Made these boids in unity using Graphics API and compute shaders. I published it as a public repo so you can check the code out! github.com GitHub - fisekoo/boids: Boids behaviour system in Unity using... Boids behaviour system in Unity using Graphics.DrawMeshInstancedIndirect & Compute Shaders 1 post - 1 participant Read full topic

The latest Xiaomi 15 Ultra is as robust as they come, with an improved telephoto lens that's changed how I approach mobile photography.

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One consequence of AIs impact is the risk of a transition to the lowest common cognitive ... [+] denominator. It does not have to be that way.gettyHave you ever had the feeling that youve heard a certain phrase before, even though its supposedly new? Or that a trending idea sounds eerily similar to something you read years ago? This sensation call it dj vu for ideas has become increasingly common in todays AI-driven knowledge landscape. Its as if we are collectively trapped in a loop of recycled thoughts, repackaged insights, and predictable conclusions.Picture this: Youre deep in conversation at a dinner party, debating the latest tech trend. Someone excitedly shares a groundbreaking perspective on the future of work only for you to realize youve read almost the exact same argument, in almost the exact same words, in three different articles that week. Its not that your friend is unoriginal; its that the sources shaping their thoughts (and yours) are increasingly drawn from the same well.A Pattern From The Past?Throughout history, humanity has repeatedly arrived at similar conclusions, despite being separated by geography, culture, and time. For example The Golden Rule treat others as you would like to be treated appeared independently in religions and philosophies worldwide. Democracy, mythological flood stories, and even algebra developed in multiple civilizations without direct contact. This remarkable pattern suggests a kind of shared cognitive blueprint, an innate human tendency to converge on certain truths.But what happens when this process is no longer organic when our shared knowledge is no longer shaped by independent thinkers across different cultures, but by predictive algorithms trained on the same datasets? That is the challenge we face in an era where generative AI models, particularly large language models, are feeding us information that is increasingly homogenized. Instead of spontaneous convergence, we may be witnessing the slow delusion of intellectual diversity, where the most accessible, most repeated, and most optimized versions of knowledge override the rest.Are we slipping into an era where the lowest common cognitive denominator dictates what we read, write, and believe? Or are we witnessing collective wisdom on steroids, accelerating our ability to learn from one another?The Rise Of AI As Knowledge ShaperThe knowledge landscape today is ever less shaped by individual thought leadership and ever more by algorithmic curation. AI models like ChatGPT, Googles Gemini, and Metas LLaMA are trained on massive datasets sourced from the internet everything from research papers to social media posts. These models identify patterns, predict the most likely next word in a sentence, and generate text that sounds coherent and authoritative.The result? A vast amount of AI-generated content that is consumed, repurposed, and redistributed by users around the globe. News articles, student essays, corporate reports, and even books are composed by LLMs contributing to a virtual echo chamber where certain perspectives are amplified, while others fade into the background.This democratization of information is powerful. Never before have people had such broad access to knowledge. AI can summarize dense academic papers in seconds, generate business strategies on demand, and even provide creative writing prompts. But aside from the risk of cognitive decay the brain is a muscle, we use it or we lose parts of its functionality theres another trade-off: When AI learns from existing content, it favors what has already been said over what has yet to be imagined.This is why so much AI-generated text feels oddly familiar. Its not just you there is a real risk that AI is accelerating a form of cognitive entropy, where the same insights are recycled endlessly, making it harder to distinguish fresh ideas from old ones dressed in new packaging.The Problem Of Intellectual HomogenizationThe more we rely on AI-generated content, the more we risk intellectual homogenization the gradual flattening of diverse perspectives into a predictable, easily digestible middle ground. Its a dynamic not unlike the globalization of food culture, where the varied and complex flavors of regional cuisines have increasingly given way to a universal palate shaped by fast food: sweet, greasy, and engineered for maximum convenience. Just as the dominance of fast food has conditioned global tastes toward highly processed, calorie-dense meals sacrificing nuance and nutritional diversity for appetizing ease AI is streamlining the landscape of human knowledge, favoring the familiar over the original, the efficient over the thought-provoking.Much like how fast food chains optimize flavors for mass appeal, AI tools predict the most statistically probable next word, sentence, or idea based on existing data. The result is content that is palatable but formulaic, making storytelling, music, and business strategies increasingly predictable. Large language models, predominantly trained on English-language data from Western sources, reinforce dominant narratives while sidelining alternative perspectives.A Vicious Virtual CycleAnd just as the spread of fast food creates a reinforcing cycle where growing up with a diet of burgers and fries conditions future taste preferences AI-generated content feeds back into AI training. As more of the internet is curated by algorithms and fed with LLM output future models will be trained on a dataset that is itself AI-created, leading to a kind of informational inbreeding. The more this cycle continues, the harder it becomes to break away from pre-existing patterns, making genuine novelty an increasingly rare commodity. Our cognitive agency is at stake.None of this means AI is inherently bad for creativity or knowledge, just as fast food is not inherently bad when eaten in moderation. The real issue is passivity when we uncritically accept AI-generated outputs, we surrender the curiosity and healthy skepticism that drive human progress. Just as we must actively seek out fresh, unprocessed ingredients to experience the full richness of food, we must cultivate intellectual habits that resist the gravity of least effort. Without deliberate intervention, we may find ourselves in a world where, much like a meal that tastes the same whether youre in New York, Berlin, Delhi or Kinshasa, the ideas we consume no matter the source start sounding suspiciously alike.Escaping The Gravity Of Ease: A Call For Cognitive AgencyWe dont have to resign ourselves to a world of intellectual mediocrity. While AI is an undeniably useful tool, it doesnt have to dictate the boundaries of human thought. Managed wisely it might even help us to expand them dramatically. Googles AlphaFold3 which is able to predict not only the structure of proteins, DNA, RNA, and more, but also their interactions is a fascinating example of the potential that AI has in illuminating certain mysteries that humans have puzzled over ever since the onset of scienceThe key to resisting cognitive decay is to use AI as a catalyst of our curiosity. We have the choice to cultivate a mindset that actively counteracts the forces of homogenization. Four principles can guide this effort:1. Awareness Of risks Cognitive DecayAI can make thinking easier, but that doesnt mean we should let it think for us. Recognizing the risk of cognitive autopilot is the first step toward reclaiming intellectual agency. Instead of relying on AI for every answer, we can intentionally cultivate our independent reasoning skills.2. Appreciation Of opportunity Scientific BoundariesAI can help uncover hidden patterns and accelerate discoveries, but only if we use it as a springboard rather than a crutch. Instead of asking AI for easy answers, we should challenge it with new questions, leveraging its capabilities to expand the frontiers of knowledge rather than reinforce existing ones.3. Acceptance Of Non-Negotiables Critical ThinkingIn a world where AI-generated content increasingly resembles human writing, the ability to question, analyze, and verify sources is more important than ever. Skepticism isnt cynicism; its a safeguard against intellectual stagnation.4. Accountability For Our Intellectual EnvironmentWhether knowledge is generated by AI or by human minds, we are responsible for what we consume, create, and share. Intellectual integrity means resisting the temptation of convenience and making a deliberate effort to seek out diverse perspectives, original sources, and deeper insights.The Path Forward: A Hybrid Model Of IntelligenceThe future of knowledge need not be an either-or scenario in which artificial and natural intelligence stand in competition. Instead we can deliberately embrace a hybrid intelligence model, where AI serves as an augmentation tool rather than a substitute for original thought. To make that happen,Education must evolve: Schools and universities should emphasize not just information retrieval, but the skills to challenge, refine, and expand upon it. Algorithmic literacy should include an understanding of its limitations and biases.AI systems must be designed for diversity: The datasets used to train AI should reflect a broad spectrum of cultures, languages, and perspectives. Developers must prioritize diversity of thought, not just efficiency.Each of us must reclaim and defend our creative autonomy: Instead of asking AI to generate ideas for us, we should use it to refine and test our own. AI should be a partner in thought, not a replacement for thinking.AI and NI should be grounded in values that respect the dignity and rights of everyone.Intellectual homogenization isnt inevitable. Its the consequence of a series of decentralized individual and institutional choices. The question is whether we will take the path of least resistance allowing AI to shape the limits of our knowledge or whether we will rise to the challenge of shaping a world where human ingenuity thrives alongside artificial intelligence.Even the new generation of reasoning models is not going to save us from the lukewarm mental swamp unless we counteract the draw of convenience. In the end, the future of thought is still ours to write. Lets make sure its not just a bland remix of the past.

With high carbon dioxide, low oxygen and no photosynthesis, heres how an entire ecosystem persists ... [+] in one of the worlds most extreme environments.gettyLife, as we know it, is exceptionally good at surviving in places it has no business existing.From hydrothermal vents at the bottom of the ocean, alkaline pools in Africas crater lakes, to Antarcticas volcanic ice caves, evolution has turned even the most hostile corners of our planet into thriving ecosystems.And yet, few places are as extremeor as eerieas Movile Cave in Romania.For over 5 million years, this subterranean time capsule remained completely cut off from the rest of the world, hidden beneath a thick slab of limestone and clay.No sunlight ever penetrated its depths, and the air is a noxious brew of toxic gases. Most life forms on Earth would die within minutes if trapped inside. But not everything.Inside, a unique ecosystem has flourished in complete isolation, powered by a process rarely seen on land. This self-sustaining world challenges our understanding of what life requiresand might even offer clues about life on other planets.Movile Cave Sustains Itself With No Photosynthesis WhatsoeverMovile Cave was first discovered by accident in 1986 when Romanian workers were scouting for a site to build a nuclear power plant.When geologist Cristian Lascu made the first descent, he found himself in a world unlike anything known before. A deep, winding network of narrow tunnels led to an underground lake chamber where a dense microbial foam floated on the surface of the water.Heres the kickerlife here did not rely on photosynthesis.In every other ecosystem, life is powered by sunlight. Even in deep-sea environments, food webs are often fueled by organic material drifting down from above. But Movile Cave is completely sealed off, meaning there is no external input of nutrients.So how does life persist?The answer is chemosynthesis. Instead of using sunlight, the base of the food chain here relies on bacteria that extract energy from the caves toxic chemical cocktail. These microbes oxidize methane, ammonia and hydrogen sulfide, generating the nutrients needed for a thriving ecosystem.No Sunlight, Low Oxygen, No ProblemStepping into Movile Cave is like stepping onto another planet. Oxygen levels hover between 7% and 10% (compared to 21% in normal air), and carbon dioxide levels are up to 100 times higher than on the surface.The air is also laced with hydrogen sulfide, a gas infamous for its foul stench of rotten eggs and its ability to cause respiratory failure in high doses. The water itself is just as extreme, containing barely any dissolved oxygen and brimming with toxic compounds.For most life forms, this would be a death sentence.But the bacteria in the cave thrive on this chemistry, forming thick microbial mats along the cave walls and on the surface of the water. These bacterial colonies serve as the primary food source for other creatures in the cave.These bacteria sustain an entire ecosystem of invertebrates, including leeches, spiders, pseudoscorpions, centipedes and isopods. Remarkably, the organisms in Movile Cave have evolved in total isolation for millions of years, leading to the emergence of 37 endemic species that exist nowhere else on Earth.Research confirms that these microbes are highly specialized, capable of adapting to new mineral-rich surfaces within just a year.Scientists even introduced different types of minerals into the cave, and microbial communities developed distinct compositions depending on the material. This rapid adaptability shows just how efficient life in the cave has become at exploiting chemical resources.Movile Cave Remains One Of The Most Restricted Places In The WorldAccess to Movile Cave is highly restricted, with only a handful of researchers permitted entry each yearsimilar to how access to the worlds most safeguarded tree was once highly restricted. This is not just to protect human explorers from the caves hostile atmosphere, but to preserve the delicate balance of its ecosystem.The mere act of breathing introduces oxygen and foreign microbes into the environment, potentially disrupting a system that has remained stable for millennia.Within this secluded world, life has evolved in bizarre and fascinating ways. Many of the creatures are completely blindeyes being useless in an environment without light. Pigmentation has also faded in many species, rendering them ghostly white or translucent.Others, like the caves water scorpion (Nepa anophthalma), have elongated limbs and antennae to navigate the pitch-black terrain. The apex predators of this toxic world include the centipede Cryptops speleorex, which has earned the title of King of Movile Cave, and leeches that hunt in the caves stagnant pools.A Glimpse Into Earths PastAnd Maybe, Another WorldMovile Cave is more than just a scientific curiosity; it is a window to ancient Earth. The conditions inside closely resemble what the planet might have been like billions of years ago when life first emerged.The presence of chemosynthetic bacteria in an underground, anoxic environment supports the idea that early life may have originated in similar settings. Even more tantalizing is the possibility that environments like these could exist beyond Earth.Scientists have long speculated that life on other planets, such as Mars or the ice-covered moons of Jupiter and Saturn, might not rely on sunlight at all. Instead, it could survive in underground pockets, using chemical reactions to sustain itselfjust like the creatures of Movile Cave.For now, the toxic cave remains a natural laboratory, an alien world hidden beneath Romanias surface, reminding us that life is far more resilient than we ever imagined, capable of finding a way even in the most toxic, inhospitable corners of the planet.And if life can thrive here, in this poison cave, whos to say it hasnt found a foothold somewhere else in the universe?Places like Movile Cave show us how there is more to life than we often perceive and survival is possible in any environment. How do you feel about the boundless possibilities offered to us by the natural world? Take this science-backed quiz to see where you stand on the Connectedness to Nature Scale.

Those coming intoMonster Hunter Wilds after playing one or more earlier games in the series might think there arent any tips and tricks left to learn. However, this entry changes up a lot of things, like how you play with friends and the new wishlist feature. When it comes to your weapon, you might have a favorite in mind going in, but even those have changed. Offeset attacks are a new mechanic that add a new layer to combat, but it isnt properly communicated and only applies to a few of the games weapons. This new move can be one of the strongest in the game if you master it, so lets break down how offset attacks work.CapcomFirst, offset attacks are only applicable with certain heavy weapons in Monster Hunter Wilds. These include:Great SwordHammerHunting HornSwitch AxeHeavy BowgunRecommended VideosIf youre not using one of those weapons, the input will not work. The specifics of the attack will also vary based on which of the above weapons youre using.RelatedOffset attacks are basically a parry move. If you time your offset attack as a monster is attacking, you can negate it and counter with a devastating blow. This usually results in a stagger, but may even topple the monster in some cases. Keep in mind that monsters will become more and more resistant to offset attacks the more you use them so you cant fully depend on them for an entire hunt.Here are the inputs to do an offset attack with each weapon:Great Sword Hold Triangle + Circle and release at the right time.Hammer On the final hit of your heavy attack combo, hold Triangle + Circle during an upswing, or hold Triangle + Circle after the final hit of your combo.Hunting Horn Press R2, then Triangle + Circle.Switch Axe Triangle + Circle to counter an attack.Heavy Bowgun Hold L2 + Triangle to charge and release while in ignition mode.Editors Recommendations

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsGet Out (2017)Rosemarys Baby (1968)Alien (1979)Jaws (1975)The Silence of the Lambs (1991)For some reason, horror is still a bit of a taboo genre in Hollywood. Its often seen as a way for studios to make some quick money while spending very little on production costs. But horror movies can be way more than just quick cash grabs. For example, 2017s Itgrossed over $700 million, proving that horror isnt some niche fandom but a valuable part of cinema. And yet, the genre often gets pushed aside and seen as inferior.So its no surprise that only a few dozen horror movies have ever been nominated for Oscars, and out of those few dozen, many arent even strict horror films. They walk the tightrope between horror, drama, and thriller, like Black Swan, The Shape of Water, and Parasite. But there are a few horror classics that not only scored Oscar nominations but also won awards. Here are five Oscar-winning horror movies you definitely need to check out.Recommended VideosUniversal PicturesOscar wins:Best Original ScreenplayRelatedOther Oscar nominations: Best Picture, Best Director Jordan Peele, Best Actor Daniel Kaluuya1Jordan Peeles seminal film GetOutin a new era of horror, one where scary movies werent afraid to challenge society in very obvious and opaque ways. In the film, a Black guy goes to visit the family of his White girlfriend, only to discover they have some insidious plans in store for him. Get Out isnt just scary; its loaded with messages about race and privilege, both of which make the villains even more terrifying.The genesis for the film was when Obama was elected, and there was this sentiment that we can stop talking about race now because weve just solved the problem, Peele told The Guardianin 2017. We are now living in a system where racism is involved with policy. Weve left the era where people were trying to pretend that race doesnt exist.What makes Get Out so fantastic is that it doesnt feel like it has a heavy-handed message that bogs down the plot. Instead, its brilliantly witty, well-paced, and loaded with suspense.Rent Get Out on Prime Video.Paramount PicturesOscar wins: Best Supporting Actress Ruth GordonOther Oscar nominations: Best Adapted ScreenplayIn Rosemarys Baby, a young couple, Rosemary and Guy Woodhouse, move into a New York apartment building, hoping to create a life for themselves. But before long, two older nosy neighbors, the Castavets, nudge their way into the couples lives, and soon, strange things begin to happen. What happens next is still shocking to this day, and was even more so back in 1968 when the movie premiered Rosemary is raped and impregnated by Satan himself.In the film, Ruth Gordon plays Rosemarys Satan-worshipping neighbor, Minnie Castevet. What was so great about her character is that she was both lovable and hilarious (the kind of old-school New Yorker youd want to chat with and hear all her crazy stories), but she also held a dark and evil secret. Its not surprising that Gordon took home the award for Best Supporting Actress in 1969.Watch Rosemarys Baby on Paramount+.20th Century FoxOscar wins: Best Visual EffectsOther Oscar nominations: Best Art DirectionAlien changed horror and sci-fi forever. There had been alien movies before, and slasher films had started becoming popular throughout the 1970s, but Alien was really the first to bring the two together. Alien movies were no longer just a bombastic part of the sci-fi genre. With the right setting, pacing, lighting, and cinematography, they could be scary as hell.But on top of its isolated environment, the real thing that made Alien pants-crappingly scary was the visual effects. The xenomorph alien took inspiration from the artwork of H.R. Giger, portraying a creature that looked both alive and mechanical. To this day, it remains one of the most iconic characters in cinema history. And who can forget the iconic chest-burster scene where we first see the xenomorph hatch and scurry away to grow larger and stronger? There might be a debate amongst fans of Alien vs. Aliens, but when it comes to horror, the original cant be beaten.Rent Alien on Prime Video.Universal PicturesOscar wins: Best Score, Best Sound, Best Film EditingOther Oscar nominations: Best PictureJaws is a lot of things: its a summer blockbuster, it was once the highest-grossing movie of all time, and its the film that really solidified Steven Spielbergas one of Hollywoods biggest power players. But at its core, its a horror movie. In some ways, its even scarier than a standard horror movie because it doesnt just have a terrifying killer (the shark), but it also plays with our fears of the ocean. We all know theres stuff swimming beneath the water we cant see, and Jaws knew how to play with that fear perfectly.Its also not surprising that John Williams took home the award for Best Score, thanks to his iconic composition for Jaws. Its rare to know a film simply from its score alone, but the second anyone hears that dun dun knows exactly what its from. While the Jaws sequels arent really worth watching (unless you want a good laugh), the original film still holds up as a scary and perfectly made movie.Rent Jaws on Prime Video.Orion PicturesOscar wins: Best Picture, Best Actor Anthony Hopkins, Best Actress Jodie Foster, Best Director Jonathan Demme, Best Adapted ScreenplayOther Oscar nominations: Best Film Editing, Best SoundOnly three films have won in the five major categories at the Oscars. It Happened One Night was the first to do so in 1934, followed by One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest in 1975, and lastly, The Silence of the Lambsin 1991.The movie follows young FBI agent Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) as she hunts down an emerging serial killer known as Buffalo Bill. But to get inside the head of a madman, she seeks the help of another infamous killer, Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins). But Lecter has his own agenda, and soon, Clarice finds herself in the middle of two killers. The Silence of the Lambs is brilliant, suspenseful, and smart. Plus, it helped break barriers for horror movies to be taken seriously by Hollywood, critics, and audiences.Rent Silence of the Lambs on Prime Video.Editors Recommendations

The actors playing hospitality staff got their own White Lotus experience in Thailand, including regular massages, Buddhism lessons and spa visits.

2025-03-02T22:47:19Z Read in app Ariana Grande at the Oscars. Monica Schipper/Getty Images This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? The 97th Academy Awards will be held Sunday at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.Celebrities including Ariana Grande and Julianne Hough wore elegant looks on the Oscars red carpet.Raffey Cassidy and Yasmin Finney wore gravity-defying gowns.Hollywood's biggest stars are out for the 97th annual Academy Awards.Celebrities, including Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, and Felicity Jones, walked the Oscars red carpet at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday in elegant ensembles.Here are the best looks from the night. Mindy KalingMindy Kaling at the Oscars. Monica Schipper/Getty Images Ariana GrandeAriana Grande at the Oscars. Monica Schipper/Getty Images Cynthia ErivoCynthia Erivo at the Oscars. Kevin Mazur/Kevin Mazur/Getty Images Julianne HoughJulianne Hough at the Oscars. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images Amelia DimoldenbergAmelia Dimoldenberg at the Oscars. Mike Coppola/Getty Images Reece FeldmanReece Feldman at the Oscars. Savion Washington/Getty Images Raffey CassidyRaffey Cassidy at the Oscars. Frazer Harrison/WireImage/Getty Images Yasmin FinneyYasmin Finney at the Oscars. Arturo Holmes/WireImage/Getty Images Felicity JonesFelicity Jones at the Oscars. Kevin Mazur/Kevin Mazur/Getty Images Anok YaiAnok Yai at the Oscars. Arturo Holmes/WireImage/Getty Images Jeremy PopeJeremy Pope at the Oscars. Frazer Harrison/WireImage/Getty Images

Imagine Meet the Parents and The Conjuring mixed together, and you've got a good idea of what The Parenting is all about.