January 23, 20255 min readThe Neuroscience of Severance: Whats Real? Whats Fake?The hit show Severance can be refashioned as a teaching moment about certain brain disorders. But its famed Innie versus Outie conceit is totally bogus.Adam Scott in season two of Severance. Apple TV+ - Endeavor Content - Red Hour Films/TCD/Prod.DB/Alamy Stock PhotoThe following essay is reprinted with permission from The Conversation, an online publication covering the latest research.Severance, which imagines a world where a persons work and personal lives are surgically separated, will soon return to Apple TV+ for a second season. While the concept of this gripping piece of science fiction is far-fetched, it touches on some interesting neuroscience. Can a persons mind really be surgically split in two?Remarkably, split-brain patients have existed since the 1940s. To control epilepsy symptoms, these patients underwent a surgery to separate the left and right hemispheres. Similar surgeries still happen today.On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.Later research on this type of surgery showed that the separated hemispheres of split-brain patients could process information independently. This raises the uncomfortable possibility that the procedure creates two separate minds living in one brain.In season one of Severance, Helly R (Britt Lower) experienced a conflict between her innie (the side of her mind that remembered her work life) and her outie (the side outside of work). Similarly, there is evidence of a conflict between the two hemispheres of real split-brain patients.When speaking with split-brain patients, you are usually communicating with the left hemisphere of the brain, which controls speech. However, some patients can communicate from their right hemisphere by writing, for example, or arranging Scrabble letters.A young patient was asked what job he would like in the future. His left hemisphere chose an office job making technical drawings. His right hemisphere, however, arranged letters to spell automobile racer.Split brain patients have also reported alien hand syndrome, where one of their hands is perceived to be moving of its own volition. These observations suggest that two separate conscious people may coexist in one brain and may have conflicting goals.In Severance, however, both the innie and the outie have access to speech. This is one indicator that the fictional severance procedure must involve a more complex separation of the brains networks.An example of a complex separation of function was described in the case report of Neil, in 1994. Neil was a teenage boy who had a number of difficulties following a pineal gland tumour. One of these difficulties was a rare form of amnesia. It meant that Neil could not recall the events of his day or report what he had learned in school. He had also become unable to read, although he could write, and was unable to name objects, although he could draw them.Astonishingly, Neil was able to keep up with his education. Researchers became interested in how he was able to complete his schoolwork despite having no memory for what he was learning.They quizzed him about a novel he was studying at school, Cider with Rosie by Laurie Lee. In conversation, Neil could not remember anything about the book not even the title. But when the researcher asked Neil to write down everything he could remember about the book, he wrote Bloodshot Geranium windows Cider with Rosie Dranium smell of damp peppar [sic] and mushroom growth all words connected to the novel. As Neil could not read, he had to ask the researcher: What did I write?Neil was also able to write down other memories that were thought to be lost, including meeting a man with gangrene in hospital. In each case, he was unaware of his own memory until he wrote it down and had it read back to him. Neils case is a staggering example. It suggests that it is possible to have rich memories that are inaccessible to our consciousness.In Severance, Irvings (John Turturro) outie can access memories of his innies work environment through painting. He paints the long hallways of the Severed floor (where his innie works), despite having no conscious memory of them. Perhaps then, in the show, the severance procedure involves blocking conscious access to memory in the same way that this access was blocked in Neil.The role of the hippocampusWhich brain regions might be core to the TV shows severance procedure? The region most associated with remembering the events of the work day is the hippocampus and, interestingly, this same brain region also supports the representation of space.The fact that the same neural structure supports both remembering that a new colleague has joined your team today, and representing the layout of the office, suggests that the hippocampus might be a good target for this fictional procedure.In Severance, the switch between innie and outie occurs at the boundary to the office the elevator doors. This is reminiscent of the doorway effect, the phenomenon in which walking through a doorway makes you forget something.The hippocampus segments our experience into episodes for later recall. Entering a new space is an indicator that a new episode has started, which leads to increased forgetting of information that spans these episodes. The effect is subtle, however. Although you might sometimes walk into the kitchen and forget why you went in, you dont forget that you have children unlike the dramatic effect caused by the shows severance procedure.Perhaps, in the show, the hippocampus interest in spatial boundaries triggers the switch between innie and outie.Unfortunately, there are two crucial flaws with the idea that the shows severance procedure could involve a simple snip to the hippocampus.First, its not just episodic and spatial memory that is divided in Severance. The workers have a great deal of semantic knowledge (facts about Lumon, the company they work for, and its founder, for example) that is inaccessible to their outies. They also form emotional memories linked to the rewards they get for hard work and the punishments that they receive in the break room. These forms of memory rely on far more than the hippocampus, and the hippocampus itself is part of a brain-wide episodic memory network that is activated during episodic memory retrieval.The second flaw is that memory itself is not an isolated process. It is closely connected to perception, attention, language and many other processes. The human memory system is far too complex to be entirely split in two but as Severance shows, its fun to think about the possibilities.This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

Belle Epoque RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 gets April release dateWorld map revealed.Image credit: Sandfall Interactive News by Ed Nightingale Deputy News Editor Published on Jan. 23, 2025 Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the forthcoming RPG from Sandfall Interactive, has a release date of April 24th.The news was shared at today's Xbox Developer Direct, with a complete overview of the game - a love letter to Japanese RPGs of the past (Final Fantasy, Persona) with an active turn-based battle system.The release will be across Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC (Steam, Epic), with a day one release on Game Pass. Check out a new trailer below.Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 | Release Date Trailer | Developer_Direct 2025Watch on YouTubeMuch of what was shown was already known - Eurogamer previewed the game last year and spoke to creative director Guillaume Broche about the game's old school influences.As a recap, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is set in a French fantasy Belle Epoque world in which each year the mysterious Paintress dooms the population above a certain age to death. Sandfall Interactive is aiming to bring a compelling story, innovative gameplay, and a unique world.Its story isn't good versus evil, but is about flawed people who care deeply about each other, as well as conflicts seen through different perspectives. It's a dark and mature story about overcoming an existential threat and struggling with loss and grief - how do you stay hopeful in such a world?Gameplay focuses on turn-based battles, but with the ability to dodge and parry in real-time. There's plenty of character customisation too, with unique skill trees and mechanics for each playable character, as well as hundreds of passive effects known as Luminas. There are lots of possible builds, then, which will keep RPG fans content.Shown for the first time in this presentation was the game's navigable 3D world map, just like in old RPGs. It's expansive, explorable on a giant mount, and includes lots of side paths and entire hidden levels to discover. A look at the game's 3D world map | Image credit: Sandfall InteractiveIn all, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 looks like it'll appease fans of old RPGs, but with plenty of modern twists and a truly stunning world. Personally, I can't wait.For more information, check out Xbox Wire.

In our line of work, narrowing down the best bed sheets is not a casual decision. Its a search for an essential element of your entire sleep experience. And while everybody needs quality sleep, its not always so easy to come by between skin sensitivities and night sweats. A good set of sheets is an easy solve for the most basic of sleep woes, so our editors spent countless nights testing the latest and greatest linens and bedding on the market, resulting in this deep dive into the sheets of our dreams. Take a peek at all of our notes and gut reactions on some of the most internet-beloved bed sheets on the market, ranging from hotel-quality percale weaves and organic cotton sheets to eco-friendly picks made with materials like eucalyptus and bamboo.Our Top Picks for the Best Bed Sheets:Best Linen Bed Sheets: Brooklinen Core Sheet Set $319 $217Best Cotton Bed Sheets: Parachute Brushed Cotton Fitted Sheet $110Best Eucalyptus Bed Sheets: Buffy Eucalyptus Sheet Set $195 $156Best Sateen Bed Sheets: Boll & Branch Signature Hemmed Sheet Set $279Best Cooling Bed Sheets: Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set $331 $265Best Egyptian Cotton Bed Sheets: Matouk Egyptian Cotton Sheeting $349Browse by Category:Editor's Note: All prices reflect queen-size sheets, but different sizes are available for purchase.The Best Sheets, OverallBest Linen Sheets: Brooklinen Linen Core Sheet SetBrooklinen Linen Core Sheet SetSpecsThread count: N/AMaterial: LinenColors available: White, cream, petal, haze, charcoal chambray, charcoal chambray, and white stripeUpsidesLong side and short side labeling on the fitted sheet for easy use, super-soft material, temperature-regulating designDownsidesDuvet cover runs a bit big, slightly thin sheet designWashing InstructionsMachine-wash on a cold setting with like colors. Do not bleach and tumble dry on a low setting. You can iron these sheets on low, if necessary.Bed sheet reviewer: Madeleine Luckel, contributorWhat attracted you to these bed sheets? I really felt like linen sheets had become all the rage. This was a couple years ago, and while I toyed with the vision of a perfectly wrinkled dove gray set, Im much more of a white bedding person. Brooklinen was one of two brands I was aware of making the type of linen sheets I wanted.Whats it like sleeping on these bed sheets? Its really nice. When I got these I thought white linen sheets year-round might be a slightly bold move, since I dont live my life on a Greek island, but the nature of the fiber is versatile and temperature regulating.Did the sheets live up to your expectations? Yes, but they are a little bit thin. Im fine with this, but its just something to keep in mind if you are picturing a super dense weave.Would you recommend the sheets to a friend? Yes.Best Cotton Sheets: Parachute Organic Cotton Fitted SheetParachute Organic Cotton Fitted SheetSpecsThread count: N/AMaterial: Organic cottonColors available: White, bone, willow, and duskUpsidesSnug fit on the bedDownsidesCotton sheet sets can lack the silky feel of other high-end materials; sheets sold separatelyWashing InstructionsMachine-wash on a delicate cycle set on warm/cold water. Use mild laundry detergent and let the detergent dissolve in the water before loading your sheets. Tumble or air dry.Bed sheet reviewer: Rachel Fletcher, commerce directorEditors Note: The Organic Fitted Sheet we originally tested is no longer in stock, but the brushed cotton is a worthy alternative.What attracted you to these bed sheets? I love the Parachute brand and, when they said they were releasing a line of organic bedding last year, I jumped at the chance to give them a try. Theyre also made in Portugal, which is known for producing excellent linens. The factory that Parachute works with has been family-owned for generations.Whats it like sleeping on these bed sheets? Its definitely not a silky smooth experience that you might get from a sateen weave, but it feels lovely nonetheless; its more of a grown up and tucked-in kind of vibe (which is a lot to say about a set of sheets). These sheets are clean and crisp, so theres no stretchy action like you might expect with sheets of a lesser quality.Would you recommend the sheets to a friend? I would. I try a lot of bedding in this line of work and, the more I do, the more I appreciate ethical and organic productionWho wants to think about the chemicals theyre breathing in while they sleep?even if the price tag is a little bit higher.Best Eucalyptus Sheets: Buffy Eucalyptus SheetsBuffy Breeze Sheet SetSpecsThread count: 300Material: 100% eucalyptus fiber (Oeko-Tex certified)Colors available: Blush, white, light gray, dark gray, light blue, and dark blueUpsidesGreat donation policyDownsidesPrice investmentWashing InstructionsMachine-wash on a cold setting and tumble dry low.Bed sheet reviewer: Zo Sessums, senior digital design editorWhat attracted you to these bed sheets? These sheets got me interested by way of an Instagram ad. I was intrigued by the materialwhat does eucalyptus feel like?and excited about the plant-dyed color options (they use ingredients like turmeric, gardenia, and pomegranate for the natural dying process).Whats it like sleeping on these bed sheets? These sheets are smoooooth and feel like a silk/cotton combo. The cool-to-the-touch nature of the material is ideal for warmer months and hot sleepers, so I found the experience very nice. They only get softer after each wash.Did the sheets live up to your expectations? Im a fan! Not only are the sheets very lovely, but the mission of the brand is something to get behind. If you arent satisfied with your sheets, Buffy encourages you to donate them to someone in needand youll still get a refund.

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Not So Far SouthSouth of Midnight still looks cool as hell, and now it has a release date to prove it's a real game you'll be playing soonSouth of Midnight has long been one of Xbox's most intriguing games of 2025, and today, we got to learn exactly when we're going to be playing it.Image credit: Compulsion Games News by Sherif Saed Contributing Editor Additional contributions byMark WarrenPublished on Jan. 23, 2025 Microsoft promised to bring us a deeper look at South of Midnight during its January 2025 Xbox Developer Direct, and the publisher has delivered. The stylish action games segment was a highlight, and it even came with a release date on PC and Xbox.South of Midnight arrives on April 8, 2025, and you can pre-order it now on Xbox and Steam.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. South of Midnight, which you hopefully havent forgotten about in the six months since we last had a look at it, will be in our hands this year. Much like last years gameplay debut, todays look also features plenty of action-heavy footage.Combat and traversal look to be core components of this one, but its the American South setting, the particular flavour of music, and the unusual characters that really have us hooked to see where this tale goes. We got a look at Hazel's weaver powers in this one, which is the thing that allows her to see both real things, and the mythical beings we've seen in previous trailers. She'll be guided in her adventure by a storytelling catfish, which is cool.There was an in-depth look at how these weaving spells and abilities, which you'll unlock more of and be able to form a build from as the game progresses, work in combat. You'll be searching for Hazel's mother while traversing different regions ruled by different boss creatures, which you'll need to unravel the memories of and heal as part of battling them.South of Midnight is the new game from Compulsion Games, a studio whose earlier games have varied in quality. Contrast was beloved, but We Happy Few missed the mark - even if it managed to have a few fans by the time it left early access.If theres one thing you can count on from Compulsion, however, its the studios unique sense of style and confidence. Judged on that alone, South of Midnight already looks like a winner, but well have to see if it comes together when we get our hands on it later this year.

In BriefPosted:3:29 PM PST January 23, 2025Image Credits:Getty ImagesEven some of the best AI cant beat this new benchmarkThe nonprofit Center for AI Safety (CAIS) and Scale AI, a company that provides a number of data labeling and AI development services, have released a challenging new benchmark for frontier AI systems.The benchmark, called Humanitys Last Exam, includes thousands of crowdsourced questions touching on subjects like mathematics, humanities, and the natural sciences.To make the evaluation tougher, the questions are in multiple formats, including formats that incorporate diagrams and images. In a preliminary study, not a single publicly available flagship AI system managed to score better than 10% on Humanitys Last Exam. CAIS and Scale AI say they plan open up the benchmark to the research community so that researchers can dig deeper into the variations and evaluate new AI models.Topics

OpenAI says that it might store chats and associated screenshots from customers who use Operator, the companys AI agent tool, for up to 90 days even after a user manually deletes them.OpenAI has a similar deleted data retention policy for ChatGPT, its AI-powered chatbot platform. However, the retention period for ChatGPT is only 30 days, which is 60 days shorter than Operators.OpenAI says its policies around data retention for Operator are designed to combat abuse. As agents are a relatively new technology, we wanted to make sure our teams have the time to better understand and review potential abuse vectors, an OpenAI spokesperson told TechCrunch. This retention period allows us to enhance fraud monitoring and ensure the product remains safe from misuse, while still giving users control over their data.OpenAI announced Operator on Thursday and released it in a research preview for subscribers to the companys $200-per-month ChatGPT Pro plan. Operator is a general-purpose AI agent with a built-in browser that can independently perform certain actions on websites.OpenAI claims that Operator can automate tasks like booking travel accommodations, making restaurant reservations, and shopping online. There are several task categories users can choose from within the Operator interface, including shopping, delivery, dining, and travel.Operator captures screenshots of its built-in browser to help it understand how and when to take actions in apps, like when to use buttons and which forms to complete. To be clear, Operator doesnt capture screenshots when it gets stuck, like when the tool needs a password. OpenAI calls this take over mode.Still, some users may be wary of volunteering screenshots of their online activities to a company that may keep them for upwards of three months. OpenAI notes that, as with ChatGPT, Operator data may be accessed by a limited number of authorized OpenAI personnel and trusted service providers for purposes like investigating abuse and handling legal matters.

The need for more student housing in Berkeley, California, is real, as isgentrification in the Bay Area more broadly. UC Berkeley has tried releasing the pressure valve with an influx of new student housing in recent years, attempts which have been met with mixed reviews. One example isa high-rise underway on a much-loved public space since the 1960s, Peoples Park. Ayers Saint Gross, Kevin Daly Architects, and CMG Landscape Architecture recently completed new housing for UC Berkeley graduate students to help meet pent up demand. xuyun ruwway Graduate Student Apartments has 286 units which can house a total 761 students. The architects took advantage of the Bay Areas temperate climate by designing corridors semi-open to the elements.The complex has a total 55,000 square feet of open space. (Bruce Damonte)xuyun ruwway (pronounced HOOCH-yoon ROO-wai) translates in English to our homeland house in Chochenyo, the language of the Ohlone people native to the region. UC Berkeley and the architects consulted Ohlone members during the design process, marking a first in the schools historythis is the first time it chose to use Indigenous language in the naming of a campus building. In plan, the building is anchored by a central bar with five wings that jut out from it. Its three courtyards wash the fully furnished apartments in sunlight. Study areas, meeting rooms, and communal lounges are on the ground floor. The courtyards are open to multiple uses like barbecues, film screenings, hangouts, and so on.Staircases and corridors are left semi-open to the outdoors. (Bruce Damonte)Perhaps the buildings most standout features are the metal casements that wrap the windows, but also its angular massing. These components reduce heat gain while also creating visual irregularity. Graduate students can enjoy a new sheltered bus stop with dedicated service, taking them to and from UC Berkeleys campus. Theres also a dedicated lounge for the bus drivers. A lounge area on the ground floor is flooded with natural light thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows. (Bruce Damonte)A communal dining space opens to the outdoors. (Bruce Damonte)Shared living areas provide tenants with the necessities, such as kitchen appliances and comfortable furniture for lounging around. (Bruce Damonte)The perforated, yellow metal screens that wrap around the open stairs and elevator lobbies also do much to make xuyun ruwway stand out from the context. On the Jackson Street side of the complex, CMG ideated a linear park which is lined with street lighting, trees, and benches.The complex has a dedicated bus stop that connects students to campus. (Bruce Damonte)Theres a total of 55,000 square feet of open space at the new housing complex. CMG employed what they called a re-oaking planting strategy that extendsthe local California Oak habitat and urban forest eco-corridor while providing shade, conserving water, and sequestering carbon.Ayers Saint Gross noted that the project is slated for LEED Gold certification.

One of the last major 19thcentury buildings erected in Bostons Leather District is also one of the finest examples of Beaux Arts architecture in the city.This is the Albany Building, built in 1899, and fills an entire city block. The Albany Building was designed byPeabody and Stearnsand built byNorcross Brothersas theoffices for the United Shoe Machinery Corporation. Its two-story base is adorned with swags and cartouches and its fifth floor is topped with a complex cornice. The use of beveled corners and ornate detailing break up the massing of the building which otherwise, would read like a box. The building today serves as an important visual gateway into the Leather District and its context of late 19thcentury commercial blocks centered around the leather and shoe manufacturing businesses.

On's platform used a chatbot to aid with customer service, often for sports teams.gettyFederal prosecutors in San Francisco said Thursday that the founder of a venture-backed AI chat startup allegedly used over $4 million of investor funds to purchase a home, fund private schools, buy luxury cars, and even pay for his wedding venue. Authorities called the founders fraud brazen and wide-ranging, where he vastly overstated the companys revenue and other financials, per the indictment.Alex Beckman, the founder and former CEO, and his wife Valerie Lau Beckman, were charged with wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, securities fraud, among other charges. Lau Beckman is an attorney that worked as general counsel for Industry Ventures, a startup fund, and worked closely with On, which was formerly known as GameOn Technology.Since Beckman founded it in 2014, On raised over $125 million in investment from venture capital firms B3 Capital and Quest Venture Partners, along with numerous celebrities, including the retired NFL legend Joe Montana, and the retired NBA star Andr Iguodala, according to Pitchbook. Prosecutors said that in most years, GameOns annual revenue was materially less than $500,000.Beckman, Lau Beckman and On, as well as Ons investors, did not immediately respond to comment requests.On, which was valued at over $260 million, according to Pitchbook, claims to be a customer service-focused AI-based chat system that works with numerous sports teams including the New York Yankees, the Sacramento Kings, and the Oakland Roots, a soccer club. None of those teams responded to Forbes request for comment.In July 2024, Beckman resigned as CEO after being pushed out by the board, which had discovered an elaborate deception, Venture Beat reported. According to a letter sent to shareholders at the time, a company account that should have had $11 million in it, only contained $0.37.Prosecutors also say that in June 2024, Lau delivered a falsified financial statement to a bank that purported to show that the company had over $13 million in its account, when in fact, it had just $25.93.Hans Swildens, the CEO and founder of Industry Ventures confirmed that Lau Beckman left the company on December 31, after four months of maternity leave. Swildens declined to comment further.The couple were arrested on Thursday and made their initial appearance in a San Francisco courtroom.The Bay Area is home to incredible innovation and hard-working entrepreneurs, but innovation cannot grow through fraud, Patrick D. Robbins, a federal prosecutor, said in a statement. Schemes like the ones that defendants are charged with threaten our financial markets and cheat investors.MORE FROM FORBES