer three different temperature settings ranging from 95 degrees all the way up to 131 degrees. That allows users to decide whether they want more intense heat or longer battery life. Each charge provides hours of operation, though your mileage will vary depending on the conditions and which setting you choose. Theyre perfectly shaped to easily grip in your hand and slide into just about any pocket. At this price, I recommend buying several sets to keep where youll need them. Its not just about comfortfrostbite can be a real threat and these can help you fend it off. Note: These come in a ton of different colors, but only a few of them hit the $14.99 low price so be sure to check the price if you switch colors.More cold weather deals on heaters, heated clothing, and moreSpace Heater, 1500W Electric Heaters Indoor Portable with Thermostat $22 (was $39)Dreo Radiator Heater, 1500W Portable Space Oil Filled with Remote Control $116 (was $129)PELONIS Oscillating Ceramic Tower Indoor Space Heater $54 (was $69)WOOMER [5 Year Warranty Heated Blanket King Size, Dual Control, Electric Blanket $89 (was $139)Electric Blanket Heated Throw,Double-Sided FlannelSherpa Electric Throw $28 (was $37)Heated Jacket for Men and Women, Black Winter Coat with Battery Pack $69 (was $89)ORORO Mens 4 Heat-Zone Heated Jacket with Battery $111 (was $169)Heated Jacket for Women with 16000mAh Battery Pack $61 (was $99)The post Our favorite rechargeable hand warmers are just $14.99 right now on Amazon appeared first on Popular Science.