Conflict in a relationship is an inherently neutral eventif not a beneficial one. Here are four ... [+] ways to start viewing it that way.gettyNo relationship, even the healthiest one, is truly devoid of conflict. What differentiates the healthy from the unhealthy, however, is how partners view conflict in their relationship.The couples who last longest dont fear it; they see it as an inevitable good, rather than an avoidable evil. They know conflicts dont have to be heated debates or screaming matches. Instead, they recognize it as a simple product of differences in opinions, feelings or satisfactionand as something that can ultimately benefit them.If you struggle to see the goodor, at least, the neutralityof conflict, rest assured knowing that youre definitely not alone. For many, conflict is terrifying. Without the knowledge or tools necessary to limit or de-escalate arguments, they can quickly and repeatedly become unmanageable.Renowned relationship expert Dr. John Gottmanin his research-based book, The Marriage Clinicrecommends four simple tricks to ensure conflict is beneficial to both partners, rather than detrimental. Practice them consistently, and youll find that conflict isnt always necessarily a bad thing.Here are Gottmans four suggested ways to manage conflict effectively.1. Use A Softened Start-UpOne of the biggest mistakes couples make when discussing problems is coming in too hotleading with blame, criticism or frustration. While its understandable to feel emotional in conflict, how you start a conversation often determines how it will end.Its logical that if you begin the conversation with hostility, your partner will likely get defensive. From there, what could have been a constructive discussion spirals into an argument that ends up going nowhere.Gottmans research emphasizes the importance of what he calls a softened start-upthat is, approaching conflict with calmness, clarity and care. Rather than jumping right in with accusations or sweeping generalizations, the goal is instead to frame your concerns in a way that prompts conversationnot combat.Imagine, for instance, that youve been feeling unheard in your relationship. Your first option is to say something like, You never listen to me. You dont care about what I have to say. However, this option puts your partner on the defensive before the conversation even begins.In contrast, your second optiona softened start-upmight sound like, I feel like Im not always heard when we talk about things. I want to make sure were both on the same page, and I feel like were not right now. Can we figure out a way to do that?The tone and content of the softer approach will have wildly different results. This is because, rather than attacking your partners character from the get-go, youre expressing a personal needone that they can actually respond to, as opposed to just defending themselves.Remember, the couples who handle conflict well dont avoid difficult conversations. But, they do2. Accept That Some Problems Are UnsolvableIts easy to think that a good relationship means you have to resolve every disagreement. In reality, however, most conflicts dont have cookie-cutter solutions. In fact, Gottmans research found that 69% of relationship conflicts are perpetualmeaning they stem from fundamental differences in personality, values or lifestyle.The key factor here is that these differences, try as you might, wont simply disappear. In this way, the happiest couples arent the ones who fix every issue. Theyre the ones who learn to manage their differences in a way that focuses on what they can change, rather than what cant.Say, for example, that you thrive on social interactions, while your partner much prefers solitude and downtime. Again, this isnt a difference that can be solved; you arent going to magically stop craving social outings, and your partner isnt going to suddenly love crowded events.What you can do, however, is manage these conflicting interests in a way that respects both of your needs. Resenting each other for being different will only tear you apart. Compromise, on the other hand, allows you to find a happy mediumperhaps setting aside designated nights for socializing, and others for quiet time together.Unsolvable problems arent dealbreakers. How you handle them, however, can be. Couples who last understand that conflict doesnt mean incompatibility. Instead of seeing disagreements as signs that something is wrong or broken, they recognize them as natural aspects of a relationship that they can work around with patience and respect.3. Always Make Repair AttemptsContrary to popular belief, conflict itself isnt what ruins relationships, but its products canspecifically, unresolved resentment. Every couple fights, but the ones who stay together are those who know how to de-escalate tension and, most importantly, reconnect.This is where repair attempts come in. According to Gottman, a repair attempt is any gestureverbal or nonverbalthat helps to diffuse conflict and signal a desire to work through it together.They come in various formsit could be an apology, a reassuring touch, a bit of humor or even a simple, I dont want to fight. Can we start over? All that really matters is the intention behind it: to remind your partner that youre not enemies, even when you disagree.Imagine that youre caught in a heated argument with your partner. You feel misunderstood, and the conversation is starting to get tense. You either focus on your feelings (which may well be valid), or you could focus instead on the end goal of the conversation: working things out. From there, simply reaching out, taking their hand, and saying, I love you. I dont want to fight like this, is enough to shift the energy of the conversation.Remember, however, that this doesnt mean the disagreement disappears. But, it does offer you a moment to re-center; to remember that your love is worth more than the conversation itself.The key to successful repair attempts is a shared willingness to accept them. If one person offers an olive branch, but the other refuses to take it, tension will only linger. But if youre both capable of making an effort to pause, acknowledge the meaning behind the peace offering and commit to working through it with the purpose of repair, even the most challenging conversations will be more manageable.4. Forgive And Give ThanksIts common to mistake forgiveness as just brushing things under the rugbut this may actually be the opposite of what it really is. Pretending that nothing happened is ultimately counterproductive; it negates the fact that it did happen, as well as that theres something to learn from it.Instead, forgiveness, in this sense, is choosing not to let past hurt define your relationship. While holding onto resentmentor ignoring realitycan lead to distance and anger, letting go allows couples to move forward without carrying the weight of baggage.That said, forgiveness isnt automatic; its a decision you need to make. It requires intentionality and, sometimes, time. In many cases, anger and resentment are valid, justifiable responses in conflict. However, as research from Personality and Individual Differences shows, gratitude and forgiveness can make the process of letting go significantly smoother.When couples actively practice gratitude, they shift their focus away from whats lacking and onto whats abundant. They stop keeping score of mistakesof their painand start appreciating the many ways their partner shows up for them.In turn, anger and resentment give way for more manageable emotions, like sadness. Once emotions become more processable, acceptance becomes possible.Say, for instance, your partner forgets something importantlike an anniversary, or a plan or promise theyve made. Naturally, youd feel hurt. You could very well hold onto that anger, replay it in your mind and allow bitterness to fester.Or, you could step back and remember all the times your partner didnt forget. The times they supported you, showed you love in everyday moments or made you laugh when you needed it most.This doesnt mean your feelings of hurt arent justified. However, this path allows your hurt to fade faster and more naturally. By choosing to see your partner as a whole person, rather than defining them by one mistake, you create a way to move forward together with love and hope.Are conflicts becoming frequent in your relationship? Take this science-backed test and find out if its cause for concern: Relationship Satisfaction Scale

A close-up view of a CPU and a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) strategically positioned on a computer ... [+] motherboard.gettyIn 2024, China experienced a complex situation with AI chips: overcapacity in some areas, while simultaneously facing shortages in high-quality compute needed for advanced AI development.This contradiction is not merely a technical glitch or a byproduct of geopolitical maneuveringit is a deeply human story of ambition, improvisation, and the unintended consequences of a gold rush mentality.Lets start with an image: a vast landscape of idle data centers across China, filled with some of the worlds most advanced GPUs, waiting for a purpose. At the same time, DeepSeek, the AI company making waves with its recent breakthroughs, claims it is compute-constrainedlacking the power necessary to build the next generation of AI models. How can both things be true?To understand this, we need to look at the recent past. When the United States imposed restrictions on Chinas access to cutting-edge AI chips, the response from Chinese companies, local governments, and state-backed telecom giants was swift and predictable: stockpile. They did what human beings have always done when faced with scarcitythey hoarded. They bought up Nvidias chips, built AI data centers, and created vast computing clusters in anticipation of future demand. Meanwhile, Chinese buyers continue to circumvent US export controls to order Nvidias latest AI chips, including the new Blackwell series, through third parties in nearby regions. But in their rush to prepare for an AI-driven future, many failed to ask a fundamental question: what exactly are we going to do with all this computing power?The Inefficiency ProblemThe first explanation for the paradox is logistical. China has added at least 1 million AI chips in 2024 to its compute capacity. While this is a significant number, its important to note that the US is estimated to have several times more AI chips in operation. But Chinas chips were not deployed with efficiency in mind. Instead, they were spread across data centers of varying quality, often in locations with little demand. Companies and governments, eager to participate in the AI boom, built infrastructure without a clear strategy, leading to an abundance of what might be called low-quality compute.Imagine a world where millions of people buy expensive concert pianos, believing they will one day learn to play. But instead of placing them in concert halls or conservatories, they scatter them across small, poorly maintained storage units. The pianos exist, but their potential is unrealized. That, in essence, is what happened in Chinas AI ecosystem.The Short-Term vs. Long-Term Demand ProblemThe second explanation lies in timing. In 2023, there was a frenzy to develop foundation modelsthe massive AI systems that underpin everything from chatbots to automated factories. But in 2024, many of these efforts stalled. Some companies gave up, realizing they lacked the resources to compete. Others pivoted to AI applications rather than foundational AI research. As a result, the demand for model trainingthe most computationally expensive AI taskdropped.At the same time, demand for inferencethe process of running AI models on trained databegan to rise. But inference requires a different type of infrastructure. Training is a marathon that demands massive, centralized clusters of computing power. Inference is more like an intricate dance, with AI models deployed across multiple environments, from smartphones to factory floors. The infrastructure China built in 2023 was designed for training. In 2024, the market shifted, leaving an overabundance of training compute and an undersupply of inference compute.The Fake AI ClustersAnother complicating factor is the phenomenon of fake and pseudo 10,000-GPU clusters. Some companies bought enough GPUs to theoretically form a large-scale AI computing center but then deployed them in multiple small, disconnected data centers. Without high-speed networking and the right software architecture, these chips could not function as a true, unified system.This is a classic case of mistaking accumulation for capability. Owning thousands of GPUs does not automatically translate into competitive AI research, just as buying a hundred Ferraris does not make one a world-class racing team. Many of Chinas AI clusters exist more as financial assets than as functional research tools.The Governments Course CorrectionThe Chinese government has not been blind to these inefficiencies. In response, it has begun restricting the construction of new data centers unless they meet specific location and infrastructure criteria. It has also encouraged cloud computing, pushing companies to share computing power rather than hoarding private GPU clusters. In theory, these moves should help correct the imbalance by centralizing high-quality computing resources and making them available to AI researchers who actually need them.The Chinese government has also restricted the construction of new data centers unless they meet specific location and infrastructure criteria, and has encouraged cloud computing to improve resource utilization.But heres the real question: does any of this matter in the long run?The Historical PrecedentConsider the case of Americas railroad boom in the 19th century. In the rush to industrialize, companies built tracks everywhere, often with no regard for actual demand. Some of these railroads became useless, mere relics of speculation. Others, however, found their purpose as industries and cities grew around them. Over time, the initial chaos gave way to a more efficient system.The same will likely happen with Chinas AI infrastructure. The overcapacity of today may be the foundation of tomorrows breakthroughs. While many of these idle GPUs are currently going to waste, they represent an investment in a future where AI applications are ubiquitous. The companies that adaptconsolidating computing resources, shifting to inference, and refining their deployment strategieswill emerge stronger. Those that do not will become footnotes in the history of Chinas AI rise.The TakeawayWhile DeepSeeks achievement is significant, its important to note that access to advanced chips remains crucial for long-term AI development. As one expert noted, If next-generation models require 100,000 chips for training, export controls will significantly impact Chinese frontier model development. The AI landscape continues to evolve rapidly, and both efficiency gains and access to advanced hardware will play crucial roles in shaping the future of AI development globally.

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsSteadily building its own stackRivalry, and openness to rivalsMicrosoft is one of the early backers of OpenAI, and has repeatedly hawked products like Copilot by touting their access to the latest ChatGPT models. Now, it seems Microsoft is looking to push its own AI models in the popular software suite, while also developing a rival to OpenAIs reasoning models in the GPT-o family.As per The Information, employees at Microsofts AI unit recently concluded the training of a new family of AI model that are currently in development under the MAI codename. Internally, the team is hopeful that these in-house models perform nearly as well as the top AI models from the likes of OpenAI and Anthropic.Recommended VideosUnder the leadership of its AI chief, Mustafa Suleyman, Microsoft is launching this initiative to trim down its dependence on OpenAI and develop its own AI stack for Copilot applications. The developments are not surprising. In the last week of February, Microsoft introduced new small language models called Phi-4-multimodal and Phi-4-mini. They come with multi-modal capabilities, which means they can process text, speech, and vision as input formats, just like OpenAIs ChatGPT and Googles Gemini.Luke Larsen / Digital TrendsThese two new AI models are already available to developers via Microsofts Azure AI Foundry and third-party platforms such as HuggingFace and the NVIDIA API Catalog. In benchmarks shared by the company, the Phi-4 model is already ahead of Googles latest Gemini 2.0 series models on multiple test parameters.It is among a few open models to successfully implement speech summarization and achieve performance levels comparable to GPT-4o model, Microsoft noted in its blog post. The company is hoping to release its MAI models commercially via its Azure service.Aside from testing in-house AI models for Copilot, Microsoft is also exploring third-party options such as DeepSeek, xAI, and Meta. DeepSeek recently made waves by offering a high performance benchmark at a dramatically lower development cost. It has already been adopted by numerous companies and recently claimed a theoretical cost-to-profit ratio of over 500% on a daily basis.Today, we are advancing our AI ambitions with the release of DeepSeek R1 7B & 14B distilled models for Copilot+ PCs via Azure AI Foundry. This is the next step on our journey to continue to make Windows the platform for AI, seamlessly integrating intelligence from the cloud to pic.twitter.com/QaUYrlMIt6 Pavan Davuluri (@pavandavuluri) March 3, 2025Aside from developing its own AI models to replace OpenAIs GPT infrastructure for Copilot, Microsoft is also reportedly working on its own reasoning AI models, too. This would pit Microsoft against OpenAI products such as GPT-o1 as well as Chinese upstarts such as DeepSeek, both of which offer reasoning capabilities.Apparently, the work on an in-house reasoning model has been expedited due to strained relationships between Microsoft and OpenAI teams over technology sharing. According to The Information, Suleyman and OpenAI have been at odds over the latters lack of transparency regarding the intricate workings of its AI models such as GPT-o1.Reasoning models are deemed to be the next frontier for AI development, as they offer a more nuanced understanding of queries, logical deduction, and better problem solving capabilities. Microsoft also claims that its Phi-4 model delivers stronger language, mathematical, and visual science reasoning chops.Editors Recommendations

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsScreen mirroring and appsOutstanding Range and Superfast ChargingStorage, Fridge, and DiffuserDesigned to complement your existing techSmart Home IntegrationFinally, the car that we deserveIve spent almost two decades reviewing most facets of consumer technology, but Ive never been a huge car guy. For many years, it represented a way to get from A to B, but electric cars have changed this.The best electric cars solve many of my biggest complaints with a car, and some of the best cars are being made by brands I would never have expected. Ive sat in Sonys upcoming car, the AFEELA, and I love the immersive entertainment experience, but one of my primary concerns is the lack of a killer use case for many of these features.Recommended VideosThe car Ive most been waiting to get into? The Xiaomi SU7 SUV, and I just had my first opportunity to do so. What I found is one of the most thoughtful car interiors ever, with features that I can see myself using every single day. Here are five Xiaomi SU7 features that every carmaker needs to adopt.Nirave Gondhia / Digital TrendsTheres a distinct benefit to Xiaomi being a phone maker at heart; the Xiaomi SU7 is designed to integrate with your existing technology in a much more natural way than Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, or Teslas infotainment system.By default, your phone screen is mirrored in a window that floats above the infotainment system, but you can also pin any app to your infotainment home screen. The phone-mirroring window can be resized, dragged, and interacted with just like you would on a folding phone, and you can use all the features of any app, including at up to 60 frames per second.This is the best phone integration on any car, bar noneSitting in the Xiaomi SU7 for the first time and seeing this first hand, one thought immediately came to mind: the Xiaomi SU7 is the car that Apple should have made. The Xiaomi SU7 does support CarPlay a necessity to fully support the iPhone but it isnt as tightly integrated as with the best Xiaomi phones. This is the best phone integration on any car, bar none.Nirave Gondhia / Digital TrendsThis was the first time I had sat in a Xiaomi SUV, and there were a few inclusions that blew me away. All Xiaomi technology its phones in particular is known for its ability to charge rapidly, and the Xiaomi SU7 follows this trend with incredible charging and range promises.The full range of the Max is 810 kilometers, while the regular Xiaomi SU7 is 700km. Five minutes of charging will get you 220 km, while a further ten minutes will yield a total range of 510 km. All of these specs are on the Xiaomi SU7 Max, with the base model featuring 138 km and 350 km, respectively, and the Ultra the worlds fastest SUV prioritizing speed and performance over range.Nirave Gondhia / Digital TrendsFor context, this is faster than the Tesla Supercharger network, which offers a maximum of ~320 km (on the Model S), although its worth noting that the two companies are rated by different standards. Fast charging on the Xiaomi SU7 should be the standard for all cars, and even if its rated at a lower rating by differing global standards, its likely to still be the fastest charging.Ive owned a plug-in hybrid EV before but have resisted the switch to a full-time EV primarily for charging concerns. The few times Ive had to charge a rented Tesla, its required taking at least a 30 minute stop. On long drives, this can sometimes be multiple stops. Ive waited for longer range and faster charging, and the Xiaomi SU7 delivers both in abundance.Nirave Gondhia / Digital TrendsOkay, hear me out: Every car needs a fridge and diffuser like the Xiaomi SU7. The diffuser concept is simple as it makes it effortless to change the scent inside the car. Theres three to choose from and theres more available to order separately.The fridge is by far the coolest part. It stores up to 6 cans and can be used for both hot and cold items. Its easily accessible from the front or rear seats as its conveniently located under the center console and opens from the rear. Right above it are two USB-C ports that support 18W charging, while the USB-C port at the front offers 65W.Theres also tons of storage in the sizable frunk, large trunk, and several compartments underneath the trunk mat. The Xiaomi SU7 is a car that was made with the user in mind, and it shows throughout.Nirave Gondhia / Digital TrendsThose thoughtful touches continue throughout the car, including in the experience for rear passengers and the likely use cases of owners. Behind the two front seats, youll find a tablet holder that provides power and integrates your existing technology into the experience.Theres not a huge amount of space for rear passengers unsurprising given the bias towards front space and the sporty design but its still a great overall experience. The rear seats have two-zone heating, while the front seats also have cooling. You can control things like the Air Conditioning, music, and more using the rear tablet.Ive waited for longer range and faster charging, and the Xiaomi SU7 delivers both in abundance.The best thing is that all of these features work with the best iPads with just a single app, and every carmaker needs to copy this integration. Xiaomi has correctly recognized that not supporting the Apple ecosystem in its car is a mistake, and I hope well see support for other Android tablets in some form in the future.Nirave Gondhia / Digital TrendsThe Xiaomi SU7 is exciting not just for its in-car technology and experience but also for the way it integrates into the wider Xiaomi ecosystem. The company has a vast array of smart home products it makes and sells, including everything from curtains, robot vacuums, and lights to televisions, smart displays, and thermostats.Considering that ecosystem, its no surprise that the Xiaomi SU7 deeply integrates into it. You can control large swatches of your smart home from the cars infotainment screen, and you can set up routines to activate either automatically based on your location or with a single tap on the car screen.Nirave Gondhia / Digital TrendsWhat is surprising is that you can also control your car from any Xiaomi smart home device. Want to warm your car up while youre preparing breakfast using a recipe on your smart display? Easy. Want to control your car from your TV? Simple. The integration is incredible, and it makes me wish that Xiaomi sold more of its wider ecosystem products outside of China.The Xiaomi SU7 is world-leading in connectivity, has amazing integration with existing technology and your smart home, and offers outstanding charging and range. The Xiaomi SU7 is not just unique as the first car made by a phone maker, but because of its sheer potential.I wish I had gotten to drive it, but the Max version is about to launch in the UK, where I was born, and this may need to be my next car there.In China, it has so far also followed Xiaomis smartphone pricing model of making the best technology more affordable (in many cases), and the base model starts at roughly $30,000 equivalent and the Max version at $42,000. These prices would change if imported to other countries, but this is a seriously compelling offering.Editors Recommendations

2025-03-08T22:26:02Z Read in app Courtesy of the author This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? My paternal grandfather died years before I was born, and I only knew him through photos.A few years ago, I started looking into genealogy to understand my family better.I learned so much about my grandfather, and while I won't know him in person, I'm so proud of him.I never met my paternal grandfather, but he's always been a larger-than-life figure in our family. Known affectionately by my older cousins as Grandpa Louie, he was born in 1919 and died in 1987, only a few short years before I was born. I've often felt robbed of a relationship with him, though stories and photos fill in some of the holes left by his absence.Sometimes, If I try hard enough, I can almost imagine being the butt of his silly jokes, playing made-up family games with him in the front yard, or asking for tales of his life as a truck driver and his work with the Teamsters in Flint, Michigan. It helps a bit that my dad and his six brothers share many of Grandpa Louie's physical attributes (baldness chief among them), but the sense of loss remains.When I decided to dive into family genealogy a few years back, my goals were simple: I wanted to uncloud the path that led my family to Michigan from abroad. I knew more about my paternal grandma's backstory but not so much about Grandpa Louie's. I signed up for Ancestry.com and dove in, unsure if I'd find anything interesting.I never expected how it'd make me feel. I found so muchWithin days of starting my quest, I'd unearthed treasures. There were photos of my grandpa I'd never seen alongside military documents displaying his signature. I calculated his age at every turn, finding context for family stories and drawing comparisons with my life. Years earlier, I'd sorted through a box of sweet love letters exchanged between Grandpa Louie and my grandmother while he served overseas. These felt like a nice introduction to Grandpa. Genealogy brought me even closer.I dove into my grandpa's younger years by perusing newspapers from his tiny hometown, feeling giddy when I'd find mention of him or his loved ones. The marvelous mundanity captured my imagination: There were descriptions of egg deliveries and farm trades for "fine hogs" among my great-great uncles. A frequent theme in the paper was reporting on the latest injuries and ailments afflicting my great-grandmother, Louie's mother. And perhaps most adorably, I stumbled upon a published letter to Santa Claus written by Grandpa himself at seven years old.I felt closer to him the more I foundThe deeper I dug, the closer I felt to this man who is such a part of me but whom I've never looked in the eye. Through photos, documents, and newspaper clippings some of which had never been seen by my dad or his siblings I felt like Grandpa Louie, and I were working on a secret project together as if he'd left me clues to unearth throughout his life.Even more incredibly, I tracked Grandpa's maternal line back to Ireland through my third great-grandmother, Sabina, who left Achill Island during the potato famine. Only 22 years old, she made the dangerous journey to Canada by boat and migrated to the Midwestern United States, where she settled, married, and continued the family line that allowed me to exist.Obituaries discovered during my genealogy journey included locals' accounts of Sabina's warm demeanor, hardworking nature, and penchant for sharing stories of her life in Ireland. Because she lived into her 90s, I was lucky enough to find two photos of Sabina such treasures and unexpected bonuses in my quest.As I continued to trace Grandpa Louie's life through the birth of his 10 children and his proud career as a truck driver, I inevitably arrived in 1987, the year he died of complications from leukemia. There were obituaries listing the basics of his life and death, yes, but there were also newspaper articles paying homage to his work.A piece in the Flint Journal described him as calm and good-humored, even quoting a few of Grandpa's jokes. I don't know what his voice sounded like, but reading his words is a gift. Other pieces posthumously lauded his dedication to union work, describing him as an "institution." I didn't know feeling such pride for someone you'd never met was possible.It didn't bring him backMy dive into the world of amateur genealogy has not brought my grandfather back, nor has it fully eased the pervasive sadness I feel that our paths never crossed. But it has given me the gift of knowledge and the ability to connect with my grandfather as every version of himselffrom the little boy writing letters to Santa Claus to the young military man to the driver and dad with a larger-than-life personality.There's peace in knowing that the seemingly mundane things we leave behind might matter to those who come after us. The documents we sign, the photos we pose for, the quick quotes we share with local reporters, the yearbooks, and the letters. These small slices of personal history create a portal between us and our family members.It will always be true that I never met my Grandpa Louie. No amount of research, photographs, or glowing articles can change that. But I take comfort in knowing that so many pieces of him are still here, very much alive, tucked safely into my folders of genealogical finds.

2025-03-08T21:46:01Z Read in app Dylan Winter/Getty Images This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? I have been on cruises with my kids multiple times and we love it.I started giving them independence early, they are now 14 and 15 and I trust them doing their thing.It helps them grow to be able to navigate unfamiliar situations.I've been on 20+ cruises, both with and without my kids, who are now teenagers. I think cruises are the best kind of vacation with kids because they require minimal thinking. You get to experience multiple destinations without dealing with driving directions or dragging your luggage in and out of different hotels. You don't have to cook, and the hardest decision you probably have to make is choosing between the buffet and the dining room.It's also the perfect place to give kids a little independence.It all started with reading the signsWhen they were 8 and honing their reading skills, we allowed our kids to lead us around the ship instead of the other way around. Most cruise ships have prominent signs to tell passengers what deck various activities are located on, making it easier to find your way around.It started with heading to dinner on board the Disney Wonder. As we approached the elevator, my partner pointed to the sign and asked our boys, "How do we get to the Animator's Palate from here?" My kids carefully read the sign and saw that the restaurant was on Deck 4 Aft. Based on that information, they learned that we had to use the elevator to go down four decks and that the restaurant was located at the back of the ship. The author and her husband started giving their kids independence on cruises when they were 10. Courtesy of the author It took a little coaching and allowing them to make mistakes, but by the time they were 10, my kids were confidently navigating their way around cruise ships. We allowed them to leave the dinner table when they were done eating, make their way to the kid's club, and sign themselves in, letting my partner and I relax and enjoy each other's company. My kids would wolf down their mac and cheese and dash off to play games with the kids they met on board, and the grownups get to linger over dessert. Everybody was happy.When my boys turned 12, we lifted most restrictions and allowed them to roam freely on the cruise ship, with ever-loosening rules as they got older.Yes, of course, we have rulesMy boys are 14 and 15. Don't let your mind leap to worst-case scenarios and visions of teens gone wild grubby-handed kids cutting in line at the buffet, being loud during the shows, and running amuck on deck. While it sounds like a clich, oblivious mom response, my kids aren't like that. I have zero concerns about them doing something reckless, like trying to climb from one balcony to another, which is highly dangerous. They've earned their freedoms by behaving responsibly. And yes, of course, we have rules.We require our kids to stay in contact with us via the chat function in the cruise line app throughout the cruise. No one is allowed in our stateroom, our kids cannot go in anyone else's, and we all get off and on the ship together. They're old enough to find food for themselves, but we insist on having dinner every night as a family. We communicate when planning our cruise so our kids have input and knowledge of what we'll do as a family, and when they get free time, we reinforce that on the first day, as soon as we get on the ship.A sense of ownershipOur approach gives our kids a sense of ownership over their vacation, which helps them enjoy it more. Although I like to think of myself as a "cool-not-a-regular" mom whose kids want to hang out with me on vacation, if I'm honest with myself, they enjoy me more in smaller doses as hanging out with their peers becomes increasingly important.Seeing my teens commandeer unfamiliar territory using their wits and available resources is a proud mom moment, although it comes with a side of bittersweet to realize they need me less and less. Although figuring out basic shipboard geography, like being able to distinguish the port side from starboard, aren't skills they're likely to need in their everyday landlocked life, I see my kids making their way through all kinds of unfamiliar situations with a self-assuredness that started with a random decision to let them find their way to a shipboard restaurant.

Things are about to hit the fan for everybody when The Last of Us returns for season two on April 13.

Last year marked the 35-year anniversary of Tim Burtons 1989Batmanfilm, which got a new follow-up in the sequel novel Resurrection. Turns out, thats not the end of the 89-verse, or whatever were calling it, because theres another novel on the horizon telling another tale for Michael Keatons Caped Crusader. That would beBatman: Revolution,penned byResurrectionauthor John Jackson Miller. Its the summer, Jokers dealt with for good, and theres an incoming Fourth of July festival meant to celebrate the occasion. Unfortunately, this is the perfect time for Norman Pinkus to strike. As the self-proclaimed smartest man in Gotham, Norman is a copy boy for the city paper and runs its popular Riddle Me word puzzles, and hes been using his intellect to solve crimes in secret before Batman can. Having gone so long without proper recognition, Norman teams with some mysterious new allies to trap Batman in a game of riddles to determine whos the true hero of Gotham. DC Yep, Norman is theBatman 89version of the Riddler. Back in the 90s, Robin Williams was in talks to play him in what would becomeBatman Forever,but left the project, allowing Jim Carrey to inhabit the role.Revolutionis expected to draw from plans for Burtons would-be threequel, so much like theBatman 89comics, Miller is offering a look at what couldve been had Burton kept making the movies. In a statement to ComicBook, Miller teased the book would show a side of Gotham thats just as activeand even more violent, with tensions rising with the temperatures. He also teased connections to the comic and its own sequel, Batman 89: Echoes. Batman: Revolutionreleases on print, digital, and audio on October 28. 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.

Pavilion House / The Architecture Company (TAC)Save this picture! Yadnyesh JoshiHousesLake Beze, Nashik, IndiaArchitects: The Architecture Company (TAC)AreaArea of this architecture projectArea:3000 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2024 PhotographsPhotographs:Yadnyesh JoshiManufacturersBrands with products used in this architecture project Manufacturers: Duravit, APL Apolo, Cement, Jaquar, Jindal Steel, MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, Makk Slide, Phillips & Ikea Lead Architects: Manasvi Bachhav (Project lead), Rohit Walimbe , Kulsum Tambawala More SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!"We want a modern oasis to retire to with our little boys on the weekends" was a brief given to us by our clients who are busy medical professionals with a very hectic life in the city. The couple wished to cherish and recreate their favourite moments from their many travels and immortalize them within their new home.Save this picture!Save this picture!Set on a grassy expanse overlooking the backwaters of Lake Beze, Pavilion House is an escape from the city. Inspired by the prairie style low-lying homes, the house is composed predominantly of steel and is grounded with a strategic use of glass to establish a visceral connection to the landscape.Save this picture!The views from and of the house were a prominent driving force for the formal design decisions. "What began as an idea that we thought would benefit the neighbours to the east and north developed into something that had a sense of grounding on the main volume and also forced a better relationship between the landscape and architecture." We all look back on this decision with a certain fondness and credit it for the qualitative returns it has paid for the project.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Pavilion House is not complex in its layout, it is essentially divided into a living/entertainment space and a more private section to house the sleeping quarters. The interior layout is also reflected in its formal resolution with 2 different construction and roofing styles to create distinct volumes. A flat, accessible roof over 12' tall living spaces was a volumetric necessity that extends from the open kitchen to the living room onto the 270-degree pool deck and eventually leads to the terrace above. In contrast, a lean-to roof in the bedrooms lends a more intimate and cozy volume for the family to retire to after spending the day with friends.Save this picture!Save this picture!The design is a response to the need for having large gatherings as well as quiet, intimate moments. However, what elevates the building is the cohesion between the architectural design and spaces by TAC, along with the choice of interior materiality by Salonee Ashtekar of Krei Studios. A refined curation of furniture and finishes adorns the interior spaces to bring out the client's understated and monochromatic taste with strategic material and colour offsets to inject vibrancy, youth, and warmth.Save this picture!Save this picture!To embrace the indoor-outdoor living, almost every space connects to the outdoors and landscape both physically and visually. A parabolic roofline on the home's western facade is not only a practical extension of the living room deck offering respite from the afternoon sunshine but is visually striking as well. "We wanted the long, continuous plane of the outdoor roof to create a dramatic line extending the interior along the exterior. There is a very dramatic effect created when you view the outdoor space from west to south or vice versa." Central to this deck is a shimmering, black, mirror-like pool that serves to reflect the trees and the architecture. It was a shared vision between TAC, interior designer Salonee Ashtekar, and the clients. Designed as an overground pool, we chose to reflect the black monolithic-jewel-like quality inside and out.Save this picture!Save this picture!Experientially, Pavilion House is a study in muted harmony. The stark white cladding and brushed metal of the exterior give way to a striking black-and-grey palette indoors. In the living areas, warm neutrals return with great impact, enhancing the sense of openness and inviting comfort.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The landscape design is a take on desert landscape with the choice of flora that would thrive in the hot dry summers of Nasik. It is intended to blend with the wild grassy surroundings while still retaining habitability and playfulness requested by our clients. We tend to celebrate the imperfect and untamed pairings that have emerged on our site with the landscape and the building.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessAbout this officePublished on March 08, 2025Cite: "Pavilion House / The Architecture Company (TAC)" 08 Mar 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1027709/pavilion-house-the-architecture-company-tac&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!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

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