Daily Archives: February 28, 2022

American futurist

Peter Schwartz (; born 1946) is an American futurist, innovator, author, and co-founder of the Global Business Network (GBN), a corporate strategy firm, specializing in future-think and scenario planning.

Schwartz was born in 1946 to Klara and Benjamin Schwartz, Hungarian Jews who had been in concentration camps and were living in a displaced persons camp in Stuttgart, Germany.[1] The family soon moved to Norway, where they lived until he was five. At this point, they emigrated to America as stateless aliens on the S/S Stavangarfjord, arriving at the Port of New York in April 1951 and like nearly all displaced persons were taken to Ellis Island. They found a new home in Camden County, New Jersey, and Schwartz graduated from Haddonfield Memorial High School in 1964.[2] He won a National Merit scholarship, and was able to attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) on full scholarship. He served as RPI's May commencement speaker for the class of 2009.[3][4]

According to Stewart Brand, Schwartz was a member of Students for a Democratic Society. After graduating in 1968 with a B.S. in aeronautical engineering, Schwartz taught high school in Philadelphia and worked in the innovative student housing program at UC Davis. In 1972 he became an employee at the Stanford Research Institute (SRI), where he began to develop his unique method of scenario planning, and rose to director of the Strategic Environment Center.[1] In 1982, he moved to London to work for Royal Dutch Shell as head of scenario planning. In 1985, while giving a speech at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory of UC Berkeley, he met his future wife, Cathleen Gross. He moved to live with her in Berkeley, California, in 1987. They married and had one child, Benjamin "Books" Schwartz, born in 1990.

Schwartz has written several books, on a variety of future-oriented topics.

He has also worked as a consultant on several movies, including Minority Report, Deep Impact, Sneakers, and WarGames. He serves on the board of directors for the Long Now Foundation.[6] He also serves in the boards of the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) and the Asia Internet Coalition In 2007, Schwartz moderated a forum titled "The Impact of Web 2.0 and Emerging Social Network Models" as part of the World Economic Forum in Davos. He serves on the Research Innovation and Enterprise Council of Singapore and in 2014 was appointed an International Distinguished Fellow of the Prime Minister's Office. He was also voted into the Futurists hall of fame by the Association of Professional Futurists in 2012. Additionally, Schwartz is also a member of the Berggruen Institute's 21st Century Council.[7]

Schwartz founded the Global Business Network (GBN) in 1988 in his Berkeley basement with several close friends including Napier Collyns, Jay Ogilvy and Stewart Brand. Schwartz called GBN an information hunting and gathering company, and describes it as a high level networking and corporate research agency.[1] In 2001, it was bought by premier strategy consulting firm the Monitor Group, although it continued to operate as a distinct entity. The Monitor Group was acquired by Deloitte in 2013 which elected to shut down GBN.

He left the company in October 2011, to work at Salesforce.com as Senior Vice President of Strategic Planning. His role there includes the job title "Chief Futures Officer".[8]

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Peter Schwartz (futurist) - Wikipedia

David Houle| Sarasota Herald-Tribune

In my last column, I explained why one of the forecasts from A Look Into 2022 A Split Screen Year the ascendant strength of labor and employees this decade was, in fact, happening. I mentioned what has been called the Great Resignation would be looked back upon as the clear demarcation of the beginning of this trend.

The numerical reality of the changing workplace and the changing employment marketplace is truly unprecedented. From April 2021through the fourth quarter of 2021 there had regularly been 400,000 to 500,000 resignations in the U.S. on a monthly basis. When this happened last April, it was a huge historical milestone. That milestone has been surpassed many times since then.

The pandemic has clearly affected us in many ways. One of the most noticeable ways is how much people have changed how they think about work. After one has spent months working from home, being more productive, having more time with loved ones, having more personal time, it becomes difficult to go back to the pre-COVID workplace.

The last full year pre-COVID was 2019. That was a record year in U.S. history for time spent commuting.The average commute distance for Americans that year was 27.6 minutes one way, or almost an hour a day.Five hours a week. In addition, the cost of gas, auto maintenance andparking to do this average commute can be more than $100 a week.

The world has changed. The view of work has been transformed. The old, 20th century model of commuting to an office five days a week is not coming back as the norm.

There is not one person I have interacted with since the first lockdown who has not had some significant change in how they view work, their life, how they work, where they can work remotely from, and how work and personal and family have been rebalanced. When death has been at the door, the pleasures of ones home become ever more important

A fundamental change has occurred, and the sooner employers and companies understand this, the better off they will be.

Iforecast that this decade will see a complete reinvention of work. The workers will gain more power, altering the dynamic with employers. This power will only partially be gained in the old ways of union strikes and stop-work actions. It will be gained as ever more people work from home, choose to become independent contractors and indeed become digital nomads. Talent will have increasing leverage in the area of employment negotiations.

For the last decade, I have consistently spoken and written about how, in the Shift Age, the Physical Reality will give way to the Screen Reality. Since March 2020, it has. We like to be working on our screens, living in a nice place, with family nearby.

Companies going forward will have fewer employees, more technology and more training. In addition, the corporate world will start to more fully embrace the dynamic of the creative class and will increase the number of contract workers.

It is estimated that by 2030 there may well be one billion people working as digital nomads globally. This entire movement of have laptop and phone, work from nice places really went into high gear during the time of the pandemic.

This, in fact, is significant for Sarasota County in particular. Since the beginning of COVID two years ago, the county has been one of the top counties in Florida, and therefore in the entire country, for digital nomads. There is more than anecdotal evidence that people have left congested cities where they had to live to be close to work, to move to nicer places to live such as Sarasota and Manatee counties where they now work remotely.

This is an entirely new economic development strategy for our area. Clearly, the booming residential real estate market locally is evidence that this is happening. The economic development model from the last century is to lure companies to move here and bring all their employees with them. This usually meant that some special tax incentives had to be offered to lure a company to relocate. Now we can avoid giving out any tax incentives and still reap the benefit of the influx ofwealth and population.

The workplace of 2025 will be vastly different than that of2019.

The key point to make about this is that it is time for both Sarasota and Manatee counties to rethink our vision for the workplace of the future. The old workplace is rapidly receding in the past and the new one is rushing toward us. We can hugely benefit from current dynamics but we must open up our thinking to do so.

Sarasota resident David Houle is a globally recognized futurist. He has given speeches on six continents, written seven books and is futurist in residence at the Ringling College of Art andDesign. His website isdavidhoule.com. Email him atdavid@davidhoule.com.

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THE FUTURIST: The collapse of legacy thinking about the workplace - Sarasota Herald-Tribune

NASAs Mars Exploration Program released an intriguing, beautiful image of what it almost certainly not a flower this week.

The space agencys Curiosity Rover merged six images on Friday to complete a photo of a tiny, microscopic formation that indeed looks like it could be an organism, but is actually created from delicate mineral crystals. The photo was taken by the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) at the end of Curiositys robotic arm, according to NASA.

Abigail Fraeman, Curiositys deputy project scientist, tweeted the image along with a penny added for scale, shown below.

A beautiful new microscopic image from @MarsCuriosity shows teeny, tiny delicate structures that formed by mineral precipitating from water, Fraeman said online.

She went on to share details about similar structures found in the past, explaining via Twitter that flower-like deposits were found on Mars in the Pahrump Hills and made of salts called sulfates. The faux flowers are made of diagenetic crystal clusters, according to ScienceAlert.com. Diagenetic refers to the recombination or rearrangement of minerals, and these three-dimensional crystal clusters are probably made of a combination of minerals that include the sulfates Fraeman mentioned.

In addition, Fraeman retweeted a 3D model of the flower created by Simeon Schmauss using the images the rover captured.

Plenty of fans likened the sandy image to a zen garden, and Fraeman even captioned the photo as a moment of zen.

I would call this a Martian Zen Garden, one user tweeted in response to Schmauss model.

It might not be a real flower, but the mineral structure sure is pretty to look at and provides scientists with much-needed intel on the Martian surface.

More on space photography: The Webb Telescopes Latest Star Photo Is Absolutely Magnificient

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Mars Rover Snaps Image That Looks a Lot Like an Organism, Though of Course It's Almost Certainly Not - Futurism

You might have blinked and missed multi-disciplinary artist Domino among the throngs of party-goers atRolling Stonespre-Super Bowl party. As hundreds of Los Angeles most influential traipsed between the events star-studded performances, roped-off areas, and red carpets, digital-art darling Domino could be found surveying the non-fungible art adorning the walls of presenting sponsor Coinbases, well, base. Sure, iann diormay have been ascending the outdoor stage 100 feet away, but here was a room exhibiting some of the most exciting contributions to the NFT landscapeincluding Dominos own.

The allegiance betweenRolling Stoneand Coinbase served as further evidence of the Crypto Bowl titled such because the Super Bowls highly-coveted commercial airtime was practically dominated by first-time advertisers: cryptocurrency companies. Coinbase itself was no exception. Not only did its bouncing QR code promotion subsequentlycrash the app, but the brand refused to allow a first-time convergence of sport, tech, and entertainment to go by without including NFTs the newest and decidedly hottest way to diversify ones investment portfolio.

As such, Domino is among the 12 creators recruited to collaborate on an exclusive piece available to the partys Coinbase Wallet users. This kind of release represents exclusive access to the NFT big leagues, or for long-time collectors, the opportunity to obtain another piece of history. But for Domino, a musician, magician, and artist, who sold his first NFT in 2021, the marketplace is so much more than a cash grab.

A lot of people still see a chance to get rich quick, but for me, its always been about community, he explains. While I trained in so many different crafts; performance, design, film, which all taught me a lot, I owe my momentum in NFTs to community events like Twitch streams and building relationships with other artists.

RS Collection, Powered by Coinbase was unveiled at Rolling Stone Live: Los Angeles

Wes and Alex for Rolling Stone

Domino sold 20-25 NFTs in the first two months, the first for one ETH (approx US $3,000, which takes 96 days to mine), the second for two, and so forth. He would go on to generate $120k in sales and over 3 million interactions for his musical project,Presessence, Vol. 1,in three weeks. He acknowledges his stratospheric growth within his artwork for the Coinbase collaboration: a series of self-portraits representing his journey.

Its been interesting to watch because it went from digital art being a joke to selling at Chrysties [for] $60 million dollars. I feel like the next step is music how will the Grammys recognize this kind of movement?

Surrounding Domino in the Coinbase camp are the submissions of his peers. Theres KidEight, a graphic designer and animator whose cherub creation EVOL sells out within minutes for tens of thousands. In this instance, a menacing EVOL is a Rolling Stonecover star, decked in his signature ski mask and Cuban link chain. KidEight reflected on his contribution to the collaborative NFT saying, I try to bring a level of humour to my work. When I got approached to be apart of the collaboration it was a no brainer that EVOL should get his own Rolling Stone cover. It is a bit tongue in cheek but also a manifestation of what I believe this characters potential is culturally.

Theres also Emmy Award-winning motion graphic artist Emonee LaRussa, who counts the likes of Kanye West and Lil Nas X as collaborators, with a mind-bending holographic. Famed surrealist Jeff Manning continues his exploration of Afrofuturism with a gilded harp, while industry darling and Apple-favorite Elise Swopes abstractly reimagines a cityscape.

The NFT Gallery at Rolling Stone Live: Los Angeles featured the works of artists who contributed to the RS Collection

Rich Polk for Rolling Stone

In full color-blocked glory is a stand-out piece from Boss Beauties. Unlike the other offerings, Boss Beauties is helmed by a wife-husband duo, who work in conjunction with an artist to characterize female empowerment. Co-founded by Lisa Mayer to benefit My Social Canvas, her non-profit that equips young women with mentorship and scholarships, the Boss Beauties collection features female role models throughout history alongside women simply living their truth. For Rolling Stone x Coinbase, they conceptualized a rocknroll queen complete with a WAGMI pin (an acronymic rallying cry for the crypto community that stands for We are all gonna make it). Co-founder Anthony Furlong hopes Boss Beauties is only the beginning when it comes to mission-oriented NFTs.

A lot of these projects will give back to charity off their initial mint, but its not really built into what they do whereas thats where we come from, he explains. We want people to sell the Boss Beauties and pay off their student loans.

Its still all about the original mission, but we want to build it out on a global scale, adds Lisa Mayer. We want to empower women all over the world to be everything they want to be.

The collaborative NFT will be animated and re-released on Coinbases NFT marketplace soon. The contributors are excited for their availability to the public and the evolution of NFT blockchain Ethereum, which they believe will soon adopt a more eco-friendly proof of stake system that is more circulatory, requiring less electricity. As for whats next for non-fungible tokens, they, like many of us, cant really speak to whats in store. But for now, theyre just happy to be in the room.

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Crypto Futurism and Pop Culture Converged at Rolling Stone Live: Los Angeles - Rolling Stone

Honda has set the goal of becoming the first Japanese brand to go fully electric by 2040 but instead of rolling out electric versions of existing models, the automaker kickstarted the new era with a clean-sheet design. The Honda e is more than an urban EV, it is a halo modelbringing the brands heritage into the future, heavily betting on design and technology to make electrification desirable.

Last week we got the keys to the flagship Honda e Advance and spent a lot of time behind its wheel. We got to discover its quirks, test its fun-to-drive factor, charge it, and even fight with range anxiety. It is admittedly one of the most charming EVs on the market, but did it win us over?

Head-turning design thanks to uncluttered retro-futurism

Small cars with retro-inspired styling are not a new thing. The Honda e is the Japanese answer to a trend that started with the VW Beetle in the 90s and continued with the MINI Cooper and Fiat 500 in the 00s. However, Honda did it in a different way, with a focus on technology for its niche product.

Those who know their bit of Honda history will spot the references to the first-gen Civic from the 70s in the proportions, toned fenders, character line, and C-pillar. Thankfully, Honda struck a fine balance between heritage and modernity, making its smallest car head-turner as proven by the fair bit of attention we got from different demographics. In fact, the e is one of the rare cases where the production version looks better than the concept, making us wonder whether this design language could be used in more models.

See Also:Would You Rather Have The Fiat 500 Or The Honda e?

I dont need my design degree to appreciate the surfacing and the minimalist yet eye-catching styling cues. Look closely and youll see that the curved glossy-black plastic surfaces connecting the full-LED lights on both ends are mirroring the surrounding environment upside down. Features like the mirror-replacing cameras, the pop-up door handles, and the frameless windows, make the e look premium despite its size.

The Honda e is pretty compact, measuring 3,894 mm (153.3 inches) long. This is 262 mm (10.3 inches) more than the Fiat 500 and 49 mm (1.9 inches) longer than the MINI Cooper SE, making room for a proper five-door bodystyle. Due to the short overhangs, the 2,538 mm (99.9 inches) wheelbase is typical of a modern supermini and is nearly identical to the rival Peugeot e-208.

Small but tidy cabin packed with tech

Moving inside, it is hard not to get drawn by the elephant in the room which is the full-width, five-screen layout on the dashboard. Infotainment features are among the key priorities for most buyers, even though some complain about screens getting larger and more distracting. Surprisingly, Honda managed to satisfy both parties by making the screen ultra-wide and placing it at the right height for the driver to stay focused on the road. The truth is that you probably dont need as many pixels to complete everyday tasks, but the crisp wallpapers create a nice atmosphere for all passengers.

The 6-inch digital mirrors on each corner work great in all lighting conditions and dont require as much getting used to as you would initially expect. Having cameras instead of mirrors means you can easily navigate through tight spaces and benefit from the wide angle of the lens to limit blind spots. However, due to the strength of habit, youll often find yourself moving your head in a quest to see different angles, which obviously doesnt work with the fixed image on the screens. In the Advance trim, the central mirror can also turn into a screen showing the unobstructed feed from the rearview camera but for this case, we prefer the regular mirror which makes it easier for the eyes to focus and adjust.

The rest of the digital dashboard includes a pretty basic instrument cluster partly hidden behind the steering wheel that shows everything you need with a focus on driving aids, and the significantly more configurable dual 12.3-inch touchscreens. Hondas infotainment is simple to use with menu options instantly accessible from the customizable shortcut icons on both sides.

You also have the ability to swap pages from one screen to the other with the touch of a button. For example, you can place the built-in navigation in one and the Bluetooth media in the other, swapping them when needed. Weirdly, some features cannot be accessed by the co-driver when the vehicle is on the move for safety reasons.

Due to an unknown bug, I wasnt able to connect Android Auto but I made good use of the dual USB charging ports located next to the HDMI outlet and the very useful standard AC power outlet on the bottom of the center console where you can connect your laptop.Finally, the physical buttons for home, changing brightness, switching off the screens and the volume knob are neat, as are the climate controls that were thankfully in a separate section.

See Also:Electric Honda e Gains Genuine Accessories For Its Japanese Launch

Setting aside the massive screens, the interior looks like a modern reinterpretation of the original Honda Civic. In terms of build quality, the fabric upholstery and the wood trim look and feel quite nice but there is still a lot of exposed hard plastic for the price segment. Practicality is city car average, with a not-so-easy-to-reach fabric smartphone pocket, a retractable cup holder, bottle holders on the doors, a small glove box, and a modular storage compartment in the central tunnel that comes handy for larger items.

The Honda e can fit up to four adults with relative comfort for a vehicle of this size. Rear passengers have more space than in a Fiat 500 but a lot less than in an ICE-powered supermini like the VW Polo. They do, however, get four reading lights right next to the standard sunroof and USB ports for charging. Generally speaking, if you are up to 6 feet (1.83 m) tall you will have no issue with headroom and legroom but it is always nicer to sit at the front. The seats look and feel nice creating a cozy lounge-room atmosphere. The cargo space, though, is very limited with a capacity of 171 lt (6 cubic feet). This is smaller than all of its rivals but at least the rear seats fold flat for more demanding trips to the supermarket or when you need to pick someone up from the airport.

Agile, quick, and refined on the road

With an advertised WLTP range between 200-220 km (125-137 miles) depending on the variant which is less than equally-priced rivals, the Honda e is clearly designed for city use. Indeed, the small footprint, the light steering wheel, and the tiny 4.3 m (14.1 feet) turning radius make it quite agile in narrow roads, while the Single Pedal Control System in its most intense braking mode controlled from the paddles is ideal for traffic.

The birds-eye view camera and the sensors make it easy-peasy to park but you can also ask the Honda Parking Pilot to do all the work for you although this will likely take more time than doing it yourself. Speaking of driving aids, the Honda Sense suite has everything youd ask for. The adaptive cruise control with stop & go function works smoothly and none of the passengers could tell that it wasnt me in charge of the pedals. The lane centering also works well at times but it can get distracted from hazy lines.

In the more powerful Advance variant we drove, the single rear-mounted electric motor produces 152 hp (113 kW / 154 PS) and 315 Nm (232 lb-ft) of torque, rather than the 134 hp (100 kW / 136 PS) of the base model. While those numbers dont sound mind-blowing, in reality the Honda e feels quicker than the advertised 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) time of 8.3 seconds, especially in Sport mode where it becomes even more responsive. It can easily reach highway speeds or even the top speed of 145 km/h (90 mph) where it remains quiet inside thanks to Hondas great effort in NVH.

Ride quality is where the small Honda excels, being on par with vehicles from larger segments. The fully independent suspension strikes a great balance between firmness and comfort. While you wont get Citroen levels of plushness, it is amazingly refined for its size and results in almost no body roll in the corners. Although the steering feel is not on par with the MINI Cooper and the Ford Fiesta when it comes to spirited driving, its light nature is more suitable to an electric city car while still being fast and direct.

The RWD powertrain, the sophisticated chassis setup, the low center of gravity, and the 50:50 weight balance are the ingredients of a fun-to-drive machine. Indeed, the Honda e will put a smile on your face every time you push it, giving full control and being friendly close to the limit. With the ESP turned off it even becomes tail-happy but it always keeps its composure. The weight of 1,527 kg (3,366 pounds) doesnt really show other than under heavy braking. The only issue here is the battery juice that gets drained when you step all the way into the gas pedal.

Range anxiety is still a thing

And this is where we need to talk about the main point of criticism for the Honda e; its limited range of up to 220 km (137 miles). The reason for that is the comparably small floor-mounted 35.5 kWh lithium-ion battery which was a strategic decision by the engineering team in favor of lower weight and cost.This characteristic limits the use of the Honda e as a second car to a target group with easy access to a charger. In other words, if you live in an apartment you should probably look elsewhere. While there are competitors with smaller batteries like the base Fiat 500 Action (23.8 kWh) or the MINI Cooper SE (32.6 kWh), the more competitively priced variants of the Fiat 500 (42 kWh) and the Peugeot e-208 (50 kWh) will leave the Honda behind in terms of range.

In our Honda e Advance fitted with 17-inch wheels, the WLTP range is 125 miles (201 km). In real life, you wont see more than 170-180 km (106-112 miles) on the trip computer. Thankfully, in normal driving, the estimate proved to be quite precise but if you have a little bit of fun behind the wheel youll notice the battery level dropping fast. As with all EVs, city driving and heavy traffic are being kind to its efficiency in contrast with high speed or heavy acceleration which will drain the battery fast. Having said that, if you charge overnight and start your day at 100 percent, you will likely never face range anxiety issues. After all, most Europeans dont drive that much on a daily basis according to Eurostat, the average persons daily distance for urban trips is anywhere from 5.6 km (3.5 miles) in Greece to 19 km (12 miles) in Germany.

The advantage of a small battery is quick charging. A full charge on a 7.4 kW Type 2 AC charger takes 4.1 hours, although 100 kW DC rapid charging (good luck finding one) can get you to 80 percent of charge in 30 minutes. During our review we used the 6.6 kW onboard charger on a public charging network, taking us from 1 to 99 percent in around 5 hours. Things are not looking that great on a standard home outlet though. While our Honda e had a second charging cable allowing us to plug it on the wall, it only added 4 percent in a little over an hour with more than 15 hours needed for the remaining 60 percent charge according to the trip computer.

Pricing and availability

The Honda e is only available in Europe and Japan, with the automaker choosing not to bring it Stateside. In Greece, where we drove it, pricing starts from 35,990 ($40,304) for the Honda e and from 38,990 ($43,641) for the Honda e Advance before you add the government incentives that shave 15-20% off the cost.In the UK the EV is listed for 34,365 ($45,989) and 36,865 ($49,334) respectively, which is similar to what youd pay for mid-spec Honda CR-V Hybrid AWD.

Sub-compact EVs from other automakers can be a lot cheaper although high-spec variants end up being more expensive. Those include the Fiat 500 (28,300-38,600 / $31,675-43,207), the Peugeot e-208 (32,300-40,900 / $36,158-45,785), and the MINI Cooper SE (33,960-38,357 / $38,013-42,935). Alternatively, you can get the base-spec VW ID.3 which starts from 34,000 ($38,068) despite being a segment above. Note that the aforementioned prices do not include government incentives.

Our verdict

The Honda e is an EV for those who prioritize style and technology over value-for-money and outright usability. Pricing is steep for its size, but the gadget-filled interior feels like a cozy living room with retro design cues brought into the future. Driving the e puts a smile on your face and the styling makes you look twice over your shoulder every time you park it. Besides the obvious cool factor of its design and the rather full list of standard equipment that comes with the high price, the Honda e offers a refined ride and good performance. A larger or more efficient battery is the only thing that is missing to allow greater freedom and more fun behind the wheel, since the range is limited compared to rivals, narrowing its use primarily in the urban cycle as a second car.

more photos...

We would like to thankHondain Greece for lending us the press car.

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Driven: The Honda e Advance Is A Retro-Futuristic Gadget On Four Wheels - CarScoops

A Spanish company is pouring tens of millions of dollars into becoming the worlds first commercial octopus farm, in spite of mounting evidence that the creatures can feel pain and pleasure, nevermind the environmental impacts of cephalopod farming.

A Reuters report about Nueva Pescanova, the company set to start farming octopi pending European Union approval, spotlights the significant ethical and environmental concerns looming over the startup fishery thats already loaded 65 million euros (the equivalent of $74 million USD) into its efforts.

Octopi have been getting unprecedented attention in recent years. From the 2014 video of an octopus walking on land to the endless stream of footage showing octopi adorably (and sometimes ferociously) fighting with other aquatic animals and humans alike, these feisty creatures are beloved online and off, as evidenced by Netflixs stunning, uber-popular documentary My Octopus Teacher.

Yet in spite of the overwhelming public and scientific acknowledgement of their intelligence, which in 2021 led the UK to legally declare them sentient, octopi fishing has boomed, with some analysts declaring it the fastest-growing food production sector globally. Naturally, overfishing octopi has become a major concern hence the desire for octopus farms.

Octopus fishing and potential farming, critics say, is fraught for a number of reasons. Reuters notes that previous captive octopi-breeding efforts have blown up because get this the cephalopods exhibit cannibalism, self-mutilation, and aggression towards each other.

While Nueva Pescanova director David Chavarrias stressed to Reuters that the company hasnt yet observed cannibalisticbehavior in its octopi, the company hasnt provided many details on the creatures conditions at its facilities.

To foster a quality of life high enough to keep such intelligent animals comfortable would cost much more than would be profitable, according to the World Wildlife Foundations Raul Garcia, who directs the organizations fishing conservation efforts in Spain.

Octopuses are extremely intelligent and extremely curious, Garcia toldReuters. And its well known they are not happy in conditions of captivity.

Eduardo Almansa, a scientist whose employer, Spains Oceanography Institute, developed Nueva Pescanovas farming technology, told the news wire that if we want to continue consuming octopus we have to look for an alternative because the fisheries have already reached their limit.

Environmental researchers,though, have warned that farming octopi harms the environment just as much as fishing for them would.

Octopus farming would increase, not alleviate, pressure on wild aquatic animals, Jennifer Jacquet, a professor of environmental studies at New York University, wrote in a 2019 analysis where she and fellow researchers came out against the proposed practice. Given the depleted state of global fisheries and the challenges of providing adequate nutrition to a growing human population, increased farming of carnivorous species such as octopus will act counter to the goal of improving global food security.

This rock-and-a-hard-place scenario, as many activists point out, is good cause to simply stop buying and eating octopus. But short a global vibe shift away from eating these intelligent cephalopods or the EU deciding not to let octopi farming go ahead, its hard to imagine this wont be an ethical flashpoint for years to come.

READ MORE:Worlds first octopus farm stirs ethical debate [Reuters]

More octopi:Scientists: Octopuses Love to Fling Objects at Each Other

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Critics Horrified by World's First Octopus Farm - Futurism

US President Joe Biden announced a fresh wave of sanctions aimed at Russia over its invasion of Ukraine on Thursday.

The goal: to cut off Russias economic ties to the rest of the world, starve its military and put its space industry on ice.

We estimate that we will cut off more than half of Russias high-tech imports, and it will strike a blow to their ability to continue to modernize their military, Biden said during an announcement on Thursday. It will degrade their aerospace industry, including their space program.

The Biden administration and NASAs considerable bargaining position not to mention US access to the International Space Station, a decades long collaboration between the two countries is greatly indebted to SpaceX, a company which has allowed NASA to send astronauts into orbit without leaning on Russia.

Thats a new development. Ever since NASA retired the Space Shuttle in 2011, the agency hadto rely exclusively on Russian-operated Soyuz spacecraft to send astronauts to the orbital lab.

That picture changed considerably in 2020, when SpaceX successfully launched the first NASA astronauts to the station in its Crew Dragon capsule, the result of the space agencys Commercial Crew contract.

NASAs hand in navigating the current Russia crisis is immeasurably strengthened by the availability of Crew Dragon and its regular, reliable access to space, Ars Technicas senior space editor Eric Berger wrote in a tweet. Absent that, they would face the choice of quietly submitting to Russian demands or abandoning the ISS.

While NASA and Russias ties extend far beyond shuttling astronauts into space, controlling access to the ISS is the ultimate trump card right now in low-Earth orbit, Berger argued in a followup tweet.

With its unprovoked invasion of a European nation, Russia has chosen a scorched-Earth approach and its space program will likely suffer the consequences as well.

Dmitry Rogozin, the head of Russias space corporation Roscosmos who has close ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin, made his stance clear.

Glory to Russia, he tweeted on Monday.

Rogozin also attempted to flip the script in a different tweet on Monday.

We really value our professional relationship with NASA, but as Russian and citizen of Russia, I am completely unhappy with the sometimes openly hostile US policy towards my country, he wrote.

Its not just the US that has been relying on Russian-made rockets to reach orbit. For instance, Europes Arianespace has been leaning on Russian Soyuz rockets to deliver satellites into orbit, an effort to establish Europes own version of GPS.

How the international space community will react to Russias invasion remains to be seen.

NASA continues working with Roscosmos and our other international partners in Canada, Europe, and Japan to maintain safe and continuous International Space Station operations, a spokeswoman for NASAs Bill Nelson told Ars Technica on Wednesday.

That tenuous relationship is under some serious pressure, given Russias aggression. The country is unsurprisingly aiming to launch its own space station over the next decade or so, having announced plans to abandon the ISS last year.

Where that leaves operations on board the International Space Station is anybodys guess.

But as the Russian invasion goes on, that picture may end up changing rapidly. Given Bidens sanctions, all eyes are on NASA. And thanks to SpaceX, theyre in a much stronger position.

More on the situation: NASA Says Everything Is Perfectly Chill on the Space Station Despite the War

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There's a Reason NASA Doesn't Have to Submit to Russia: SpaceX - Futurism

Get the most out of your gaming experience by upgrading to a high-end gaming TV that can handle the power and speed of next-gen devices, like the PS5. Otherwise, you may find yourself falling behind the competition simply because your gaming TV is hindered by lag and latency problems. While slower games, like role-playing games (RPGs) or puzzle games, may not be overly affected by the refresh rate of the TV, you could find yourself at a significant disadvantage in fast-paced action/adventure titles, as well as first-person shooters (FPS) or third-person shooters (TPS).

The best gaming TVs need to offer a great refresh rate, high-definition visual displays, and reliable tech, like NVIDIAs G-SYNC or AMDs FreeSync variable refresh tech which helps to reduce lag and latency problems. Even if youre looking for a gaming TV to play older consoles or systems, you should still opt for quality over size, so that you can fully immerse yourself in rapid, entertaining gameplay. Check out these top choices for the best gaming TVs.

Best Overall: LG OLED48CXPUB Alexa Built-In CX 48-Inch 4K Smart OLED TV Best Budget: Hisense ULED Premium 65-Inch Class U8G Best 4K: Sony A8H 65-inch TV Best for PS5: Sony X900H 65-inch TV Best for Xbox: SAMSUNG 55-Inch Class Neo QLED QN90A Series

For many people, video games started with console gaming, and years spent learning and upgrading from the original NES to the new, next-gen systems have helped to better understand the needs of the console gamer when it comes to gaming TV selection. Over 40 different options were researched and reviewed. Both experience and an in-depth look into each product were necessary to narrow down the choices, eliminating many good quality products in the process, including the Vizio M7The gaming TV, the LG C1 OLED gaming TV, and the Sony X90J gaming TV.

To ensure that only the top gaming TVs made the cut, we looked at the size, resolution, refresh rate, and panel type. If a product was offered in multiple sizes then it was typically given preference over similar options that only came in one size. Similarly, the panel type was easy enough to determine and rank accordingly due to the relative consensus in the gaming community that puts OLED and QLED products ahead of ULED or standard LED TVs.

Most gaming TVs now have a 4K resolution that helps to bring the vivid graphics to life, though gaming consoles havent caught up to 8K technology, which led to a focus on 4K TVs for this selection. The refresh rate of a gaming TV ranges from 60Hz to 120Hz. Currently, only gaming monitors and some high-end laptops have a higher refresh rate, but the higher the refresh rate of a gaming TV, the more favorable it was viewed during the selection process.

Why It Made the Cut: With top-end power and speed that surpasses the ability of most consoles, this LG OLED gaming TV is the best gaming tv for gamers looking to push their limits.

Specs: Size: 48 inches, 55 inches, 65 inches, or 75 inches Resolution: 4K Refresh Rate: 120Hz

Pros: Impressive 120Hz refresh rate Small enough for a PC gaming setup Works with NVIDIA G-SYNC Enhanced motion control to smoothly handle quick visual changes

Cons: Risk of screen burn-in

The LG CX gaming TV is easily one of the best options available for both the console gamer and the PC gamers. It doesnt just boast outstanding graphics and rapid refresh rates, but is also available in a small-enough size for PC gamers to add this impressive TV to their desk, instead of trying to figure out how to position a 65-inch or 75-inch TV. While some PC gamers may be adverse to using a gaming TV instead of a gaming monitor, the LG CX 4K OLED TV is designed to work with NVIDIA G-SYNC and it utilizes enhanced motion control in order to handle the demands of quick scene changes and rapid gameplay.

This gaming TV is 48 inches in size, measuring diagonally from corner to corner, and it boasts a 120Hz refresh rate without sacrificing its 4K resolution. However, like all OLED TVs, this product is susceptible to screen burn-in if its left on the same image for two or more hours, so make sure to set up a screen saver or simply turn off the TV when its not in use.

Why It Made the Cut: Get this affordable gaming TV with built-in Google Assistant to take control of the gaming setup with nothing but voice commands.

Specs: Size: 65 inches or 55 inches Resolution: 4K Refresh Rate: 120Hz

Pros: Impressive 120Hz refresh rate Multiple sizes are available Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant Quantum Dot display

Cons: Risk of screen burn-in

While ULED products from Hisense dont always keep up with the more reliable OLED and QLED designations, this Hisense ULED Premium 65-Inch Class U8G TV is one product that doesnt just have an attractive label, but also has the quantum dot technology to back it up. Users can activate the TV with nothing but their voice using either Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, and the TV can also be linked to other compatible smart home devices to integrate it into a smart home network.

The Hisense U8G gaming TV is available in 65-inch and 55-inch sizes, depending on the users preference or budget. Gamers can go for the smaller model if the price is a factor and they can still enjoy the 4K resolution and superior, 120Hz refresh rate that makes gameplay unforgettable. Just make sure to set up a screensaver or auto-off timer to prevent burning a still image into the screen.

Why It Made the Cut: Take advantage of the 120Hz refresh rate to get the jump on competitors with this 4K gaming TV by Sony.

Specs: Size: 65 inches or 55 inches Resolution: 4K Refresh Rate: 120Hz

Pros: Impressive 120Hz refresh rate Dedicated game mode Voice commands with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa Intense OLED color contrast

Cons: Risk of screen burn-in High price

Experienced and beginner gamers can both enjoy the outstanding OLED panel technology that creates pure blacks, peak brightness, and true, natural colors in stunning 4K resolution. Instead of being pulled out of an intriguing cut scene because of a poor quality picture, gamers can fully immerse themselves in gameplay and storyline as they experience all that the Sony A8H gaming TV has to offer.

The Sony A8H TV comes in either the 55-inch size or the 65-inch size, allowing gamers to choose the TV that fits their setup. Turn the TV on with voice commands by connecting it to Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa and once the TV is ready to go gamers can switch over to the dedicated game mode to get the most out of the 4K resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. Though, as with any OLED TV, its important to avoid screen burn-in, especially for this high-end product that comes with a premium price tag.

Why It Made the Cut: Low latency and high refresh rates make this Sony gaming TV ideal for one of the hottest next-gen systems on the market.

Specs: Size: 55 inches, 65 inches, 75 inches, or 85 inches Resolution: 4K Refresh Rate: 120Hz

Pros: Impressive 120Hz refresh rate Ready for PS5 gameplay Dedicated game mode Four different sizes are available

Cons: Risk of screen burn-in LED panel technology

The high-quality Sony X900H gaming TV doesnt have OLED panel technology, instead, it uses the more traditional backlit LED panel technology to bring high-definition games to life. While this indicates that the contrast isnt as good as it could be on an OLED device, it also means that every bit of processing speed is dedicated to rapid, 120Hz refresh rates, maintaining low latency during gameplay, and immersive 4K resolution. In fact, Sony has indicated that the Sony X900H TV is ready for use with their latest gaming console, the PS5.

This TV is a great option for early adopters that just want to upgrade from their old PS4 to a new, shiny PS5, and it even has a dedicated game mode that can help reduce latency and increase processing speed with the 4K Processor X1. Though, its still susceptible to screen burn-in if left on a static image for two or more hours. Gamers can choose to invest in an 85-inch model of this TV or go with one of the smaller sizes, including 75-inch, 65-inch, and 55-inch.

Why It Made the Cut: Optimize gameplay with the on-screen Game Bar to make real-time adjustments to screen ratio, input lag, FPS, and more.

Specs: Size: 43 inches, 50 inches, 55 inches, 65 inches, 75 inches, or 85 inches Resolution: 4K Refresh Rate: 120Hz

Pros: Impressive 120Hz refresh rate Striking QLED quantum dot panel Object tracking sound technology On-screen Game Bar menu

Cons: Dolby Atmos is not supported

The SAMSUNG Neo QLED QN90A Series TV takes a huge step away from competitors with the utilization of mini-LED QLED panel technology that radically improves the visual display, color output, and contrast. It maintains a 4K resolution while operating at a refresh rate of 120Hz, but that isnt even the best part of this gaming TV. When it comes to gaming features, the Samsung QN90A TV has its own on-screen menu referred to as the Game Bar that lets gamers customize their gaming experience. This includes changing the screen ratio, adjusting the input lag, changing the frames per second (fps) rate, and more.

The QLED gaming TV uses Samsungs Object Tracking Sound (OTS) technology to analyze the input and content in order to optimize and send the sound to the relevant speakers in the TV, creating an effect that makes it feel as if the sound is moving along with the action. This TV is available in six different sizes and QLED technology is not as vulnerable to the risk of screen burn-in, making it an ideal option for users that tend to forget to turn their TV off. However, this Samsung TV does not support Dolby Atmos, so the sound quality may not be on par with similar products.

Take some time to determine which gaming TV is the best for your style of gameplay and your game genre preferences. While the size can definitely help a TV stand out in your home, it may not be able to keep up with the refresh rate of a smaller TV. The best gaming TV for your gaming setup should have a 4K resolution, though when it comes to choosing the right panel technology to get the most out of your gaming sessions, its up to your discretion.

As TV technology improves the size of gaming TVs has rapidly increased so that the average user can hang an 85-inch TV on their wall without breaking the bank. However, the size of a TV is just one of the factors to consider when choosing a new device, so dont get too stuck on finding the biggest TV available when it may fall short in other important areas, like the refresh rate or the panel technology.

Instead, look for a gaming TV that fits your gaming setup. Console gamers often prefer TVs that range from 55 inches to 65 inches in size, but PC gamers may be looking for a smaller gaming TV that they can set up on their desk. If you dont need to sacrifice power, speed, and stunning visuals, then you can choose any size that suits your preferences. Just keep in mind that the TV also needs to be compatible with your wall mount, TV stand, or desk. Also, its important to keep in mind that the size of a TV is measured diagonally across the screen, not vertically or horizontally, so a 65-inch TV wont be 65 inches in length or height, it will be 65 inches from the top right corner to the bottom left corner.

The refresh rate is essentially the speed at which the image on the screen is refreshed within one second. This is typically measured in hertz (Hz) and its a major factor that can impact the outcome of a match because if your TV is even slightly behind one of your competitors then they have the advantage when it comes to responding to visual stimuli on the screen.

Most gaming TVs have relatively fixed refresh rates that range from 60Hz to 120Hz. If you are looking for a faster refresh rate then you will need to forego the search for a gaming TV and switch to hunting for a gaming monitor that can keep up with your needs. However, if 60 to 120Hz is acceptable, then you only need to decide on if you need the extra speed of a 120Hz product or if your gaming preferences tend towards less action-packed titles that dont require lightning-fast refresh rates, like puzzle games or RPGs.

Resolution used to be more of a factor than it is now because there were a variety of technologies available that could work with the previous consoles. However, most gaming TVs are made with 4K resolution, which is currently the most that any console can keep up with, so unless you are trying to find a gaming TV for your PC setup you wont see any real benefit in paying extra for an 8K device.

As long as a TV can display images in 3840 x 2160 resolution it can be said to be a 4K device. Both the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X can output a 4K signal to the television, while PS5 consoles are currently being updated so that they will eventually be able to be used with 8K displays, though the next-gen console hasnt quite reached this point in development. For now, stick with a 4K gaming TV to get the most out of your console, or if you are an early adopter maybe consider making the switch to 8K to see the future benefits.

The technology thats used to create a picture on a gaming TV is called panel technology and it currently consists of LED, OLED, QLED, and ULED options.

LED TVs are LCD TVs. Its important to understand that there is no difference between the two. The only reason why LED and LCD were ever used to differentiate between devices is because there were LCD TVs that used cold-cathode fluorescent lights (CCFLs) for backlighting instead of LEDs, but CCFL TVs have largely been displaced by LED TVs. These TVs use LED backlighting to transmit an image onto the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panel, while newer technology, like OLED TVs, have panels that emit their own light. LED TVs are gradually being pushed out of the forefront of the market to make room for the superior OLED and QLED products, but if you dont mind the older tech then opting for an LED TV is a great way to save some money.

OLED stands for Organic Light Emitting Diode, which essentially means that the panels in these TVs emit their own light instead of having to be backlit to create pictures. In fact, one of the ways that OLED technology is superior to LED technology is that it controls each LED individually, allowing the TV to simply turn off specific LEDs to create a true-black appearance that cant be matched by LED TVs. However, the drawback of this design is that each pixel is an individual heat source, so to prevent overheating an OLED display will actually be dimmer than an LED TV when its displaying a large amount of bright colors, like a hockey game or a snowy winter scene.

QLED TVs are considered by some to be superior to OLED TVs, though this isnt a definitive judgment. QLED stands for Quantum Dot Light Emitting Diode and these TVs are typically Samsung devices. QLED has been developed almost exclusively by Samsung, though some other companies, including Sony, may also carry a small number of QLED products. This technology uses quantum dots, which are microscopic nanocrystals that react to blue light by emitting red light or green light, depending on the size of the nanocrystals in nanometers. This allows QLED gaming TVs to create brighter colors than LEDs and stunning contrasts that rival OLED TVs despite being backlit or edge-lit, making them ideal for gaming.

-ULED stands for Ultra Light Emitting Diode and its a term that you need to watch out for when looking for a gaming TV. While it isnt necessarily a bad designation, it also fails to provide any real information because ULED is simply a term used to refer to products that operate using a collection of Hisense hardware and software. This does not mean that these devices are on par with OLED or QLED products, so take the time to ensure that you are getting what you expected when you are considering one of these gaming TVs.

Q: Is a 60Hz 4K TV good for gaming?A refresh rate of 60Hz is decent for role-playing games and puzzle games that dont typically require precise timing, especially when paired with 4K resolution, but if you are used to playing fast-paced action games or first-person shooters then you may want to look for a gaming TV that can get up to 120HZ.

Q: Should I use a TV for PC gaming?Console gamers rely on gaming TV technology to help keep up with PC gaming platforms, but there is nothing that stops a PC gamer from taking advantage of new and emerging TV technology to enhance their gameplay. Just make sure that the gaming TV is actually an upgrade from your gaming monitor, otherwise, you may be subject to lag and latency problems.

Q: How do I recycle old tvs?Gaming TVs, like all E-waste, should be recycled whenever possible instead of simply thrown into the garbage. When you make the change to a new gaming TV, take the old TV to your local e-waste disposal center where these devices can be properly disposed of and recycled.

Q: How much does a gaming tv cost?The price of a gaming TV depends heavily on the brand, resolution, size, and several additional features. However, you can get a gaming TV for as little as $300 for smaller models or for more than $2,000 when you are shopping for high-end products.

Get outstanding 4K OLED quality and built-in Amazon Alexa voice control with the LG OLED48CXPUB 4K Smart OLED TV, or opt for a more affordable gaming TV, like the Hisense ULED Premium 65-Inch Class U8G TV with Hisenses proprietary ULED design.

This post was created by a non-news editorial team at Recurrent Media, Futurisms owner. Futurism may receive a portion of sales on products linked within this post.

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Best Gaming TVs of 2022 - Futurism

Plenty of countertop kitchen appliances sell themselves as versatile, and these days, even common toasters come with secondary cooking capabilities. The Omni Cook is a new smart cooking device that actually doubles as a sous chef, and this review will touch on its greatest features.

The device comprises a smart dock complete with a gorgeous touchscreen that the mixing bowl nestles into. Powerful blades grind, crush, and puree as well as any high-end blender. But unlike a blender or food processor, the TOKIT Omni Cook also adds precision heat to cook while the blades spin. With these combined capabilities, along with its built-in scale, the TOKIT Omni Cook can replace up to 21 different common kitchen appliances. Heres a peek at what kitchen alchemy the TOKIT Omni Cook is able to pull off.

Related: Breville Control Freak Review

Hands-free Pastry: Tricky, temperature-sensitive foods like eggs and dairy can go from silky smooth and delicious to curdled nightmare before you can reach for your probe thermometer. The TOKIT cooks eggs into custard and whips cream to soft peaks without constant stirring over a hot stove.

Ready, Set, Bake: The paddle attachment creams butter and sugar as handily as a countertop KitchenAid mixer for your next batch of cookies or cupcakes. It works equally well when it comes to whipping egg whites into meringue so thick you can practically stand on it. The blades are powerful enough to not just knead pizza or shokupan dough, but provide the perfect temps to let them rise to perfection.

Mealtime, Without the Guesswork: The gorgeous interface syncs up to cookNjoy, a worldwide database with thousands of guided step-by-step recipes. Browse through the platform depending on what youre craving, gather ingredients, and let Omni Cook do the rest. When youre done, simply fill with water and a little soap and run the cleaning cycle. The heat combined with the blades will melt away any caked-on food, leaving the machine pristine for next time.

Seriously Powerful, Seriously Safe: Omni Cooks blades run as slow as 40 rpms and as fast as 12,000 rpms, to not simply puree food, but pulverize it. These blades wont start until the stable safety lock is engaged, making it just as safe as less powerful appliances.

Possibilities are Almost Endless: Eleven different cooking modes let you customize everything from blade speed to cooking temperature, which let the Omni Cook work as not one device, but 21. Its a food processor, but its also a juicer, shredder, kettle, ice crusher, slow cooker, meat grinder, and can even be used as a dedicated steamer and rice cooker.

Because of its versatility, its a fantastic option for folks looking to scale down the amounts of bulky kitchen appliances clogging up countertops. For those living in spaces with tiny kitchens (RVs, college dorms, tiny apartments) TOKIT Omni Cook contains plenty of cooking power in a very small, very sleek space.

Buy on TOKIT

This post was created by a non-news editorial team at Recurrent Media, Futurisms owner. Futurism may receive a portion of sales on products linked within this post.

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Byte-Sized Review: TOKIT Omni Cook is (Maybe) the Last Kitchen Appliance Youll Ever Need - Futurism