• iPhone Users Relentlessly Mock Dumb Apple Intelligence
    www.forbes.com
    INDIA - 2024/09/17: In this photo illustration, an Apple intelligence logo seen displayed on a ... [+] smartphone with an Apple Logo in the background. (Photo Illustration by Avishek Das/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesApple isnt always the first to innovate, but it is usually the first to set trends. That isnt how things have gone with its push into generative AI powered by Apple Intelligence, which has drawn merciless ridicule from numerous iPhone users.Among other things, Apple Intelligence performs tasks like removing unwanted objects from images, sorting through emails and summing up messages, so you dont have to read all that.Its meant to make life simpler, but the problem is its not exactly all that smart.Its so dumb that iPhone users have been relentlessly mocking its shortcomings for months now.An X post from two weeks back, showing the stark difference between the image clean-up capabilities of Apple Intelligence and Samsung Galaxy AI, stacked over 360,000 likes:Two weeks later, similar posts continue to proliferate on social media. Apples generative AI tool consistently struggles to remove objects without leaving applying ghoulishly bizarre clean-ups.MORE FOR YOUHeres another example from Reddit:In Apples defense, Samsungs AI kit also struggles with object removal occasionally, pumping out similarly glitchy outcomes.Apple Intelligence also runs AI tasks on-device, locally, while Galaxy AI processes them in the cloud. Still, Samsungs on-device processing still seems to perform slightly better with object removal.The main point, though, is that Apple Intelligence is not yet a polished product especially by Apples standards.Things dont get much better with the message summary and speech-to-text features, which frequently struggle with contextual information. Here are a few examples:Some of these botched summaries are the kind of misunderstanding that will make your heart explode.In other cases, Apple Intelligence is just straight-up silly, generating odd emoji, making painfully misplaced text suggestions or dropping absolute non-sequiturs.Look, I get it: Apple Intelligence is still in its infancy and generative AI is bound to get much better. But Apple and the iPhone used to be known for the flawless user experience and Apple Intelligence is far from flawless.
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  • Apple considers monetizing Maps to strengthen services revenue
    www.techspot.com
    The big picture: Apple is said to be revisiting a plan to monetize its Maps app through advertising. According to Bloomberg's well-connected Mark Gurman, Apple considered baking search ads into Maps years ago but ultimately shelved the idea. The integration would reportedly mirror what Google does with its Maps app, allowing businesses to pay a fee in exchange for being featured more prominently in search results and on the map. Ideally, when searching for a business like a restaurant in a mapping application, you would want the most relevant results whether based on relevance or proximity rather than those that simply pay to appear at the top of the list.As Gurman highlights, Apple has pushed to make ads a bigger part of its business strategy in recent years. Staples like the Stocks app and Apple News now include advertising, and Apple has also prioritized ads with regard to its push into live sports.Sources told Gurman that during a recent all-hands meeting with the Maps team, Apple executives said monetizing Maps is something they are once again considering. Work on the effort hasn't started and there is no timetable for a consumer rollout, but the possibility certainly exists.Google already engages in this practice, but they are not the only ones. Others that play in the same or related space including Waze and Yelp also utilize paid search promotion.It is a bit surprising that Apple is contemplating the move, especially considering its recent performance. Cupertino reported a record holiday quarter with revenue of $124.3 billion despite a small dip in iPhone earnings. // Related StoriesIn fact, the services division, which includes things like App Store purchases, subscriptions, AppleCare, and more, reached a new all-time high of $26.3 billion up from $23.1 billion during the same period a year earlier. Apple CFO Kevan Parekh said the division is accretive to the overall company margin.Shares in Apple are up 1.27 percent as of writing, trading hands at $244.60.Image credit: Card Mapr
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  • Meta takes on massive undersea connectivity expansion with new project
    www.techspot.com
    What just happened? Despite facing significant threats in recent years, undersea cables remain the backbone of the modern internet. Now, Meta plans to further expand and strengthen this critical infrastructure. Project Waterworth aims to launch the world's largest subsea cable system, utilizing the highest-capacity technology available today. A few months ago, rumors surfaced about Meta's plans to lay a new global network of undersea cables. Now, the company has officially unveiled Project Waterworth, an ambitious and potentially risky infrastructure initiative that will span over 50,000 kilometers and reach five continents.The new system is designed to enhance connectivity to the US, India, Brazil, South Africa, and other key regions for undersea infrastructure. Meta has committed an undisclosed amount of funding to bolster the reliability of existing undersea systems and to open three new oceanic corridors simultaneously.Meta also highlighted its ongoing infrastructure innovations, citing more than 20 subsea cables deployed through various partnerships over the past decade. The company has installed cables with 24 optical fiber pairs, compared to the typical eight to 16 pairs used in conventional undersea cables.Meta has announced that Project Waterworth will use the same 24-fiber pair cable technology deployed in previous systems. The plan also includes several technological innovations, such as a new routing solution designed to lay cables at depths of up to 7,000 meters below sea level. To protect the cables in high-risk areas such as shallow waters near coastlines, new burial techniques will be used to prevent damage from ship anchors and other unspecified hazards.Meta justifies the project as a critical infrastructure upgrade to advance AI development. The company claims that machine learning and generative AI models represent a revolution in progress, although businesses are still exploring what these agentic AI solutions can truly contribute in terms of efficiency and additional revenue. // Related StoriesMeta also argues that Project Waterworth can bring the benefits of AI and other emerging technologies to every corner of the globe. However, the initiative could increase the risk of sabotage attempts. Undersea cables have become prime targets for adversarial nations like Russia and China, prompting NATO to quickly develop countermeasures and alternative internet connectivity routes.
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  • 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e review: a sporty feel and solid electric range
    www.digitaltrends.com
    2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e review: a sporty feel and solid electric rangeMSRP$59,900.00 Score Details If you're looking for luxury and a solid electric range, the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e is an excellent option.ProsSporty designSolid electric rangeLuxurious interiorSupports Level 3 chargingConsSlower than gas modelsLimited physical controlsTable of ContentsTable of ContentsDesignInterior and techRange and chargingDriving experienceHow DT would configure this carWhile Mercedes-Benz offers a number of high-end fully-electric vehicles, not everyone is quite ready to make the switch which is exactly where a plug-in hybrid comes in. The Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e is a plug-in hybrid with a roomy interior and luxury feel, plus it offers plenty of oomph under the hood.Recommended VideosBut, because of the fact that not everyone is ready to jump to a full EV, automakers have been working overtime on their plug-in hybrid options. As a result, the Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e has some serious competition. Does it do enough to make a serious case for itself or should you go for one of the others?RelatedThe overall design of the Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e is the same as the non-plug-in version, which, in turn, is the same as the 2024 model. That, however, isnt a bad thing by any means. Its a handsome-looking car with a sporty feel overall.Christian de Looper / Digital TrendsOn the front, youll find an oversized Mercedes-Benz logo centered on an intake grille that covers most of the face of the vehicle. Its flanked by two slanted headlights. The roofline of the vehicle is curved and approachable, a trend weve seen from Mercedes-Benz in recent years. On the back of the vehicle, youll find two separated taillights that kind of merge into the liftgate.Our review model comes with a few upgrades too. For starters, theres the Patagonia Red Metallic color, which costs extra to get. Other add-ons include the AMG Line Package and the 20-inch AMG Multispoke Black Wheels, which look fantastic. All that to say, this isnt exactly what the base variant of the GLC 350e will look like, but its also not too far off, which is nice.The premium build quality extends to the interior of the too. The cabin of the vehicle is modern and stylish, with unique-looking air vents and clearly premium materials. The seats are covered with stitched leather, and in the front row, youll get adjustable lumbar support and seat heating for an even more comfortable ride. All this is coupled with customizable accent lighting.Christian de Looper / Digital TrendsBoth the first and second row in the vehicle get plenty of space, and I found it perfectly comfortable to sit in the rear seats as a six-foot person. In the trunk, youll get 24 cu-ft of cargo space, which is solid but not necessarily massive. Its about average for a crossover-sized vehicle like this.Like other Mercedes-Benz vehicles in recent years, much of how youll control the vehicle is packed into the main infotainment display. The center touch screen is 11.9 inches, and houses controls for climate, media, mapping, and so on. There are very few physical controls outside of those on the steering wheel, though thankfully you will get a strip of physical controls for volume, exterior cameras, and your hazard lights. I wish there were more physical controls offered by this vehicle, especially when it comes to climate controls.Christian de Looper / Digital TrendsFor the most part, the software is responsive enough, but it still doesnt match the responsiveness offered by tech companies like Tesla and Rivian. I hope this is an area where Mercedes-Benz continues to improve, especially considering the fact that so many controls are packed into its software now.The main infotainment display is coupled with a bright instrument display behind the steering wheel. In some variants of the vehicle, youll also get a heads-up display showing your speed and some other information.For the first time, theres a plug-in hybrid option for the GLC SUV, which is great to see. Plug-in hybrids are a solid option for those interested in electrifying some of their driving but not quite ready to dive into a fully electric vehicle that cant be gassed up in only a few minutes.The GLC 350e combines a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 24.8kWh battery pack. Together, these are able to produce 313hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, which is technically an increase over the gas-only model. That said, despite the improved power, the vehicle isnt as fast as the gas-only model, considering the fact that its so heavy.Christian de Looper / Digital TrendsStill, the plug-in hybrid variant does mean that youll be able to drive limited distances using only the built-in battery. The GLC 350e has an electric range of 54 miles, which is solid, though not incredible for a plug-in hybrid. Like all plug-in hybrids, if you want to be able to use the vehicle as an EV as much as possible, youll need to be able to charge either at home or at work. If your commute is 15 miles, or 30 total during the day to get back home, youll need to charge up every single day. Youre not going to want to do so at public charging stations.Of course, instead of using the vehicle as an EV, you could combine the battery and the gas engine for more efficient gas-powered driving. The vehicle offers a number of different modes to take advantage of, including a sport mode that prioritizes performance and a fully electric mode, which really only activates the gas engine when you press the throttle all the way to the ground.Christian de Looper / Digital TrendsTo charge the car, youll plug it in via its CCS port, and it has a maximum charging speed of around 60kW. That should allow drivers to charge it from 10% to 80% in around 30 minutes. Again, however, it will be more convenient to simply charge it overnight at home or during the day instead of at level 3 charging stations.Behind the wheel, the GLC 350e felt sporty and responsive. Generally speaking, it was a joy to drive. Mercedes-Benz is offsetting some of that extra weight with the self-leveling rear air suspension system, which helped make the ride smoother in general. In sport mode, the GLC 350e was quite quick. Its not as fast as an electric vehicle typically is, but its able to accelerate to 60mph in 6.2 seconds, which is more than fast enough to quickly overtake someone on the highway or to get up to speed on an on-ramp.In electric-only mode, its performance was a little less impressive, though of course, the electric powertrain is more there for efficiency than performance. Again, its acceleration wont break any records, but its still nice to be able to use the vehicle in electric-only mode as needed.Christian de Looper / Digital TrendsI didnt love the fact that the vehicle constantly defaulted to electric driving, though. To be sure, it makes sense that this vehicle, in particular, will be bought by those who are curious about battery-powered driving. However, I still prefer that the vehicle simply defaults to the last used driving mode. Its a small complaint but was a little annoying during my use.When the vehicle runs out of juice, it can make use of regenerative braking to replenish the battery a little, but youll really want to plug the car in. Thats because its such a heavy vehicle, which means that it uses more gas to accelerate than its fully gas-powered counterparts. You can also tweak the levels of regenerative braking, which can help the battery charge faster at higher levels.Christian de Looper / Digital TrendsThe steering on the vehicle is decently responsive too, though not quite as much as you would expect from a more sports-focused vehicle. This is common among luxury Mercedes-Benz cars, and its certainly not a bad thing. The aim of the game here is a comfortable ride, not necessarily an ultra-responsive drive. You get used to how it feels relatively quickly.I really enjoyed my week with the Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e. Again, however, its best suited for those who can charge it at home overnight or at work during the day. If you cant do so, youll have to be willing to head to a public charger on a very regular basis, and frankly, I doubt most people would do that, instead falling into simply using the vehicle as a gas-powered car that happens to be a whole lot heavier than a gas-only model and ironically ends up using a whole lot more gas.Configuration, however, is really down to personal preference, and upgrades are purely aesthetic and tech-focused rather than performance-focused. Youll have to pay extra for some colors and some wheel options, not to mention the AMG Line package, which adds sportier body styling and some interior features. The vehicle can also come in a base variant or with the Exclusive Trim or Pinnacle Trim. Again, neither of these contribute to better performance, but if I were buying the GLC 350e, I might consider the Exclusive Trim for the upgraded Burmester sound system and the surround view camera system, which Ive come to rely on.It is, however, also worth considering alternatives. The Volvo XC60 isnt as luxurious, but it is a little larger and a little faster. That said, its electric range is much lower, at only 35 miles. Ultimately, if youre looking for luxury and a solid electric range, the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e is an excellent option.Editors Recommendations
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  • This 65-inch Samsung 4K QLED has a $600 price cut today
    www.digitaltrends.com
    TVs are cheaper than ever these days, which means one must be extra discerning when shopping for a new set. Not all models are created equal, and unless youre dealing with a top brand like Samsung, youll want to pay extra mind to picture specs and other features. Fortunately, Samsung is a company were always running up against when vetting through TV deals, and as luck would have it, theres a great Samsung TV on sale right now:For a limited time, when you purchase the Samsung 65-inch Q80D Series 4K QLED at Amazon, Best Buy, Crutchfield, and a handful of other retailers, youll only pay $900. The full MSRP on this model is $1,500.The Samsung Q80D is a midrange QLED that punches high above its weight class. Renowned for rich colors, high peak brightness, and excellent reflection handling, the Q80D Series delivers on these Samsung signatures while leaning on Samsungs Neural Quantum AI Gen 2 Processor for image optimization. Expect pixel perfection in every frame and some of the best 4K upscaling on the market, so even your old DVDs get a fresh coat of paint!RelatedThanks to its native 120Hz refresh rate and HDMI 2.1 connectivity, the Q80D is a great choice for gaming, and full VRR support guarantees fast response times and minimal input lag when firing up your PS5, Xbox, or PC. And when its time to put away the games to fire up your favorite Netflix series, Tizen OS delivers a smooth and reliable streaming and casting experience.We wish this TV would stay on sale forever but the reality is it probably will be closer to full price by next week. That means today could be your last shot at scoring this deal! Save $600 when you purchase the Samsung 65-inch Q80D Series 4K QLED today. You may also want to take a peek at some of the best Samsung TV deals and the best QLED TV deals weve been keeping tabs on.Editors Recommendations
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  • NokiApple LumiPhone 1020 SE merges Windows Phone body with budget iPhone guts
    arstechnica.com
    No-kia NokiApple LumiPhone 1020 SE merges Windows Phone body with budget iPhone guts Maybe Hack-iPhoning is the next wave to replace Hackintoshing. Kevin Purdy Feb 17, 2025 3:00 pm | 7 Credit: OceanDepth95028/Reddit Credit: OceanDepth95028/Reddit Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreRemember the Lumia 1020? It's backin iPhone SE form.The Lumia 1020 was a lot of smartphone in July 2013. It debuted with a focus "almost entirely on the phone's massive camera," Ars wrote at the time. That big 41-megapixel sensor jutted forth from the phone body, and Nokia reps showed off its low-light, rapid-motion camera abilities by shooting pictures of breakdancers in a dark demonstration room. The company also offered an optional camera gripone that made it feel a lot more like a point-and-shoot camera. In a more robust review, Ars suggested the Lumia 1020 might actually make the point-and-shoot obsolete. Front of the Lumia 1020, showing a bit of Windows Phone square grid flair. Casey Johnston Front of the Lumia 1020, showing a bit of Windows Phone square grid flair. Casey Johnston Back of the Lumia 1020, with oh-so-much yellow. Casey Johnston Back of the Lumia 1020, with oh-so-much yellow. Casey Johnston The accessory camera grip for the Lumia 1020, shown at its press reveal. Casey Johnston The accessory camera grip for the Lumia 1020, shown at its press reveal. Casey Johnston Back of the Lumia 1020, with oh-so-much yellow. Casey Johnston The accessory camera grip for the Lumia 1020, shown at its press reveal. Casey Johnston The Lumia 1020 contained yet another cutting edge concept of the day: Windows Phone, Microsoft's color-coded, square-shaped companion to its mobile-forward Windows 8. The mobile OS never got over the users/apps, chicken/egg conundrum, and called it quits in October 2017. The end of that distant-third-place mobile OS would normally signal the end of the Lumia 1020 as a usable phone.But there was a person named /u/OceanDepth95028 who saw beyond, and where others thought, "LOL," this person thought, "Why not?" And this person looked at the Lumia 1020 and saw a third-generation iPhone SE inside of it. And then this person made that phone, and it booted. And the person saw that it was good, and they posted the tale to Reddit's r/hackintosh. The back of OceanDepth95028's modded Lumia 1020, with both a camera and a Touch ID/home button in the camera bump-out. Note that this body-hacked iPhone is sitting on top of a Dell Hackintosh. Credit: OceanDepth95028/Reddit The back of OceanDepth95028's modded Lumia 1020, with both a camera and a Touch ID/home button in the camera bump-out. Note that this body-hacked iPhone is sitting on top of a Dell Hackintosh. Credit: OceanDepth95028/Reddit Pretty much everything inside this modded device comes over from the 2022 iPhone SE 3, the last iPhone with rounded edges and a physical home button. "The only 1020 aspect about it is the outer shell and front display glass," writes OceanDepth95028. That meant:Relaminating the iPhone's LCD screen onto the Lumia's front glass (and ditching the capacitive buttons at bottom)Putting the iPhone's camera inside the Lumia's big "Oreo" bump on the back, and using the extra space to put a working Touch ID sensor and home button back there, Android-styleA plugged-up headphone jack, because you just can't make that work on even a years-old iPhone nowMapping the Lumia's dedicated camera button as an additional volume-down key on the iPhone, so it can functionally work as a shutter button while the camera is openWhat resulted is a hell of a case swap, with everything working at the end. The poster acquires extra geek points by syncing their "LumiPhone" to a Dell laptop running a Hackintosh version of macOS Sonoma. Commenters get a chance to reflect on the bold designs of that era's Nokia phones, whether or not HMD's theoretical continuation of the Nokia name is a worthwhile effort."This is so silly. I want it," said redditor /u/osxdude, capturing the whole feel of the thing more succinctly than this writer.Kevin PurdySenior Technology ReporterKevin PurdySenior Technology Reporter Kevin is a senior technology reporter at Ars Technica, covering open-source software, PC gaming, home automation, repairability, e-bikes, and tech history. He has previously worked at Lifehacker, Wirecutter, iFixit, and Carbon Switch. 7 Comments
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  • Eight habits that could keep your heart healthy
    www.newscientist.com
    Exercise is very important for heart healthSolStock/Getty ImagesBeing active and getting enough sleep are just two of eight healthy habits that could help you avoid heart disease or stroke, or else decrease your risk if you have already been diagnosed with cardiovascular problems.The American Heart Association announced the habits, known as Lifes Essential 8, in 2022 to boost heart health in the US. They include adults getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night; 2.5 hours of moderate physical activity per week; not smoking; eating healthful foods; maintaining a healthy weight; and controlling their
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  • Calling an Uber abroad can incur extra charges — here's how to avoid them
    www.businessinsider.com
    Uber will soon charge a 1.5% fee for preferred currency pricing in the US, Canada, UK, and Europe.Preferred Currency Pricing applies to debit or credit card payments, not gift cards or Uber Cash.Users can avoid the fee by disabling the setting in the app's account and wallet sections.If you live in the US, Canada, UK, or Europe, Uber rides abroad are about to get more expensive.The Points Guy reported on February 14 that Uber will automatically opt users residing in these areas into Preferred Currency Pricing on February 27. This setting charges a 1.5% conversion fee to pay in the user's home country's currency rather than the local currency of their destination.Preferred Currency Pricing is only available when paying with debit or credit cards not gift cards or Uber Cash.The setting may be useful for saving money abroad if you have a credit card that charges extra for foreign transactions, but if your card doesn't have these fees, you'll be paying more with this setting on.How to avoid foreign transaction fees on UberTo avoid the 1.5% fee, you can turn off the preferred currency pricing in settings and instead opt to pay in local currency. First, open the app and tap "Account." From there, tap "Wallet" and scroll down past payment methods to "Preferred Currency." Screenshots show how to turn off the preferred currency setting. Joey Hadden/Business Insider Then, tap "Set preferred currency" and select "No preferred currency" from the options. Lastly, hit "Confirm" at the bottom of the options.You can also change to "No preferred currency" on any ride before booking it at the check-out stage. Happy riding!
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  • OpenWeb's ousted founder and CEO is back at the tech company in an advisor role after a messy boardroom battle
    www.businessinsider.com
    The founder and ex-CEO of OpenWeb, who was ousted from the company, is back as an advisor.It ends a dispute between OpenWeb's board and Shoval, which led to his exit from the company.Shoval, who sued OpenWeb and some of its board members, said they had resolved their differences.Nadav Shoval, the founder who was ousted as CEO of OpenWeb by its board in a messy public battle, is back with the adtech company in an advisor role, Business Insider has learned.In an email to employees sent on Friday morning and obtained by BI, OpenWeb's interim CEO, Tim Harvey, announced that the company and Shoval had "reached a mutually agreed resolution" in which Shoval would remain connected to the company as a senior advisor to its chief executive.Later on Friday, the company published a post on its website confirming the move. OpenWeb didn't respond to requests for comment."We resolved our differences," Shoval told BI. "The company remains committed to its mission of OpenWeb, and I'm excited to continue to support the mission in my role as senior advisor to the CEO."The settlement caps months of drama at OpenWeb, which began in mid-2024 after Shoval and some board members disagreed over a potential investment in the company from BlackRock, Shoval previously told BI in an interview in December.The relationship between Shoval and the board became further strained last year after the board changed his reporting line a move Shoval said was in breach of his contract because, in his view, it diminished his role and hindered his management capabilities.Shoval wrote to the board in September, demanding it reverse the change. Later that month, the board fired him instead.He took the matter public, posting to LinkedIn in September that he hadn't stepped down as CEO, writing: "I do not accept these actions. I will continue to fight for OpenWeb's mission and purpose alongside our team."Shoval also went the legal route, suing OpenWeb and many of its board members in a Tel Aviv, Israel court in October, alleging that he had been the victim of a boardroom coup. The complaint demanded he be reinstated as CEO and given the ability to appoint two new board members.In response to Shoval's suit, OpenWeb said in court filings that the case was a classic situation in which the board of directors had lost confidence in its CEO. OpenWeb said Shoval was trying to extract money that was not owed to him and that he had chosen to give up control of the company when he brought in investors.The case has now been settled, Shoval confirmed.OpenWeb, which has around 350 employees, provides technology that helps publishers boost revenue and engagement on their websites, such as comment moderation and advertising tools. Clients and partners include publishers such as CNN, Fox, and Hearst, and the advertising companies WPP, Dentsu, and Publicis Groupe, according to its website.Founded in 2012, OpenWeb has raised more than $392 million and was last valued at $1.5 billion. Its investors include the venture capital firms Insight Partners, Georgian Partners, and Index Ventures, companies like The New York Times and Dentsu, and the famed NYU Stern professor and podcaster Scott Galloway, who sits on the company's board.
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  • An Ode to President Lisa Simpson
    gizmodo.com
    Upon re-watching Bart to the Future, the seventeenth episode of The Simpsons eleventh season recently, the reality sunk in that we were so close to our first female president. Watching Lisa Simpson sitting in the oval office, the words of Adeles Rolling in the Deep resounded in my head: we could have had it all. A Lisa sitting in a purple suit with pearls, similarly donned by Vice President Harris at President Bidens election in 2020 and whos self-awareness came to light when she quoted a Simpson episode as part of her political endeavors,a clip of her during a Simpsons panel at SDCC last year was played where she quoted We must move forward, not backward, upward, not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom. from Treehouse of Horror VII. Granted one of the first matters of business Lisa has to attend in Bart to the Futurewhere Bart sees a vision of his, his familys, and the nations futureis the debt we accumulated from President Trump. A frankly super throwaway line from the year 2000 that no one could have believed would come true, let alone twice, which really manifested itself. Alas, here we are, and results have varied day to day in this dystopia. Ironically, Bart has a line that says the United States couldnt handle him as the president for being too real, a line of opinion that seems to be going around these days. Future Bart might have more in common with those in power than he could have imagined. But if thats a parallel we can draw with the gift of hindsight, it also raises another question: whats it going to take to see a Lisa Simpson in office? Growing up alongside the show, Lisa has always been the voice of reason in the Simpsons family. The black sheep in the community of middle class neighbors, who represent all walks of life one could find in any-town, America. The comedic episodes ful of silly and often questionable Springfieldian antics were often grounded by the empathy Lisa expressed for her fellow man, in the face of being quite often misunderstood. She made sense of her parents, her erratic father, her overstressed high-functioning mother, her rebellious brother, and everyone around her, and often did so to make them to come together and face whatever hardship they were struggling with this week. From being an advocate for human and animal rights as a role model for young girls, I really put stake into her ideals and hunger for knowledge. And much like the cartoons before it, in the way that Looney Tunes introduced many of us to classical music and opera, I learned so much about culture I wouldnt have sought after if not for the show, through Lisas eyes. Her Tell-tale Heart Its the beating of that hideous heart! line delivery in Lisas Rival lives rent free in my head and got me into Poes works. Even that episode, where Lisa sabotaged a classmates project to better her own chances, showed how no matter how perfect a kid could strive to be, they were only human and prone to jealousy too. And lets not forget what a little heartbreaker she is, from Ralphs I Choo-choo-chose you rejection, Milhouses pining to Nelsons unlikely romance. Lisa Simpson will forever be that girland perhaps no one could match her likes in animation history. But now as I approach the age of someone who could be a president, the allure of a figure exemplifying the ideals Lisa did in our own higher office remains, decades-old prescient episodes of the show or not. Lisas compassion her sense of justice and injustice, her willingness to get stuck in and deal with the messes laid out ahead of her, and the love she had for her family and community, are broad ideals befitting the highest office of them all in this country. And while the news, however outrageous, continues to shock and dismay us day to day, and it has still has methinking back to another exchange in Bart to the Future, where Homer says, What a bleak and horrible future we live in! only for Bart to respond Dont you mean present? Sure, thats where we are right now, but Id like to think were still waiting for the President Lisa Simpson on the horizonand that she could be any one of us.Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
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